“We’re going to eat at Wildfire. It’s a churrascaria that comes highly recommended by a client.”
“What’s a churrascaria?” I asked, never having heard the word before.
“It means barbecue in Portuguese. They bring out a selection of meats on skewers that have been cooked over a flame.”
“We’ve come to New Zealand to eat South American food?” I asked, and the driver snickered, sobering immediately after Daniel fired a look at him from the back seat.
“As I said,” he continued, “it’s highly recommended. If Princess doesn’t like it, then we’ll find her something else.”
He gave me that same pointed look he’d just shot at the driver. It didn’t faze me. “Princess is the one who selected the restaurant to begin with.”
I settled back, disappointed the song was over but thrilled to be taking in the sights. I wished it was daylight, but it didn’t really matter. Tomorrow would be here before I knew it, and then I could get a good look.
Turns out the South Americans really know how to do steakhouses. Daniel practically had to carry me out of the restaurant, I was so stuffed with meat. I didn’t have any qualms declaring to him in front of our driver that I now had a new favorite restaurant. He seemed pleased I’d enjoyed it.
The issue of sleeping arrangements hadn’t occurred to me until we arrived at the Westin. I assumed he’d expect us to stay in the same room, especially after what had happened on the plane, but I didn’t want to be forced into a decision I hadn’t made. He’d get a kick out of sleeping on the couch.
“Stay here. I’ll be back in a moment,” he commanded before exiting the car.
I made a yeah, right face to his back and climbed out. He turned and sighed but continued into the lobby. I followed, wandering around until I found a comfortable chair to park it in. I had a great view of Daniel checking in and the desk clerk nearly falling all over herself. He didn’t seem to notice. If I spent much more time around him, my eyeballs were going to be permanently rolling in their sockets.
He strolled over to where I was seated, and I marveled at how regal he was. He owned the space he was in—the restaurant, sidewalk, subway station, didn’t matter where he was—and his confidence was magnetic.
“Shall we?” He led me to the elevator as if I were in a ball gown and he in a tux. Two princesses. I smiled to myself at the thought.
As we rode to the top floor, I jerked away from him as something occurred to me. “This is all I have to wear.” I could live with no clean clothes, but going two weeks without clean underwear…
“Not exactly,” he said without elaborating, pressing his hand into the small of my back to ease me out of the elevator when the doors opened. I stopped in the hallway, refusing to go another step until he explained. He continued on, inserting a key card into the lock on a set of double doors. “Are you sleeping out here?” He disappeared inside the room.
I blew out a long breath through my nose and followed him. Good God. The foyer alone was bigger than my apartment. Daniel closed the door behind us and walked farther into the room. There was a sunken living room. I couldn’t tell what was beyond the wall of windows, as it was nighttime, but the suite was on the harbor. I forgot about my lack of apparel and went straight to the glass doors leading to a balcony.
The sea air hit me as soon as I went out, and I took in a deep breath, soaking it all in. I was glad I had on my sweater. The night was chillier than I would have expected, considering it was summer. This was more like late fall in Texas, and I wrapped my arms around myself. I leaned over the railing, amazed at the size of the boats in the marina.
“So far, so good?” Daniel asked, joining me. He leaned his forearms on the railing.
“Incredible.” I turned from the view to look at an even better one. “Thank you. I—just…thank you.”
“Will you do something for me?”
“Depends on what it is.”
“While we’re here, forget about everything you’ve left behind. Enjoy the moment, Vivian.”
“I intend to. Every single second.”
He had done this for me, a completely unselfish act. Daniel didn’t know how big this was, how much and for how long I’d wanted to come here. This was bigger for me than the career I was working so hard to secure. Coming to New Zealand meant more than succeeding in New York. The only thing that would make being here any sweeter was if I’d paid my own way, but I wouldn’t let that ruin it. We admired the view, a few stars twinkling above us despite the lights of the city. “We’ll leave around eight in the morning,” Daniel said.
“A first date can’t last over two weeks,” I said, skipping right over the small detail he’d revealed about tomorrow.
“I wasn’t aware there were time regulations on first dates. Although it’s recently come to my attention I lack proper courting skills, so this is information I wouldn’t know. How about the second one? What’s the protocol?”
Smarty pants. “There isn’t any. I think we might be setting some sort of world record is all.” I bit my lip to keep from smiling, and his eyes shimmered, more mesmerizing than the lights dancing on the water.
“I look forward to smashing it,” he said, and I giggled. “If there’s nothing else you need, I’m going to retire for the evening.”
His formality was amusing. “Shall I curtsy, Princess?” I gracefully performed the motion.
“Cute.” Daniel went back inside, and I was compelled to follow. He crossed the living room to the front door.
“Where are you going?” I asked as he placed his hand on the door handle.
He turned around to face me, sporting smug better than the most arrogant of bastards. “To my room. It’s next door, should you need me.” He cocked his head and gave me a smile of victory. “Don’t look so disappointed, Princess. I’m sure you’ll sleep just fine without me.”
“I have been for a very long time,” I countered, and he lifted a brow as if he didn’t believe me before leaving me alone in the Grand Canyon of hotel rooms.
