Chapter 03

Lucas gave her a once over and added

"There are few details we have to go through before we make an appearance," Jessica nodded and he resumed.

" Your name for the night will still be Rose. We met during a gala in Monte Carlo and you are supposed to be friends with Jack, my step brother, that's your backup story,  no details. You'll  introduce yourself  when I say so, Understood?"

"Yes,"

 "Don't worry , you won't have to deal with everyone  during  the event, I'll be by your side  the entire evening .  no need to fear the cameras they're not allowed to take pictures unless I agree, is that okay?"

"Okay"

"One more thing, " He took out a small box from his inside  pocket  and opened it . It contained a  couple of silver masks

"May I?" without further do, Lucas helped Jessica off her black mask, and took off his own black mask as well.

 He took a minute studying her features  Jessica looked him in the eyes fearlessly, the man seemed  younger than she thought, his thick eyebrows gave his dark brown hooded eyes a sharp expression, she studied his face engraving his features inside her memory.

"Next time don't put lenses, I'm sure your green eyes are more beautiful" with his words Jessica blushed. How  the hell did he know that she had green eyes ? and what else does he know about her ?

" I'm very observant, that's how I knew, rest assured I don't know more than what is written on your profile except for your real name in case someone recognized you or tried to harm you, the rest  I prefer to discover by myself  , what's the thrill of meeting a new person , if not asking them about themselves"

 Jessica could not help but dwell on the  former sentence he said

"Next time ?"

"That depends entirely on you"

" what's that supposed to mean ?"

"you'll find out soon enough."

then put the silver mask he brought  over her face and knotted it  carefully behind her head. Jessica let him do without a word merely breathing in his almost intoxicating scent.

He stepped back and gave her a quick look once over before putting on his silver mask as well.

"You look stunning  by the way," he said fixing her eyes behind the masks.

"Thank you," She said soundlessly

" Shall we?" Lucas held up his arm for her once more.

"Yes" Jessica obliged and they finally sauntered towards the door.

He opened the door for her  with his other hand and she followed his steps until they reached the elevator.

Images of the feelings she had earlier with this man inside the elevator started to pop into her head. Jessica cursed inside, hating how Lucas made her feel.

Lucas… yet his name rolled off her tongue so strangely. She was having mixed feelings about him already. Not a moment ago he was so arrogant and commanding –not to mention a safety freak– and at the same time he had his hands on her thighs….

Jessica immediately chased the idea of his warm hand between her thighs. Wandering how they felt elsewhere… That was so wrong already. Damn her period was in few days, her hormones were playing with her. She tried to focus , they were already inside the elevator and it was moving. Jessica held her breath. When she remembered being pinned to its wall a while ago.  No use, Luca's  got under her skin.

"So, what's your favorite chocolate flavor ?" Lucas broke the silence,  Jessica was almost taken aback but his random question

"My favorite.. chocolate flavor ?" She repeated mentally giving herself sometime to figure out the mere response to such a question.

"Yes, favorite flavor,  unless you're allergic to chocolate?"

"N-no, I… I'm not.  I It 's dark," Jessica stuttered,

"But why ?"

"oh, I wanted to know what flavor would I be licking off your body tonight"

"what ?" she gasped her eyes wide open

"I was making small talk that's it, unless you want us talk about your favorite  sex position ?" He responded coolly

"Excuse me?" She nervously withdrew her hand from around his arm and looked his way. Not exactly  knowing what to say anymore, Jessica was feeling uncomfortable.  When Lucas turned to  meet  her  wide-open eyes .

"I'm kidding! Chill, " He laughed silently. Rolling his eyes At Jessica's facial expression that soon turned into a poker face, if he thought that was laughable, she did not even think it was that funny.

"But if you' want to tell me so badly, dear, I'm all ears " He added with a taunting  smirk.

Jessica opened her mouth to tell him to go fuck himself but no words escaped her lips as the elevator's door opened and they were  face to face with a crowd of journalists  holding their microphones and aiming their cameras on them

Caught by surprise Jessica winced at their flashes  but Lucas was quicker to react , he slipped his hand around  Jessica's body and secured his palm on the small of her back. And dragged her forward.

"Stay close," Lucas whispered to her ear as they walked through the paparazzi ,Jessica leaned to him as his  hand guided her through silently. His tall figure almost covered her and she felt safer , with Lucas' hand secured around her.  

Jessica's never been in such situation before, and although he told her previously not to fear the media , she felt uncomfortable because she did not expect them to appear at the entrance of the elevator.

Let's face it.  He is Mr. Doyle after all, the man almost entirely owns New York city  she thought to herself trying to focus on their steps until they entered the ball room.

The crowd of journalists left behind them as they entered into the dim lit space. 

"You're okay ?" He wondered  softly as soon as they entered the ball room. Lucas looked into Jessica's eyes from behind their masks for a moment .

"Y..Yeah" She nodded

He let down his hand along hers and grabbed it, entangling their fingers together. Jessica  was confused about what just happened not sure about what to think of him anymore. One second he was being an asshole and the  other he was  being… nice to her, holding her hand so gently.

 "Good," Lucas said as he walked towards the buffet. Jessica couldn’t stop herself from  admiring the ceiling  that was covered in tiny scintillating lights. That appeared as stars .

The elegance of it left her speechless. The ball room was filled with couples all dressed in black gowns. And masks covered their faces. Some talked  while some were slow dancing to the delicate sound of   violin playing

 "What's your favorite drink ?" Lucas asked  Jessica when they came nearer to the buffet. She looked up to find him grinning  she knew where this was going to end.

"No, thanks" Jessica declined politely

"You'll have champagne then," he stated, ignoring her attempt at  formulating a protest. He put the flute of champagne in her hand  and grabbed his own . Knocked  it  to hers and took a sip, never leaving her eyes.

Jessica obliged, she brought the drink to her lips and pretended to take a sip. looking up to the immense ceiling, She thought that the ball room was  mesmerizing

"Favorite color ?"

" Weren't you told that ?" she replied ironically.

" I do not believe everything that I'm told"

"Is that so ?" Lucas leaned near Jessica's ear and whispered

"You told me you weren't getting in bed with me, I believe otherwise,"  he said taking the glass from her hand and placing it on a waiter's tray. Jessica gulped in nervously, this man was getting under her skin ever so slightly. How did he manage to affect her with such words. Jessica parted her lips in an attempt to answer him but Lucas stepped closer, in a blink he  had his hand wrapped around her waist  Jessica almost squirmed at its warmth that she almost forgot what she was about to say. She breathed in his  intoxicating smell , cursing him for making her feel so weak.

"Dance with me" he said on  a hoarse tone, his eyes flickering from behind his silver mask

"I ..I" Jessica stuttered

"I wasn't asking," Lucas motioned to the orchestra to change the song and led her firmly towards the dance floor area.

He grabbed her hand in his, entangling his fingers with hers again.

Jessica hated him already, for taking control of the situation. Who was she kidding? she hated him for taking control of her. And there were no way she would give in to him that easily. no. Not her, not…

Lucas leaned in brushing his nose against Jessica's hair

"You're my date for the ball, remember? " Jessica nodded in agreement and let him lead the dance telling herself that all of this will soon be over. Lucas Doyle will be a person from her past, the morning  after. Besides, an hour or two in his company should not bother her that much. She will easily forget about his arrogant ass tomorrow.  

"Haven't I told you were stunning Jess ?" Lucas said to her and  Jessica's ' eyes widened ….