Page 14 of His Impossible Heir

“So the stories just…come to you out of nowhere?” His tone was lower, huskier now.

Books. Plots. Yes, that was a safe subject. It was like work! Almost. Amanda never considered the writing part of her job to be work.

Concentrating on his eyes, not allowing her gaze to drop to his lips…again…she forced herself to reply. “The plots are just there, in my head. All the time,” she explained. “Several years ago, I was surprised to discover that the entire population didn’t have stories constantly running through their minds. All the time. Every moment of the day.” She grinned at his confusion. “Yes, I am continually coming up with book plots or ideas for scenes. I like to sit on a bench, watching people pass by and my head conjures up ideas, either for how someone will eventually be murdered by the person walking behind them, or the thoughts of the person walking behind someone as they contemplate murder.” She grimaced, her mouth pulling outward. “I know it’s a bit gruesome. And I promise, I don’tactuallycontemplate how to murder someone. In fact, I’m one of those weird people who takes spiders out of my house instead of smashing them.”

He threw back his head, laughing and the rich sound of it warmed her soul.

When he looked at her again, she was still smiling.

“So, you go through life plotting how to murder random strangers.”

His comment startled a laugh out of her. “Oh, goodness!” she gasped, putting a hand to her chest, unaware of how several men looked lingeringly her way. “That makes me sound like a serial killer.”

Daniesh grinned, shaking his head. “Not a serial killer, a writer.”

She contemplated his word choice for a moment, then nodded. “Well, I suppose that I do that, then. Yes. I’m constantly thinking up new plot twists.”

He leaned in and she pretended that he was fascinated with her. For just one night, she wanted to think of herself as a fascinating person instead of the reality. The truth was, Amanda was someone who woke up and drank gallons of coffee, then showered and pulled on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt to write in her little cottage home. All. Day. Long. It was rare that she ventured out into the world, except when she needed to restock the fridge. Or get more wine.

And even the need to go out for more wine might end soon since she’d discovered a vineyard in California that she absolutely adoredandthey shipped wine! By the case! Amazing!

Wait. No, that wasn’t healthy. She was trying to get out into the world more. She shouldn’t order from the vineyard. She should force herself to drive the five minutes to the store and interact with humanity.

Hermits were not attractive, she reminded herself, not for the first time.

“So what’s your process for nailing down one specific plot?” Daniesh asked.

Amanda eyed him warily. “Do you really want to know? Or are you just being polite?”

He chuckled and she felt his hand move to the small of her back. “Ah, Amanda, if you knew me better, you’d know that I amneverpolite.”

She laughed and, for the next thirty minutes, they talked about the process for developing story ideas into books. As they talked, the rest of the world faded away. The noise created by the other guests was just a faint buzz in the back of her head. And eventually, the conversation shifted from how she developed plots to how he sniffed out good investment opportunities and what criteria he used to evaluate companies that are interested in investing in his country.

So it was a surprise when Emma and Rayed joined them, looking worn out.

“Are you ready to call it a night?” Emma asked, looking between Amanda and Daniesh.

Amanda looked around, startled to discover that nearly all of the other guests had departed. “Oh my!” she gasped and turned, looking up at Daniesh. “I’ve kept you from mingling. I’m so sorry!”

He took her hand, pulling her back to his side. “You saved me from the tedium of talking with a bunch of boring people.”

She smiled, charmed in spite of herself, even if she didn’t completely believe him. “Well, thank you,” she said adding a small curtsy. “I know I’ve monopolized your time and attention tonight, but I’ve enjoyed myself immensely.”

“I would be honored to see you home,” he offered.

Emma opened her mouth, and Amanda knew exactly what her best friend was about to say. “No need,” she interrupted before Emma could say anything. “Emma and Rayed were going to take me home, but my hotel is in the opposite direction from their place. So, I’m taking a taxi home.”

“Nonsense,” Emma replied. “There’s no way that we’re letting you take a cab in an unfamiliar city.”

“She’s staying at the Dorian,” Rayed said to Daniesh. “Isn’t that your direction?”

Amanda took a breath to protest, but words failed her. Especially when Daniesh immediately nodded. “Yes. I would be honored to see her safely back to her hotel.”

Chapter 4

Amanda trembled as she stood awkwardly beside the door to her suite. “Thank you for a…um…wonderful evening, Your…,” She paused when he lifted a dark eyebrow, and corrected herself. “Daniesh. I’m very impressed with your award. I’m sure that it will–”

Amanda’s words halted as his mouth covered hers. He stepped closer, pulling her against his chest as he deepened the kiss and she nearly fainted from the flood of intense desire. The awkward walk down the hallway, the irritating boning in the support system of her dress that kept poking her, the bright, overhead lights in the hallway…every irritant vanished. The whole world disappeared except for Daniesh. He cupped her head with one hand while the other curled around her waist, the feeling of his hard chest brushing lightly against her breasts and the tingling that raced over her skin as his mouth moved sensuously over hers.

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