Page 9 of His Impossible Heir

Daniesh was surprised by how much her honesty pleased him. He’d felt her reaction when they’d been introduced. He’d seen the way she’d reacted when he’d touched her, felt the inexplicable trembling. He’d wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her close, reassure her that he would protect her.

But he couldn’t do that. It wasn’t his right to protect Amanda Thomas. Nor could he realistically offer his protection. That protection came with responsibilities and duties. Like babies and a future. He couldn’t give her that.

So, this was as far as their mutual interest could go, he thought, pushing away the sting of bitterness and resentment.

“Are you going to explain?” she asked, her soft, full lips quirking up into a small, challenging smile.

He pulled her towards him. If he couldn’t have everything, he’d take the few scraps she allowed. If she was willing to stand by his side for the night, he’d take it! She was beyond lovely and smelled incredible! Plus, judging from the covert glances he saw, every other man in this room, except Rayed, was envious of the dark-haired beauty on his arm.

“Not a chance,” he replied. He heard her soft laughter and wanted to kiss her. Damn, he wanted to do a hell of a lot more than just kiss her, but he’d take what he could get.

“Who doyouthink I am?” he asked, accepting two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. He handed one to her and watched as she sipped, fascinated by the delicate, tentative touch of her soft lips against the glass. She even touched her sexy, pink tongue delicately to the glass and he swallowed a groan as fresh lust poured over him.

As she lowered the glass, she assessed him. “Well, you’re obviously important. I’m guessing from the deference and the bellows of ‘your highness’ out there,” she nodded towards the crowd, “that you’re a royal?”

Daniesh shrugged, pretending to watch the milling crowd as Rayed grabbed champagne for he and his wife and came towards the pair.

Rayed interrupted their private conversation with a toast. “To Daniesh!” Rayed announced, lifting his glass high. Daniesh gritted his teeth, irritated at his friend.

“Right,” he grumbled, then tilted his glass towards his friend the ass before gulping down the contents. Thankfully, a waiter noticed and hurried over, offering a tray full of the bubbly wine. Exchanging his glass, he sipped the next one more slowly.

“Ignore Daniesh’s annoyance,” Emma instructed, coming to stand beside Amanda. “He’s just grouchy because tonight is specifically for him.”

“Really?” Amanda asked, shooting a curious glance at the man in question.

Daniesh looked down into her gorgeous green eyes and wished he could toss her over his shoulder and race out of here. With her!

“It’s not really,” he replied, shrugging dismissively.

Rayed sighed and shook his head dramatically. “It literally is,” he argued, and turned to Amanda. “My obnoxious friend here,” he tilted his champagne flute towards Daniesh, “released a paper on the economic hardships of the poor and how corporate greed and their marketing manipulations intensify poverty. The recent price gouging by several corporations that resulted in record-breaking profits while refusing to use those profits to increase salaries to a living wage has been a hot topic recently. But Daniesh studied the subject in detail and wrote about it. He presented his paper to the United Nations two months ago. Tonight’s dinner is celebrating that report and the steps he’s taken in his country to counter the surge in corporate greed. His new economic policies are already beginning to help alleviate the poverty in his country.”

Amanda looked up at the man with renewed amazement. “That’s amazing, Your Highness.”

Daniesh hated the sound of his title from her lips. When others used his title, he didn’t care. Hell, most of the time, he didn’t even notice. But for some reason, he didn’t like Amanda using his title. He wanted…more from her. More, as in, something more meaningful.

Which was an absolutely unbelievable thought since he’d only just met the woman.

He glanced over at Rayed and saw an oddly knowing look in his eyes. Not wanting to encourage his friend, he turned his attention back to…well, he’dmeantto casually look around the room. But he couldn’t seem to stop his gaze from returning to the slender, stunning woman with dark hair and glowing green eyes.

She glanced at him, and then quickly looked away. Interesting! He also enjoyed the blush that flooded up her neck without reaching her cheeks, which was pretty fascinating.

“Your Highness!” a man called out.

Daniesh sighed mentally as he turned to face the man walking towards him. “Good evening, Mr. Hanover,” he said, extending his hand in greeting.

Pierre Hanover was on the shorter side, but what he didn’t have in height, he more than made up for in girth. Daniesh wasn’t sure how the man didn’t topple over, considering how front heavy he was. But he did make an impressive sight in his tuxedo and crimson sash. Daniesh wasn’t sure what the sash was supposed to symbolize, but if he wanted to wear one, more power to him.

Daniesh occasionally had to wear a sash, as well as far too many obnoxious medals, whenever there was a formal ceremony at home. In his opinion, both the sash and the medals were a pain in the ass! The corner of the sash constantly got in the way of the required sword and caught on the medals he’d earned through his military and civil service.

Before he could step further into the room, someone called out his name. From that moment forward, he was inundated with people hoping to speak with him. Sometimes, it was just a congratulations, and other times, the person wanted to ask him questions about the study and results.

Unfortunately, the surging crowd caused Amanda’s fingers to loosen, then eventually slip away from his arm. She fell into step with Emma and the lovely pair meandered out of the worst of the crowd towards the wall, their heads close together as they talked.

The whole time, he kept an eye on Amanda. Thankfully, Rayed and Emma stayed close, introducing her to the various guests and ensuring that she was never left alone. Every time he looked over at her, she stopped what she was doing or saying and looked back at him. It was as if she could feel the weight of his gaze.

It was a heady experience, seeing he had such an effect on her. He needed to stop watching her, he realized when, during his last glance, Amanda must have stopped speaking in mid-sentence. The person she’d been conversing with looked around and obviously noticed the connection between them.

Daniesh didn’t want the gossip columnists to get wind of his interest. At least, not until he understood his interest more fully.

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