Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Luc
T he ballroom bustled with activity in all corners and the opulent room looked even glitzier with gold and black décor like something out of Gatsby. Thank goodness they hadn’t made it a themed affair.
My day with Jenna had been fine. I’d been dragging thanks to minimal sleep, but I’d held it together and she’d force-fed me espresso at regular intervals, so I was alert. Maybe too alert based on the way my heart was racing just standing here looking for Elise.
She and Aurelie had taken a car. They’d left my house more than ten—I checked my phone and saw the time stamp—more than twelve minutes ago. They should be here any minute.
“You going to make it?” Kenny asked, chuckling and not even trying to make it under his breath.
“I’m fine,” I snapped, then grumbled, “Sorry. I’m edgy. I don’t know why.”
Kenny slung an arm around my shoulders. “Could it be that you’re eager to see your fake fiancée, and that you’re also nervous about what kind of nonsense Grandpaps has planned?”
Chuckling, reluctantly it should be noted, I nudged him away. “Yes. All of that. Except the part where you call my grandfather Grandpaps.” I laughed saying the word.
“I’ve gotta go do my job while you luxuriate and be an actual guest at this shindig but enjoy your totally not real, completely fake, definitely not catching feelings date when she arrives.” He winked, then scampered off like a coward before I could respond.
But what could I say to the barb? He was an observant guy, and as was so often the case with him, he wasn’t wrong.
This fake engagement had turned into something real. There was a closeness building between the two of us, and not simply because we’d kissed or shared a bed.
She may not have wanted a relationship, but she was showing me care and concern in ways no one ever had. She forced me to see the value in my service and encouraged me to be proud in a way I was certain Kenny or Beast or Stone would’ve, and yet coming from her, who hadn’t been with me in the service and didn’t necessarily share the same value, it felt rarer. And I was showing her parts of me no woman had ever known, certainly. I’d never been so vulnerable, never showed someone I’d dated the familial wounds or fears. My friends had seen those parts of me in some ways, but she was essentially living them out with me in real time and supporting me every step.
“Che splendore.” Michele had sidled up with a drink in hand, but before he said anything to me, his whispered words slipped out and I knew he would only be saying such a thing about his wife.
And with his wife, my beloved sister, would be Elise.
I searched through the crowd and finally found where he’d directed his attention. Aurelie entered in a blood red gown that fluted out around her feet, her hair the same as always and lips matching. Michele would’ve crawled across the ballroom if she’d so beckoned.
Stepping into the room just behind her came Elise. My breath caught at the sight of her in a shimmering gown that looked like it’d been crafted of liquid gold. The neckline floated just below her collar bone and the cap sleeves draped around her shoulders. Thin straps kept the gown in place. The material flowed over and around her like silk, and my fingers twitched with the need to skate along her waist and touch the fabric warmed by her skin.
Her hair had been pulled up and I couldn’t quite see it, but it left the smooth slope of her neck exposed and begging to be kissed. Her makeup was subtle and dramatic at the same time, her lips a soft pink and her eyes dark and as mesmerizing as ever.
“Totally fake, right?” Kenny’s whisper came, but didn’t pull my attention from Elise. Instead, I moved to her, right behind Michele who’d already been drawn magnet-like to his wife.
“You’re stunning,” I said the second I reached her, practically breathless from her beauty. It wasn’t merely the dress or hairstyle. A glow radiated from her that showed such joy and confidence.
“You are, too. I like your tux,” she said, smiling wide and eyes shifting over the fine buttons on my shirt.
“Your dress is beautiful. Good choice.” I’d asked Aurelie to find a handful of options the stylist she’d hired could bring for Elise, and fortunately, they must’ve done their job well. The fit and color were a dream, but the way Elise carried herself, like she belonged here, told me she felt beautiful.
“Thank you for all of the options, and the hair and makeup and all of it.” She ducked her head to fiddle with the small strap of the clutch she carried before giving me back her eyes. “I could’ve been on one of those makeover shows.”
“You didn’t need it, but it seemed only fair to take care of all those details. Aurelie used to hate the process of getting dressed and hair done—as you can see, she still refuses anything ornate.” I glanced at my sister and her husband, who were walking hand in hand toward the dance floor. “Would you like to dance?”
Her eyes lit up. “I haven’t danced in a long time, but sure, as long as you can lead.”
I may have smirked. “I can lead just fine, Elise.”
The way she bit her lip told me she liked the answer. A few seconds later, we were stepping onto the ballroom floor, the live band playing instrumental versions of pop hits, and we came together. She placed a hand on my shoulder, and I settled mine on her shoulder blade. A thrill whipped through me as our other hands clasped and I began moving.
“Am I understanding correctly that the back of this dress is rather… strappy?” I let my fingers splay wide and slide across the material of her dress and patches of bare, warm skin.
“It is rather fancy, yes,” she said, her smile so damn charming I wanted to kiss it off her. But I wouldn’t do that right now in this crowded ballroom.
Maybe later.
“I’ll have to take a look,” I said, my voice deeper, my hands urging her closer.
She huffed and shook her head as though to clear it. “Did you have a good day with Jenna? Any chances to break into a bank or something fun?”
I grinned at her reference to our talk about what I’d loved while active duty and searched her face for evidence of jealousy or concern. I’d casually dated a woman while living in Europe and guarding Jenna and when she found out what I did for a living, she hadn’t liked it. People always imagined personal security personnel falling in love with their clients, but it just didn’t happen that often, and Jenna and I had the chemistry of a cardboard box. On top of that, I had no desire for a future with the woman so I’d been very clear about the expectations, and she’d still attempted to claim me in a bizarre competition with my client.
“No breaking and entering, sadly, but otherwise, I did. She was more relaxed today now that the travel is behind her. I’ll introduce you tonight if you like,” I said, my stomach tightening in anticipation of how she’d respond.
“That’d be fun. I’d love to meet her, as long as that wouldn’t be an invasion of privacy for her or anything.”
Maybe Kenny was right, and I was already in trouble, but this response made a little piece of my heart lost to her. She wasn’t jealous, but maybe that was because this wasn’t real. She was, however, concerned for Jenna. And this was one of Elise’s qualities I’d never tire of. She was so mindful of others and genuine about it.
Unable to resist, I dipped down and pressed my lips to hers, stealing the kiss. “Sorry. Had to.”
One of her dark brows arched. “Had to?”
“Oui. Tu m’as envouté. You compelled me.”
She laughed softly and we shared another smile. I kept us moving around the dance floor, and soon, everyone faded away and it was just Elise in my arms and the music.
Until a tap on my left shoulder interrupted us. I glanced over, not sure who I would’ve expected to see, but certainly not anticipating seeing my grandfather.
“May I cut in?”