Princess Pea's Bed - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Party Time

Pearl Hollandale tugged at her dress, aiming for the skirt to skim her thighs enough to cover her ass. Checking her lipstick once more in the mirror, she smirked. Her birthday party was ending. She had snuck into her master bedroom to catch her breath. Granted, the possible hookups proved no different from normal. But still…

So many to flirt with, so little time left to do it in!

Leaving her bathroom, her luxury apartment was filled with guests. Her birthday fell in the middle of the week, so she decided to celebrate early and have a huge gathering. Granted, the idea wasn’t her entire concept. The bartender—her close friend Michael, had coordinated and hosted the whole night. When someone had too much, he’d cut them off and call them a Guber.

I wish he’d let me pay him for his efforts. It took everything I had to have him let me pay for catering and alcohol. Still, if it weren’t for him handling events, I wouldn’t relax. His day job as a project manager gave him an edge.

Buzzing around, weaving around groups of guests, she checked on the remaining few, telling them good night and thanking them for their birthday wishes. The catering company had done an amazing job, preparing an assortment of finger foods to fill her entire large island counter.

Plucking a cherry from a bowl, she smiled, wanting the night to drag on as long as possible. Music thumped over the custom stereo system, not drowning out a single conversation. Yet, there were plenty of folks dancing near the living room miniature bar.

Everything is just… perfect. Michael! You know how to please a girl and treat her to a good birthday. I might have to reconsider dating you one day.

Pearl grabbed a stool from the bar, her cheeks aching from smiling as she suckled on the cherry. Her eyes took in all the happy expressions unfolding between friends, old and new.

A cocktail slid across the counter and she snorted. “I didn’t ask for this.” She met Michael Hardy’s gaze, his smirk making him more attractive.

“But you asked me to keep the drinks coming,” he countered. “Have I told you how hot you look sucking on a cherry like that?”

She winked. “Maybe a time or two.”

Michael leaned against the bar top, his cologne sending goosebumps over Pearl’s skin. She eyed him a moment, biting the cherry at last. They’d been friends a long time, but she hadn’t considered him intimately, until tonight.

Her eyes fell to his plump lips, lingering on his toothy grin. Tilting her head, she smirked at his broad shoulders. I’ve never seen him shirtless, not even once. He had passed on every gathering that involved the beach, a pool or even a jacuzzi. Another bite of the cherry filled her taste buds as she circled back to his lips, the smile gone.

“If you keep staring at me like that any longer, I might have to kiss you, Pearl.” His voice was a low grumble, making her face flush. “I don’t just do this for anyone.”

Is Michael making a pass at me? I mean…I don’t mind, but that must be a first. Not that we haven’t spoken about getting together in that way… but…

Michael always dressed to the nines, like a sexy model attending a work meeting with high-end clients. Tom Ellis could be his brother, the dark eyes and dark hair paired with a devilish smile would make any woman swoon. Granted, the clean-cut beard and pulled back ponytail promised a much wilder man, ready to give you a rawer adventure.

Sharp dressed, serious faced until he gets flirty with a girl. It seems I’m his target tonight. Go figure! 

For the first time, she couldn’t ignore his smile, knowing it was meant for her. And her alone.

“You wouldn’t dare.” She picked up the cocktail, drinking it while arching an eyebrow.

“What makes you say that?” He furrowed his brow, his eyes lingering on her red lips.

He’s smitten with me! Exactly when did this happen? But the man is always top button fastened, long sleeves and suit pants the whole time I’ve known him. He can’t be serious? He’s more adventurous than he’s ever shown me in our five year of friendship. I mean, he passed on that orgy party a while back! Even the Troll got laid that night!

Placing the drink down, she leaned in and whispered into his ear, “I think you’re afraid to even go shirtless around me. You’ll need to show me some skin before I take you serious.”

Spinning away, she left him in a wake of her teasing. She didn’t dare look back, finished her drink, then the last half of her cherry. As she prowled her hallway, she spotted Gaston. The man had muscles for an older man, and he had a strong jawline that always made her heart flutter, catching a glimpse here and there. His back muscles made her wonder if he had competed in strong man competitions when he was younger before becoming a docile professor at the local college.

Their eyes met as she spit the cherry pit into her empty glass. “You weren’t supposed to see that.”

“Oh?” His blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “But what I wanted to see you tie the stem.”

She spun it in her finger, a smirk forming. “I imagine you didn’t mean by using my fingers.”

“Not with your fingers,” he echoed, arching his brows.

Pearl couldn’t resist the challenge. Opening her mouth wide, she stuck out her tongue and laid the stem across the pink appendage. Gaston’s blue eyes watched with great attention, his body stiffening as he took a few steps closer. She retracted the stem, then began tying the stem in her mouth.