I surveyed the suite. What the hell was I going to do with all this space? I went into the bedroom, and there on a padded bench at the foot of the bed, was my suitcase.
“Muriella!” I shrieked. Normally I might not be so thrilled with the invasion of privacy, but my belongings were a welcome sight. But not as welcome as the white slice of heaven behind it. A bed. A real fucking bed. I hadn’t slept in one since leaving Texas, and I didn’t know if I should get on my knees in thanks or jump up and down on it. So I flopped on my back, sinking into the feather pillows and plush linens, moaning with pleasure. A bed. It was worth the trip just for this luxury.
Too wound up to sleep, too full to eat, and it was too late to go sightseeing—I was at a loss as to what to do with all my energy. The phone on the nightstand rang, and I rolled over to pick it up.
“Hello?”
“Everything all right with your room?”
“It’s a little on the small side, but I suppose it will do for one night.” I sighed dramatically, and he chuckled. I couldn’t have that laugh in my ear. It always did things to me. “Do you miss me already?”
“Vivian, I’ve spent nearly twenty-four hours straight with you.” He sounded stern, which only served to egg me on.
“I know you did. I can’t say I blame you. If I ever had to be apart from myself, I’d miss me too.”
“Go to sleep.”
I thought I heard a smile in his voice. “I can’t. I’m too excited,” I complained, though this was the best kind of predicament to be in. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
“Try.”
“It’s kinda hard, with the phone ringing off the hook.”
“Good night, Vivian.”
“What are you doing? How’s your room?” I asked, stalling. I balled up the sheet in my hand.
“Would you like to see for yourself?”
“Sure. I’ll be over in a sec.” I hung up, took a minute or two to check that I didn’t loo
k as wired as I felt, and darted out of the suite into the hallway. There was only one door to my right, and it was propped open with the safety latch, so I waltzed right in, praying it was his room.
“Don’t make me come there to obtain that piece myself because you are too inept to do the job I hired you for.” His menacing voice sent a shiver down my spine. Definitely the right room.
His eyes flickered when they landed on me, the only emotion on his otherwise stoic face. Exactly how big a dragon I was provoking? But I wasn’t afraid of him, even if I should have been.
“Five hours. Deliver my goods or be prepared to pay. Personally.” He hung up and dropped the phone on the desk.
“Yikes,” I commented, mock-shivering.
“It’s business,” he said, his tone already different from the one he’d used on his call.
“You sound like a man not to be messed with.”
“Haven’t you figured out that’s exactly what I am?” he asked, one of those sculpted dark brows arched.
His phone rang, and he accepted the call almost eagerly.
“Donato.” He listened, his posture that of someone absorbing everything without having to write it down. I didn’t bother to pretend I wasn’t eavesdropping. Daniel actually smiled at whatever the person on the other end of the line said. “You have definitive proof the senator accepted money?” Another series of nods, and Daniel’s smile broadened. “This is perfect. We’ve been waiting for just the right person to talk. We’ll get what we want from him now. Both of us will benefit. You’ll keep your contacts placated, and we’ll have him in our pocket when we need him.” My gut told me Daniel’s business teetered on the fine line between legal and criminal, but as long as he wasn’t hurting anyone or himself, I wasn’t sure I cared. “I’ll speak with him this evening. When will these fuckers ever learn that spilling secrets to your mistress is a bad move? Once they get ditched, they always talk.”
The person he was speaking with said something else to which Daniel agreed, and then they ended the call.
“We’re trading rooms,” I announced, crossing my arms from my position in the doorway of his modest accommodations. “Why would you give me the other room? I don’t need all that space.”
“There is only one Presidential Suite in the hotel,” he said, as if this explained it all.
“Well, you should be the one in it.” I frowned at him. “Any room is fine,” I said quietly. He’d seen my apartment. That much should be obvious.
“You seemed to like the suite earlier.”
“I do. It’s fantastic. But from now on, I want the cheapest accommodations.”
“That won’t do for a princess.” His words were teasing, but his eyes were serious.
I made myself at home on the sofa, deciding to let it go.
“So…hypothetically speaking…how much money do you think a person might need to eat for two weeks in New Zealand?” I asked, fingering a snag near the bottom of my sweater.
“None,” Daniel said without hesitation, totally getting my drift. “Hypothetically speaking, how much money does said person have with them?”
I lifted my chin. “Six dollars and seventeen cents. And a mini Three Musketeers. If you’re nice, I’ll share.” A quick peek in my purse at the restaurant had made it clear, if anything happened here, I was up shit creek.
“Come here, please.”
I beamed at him. “You’re a quick learner, Mr. Elliott.” He pointed to the chair on the other side of the desk. I took the indicated seat.
“Why did you donate all your money at the Paths of Purpose charity event?” Daniel leaned back. I started to lie by telling him I hadn’t, but he squelched that notion with a look.
I quirked my mouth and shifted uncomfortably. I didn’t want anyone to know what I’d done, but apparently I hadn’t been as discreet as I thought. “What makes you think that?” I asked, deflecting. The lights outside the window suddenly became very interesting.
