Free The Faerie Prince (Creepy Hollow, #2) by rachel morgan

arms around him in a quick embrace, submerging us both in a cloud of strong perfume. “Did your father invite you?”
    Ah, so this is the Harts’ youngest son, the one Mr. Hart spoke to on the phone yesterday morning. I look across the room, catch Ryn’s eye, and flash him a quick thumbs up.
    “Yeah, Dad asked me to come.”
    A crease forms between Mrs. Hart’s eyebrows. “Are you in trouble again?”
    “No, Mom.”
    “But you’d tell me if there was something going on, wouldn’t you?”
    “Trust me, Mom.” He takes hold of her shoulders and looks straight into her eyes. “I am not in any kind of trouble. Now I’d like you to meet my girlfriend.” He puts an arm around me and nudges me forward. “This is Violet.”
    “Oh, hello.” She sweeps her gaze over my purple hair and eyes and plasters on a fake smile. “I had no idea David had a girlfriend.”
    I’m not quite sure what I’m supposed to say to that, so I smile and try not to look too awkward.
    “Well, I need to greet my guests,” she says to David. “Your father’s around somewhere.”
    David watches as she click-clicks away, then says, “Sorry about that. My mom’s been weird to all the girls I’ve ever brought home.” He laces his fingers between mine and leads me to the edge of the room.
    “So, there’ve been lots of girls, have there?” I try out a flirtatious smile.
    “Uh . . .” He laughs guiltily. “Not that many.” He runs his fingers up and down the bare skin on my back—definitely a mistake to cast a dress that scoops so low—while I do my best not to shiver.
    “So, why did your father ask you to come tonight? Did he need to talk to you about something important?”
    “Oh, you know, just some stuff he’s going through at the moment. You wouldn’t be interested.”
    I tilt my head to the side. “Try me.”
    He looks away, laughing quietly. “It’s pretty insane stuff. I don’t think you’d actually believe me.”
    Oh yes, I will. “I think you’ll find I’m quite open-minded,” I say, giving him my most enticing smile.
    He turns to me, searching my face. He’s going to tell me, I know he is. “Um . . . no, I shouldn’t. It isn’t my place to—”
    “David, thanks for coming.” Mr. Hart appears out of nowhere and grasps his son’s hand. He pulls him into a brief hug, then steps back. “I need to show you something.” He glances at me, but shows no sign that he recognizes me from yesterday morning. “Uh, can we talk in private?”
    “Of course.” David’s hand slides away from my back. “You don’t mind, do you, babe? I won’t be long.”
    “Sure, okay.” Of course, if I actually was his girlfriend, I would mind being left alone, but perhaps this way I can listen in on their conversation.
    I take note of the direction they’re going in, then hurry across the room to Ryn. My feet wobble in their too-high heels, and I catch onto the arm of an older man for balance. “Oops, sorry.” I give him an embarrassed laugh before continuing on my way. Ryn is standing in a corner, caressing the cheek of the blonde woman. It looks like he’s leaning in for a kiss. I suppress an eye roll and grab his arm. “Come, we need to go.”
    “Hey!” Miss Blondie looks extremely put out. “We were—”
    “Trust me, you’re not missing anything,” I tell her as I pull Ryn away.
    “Trust you?” Ryn looks sideways at me. “How exactly would you know if she’s missing anything or not?”
    “I may have been six years old, but I haven’t forgotten.”
    “Ah, yes.” He nods. “Our first and only kiss. Well, you’ll have to trust me when I say my kissing skills have improved since then.”
    “Whatever. Mr. Hart and his son are about to have a private discussion, and I’m pretty sure we need to hear it.” I let go of Ryn’s arm as we pass through another room of chattering, sophisticated people.
     “I see you were getting your flirt on with Mr. Hart, Jr,” Ryn says. He lifts a glass of something