‘I didn’t straighten my hair.’
‘Good. I love your curls.’
‘I’ve worn this dress before.’
‘I know. I remember how good you looked in it the first time.’
‘Do you think it makes my bottom look big?’
Leandro backed away from her, his hands spread in a defensive groan. ‘Never ask a man that question.’ He laughed, but he turned her sideways and dutifully studied her rear view. ‘It makes your bottom look like something out of a man’s fantasy. And now I want to—’
‘Don’t you dare rumple me!’ Wriggling away from the possessive slide of his hands, Millie couldn’t help laughing. ‘You’re insatiable.’
‘Yes. But unfortunately for me I am the guest of honour.’ With a regretful sigh, he reached for his BlackBerry and made a quick call. ‘Otherwise…’ he returned the phone to his pocket ‘…I would feel the need to devote the rest of my evening examining the size of your bottom at close quarters. My driver is waiting outside for us.’
Millie walked towards the front door, but he stopped her.
‘Wait—I have something for you.’ His voice husky, Leandro reached into his pocket and retrieved a long black box. Opening it, he lifted out a slim, diamond bracelet.
Millie gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.
‘Leandro, you can’t—’
‘I can.’ He fastened it around her wrist and then stood back and narrowed his eyes. ‘It suits you.’
‘It matches my necklace.’
‘Of course.’ His hands firm on her shoulders, he turned her so that she could see her reflection in the hall mirror.
The diamonds sparkled against her creamy skin and she lifted a hand and touched them reverentially. ‘I might get mugged.’
His jaw tightened and he drew her close. ‘Never again,’ he said gruffly. ‘You’re with me. And that’s where you’re staying. And I will protect you.’
As they stepped into the back of the luxurious car, Leandro spoke quietly to the driver and then turned to her. ‘There will be media,’ he warned her as they drew up outside the venue. ‘Just smile.’
And she did.
Millie smiled her way up the red carpet, smiled at the cameras, smiled at the guests who gaped and jostled each other for an introduction, and she smiled at Leandro, who was as sexy as sin in his role of powerful tycoon. He slipped easily from one environment to another, she thought as she chatted casually to the man seated to her left.
She felt more confident, more at ease than she ever had before, and turned to Leandro with a grateful smile. ‘I’m having a nice time.’
‘Good.’ His searing gaze rested on her cleavage. ‘I’m not. All I want to do is take you home.’
Millie reached for her wineglass, enjoying the feeling of power that she had over him. The tension gradually mounted between them and by the time Leandro announced that they could leave, both of them were desperate.
They kissed in the car
As they approached the gates of his house, Millie noticed the hordes of press and her heart sank.
‘What are they doing here? I thought they’d lost interest in us.’
‘Ignore them.’ A frown on his face, Leandro spoke to the driver in Greek and they were driven at speed through a network of roads which eventually brought them to the back of the house.
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‘I love this secret entrance.’ Millie giggled, lifting the hem of her dress so that it didn’t drag on the grass. ‘It’s so romantic. And I love the fact that the press haven’t discovered it.’
‘It’s useful,’ Leandro replied, but she sensed he was distracted by something. ‘Come on. Let’s go inside.’