He shrugged. “When I find something I like, I tend to stick with it.”
The way his gaze raked over me while he said that made me shiver.
I smoothed my hands down my skirt, hoping my sweaty palms wouldn’t leave marks. “I feel like I’m playing dress-up.”
“You’re not playing anything.” Then, as if he were reminded of something, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I almost forgot. This should complete the look.”
He crossed the room and opened the box to reveal a delicate chain of white gold bearing a teardrop diamond pendant surrounded by smaller diamonds that looked like stars. The pendant caught the light, making it dance across the ceiling above us.
“It’s just a loan,” Lucas stated as he took it out. “But my mother always said a good piece of jewelry felt like armor. I thought you might need some.”
Hismother, he said. Not his stepmother.
For some reason, that felt more important.
“Turn around.”
I obeyed without thinking and heard the sharp intake of breath when he saw the way the dress dipped to the small of my back, similar to a ballerina’s leotard. It wasn’t normally a style I could wear due to the size of my bust, but the exquisite tailoring and its foundational garments made it possible.
I felt quite beautiful, especially under his appreciative gaze.
His fingers brushed the nape of my neck as he fastened the clasp,. Then his hand whispered down my spine before he placed it at the small of my back, his thumb remaining on my skin, and turned me to face him.
The pendant swung from side to side just above the swell of my cleavage, but like a gentleman, Lucas kept his eyes pinned to mine.
“We should go. The jet is idling at the airport.”
“Jet?” I allowed him to guide me to the elevator.
The hand at the small of my back didn’t leave, even as he was pressing the button for the lobby. I found I didn’t want it to.
“Yes, we have to take a short flight. Dinner’s in Brasília. Didn’t I mention that?”
Approximately two anda half hours later, we followed Lucas’s security out of another hired car and onto a red carpet lined with photographers.
The Palácio da Alvorada, as I’d learned on our flight, was the official residence of the president of Brazil. The administration frequently hosted formal state dinners, like the one we were attending tonight, lauded by the national press and attended by dignitaries, business leaders, and celebrities. Tonight, they were hosting the President of France and his wife.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me I was your date to an actual state dinner until I was literally on my way,” I said as I walked with Lucas onto the red carpet.
He smirked as he took my hand and tucked it casually in the crook of his elbow, just like he had done at the park. “And miss out on your expression? Never.”
“I might have chosen another dress,” I replied as we followed the other guests toward the entrance of the palace. “Something less ostentatious.”
“I believe my instructions were ‘wear whatever the fuck you want.’” His gaze burned. “And I don’t regret it one bit. You belong at a place like this.”
“I belong in kitchens,” I corrected. “Usually ones that aren’t attached to palaces.”
“Tonight, you belong with me.”
The simple statement made my heart skip a beat. I turned, wondering if he meant it as a joke, but he was already nodding at another man in a tuxedo, a businessman or dignitary who clearly was important to his work.
I had no choice but to keep moving with him.
After all, technically, Iwasstill working. My duties had simply expanded for one night.
The Palácio da Alvorada was even more impressive than it appeared in pictures, a modernist masterpiece of soaring glass and swooping concrete. Even more impressive was that on this balmy evening, the banquet had been set up under tents that surrounded the pools of water and the mermaid-like bronzestatues at their center. The effect was a layout of airy festivities that appeared to be cradled in a star-split cloud.
“Deep breaths,” Lucas murmured as if he could sense my waning confidence.
