Once Upon a Steamy Night
Chapter Twelve

Claire glanced at herself in the mirror and gasped. She had never been a fan of dresses but this she could get used to.

She was dressed in the emerald gown that Lilian had selected for her and she had to admit the woman knows how to dress.

The dress was a short green dress with sparkling tiny black shimmering designs that seemed to sparkle in the dark under the moonlight.

The dress hugged her body and stopped just below her knees and she loved the fact that it was off shoulder.

She took one last look in the mirror and saw her silver hair was piled atop her head with a designer's pin. Her smoky eyes stood out with the dress making them blend and she matched her dress with black heels and a black purse. A figure appeared in her mirror and smiled at her. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, a dark-green tie, and black leather shoes.

His neatly cut hair was slicked back and styled perfectly, and his golden orbs stood out amidst other things.

He was her father and as she glanced at the mirror, she could see the similarities. She wondered what her mom would look like.

"You're so beautiful, Princess," he smiled.

"Likewise, dad," she winked at him.

Adam smiled. "It's time to make our grand entrance, I believe we need to blow everyone's mind tonight."

Claire nodded as she took his large hand and they headed to the car. He opened the back door and she had chuckled before sitting in the front seat then he drove off.

They arrived at the party and Adam parked the car by the side of the road before helping her out of the car and they headed towards the Hudson mansion.

She hadn't been around the town before to know how their houses were except for the few houses in her neighborhood but she gasped when she came upon the huge building.

The structures were old but not the paintings and the way the house was designed in. It had a black gate that had a gold design and there was a waterfall and a swan ice sculpture. The compound was massive, and she glanced at the garage to see the number of cars parked in their garage.

"Let's go inside, Claire. This is nothing compared to all you have," Adam whispered in her ears and she nodded.

But once again she got blown away with the interior decorations of the house. Even Adam grudgingly admitted that they had a sense of taste.

The house was amazingly beautiful and was painted in a creamy color. The lights were dimmed and yet she could still make out the faces of everyone.

Almost all the townspeople were at this party and she couldn't see Liam or his mom anywhere.

The waiters were all dressed in beautiful black trousers and a white shirt. They also wore a small black tie and in all, they looked amazing.

"Who are you?!"

Claire jerked at the eerily calm voice that spoke behind her as she felt goosebumps crawl up her skin making its way to her stomach and leaving dread in it.

She felt Adam's hand squeeze her hand warmly as they turned to face whoever it was. She gasped at the striking resemblance.

Green eyes and a perfectly slicked back hair, not a strand stood out in place. His white tuxedo was impeccably neat and his black leather shoes.

He had a domineering aura of wealth, affluence, and power and he didn't look harmless at all but in those calm words he had spoken, she could see the wild look In his eyes. Something about this man wasn't right, she mused.

"A beautiful evening, Mr. Hudson. Congrats on your son's recovery," Adam beamed at him.

The man snorted. "No thanks to your daughter, Adam."

Claire's mouth fell open and Adam's right eye twitched.

"What did you say?" Adam asked slowly.

"Cut the crap, Adam. You may fool everyone in this town but not me," he smirked, "You're playing daddy dearest to your brother's daughter so you could finally claim your family's fortune so don't be surprised when I call her your daughter. Isn't that what you want?"

"I assure you, Mr. Hudson..."

"Tyler," his thin mouth snapped.

"Tyler," Adam amended, "I am only here to take care of my niece."

"Indeed," Tyler smirked, eying him.

"Good evening, Sir," she squeaked, finally finding her voice.

"Tyler!" He snapped glaring at her, and she could have sworn his eyes turned a light shade of dark, but she chuckled at that thought. It was just a trickle of light.

"Don't call me anything except Tyler, the rest makes me feel old," he amended, giving her an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, Tyler. It's nice to be welcomed in your home," she beamed.

He snorted his green eyes assessing her. "I didn't welcome you. I'm yet to find that person though."

Adam chuckled heartily. "It was your wife and son, Tyler. With your grumpy face, I don't suppose you do enough socializing to be able to invite anyone to a party." Tyler arched a bushy brow at Adam. "Is that a challenge?"

Claire sighed. Where was her knight in shining armor or his mother to save her from these egotistical men?

"Nope, just a fact," Adam shrugged.

"I won't let you..."

"Tyler! Why are you harassing my guest?" The cheery voice of Lilian echoed from behind them, and Claire smiled. Finally, she sighed.

"I'm not. And did you invite them?" Tyler asked glaring daggers at Adam.

"Yes, and you will welcome them properly," Lilian replied.

"She's the reason our son got hurt!"

"No, she made our son a hero," Lilian countered.

"Whatever, Lilian," Tyler muttered and stalked off.

"Don't mind him and his tantrums," Lilian smiled at them.

Adam smiled at her. "Thanks for inviting us and coming to our rescue, Lilian."

"Nonsense, Adam. Anytime. Now go mingle with the single ladies," Lilian shooed him away.

"What about Claire?"

"She'll be fine with her classmates," Lilian replied.

"Yeah, mingle Adam," Claire echoed, giving him a tight-lipped smile.

Adam winked at her and left.

"Thanks for inviting me, Lilian."

