Prom Queen by Alexa Riley
Chapter Nine
Celeste
“So you think it’s a good idea to have the school band do the music?”
“It would save money, I suppose,” I respond, only half listening to what Emerson is saying. I don’t see Apollo’s car anywhere. This wasn’t a test really. I only want him to get used to us not being together all the time and knowing everything will be fine. Not that I don’t love spending every second with him, but that’s not how the world will always work for us.
He’s not stupid either. If he wanted to spy on me, he’d go home and get another car. I peeked into his dad’s garage once, and there were too many cars to remember them all. He could be in any of them in the darkening parking lot right this second. He could have also hired someone else to watch me like a bodyguard. I pull my attention away from the parking lot and onto the people inside the diner with us.
“Yo, Celeste. Are you with me?” Emerson snaps his fingers in front of my face.
“School band.” I spit out the last few words I can recall him saying.
“You think the school band should do the music for prom?”
“Wait, no. That’s a terrible idea.” It’s a good thing he asked me to help with planning this prom.
“I know it is, but it’s clear you’re not paying attention.” He closes a couple of the folders in front of him.
“I’m sorry. I swear, I’m here.” I try to open the folders again.
“It’s fine. I’m only teasing you. Honestly, I just wanted a little alone time with you. I was worried.” Emerson stopped by a few times, but Apollo hovered the whole time.
“Emerson.” I reach out and put my hand on top of his. “I’m good, really. If anything I’m stronger. I lost time with Apollo because I ran away from him. Life’s too short for that.”
“I know Amber has her demons, but this I didn’t see coming.”
“Is it terrible I’m not mad at her for what she did to me?” I ask. I know this is something I could never say to Apollo. At least not at this point.
“No, I’m not surprised to hear you say that. You’re a soft-hearted person. People don’t need to know you to see that.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” I squeeze his hand before I release it. “But I’m not all innocent. I have a lot of anger about it.”
“Let me guess,” he cuts me off. “Because of what this did to Apollo. Yeah, I noticed you said you weren't mad about what she did to you.”
“Caught that, did you?” I didn’t even catch it, and I said it. “You and my mom in a room together would be fun.”
“That woman has Rory Crew wrapped around her finger. I’ve got tons to learn from her.” I burst out laughing, which feels really good. “But listen, this lingering shit with Apollo is something you two have to fix. What Amber did is done. It’s what you allow her to keep doing to the two of you that counts.”
“Wow.” I don’t know how I got so lucky when I came to Craven Cove. Not only did I find the best boyfriend in the world, but I landed an amazing best friend too. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“I’m always here to lay some truth on you.” He smirks. “Now tell your man to come get you and put you both out of your misery.”
I pull my phone out of my bag and send Apollo a text. He’s pulling into the parking lot by the time Emerson and I have paid the check and are walking out of the diner.
“Apollo!” I gasp when he gets out of the car to open my door for me.
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing? How can you say it’s nothing? Your lip is busted.” It doesn't seem to be bleeding at the moment, but it must have at some point.
“It was just some stupid shit with Shy running his mouth.” He opens the car door for me, but I don’t get in. I pause as I realize I’d completely forgotten about him.
“Let me guess. You’re not going to tell me.” He hesitates for a long moment, but I wait him out.
“I’ll tell you,” he finally agrees, and I lean into him and press a kiss against his mouth before I get in.
When he gets into the car, I reach over and rest my hand on his thigh. I don’t miss the fact that he starts to get hard. His cock makes a noticeable outline in his jeans, and I squeeze my legs together. He won’t let me do anything about that.
Since the accident, I can barely get us past kissing and a little heavy petting. That only ever ends with me getting off. He can put his hands down my panties all he wants, but it doesn't go the other way anymore.
Neither of us say a word as he drives us back to the estate, and we go into the house. He takes me by the hand, and we go straight to his bedroom. He slowly strips me down and then himself before he turns on the shower to tug me in with him. I sigh, closing my eyes as his hands roam my body and he washes every inch of me.
I take the cloth from him and do the same to his body. He lets out a groan when I wrap my hand around his cock. “Celeste,” he warns, as if that will stop me. Not with what I see in his eyes right now.
“You need this,” I say against his mouth as I start to stroke him up and down. The head of his cock brushes against my stomach.
“I need you.” He presses his mouth against mine hard, but he doesn't stop me from stroking him.
He must be ready to explode, because after a few quick pumps of my hand, he groans as he starts to cum. His orgasm hits my stomach, and his mouth breaks from mine. His heavy breathing fills the shower like he’s just sprinted a mile.
“I need you too, Apollo. All of you. Not just the parts you want me to see.” He grips my hips and pulls me closer to him.
“I know.” He kisses me again, this time slower. “Let’s get out of here and dry off.”
I’ve gotten so used to spending my mornings and nights with Apollo, and I’m worried that it might change. Neither of our parents have said much about us sharing a bedroom. Especially with everything that has happened. I don’t want to bring it up in hopes that we can continue like this.
“I love when you wear my rowing shirts,” he says as I pull it on over my head. The word captain is written across the back.
“You should start calling me ‘captain,’” I tease him.
He wraps his arms around me from behind. “What you started in the shower isn’t over, captain.” He nips my neck, and I melt into him. That’s my Apollo.
“Never,” I agree, turning to face him. “We’ll never be over. It doesn’t matter what people throw at us. I have faith in us. I believe in us, and I want you to feel that way too.”
“You’re right.” He snags my hand, pulling me over to the bed with him. “Let’s talk about what happened today.” He starts telling me everything that went down in the school parking lot with Shy, and I listen without interrupting. Once he’s finished, I nod.
“Okay,” I say and then shrug.
“Okay?”
“Yeah, okay. What else do you want me to say? You clearly know he’s full of shit, but you still need to talk to your dad about it.”
“I will.” He nods in agreement.
“The whole Amber thing? Shy said there’s another side of her story, and he’s probably right. I can’t imagine we know all of it. But whatever it is he’s pissed at you about, it's clear he thinks he’s right.”
“That’s just what we need. Another pissed person pissed at me.” Apollo runs his hand down his face.
“He’s not angry at us, Apollo. If he has some kind of vendetta against you or Rory, he could have taken care of it before now. If anything, he is trying to save me from the Crew men.” I slip my hand up his chest. “And all the ladies who fall at your feet.” I swoon dramatically into his lap.
“You’re going to get it.” I let out a small scream when he shifts and pins me to the bed beneath him.
“Good, I’ve been trying to get it for a while now.” I wiggle under him. “I’ve got needs, Apollo.” I wrap my legs around him, and he smiles.
“Then I’ll be the only one to fulfill them.”
I mean, with words like that, can anyone really blame me for falling at Apollo’s feet? Not that he’s ever let me. If I know anything, it’s that he’ll always catch me before I hit the ground.
A lot of bad crap might have happened to us already, but the reality is we got lucky. To find your other half at our age is a bit of a miracle. Now I get to spend the rest of my life facing it all with Apollo next to me, and I know he’ll be there every step of the way.
“Then let’s get to it,” I tease, and he smiles.
“On it, captain.”
