“You act older than most of my grad students,” Alex answered truthfully, putting the girl at ease again. “And you don't owe me anything. I'm glad I was able to help.”
The corner of Lani's lip curled up in the hint of a smile before the princess turned to go. Alex watched her glide out of the room. She had an impish grace that was quite a charming combination. If the princess sprouted wings and announced she was actually a woodland pixie, Alex wouldn't have been entirely surprised. A bit worried about her own sanity, maybe, but not surprised.
With that thought, Alex double-checked that she was alone before peeling off her clothes, leaving them in a filthy heap on the floor as she slid into the warm water. Tropical scents clung to her nostrils; the water wrapped her in its silky embrace. Whatever oils had been added to the bath, they were divine. Alex didn't even try to resist the urge to close her eyes and slip beneath the water. She hadn't realized a bath could feel luxurious. She usually didn't have the attention span for anything other than a quick shower.
Alex didn't want to leave that feeling just yet. She remained submersed, her eyes closed and her lips just breaking the surface. Water lapped at her skin where it broke the barrier between water and air. The aches of her adventure melted away, followed by the worries cluttering her mind.
When the water sloshed across her face, it took her completely by surprise. She came up sputtering before she realized she was no longer alone in the tub. With a squeak, she gulped in some air and ducked under the surface as his expletive reached her ears.
The water she'd swallowed in the initial chaos still tickled the back of her throat, forcing her to reemerge when the cough it caused couldn't be subdued.
“What are you doing in here?” Daniel Martin demanded.
“Taking a bath!” She scooped up an armful of flower petals in a vain attempt to cover herself. “Why aren't you off trying to catch the bad guys?”
“I debriefed my team,” he retorted defensively. “I have exactly three minutes to clean up before my next meeting, and then it's dinnertime. Why am I explaining myself to you?”
He'd be beautiful if he weren't such an ass. The thought skittered through Alex's mind before she could help it, and its mere presence infuriated her even more than his.
“I'm sorry my being here has inconvenienced you so much.” She took a deep breath that was more ragged than she'd have liked. “If you'll kindly turn around, I'll leave you to your bath. Lord knows you need it.”
She couldn't help that last little jab. His jaw twitched and she was pleased to know she'd succeeded in once again irritating him.
“Don't bother.” He took a breath and sank under the water, reemerging to shake off like a wet dog. “My three minutes are up. This'll have to be good enough.”
“One can only hope.”
“You can keep watching if you really want; I'm getting out now.”
“Cretin,” Alex accused, covering her eyes with one hand. She might have peeked a little, but not much and only out of scientific curiosity. At least that's what she told herself when she was alone again. It certainly wasn't because the droplets of water on his bare chest had been at all appealing. That would be completely ridiculous.
The water settled long before she did. Her mind raced with explanations for her body's pesky reaction to an even more infuriating man. Her peaceful bath had been ruined. The flower petals and oils held no oasis for her now, so she rose from the tub and wrapped herself in a white towel that was softer than any she'd ever felt.
Alex padded across the marble floor to the door she'd entered originally, peeking back through tentatively. The promised clothes had yet to arrive; Alex hoped they were in the massive bedroom she'd passed through on the way in. The thought of crawling into her muddy work clothes held little appeal.
She was relieved to find the door to that room securely closed and a stack of clothes folded neatly on the massive bed. The white of the clothing stood in stark contrast to the persimmon-colored bedding. Alex slid into the gauzy dress, not caring why they had clothing her size on hand. She barely had enough items in her wardrobe to clothe herself, let alone strangers.
She helped herself to the brush on the vanity, leaving her long hair loose to dry. She looked at her reflection skeptically. It wasn't the image of a woman ready to dine at a royal table.
A knock at the door startled her.
“Come in,” she called, hoping it was anybody other than Daniel Martin on the other side.
“Her majesty is requesting your presence at dinner.” A young maid curtseyed.
“Lead the way.” Alex gratefully followed. “Oh, wait, I left my dirty clothes in there…”
“They'll be tended to.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
It had been a long time since Alex had someone “tend to” her things, but she was willing to give it another try. It had been a long day. She felt mildly self-conscious about padding barefoot through the palace, but her boots weren't meant to be worn with a dress like this on the best of days—barefoot seemed the less conspicuous choice.
So naturally, that was the first thing Daniel Martin commented on when she was announced in the dining room. She refrained from retorting that at least she was dressed because explaining that comment would have taken any joy out of making it.
