Chapter 100

Theodore

Her grip on her champagne flute tightened, and she turned her head slightly, meeting my gaze. Her eyes were dark and heavy-lidded, filled with amusement and fondness that made me grin like a child.

Giddy.

Happy.

And drunk.

I blinked as the realization hit me.

I was drunk.

Not the kind of reckless, thoughtless drunk that made a man stupid, but the kind that left my skin warm, my mind just loose enough to want things I shouldn’t be thinking about in public. And at the center of it all was Violet, cool and composed, sipping her champagne like I hadn’t just whispered in her ear how much I wanted her. Looking as if she might just give it to me if we made a polite enough escape.

She turned slightly, tilting her head as if considering my words, amusement dancing in her violet eyes. “And if I said not yet?”

I let out a low hum, leaning closer, the scent of her—spiced honey and something distinctly her—making my restraint slip further. I was feverish already. Not the sort of pulsing, driving need I was used to before Violet, but this low, thrumming, pulsing ache that made me already half hard and slipping closer and closer to desperate.

“Then I’d ask how much longer you intend to make me wait.”

She took a slow sip of her drink, clearly enjoying this more than she should. “A man should learn patience, Theodore. It builds character.”

I huffed a quiet laugh, my hand pressing a little more firmly at her waist, feeling the heat of her even through the fine fabric of her dress. “I’m plenty patient.”

She arched a brow. “Is that why you’re practically draping yourself over me in the middle of a noble reception?”

I chuckled. "No…" I leaned my head against hers, nuzzling her, drawing her closer.

Just wanting her closer to me.

"I really… want to be closer to you," I said, my words soft but not quite slurring.

I was definitely drunk.

“Careful, Theodore,” she said softly, a hint of a laugh in her tone. “You’re treading dangerous ground. They can scent out drunkenness.”

I chuckled, low and rich, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. “I’ll take my chances, and I'm pretty sure they already know I'm drunk. They're the ones pouring the drinks…”

She laughed and reached up, twining her fingers in my hair and scratching my scalp in a way that made me want to go boneless with contentment.

"You… are not helping."

"I am."

I scoffed at that, but didn't move away. I knew I should step back. That would be the smart thing to do. The strategic thing. But instead, I let my lips brush the curve of her jaw, just enough to feel her sharp inhale.

“You’re the one treading dangerous ground now."

She didn’t pull away and she didn't stop scratching my scalp either.

"I've been told I do my best work in trying circumstances."

Before I could push my luck any further, laughter rang out near us.

“Ah, newlyweds,” the hosting alpha drawled, grinning as he and a few others sauntered over. “Look at him, completely lost to his Luna. I remember those days.”

"Lost, indeed! Just like her father. Must be the bloodline."

I tilted my head at that and looked at Violet, trying to figure out if that was really a compliment. She had this… fondness in her eyes that made me kiss her cheek tenderly, unashamed.

"More like lost to the wine," another alpha chuckled. “Hard to believe Alpha Nightshade is such a lightweight.”

Violet smirked, pulling away slightly, though she didn’t quite leave my hold.

“I'm not," I huffed. They laughed. "It's whatever you've given me. You're actively getting me drunk."

The alphas roared with laughter, clapping me on the back. Violet laughed as I straightened, exhaling through my nose.

"You're laughing at me?"

"It's tradition," she said. Her eyes twinkling. Violet was enjoying herself far too much. "To get the newly married groom drunk. I think they're more impressed that you're still standing."

I huffed. "I'm not that drunk." I scowled over at the group. "Not for their lack of effort."

The laughed again when Dorian came over, grinning, looking positively devious too. He waved his hand.

"Go on, then. You're free to escape. I don't think there are any more drinking games we could reasonably put you through." He smirked. "And I'm sure you two are probably eager to get back to your honeymooning.”

More chuckles from the alphas. A sprinkle of girlish giggling. But I didn't care much about that. It was Violet's cheeks, slightly red with a flush that made me smile. Her expression was s composed as ever, but the slight lift to her lips gave her away even if I could feel it through our bond.

Happy.

I guessed that meant I had passed all the tests for the evening.

Violet simply dipped her head in a polite nod. “How gracious of you.”

I took her cue and stepped back, offering my arm. She placed her hand in the crook of my elbow, letting me lead her away from the revelry, though I could still hear the low murmurs and laughter at our expense.

Once we were out of immediate earshot, she glanced up at me, smug. “You’re oddly charming when you’re tipsy.”

I grunted. “I'm always charming when I want to be."

She only smiled. “And you want to be?"

I licked my lips and pulled her around so we were chest to chest, our hips pressed together so she could feel how hard I was and look into my eyes. She gasped, staring up at me. I could see my own desire reflected back in them.

"I… cannot think of a moment in which I will not want to charm you, Violet."

Then, I kissed her.

Violet

I groaned, melting into the kiss. Though the sounds of the party still drifted towards us, we were mostly out of sight. I'd combust if anyone saw us making out like teenagers. He groaned, pushing me up against the wall.

"Not here," I gasped, pushing him back before he could even think about it.

He growled, took my hand and led me inside. By the time we reached the hallway leading to our room, my pulse was racing. He'd barely been able to keep his hands to himself the whole walk there, pushing me against the wall at nearly every turn to kiss me, grope me, grind against me like he couldn't wait.

Now, he had me clamped to his side, his hand was firm against my waist, his touch lighting a fire under my skin.

"Theo--"

He turned, putting me against the door, pressing my back against it and kissing me again, desperately. A soft, pleading rumble in his chest. My fingers curled in the lapels of his jacket as I tried to push him off enough to breathe. His pupils were blown wide, that predatory glint in his eyes making my breath hitch.

"Let me--"

“You,” he murmured, “are entirely too intoxicating like this.”

I bit my lip. He hissed and sucked from between my teeth. I turned away.

"Let me get the door open."

His smirk was sharp. “Is anyone else staying in this corridor?"

I turned around before he could kiss me again. But that didn't deter him. His lips were on my neck. His hips pushed against mine, grinding against me as I fumbled for the key to the room. He panted in my ear, groaning, growling, moaning my name. All of that I could have endured, but his magic, humming beneath his skin, coiling through me like another set of hands, caressing me was something else.

It was exhilarating, making every touch sharper, every sensation amplified. I gasped against his mouth as his hands roamed lower, his grip possessive. Finally, I got the door unlocked just as his hands were sneaking up the leg of my romper.

“Inside,” I breathed, pushing the door open. “Now.”

He pressed forward, lifting me against him, keeping me pinned. He barely managed to kick it shut behind us before his mouth was on my throat, his hands tugging, pulling, at my clothes, trying to get them romper off.

I swatted his hands away. "Do not rip my clothes."

"I'm trying not to," he growled. "I really… Fuck, Violet."

I reached back and grabbed him by his arm, throwing him over my shoulder and onto the bed. He growled, turning over and about to lunge. I held up a hand. He stopped, staring at me. Shoulders heaving, face flushed. Desperate. Wanting. Watching me with an intensity that made me feel like I was going to burst into flames.

"I thought you wanted me to do it?"

He bit his lip, bringing his hands to his own jacket and starting to strip, though his eyes never left me as I unzipped and unclipped the romper, letting it slide off me.

He made a low satisfied sound, his gaze dragging over the soft, pink entirely too frilly set he'd picked out for me to wear. He licked his lips.

“Good choice?” I teased.

He reached for me, tracing the lace at my hips. “Best damn decision I’ve ever made.”

I squealed as he pulled me into his arms.