Lucas glanced uneasily at Bryon.
Too much information, he finally responded.
Way in the hell too much, Byron agreed.
Lucas shifted in his chair.
After a few minutes, Devin reemerged. The black dress was simple enough, a square neckline showing a creamy hint of cleavage, three-inch-wide shoulders straps that emphasized her slender arms, a nipped-in waist, clingy over the hips, narrowing to a hemline just above the knees. The dress wouldnt have normally stood out for Lucas. But Devin was wearing it, and all he could see was the image of that sexy underwear on what he knew to be a killer body.
The clerk stood back to consider. That neckline simply cries out for diamonds, she commented.
The observation obviously took Devin aback. Her hand rose to her bare throat.
But Byron slapped one hand on his knee. Im buyin, he announced in a hearty voice. Bring on the diamonds.
Like hell you are, Lucas retorted, while the clerk scurried off to the jewelry department.
Nice shoes, said Byron, gesturing to the black suede platform sandals that were going to haunt Lucass dreams.
Im not getting diamonds, Devin told them both.
Lucas lowered his voice so only Byron could hear. And you are not buying Devins underwear.
Byron slanted Lucas a look. One too many roosters in the henhouse?
You want to buy underwear, buy some for Lexi.
The clerk hustled back to Devin, three velvet cases in her hands. She opened the first, and the jewels flashed under the store lights.
This one is called aurora swirl, she said. Three-colored teardrop diamonds-blue, yellow and pink-with white square cuts in the chain-D flawless. And a total of seven carats in all.
Devin seemed speechless as the woman speedily fastened the necklace around her neck.
Byron leaned across the table separating them. I suppose youll insist on buying the diamonds, too?
Lucas knew he should be annoyed at being backed into a corner, but he was too busy getting a kick out of the expression on Devins face. He had to admit, the necklace looked stunning. The clerk knew exactly how to accessorize the dress.
Let me get a better look, he said, motioning Devin forward.
The clerk smiled like a Cheshire cat, giving Devin a gentle little shove toward him.
Devin took a few halting tentative steps. Then she came down off the dais, her voice a low hiss. Dont you dare encourage her.
It looks good on you. Lucas spent only a fraction of a second on the diamonds before catching a glimpse of the lace bra peeking out above the neckline of the dress.
Well, I think its too garish, Devin stated loud enough for all to hear.
The clerks expression faltered for a split second. We have many other fine-
I think this is the one, said Lucas. He boldly reached out to touch the stones, brushing his fingertips against the warm, soft skin of Devins chest. His voice went lower. This is definitely the one.
No, said Devin.
Oh, yes, said Lucas. He hadnt thought about buying her jewelry. But suddenly he wanted Devin to look exactly like this at the party tonight. He wanted to watch her sinuous movements under the slinky dress, to see her smile, to hear her voice and to pretend it was a real date.
Youre going to meet the Duke of Rothcliff, he told her. Im expanding our manufacturing base in Europe, and I need to impress him.
Thats ridiculous.
Its a time-honored tradition. I wear the same old tired suit, and youre the billboard for my wealth.
Devins jaw worked for a moment.
Now thats a ball gown, Byron said in a hearty voice from the chair next to them.
Lucas looked up, and Devin turned her head.
Too much? asked Lexi as she did a twirl in a fuchsia satin strapless dress with miles of ruffled, bell-shaped skirt.
Im finding us a big ol ball to attend, Byron responded. Hell, Id even strap myself into a tux to take you out in that, darlin.
Lexis grin was wide.
No, to the necklace, Devin told Lucas.
But Lucas had already reached in his pocket and deftly extracted a credit card. Yes, to the necklace, he told the clerk. Yes to the dress. And yes to everything else shes wearing.
His credit card was out of his hand before Devin could mount another protest, and the clerk was swiftly heading across the store.
I win, he told Devin.
What did you win? she scoffed. You just spent- She faltered. Lucas, you didnt ask the price.
Itll be on the bill, he told her mildly.
Are you showing off? she challenged.
Yeah. Because up until now, I didnt think you knew I had money.
Youre impossible.
What was your first clue?
She pointed in the direction the clerk had gone. Go stop her.
Yeah, right.
Lucas.
He lifted his eyebrows.
What are you doing?
Were shopping for dresses. Which, by the way, is a whole lot more fun than I expected.
Byron chuckled beside them. Take that one, too, he called to Lexi. And try on something else. Lucas is finally starting to have some fun here.
