The sound of my doorbell made my heart beat even faster, and those beads of sweat that had trickled before were now rolling freely down my spine. This was awful. My back was bare and damp—not the least bit sexy.
Before I answered the door, I hurried to my bathroom and awkwardly bent and shimmied my back against the towel hanging on the rack to absorb some of the moisture. I didn’t know if it helped, but prayed that it did. Then I quickly spritzed on a little of my Gucci Guilty perfume, one of my few indulgences, and took in a deep calming breath.
When I opened the door, my heart shuddered to a stop at the sight of Drake in a black tux. It looked expensive, and definitely wasn’t a rental. I wasn’t breathing, and wasn’t even sure I was blinking.
“Wow, Lucy, you look stunning.” He leaned in and gave me a peck on the cheek.
“Thank you.” I picked up the red clutch handbag that matched my shoes. “Should we go?”
Drake stared at me. The contrast between his blue eyes and black suit made my thighs clench. I was sure my new panties would be ruined before night’s end.
“Turn around,” he said, his voice a little hoarse. “Let me get a good look at you.”
I flushed with embarrassment, but he did buy the gown after all. So I complied and gingerly pivoted in a complete circle, making sure I didn’t stumble. An audible gasp came from him as he saw the back of my dress, or the lack thereof. When I finally completed my rotation and looked at him, he smiled, revealing my favorite dimple.
“You need to do me a favor tonight.” He took a step forward and placed his hands on my arms.
“What would that be?” I swallowed hard, not knowing what he was going to say. My nerves were already at an all-time high.
“Don’t leave my side. I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful. The men at the event are going to want to dance with you, talk to you, and be close to you. You’re mine, not as a possession, but as my girl, and I’ll be damned if anyone but me holds you tonight. So, like I said, don’t leave my side.”
Crystal-clear blue eyes implored me, and who was I to deny him?
“I promise I won’t leave your side.” I smiled. “But I may need to use the ladies’ room tonight. Then what are we going to do?”
“I’m not worried about the women, but the men . . . they’re a different story. Some are stodgy old men who might need a blue pill, but they aren’t dead.”
“You shouldn’t worry at all. I said I wanted to be with you, and that’s all that matters.”
His hands cupped my face. “Thank you.” He gently kissed me. “Let’s go.”
? ? ?
The event was being held at the fanciest hotel in DC. I’d never been here before, but it was gorgeous. My gaze was instantly drawn to the ceiling, which was illuminated with chandeliers that appeared to have hundreds of teardrop-shaped crystals hanging from them. The room was a sea of round tables covered in white linen, each sporting red-and-white floral centerpieces and navy-blue cloth napkins. It looked like the Fourth of July, but without the fireworks.
Hand in hand, Drake and I made our way farther into the room, and a distinguished-looking older man walked up to us.
“Drake, my boy, it’s good to see you.” They shook hands, and the man turned his sights on me. “Who is this lovely woman?” The fine lines of his face curved upward.
“Hello, Colonel Higgins. This is my girlfriend, Lucy Washburn.”
Girlfriend?
“Lucy, I’d like you to meet Colonel Higgins.”
I smiled and took the hand the man extended to me. He brought mine to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I was unaware Drake had a girlfriend, and if I may say, he picked a fine one. Yes, a fine one indeed.” He winked. “Maybe you can save a dance for an old man later.”
My mouth opened, but no sound came out. I glanced at Drake, unsure how to respond, and he answered for me.
“I think I could let my girl dance with you. But the rest of her dance card is full.”