Page 28 of Tech Prince Troubles (Runaway Prince Hotel #6)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

SAM

whisked away

I n the chilly night air, Tammy and I zigzagged between luxury cars rolling on and off the plaza, delivering royalty and other high-profile guests to the hotel.

I turned and waved at the kids. They sat outside Café Magnifique with Evan and Bethany, munching on their crèmes renversées while waiting for Evan’s parents. Quinn’s happy—if tired—smile as they waved back filled me with joy.

Kaia Blue’s visit had been everything they’d hoped for.

Her larger-than-life online presence had worried me, but she’d been kind, patient, and very approachable, not just with Quinn.

I had a feeling her video channel was about to become our number-one pick for family gatherings.

Evan hadn’t stopped reading the signed poetry bundle she’d given Quinn.

“They’ll be fine,” Tammy said as she tugged at my sleeve. “Come on. I want to see what your boyfriend’s wearing.”

My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t seen Adri since he’d introduced Kaia—and Crown Prince Frank—to us and disappeared into the hotel to change into the outfit she’d brought him.

If it was anything like what his vibrant brother— ”Just call me Frank” —wore, it was going to be jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

More Regency-inspired than period-accurate, but Niren definitely knew how to wear skirts with style.

I tugged at my cravat. We’d rented our outfits from a theatrical costume store and dressed in the office after Kaia had left.

Julian had thought the Gentleman farmer label tagged to mine was hilarious.

But the deep blue-green tailcoat, copper waistcoat, and dark brown pants had seemed like the most comfortable option, including the polished boots that went with them.

I’d nixed Ella’s suggestion to wear my apron with it, which had sent Jasper and Lucy into a fit of giggles behind the counter. These trousers fit me in all the right places and showed off my packer bulge nicely. Not that Ella needed to know that.

Earlier this week, the kids spent a whole afternoon making masks to go with our costumes. I put mine on. It looked and felt like worn patchwork leather.

We joined the line of chatting people through the lobby and into the ballroom. I nearly stopped right there in the doorway, gaping—but let Tammy lead me deeper into the room.

I was glad Adri had given me a private tour after his last shift at the Tech Hub. Well, more of a quick peek. He hadn’t turned on the chandeliers then; now they scattered geometric shapes across the walls and floor—what little of the floor I could see.

The quality of the finishes, the beauty of the restored arches, the paneling… No wonder Riley had been so impressed by Fred and Ted, the renovation crew. Despite the number of people present, and the elegantly dressed tables arranged along the perimeter, the quality of the work truly shone.

“Wow,” Tammy whispered, awe in her voice. “Remind me to ask what your boss charges for anniversaries. Papá would love this place.”

It would be perfect for her parents’ 50th next year. I made a mental note to ask Layla about staff discounts .

While Tammy admired the chandeliers, I scanned the room for Adri.

It wasn’t until I’d waved at the fifth member of staff that the reality of our situation dawned on me.

After all my exasperation with wayward baristas scoping out customers for hidden royalty—especially Daryl and Justice—somehow, we’d all been whisked away by a fairytale prince of our own.

Of course, that was the moment Adri entered the ballroom and took my breath away.

He glided effortlessly through the crowd, wearing an etched silver half-mask that did little to hide his identity.

“Breathe, Sam. Breathe.” Tammy rested a hand on my shoulder. “I just saw Bethany near the buffet, so I’m going to grab some food. Go get him.”

“Thanks,” I replied without taking my eyes off Adri. I planned to. As soon as I could move.

Standing in the middle of the room, I took my fill of him, my heart racing, and wished for a chair to appear before my legs turned to mush.

His floor-length skirt, shimmering layers of organza over silk, made him seem even taller. On top of that, he wore a fitted, sleeveless tailcoat-style bodice in midnight blue that hugged his slender frame.

Fuck, he was gorgeous.

As he floated nearer, the subtle brocade of the bodice revealed a circuitry pattern, drawing my gaze up to the high collar that dipped into a V . To that murmuring, fluttering spot that begged to be kissed. I licked my lips.

He stopped in front of me with bright eyes and a familiar hint of a smile. The lines beneath his skin were glowing, pulsing. “You are… sublime.”

His polyphonic voice wrapped around me as the room seemed to fade, leaving only him and me.

My cheeks grew hot. My mouth dry. Behind me, the dulcet tones of violins swelled into a beautiful harmony that expressed my feelings better than words ever could. But I needed to say them. For him. For me. For us.

“You are…” Gorgeous didn’t seem enough. And he’d already called me sublime. “Magnificent.” And so much more. “You are magnificent.”

His smile widened. “Will you dance with me?”

