The Duke's Runaway Princess Page 0,40
wine, have a bowl of cereal and watch a movie tonight. All of that sounded incredibly appealing as she allowed Derrick to lead her out into the night, her knees trembling with both anticipation and fear.
“Who is coming tonight that you needed my help?” she asked when he settled her into a low slung, dangerous looking, black vehicle.
He waited until he’d closed her door, then walked around the hood of the car and slipping in beside her before answering. “The Prime Minister came out to have a chat. His wife is also with him, which was why I needed help tonight. If you weren’t here, Joe and I wouldn’t be able to discuss whatever he wants to chat with me about.”
Zarah held her breath and thought back, wondering if she’d met this particular prime minister. She didn’t think so. The last British Prime Minister she’d dined with in Tasain had been about five years ago and she thought his name had been Peter or something similar. There had been so many of them who had traveled to see her brother over the years, and she’d been required to dine with them at all the events. Eventually, she’d lost track of the various elected officials. The permanent rulers, both the good and the bad, were much easier to remember since they didn’t change as often.
Zarah shifted her legs to the right in a feeble, and obvious, attempt to create more space between Derrick’s hand on the gear shift and her thigh. He saw through her attempt and glanced at her with a small grin, which caused her to blush once again. She had to stop doing that!
“So what do you need to talk with the Prime Minister about?” she asked to distract him from her embarrassment.
Derrick put the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot. “I have no idea. This dinner request was a surprise to me. He called this afternoon, said he would be in town and asked if he could stop by.”
“Isn’t that a bit unusual?” she asked, knowing that rulers of powerful countries normally had their schedules fixed far in advance and changes were rare and difficult to adjust.
The vehicle ate up the distance from her apartment to his home quickly and effortlessly. “Not really. Joe and I have been friends for a while. He stops by every once in a while when he needs advice or just a break from the obnoxious politics and wants an honest answer.”
That was a stunning comment. “Why doesn’t he just ask his advisors?”
She saw his small laugh and wondered about it. “Because they are all politically motivated in one way or another. Every once in a while, Joe needs the unvarnished truth. I’m sure I’m not the only one he talks to when he has economic issues he needs to work through though. I’m just one friend who won’t white wash the issue.”
With an understanding glance she said, “You’re also one of the first he comes to?”
Derrick shrugged as if the prime minister needing guidance or advice was a small issue. “Joe is a good guy. He doesn’t ask questions lightly, but he doesn’t want all the political negotiations to overwhelm a good plan of action.”
Zarah wondered about that. She knew that Derrick had to be wealthy in order to maintain the residence here but she realized that she really didn’t know much about what he does. “Who do you work for?” she finally asked.
He chuckled. “I don’t work for anyone. People work for me.”
“So you are….?”
He pulled up outside his house, turned off the engine and turned to face her. “You know who I am.”
She looked up into his handsome face and shook her head. “I really don’t.”
He smiled and touched her cheek with his finger. “That makes you even more incredible then.”
Zarah tried to hide the shiver that raced down her neck and arm with his touch, but he saw it, felt it and his eyes lit up. He leaned forward and gently kissed her. She knew it was going to happen, knew she should pull away, but the enticement was too powerful, too alluring and she couldn’t resist the temptation.
Her hand lifted of its own accord to touch his face and she didn’t even realize that she was the one who deepened the kiss. Derrick was in full support though. At the first indication that she wasn’t going to pull away, he tilted his head and put a hand to the back of her head,