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Reaching the door to her waiting area, he took a deep breath, adjusted his cuffs and the sport jacket he was wearing, and knocked. A woman who looked vaguely familiar opened it.
“Your Royal Highness,” she said, executing a proper curtsy. “It’s nice to meet you in person. I’m Nyla, Dani’s friend.”
Right. She was the face on the iPad who had watched his kitchen row with Dani from the safe distance of her home in L.A.
That seemed like a lifetime ago.
“Hello.” He held out his hand and she shook it. “Please forgive my behavior that day. I can claim no good excuse except shock at what I’d walked into.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Nyla said, nonchalantly waving an elegant hand. “Duchess brings out... strong emotions in people. It’s all water under the bridge.”
It was clear Dani and the woman were close. He didn’t know what Dani had told her friend, but she must’ve mentioned the change in their relationship. They stood there taking each other’s measure, two people who cared about the same person recognizing a like-minded spirit.
Nyla nodded—whether in approval or to signal the end of the perusal he didn’t know—and stood back. “Come in.”
Black leather couches and chairs were positioned in a welcoming arrangement near a buffet table piled with drinks, snacks, and platters of fruit, cheese, and veggies.
He waited until she closed the door behind her. “Dani didn’t mention you were coming.”
She smiled. “I managed to pull some strings and get an invitation.”
“If I’d known, I would’ve taken care of it. Will you be attending the ball?”
“Dani talked to Louisa and it’s a go.”
“Good. I’m sure Dani is happy to have you here. How is she?”
“In performance prep mode.” She motioned with her head toward the back. “She’s over there.”
Curtains separated the large area they were currently in from another zone. He stepped through the fabric divider and into a bevy of action and commotion. Dani was surrounded by people applying makeup, styling her hair, and adjusting her clothes. Her back was to him, but he caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. He swayed, suddenly light-headed.
She wore a long-sleeved red top that made her look like she was covered in airy clouds. It stopped just beneath her breasts, leaving her midriff and belly bare, except for a thin diamond chain that glowed against her skin. Red leather shorts barely covered her round sumptuous ass, and thigh-high stiletto boots, in the same crimson color, completed the outfit.
Her wide eyes were heavily lined, her lips popped with the same bright red color, and her black hair was slicked into a sleek fall down her back. Tendrils curled around her forehead and temples, and large diamond hoops swung from her ears.
She was a sexy flaming siren. Untouchable. Something to stare at and adore from afar.
Her expression was tense and focused, causing her to look more like Duchess and less like Dani.
But then, her gaze met his in the mirror and she smiled.
There she is.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” he said, able to see that his grin looked as goofy as it felt. He cleared his throat. “Kay is almost done with her set and then they’ll redo the stage for your performance. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay before I head out to introduce you.”
“We’re good.” She switched her gaze to the group around her. “Can y’all give us a moment? I’ll meet you outside.”
And then it was the two of them.
“You look incredible.”
She struck a pose. “This old thing? Just something I threw on.”
He laughed, as he knew she’d intended. He took her hands in his, raising his brows at her long red nails. “Americans and their weapons. Do you have a permit to carry these? They’re dangerous.”
“Goes with the look. And they can cut a bitch should Stalker Samantha show up.”
