“Wow. I uh…I’m actually speechless.”
Honestly, I didn’t blame her; the contest was one of the most bizarre ideas I had ever heard when the guys had brought it up. I had watched more seasons ofThe Bachelorthan I was ready to admit, and it seemed to work out every once in a while, but in this setting? It seemed just shy of an arranged marriage. I still wasn’t sure how Oliver could get to know someone while courting multiple women at the same time.
“I can see the wheels turning in your head,” Oliver said over the loud club music. “I can tell you it’s probably not as bad as you’re thinking. My intention isn’t to lead anyone on, I do not condone drama, and I’m not in it to make out with a bunch of beautiful women. This was never how I imagined finding my wife, but the law is the law and if this is what I have to do to find a partner to help run my country, then it’s what I’ll do.”
I looked over at him. There was a resignation, almost sadness, backed by determination in his eyes. I admired his dedication to his country. He took his future role as king seriously and he would be a great ruler. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting my own opinions on this to tarnish the night. After all, Oliver was a grown man and could make his own decisions, and I would always support him in any way possible.
“Bee!” Sam yelled as she walked up the few steps it took to get from the dance floor to our small corner of the club. “Come dancewith me!”
Birdie took another drink of her beer and linked hands with Sam, following her to the dark dance floor.
Birdie’s white dress glowed under the blacklights of the club. Her heels made her calves look toned and delicious as she moved in time to the music. The girls danced on each other like they had been doing this for ages. Birdie had her back to Sam; she rolled her body and then dipped down and twisted her way back up. She turned around to face Sam as they danced in tandem.
The girls didn’t notice the two guys talking right behind them. But I did. I kept my eyes on them as they made their way closer and then split up and took positions behind Birdie and Sam. The girls tried to move to the side and dance by themselves but every move they made, the two dipshits followed. They couldn’t seem to take the hint that the girls didn’t want to dance with them. The short weaselly looking man behind Birdie moved to grab her ass, and she turned around just in time for him to fumble her breast. Her eyes flared and her shoulders tightened just before she wound back and punched him square in the nose.
Good girl, I thought as I jumped up to get over there but was cut off by Oliver. I put my hand across his chest and pushed my way in front of him, not wanting him to get in the middle of this. He didn’t need a headline about punching out some asshat Americans in a club. The two of us charged onto the packed dance floor and I pushed my way in between Birdie and the guy with the now-bloody nose.
I loomed over the man, who was several inches shorter than me. “You need to keep your fucking hands to yourself,” I growled.
“Who do you think you are?” the guy spat out, words slurring together.
“Turn around and walk away or I’ll remove you myself,” Isaid firmly, crossing my arms across my chest and flexing slightly.
“Hey!” He poked his finger in the middle of my chest. “I’d like to see you fry…I mean try!”
The guy could barely make eye contact through his hooded eyes. I grabbed him under the arm and turned around to find his partner in crime, but he was already gone. I started walking the bloody-nosed guy toward the door.
One of Oliver’s security guards approached and looked at the guy I had by the arm.
“Everything good?”
“Get this guy out here. His evening is over.”
“Got it.” The guard took him by the collar and escorted him out of the building.
I turned back to the dance floor to find Birdie, wanting to make sure she was okay, and spotted her dancing with Oliver to a remix of “Shivers” by Ed Sheeran.
Of course, I thought. Now that she knew he wasn’t engaged or had a girlfriend, of course she would want to go for him. That’s how it always went. And I couldn’t blame her. Oliver was an amazing guy—he was funny, charismatic, and handsome. Women always flocked to him, and he was smooth with them. Our few minutes in the closet back at the hotel had been a game, nothing more.
I went back to my seat in our corner of the club and grabbed a bottle of Maker’s from the table, opened it, and downed two huge swigs, letting the burn coat my throat. I knew in a ritzy club like this I could order just about any top-shelf bourbon, but in that moment, I merely needed something stronger than beer to take the edge off. I faced the dance floor and took in Birdie dancing with—and on—Oliver. I couldn’t look away. I thought watching her wind and grind her body up and down my best friend’s would take the sting out of thisblow, but it just made the jealousy roll through every limb of my body.
“Oi! They look like they’re getting on pretty well.” Vince hit my knee and pointed to Oliver and Birdie on the dance floor.
I didn’t answer. I just took another taste of the liquor, hoping it would start to numb my envy. Vince nestled into a conversation with Sam, and I looked back to see Oliver skim his hands up Birdie’s legs and run one hand along the hem of her short dress. She rubbed her ass against his front and then shimmied down and popped back up. I couldn’t help but think of earlier that evening and how her eyes glistened when she looked up at me before I kissed her. And the sounds that she made when I sucked her bottom lip and ran my hands over her plump ass.
Thankfully, the song ended, and I was put out of the misery of watching them dance as Oliver guided her back toward our group.
“I’ll be back in a moment, I need to locate the loo,” Oliver excused himself.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I need to sit down for a minute,” Birdie said, settling in next to Sam and Vince.
“Not a problem. Are you having fun? You and Prince Oliver looked like you were having a good chat earlier,” Sam said as she nudged Birdie’s shoulder with hers.
“Yeah, he was just explaining the contest he’s headed back to.”
“Vince was telling me the same thing.”
“Yeah, I thought so. What the hell are you two up to?” she asked, eyeing them suspiciously.
