by Leanne Banks
"His Majesty requires your services as protocol consultant on this visit," Anthony said.
Erin nodded, still surprised Daniel would want anything from her.
A couple of hours later she joined Daniel in his private quarters. He was stewing over his wardrobe. "It's ridiculous to wear a suit to a farm when the temperature is above eighty degrees."
"I agree, sir," Erin said. "Ridiculous, but necessary. After all, this is your first planned public appearance in Altaria, and it's best to project a royal image."
He frowned at her. "Don't tell me I'm supposed to wear a crown for this," he said.
"Of course not, sir. You won't receive your crown until the coronation. The press will be out in full force today."
"I plan to shake hands with everyone I meet," he warned her.
"That's fine. Just give them an opportunity to show their respect first," she said, then impulsively added, "I think you've made a splendid choice for your first outing, sir. The citizens you greet today will he quite honored by your presence."
"A new barn might be more welcome," he muttered, adjusting his tie. He glanced at his watch. "Time to go. By the way, the PM is sending along his niece. He said the two of you attended the same boarding school. Christina Whitestone."
"Briefly," Erin said, recalling that Christina had been kicked out of boarding school for sneaking out at night to meet boys. Christina had been wilder than a March hare. She probably planned to seduce Daniel and have her wicked way with him. Or worse yet, marry him. Erin's stomach churned with jealousy.
"What do you know about her?" Daniel asked, striding from his quarters.
That she's a slut, Erin thought. She bit her tongue, then sucked in a quick breath. "I don't really know her well. We didn't attend the same boarding school very long, sir."
Daniel stopped abruptly and studied Erin. "What do you know about her? And I'd like the truth," he demanded. "I have enough trouble knowing whom I can trust at the palace without wondering about the PM's niece."
"I am truly not well acquainted with her. I only know her by reputation," Erin said, trying to take the high road.
Daniel arched an eyebrow. "And her reputation is…?"
"Loose," Erin finally said.
His lips twitched, and his eyes glimmered with amusement. "How refreshing," he said and continued down the hallway. "I thought you were going to tell me she was interested in political espionage."
"I'm quite sure political espionage is the last thing on Christina's mind," she said, and rounded the corner to the foyer. Erin immediately spotted Christina decked out in a dress that skimmed over every voluptuous curve. Seeing Daniel, the woman lifted her red lips into a sexually welcoming smile and gave a curtsey that gave His Majesty a perfect view of her enhanced cleavage.
Erin prayed her skin wasn't turning green as grass.
* * *
Chapter 11
« ^ »
With the exception of Christina's constant shrill laughter, Daniel's visit to the first farm couldn't have gone better. Erin noticed how he allowed the farmer to bow in respect, then Daniel was quick to show his own respect by shaking hands and asking questions as the entourage toured the damaged property.
Just as everyone prepared to leave, the farmer expressed his gratitude to his neighbors for donating materials and muscle for the barn-raising. As soon as the farmer mentioned it, Erin immediately knew what Daniel planned to do.
"Can I help?" Daniel asked.
The farmer gaped at him, embarrassed by the generous offer. "I can't—" The man shook his head in dismay. "Sir, I couldn't possibly—"
"My father made sure I could swing a hammer with the best of them. One more pair of hands will get the job done that much faster," he said and began removing his jacket.
Erin immediately went to his side. "Are you sure, sir?" she asked in a low voice, accepting his coat as he handed it to her.
"Very," he said, ditching his tie and unfastening a few of his shirt buttons. "I told you a suit was ridiculous."
Anthony Muller leaned closer. "Sir, we wouldn't want you to get hurt."
Daniel did a double take. "I realize that's your gentle way of telling me to avoid the embarrassment of hitting myself with the hammer. But I think I can manage. Tell the others if they want to join in and help, the palace will cover the dry-cleaning bills."
