Married To The Billionaire Alpha King-Chapter 56 - you were to me

56

~Elara’s POV

I laughed, splashing water at Darlon. "You know, Janae should have Beta David to herself," I teased, nudging him with my elbow.

Darlon chuckled, brushing his wet hair out of his eyes. "Oh, really? You’re trying to set them up?"

"I mean... why not?" I shrugged, grinning. "They seem cute together."

Janae and David exchanged a glance, and I swear, you could see the heat rising. Janae bit her lip, trying to hide a smile, while David’s cheeks went just slightly pink.

Then... I blinked, and my heart stopped.

They moved closer, tentatively at first, then... full-on. Their lips met, soft at first, and then... wow. Passionate, messy, like they had been waiting for that moment forever. I gasped quietly, and Darlon leaned closer to me, laughing into my ear.

"Oh my Goodness!" I squealed, splashing him lightly, but he grabbed my hands. "You are enjoying this way too much," he teased, his voice low.

"I can’t help it!" I whispered back, laughing. "It’s so... cute!"

Janae and David pulled apart for a second, cheeks red, and I grinned, pointing at them. "See? I told you!"

Darlon shook his head, smiling down at me. "You’re impossible," he said, but then he pressed his lips to mine, slow, deep, and all-consuming. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling every heartbeat, every rush of warmth. It was... pure fire, and I couldn’t get enough.

"Darlon..." I breathed into the kiss, and he tightened his hold, his hands on my waist, pulling me closer.

"Shh..." he whispered, nipping my lower lip, making me shiver. "I’ve got you. Only you."

I laughed against his lips, and we kissed like that for what felt like forever, water splashing around us, the sun sparkling on the waves of the pool.

Finally, we pulled back, laughing and gasping for breath. "You’re terrible," I said breathlessly.

"I know," he said with a grin. "And you love it."

I shook my head, laughing, then peeked over to Janae and David. "Looks like you two finally made a move."

David cleared his throat, trying to act casual, but Janae elbowed him lightly.

I giggled, shaking my head. "Don’t worry. You two are cute, but I’m not getting involved."

Janae rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Elara," she muttered, though her smile betrayed her happiness.

"Alright, enough gushing," Darlon said, looking at us. "I’m starving. Let’s get out of this water before we prune like raisins."

We all climbed out, dripping and laughing, heading back inside to clean up. I grabbed a towel, drying my hair while Darlon pulled off his wet shirt, teasing me with a wink. Janae and David gave polite smiles, but I noticed how respectful Janae remained, not crossing boundaries with Darlon, clearly understanding he was a no-nonsense kind of man. I smiled at that.

"Lunch?" Darlon asked, wrapping a towel around his waist.

"Yes, please," I said, feeling warm all over from both the sun and the earlier kiss.

We walked into the dining area, and the chef had set up a lovely spread for all of us. Sandwiches, fresh fruits, and a few pastries, perfect poolside food.

As we ate, Darlon leaned closer to me. "So... seeing them kiss... did that make you jealous at all?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Not at all. They’re sweet together."

He smirked, brushing his thumb across my hand. "I think you’re secretly enjoying it."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Maybe. A little."

Darlon chuckled and glanced at Janae and David. "So... are you two officially an item now?" he teased.

Janae flushed, glancing at David. "Still testing the waters, Your Majesty" she said, her voice quiet but firm.

"Testing, huh?" I laughed. "That looked pretty serious from over here."

David grinned, shrugging. "We’ll see. Patience, Your Majesty." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

I shook my head, laughing, feeling the warmth of this little group, the ease of being with them.

After lunch, Darlon stood up, stretching. "Alright... how about a fun activity?"

I looked up, curious. "What did you have in mind?"

He grinned. "There is a private game room in the hotel. Pool table, arcade games, a bit of karaoke, everything. We can spend the afternoon having fun."

Janae’s eyes lit up. "Karaoke? I’m in!"

David chuckled. "Arcade games? Bring it on."

I laughed, tugging at Darlon’s arm. "Looks like the fun isn’t over yet!"

Darlon winked, leaning close. "And it gets better... because I’m playing for keeps with you."

I smiled, leaning into him, feeling the heat of our connection. "You’re impossible," I whispered.

"And you... Are mine," he said softly.

The game room was bigger than I expected. Bright lights. Soft music. A huge pool table. Rows of arcade machines. A little stage for karaoke. Everything looked new, shiny, almost untouched.

Janae gasped. "What kind of hotel is this?!"

David rubbed the back of his neck. "An expensive one. Obviously, because it belongs to my lord."

Darlon smiled casually. "I built it for fun. Didn’t think I’d actually use it one day."

I rolled my eyes and ignored the warm feeling crawling up my neck.

Janae ran straight to the pool table. "I challenge someone! Anyone!"

David walked over slowly. "Alright. Let me embarrass you gently."

She pointed at him. "Don’t start."

He chuckled. "Ladies first."

She bent over to take the first shot, and I swear David almost forgot how to breathe. I nudged Darlon’s arm. "Look at him."

Darlon whispered, "He’s already in trouble."

I giggled. "Like you were when you saw me the first time?"

He turned to me slowly. "Elara... I was finished the first day I saw you."

My heart did that annoying soft jump. "Oh."

He smirked. "Yeah. Oh."

David cleared his throat loudly. "You two done flirting?"

"No," Darlon replied calmly.

I hid my face for a second.

Janae took her shot, missed terribly, and groaned. "Okay, I hate this game."

David laughed. "Come. I’ll teach you."

"I don’t trust you," she muttered.

"Good," he said. "You shouldn’t."

They were... cute. Really cute.

Darlon tapped my waist. "Come on."

"Where?"

"Karaoke."

I burst out laughing. "You can sing?"

"No."

"Then why...."

"Because I want to hear you sing."

I blinked. "Me?"

"Yes," he said softly. "Sing for me."

"I don’t know what to sing."

"Anything."

"You’ll laugh."

"No," he said quietly. "Never at you."

I felt my cheeks warm. "Okay... but don’t judge."

I walked up to the little stage. Picked a simple song. Soft. Not too high. Not too dramatic.

When the music started, I inhaled deeply and sang. Nothing fancy. Just my plain voice.

Halfway through, I looked up, and I saw him.

Darlon.

Just standing there... staring at me like I was the only thing in the room. His eyes were soft. Warm. Even a little emotional.

My voice almost cracked.

When I finished, the room was quiet for a moment. Then Janae clapped dramatically. "My baby! She has a voice!"

David nodded. "That was nice and calm, your majesty."

I smiled shyly. "Thank you."

Darlon walked to me slowly. "Elara."

"Yes?"

He cupped my jaw gently. "Don’t ever say you can’t sing."

I laughed nervously. "I wasn’t that good."

"You were to me," he whispered.

I felt something warm bloom inside my chest.

Then he kissed me. Soft at first. Then deeper. His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer. I curled my fingers into his shirt, kissing him back, losing myself in the moment.

Janae cleared her throat loudly. "Uhm... we’re still here, my lords."

I broke the kiss, breathless. "Sorry."

"You’re not sorry," Janae teased.

"Not really," I admitted.