A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1) (14 page)

I covered my eyes with my hand trying to slow my heart rate and breathing, but I wasn’t able.

“Xaviera,” Thaddeus’ deep voice cracked. I moved my hand. “I love you.”

I softly kissed his lips. “I love you too.”

September

Chapter 13

Gia’s Birthday

I rushed home after making sure that Gia was all ready for her party. She was going to ride to the ballroom with her parents. Thaddeus was going to be picking me up soon, and I wasn’t ready. I blew past Mom and Dad to get to my room.

I was putting the final touches on my makeup and hair when Mom said Thaddeus was here. I was excited to see him. Between my school schedule and working and his work duties, we hadn’t seen each other all week.

Since we left Miami we didn’t have sex, not that we didn’t want to. We haven’t found time or privacy. I was hoping that tonight we might be able to sneak away after Gia’s Matched.

“Xaviera, we’re leaving,” Mom called up to me.

“Tell Thaddeus I’m almost done,” I yelled at her.

“I’m sure he heard you.”

I rolled my eyes as I slipped on my earrings and wiggled my foot into my shoe.

“You are gorgeous,” Thaddeus’ deep voice sounded in my room.

“Wow.” I turned to see my Matched in a black tuxedo. “You look very yummy.”

“Yummy? I didn’t think that when I was trying to get this bowtie right.” He fiddled with it. I walked up to him and fixed it.

“Yes, you’re very yummy.” I kissed his lips.

“Your shoes are pretty hot.” He winked and wrapped his arms around me.

“Yep, my Matched got them for me.” I smiled up at him, leaving his arms to fluff my hair and grab my purse.

“Hey.” He came up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’ve missed you.” He kissed my neck. “Let’s skip the party and have sex all night.”

“As tempting as that is, it’s Gia’s twentieth, and I’ll be there for her.” I turned in his arms, and kissed him.

“You’re going to pass up sex with me for some cake and catered food.”

We both jump apart when we hear someone clearing their throat in the doorway.

“Thaddeus.” My mother’s face was stone as she stood there in her black evening gown. “Your car is blocking the King in, would you please move it?”

“Um, yes, Your Majesty.” Thaddeus escaped my room as if it was on fire.

My mouth was like sandpaper. Mom walked up to me. “Xaviera, did I hear what I thought I heard?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but I didn’t know what to say and nothing would come out.

“That’s what I thought.” She pursed her lips and walked out of my room.

