Affairs of State(19)
“That is why I come, but they don’t think like that. They expect me to go to expensive restaurants and exclusive gatherings. Of course I do that as well, it’s my job, but I’ve become quite skilled at doing the unexpected when I’m off duty. I always have my driver study natural areas near wherever I’m traveling. A man can withstand a lot more dreary meetings around a conference table if he knows there’s a bracing kayak trip waiting for him at the end of it.”
“Very cunning, and keeps you fit, too.”
“And sane. At least as sane as I’m going to be.” He grinned. He didn’t feel terribly sane right now. He wanted to do all kinds of things that weren’t sensible at all, especially not when you did them with a girl who was already in the public eye and who didn’t fit the queen’s narrow ideas of what constituted a suitable consort.
But no one, including the queen, was going to keep him from bedding the lovely Ariella.
“I’d really better get back to D.C. I have a busy week to plan for.”
Again he felt her pulling away from him. He stood and helped her to his feet. Landing a kiss on Ariella’s lovely mouth was enough excitement for today. Their time together had only confirmed his intuition that she was no ordinary woman. He could pace himself and wait for the right moment to claim his prize.
“I need to do some planning myself. Now that I’m staying in D.C. a while longer I want to make sure I make the most of the opportunity.” They walked back to the pretty clearing where they’d had their picnic. “I’d better think about who I want to wine and dine while I’m here—other than you, of course.”
She bit her lip as they packed the remains of lunch back into the bags. He could see she still felt misgivings about their kiss. It was hard not to come on too strong with her when he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and take her back to his hotel.
Instead he helped her into the car and returned her discreetly to a location two blocks away from her apartment. From there she walked home alone, chin lifted in sweet defiance against anyone who wanted to know her business.
He sank back against the back seat of the car and let out a long breath. Ariella Winthrop. Something about her had grabbed him hard. He tried to distract himself by pulling his phone out of his pocket. He’d had it turned off all day. A message from his younger brother Henry seemed like the perfect diversion, so he punched his number.
“Are you really staying over there for another week?” His brother’s incredulous voice made him smile.
“At least a week and with good reason.”
“Let me guess, the reason has long legs and a toothy American smile.”
Simon reached forward and closed the partition between him and the driver. “There’s nothing toothy about her smile,” he retorted, thinking about her lovely mouth.
“I knew it.”
“You knew nothing of the sort. I’m here to raise public awareness of World Connect. I have big plans. We’re going to hold an outdoor concert here in D.C.”
“Nice. But let me guess—she’s involved somehow.”
“She might be.” Was he really so predictable?
Henry laughed. “Don’t let Grandma find out about it.”
“Why not?” He bristled.
“She’d have a fit about you dating anyone who isn’t marriage material. Remember that last lecture she gave you about it being time to settle down. She’s got your wedding all planned and all you have to do is show up.”
He growled. “I’m not marrying anyone.”
“You’ll have to sooner or later. You’re next, big brother.”
“Why don’t you worry about your own love life, instead of mine? I suppose I’m lucky that the scandalous state of your affairs distracts attention from mine.”
“That’s why I need you to get married and draw the spotlight off me for a while.” Henry had been photographed in compromising situations several times over the last year. “Why can’t you make them all happy so I can keep on having fun?”
“That might actually be possible.” He watched D.C. pass by his window. “I’ve met someone who could well be the one.”
“You’re not serious.”
“Do I joke around?”
“Yes, often.”
“Then you can just assume I’m jesting.”
“An American girl?”