Courting Danger

His hand lighted on the small of her back as they walked into the Entrance Hall. She’d seen pictures in books and movies, but it was so much more impressive in person. Waiters were milling around with appetisers and drinks. Her date nabbed glasses of champagne for both of them, then directed her towards a long, winding queue of people.

‘We’ll want to get into the receiving line before it gets any longer.’

‘This is the receiving line?’ It wound about the edge of the room and disappeared into the next.

‘Unfortunately, yes.’

She was already about to meet the President? But she didn’t know what to do or what to say.

‘How does it work?’ She took a sip of her drink. This was happening way too quickly. She wasn’t like him, impulsive and brash. She liked to have her days planned out. She liked to be prepared. ‘Are we supposed to say something first? Do we wait for her to talk?’

‘There’s a protocol. Just copy what everyone else does. It will be old hat by the time we make it to the front of the line. We’ll say a few words, take a photo and it will be over before you know it.’

Everyone else.

Rielle looked around the imposing room, with its décor that dated back to the country’s roots. Mel was evaluating the scene, too, but his focus was more on the people. They were just as impressive. All the men wore tuxedos and the women were exquisite in beautiful gowns.

Thank goodness for Nina’s closet.

They were getting stares in return. Her date naturally drew women’s attention, and men seemed to steer away from him. In a room of power players, he was an alpha. Job title didn’t matter.

And she was with him.

His hand still touched her low on the back, and her skirt swayed around his legs. They looked like they were together.

It made her feel funny inside. She wasn’t an escort, but she wasn’t truly a date. How far would she be expected to go?

‘Are we allowed to shake her hand?’ she asked. ‘Do you want me to step out of the picture?’

His head swivelled back around to her. ‘What?’

‘It’s a picture of you and the President. You won’t want that to include a total stranger.’

His brow furrowed. ‘Yes, you can shake their hands, and yes, you’re going to be in the damn picture.’

Her tongue touched the back of her lips. OK…

‘You said there will be a meal. Who will be at our table? What will we talk about? I don’t know much about Sweden.’

‘Rielle, relax.’ Goosebumps popped up on her neck. His lips had nearly brushed her ear, he was so close.

‘But everyone else here is prepared for this. Look at them.’

‘I don’t want to look at them. I’m looking at you.’

She blew out a breath. ‘I want to make sure everything goes well for you tonight.’

He resumed his protective spot next to her, placing himself between her and the crowd. ‘It’s already gone way better than I’d thought it would. I found you, a smart, beautiful woman who can make sure I stay on my toes. My only problem is that you’re so wound up. Take a deep breath. Enjoy. You don’t need to do any more than that.’

‘I just can’t believe I’m here.’

‘You have just as much right to be here as anyone.’

But she still wasn’t convinced that Security wasn’t going to identify her as an interloper and drag her off.

He rubbed her back in a small circle. ‘So tell me this. Was coming out with me tonight worth the risk?’

There was no sign of a smile on his lips, but she caught the glint in his eye. That was what finally made her tension let go.

Which was a warning in and of itself.

‘Ask me again later,’ she said.

She had a feeling that the riskiest part of tonight was him.

As long as the line was, it moved much too quickly as they neared their hosts. Then it became a blur. Rielle didn’t remember what she said or if she remembered to smile. There was the flash of a camera, and it was over.

She nearly floated on air as she took Mel’s arm again. ‘The Princess of Sweden said she liked my dress,’ she murmured in amazement.

‘I like your dress.’

She blushed. The look he gave her said he liked it in a whole different way than the Swedish royal. ‘Thank you.’

They followed the trail of guests to dinner. The State Dining Room was in the southwest corner of the White House on the first floor, and it was just as impressive as the Entry Hall. Rielle barely blinked as she tried to take everything in and store it in her memory. The dining room was large and filled with circular dinner tables covered in snow-white tablecloths. The place settings were exquisite, with large plates that looked to be trimmed with gold.

And to think she’d planned to have a salad for dinner.

‘Do you have other coworkers attending?’ she asked. He was once again people-watching. His attention swung back to her. ‘You seem to be looking for someone,’ she explained.

His expression clouded, and he rubbed his chin. ‘Sorry, I should pay more attention to you.’

She shook her head. She was happy to just be along for the ride. ‘Conduct your business. I’m more than entertained.’

‘I shouldn’t be so obvious.’

He wasn’t. Not really. Everyone was taking in the scenery and greeting one another. There was just an edginess to him, an alertness that hadn’t been there when they’d been at Luxxor. He apparently had important business to conduct, and that was fine.

She didn’t need his attention on her any more than it already was. Her hand was warm from holding his arm, and the small of her back still tingled.

‘We should take our seats,’ Rielle murmured.

The receiving line was getting close to an end, because the room was filling with guests. Each of them had an assigned seat. Theirs were at a table at the end, fortunately facing the rest of the room. They could see anything that might happen. Rielle felt another twinge of happiness when she found her name on a table tent, just like everyone else’s. The staff here knew their jobs. Not a detail had been missed, even with the late change in plans.

She tucked the note into her purse. She was keeping it as a souvenir.

Mel pulled back her chair and she sat down. When he took the chair next to her, he tangled with her dress again.

‘Sorry,’ she said, trying to pull in its volume.