“Of course.”
She had purposefully changed the subject, and he knew it. But he let her, for now. No need to force anything she wasn’t ready to share. She’d hooked him. He was all in and completely intrigued by this new woman. He still couldn’t tell what she wanted. And he knew nothing about her. But he was planning to use this week to find out.
Chapter 5
Tess walked at Trent’s side. The night air felt deliciously warm and cool at the same time. The sand was soft. The water lapped quietly against the shore. It was just the kind of night she loved at home. And suddenly she missed the palace. She missed her room. Their beautiful home on the ocean. She was tired. Tired of proving herself to everyone, tired of trying to please her father, tired of networking and building and working. And all for what? She would still be queen no matter what happened. It was written in the law. They were stuck with her. And that idea, that she had nothing to prove, felt freeing.
Trent’s broad shoulders moved beside her, the same power emanating from every part of him that was present whenever she’d seen him. Their arms brushed, her skin tingling with awareness. “So, if you’re not a bellboy, what are you?”
“I’m just a businessman. I sell a service just like every other businessman, probably like all the other Americans you guys meet over here.”
She shook her head. He was nothing like any man she’d ever met. And at the same time, he fit right in with her crowd. “But who are you?”
He shrugged. “I told you.”
Not satisfied, she continued to walk beside him. “Tell me something fun from your childhood.”
“You first.”
“Okay. When I was little, my dad and I used to play ‘who’s the ruler now?’ ”
He tipped his head back and laughed. “Why does this not surprise me?”
“No really, it’s a fun game. You’d do really well. We take turns being the king or queen and make decisions that help the kingdom. We can change each other’s mandates when it’s our turn, but we have to have a really good reason.” Listening to herself talk, she wondered if she’d had anything close to what he would consider a normal childhood. “I’m incredibly bossy.”
He chuckled quietly beside her.
“But I’ve come to realize that contrary to what my eleven-year-old-self understood, being a leader is absolutely nothing about being bossy.”
“Well, I mean, it is a little bit. Someone has to tell your assistant what kind of coffee—”
“Very funny.”
He reached for her hand and laced his fingers with her own. Thrilled tingles ran up and down her arms. His words cascaded through her in happy touches. “I suspect you are the very best kind of leader.”
“How can you even know that about me?”
“Well, one thing I do really well is read people. I judge them according to leadership style and personality. And you, so far, have proven to be my very favorite kind of client.” He cleared his throat, shifting, suddenly seeming much more uncomfortable. “In fact, we still haven’t finished going over your financials. I promised to take a look at them, remember?”
“You know, I’m gonna take you up on that.”
“I hope you do.”
“Your assessment just glancing over my shoulder was so spot on.” She remembered her job offer. “My offer still stands. Whether that means I bring you in as part of our household or we hire you for your services, I would value your input.” She looked up at him through her lashes. “On a regular basis.” She wanted so much more from him than just his business expertise. Was she free to pursue her other desires?
“I’d be certainly open to take you on as a new client. But perhaps we would have a sort of à la carte arrangement?”
“We’ll have to talk terms, but I’m happy to hear it.” They walked five more steps, and she couldn’t stop herself. “In fact, can I get your thoughts on a few things happening this week? I can arrange for VIP status and seating at all the Regatta events in exchange.”
“Royal only events?”
“Deal.”
He squeezed her hand, and she thrilled again at her touch. Then he said, “Although, I was hoping to get to know you better in a non-business sense.”
“Oh?”
“How about dinner?”
“Tomorrow night?”
“Any night, every night.” He paused, turning to face her. “Tess, I’m into you. I’ll do whatever I can to help you with this week, but I want to make sure to take time to get to know you. To relax, to sail?”
“Was that a question?”
“Sure, do you sail as well?”
“I do.”
“As in, you have a boat?”
“I do.” She didn’t want to tell him she spent two summers participating in her country’s Regatta team.
“Can I take you out in mine?” His eyes were earnest, his expression inviting, his hand warm in her own.
“I’d love to go out on the water with you. But dinner might be impossible unless we’re at the same events. I have something every night this coming week, and I’m usually the one who planned it.”
“After then, or before?”
“We’ll see. Let’s just play that part by ear.”
She talked to him about some of the activities that most concerned her, and his ideas were spot on. Mostly he was supportive of what she already had set up.
“Your expert touch is everywhere in these plans. Excellent work, Tess.”
Other times he pointed out seemingly simple changes that, after she examined their impact, she recognized had profound and reaching influence. By the time they’d worked through her whole week of events, they’d walked all the way down to the far end of the beach.
“Wow, we covered a lot of ground.” She reached for her phone. “Should I have someone come pick us up?”
He checked his watch. “No way. With your schedule, I’ll take whatever time with you I can get.”
She smiled and held her breath. He sounded so intimate.