Christina and some of the aides watched in slack-jawed amazement as the new king joined the humble farmers in a barn-raising. Photographers snapped shot after shot. Erin joined a few of the farmers' wives in serving fruit juice and water.
The farmers were working on the roof while Daniel downed a glass of water. Sweat gleamed down his throat, and his white shirt was nearly transparent against his corded muscles.
Erin stared at him and felt her mouth go bone dry. She heard a cry and looked up in time to see a hammer falling from the roof and heading straight for Daniel. Still holding her tray, she clumsily lurched forward to push Daniel aside. Everything happened at once. She lifted one hand to deflect the falling hammer, while the other firmly clutched the tray. Her aim fell awry and the hammer's handle hit her on the head. Pain reverberated through her head.
"Erin!" Daniel said.
Her vision went black for a second. She felt her hands go slack. "The tray." Her head throbbed. She wobbled on her feet, then suddenly felt herself air-borne.
Her vision slowly cleared, and she looked up to see Daniel frowning down at her and swearing.
"Did I drop the tray?" she whispered, wincing from the pain.
He rolled his eyes and swore again. Seconds passed and they were surrounded by farmers and aides. A palace security man pulled her from Daniel's arms and carried her to a limousine. Erin blinked at the dizzying effect of his movements.
Daniel appeared in the limo doorway, his gaze searching hers. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, sir," Erin said, hurting, but not enough to escape a feeling of total humiliation. "I suppose I'm not a very good catcher. Another one of those things I didn't learn in boarding school."
Daniel didn't smile. "What about your head?"
She gingerly touched her head and felt a goose egg forming. "It's nothing," she lied. "Just a little bruise. Sorry for the fuss."
Daniel reached down to touch her head. "That feels like a knot to me. I'm sending you back to see the palace doctor."
Erin felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. "That's totally unnecessary, sir," she insisted.
Daniel ignored her and turned his attention to the guard. "Take her back and make sure the doctor sees her."
"As you wish, sir," the guard said.
Daniel closed the door on her protests, and it occurred to her that he was enjoying his newfound ability to issue orders more quickly than she would have dreamed.
After the return drive to the palace, Erin endured an evaluation by the palace doctor. She was ordered to take her dinner in her room and rest. She was told she would be awakened every few hours. She groused to herself that she was being treated like a child, but fell asleep with the light on before eight o'clock.
Hours later a sound woke her from her sleep. She lifted her head and saw the outline of a man next to her bed. Fear raced through her, and she opened her mouth to scream, but panic froze her vocal cords.
"It's me. Daniel," the shadow said, moving closer so she could make out his face.
Her heart still hammering, Erin sagged with relief. "You scared me half to death."
"Fair is fair. You did the same to me this afternoon when you decided to have a head-on collision with a hammer," he told her, his voice softly chiding.
Erin sighed. "Well, I couldn't allow it to hit you," she said. "And I had nowhere to set the tray."
Daniel chuckled, and the sound evoked a ripple of pleasure over her nerve endings. "You have trouble letting things go."
She closed her eyes and covered her forehead with her hand. "It's that training I told you about. Though you would think they could have taught me to dodge a
falling hammer or to whistle."
She felt his hand cover hers on her forehead, and the sensation was so comforting she held her breath. Oh, heavens, how she'd missed his touch.
"How's your head, really?"
"Fine," she said in a quiet voice. If she remained perfectly still, maybe he would stay a little longer.
"Thank you for catching the hammer," he said, sifting his fingers through her hair. "We're even now."
She peeked up at him through her fingers. "How are we even?"
"I helped you dodge a bullet. You helped me dodge a hammer."
Erin shook her head. "The hammer's head most likely wouldn't have killed you."
"Why didn't you tell me Christina had the most annoying laugh?"
Erin couldn't resist a smile. "I think most men don't listen to her as much as they look at her other … assets." Erin paused. "The prime minister is probably hoping you'll view her as a marriage prospect. Although she's—" Erin paused, searching for the most polite description "—extremely experienced, she has an excellent pedigree. You could do worse," she said dutifully and wondered why the whole discussion left a bad taste in her mouth.