"Not a problem, Princess. I knew this dress would be perfect for tonight," she gushed.

Claire smiled at her as her eyes scanned the crowd for Liam.

"Where is Liam? This is his party, he's supposed to be here," she mumbled.

"He'll be here soon, dear," Lilian chuckled.

She watched as Lilian led her away from the party and for a split second, she panicked.

"Where are we going, Lilian?"

"Here."

She gasped when they stopped. She was standing by the pool and there was a section of the garden that was decorated with tiny lights, a table for two, soft music, and a jacuzzi. Screw the pool, she was getting into this jacuzzi!

"Wow!" She exclaimed.

"I'm glad you like it. He designed this place himself," Lilian said.

"Who?" She asked but when she turned around, she could only see Lilian's back as she went back to the house.

"Claire."

Her name was barely above a whisper and yet she heard it. The familiar annoying voice that she had grown to like was standing before her dressed in a dark-green tuxedo matching her dress. "Hi, Liam."

He handed her the bouquet of roses in his hands and she accepted it.

"Thank you, Liam but I should be the one giving you flowers for your recovery," she blushed.

He shrugged. "I wanna give you flowers for being the most beautiful girl at this party."

Her blush deepened and she smiled. "Thank you."

"I have something to tell you, Claire but first, let's have fun," he said, leading her towards the table for two.

He pulled out a chair for her and she plopped down on the comfortable plush leather seat while he sat down, and a waiter poured sparkling wine Into their glasses.

She tasted the velvet wine and sighed in bliss. The taste was heavenly and expensive.

"This is amazing, Liam. Why did you do all these?" She asked curiously.

"This is what you'll know in a few minutes, let's just enjoy ourselves," he shrugged.

After a few more glasses of wine, the chef set the three-course meal before them. A mouth-watering meal that consisted of different delicacies especially mac and cheese, chicken and chips, and other food she didn't know their names, but they tasted heavenly.

After stuffing herself full she was scared she won't be able to move an Inch, he asked her to dance. With a resigned expression, she stood up and joined him on the dance floor.

His hands were on her lower back while she threw her arms around his neck as they moved to the soft rhythm of the song playing in the background.

"I know you might find this hard to believe but it's the truth, Claire," he began mumbling In her ears.

She gasped as his lips trailed a pattern down her neck leaving feathery kisses in his wake.

"I have no idea why I never spoke to you all your years in high school but it's probably because you shut everyone out and no one had access to you."

She giggled softly when he twirled her around and dipped her down then brought her back up so closely, she could hear his heartbeat.

"These few days I've spent with you feels like an eternity."

Claire nodded. She agreed with him there because these few days had revealed a lot of mysteries about her and transformed her from a regular girl to a faerie princess. These few days have been the worst days of her life and miraculously the best days of her life and she had a feeling that Liam was about to add to her happiness.

"I can't believe it took an accident for me to realize my feelings for you, Claire. I know it's sudden, but love happens in a second and lasts for a lifetime."

Claire chuckled. "I'm not sure I've heard that phrase before, Liam."

"I made it up, Claire. The fact Is that I like you and I would be honored to be your boyfriend," he summarized.

"And your mom is aware of this?" She asked.

"Yeah, she helped me organize this small party," he replied.

"What about your dad?" She asked with a small shiver.

"You don't have to worry about my dad, Claire. I'm sure he'll love you," he replied.

Claire bit the inside of her cheeks as she kept dancing with Liam allowing him to sway her to the rhythm of the beat.

"I don't want an answer now if you don't have any, you can take your time, but I would love your answer now," he mumbled. She nodded.

Are you feeling alright, Princess? Haven't seen you at the party.

Claire heaved a sigh of relief when Adam's voice in her mind.

I'm outside by the poolside, dad. I need your advice.

Shoot.

Liam organized a romantic dinner date for me and asked me to be his girlfriend.

Wow! That was fast.

I know right.

Do you like him?

"I guess so, he's cute and sweet and nice too. I know he's ignored me my whole life, but everyone Ignored me because I shut them out.

So now you want to let him in?

I just want to give it a shoot and find out what it feels like to be loved by someone other than your parents.

Do what you want, Claire I'll always support you but be careful.

Thanks, dad.

"Claire, I get that you might be upset and shocked with my proposal but don't ignore me. You could even go home and think about..." "Yes, Liam," she breathed.

He blinked then his eyes fell. "Oh, sure. You can go home and think about it."

"I mean yes, I accept to be your girlfriend. Let's give it a trial and see how sweet you are," she chuckled.

"She said yes!" He exclaimed, twirling her around.

His lips locked with hers In a soft passionate kiss and she moaned slightly when he pulled away and pressed a kiss to her temples.

"Thanks for making my night, Claire," he mumbled.

She smiled at him as they continued dancing with her head resting on his shoulders. Her life was perfect, she would live the whole day without any drama. "I'll introduce you to my family when you're ready, Claire."

She nodded and raised her head. That's when she saw it.

Piercing green eyes that shimmered In the moonlight.

It was him. He was here again, and he was pointing an arrow at Liam's head.

"Liam, look out!" She exclaimed just as he released the arrow.

Too late, Princess, his sinister voice cackled in her mind.