She swallowed. A breeze picked up around them, and he stepped closer. “I’m here listening to your schedule and realizing moments like this one might not happen again this week.” They turned to stare out at the ocean. “I’m reluctant to let it end.”
She ran her thumb over the back of his hand. “Well then, let’s start walking back. We’ve got a lot more ground to cover.” Inwardly, she was thrilled. But could she encourage him? Was it fair when she knew her future was all but spoken for?
She wasn’t sure what she was going to do about this incredibly awesome turn of events. Or how she was going to navigate the interest of this intelligent American while meeting all her responsibilities and, most of all, entertaining Tehan.
They’d only walked for a few minutes when a limo pulled up with three other security cars, her family crest on the door. Five men jumped out. “Princess.”
“Oh, boy. I’m sorry about this.” She groaned and checked her watch. What was going on?
“Princess?” A hint of betrayal crossed Trent’s face.
The men ran up to her, and she held out a hand. “He’s with me.”
They nodded. Ralf, the head of her security team talked into his radio before turning back to her. “Princess. Your father would like you to come greet him.”
“Tell him I’ll be back to the hotel shortly.”
“This is a code now.”
She turned to Trent. “We’ll drive you back to your car.”
“He said to come alone.”
“We’re driving Trent to his car.” She stared down Ralf until he nodded.
“Of course.”
They climbed into the limo, and she scooted as close as she could to Trent. He slipped an arm across the back of the seat. “Princess Santorini.” He nodded to her, his face totally blank. As they pulled up in front of his car, he murmured in her ear. “Can I call you?”
“Please.”
He handed her his phone, and she typed in her number. “Tonight.”
He winked and then climbed out of the car, getting into his own and driving away before anyone said anything more. Then Ralf rolled down the privacy window between the front and back seat. “Nice.”
“What?”
“Trent.”
“He might be around a lot more. Check him out if you want.”
“We already did,” Ralf said.
“And?”
“He’s a keeper.”
“What?”
“I’m not giving you relationship advice. That is a whole different kettle where your father’s concerned. But as far as security, he’s golden. Top clearance.”
Pleased, she sat back in her seat. “So at least he’s not a criminal.”
After the mess this evening, she wasn’t sure he’d want to stick around, but at least she knew there would be nothing standing in their way if that is what they really wanted. Nothing except her potential relationship with Tehan, responsibilities at the Regatta and the summit, and her father’s stern disapproval.
Chapter 6
Trent couldn’t believe his luck. He didn’t want to. And he didn’t usually appreciate surprises. He texted the number Tess gave him.
Good night, Princess.
Good night.
That’s it? He’d expected a royal explanation.
What else do you want?
Don’t you think mentioning that you would one day be queen of a county might be important to share?
What about you? I don’t know anything about you either.
… What could he say to that?
What does me being a princess change?
He couldn’t believe that question. What did it change? Everything, potentially. Well for one, you aren’t really free to get to know me, are you?
…Friends?
What was she asking? Did she just want to be friends? Or was she asking if they were still friends, still on good terms? He hated texting. Swiping across her name, he waited while it rang. “Come on, Princess,” he muttered. “Answer the phone.”
“Hello.” Her tone sounded tired. Maybe impatient.
“Hey, Princess.”
“Oh please. Don’t call me that.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m just messing around ‘cause I was shocked. I shouldn’t have been. But I was.”
“I was going to tell you.”
“I would have found out soon enough, like probably tomorrow.”
“True.”
The pause felt friendly. “I meant what I said at the beach. I’m still into you…though I don’t know where this could ever go.” He cringed a little. It seemed so early to try and figure out anything between them.
“I don’t either. Do we have to figure it out now? Can we just sort of, I don’t know, co-exist for a little while before we try to figure out if what’s between us is worth a full-on rebellion against the king of my country?”
He exhaled slowly then grinned. “You’ve got rebellion written all over you.”
She laughed. “See you tomorrow?”
“Meet me at the yacht club at ten.”
“I will. And good night.”
“Good night.”
He called his team together in the conference room early the next morning. It was the first day of a week full of Regatta events. The actual races would begin tomorrow, and anyone who wasn’t already in Palma would be arriving this evening.
They sat at a rectangular table. Eight men. “Okay, tell us what you’ve got so far.”
They detailed who’d they’d met, what leads they had, who were the hopefuls. And Trent was thrilled. “This is great. I think you guys might be my best team yet. Okay. So remember these guys are big money, high profile. Make them believe you live in their world and understand their needs.”
“Can we borrow the Lamborghini?”
Trent grinned. “Ah, no.”
They laughed.
Tim leaned forward. “Guys, Trent has an in with the princess.”
“The princess?”
“Gregario Santorini’s daughter, the one-day queen of Pantos, Tessandra.”
Trent was nervous about the way they were talking, but what could he say? He’d challenged them all to network, to build relationships and bring in more clients. What kind of leader would he be if he wasn’t willing to do the same? But he hated the thought of Tess being used to profit his business. He held out his hands. “Guys, she’s different, and she’s off the table for any of you.” He’d already planned to gain access to her father, but he’d hoped to work through Tehan, not the princess.
