Olivia Sparks - Volume 1 Chapter 128 Old Friend A

It was a black and white affair for them tonight, and Eli made a minimalist pearl white high neck gown for Olivia, the sheath silhouette hugged her curves at the right places. She had her hair done in big soft waves, dancing as she waltzed to whichever direction she went.

Maxen held his breath when Olivia stepped out of the connecting bedroom in his mansion’s master suite.

The need to own her erupted in his core at the same time he resisted the urge to put his fist in his mouth in anger.

He wondered how could Olivia look magnetic even when the only thing that glittered on her was the bracelet he gave her?

Darting his gaze to her wrist, he smiled at the thing that screamed ‘Maxen’ on her. The white gold bracelet had two jaguar heads that were made of diamonds. While one head has emerald stones as its eyes, the other had onyx in it which matches the jaguar cufflinks that he was wearing that evening.

“How do I look?” Olivia asked, wiggling her wrist to accentuate his gift.

“Divine as always.”

He took her hand, kissing the back of it that made Olivia bite her bottom lip. “Thank you very much, Your Highness. For a second, I thought you wanted to strip me n.a.k.e.d.”

Maxen huffed. He gestured for her to walk ahead of him and when she passed by, he muttered loud enough for her to hear, sending a natural blush on her cheeks. “Because I do, actually.”

She elbowed him, and just like the other times that she elbowed him in the past, he didn’t dodge it, grinning like a school boy who got a pat from his crush.

Behind Olivia, Maxen tried to hold onto the feral need to possess her as they walked out of the bedroom and down the hallway of his mansion. However, just as they reached the stairs, he tugged the big ribbon on her back, loosening it.

“Hey, don’t pull that,” Olivia protested but it was all too late when the naughty little prince did the opposite as told, tugging it with force that his eyes seared her bare back with wanton need. In a blink, they found themselves in the nearest room by the stairwell.

The desk scr.a.p.ed across the floor as Maxen bent her over, ravaging her in a different level of possession and a need to fill her with his seed until she understood exactly who owns her. And when they bounced back from their carnal high, he cleaned her up.

Zipping up his pants, Maxen basked at Olivia’s afters.e.x glow. Amazed was not enough to define how puzzled he was that even when she was a panting mess on top of the office table, none of her hair was out of place.

“What the heck possessed you, Max? Are you okay?” She cupped his cheek, tilting it down to face her.

A frown creased on her brows when she saw his jaw ticked. Something must really be bothering him tonight that no matter how much he tried to act cool about it, it still showed.

Massaging his nape, she probed, “Max, tell me what’s wrong.”

Maxen heaved a heavy sigh, blowing air out of his nose. “There’s nothing wrong really. Besides the fact that we won’t be arriving together, and sitting beside each other the whole night? Oh, let’s not forget that you look perfect, it’s impossible that nobody would ask your hand for a dance. Everything’s faring well if you ask me.”

Weaving their hands, Olivia’s lips curved into a small smile that reached her eyes as she found his sulking petty yet disarming. “But I don’t think there’s someone bold enough to ask me for a dance except you. I don’t know why, but it must be my face. Tristan said I have the resting b*tch face that scares men away.”

“He said that? But you look like a little lamb to me.” Maxen scratched the skin atop his eyebrow. He sized Olivia up and saw nothing but unworldliness in her eyes.

“That’s because you’re blinded with love but this is how I normally look when I check myself in the mirror.”

She swiped her hand over her face, and the smile that Maxen loved seeing in her was gone, replaced by one he sees every time he does something annoying.

Cursing in his head, Maxen thought, ‘Oh sh*t. She does have a resting b*tch face.’ He laughed nervously, his syllables got caught in his throat. “Yeah. That looked weird but promise me you’ll keep that face later especially when Nikolai asks you for a dance.”

“Nikolai?”

“Vasiliev. You said you went to Oxford with him?”

