REGAN TWIRLED IN HER DRESS, looking every bit a Goth princess. Hannah held up a hand for her to stop, so she could check the dress’s hem. She’d arrived three hours before the party to make sure the clothing fit and that there wouldn’t be any need for alterations. They were in one of the guest rooms, which had been assigned to Hannah. It was elegant and the perfect place to get ready for the reception.
“That looks better and you have less of a chance of ripping it with those boots.” Earlier, Hannah had forced the young girl to walk around the room in the dress and Regan had nearly tripped more than once.
“Do you think he’ll like it?” Regan followed Hannah to the vanity mirror where a fat curling iron waited to put curls in the girl’s hair.
“Who?”
“You know—Jeremy. He helped prep all the food for tonight and he’ll also be working as one of the waiters. I mean, it’s stupid for me to worry about a guy liking what I wear. But tonight is important to me and I want to look—” she paused for a moment as if she were sizing up Hannah “—hot.”
“Of course you look hot. I’m styling you. I wouldn’t let you go out looking like some dweeb marshmallow. And if Jeremy doesn’t see that dress as hot, he’s gay. There’s no other answer.”
The girl laughed out loud. “He doesn’t kiss like he’s gay.” Regan gave her a coquettish grin.
“I’m just messing with you. He’d be an idiot if he didn’t like it. You look gorgeous.”
And she did. Hannah had shown Regan how to make the most of her features with makeup, but didn’t allow the girl to overdo it. The dress was enough of a statement.
Besides, she had a feeling Laura wouldn’t go for a thick line of kohl-black liner around her daughter’s eyes. The dress flattered the girl’s figure and even Hannah was surprised by how stunning she looked. After finishing with the curling iron, Hannah placed a few sparkly clips on the sides to draw it up underneath. “Wow!”
“You got that right.” Hannah smiled at her in the mirror. “Heads will turn tonight when you make your way down those stairs.”
Regan’s smile fell. “Not for me. My mother will be beside me. She’s so gorgeous that no one ever notices me. But Jeremy thinks she’s old, so I might have a chance with him.”
Hannah chuckled to herself. “Tonight, they will be looking at you, trust me. Maybe I should give you some Mace to keep in your purse just in case Jeremy gets a little too excited.
“Hey, don’t make a face. You look hot. And a girl has to protect herself. Boys just can’t seem to keep their hands off of pretty things.”
Regan rolled her eyes. “Stop or I will die of embarrassment.”
Hannah had a feeling that for all her bravado, the girl had lived an incredibly sheltered life. “Why? Didn’t you guys talk about this at your boarding school?” If Jeremy did show an interest, the girl needed some kind of sex education. Though, Hannah knew it really wasn’t her job to do so.
“Uh, we talked about boys. Who was cute when it came to celebrities and stuff like that, but it was an all-girls’ school in Switzerland. They are so strict it is insane, but it was better than— Anyway, there were some girls who said they slept with some of the boys in town. They would share stories, but we never knew if they were telling the truth.”
“Do you need me to—”
“No!” Regan nearly shouted. “Trust me, I’ve had the sex talk at school and with my mother.”
“Good.” Hannah was relieved the talk wouldn’t come from her. “You’re almost eighteen and I figured you had, but if you ever have any questions… On second thought, I don’t mind being your fashion mentor, but I’m the last one to give advice about relationships.”
They both laughed.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Hannah said.
Will entered wearing a white shirt, dark blue suit and tie. The suit fit him across those broad shoulders. A perfect specimen of a man, and as of last night he was hers. A slight tremor zinged through her body when she thought about their lovemaking. It had been so tender and passionate, as if they were giving themselves to one another as gifts. It was a night that would keep her going during those long months when he would be gone.
His eyes met hers, and her heart sped up again. Dear heaven, he was gorgeous. Yes, he would definitely make a great model with his rugged chin and those high cheekbones. Hannah would never get enough of the man.
When he saw Regan, his eyes flashed in surprise. “Wow!”
Regan laughed out loud. “I know, I’m hot. Hannah said so.”
“Well, Hannah would know. Regan, I’ve been asked to escort you to the den where your parents are waiting. They wanted to introduce you to some of the guests before you go downstairs.”