Gaston came closer, drinking a sip of his beer as Pearl’s confidence faltered. He began snickering.

She continued to flip it with the tip of her tongue, to fold and bend it to a simple knot and failed repeatedly.

“May I?” He was so close, his hand on her shoulder.

Pearl slumped her shoulders, searching his blue eyes.

He wants to kiss me. Should I? Screw it, it’s my birthday. If I want to kiss all the hot guys at my party, then so be it!

In defeat, she nodded.

Gaston locked lips, deepening their kiss in an instant. Before she could respond, he had plucked the stem from her own tongue and retreated. Giving him a baffled expression, she smiled. Unlike her struggle and cheeks rumbling around, his own stayed taut. She opened her lips and he opened his own and there laid across his tongue was the knotted stem.

Pearl blinked as he plucked it with his fingers, chuckling at her expression. “My, lovely Pearl, that is how you knot a cherry stem.” He dropped it in her empty cocktail glass to join the seed.

“Enlighten me, Professor Gaston. What would this skill say about your hidden talents?” Licking her teeth, her stare bounced from head to toe, then repeating the cycle.

Chuckling, he stared at her, those icy eyes cutting through her. “Maybe one day you’ll let me into your bedroom, so I can show you. We both know you’re more of a…” He leaned in, his lips close to her own. “…hands on learner.”

“Let’s have a taste then.” Pearl locked lips with him, deepening the kiss.

The tip of his tongue pressed a line down her own, making her moan. Alcohol and cherry flavors mangling in an exotic swap of flavors. The idea of his tongue rolling over her pussy, the firm tip of his tongue teasing her clit sent shivers through her. It’s was tempting, to ask him to stay after the party, but she had aimed to flirt with everyone, not settle on one for the night.

Gaston pulled away, and Pearl smiled.

Tempting, but not sold on settling.

“I can’t lie.” Biting her bottom lip, she started to take a few steps away. “You must be the best kisser I know.”

“And always will be.” He winked.

“Stop it.” Pearl’s face flushed, and she spun on her heel. “I need another drink. I’m sorry but private study lessons weren’t on my wish list this time, Professor. Please, enjoy the party, Gaston. Surely you can find a more willing student.”

“I will, and happy birthday, Pearl.” He raised his beer and she waved him off.

Venturing into the kitchen, she stole another cherry for herself. One of the caterers were cleaning dishes and consolidating trays to keep the platters visually pleasing. She plucked another cherry, taking in the tattooed sleeves and bearded face.

At last, he glanced up, arching a single eyebrow. “Something wrong?” His voice was smooth and playful.

She shrugged, enjoying her cherry. “I just enjoy watching a man doing the dishes.”

“What else does the birthday girl enjoy?” He rinsed a platter, reached for the next, and started scrubbing it. “Nice place you’ve got here, by the way.”

“I enjoy this and that.” She changed course, reaching for a chunk of pineapple. “You don’t have to do that. I have a maid coming in the morning, you know.”

“It’s just habit, part of what I do.” He finished rinsing the platter, then shut off the faucet. “So, what can I do for you, birthday girl?”

“Your name and number?” She smiled, slipping the pineapple into her mouth, giving a playful expression.

He laughed, shaking his head. “The name’s Chuckles.”

“Chuckles?”

“Yeah, and I’ve got a girl, so no phone number today,” he confessed.

Pearl sighed, looking back towards the party. “Damn, now who to hit next?”

“Did you try the bartender?” Chuckles walked around, nodding in Michael’s direction.

“Sort of…” She creased her brow in thought. “Why? You think he’ll play along?”

“He’s been watching your every move. Even cringed when you kissed Professor Cherry Lips over there.” He laughed at her baffled expression.

Was everyone watching me with Gaston? And why would Michael care?

“Don’t believe me? Go find your next mark and make sure to look in his direction.” He nodded at Michael again. “He’s a nice guy, you know.”

“I know…” She frowned. “But what suddenly makes you an expert on him?”

“His sister bartends part-time for Red.” Nudging her arm, he repeated the offer. “So, are you giving the bartender a try?”

“Is that a challenge?” Pearl abandoned her empty glass on the counter, her shield gone.

“I’ll put fifty bucks on it.” He sucked on his cheek with a sparkle in his eyes.

She gave a smug expression. “Fine. I’ll match that wager.”

This is my field, and I have the advantage. No way am I losing to a part-time bar cook who caters on the side!

The Urban Erotica Fairy Tale Collection (Urban Erotica Fairy Tales 1-8)

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