Page 58 of Right With You
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 myclient.
“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?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
Elise
The fantasy of dancing in Luc’s gentle but firm hold evaporated with the sight of his grandfather.
