Page 35 of Revenge

I passed it to Blake. “What do you think?”

He took another sip. “Aniseed and licorice. What were you expecting?”

“You try it,” I said to Edward who perched on the edge of the bed by our feet.

He reached down, tasted it and shrugged. “Maybe champagne’s more to your liking.”

By the time the boys finished half the small bottle of absinthe and the two bottles of champagne, their eyes glazed, but Henry and Blake still pawed at my bodice and made noises about deflowering me. They took turns landing increasingly sloppy kisses on my lips, but I kept staring at Edward, who didn’t move any closer to us on the mattress.

A frustrated breath huffed out of my nostrils. Why wasn’t he loosening up? I shoved Blake out of the way and pushed myself up on my elbows. “Edward, are you alright?”

“Ignore him.” Henry pulled me back down. “He’s melancholy tonight.”

Edward ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe I shouldn’t have had so much to drink. Sometimes, I forget alcohol is a depressant.”

The boys each nuzzled at my neck, and I pushed myself onto my knees and crawled at the foot of the bed where Edward sat.

“What about us?” Henry slurred.

“Kiss Blake for a minute.” I pressed my chest against Edward’s back and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “I’m going to see if I can do something about his melancholy.”

Edward tilted his head and smiled. “Sorry.”

“What for?”

“You were probably looking forward to this party, and I’m too preoccupied.”

Behind us, someone groaned. I glanced over my shoulder to find Henry lying on top of Blake and kissing the life out of him. I blinked at the sight, not quite believing they had taken my suggestion so seriously.

“Help me off the bed,” I said. “This petticoat is awkward.”

Blake held my waist with both hands, lifted me off the bed and set me on my feet. “Let’s get some fresh air.”

I glanced at the two drunken boys kissing on the bed. Henry’s fireman jacket had slipped over his shoulders, revealing his broad, muscular back. The pulse between my legs reverberated, sending a shockwave of arousal through my core. Blake moaned and cupped Henry’s muscular ass with both hands.

My tongue darted out to lick my lips. “Will they be alright?”

Edward wrapped an arm around my waist and guided me toward the balcony. On the way, he picked up another bottle of champagne. “Blake’s an equal-opportunity slut, and Henry’s always happy to go along for the ride. They’ll be fine.”

Blake’s hand slipped under the waistband Henry’s pants, further piquing my interest. Instead of staying to gape, I grabbed a blanket at the foot of the bed and followed Edward toward the balcony. If there was an opportunity to hear about International House, I had to take it. Jackie’s words about the unsavory characters being in proximity to children were ominous. She and Rudolph wouldn’t forgive me if I turned down the opportunity for a huge scoop to watch two gorgeous boys make out.

Besides, they were doing it in front of one of the cameras, the last place I wanted to get down and dirty.

Chapter 12

The crisp air gave me a shock as I stepped through the balcony doors, and the view of the river caused a breath to catch in the back of my throat. On one side of the Thames, the London Eye glowed cornflower blue. Opposite and a little downstream, stood Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, illuminated with yellow light. Maybe the few scraps of alcohol I’d imbibed had gotten to my head, but the entire city looked magical.

Perhaps some of the magic might rub off on Edward, and he would give me the information I needed to satisfy Jackie’s fascination with International House.

Edward uncorked the champagne bottle with a soft pop and threw the cork into the night.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I don’t want to burden you with my problems.” He leaned against the edge of the balcony and stared down at a spot on the tiled floor.

I stepped forward but kept a distance of about three feet so as not to crowd him. Trying to keep the eagerness out of my voice, I said, “Maybe there’s something I can do to help.”

“It’s doubtful.” He took several long drags of the sparkling beverage and handed me the bottle.