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With a parade of official speeches, the ceremony began. Aidan worked the crowd like a master conductor, earning long standing ovations and endless admiration. When it was over, they mingled, enjoying finger sandwiches and miniature pastries filled with homemade preserves and sweet cream, as well as a slice of the largest cake Laura had ever seen. A dozen homemade punches kept everyone well hydrated.
Laura left before the event officially ended, to avoid Aidan pressing for information as the crowd thinned, and spent the rest of the morning and afternoon in the office. When she finished her work, she traveled home alone, since Jeanie would be spending the night at her uncle’s house. Time passed rapidly, and soon it was time to prepare for the evening. She hadn’t been to a ball in, well never, unless one counted the books she loved as a child.
This time, Laura already had her outfit selected. The exquisite gown represented her splurge of a lifetime, but it had been worth the expense. Crafted of fine lavender silk and sparkling sequins, the gown fell to the ground in glimmering waves, with ever-so-tiny sleeves of the sheerest silk and a sexy slit exposing one leg. Light as a cloud and soft as rose petals, it swirled gently around her as she moved. A brilliant golden choker shimmered brilliantly as an accompaniment, matched by sequin shoes and an embroidered silk bag. For her hair, sparkling rhinestone combs swept the sides in graceful waves. As she gazed at the reflection of the woman who was and yet could not be her, she smiled softly. She was ready.
She was the princess going to the ball to meet her prince. She felt like true royalty as she departed her apartment and floated through the carpeted hallways. She stepped into the parking lot, stopped as rustling sounded behind her. She pivoted ever-so-slowly to…
Aidan.
She could do nothing but stare. He was always handsome, always gorgeous beyond compare, but tonight… tonight no words existed. In a formal midnight black tuxedo, he towered larger than life, far too beautiful to be mere mortal. He stood tall and proud, muscular power and regal authority. With thick hair falling softly around twilight blue eyes and chiseled features, he was a masterpiece of beauty and strength.
And he had claimed her.
“You are a work of art.” He spoke first, his voice deep with desire. “So beautiful.”
Her heart stuttered. She stepped towards him, he matched it, and in two long strides, stood in front of her. Large hands encircled her waist, holding her still as he caressed the sensitive skin of her back. She moaned softly, fought not to submit to the spell he was weaving. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.
A curt headshake, as if even he didn’t know the answer. “I know we’re supposed to meet at the ball, to not raise suspicions about our relationship, but, Laura, I can’t do this anymore. I won’t let you pretend this is some simple fling.” He cupped her cheek, possessively stroked tender skin. "I will be escorting you to the grand ball, Ms. Blake. I don’t care what anyone has to say about it.”
His expression was unmovable, his conviction undeniable. Arguing would be both futile and contradictory to her true desires. She planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
“I'll take that as a yes.” His tone softened at her acceptance of her capture, with a look of promise that elicited delicious chills. He gestured to a waiting limo. “Your chariot awaits, madam.”
She nodded regally. “Thank you, kind sir." Her heart fluttered as they walked past Aidan’s Porsche, which was parked in one of the guest spots. The message was clear: he would be staying when the limo driver ended his shift, far beyond if she got what she wanted. Like maybe… a lifetime.
He held her close as the limo sped along the rural roadway, until they came uponThe Enchanted, where the gala would take place. It seemed a lifetime ago she met Aidan there, their first meeting after her fateful visit. Although the hour was still early, cars had already started to line up outside the elegant three-story building. Aidan grasped Laura’s hand as the limousine stopped in front of the tall, regal doors. “Ready?”
She inhaled deeply. “Are you?”
He answered with a firm nod. When the driver opened the door, Aidan disembarked first, and then assisted her. Like the princess arriving at the grand ball, Laura stepped out into a sea of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Conversation buzzed at their arrival, admiration, surprise, envy and good-natured smiles. Although they had worked together for weeks, it was the first time they were confirming they shared more than a business relationship. Her smile wavered, however, as reporters from the local media all the way up to the national networks fought for good vantage spots to photograph the famous Aidan Bancroft and his new lady love. And, as they would soon learn, the mother of his child.
“Hello everyone,” Aidan greeted, as side by side, arm in arm, they walked up the steps. People stopped them along the way, friends offering congratulations, acquaintances joking and reporters asking questions. But then Carol White, the queen of gossip herself, appeared like a lotto player who had just matched all. “Mr. Bancroft, can you tell us about your relationship with Ms. Blake?”
Laura looked towards Aidan, deferring the snide question. How would he respond? Of course, their secret would be out after tonight, but she’d hoped it would be in a more dignified manner than on a gossip columnist’s show.
“Ms. White, how lovely to see you,” Aidan calmly responded. “I guess you haven’t heard the news. As I’ve already shared with the major lifestyle reporters, Ms. Blake and I are dating. If you check social media, you’ll probably hear all about it.” Aidan led Laura forward as the gossip columnist stared in shock. “We'd better move on. A pleasure, as always.” When they reached the building, they both laughed.
“That was wonderful.” Laura grinned. “Did you see her face?”
“I certainly did,” Aidan rumbled. “It was well-deserved. That woman has hurt so many people with her cruel investigations and outright lies. It’s about time she got scooped.”
“People like that give all reporters a bad name. But…” She narrowed her eyes. “You called the networks and told them about us?”
“Before you pounce, let me explain.” He deftly maneuvered her around a branch in the walkway. “I didn’t tell them until you agreed to come with me. Once you did, of course, there was no way to keep it a secret. Better I tell them than someone else.”
She slowly nodded. “All right. But how did you tell them after I agreed to come with you? I was with you the whole time, and you didn’t make a phone call.”
“Exactly.” Azure eyes sparkled as he hooked her arm and led her into the ballroom. “Right before I saw you, I told my publicist to alert the media unless I called back within fifteen minutes. Since I didn’t, she did.” He lowered his voice. “I didn’t want our relationship to be broadcast on gossip television.”
Laura softened. His thoughtfulness was one of the things she loved about him. “Thank you.” She opened her mouth to say more, but they reached the Grand Ballroom, and all words fled.
She had entered a fairy tale.
She’d never seen such a beautiful sight, not at a royal wedding, not in a movie, not in a dream. The room was an ethereal masterpiece, a magnum opus in whimsical design, with white chiffon lining the walls and twinkling lights covering nearly every surface. Lace-covered tables dotted the room, with Swarovski crystal vases and hundreds of pale pink flowers, above a deep cherry wood dance floor shimmering with polish. Rose petals dripped along the tables and on the floor, giving the impression of a fantasy garden, while enormous cut crystal chandeliers lit the room in fiery brilliance. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured, emotion swirling inside. “Enchanting.”
“And yet it pales next to you.” Aidan traced Laura’s neck with the pad of his finger. “You are the true masterpiece.”
The little touch sent shivers down her spine and awareness through her body. Her cheeks heated. “You’re going to have to stop complimenting me like that.”
