Chapter 23

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Olivia

T he limousine glided to a stop in front of my parents' building, and my stomach did a nervous flip. This was it. The moment of truth. I glanced at Ruune, who squeezed my hand reassuringly. We hadn't talked much during the ride over, but he hadn't let go of my hand once, and I found that oddly comforting.

As the driver opened the door, Ruune stepped out first, then turned to offer me his hand. I took it, grateful for the support as I maneuvered from the car in my form-fitting dress and high heels. His hand was warm and solid, anchoring me in a way I'd never experienced before.

I'd never considered myself the hand-holding type. It always seemed too cutesy, too couple-y for my tastes. But with Ruune, it felt different. Natural. Like our hands were meant to fit together.

We walked toward the entrance, and I saw Frank, the doorman who'd known me since I was a little girl running around in pigtails. His eyes widened as he took in Ruune, then darted to our joined hands.

"Good evening, Miss Olivia," he said, recovering quickly like the seasoned professional he was. "Happy New Year."

I smiled at him, feeling a small thrill at his obvious surprise. If Frank was surprised, I could only imagine how my parents and their friends would react. "Happy New Year, Frank. This is Ruune."

Frank nodded politely, but I could see the questions in his eyes when he opened the door for us. As we stepped into the lobby, I heard him murmur, "Well, I'll be damned."

The familiar scent of polished marble and fresh flowers hit me as we crossed the lobby. How many times had I walked this path, dreading whatever scolding awaited me upstairs? But this time felt different. This time, I had Ruune by my side.

We stepped into the elevator, and I pressed the button for the penthouse. As we began to ascend, my nerves kicked into overdrive. My palms were sweating, and I was sure Ruune could feel it, but he didn't let go. Instead, he rubbed his thumb soothingly across my knuckles.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. The truth was, I was far from all right. I was about to walk into the lion's den with an alien on my arm. Prince or no prince, my mother was going to have a conniption.

As the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, I took a deep breath. We stepped into the private foyer of my parents' penthouse, the sounds of the party already audible through the heavy, wooden doors.

I reached out to press the doorbell, but Ruune's hand on my arm stopped me. He turned me to face him, his blue eyes intense as they met mine.

"Olivia," he said, his voice low and serious. "Before we go in there, I want you to know something."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. "What is it?"

"It doesn't matter what anyone inside thinks of you or of us," he said firmly. "You are the most amazing female I've ever encountered in all my travels across the galaxy. You need to prove nothing to no one, not even your parents."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, stealing my breath. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. Sure, my girlfriends had, Caroline had, but no man. I’d spent so much of my life trying to prove myself, trying to be good enough. And here was Ruune, this incredible being from another world, telling me I had nothing to prove.

Before I could respond, he cupped my face in his hands, his touch impossibly gentle for someone so strong. Then he kissed me, and the world fell away.

It wasn't like our previous kisses, which had been charged with excitement and nerves. This kiss was different. Softer, deeper, filled with an emotion I hadn’t expected. I melted into him, forgetting where we were, why we were here. Forgetting everything but the feel of his lips on mine, his hands cradling my face like I was something precious.

For a moment, just a moment, I let myself believe that this was real. That Ruune and I weren't pretending, that this wasn't all going to end in a couple of days. I let myself feel everything I'd been trying so hard to ignore. And for a moment, I was happier than I’d ever been.

And then I heard the unmistakable sound of my mother's gasp.

I pulled away from Ruune, my eyes flying open. I turned my head to see my mother standing in the now-open doorway, her face a mask of shock. Her silver hair was cut in its usual bob and her makeup was flawless, although it couldn’t cover every fine line.

"Olivia Grace Harper!" she hissed, her voice low but sharp enough to cut glass. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"

I straightened up, smoothing down my dress with shaking hands. "Hello, Mother," I said, proud of how steady my voice sounded. "Happy New Year."

Her eyes darted between Ruune and me, her perfectly made-up face twisted in disbelief. "Is this a joke?"

I felt Ruune stiffen beside me, and I reached for his hand again, needing his strength. "No joke, Mother. This is Ruune, my boyfriend. The one I told you about on the phone."

"You said you were bringing royalty," she spat. "You didn't say he was... he was..."

"Valorian," Ruune supplied smoothly, his voice calm despite the tension I could feel radiating from him. "I am Prince Ruune of Valoria. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Harper."

My mother's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. I'd never seen her so flustered, and I couldn't help but feel a small spark of satisfaction.

"Mother," I said, taking a step forward. "Are you going to invite us in, or shall we continue this conversation in the hallway?"

That seemed to snap her from her shock. She stepped back, her spine ramrod straight, her society smile plastered on her face. But I could see the storm brewing in her eyes. This was far from over.

"Of course," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Please, come in. Everyone is so eager to meet your…friend.”

Anger flared within me at her deliberate slight, but Ruune's hand in mine kept me grounded. We walked into the penthouse, and I felt every gaze in the room swing to us.

The party was in full swing, the cream of New York society mingling in their finest attire. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the room, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and expensive hors d’oeuvres. But as we entered, a hush fell over the crowd.

I spotted my father across the room, his face pale as he took in the sight of us. Next to him, Mrs. Vanderholt, my mother's best friend and biggest gossip, was already whispering furiously to her husband.

My mother pinned my father with a familiar look. “Olivia has arrived with her…companion."

"Good evening, everyone," I said, my voice stronger than I felt. "I'd like you all to meet Prince Ruune of Valoria. My boyfriend."

The room became a flurry of whispers and widening eyes. But standing there with Ruune, his solid presence beside me, I found that I didn't care what they thought.

For the first time in my life, I knew who I was and who was standing by my side. Even if it was all pretend. Even if it had to end soon.

Ruune leaned down, his breath warm against my ear. "Shall we mingle, my love?" he asked, just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

I looked at him, at his kind eyes and gentle smile, and felt a surge of affection so strong it almost knocked me off my feet. “Abso-fucking-lutely, babe.”

As we moved into the crowd, I caught sight of my reflection in one of the large mirrors lining the room. I hardly recognized myself. Gone was the nervous, insecure girl always seeking her mother's approval. In her place stood a woman, confident and radiant, with a handsome alien prince on her arm.

For tonight, at least, I could be that woman. I could bask in the warmth of Ruune's affection, real or pretend. I could shock my parents and their fake, stuffy friends. I could be the version of myself I'd always wanted to be but never had the courage to embrace.

And the future? Well, that was a problem for future Olivia.