Heir Untamed - By Danielle Bourdon Page 0,23

accident that took her and my father.” Chey had a longer drink, turning her mind from the painful recent past to thoughts of the future. It was better that way. The topic of her parents was still fresh and hurtful. “Maybe I will try the canoeing, then. You should suggest the best place to go.”

“I'll do you one better,” he said, stirring the meat. “I'll take you myself.”

Chey twitched in surprise. It wasn't an unpleasant prospect when she thought about it. He knew Latvala much better than she did.

He glanced over his shoulder, both brows arched.

Realizing she hadn't answered, and that he probably thought she didn't want to go, she nodded. “Yes. Sorry. I was imagining what it would be like and whether I should bring a camera or not.”

“I won't let us tip over. Bring the camera,” he said, turning back to the food. He dumped the hot sauce ingredients into a food processor and turned it to grind. In short order, the meal finished cooking. He carried plates of hot steak strips to the counter along with the shredded lettuce and cheese. Sliced tomatoes, avocado dip and chips accompanied the flour tortillas he heated over the stove.

“I can't believe you made all this,” Chey said. She set her glass down and accepted a plate from Sander before beginning to fill a tortilla with fajita fixings.

He set the hot sauce, now in a small bowl, beside everything else. Using the toe of his boot, he pulled a stool around to his side and straddled it so they were facing each other across the counter.

“I did mention that my mother was a chef, right?”

“I know, but I didn't think you actually learned anything from her.” Chey smiled, sheepish at the confession.

He laughed. “Why wouldn't I? It wasn't like she shooed me out of the kitchens at every turn. She was the type, anyway, that demanded I learn how to take care of myself.”

“It seems like it worked out pretty well for you,” she said, leaning over her plate to take a first bite.

“I suppose it has.” Sander filled three fajitas for himself, dolloped guacamole on his plate and added a few chips. After a quick scan of the windows and a check of his phone, he dug in.

“Anything?” Chey asked when he glanced at the phone.

“You'll have to put up with me for another two or three hours, then you can head back to the castle.” Sander eyed her while he ate. He took large bites, holding the fajita in two hands.

“Did they say whether the photo session is still on?” Chey watched his mouth instead of his eyes for a long minute, then dropped her gaze to her plate.

“Mm. Yeah. They're pushing the time back a little. You'll get details when you return. Something about the big garden, I guess.” Sounding unimpressed and disinterested in the Royal pictures, he took another bite of his food. “They have your camera, too, and the mare.”

“Oh good.” Chey, relieved to know her camera hadn't been left to the elements, dipped a chip into the guacamole and ate it. The guacamole was as good as everything else. “Thanks. For all this. Keeping me entertained while we have to wait, making lunch. I have to admit—it's really good.”

“Don't worry about it. I don't get company out here all that often. It's nice for a change.” He chuckled and finished off fajita number two. “Thanks,” he said after he chewed and swallowed.

Chey wondered if Sander was involved with anyone, a thought that struck her out of the blue. There were no signs a woman lived here with him, which meant little to nothing. He could be dating someone outside the compound, preferring to meet up with her on his off time away from the castle. A quick check of his left hand turned up no ring on his finger. It wasn't concrete proof that he was single, but it indicated he wasn't married, at least. Feeling the weight of his stare, she glanced up from her plate to find him watching her.

Holding his eyes, she let the chemistry between them build until the air all but sizzled. Unable to deny the attraction, she finally concentrated on finishing her lunch. What were the odds that she would run into two attractive men on this trip? Mattias had the intrigue of Royalty going for him and Sander...was just Sander. Blunt, abrupt, cocky, self assured. Although they had a rocky start, she found herself enjoying his company more