‘Are you enjoying yourself?’
‘What do you think?’
‘I think you look stunning in that dress.’ He eased her closer. ‘I also think you are better at mindless small talk than I am.’
‘Are you calling me mindless?’ She rested her hand lightly on his chest. ‘Did you know that the very good-looking man over there with the lovely wife owns upmarket hotels all over the world? He’s Sicilian.’
He glanced over her shoulder. ‘Cristiano Ferrara? You think he’s good-looking?’
‘Yes. And his wife is beautiful. They seem like a happy family.’
He smiled. ‘Her name is Laurel.’
‘Do you know everyone? She was very down-to-earth. She admired my necklace and he pulled me to one side to ask me for the details. He’s going to surprise her for her birthday.’
‘If Skylar sells a piece of jewellery to a Ferrara I can assure you she’s made. They move in the highest circles.’
‘Laurel wants an invitation to her exhibition in London. I have plugged Skylar’s jewellery to at least ten very wealthy people. I hope you’re not angry.’
He curved her against him in a possessive gesture. ‘You are welcome to be as shameless as you wish. In fact I’m willing to make a few specific suggestions about how you could direct that shameless behaviour.’
A few heads turned in their direction.
‘Thank you for telling this room full of strangers that I’m a sex maniac. Are you sure you don’t want to dance with someone else?’
His eyes were half shut, his gaze focused entirely on her. ‘Why would I want to dance with anyone else?’
‘Because there are a lot of women in this room and they’re looking at you hopefully. Me, they look as if they’d like to kill. They’re wondering why you’re with me.’
‘None of the men are wondering that,’ he drawled. ‘Trust me on that.’
‘Can I tell you something?’
‘That depends. Is it going to be a deeply emotional confession that is going to send me running from the room?’
‘You can’t run anywhere because your father is about to make a speech and—oh—’ she frowned ‘—Diandra looks stressed.’ Taking his hand, she tugged him across the crowded dance floor towards Diandra, who appeared to be arguing with Kostas.
‘Wait five minutes,’ Kostas urged in a low tone. ‘You cannot abandon our guests.’
‘But she needs me,’ Diandra said firmly and Lily intervened.
‘Is this about Chloe?’
‘She’s woken up. I can’t bear to think of her upset with people she doesn’t know. It’s already hard enough on her to have been left here by her mother.’
‘Nik and I will go to her,’ Lily said immediately and saw Nik frown.
‘I don’t think—’
‘We’ll be fine. Make your speech and then come and find us.’ Without letting go of Nik’s hand, Lily made for the stairs. ‘I assume you know where the nursery is or should we use GPS?’
‘I really don’t think—’
‘Cut the excuses, Zervakis. Your little sister needs you.’
‘She doesn’t know me. I don’t see how my sudden appearance in her life can do anything but make things a thousand times worse.’
‘Children are sometimes reassured by a strong presence. But stop glaring.’ She paused at the top of the stairs. ‘Which way?’