You go try on something else, Lucas told Devin, enjoying the way her eyes flashed blue fire.
And bankrupt the company? she asked.
We can afford it.
Is this the way youre going to manage Amelias money?
Amelias too young for diamonds.
You know what I mean.
That was on my personal credit card, Devin. I dont spend corporate money on a date.
She smoothed the dress and then rubbed her bare arms. Lucas, I am really uncomfortable about this.
You afraid Ill expect you to put out? he dared. He expected her to blush, or get flustered, or get angry.
Instead, she straightened, took a breath and looked him square in the eyes. I already have.
As she turned to flounce away, Lucas found himself under Byrons accusing stare.
What do you want from me? Lucas asked him. I bought the woman some diamonds.
Byron didnt pick up on the joke. You dont think you might be playing a bit of a dangerous game here?
Lucas turned to face the older man head on, acknowledging to himself, as well as to Byron, the magnitude of the stakes. You think I havent already thought of that?
Devin had never thought of herself as particularly starstruck, but meeting a member of the royal family had put a cluster of butterflies firmly in her stomach. She found herself glad to be wearing a designer dress, and of the confidence boost from the diamond necklace.
Do you do this kind of thing a lot? she asked Lucas as they moved from the ballroom to the veranda of the Oak Point Country Club. The evening was sultry and warm. Little white lights decorated the railings and palm trees. The veranda overlooked a rolling lawn that sloped down to a narrow river. Pathways led across a footbridge to the lighted gardens beyond.
Eat dinner or meet royalty? Lucas stopped when the reached the rail.
Hang out with the whos who. Even as she asked the question, she knew the answer. Lucas held an important position, in an important company. She might not be an economics expert, but she understood high tech was the future for well-paying jobs in the country. Never mind, she added.
You look very beautiful, he told her, eyes a soft pewter in subtle light.
Its the hair.
And the face.
It took three highly skilled professionals to get me looking like this.
Thats not what I meant.
Uncomfortable, she turned to face the rail, bracing her hands and gazing out across the grounds of the country club. Are you flirting with me?
Absolutely. He moved in behind her, his voice intimate behind her ear.
Do you think thats such a good idea?
I think its a terrible idea. He stroked the backs of his fingers down her bare arm. If we flirt, I figure theres a better than even chance well end up in bed.
She started to call him on his bold assertion, but he kept right on talking.
And, after we make love, theres a better than even chance well fight. He drew a breath. And I dont like the way that pattern ends.
A gust of wind flitted through the palm trees, rustling the leaves above them. Partygoers made their way up and down the stairs to the lawn below, talking and laughing while strains of the string quartet wafted out from the dining room.
Lucas was right. If anything, the sexual pull between them was growing stronger. She was dressed up in diamonds and great shoes, and she was at a snazzy party with exciting guests, and she was standing out here on a sultry evening with the sexiest man shed ever met. She wanted nothing more than to throw caution to the wind and flirt the night away.
But first, she owned him some honesty.
She turned. Im really sorry, Lucas.
He nodded, easing back a couple of inches. Understood.
I should never have looked at Konrads emails, she continued. I was wrong. And I knew it at the time. And, please believe me, I was about to stop. She closed her eyes for a brief second. But, for a minute there, the end seemed to justify the means.
He nodded, easing back a couple of inches. Understood.
I should never have looked at Konrads emails, she continued. I was wrong. And I knew it at the time. And, please believe me, I was about to stop. She closed her eyes for a brief second. But, for a minute there, the end seemed to justify the means.
Are you asking me to take your word on that?
She opened her eyes again. Yes. I am.
Okay.
You will?
Yes.
Really? Her heart lightened.
I will. Now, will you take my word on something?
She hesitated, bracing to see how hed push his agenda. What?
You are drop-dead gorgeous, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the dress, the diamonds or the shoes.
Awareness prickled her skin in the thick, moist air, and she reached to touch the necklace that had warmed against her skin.
Though, I admit, I am partial to your new underwear.
How do you know Im wearing it? she teased.
No panty lines. He glanced down at her neckline. And I can see the lace from the bra.
Devin sucked in a breath, as Lucas shifted closer, slipping a hand to the small of her back, lowering it ever so slowly to the curve of her buttocks. The lacey underwear suddenly felt sinfully delicious. She inhaled the scent of his skin, reveled in the vibration of his deep voice and struggled not to move under his feathery touch.
I never would have slept with you, she told him, if I didnt want to do it.
Glad to hear that. His head tipped to one side, and his lips parted.