He pulled into the yacht club. Tess stood waiting on the dock just inside the gate. She was surrounded by a group of men, each one puffing like a bunch of roosters.
Trent stepped out of the car, muttering to himself. “Not happening.”
He tossed his keys to the valet and used his code to open the gate. He recognized a couple princes in the group, none from Torren, and no Tehan. Moments like these, he was grateful for his height. He stood taller. “Gentlemen.” He nodded to them and took Tess’s hand.
“Hey.” She squeezed his fingers, which hopefully meant they could work through some things and be friends while holding hands. Either way, he was sending a message to the rest of the group. “Thanks for entertaining Tessandra for me.”
She laughed. “Trent, this is Prince Caldez and Juno.” She nodded to the others. “And I’m sorry, but I don’t know all your names.”
Trent nodded. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you gentlemen later.” He winked and led her down the dock. The princes were potential clients, yes, but that didn’t mean he had to let them interrupt his date.
Her Sweetness sat in her slip, ready to go. His captain had everything cleaned up, rigging tied, sails ready to hoist.
He squinted his eyes against the morning sun out across the water. “It’s going to be a beautiful day.”
“I checked the reports and winds are high. Especially once we’re out. Can you handle a brisk sail?” Her eyebrows rose in challenge.
“I brought Jerard, my captain, but if you want to take the boat out without him, maybe you can show me how it’s done.”
“You’re saying that, but you really mean you can show me a thing or two.”
He laughed and held his hands up. “Hey now, nothing of the kind. We have options, that’s all.”
She eyed him for a moment and then said, “Oh, let’s leave it to Jerard.”
Only a little disappointed, he nodded. “Fair enough.”
As soon as they were clear of the marina, Jerard ordered the sails up. Tess took one side and Trent the other, pulling on the ropes until the brilliant-blue sails rose to the top of the mast and filled with air. He thrilled at their smooth, rounded shape as the boat picked up speed and headed out into the Bay of Palma.
Trent watched Tess with new eyes. She would one day rule a country. She stood with confident strength, her face to the wind. Then she ran to the front with her arms out to her sides, shouting behind her. “I love the feeling of the wind on my face out over the water!”
He joined her, arms out to his side, and for a moment he let the wind rush their difficulties away. Here was a woman he’d love to get to know. But was she free to do so? Not from what he’d heard. And did he want to upset his most hoped for client before they even had a business relationship? Every force of negativity blew back behind him in the wind, and he laughed.
And yet, he was drawn to her like no one else. They walked up the stairs that led to his front patio sitting area. About halfway up, the boat dipped and she fell back against him. He cradled her, steadying her small frame, and wondered how a woman so soft carried with her so much power. He was equally enticed and humbled by it. He liked to think she lingered longer in his arms than necessary to resettle herself, and then they made their way up top. His staff brought them drinks, cheeses, breads, and fruit, and for the most part they sat and talked of nothing.
“See those homes across the way?” She pointed.
&
nbsp; “Lovely.”
“Five are rented out by my father this week.”
“Will you be joining him?”
She shook her head. “He wishes it, but I’m going to refuse. I find it more difficult to organize and run things with him standing over me. And he doesn’t recognize my schedule and time. When he wants a meeting, he gets a meeting, no matter who I’m talking to or what I may already have planned.”
“That would complicate things.” He listened, hoping she’d continue to open up.
“I’m happy he’s coming. It’s a huge show of support for me. But at the same time, I’m petrified.”
He nodded, slowly. “I know you don’t need help, but would you like someone to stand as backup, to bounce ideas off of? I did promise to look at your numbers. I can also serve as your behind-the-scenes partner.” Why was he doing this? He had plenty of his own work to do this week with his team, but he couldn’t stop himself. She needed him. And for some reason, that’s all it took.
“I’d like that. Thank you.” She lifted up her phone. “I’ll be calling you more than you like probably.”
“No way. Whatever you need, I’ll help.”
“I’ve already given your name as a VIP for all events. And I noticed you are already a VIP for many of them.” She raised her eyebrow in question.
“I do have a solid name for myself. My company is also a big supporter of the Regatta.”
She nodded, studying him. “And what do you hope to gain?”
“From attending?”
She tilted her head. “From attending, from helping me…”
“Nothing like that. My team is here to get to know potential clients. We work to make businesses more profitable. And I’ve been hoping to work more with smaller countries, with Torren for example.” He didn’t mention her own nation, but it was left as a very large unspoken option. “Total transparency. That’s why I’m here. To try and offer my services to the royals that will be here.” He shook his head. “But I already decided the agreement I have with you is separate. And free.” He grinned. “Do I need to remind you that you did offer me a job?”
Her Billionaire Bellboy Page 4