I closed my eyes and my shoulders shook with a silent laugh. I couldn’t believe how smooth Dimitriwasn’twhen it came to women. Before anymore awkwardness could come flying out of Dimitri’s mouth, I answered Rachel’s question. “I’m here with Dimitri and a few other associates to attend the GlobalGaming conference that begins next week. Although if I knew Dimitri had foot-in-mouth disease, I would’ve asked one of the other guys out for drinks tonight.”
“Je vous demande pardon, mademoiselles.”Dimitri wore a chagrined expression. “It’s just your performance was pretty telling, and I was hoping that Rachel here was single.”
“Nothing like the straightforward approach, I guess.” Hannah laughed.“We’re here celebrating Rachel’s breakup with some good booze, bad karaoke, and maybe a few gorgeous soldiers. Nellis Air Force base is only a few blocks from here. Usually this place is packed with military guys.”
“You happen to be in luck.” Dimitri smiled at Rachel, flexing the dimple in his right cheek. “Commandant Dimitri Vasin of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince.”
The girls smiledand hummed in approval. A beat later Hannah turned expectant eyes toward me.
I smiled and played along. “Retired Lieutenant Luc Greiner, reporting for duty.”
“Retired, huh?” Hannah leaned across the round table toward me. “You can’t be a day over thirty. How are you retired already?”
Because my twin brother’s death made methe spare,which meant I could no longer serve in the French Air Force.But I couldn’t say that. I was enjoying my anonymity too much. Plus the allure of chasing a woman who wasn’t already fawning all over me due to my title was too unique to resist. I purposely made no mention of my honorary position in theCompagnie des Carabiniers du Prince. Explaining that would no doubt blow my cover.
“Ouch.” I covered my hands over my heart, feigning hurt. “Twenty-eight, actually.I served six years after university, then left the military and am now an advisor to the Crown on foreign imports.” That sounded like a real job, right?
“Wow.”
“Yes, it’s just as dull and unexciting as it sounds.” I gave Hannah my dusty but trademarked bad-boy-prince smile.
And it worked. I could see Hannah melting under the power of my charm. She put her arms on the table and leaned towardme.
“Does that mean you’ve met the royal family?” She murmured like it was a state secret.
Dimitri choked on his water, so I subtly pounded on his back in an attempt to “help” my friend. I thought he’d been intent on his conversation with the suddenly single Rachel, but my girl’s voice must’ve carried.
“Yes. I’ve spent some time with the royal family.” I cleared my throat. “It, uh, the wayour government’s structured, our royal family isn’t just ceremonial. My appointment came from His Royal Highness Prince Sébastien. There was a ceremony and everything. He even shook my hand.”
Then my brother had glared at me for my inattention due to Lady Durand’s very low-cut dress. What can I say? As a guy, it was hard not to look—especially when the dress had been clinging to stay on. Justlump me in with Lot, Perseus, and Orpheus. Ihadto look.
Like I was now. Hannah leaned back in her chair with a suitably impressed expression. But I couldn’t look away from the brown sunburst in the center of her sparkling green eyes. The combination of the mischievous twinkle in her eyes and the small smile curving her luscious lips had my heart racing.
What was going on? Usually I was a breastman. But with Hannah, all I wanted to do was stare into her gorgeous hazel eyes and say or do anything to keep that sparkle lit there. I wanted her. Here. Now. Well, preferably without an audience, but I wouldn’t complain. I just wanted to feel her under me. Hear the sound she made when she climaxed. Feel the gripping strength of her—
Merde. I couldn’t continue down that path. It was making things…hard.I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. “And you? What do you do? Are you attending university?”
Hannah laughed lightly even as her eyes darkened with pain. “No. I never got around to going to college. Rachel and I are cosmetologists.”
I blinked. “I’m sorry, I don’t know that word. Cosme—”
“Hairdressers.” Rachel cut in, rolling her eyes at her friend. “We’re hairstylists. Cut, style, perms, dyes.We do hair. No matter how fancy Hannah tries to make it sound.”
Hannah laughed uncomfortably. “That is literally what it says on my license. Cosmetology.”
“You need a license to be a cosmo-tol-gist?” I asked, pronouncing the last word awkwardly. Clearly it was important to Hannah, so I didn’t want to sound condescending.
“Yes, but it’s boring.” Hannah waved a hand as she clearly became uncomfortablewith the examination of her choice of career. “Let’s talk about something else. How long are you in the States?”
“A little over a week. Maybe longer, if we have cause to extend our trip.” I leaned on the table and smiled at Hannah.
Dimitri narrowed his eyes at me, but I ignored his attempt to get my attention. He worked for me. I didn’t have to clear my travel plans with him.
Hannah tiltedher head and smiled. “Have you been to Las Vegas before? We’d be happy to show you guys the sights if you’d like.”
“That would be lovely.” I glossed over her question about coming to Vegas before. Besides, the three other times I’d been here were either service-related or more about clubs and booze and less about the official sights.
Dimitri turned to me and asked in French. “Do you have timeto entertain ladies? This is an official trip as an ambassador for the Crown. We have a strict itinerary.”
