Page 28 of Some Like It Royal

Sitting up, Daniel scrubbed a hand over his face and stared at the tousled blankets on the sofa. His back ached in a twinge of sympathy. She really needed to stop sleeping there. As hard as she worked during the day, it couldn’t be good for her.

“You still listening?” Martin verbally poked him over the phone.

“Yeah, sorry. I was on with Takahashi until four this morning, but it looks like this last round is doing exactly what they need.”

“Did he say yes to the contract?” Enthusiasm welled beneath the question.

“Not in so many words.” Shoving back the bedsheets, he swung out of bed and padded over to the sofa. He collected the pillow and blanket and added them to the disarray of the bed. Tonight, he had another long conference call and he would swap spots with her.

“Damn, I thought saving their bacon would give you that foothold.”

“I didn’t say he said no.” Daniel grinned, glad his best friend couldn’t see him. “I believe the phrase he used was that he would be honored to discuss the matter in person in Los Angeles in one week.”

“Hot damn.” The echo of Martin’s hand slapping against a desktop underscored the words. “The CEO wouldn’t meet you personally unless he was ready to sign the papers.”

“I’m aware.” Putting the phone on speaker, he set it to the side of the sink and turned on the water. Splashing his face, he then lathered shaving cream on his jaw. “I’ll talk to Lucy. Takahashi will be here in six days. I need to clear my schedule.”

“You know that might be a great time to introduce him to your princess.” Speculation ran rampant under the words. “Privately and then, of course, publicly.”

Daniel hesitated, razor poised. Teasing the press with sightings was one thing, but taking her out and actively putting her on display? Daniel wasn’t sure he was ready for that. The point was to lure the grand duke into conversation, into opening doors—but the Japanese contract could definitely bait the hook for the EU. “I don’t know,” he hedged and concentrated on gliding the razor over his cheeks, stripping off the overnight growth of stubble. Dark circles ringed his eyes. The lack of sleep was bound to catch up with him.

“You sleeping with her yet?”

He nicked himself and bit back a curse. “No.”

“You must be losing your touch. She cleans up real well, and talk about a sweet package.”

Rinsing the razor, Daniel glared at the phone. “Martin, stop looking at her package and get your mind back on business. Start a draft of the contract we want from Takahashi, but be ready to flex the details.”

“Already drafted.”

After dabbing the nick with a washcloth, he finished shaving. “Your confidence is showing.”

“Well, I knew you were a great bet when you wrote those algorithms in college and CalTech featured you at their software symposium.”

Washing the remnants of the lather off his face, Daniel shook his head. “I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

“Yup. See you.” Martin hung up and Daniel stared at himself in the mirror. If Takahashi signed the deal, Spherecast had its entry into the Japanese market. The loyalty and honor shown by their corporation required personal attention to detail, but the business software was just the first step.

Games would come next.

He ducked through a quick shower, toweled off and had just pulled on his pants when a knock preceded Alyx’s entry into the room. Dressed in jeans and a billowy shirt, with her hair hanging loosely, she looked like a bohemian escapee rather than a princess. But one sniff of the fresh coffee she held out to him and a thrill went through him. She’d broughthimcoffee.

“Good morning. You’re a little underdressed for Victor, aren’t you?” Not that Daniel minded, but the coach demanded a very specific look from the princess they were building. He cradled the cup and took the first welcome drink of the coffee. It was the first time she’d reciprocated his offers of coffee first thing in the morning, but with his late-night meeting schedule, she was often up long before he could deliver it.

“Victor can’t be here today. He called a little while ago to apologize.” Her nose wrinkled and she dropped her voice as though imitating the man. “We shall resume my education tomorrow.”

She had the day off.

He mentally reviewed his schedule. He could juggle a few items around and take it with her. “Want to do something fun?”

“I still have homework.”

He waved a hand. “What? Read more Russian history? It’s bloody and it’s tragic and best served with a lot of vodka. Trust me.” He’d heard it all from his immigrant grandfather. The stories didn’t get better with age—they just got sadder.

“Something like that. He wants me to memorize the family tree so I can quote who it is I’m supposed to be related to.”

Zeroing in on the “supposed to be,” Daniel frowned. “Youarerelated to them, sweetheart.” He didn’t know where the endearment came from. It just slipped right off his tongue. Startling how natural that seemed.

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