Which was probably good, since he seemed to think she was some kind of well-mannered automaton who could easily approach the rest of her life as a kind of well-paid job with excellent benefits and perks.
“So the real Andi is very different from the one I know?”
She let out a long sigh. “Yes.” She frowned. Who was the real Andi and what did she want? For so long she’d wanted Jake—while knowing in her heart that he would never be hers—that it was hard to think straight. “I don’t know. But that’s why we need to take it slow. You don’t want to marry me and then find out I’m not the faithful and loyal helpmeet you imagine.”
“I’d love to get to know your wild side.” His eyes narrowed and a half smile tilted his mouth.
“I’m not sure I have one.”
“You do.” His smile widened, showing a hint of white teeth. “I’ve seen it.”
Her face heated. “I still can’t believe you slept with me under false pretenses.” Her body stirred just at the memory of being stretched against him, skin to skin.
“They weren’t false. We really are engaged.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, and tried to ignore the tingling in her nipples. “I beg to differ. You hadn’t asked the real me to marry you. You just assumed that I would. Not the same thing at all.”
“But you seemed so happy about it.” His expression was sweetly boyish for a moment, which tugged at a place deep inside her. “I thought you truly wanted us to be together.”
I did.
She blinked, trying to make sense of it all. Jake’s sturdy masculine presence wasn’t helping one bit. She was painfully aware of the thickly muscled body under his elegant evening suit and how good it would feel pressed against hers.
He picked up her hand and kissed it. A knightly gesture no doubt intended to steal her heart. She shivered slightly as his lips pressed against the back of her hand, soft yet insistent.
During the nightmare of not knowing who she was, the one source of relief and happiness was Jake. He’d been the rock she could lean on and draw strength from while everything else around her was confusing and mysterious. She had been happy then, at least during the moments that the rest of the world fell away and they were alone together, lost in each other.
Could that happen again?
“I think we should spend some time together away from the palace.” Getting out of their everyday work environment would be an interesting test of their relationship. They really hadn’t spent leisure time together. Of course Jake didn’t exactly have free time, unless you counted junkets with investors and state dinners. She didn’t either, since she’d always devoted every minute to her job. She never went on the staff trips to the local nightclub or their weekend jaunts to Munich or Salzburg. As Jake’s assistant she’d always felt herself too needed—or so she’d told herself—to disappear for more than an hour or two.
Jake stroked her hand, now held between both of his. She struggled to keep herself steady and not sink into his arms. “Is there someplace near here that you’ve always wanted to go?”
He tilted his head and his gaze grew distant. “The mountains.”
“The ones you can see out the window?”
“Yes. I’ve always wanted to climb up and look down on the town and the palace.” He shrugged. “There’s never time.”
“There isn’t time right now, either.” She sighed. “I don’t suppose you really can get away from the palace right before Independence Day.” Her request for time alone seemed silly and petty now that she thought about it. He had a lot of work to do and people would be arriving from all over the world in the run-up to the celebrations.
“Then we’ll have to make time.” He squeezed her hand.
An odd sensation filled her chest. He was willing to drop everything on a whim to get away with her? “But who will greet the arriving guests? We’d be gone for hours.” There was a large group of Ruthenian expats arriving from Chicago, including three prominent businessmen and their families who had been invited to stay at the palace.
“I’m sure the staff can manage. Livia’s proving very capable.”
A slight frisson of anxiety trickled through her. Why did the idea of Livia quietly taking over her job make her so uncomfortable? Surely it was ideal.
“And how would we get there?”
“My car.” Amusement twinkled in his eyes. “I can still drive, you know, even though I rarely get the chance.”
“No driver or attendant?”
“Not even a footman. And we’ll leave our PDAs behind, too. No sense being halfway up a mountain texting people about trade tariffs.”
Andi laughed. He really was prepared to drop everything just to make her happy. Selfish of her to want that, but it felt really good. And the mountains had always called to her. Right now the slopes below the snow-covered peaks were lush with grass and wildflowers. “We’d better bring a picnic.”
“Of course. Let the kitchen know what you want and tell them to pack it in something we can carry easily.”
Andi blinked. This would be a test for her of how she could handle the transformation from staff to employer.
Or as Jake’s wife was she just a high-level member of staff? The situation was confusing.
She pulled her hand gently from his grasp. “When should we go?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’ve learned to seize the moment around here. If we wait any longer we’ll get sucked into the Independence Day activities.”
“I guess we should call it an early night.” She hoped he’d take a hint and leave.
“But the morning is still so far off.” A mischievous twinkle lit Jake’s eyes.
“It’s after midnight.”
“One of my favorite times of day. Maybe we should go dance around on the lawn outside.” His gaze swept over her elegant dress—and sent heat sizzling through the defenseless body underneath it. “You’re dressed for it.”
“I don’t think so. I might lose my memory again.” Or just my heart.
She did not want anything sensual to happen between them until she’d had a chance to wrap her mind around the whole situation and make some tough decisions. Jake’s touch had a very dangerous effect on her common sense, and this was the rest of her life at stake here.