The girl stilled. “My dad is going to flip when he sees me but I refuse to change. If he doesn’t like what I’m wearing, then I’ll stay in my room.”
Hannah gave her a slight shoulder bump. “He might surprise you.” After talking with Laura again, Hannah felt certain the ambassador had been made aware of the situation. Laura had explained that she and her husband would accept their daughter’s fashion choices. She’d agreed with Hannah about the clothes being a form of expression. Laura had even shared stories about her punk-rock days in England. It was hard to imagine the sophisticated woman with spiked hair. Laura was the epitome of class.
“Captain Hughes, you stay here with Hannah. I can find my own way.” Regan’s chin lifted but she turned to smile at Hannah.
“Sorry, I have my orders. Besides, I’m looking forward to the look on their faces when they get a load of you.” He smiled at the girl and she blushed.
“Hannah, you are welcome to come with us, or if you wish, the party has begun downstairs.” When he spoke to her, his tone was formal. This was work Will. He’d explained to her the night before that while the reception was going on he had to stay alert and be all business. He wouldn’t be able to visit with her. They had to play it cool because the general would be around and Will needed to focus.
Hannah didn’t mind because when he looked at her the desire was there in his eyes. She had no business being at the party. In fact, it would probably be better for both of them if she’d stayed home and worked. But Will was here, and she’d made a pact with herself that anytime she could be in his presence, she would. Even if she couldn’t touch him, like tonight, she’d be near. It was enough. She would also feel guilty if she didn’t keep her promise to Regan. The girl needed to know that she had a friend on her side.
“I’ll go downstairs. I don’t want to interrupt a private family moment. But you guys have to tell me what happened later.” She smiled at Will so that he would know she understood her place.
“Well—” Regan put her hands on her hips “—it’s never private. Mom and Dad always have friends over. I think Will should stay here and kiss you.”
“Regan!” Hannah admonished. “It’s one thing to talk girl talk, it’s quite another when the guy is in the room. Besides, Will is working. We both should respect that.”
“I’m not going to tell.” She crossed her arms and glanced up at Will. “Aren’t you at least going to tell her she’s beautiful? She looks like a model. I think she’s even prettier than my mom, and that’s saying a lot.” Regan’s shy side seemed to have left the building.
Will grinned at the girl. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re a bossy brat?”
“No. But I’m about to change that,” Regan said bravely. “I’m not going to be shoved into a corner anymore.”
“Well, certainly not in that dress,” Hannah added.
“You guys can change the subject all you want, but I’m not walking out of here until you at least tell her she’s gorgeous.” Regan continued to stand with her hands on her hips.
Will gave a heavy sigh as though it was a great deal of trouble to cross the room and put his arms around Hannah. “You take my breath away,” he said as he kissed her lightly. “I can’t wait to get you out of that dress,” he whispered for her ears only.
“You look kind of hot yourself, Marine.” Hannah grabbed a tissue from the vanity and wiped the evidence of their kiss off of Will’s lips. “Kind of?”
She pointed a finger at him. “You know how hot you are. Now go save the world, and don’t worry about me. I spent my life going to these things. I can handle it.”
Will brushed his fingers along her jaw. “I’ll see you later.”
“Oh, you most definitely will,” Hannah said suggestively.
Will crossed the room and stuck his elbow out to Regan. “Miss, may I escort you to your parents’ pre-party festivities?” His voice was formal and at the same time he had the sweetest look on his face.
The young girl wrapped her hand around Will’s arm. Then she glanced back at Hannah. “I’ll take good care of him. I promise.”
They all laughed.
Hannah watched them go through the door and then turned to fix her lipstick.
He was so sweet to the girl. Will’s compliments helped to give Regan the confidence she needed. He and Rafe always seemed to know the right thing to say to put other people at ease. She could use some of that. Hannah had a tendency to open her mouth and promptly insert her foot.
As she took one more glance in the full-length mirror, Hannah’s heart skipped a beat when she remembered his words about what he would do with her dress later.
Yes, he always knew exactly what to say.
You might be working hard tonight, Marine. But you have no idea what I have in store for you later.