“Thank you for your hospitality.” Alex nodded to Lani, who now looked much more the part of a princess. Her clothing was lavish without being gauche, the cerulean fabric perfectly complementing the girl's olive skin tone. Her deep brown hair was piled loosely on top of her head, softened by the occasional unruly curl that found its way free. Wide eyes the color of dark chocolate, a straight nose and slightly pouty lips all promised that this girl would soon be the kind of beauty storybooks were made of.
“You're very pretty when you aren't dressed like a man,” Lani announced without ceremony, reminding Alex that despite the new clothes, this was still the girl she'd rescued in the back of her Jeep.
“Thanks, I think.” Alex tried not to blush, her eyes inadvertently catching Daniel's. Something in his return gaze helped the blush find its way free. She took the seat offered to her, happy for something else to pay attention to.
“I'll take you home first thing in the morning,” Daniel told her.
“Not tonight? I'm a little concerned that I couldn't reach anyone. Someone usually answers the phone.”
“I'd prefer to wait until morning.” Daniel's tone left little room for discussion.
“You must be tired. Please say you'll stay,” Lani implored.
“First thing in the morning?” Alex asked hopefully, knowing she'd been overruled.
“First thing,” he promised.
Alex wondered why he was so adamant she stay. Given his intense dislike for her, one would think he'd be eager to deliver her to the worksite.
“You aren't setting up a mining operation while I'm gone, are you?” She couldn't help asking.
“Not even I could set something up that quickly, and I have bigger problems at the moment. Otherwise, that would be a brilliant idea.”
Alex opened her mouth to reply, but dinner was announced. The aroma brought with it took her mind off of Daniel Martin's lack of manners and put it on her growling stomach. All was blessedly silent as the meal began. After a year of living on preservatives, the fresh fruit, warm bread and steaming fowl was a welcome change.
“I've never tasted mango like this before… it's amazing. Everything is wonderful.”
“I'm glad you like it.” Lani beamed at Alex's approval.
“I'm sure there will be plenty for everyone if you want to slow down a little bit,” Daniel murmured.
“You should watch out.” Alex arched an eyebrow. “Someone as uncouth as me might be prone to flinging mango at the Neanderthal across the table from her.”
“Why do you two hate each other?” Lani looked from one to the other.
“He's a bully.”
“She's a pretentious, selfish bitch.”
<
br /> “He's a close-minded simpleton.”
“Remember whose island you're on.” His eyes narrowed.
“Take your blinders off long enough to see the bigger picture. My research has global implications.” She leaned toward him, her voice steel.
“Come off your high horse to see that I'm trying to save something important. This little island might not mean anything to you, but it's home to us.” He stood as he spoke, leaning in to meet her glare.
“Did it ever occur to you that you will run out of diamonds in no time? Being the country that makes thermal energy a viable alternative will secure Tuwanga's future for several generations.” She also rose, and the two were nearly nose-to-nose by the time she finished talking.
“Oh.” Lani took it all in. The pair was staring intently at each other, a mutinous look on each face.
“I'm sorry, Your Highness.” Daniel abruptly stood upright again, smoothing his shirt out before reclaiming his seat.
“Yes, I'm sorry.” Alex awkwardly straightened. She couldn't bring herself to sit down, to subject herself to one more minute of Daniel's contempt. “I think I'll retire for the evening, if that's okay.”
“Certainly.” Lani frowned, motioning for a servant to lead Alex to her room. As she left the great dining room, she heard Lani chastise Daniel. “Joey, I like her. Stop being a jerk.”
Alex could almost see his jaw twitch at that. Just imagining it made her smile. That and the heavenly comfort of the bed she sank wearily into were enough to carry her off to sleep without another thought to jobsites or gem hunters, although the image of one gem hunter in particular chased her through turbulent dreams.
RING OF FIRE is available in print, and in all popular ebook formats, or read it online for free at www.booktrope.com
Also by Heather Huffman
Throwaway
Suddenly a Spy
Jailbird
Ties that Bind
Ring of Fire
About the Author
Heather Huffman lives in Missouri with her husband and their three sons. In addition to writing, she enjoys spending time with the family horse and their pack of rescued dogs. A firm believer that life is more than the act of taking up air, Heather is always on the lookout for an adventure that will become fodder for the next novel.
Connect with me online
www.heatherhuffman.net
Twitter: @Heathers_mark
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