Oh, this was going to be a long night.

~~~

Thaddeus and I didn’t mention sex on our drive to the ballroom. I think we both knew that all of our parents would know soon because Mom would tell Mrs. Edwards.

The ballroom was packed with everyone in Unit. At least, it seemed that way. Thaddeus went to find Graham and Oliver, and I went off to find Gia. Of course, she was having a breakdown in the corner.

“Oh my word, thank Mother Nature you’re here.” She latched onto me like a lifejacket. As my Controller, Gia’s usually the calm one out of everyone, but that wasn’t the case right now.

“It’s okay.” I wrapped my arms around her. “This place is beautiful.” I looked around the room. It was regal looking. All the gold and silver twinkled under the soft lighting from the chandeliers. “Any hints about your Matched yet?”

“I’d have better luck getting trade secrets from the CIA than any hint from my own mother about my Matched,” Gia quipped at me. “Sorry, I’m a little stressed.”

I hugged her. “I know, but it’ll be okay.”

“I’m here,” Amaya announced behind us. “I’m sorry. Oliver drives like an old woman.” She put her arm around Gia. “Do we know yet?”

We both shook our heads.

“Well, okay. Let’s get something to drink.” Amaya pointed to the fountain of punch.

“Xaviera,” Thaddeus said my name and motioned for me to come over to him. I told the girls I’d be right back.

“What is it?”

“Okay, don’t panic or say anything, okay?” I nodded. “Do you remember at Amaya’s party that Graham said he’d know when his Matched day came?”

“Yeah, because of his mom, right?”

“Yep.” He looked around before turning slightly to my left. “Look over my shoulder and don’t say anything.”

I looked around him not sure what I was seeing until I saw Mrs. Centers. She was glowing; actually beaming with pride all over her face. I gasped raising my eyes to Thaddeus.

“Yep, Graham’s figured it out too. Stay with Gia, I know she won’t be the happiest when she figures it out.” He kissed me quickly and went back to his friends, and I went to mine.

I did my best through the night to act like I didn’t know anything, while Gia tried to figure it out. When dinner was served I went and sat at my assigned table with Thaddeus, his parents, and mine.

My mom and Mrs. Edwards kept looking at Thaddeus and me. They both knew that we’d had sex. Of course, that made it more uncomfortable.

“Princess, have you thought what you will do after you graduate?” Mr. Edwards asked.

“Well, my goal right now is to find somewhere to intern because if I can’t get into the hospital or a doctor’s office, I won’t be graduating,” I told them.

“Why didn’t you say something?” my dad growled. “We know plenty of people.” All four parents stared me down, along with Thaddeus.

“Oh, I didn’t want to bother anyone.”

“That’s inexcusable, Princess,” Mrs. Edwards scolded. “School is very important, and we’re your family.”

“I was trying to do it on my own.” My emotions jumped at the thought of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards treating me like family.

“You can’t do everything by yourself. I’ll make some calls on Monday,” Mom said.

I knew better than to argue, so I returned to my plate. The parents started discussing business, and I did my best not to look bored.

I did glance over at Gia several times, and she was paler than usual. I couldn’t imagine what will happen when her Matched is announced.

“Attention, everyone,” Mrs. Bates announced loudly into the microphone.

I looked at Thaddeus, and he took a deep breath. I shot a quick look at Graham and he looked as if he could punch a wall.

This could be bad.

My dad got up from the table and headed over to Mrs. Bates.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my beautiful daughter’s twentieth birthday. Gia, please join me up here.”

I felt bad for her that her father wouldn’t be standing next to her as well. Gia’s father had left Unit before she was born. It was a huge scandal and the adult would never talk to us about it. All we knew was that he was gone.

I watched her walk to over to her mother. Yep, she may pass out.

“I took a long time trying to find a perfect Matched for my baby girl. And I’m excited about this new chapter in her life. Your Majesty.” Mrs. Bates handed the microphone to my dad and she smiled at Gia.

“Congratulations to Gia Bates and to your new Matched, Graham Centers.”

There were some gasps and others clapped. I didn’t know what to do. Gia’s eyes were wide when Graham reached her. He looked like a giant next to her. I was surprised to see him give her a small smile.

“
Occurret vobis pares conjunctio amoris in perpetuum,”
Dad said, and then everyone clapped.

“Please, everyone, keep enjoying the party,” Mrs. Bates said before turning off the microphone.

“Well.” Thaddeus shook his head. “I don’t know how that’s going to go.”

I shrugged not knowing either.

We get up and congratulate the new Matched couple. I hugged Gia tightly and whispered that it would be okay, but she doesn’t say anything back.