“Just a stroll in the moonlight?” He took a step toward her. Her nipples thickened under her bodice and heat curled low in her belly.
“No.” She’d better get him out of here and away from her while she still could. It wasn’t easy saying no to something you’d dreamed of for six long years. “We’ll be doing plenty of walking tomorrow. Conserve your energy.”
“What makes you think I need to?” He lifted a brow. Humor sparkled in his eyes.
Andi’s insides wobbled. Was he really so attracted to her? It was hard to believe that he’d gone from not noticing her at all, to trying every trick in the book to lure her into his bed.
Then again, he was known for his ability to close a deal by any means necessary.
It was more important right now to learn whether he could respect her wishes, or not. This was a crucial test.
“Goodnight, Jake.” She walked to the door and opened it. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Her pulse quickened, wondering if he’d protest and refuse to leave.
“Goodnight, Andi.” He strolled to the doorway and brushed a soft kiss across her lips. No hands, thank goodness, though her body craved his touch. He pulled back and stepped into the hallway.
Her relief was mingled with odd regret that she wouldn’t be spending the night in his strong arms.
He’d passed her test.
Then he turned to face her. “I have a bet for you.”
“A bet? I’m not the gambling type.”
“I didn’t think you were.” His mouth tilted into a wry smile. “But I bet you that tomorrow night you’ll sleep in my bed—with me.”
Her belly quivered under the force of his intense gaze, but she held herself steady. “What are the od
ds, I wonder?”
“I wouldn’t advise betting against me.” He crossed his arms over his powerful chest.
“Normally, neither would I.” She couldn’t help smiling. His confidence was rather adorable. “But I think it’s important to keep a clear head in this situation.”
“I completely agree.” He flashed his infuriating pearly grin.
His arrogance alone made her determined to resist. Apparently she’d be the one with a test to pass tomorrow.
Nine
Andi watched as two footmen loaded their picnic lunch—impractically packed in two large baskets—into the trunk of Jake’s black BMW sedan. The cook had acted as if Andi was already mistress of the house. No questioning of her ideas or complaining that they were low on certain ingredients, as she usually did.
Livia managed to pass on a couple of comments from the staff gossip—including that everyone knew Jake had slept alone the previous night. Andi blushed. Of course everyone knew everything in the palace, especially the maids. Livia obviously wasn’t intimidated by Andi’s new status and she made it clear that Jake would have had company in bed if she were in Andi’s shoes.
In the old days it would be expected for her to wait until the wedding night. Now it was quite the opposite. People would wonder what was wrong if she persisted in sleeping alone.
She’d dressed in those jeans Jake liked and a pale pink shirt she’d bought on a whim, then decided it wasn’t professional enough. Her hair was in a ponytail—not as formal as the bun—and she’d forgone all makeup except blush and lip gloss.
Apparently she wanted him to find her attractive.
This whole situation was very confusing. She wanted him to want her—but only for the right reasons.
Jake strode down the steps, talking on his phone. He’d abandoned his usual tailored suit for a pair of dark jeans and a white shirt, sleeves rolled up over tanned arms. He smiled when he saw her, and her stomach gave a little dip.
Pulling the phone from his ear he switched it off and handed it to one of the footmen. “Kirk, please hold this hostage until I get back. I don’t want any interruptions.” He turned to Andi. “Did you leave yours behind, too?”
“It’s on my desk. I can handle the challenge of being incommunicado all afternoon.”
“What if you need to call for help?” asked Kirk.
“We’re quite capable of helping ourselves.” Jake held the passenger door open for Andi. She climbed in, anticipation jangling her nerves. She couldn’t remember being anywhere all alone with Jake. She felt safe with him though. He’d be a match for any wolves or bears or whatever mythical creatures stalked the mountains of Ruthenia.
He climbed in and closed the door. In the close quarters of the car he seemed bigger than usual, and his enticing male scent stirred her senses. His big hand on the stick shift made her belly shimmy a little. “How do you get so tanned?”
“Tennis. We should play it sometime.”
Of course. He played with any guests who showed an interest, and invariably won. He was far too naturally competitive to be diplomatic while playing a sport.
“I haven’t played since college.”
“I bet you were good.” He shot her a glance.
“I wasn’t too bad.” Her nerves tingled with excitement at the prospect of playing with him. There was something they had in common. Of course he’d beat her, but she’d enjoy the challenge of taking even a single point off him. “We’ll have to give it a try.”
If I stay.
They pulled out of the large wrought-iron gates at the end of the palace driveway and past the old stone gatehouse. Andi waved to the guards, who nodded and smiled. Somehow living here as Jake’s…partner didn’t feel all that odd right now.
It felt downright possible.
“Do you know which roads to take to get to the foot of the mountain?”
“I know which roads to take to get halfway up the mountain, and that’s where we’re headed.”
“Don’t like climbing?”
“I love it, but why not climb the high part?”