Daniel lifted her hand to his lips. "Why are we talking about Christina?"
She slid him a sideways, accusing glance. "You brought her up."
He sank down on the bed beside her, searching her face. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you," he muttered. "You betray me, then save me from a hammer."
A knot formed in Erin's throat. "I didn't intend to betray you," she said, but he covered her lips with his finger and shook his head.
"Don't start," he said, his eyes moody and turbulent.
Erin's heart sank. She could see that he still struggled with his hurt and anger. "Will you ever be able to forgive me?" she whispered.
He looked at her for a long moment, rubbing his finger over her mouth. Finally, he nodded. "I'll be able to forgive you," he said. "But trust is another matter."
Erin knew she had lost something very very precious.
His gaze wrapped around her, and she felt a strange power surge between them. "Do you feel it?" she asked.
He nodded and lowered his mouth to hers. Erin closed her eyes and inhaled his scent, felt the texture of his lips against hers. She opened to his insistent pressure, wanting to please, to heal. She wondered if it was possible to love him so much on the outside that he felt it on the inside too.
His tongue tangled with hers and she lifted her hands to slide through his thick hair. His kiss grew more ardent. He slid his hands over the tiny straps of her nightgown, then rubbed his thumbs over the upper edge of her breasts.
Erin immediately felt her nipples tighten.
"I should stop," he said, pulling slightly away. "Your head must be hurting."
Erin bit her lip at the mix of arousal and passion plunging through her. "It's not," she said and pushed her hands through his open shirt to his muscular chest. "Are you aware that you drove all the women crazy with your broad shoulders and muscles today?"
His mouth lifted in a slight grin. "Can't say that thought crossed my mind. I didn't know you noticed my body."
Erin swallowed a groan. "That's the most ridiculous thing you've ever said."
"No, it's not," he said. "You've never said a word about my body."
Erin rolled her eyes. "Well, I suppose you could say I've revealed my opinion more by actions than words."
His lids lowered to a sexy half-mast. "What's your opinion right now?" he asked, his words both a challenge and an invitation.
Erin's heart pounded against her rib cage. "Come close and let me show you," she said, and she did.
She kissed her way down his chest, dragged her tongue over his belly and would have gone further, but he stopped her and took a little pleasure of his own. He suckled the tips of her breasts until she arched toward him, and slid his hand between her thighs to find her wet and swollen.
Murmuring his approval, he pushed her legs apart and thrust inside her. Erin sighed at the feeling of delicious fullness. He gave her seconds to grow accustomed to him, then began a rhythm that took away her mind and breath.
She craved every possible intimacy with him. He drove her higher and higher until she clenched around him. He shuddered, then pulled himself from her at the last moment before his release.
Erin immediately felt the loss. They'd been so close. Her breath was harsh with exertion, as was his. Confused, she stared up at him. "Why did you—"
"I didn't have any protection for you," he managed, his look as tumultuous as if he were fighting his own set of demons concerning her. He closed his eyes, then shifted away from her, pulling the sheet over her. "I shouldn't have done this," he muttered.
His words cut her. She understood his disappointment in her, his anger. She even understood his disenchantment. But she couldn't bear his regret. "You should go," she whispered, refusing to give in to tears. "You shouldn't be here."
She felt him look down at her, but she didn't meet his gaze. "Go to sleep, Erin."
She waited for him to leave, then buried her face in her pillow and sobbed. Overwhelming desperation shook her. She knew she couldn't look at him again. There was only one thing to do: she had to leave.
* * *
Daniel avoided Erin for the next two days. He was so busy it wasn't difficult to do. He resented his weakness for her. He shouldn't have made love to her the other night, but he'd been unable to resist his need for her. Even now, he struggled with the itchy need to see her. Three days was too long. He kept his eyes open for her throughout the day, but didn't see her.
