Chapter 222: 222 | The Private Celebration

The bar had closed an hour ago, but we were still riding that high as we stumbled back to the hotel. Victory over Blair’s elite squad, first ranking in Obsidian, and a couple beers had me feeling pretty damn good. Jordan, on the other hand, had gone from celebratory to barely conscious in record time.

"I can’t believe we won," Jordan slurred for about the fifteenth time, his arm slung around my shoulders as I half-carried him down the hallway. "We showed those rich assholes."

"Yeah, we did." I adjusted my grip on his waist. For a skinny guy, he felt heavy as hell right now. "Almost there, buddy."

He leaned his head against mine. "You know what’s funny? I almost transferred out after the first week."

"For real?"

"Mmhmm. Thought I wasn’t cut out for this shit. Lottery winners never make it, right? That’s what everyone says."

I fumbled with the key card at our door, trying to swipe it while keeping Jordan upright. "Well, everyone’s wrong. We just proved that."

The lock clicked green, and I shouldered the door open, dragging Jordan inside. The room was basic – two queen beds, beige walls, generic landscape art. Nothing special, but after today’s swamp adventure, it looked like luxury.

"You’re a good guy, Jace," Jordan mumbled as I deposited him onto the bed nearest the door. "Even if you are a milk vampire."

I froze. "What did you just say?"

But Jordan was already face-down on the mattress, snoring softly. I stood there for a second, staring at him. Had Belle told him? Did he actually know, or was it just drunk nonsense?

Whatever. Problem for tomorrow’s Jace.

I pulled off Jordan’s shoes and rolled him onto his side so he wouldn’t choke if he puked. Not that he’d had that much to drink, but better safe than sorry. The kid was a lightweight.

Our bags from the mall sat on the floor between the beds. I grabbed mine and headed for the bathroom to brush my teeth and change. The face in the mirror looked different from the one I’d seen three weeks ago – leaner, sharper, with something harder in the eyes. Divine Milking System perks at work. Still weird to look at myself and see a stranger looking back.

I splashed water on my face and changed into the new boxers and t-shirt I’d bought at the mall. My muscles ached from the swamp fight, but it was a good kind of pain. The kind that reminded you that you’d survived.

Back in the room, I yawned and checked the time: 12:43 AM. We had to be on the bus by 10 tomorrow. Plenty of time to sleep.

I was just about to collapse into my bed when someone knocked on the door.

For a second, I considered ignoring it. I was tired, sore, and ready to pass out. But it might be Misato with some important team update, so I dragged myself over and opened the door.

Belle and Naomi stood in the hallway.

My brain short-circuited.

Belle wore a baggy t-shirt that hit mid-thigh, and I was pretty sure that was all she wore. Her blue hair was loose around her shoulders, and she had that smirk that always meant trouble. Naomi stood slightly behind her in a pink tank top and sleep shorts, looking equal parts nervous and determined.

"Well?" Belle crossed her arms. "You coming to bed with us or what?"

I glanced back at Jordan’s snoring form, then back to the girls. "Uh..."

"He’s passed out," Belle said, reading my mind. "Won’t wake up till morning. Trust me."

Naomi bit her lip. "If you’re too tired, we understand."

The hell I was. Exhaustion evaporated like morning mist.

"Let me grab my key." I snagged the card from the dresser and stepped into the hallway, pulling the door shut behind me.

Belle immediately took my hand and led me two doors down to their room. "We flipped a coin," she explained. "Naomi won, so we’re using our room instead of the Sanctum."

"Won what?"

"Who gets to go first," she said it like it was obvious.

My heart rate doubled. "First for what exactly?"

Naomi unlocked their door. "You’ll see."

Their room was identical to mine, except for the clothes scattered across both beds and the distinct smell of hotel shampoo hanging in the air. They must have showered while I was putting Jordan to bed.

Belle locked the door behind us and leaned against it. "So here’s the deal. We won today. We beat Blair’s team. We’re officially the top squad in Obsidian. That calls for a proper celebration."

"I thought the bar was the celebration," I said, though I knew exactly where this was headed.

"That was the public celebration." Naomi sat on the edge of one bed. "This is the private one."

Belle pushed off from the door and moved to stand in front of me. "We both got buffs from you yesterday. Gold for her, Silver for me. And then today, those buffs helped us win." She stepped closer, her face inches from mine. "Seems only fair we return the favor."

"What kind of favor?" I asked, my voice embarrassingly hoarse.

Belle grinned. "The fun kind."

She kissed me then, hard and demanding. Her hands slid under my shirt, fingers tracing the new muscle definition on my stomach. I kissed her back, one hand tangling in her blue hair.

When we broke apart, Naomi was watching us with wide eyes.

"Your turn," Belle told her, stepping back.

Naomi crossed the room slowly, like she still wasn’t sure about this. But when she reached me, she rose onto her tiptoes and kissed me softly. Where Belle was all fire and demand, Naomi was gentle warmth. Different but equally intoxicating.

I slid my arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and felt her melt against me.

"God, he’s such a good kisser," Belle said from somewhere behind Naomi.

Naomi broke the kiss, her cheeks pink. "He’s the best."