When we got back to the table, Mr. Edwards goes right back into talking about business with Dad and Thaddeus. Mom and Mrs. Edwards were gossiping about some new newscaster on the local news.

“Excuse me.” Amaya’s purple highlights popped up next to me. “Hello, everyone, so sorry to interrupt, but we have a small best friend emergency. Thaddeus you need to come too.” Amaya jerked me so hard I almost fell.

“Let go of her, Amaya. Xaviera is able to walk on her own,” Thaddeus growled at her.

Amaya rolled her eyes but released me. We followed her out into the hall to an adjoining room. We walked in and there were Oliver, Gia, and Graham.

Gia’s eyes were puffy, and her makeup was running all over her face. I walked up to her and hugged her.

Graham’s face was unreadable as he stared at Gia. I didn’t know what to do or say. I looked at Thaddeus. “Hey, guys, why don’t you step outside a minute?”

All three of them nodded to me and walked passed us, leaving us alone. Gia went over to a chair in the corner and began sobbing. Amaya and I both had heartbreak for her, and we walked over to her.

“Gia, it’ll be fine.” I hugged her tightly.

“What am I going to do? Graham’s one of the top Protectors, and I’m no one. He’s huge, and likely to squish me like a small bug.”

“Hey,” Amaya yelled at her. “You’re someone. You’re Gia, the Controller for the Royal bloodline. And if Graham tries to hurt you I’ll kill him. You know that I’m much stronger than he’ll ever be.” She took Gia’s hand in hers.

“What was my mother thinking?”

“She was that Graham was the best choice for you.” Amaya jumped in before I could say anything. “Listen.” She pulled her up. “This is your twentieth birthday. Let’s clean you up and celebrate. We’ll deal with being Matched later.”

Gia shook her head. “No, would you mind bringing Graham back in here. I would like to speak with him.”

“Of course,” I said hugging her one last time. Amaya did the same, and we went out into the hall. Without either of us saying anything, Graham stalked passed us.

“Well, wasn’t that a twist of events? I’m starving. I’m going back into the party.” Amaya walked away from us.

“Princess, may I ask you a question?” Oliver stepped in front of me.

“Of course.”

“How do I get through to her? I mean, I can’t get her to even spend time with me, and it’s been over a month.” Oliver’s face was filled with frustration.

“Give her time, she’ll come around.” I tried to give him a hopeful smile.

“Thanks.” He nodded following Amaya.

Thaddeus took my hand. “Want to run away and get a hotel room?”

“Oh, I want to, but I’m still hungry.” I winked.

“Fine.” He playfully sighed, and we walked back to our table.

The rest of the night was uneventful. Gia returned to the party and people were congratulating Graham and her. It was strange seeing them side by side because Graham was much taller than her. She was right; he could crush her, if needed.

When the music started some couples began to dance. It wasn’t common for the younger ones to dance because of being newly Matched, but the older couples danced often.

“Would my Matched like to dance with me?” Thaddeus kissed my cheek.

“Really?”

He stood taking my hand leading me out on the dance floor. We swayed to the soft music, staring at each other.

“If you keep looking at me like that, then we’ll need to leave and find somewhere private.” He kissed my nose.

“I’ve missed you. School is already a killer and between our work schedules, I don’t know when we’ll get together again.” I pouted my bottom lip at him.

“Please, let’s spend tonight together,” he begged.

I gazed into his stunning blue eyes seeing all his love for me in them. I loved him so much, and I could see that he felt the same for me.

“Okay,” I nodded.

“Really?”

I giggled. “Yeah. I mean, we’ve hardly seen each other since Miami, and I could use some alone time with you.”

“Mmm, me too.” He winked making me laugh harder.

I thought we would leave that instant, but instead we danced a couple more songs before I went to find Gia to ask if she was okay.

“Maybe we could grab lunch tomorrow?”

“Text me.” I hugged her.

“Where are you going?” Amaya asked.

“Thaddeus and I are leaving,” I told her.

She rolled her eyes. I hadn’t told Amaya that Thaddeus and I had sex. I did tell Gia, but something told me not to say anything to Amaya. I think it would add fuel to her fire of hating the world right now.

I found Mom standing with Mrs. Edwards, and I told her I was leaving.

“Are you coming home tonight?” She perked an eyebrow at me.

“I’m…I’m…” I stammered not sure how to tell my own mother I was heading to a hotel with my Matched.

“Oh, I think she’s going to go be
alone
with a certain boy,” Mrs. Edwards teased, and my face instantly drained of all its blood.

Both of them laughed.

Mom kissed my cheek. “Please be safe if anything is happening.”

I nodded my head.

I found Thaddeus with Oliver and Graham, and we headed out.