I let out a breath. That, at least, I could do. I offered him my hand. “Do you want to lead?”

He placed his hand in mine, then guided my other to his hip before resting his on my bicep. “I understand skirts flow better when being twirled.”

A very Adri answer, despite the static tickling my skin where he touched me betraying his nervousness.

Our first steps were awkward and hesitant as we followed the melody, but we soon found our rhythm—and twirl him, I did.

We spun around the dance floor with abandon, his skirt flowing wide, narrowly missing the chairs and tables, and the dancers rocking it out in the center of the room.

Théo gave me a thumbs-up when we passed him and his prince.

We danced until more people filed in, and my stomach finally registered the wonderful smells coming from the buffet.

“You need to eat,” Adri said as he steered us around Justice and his royal beau.

“I can wait.” I didn’t want this to end. But my stomach disagreed, aloud.

Adri’s lips curled into a smile. “I don’t think you want to meet my mins on an empty stomach.”

I sighed. I’d almost forgotten about that. Almost. When I glanced up, Adri was leading me away from the buffet. “Eh. Shouldn’t we head the other way?”

“No. You sit here, and I’ll get you something to eat.” He pulled a chair out for me and left .

Confused, I sat at the empty table, waving back at Daryl, who sat two tables over. A silver-lined card, placed near the elegant centerpiece, caught my eye. I traced the swooping calligraphy spelling NiraTech when someone sat next to me. Frank.

How did he appear so composed and relaxed at the same time?

He grinned at me. “You seem nervous.”

Of course, I was. I was meeting his parents. The words “Your Highness” lay on the tip of my tongue. I cleared my throat. “Weren’t you nervous meeting Kaia’s parents?”

His grin widened, and he glanced past me with a besotted gaze. “Oh. Definitely. You needn’t be, though. They’ve already thoroughly vetted you.”

And he thought that would reassure me? I swallowed and let out a breath. It wasn’t working.

“I, on the other hand…” His eyes refocused, and he stared right through me. “If you hurt him, remember that deadly plants love me.”

“Oh, pfsh.” Kaia set two plates on the table and sank into the chair next to Frank. “Just turn on a hair dryer. It makes his teeth clench and gives him a headache.”

Frank shuddered as he reached for the second plate—containing neatly cut slivers of sweet treats. “Hair dryers are evil.”

“The planet wholeheartedly agrees, but I’m keeping mine.” Kaia winked. “Just in case.”

Their banter felt surreal and familiar at the same time, but I got Frank’s message. Loud and clear. I more than appreciated his protectiveness toward Adri. And I’d definitely stock up on antitoxins.

A plate appeared in front of me, filled with several of my favorites, making my stomach growl. The hand squeezing my shoulder set me at ease, and I turned to Adri with a smile. “Thank you. That looks lovely.”

Adri’s face lit up, and for a moment, I forgot all about the food. My stomach, however, did not. I ate while listening to Kaia and Frank discuss deadly plants versus evil appliances. Even Adri took a bite now and then. Nothing sweet—only meaty flavors for him.

By the time his parents showed up, I felt sated and lulled into ease. My nerves didn’t even have time to pipe up as King Oliver—”Call me Oliver, please”—asked after my family, and Queen Tess—”Tess is fine”—got me talking about coffee beans.

They invited my family to sit with us, which added to the surreal atmosphere of the evening. A ballroom filled with royalty and baristas, coming together to support a good cause. And love.

I raised a cup to Prince Bartholomew and his barista and thanked them for the magic they spread across the plaza. And to my wayward colleagues. I’d miss them all, but knowing they’d found their happiness made the agony of training new staff worth it. That, and the tasty recipes Théo had left us.

I was still a bit dazed when Adri took my hand. He looked a bit frazzled, despite the twinkle in his eyes and the smile on his lips. “Too much?” I asked, tracing the lines his mask left behind.

He nodded.

“One last dance to the exit?”

One dance stretched to three, then four…

as we spun, twirled, and glided across the floor—and finally, into the hall.

Instead of going to his room, Adri dragged me into a quiet corridor, pressed me into the wall, and kissed me.

His lips buzzed against mine as we explored the taste of the ball in each other’s mouths.

“They liked you,” he whispered afterward, his voice doing that dippy thing.

“Frank threatened me with poisonous plants. Or is that venomous? ”

Adri’s laugh sounded tired. “He’d never hurt plants.”

Maybe I should get my own hair dryer. Just in case. “Come on.” I wrapped my arm around him. “Let’s get you to bed.”

“Oh.” The lines on his arms glowed brightly as he picked me up and floated us toward the stairs. “Will you fuck me?”

I laughed, ignoring the stares and murmurs as he carried me to his room. “Anytime.”