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Paris, July 2018
City lights illuminated the royal motorcade as Liam gazed out the window and toyed with Jade’s wedding band while holding her hand. The last time he was here, he kept wondering if he would come back with her again to have another late night stroll. He wondered if he’d ever be as in love as he was then and if things didn’t work out, he’d be happy to back. Every stone in the streets, every tree, every bush, every lock attached to the Pont Des Arts railing, even the waters of the Seine were their witnesses. Every part of city knew how he felt that night. Paris would never be the same to him again.
Fortunately, Paris would know now how much their love had grown and how happy they were to spend the last days of their honeymoon.
“We’re here!” Jade cheered as the car rolled to a stop in front of a crowded nightclub.
Liam’s forehead creased as he glanced outside. “Is this place, Lucas?”
“Yes, sir,” the driver replied.
“Of course it is! There are several pictures of The Weeknd when he was was here yesterday!”
“I don’t follow…” The king’s brows furrowed in confusion. “How is the weekend a person?”
“It’s an artistic name, honey. He’s an R&B and Soul singer.”
“Oh… Is he good?”
“He is. But do you mind waiting until later for us to expand your knowledge on 2010’s music? We’re here for a very specific reason.”
“As you wish, my love.”
With a small signal to his guards, the car door opened and Liam climbed out, extending his hand to Jade so she could do the same. Before the paparazzi could recognize the couple, the King’s guard ushered them into the nightclub.
A strange scent reached his nose as he found himself in a dimly lit hallway. Smoke, magenta lights, loud EDM music, murmurs and moans in delight as strangers eagerly explored one another’s bodies in darker corners surrounded him. Once in a while, Liam made an effort to join his friends in celebrations at nightclubs and dive bars, but he couldn’t say he was very fond of places like this.
Just then, Jade smiled at him, pulling him by the hand. She probably didn’t know, but that small gesture meant so much to him.
New York, September 2017
When the cab pulled to a stop before the Kismet, Jade thanked the driver and paid for the ride. Liam’s brows furrowed. Perhaps he should’ve paid the cab. It was the least he could’ve done after she went through all the trouble of arranging a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty in the middle of the night. Yet, all her actions were so fast paced he could barely keep up. Did all New Yorkers seem to be constantly in a hurry or was it just the ones he had crossed paths with?
Before he knew, they were standing on the sidewalk to walk back into the nightclub. It was a pity they had to return. She was right about that place being the most exclusive nightclub, given the long line still formed outside. But a noisy and crowded nightclub was the last place he wanted to be.
For a moment, he wished he hadn’t answered his phone when Drake called to ask where he was. He wished he could’ve taken Maxwell’s suggestion to meet them later at the hotel. Why didn’t he seize the opportunity and suggested taking a walk around the city with her? He could’ve seen the city through her eyes, maybe he could’ve taken her back home. He just met this enigmatic woman and it was no exaggeration to say he’d gladly spent the rest of the trip getting to know her.
A soft and warm hand then reached for his, bringing him back to reality. As their eyes met, she smiled softly. “Come on! I’m in the mood to dance now.”
Was she this excited earlier? Perhaps she was, but he didn’t notice it while he watched his friends go straight to the dancefloor to be sure they were having fun.
While Jade guided him back inside, he was surprised they didn’t bump into anyone on the way, given how dark the entryway was. As the music grew louder, pink lights reflected on her hair and leather jacket. To follow her, even in a dark hallway, was exhilarating. Somehow, he had this feeling that something good was waiting waiting around the corner.
When they finally reached the dancefloor, the music changed to a pop song not entirely unfamiliar to him.
“Oh, I love this song!” Jade beamed at him and immediately pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around his neck as she sang along.
In any other situation, he would’ve found a way to politely keep a respectful distance between them. After all, they barely knew each other. Yet, he just didn’t. Ever since they kissed on the boat, he yearned to be closer to her, to know the smell of her hair, to figure out the base notes of her perfume, to feel how soft her lips were when they get swollen after searing kisses.
His body moved along with hers, following the upbeat rhythm of the song. As he placed a hand on her waist, she turned away, pressed her back against his chest and kept dancing. Anything similar to this in Cordonia could’ve cause a huge scandal. But here, it didn’t matter if she took the lead, if their steps weren’t perfectly choreographed, if she was way too close than his security detail would allow any stranger to be. He was free to do as he pleased. And right now, nothing was more pleasant than this.
As his hand slowly roamed across her stomach to keep her closer, a part of him still wondered if he wasn’t taking advantage of the situation. The last thing he wanted was to disrespect her limits.
“Is this okay?” He murmured in her ear.
Smiling, she looked back at him, placed her hand over his, intertwining their fingers.
“It’s more than okay.”
With that, his shoulders relaxed. Somehow, following his own whims had brought him more joy than any other moment he followed his friends suggestions. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be so bad to be a little reckless for one night.
Paris, July 2018
The dark and crowded hallway, once again, was no match to Jade’s eagerness to dance. A mix of joy and pride rose inside his chest. To see his wife happy was always a pleasure, but to know he made her happy was something else entirely.
As soon as they stepped into the dancefloor, the song changed to Into You. Her smile grew wider.
“Oh, this song!”
“The song of our very first dance at Kismet,” he added.
Jade’s eyes softened as she looked back at him and pulled him into a tight hug. “You remembered…”
“I do. Quite vividly, I must say,” he murmured.
“Mmmm… How vividly are we talking about?” She asked with a mischievous smile.
His arms encircled her waist as they started to dance. “Enough to cause a scandal,” he whispered. “Perhaps this is something we can discuss further at our hotel suite?”
“I’ll hold you to that, my king.”