Andi laughed. “That sounds like a good approach to life in general.”
“I think so.”
They drove through the ancient village, where some of the buildings must be a thousand years old, with their sloping tile roofs and festoons of chimneys. The road widened as they left the village and headed through a swathe of meadows filled with grazing cows. The sun was rising into the middle of an almost cloudless sky and the whole landscape looked like a 1950s Technicolor movie. She almost expected Julie Andrews to come running down a hillside and burst into song.
“What would you have done if you were born to be king of somewhere really awful?”
Jake laughed. “Everywhere has its merits.”
“Antarctica.”
“Too many emperors there already—the kind with flippers. But I see your point. Still, a lot of people said Ruthenia was too badly broken to be fixed. Years of decline during and after the fall of communism, no work ethic, low morale and motivation. And it’s turned on its head in three short years since independence. You just have to believe.”
“And work hard.”
“No denying that. But when you have concrete goals and a good road map, almost anything is doable.”
The sunlight pouring through the windshield played off his chiseled features. His bone structure alone contained enough determination for a small, landlocked nation.
He’d been totally up-front about his goals and road map where she was concerned. The goal was obviously a long and successful marriage that would help him as a monarch, and the road map apparently included seducing her into his bed tonight.
She was not going to let him do that. Her judgment was already clouded enough by his sturdy, masculine presence in the car next to her.
The car started to climb steadily, as the road wound around the base of the mountain. It looked much bigger from here, the snow-capped peak now invisible above a band of conifers that ringed the mountain’s middle like a vast green belt. The road petered out into a steep farm track past a group of cottages, then finally ended at a field gate about a mile farther on.
“We’re on our own from here.” Jake climbed out and popped the trunk. “And since we don’t have sherpas, we’d better eat lunch close by. These baskets look like they were designed for royal picnics in the nineteenth century.”
“They probably were.” Andi touched the soft leather buckles on the big, wicker rectangles. She and Jake carried one together through the gate and into the field. Distant sheep ignored them as they spread their blanket under a tree and unpacked the feast.
Jake took the lid off the first dish. “Cabbage rolls, very traditional.” He grinned. She had a feeling he’d appreciate her picking a Ruthenian dish. The spicy meat wrapped in soft boiled cabbage was as Ruthenian as you could get, and there was a jar of the hot dipping pickle and onion sauce served with it at Ruthenian inns. Jake picked up a perfectly wrapped cabbage roll and took a bite. “Ah. New Yorkers have no idea what they’re missing out on. We really should market this for the States.”
“Do you ever stop thinking about business?” She raised a brow.
“Truthfully? No. But then you know that already.” His eyes twinkled as he took another bite.
At least he was honest. Andi reached into another dish and pulled out one of the tiny phyllo pastry wraps filled with soft, fresh goat cheese. This one came with a dish of tangy beetroot sauce. She spooned the sauce onto her pastry and took a bite. Like many things in Ruthenia it was surprising and wonderful. “These would definitely be a big hit. Perhaps a Ruthenian restaurant in Midtown.”
“To give the Russian Tea Room a run for its money?” Jake nodded and took a phyllo wrap. “I like the way you think. You can’t deny that we’re a good team.”
Her heart contracted a little. “Yes.” A good team. They were that. But was that enough? She wanted more. She wanted…magic.
The midday sun sparkled on t
he roofs of the town far below them. “Why didn’t they build the castle up here? It would have been easier to defend.”
“It would also have been really hard getting a cartloads of supplies up and down that steep track.”
“I guess the peasants would have had to carry everything.”
“And maybe they would have staged a revolt.” Jake grinned, and reached for a spicy Ruthenian meatball. “Easier to build on the flat and put a town nearby.”
“As an imported peasant I have to agree.”
Jake laughed. “You’re the king’s fiancée. That hardly makes you a peasant.”
“Don’t think I’ll forget my humble peasant origins.” She teased and sipped some of the sweet bottled cider they’d bought. “I’m the first person in my family to go to college, after all.”
“Are you really? What do your parents do?”
Andi swallowed. So odd that they hadn’t talked about her past or her family before now. Jake had never been interested. “My dad works at a tire dealership and my mom runs the cafeteria at a local elementary school.”
Jake nodded and sipped his cider. Was he shocked? Maybe he’d assumed her dad was a lawyer and her mom a socialite. Discomfort prickled inside her. “Your ancestors would probably be scandalized that you’re even thinking of marrying someone like me.”
“I bet the old Ruthenian kings married the miller’s daughter or a pretty shepherd girl from time to time.”
“Maybe if they could spin straw into gold,” Andi teased. “Otherwise they probably just had affairs with them and married girls who came with large estates and strategically located castles.”
He laughed. “You’re probably right. But you can spin straw into gold, can’t you?”
“I find that spinning straw into freshly minted Euros is more practical these days.” She bit off a crunchy mouthful of freshly baked Ruthenian pretzel, fragrant with poppy seeds. “Gold makes people suspicious.”
At His Majesty's Convenience Page 12
