To Kiss a King - NIcole Burnham Page 0,41
Miroslav. Seeing that he hadn’t moved, she repositioned herself in the seat so she faced him fully. “Being an ambassador makes dating a challenge, but probably not the challenge it is for you. I’ve managed a few. Mostly first dates, though, and none of those since I arrived in San Rimini.”
“So we’re both out of practice.”
She arched a brow as if to say, speak for yourself. “Isn’t La Traviata about a doomed relationship between a courtesan and a clueless nobleman?”
He made a show of looking suspicious. “I thought you hadn’t seen it.”
“I haven’t, but I’ve seen Moulin Rouge! and it’s my understanding that the movie followed the plot of the opera. Should I read anything into that?”
“Absolutely not. I’m inviting you to an event that happens to be at the opera. It’s a fundraiser for a wonderful cause, one that’s near and dear to my heart.”
“Yes, I guessed you might have something to do with the royal part of the Royal Foundation.” Her eyes narrowed, but there was a teasing quality to her expression. “I’ve never been to the opera before. Any opera.”
“The Royal Theater is the perfect place to attend your first.”
She smiled. “I like you, Your Highness. I’ll go on one condition.”
“Dates have conditions?”
“This one does.”
He rolled his hand in a let’s hear it motion, though hearing the two words I’ll go tempted him to agree to anything she asked.
“Assuming we still like each other at the end of the evening, we make plans to see Out of Africa.”
He wondered if Miroslav could sense his smile through the bulletproof glass. “It’s a deal.”
“Sergio Ribisi won’t like it any more than he liked your education deal.”
“Probably not, but he’ll have to live with it. Speaking of which, what did your staff say about the education deal?”
“They’re supportive of my desire to involve San Rimini in the program and understand its importance to the President. Having a path to accomplish that goal that is good.”
He angled his head at the odd note in her voice. “But?”
“I’m not sure they know what to make of the fact that I proposed the deal over a private dinner at the palace. It’s not something my predecessor would have done.”
Eduardo looked past Claire, toward the ambassador’s residence. When he caught her gaze again, he said, “I imagine there are a lot of changes from one ambassador to the next. A good staff will adapt.”
“I’m sure they will.” Her lips curved. “Did you ever take Richard Cartwright to the opera?”
“Richard would have fallen asleep.”
“I may, too. You never know.”
“I do know.” He wanted to touch her but resisted the urge. “Considering the hoops I needed to jump through to come here tonight without being seen, I should probably get your phone number.”
She gave it and he added it to his phone, then grimaced. “Would it be a bad start to our date to ask you to meet me at the theater? I could send a car for you. It’d be less likely to draw attention than if I were to pick you up.”
“I’d be happy to meet you there.”
“I’ll have my personal assistant greet you at the door and escort you to the royal box.”
“The royal box? That sounds fancy, even for the opera. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“No hiding whiskey in your handbag.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Her smile sent a thrill racing through him. “I’ll see you there.”
“I look forward to it.”
She twisted to reach for the door handle, but slid on the leather seat and knocked her knee hard against his. On reflex, her hand went to his thigh, as if she could soften the blow. “Oh, I’m sorry, I—”
A flush rose from her neck to her cheeks and she yanked her hand away as if she’d accidentally reached into a snake pit. “Your Highness, I’m so—”
He caught her retreating hand. “Don’t be sorry. For bumping into me or for this. I’m human, you know. Same as you. You won’t catch fire if you touch me.”
He rested both their hands against his knee.
They looked at each other for one beat, then two, and he realized that he was the one who could catch fire.
He leaned closer, then hesitated to gauge her reaction. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away. He closed the gap and kissed her. Slow, soft, easy. Her thumb moved over the back of his hand, then she kissed him back.
In that instant, it was as if his entire body exhaled. He moved his hand to cup her cheek, but