During a formal business dinner, in a quiet voice, he casually mentioned her to his chief of staff, Anthony Muller.
Anthony shrugged. "She resigned the day before yesterday, sir."
"Excuse me?"
Anthony must have perceived Daniel's displeasure. He frowned. "I apologize, sir. I thought you knew. She moved out and took a position with a local tour agency."
"Tour agency?" Daniel echoed. "Didn't she move in with her father?"
Anthony shook his head. "No. She took a small apartment at the far end of town. The tour agency is quite successful. They cater to businessmen, lead tours into the mountains and host beach parties."
Daniel felt his blood roar to his head. "Beach parties with businessmen? It sounds like a damn escort service to me."
Anthony shifted uncomfortably. "To my knowledge, sir, they're completely legitimate."
Daniel took a calming breath. "I'd like you to find out her schedule. I also want to know her new address," he said. "Immediately," he added and couldn't force down one more bite.
Immediately after Daniel finished the interminable meal one hour later, he received all his information and he didn't like most of it. Erin was apparently hosting a bonfire at the beach this evening. The very thought of her with all those men made him sick.
He wondered why she hadn't returned to her father, though he suspected Erin and her father were no longer on speaking terms. That probably hurt her to no end. It had been so obvious that she had wanted a close relationship with her father. She had wanted it badly, yet she'd given in to her feelings for Daniel.
The knowledge did strange things to his heart. Lord, what a mess. The truth of the matter was that if she'd been sent to him with a duplicitous scheme, she'd done a rotten job pulling it off. In fact, she hadn't pulled off what her father had apparently asked of her. Daniel wondered if that was why she wasn't living with the man and felt a surprising rush of protectiveness.
He thought of the sweet way she'd given him her innocence and her terror when the bullet grazed his forehead. He remembered the terrible hurt on her face when he'd rejected her, and recalled her determination to make his private quarters feel like a home.
He wanted her back.
He gave Anthony his instructions as the two men sat in the parked limo.
"Sir, I cannot recommend you making an unannounced appearance at the bonfire party tonight,"
the chief of staff said bluntly.
"Thank you for your recommendation. Have you informed security where I want to go?" Daniel asked, adjusting his tie and red sash.
"Yes, and the security chief is most displeased."
"He'll get over it," Daniel said.
Anthony sighed. "Sir, are you certain you want to do this?"
"Never more," Daniel said and knocked back some liquid courage from the limo's bar while security did their thing.
* * *
If Erin had to dance with one more man, she was going to scream. The bonfire blazed in the wind, and the sound of the ocean was muted behind the string quartet playing lively island music.
She bared her teeth in a smile as the music blessedly stopped, and stole a quick glance at her watch. Forty-five more minutes and she could return to her apartment and collapse.
Although thoughts of Daniel haunted her day and night, moving into her small apartment had been liberating. Now that she was employed, she was neither dependent nor obligated to anyone but herself. If she still ached with a terrible loss, she refused to dwell on it.
The music began again and another man approached her with a smile. "Dance?"
Swallowing a sigh, she allowed him to take her hand. Halfway through the song, the partying crowd began pointing down the beach. Erin looked over her shoulder, but her partner spun her around so she couldn't see.
Before she knew it, she looked beyond the customer and found Daniel staring at her. Her heart stuttering, she immediately fumbled and stepped on the customer's foot.
The man grunted.
Daniel tapped the man's shoulder, and the customer threw him a look of irritation. "This is my dance. I've been waiting all evening."
A palace guard stepped beside the man. "I would like to introduce His Majesty, Daniel Connelly, King of Altaria."
The customer's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "His Majesty!" He whirled around. "Are you the king?"
"I am," Daniel said, and extended his hand. "And you are?"
"Bob," the man said, clearly bowled over. "Bob Fuller."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Bob. Are you enjoying Altaria?"