“Oh, yes. He did study in Oxford. I’m sure he won’t come near me, not with Bella around to keep him in his leash.”

“And not just Bella. I just spoke with Konstantin and he said he’ll be in the auction too. Poor guy was born in the wrong family.” Offering his arm, Maxen beamed at Olivia. “Are you ready to win tonight?”

Holding her index finger up, Olivia shimmied in her spot, fixing her knickers. And when all her base was properly covered, she mirrored the smile on Maxen’s face, hooking her hand on his forearm. “Always ready to win.”

Maxen and Olivia arrived separately in the venue much to his chagrin.

Weeks ago, the two came to an agreement that it would help them have a more peaceful life if they would not be seen together in public although whispers about them moving in together at some point became the highlight topic during tea time.

However, the absence of photographs and sightings of the two turned their pairing into a “myth” and eventually, rumors about the two died down.

The ballroom hall was brimming with life but it all fell silent as the emcee announced the arrival of the country’s royal family. Everyone inside stood up, clapping their hands as one by one, members of the Sui Family walked in a procession, headed by King Alistair.

The royal family found their round table near the stage, sharing it with the Vasiliev Family.

Inching closer to Maxen, Queen Isla whispered, “Grab Livi from the other table. I heard Natalia’s skipping the auction tonight. They said her gown was switched to a catwoman outfit.”

Mother and son shook in their seats, holding in the laughter that dared to claw out of their mouths. Beside Queen Isla, King Alistair cleared his throat upon seeing his queen and son misbehaving in public, and it was enough to silence the two.

After the little ceremony on stage, Maxen excused himself and went to the loo. To his surprise, Natalia was standing outside waiting for him.

“Maxen, wait.” She tugged the sleeve of his tux. In an instant, her eyes watered, pleading for Maxen to spare her some time.

Pushing her hand off him, he took a sharp breath, exhaling as loud as possible as he could. “Stop. Just stop it, Natalia. Nothing happened between us for years, and it will remain the same. I am”

Interrupting Maxen, Natalia hugged him, burying her face on his chest. “Maxen, just give me one night to prove myself to you. You won’t regret it. I’ll make you happy. I promise you.”

It took great force for Maxen to peel Natalia off of him. He rolled his tongue over his teeth, disgruntled at her propositioning. “I’ll say this once and I won’t say it again: I am not interested in you. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Natalia’s arms went limp as Maxen left without giving her another look. And just as he stepped back inside the hall, a fire blazing with determination lit in her eyes. Surely, she won’t go down tonight without a fight.

Stepping inside the ballroom hall, a hand clamped on Maxen’s shoulder and when he looked over it, a piercing steel grey eyes welcomed him.

“Konstantin.”

“Maxen. Your Highness.”

“Tch! Drop it. Save that for your brother’s kingly ass.”

The two shared a snort of derision, both hating the same man named Nikolai.

“You looked better than the last time I saw you. When was that? A year ago in London?”

“Yes, around that time which felt like it only happened yesterday. Hey, if you’re free later after the auction, Niko’s holding a poker “battle” in his suite. You might want to beat his ass again.”

Maxen rubbed the skin atop his eyebrows and contemplated for a second. It’s been a long time since he last played cards, but he had to check in on Olivia first, so he replied, “I’ll let you know in a while if I could join you. Any piece that you are eyeing?”

Konstantin took two flutes from a passing waiter, handing one to Maxen. He took a sip of the sparkling wine, his Adam’s apple bobbed in appreciation. “I’m here for Xandra’s painting. I found out an old friend was collecting it, so I wanted to buy it as a gift.”

“Let’s see if you’ll bring it home tonight.” Maxen hid his contempt with a smile. Just how much would he be bleeding tonight with the number of competitors that he has?

He patted Konstantin’s back and excused himself, snaking his way to where Ollie was but halted his step when he heard Olivia’s name being called.

Turning on his heel, his jaws clenched when right in front of him, he saw Konstantin patting Olivia’s head.