Page 89 of Pretend To Be Mine

I stepped back to assess my work. The dress, if you could call it that, was essentially a collection of silk ribbons that wrapped around her body in ways that suggested everything while technically showing nothing. It was scandalous. Gorgeous. And absolutely something that would give my mother heart palpitations.

“My family would be having collective strokes right now,” I said, laughing as I helped another model into what could only be described as lingerie masquerading as evening wear. “My mother thinks showing your ankles is risqué.”

“Seriously?” The model looked at me with wide eyes. “Like, religious conservative?”

“Just conservative conservative. Very traditional values, very concerned about propriety.” I adjusted the barely there straps on her shoulders. “If she could see what I’m doing right now, she’d probably disown me.”

“But you love it,” Annika observed from across the room.

“I do,” I admitted. This was exactly the kind of boundary-pushing, convention-defying fashion that made my heart race. “Don’t get me wrong. I love classic elegance too. But this? This is art. This is making people feel something, making them question what fashion can be. It breaks all the rules.”

A blonde model emerged from behind a screen wearing what I could only describe as chains. Crystal chains draped over her body, creating the illusion of coverage while revealing almost everything. The light hit the gems and it was truly a piece of art.

“Wow,” I breathed. “That’s stunning.”

She looked nervous. “I don’t want to ruin this. I have to hold my arms out.”

“It’s perfect. It’s exactly what Sebastian wanted.” I circled her, making sure every chain lay correctly. “You look like a goddess. A very naked goddess, but still.”

She laughed, relaxing. “My boyfriend is going to lose his mind when he sees the photos.”

“In a good way, I hope.”

“Oh, definitely in a good way.”

I loved the chaos. I loved getting to see everything up close and personal. I would never design anything like what I was helping the women put on, but I could appreciate the art. I wasn’t sure if this was all Sebastian or if he had help, but damn, someone was very creative.

29

ADRIAN

“Come on, we’re already late.” Sebastian grabbed my arm, pulling me away from where I’d been reviewing the final lighting cues with the technical director.

“Late for what?”

“Press photos. You know, the thing we scheduled two weeks ago that you apparently forgot about?” He dragged me toward a section of the gardens where I could see lights had been set up, photographers gathering with their equipment.

“I didn’t forget. I just had more important things to do. I’m taking care of the details you should be handling.”

“Everything is handled, Adrian. The show is going to be perfect. Now come smile pretty for the cameras so we can get some good publicity.”

I walked with him and spotted a few familiar faces from the American press. We usually didn’t have an issue with bad press, but I wanted to protect Elizabeth as much as I could. She didn’t need the bullshit questions meant to antagonize.

Our PR people would have provided all invited press with the basic information as well as questions that were off limits. My brothers and I always did our best to keep our personal lives out of the interviews. That and internal issues were not up for debate.

But then I introduced Elizabeth to the world and that opened the door for those personal questions we all hated.

The moment the press saw us, they exploded with questions. I ignored them and allowed Sebastian to position me wherever. I had to remember this was his rodeo. I was just along for the ride.

At least that’s what I was going to try and do.

He positioned me next to him in front of a backdrop featuring the Blackwell logo. Sebastian patted my back and leaned close. “Try to look happy. You’re supposed to be celebrating love, remember?”

I arranged my face into something approximating pleasant as photographers began shouting.

“Adrian! Over here!”

“Sebastian, to your left!”