“Vivian. I watched you dig in your purse down to the last penny and stuff it in that envelope. You didn’t even have enough for a ride back to your apartment.”
Being under his scrutiny became impossible, so I got to my feet and paced in the small space between desk and sofa. “You’ve seen those children. Met the women who come to Paths of Purpose.” When I finished speaking, I was standing on the opposite side of the desk from Daniel, with my hands on the smooth wooden surface, leaning toward him.
“I can’t understand giving up everything for strangers.” There was admiration in his eyes.
“I didn’t give up everything, just money.”
“There were people at that party who have more than they can ever spend, and they gave less than you did.”
“Well, I hope you weren’t one of them,” I said with sass, beyond ready to get off this topic. He relaxed, and I did the same. “Tell me about your family.”
Daniel gripped the armrest. “You’ve met my family,” he gritted out, the vault doors slamming shut. “You should get some sleep.” He was much more controlled when he spoke this time, and I didn’t like that. Naturally, I didn’t want to see him hurting or angry, but I didn’t want him to hide from me.
I pushed out of my chair and rounded the desk, stopping beside him. He watched me with wary eyes as I spun his chair so he was facing me. I nudged his legs apart and stood between them, slipping my fist under his chin and tilting his face up, forcing him to look at me. “You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to make my dreams come true, so I’m going to draw the conclusion that you want some sort of relationship beyond this trip.” I stopped and smiled impishly. “That might not be true by the New Year, but it’s safe to say for now.” I turned serious, locking my eyes on his. “I don’t expect the whole enchilada right now, but if you want me, you can’t shut me out. I know I’m practically a stranger, but I have no intention of remaining one. If you keep me at a safe distance, I’m going to be at an unreachable one.”
There was no need to beat around the bush. I knew what I wanted, wouldn’t settle, and it was only fair he understood my expectations. They might not be easy, but they were definitely doable.
“You want me to bare my soul? Tell you all my deepest, darkest secrets?” His voice was laced with sarcasm.
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “I won’t be with somebody who won’t let me know them. I want a partner. I don’t need a body to keep me warm at night. That’s what blankets are for.”
“This is a heavy conversation for a first date,” he said, fingers drumming on the arm of the chair.
“We’ve already established that this is no ordinary first date,” I reminded him, and he quirked his mouth as if to say “touché.”
“Vivian, if you’re looking for romance and happily ever after, I’m not your man.”
“I want a partner. I want trust and respect and honesty. Someone who will face life with me head on. Sometimes he’ll carry me, and sometimes I’ll carry him. We’ll laugh together, fight together, give each other everything. I don’t need a fucking white knight on a horse. I can save my own ass, and I can buy my own flowers. The only thing I want is you. If you can’t give me that, there’s no need to go any further.”
He gripped my hips, eyes searching mine as he tried to find the words. “I—”
“It’s really very simple. Either you can give me all of yourself or you can’t. And I don’t mean I need it all right now. I need to know you won’t hide from me forever. You can think about it.” I cupped his face and kissed his forehead, giving him an understanding smile.
“And you’ll give me all of you?” he asked, and hope sparked inside me.
“Everything. You would be the only one to ever have it, Daniel.” A fierce possessiveness came into his eyes, as if that idea appealed to him. “It’s a risk for both of us. In the end, we might get burned, but I don’t do anything half-assed. It’s better you know that now.”
“I already know that.”
I snorted and brushed his hair out
of his face. “How about this: let’s have a good time while we’re here. No pressure. No strings. We’ll just live. Like you said, forget about everything else. After a couple of weeks together, the answer will be clear one way or the other.”
“Sounds sensible enough.”
“Good.” I led him over to the sofa. “Now. You can tell me every detail about where we’re going.”
“I don’t think so, Princess.”
I pouted. “Just a hint.”
“No.” I made a face, and he gave me a scolding look. “Aren’t you glad this was a surprise?”
He had a point, but I didn’t have to concede easily. “I guess. I’ve had a really good time so far.”
“Me too.” That acknowledgment made my heart expand, and I patted his leg. That stoic look clouded his face again, and I was sad to see the lighter version of Daniel go, although I did like the way he stared into my eyes as if he couldn’t look away. He swallowed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “My parents are dead.”
My brows lifted, but not at what he’d said. It was what the admission meant. Daniel was going to try.
22
Daniel
Present
I needed a drive to clear my head. As if the encounter with Vivian hadn’t done enough to kill my day, my attorney putting me off hadn’t helped matters. At his wife's insistence, he was taking a long weekend at his house in Connecticut to oversee the installation of a salt water spa, but she thought my presence would distract him from that vitally important task. I insisted we reschedule immediately because despite the inconvenience of a trip to Connecticut, I needed his services urgently. I shoved down my irritation. This was what I got for procrastinating. I should have had Zegas do this for me years ago, but I didn’t, figuring there’d always be time to get around to it.
My phone rang through the car speakers. “Hello, Barron.”
“Did you see the news?” he asked, almost giddy.
“Not in the last hour,” I said, draping one hand on the wheel, resting the other on the gearshift.
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