“It’s always a pleasure to visit here. Thank you for all you do.” I shake her hand as the car is brought around.
“Thank you. It’s been wonderful to have you here.” She bows as I make my way into the car.
“That was quite the showing you had, James.” Charles climbs in behind me as we speed off towards the palace. “The press was eating it up.”
“I wasn’t doing it for them.” Although, it’s an added benefit that the press was here today. Between Charles and my mum, I’m being told to watch every move right now, as I can’t take any more bad press.
“Either way, it was a good day. We’ll get that family set up with a day they’ll never forget with Chelsea. Nothing like a special outing from the prince.”
A special outing. There’s someone else who could do with a special outing.
“Charles. Any chance you could make a special outing happen tonight?”
“Sir?”
Giving him my idea, he immediately goes to work as I pull up my phone and dial the number to the one woman whom I can’t seem to resist.
“Hi, James.” Her voice is smooth as she picks up on the first ring. I love that there is no pretence in letting me wait.
“Zara, love. Any chance you’re free tonight?” I look over at Charles, and he’s nodding to me. Being the prince, I can make things happen. “Say, seven?”
“What do you have planned?” I love the playfulness in her voice.
“Is you saying yes contingent on what the plans are?”
“I don’t know. I might have a hot date tonight already.”
A hot spike of jealousy rages through me. “A hot date?”
“Yes. He’s quite old, actually. Ancient, really. Known for composing a number of symphonies.”
I huff out a sigh. “Way to give a man a heart attack. Is it Beethoven or Mozart tonight?”
Her laughter on the other end of the line is soothing. Since when does a woman’s laugh settle me? “It was going to be Mozart. But I suppose he’ll still be around tomorrow.”
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear something fancy.”
“Fancy? Where are you taking me, James?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Zara, you look absolutely stunning.”The long red dress with flowers decorating it hugs her lithe frame. Her long brown waves curl past her shoulders. She’s breathtaking.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She smooths her hands over the lapels of my tux. I waste no time capturing those plump lips of hers. She opens to me immediately. The softness of her tongue is a match striking the fire within me. I don’t know how I’ll ever get enough of this woman. If I didn’t have this special night planned, I’d toss her over my shoulder and take her upstairs right this second.
“As much as I would love to stay here with you all night,” she whispers, pulling back, “I do want to see what this surprise is that has us dressed to the nines.”
“Well then,”—I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear—“let’s get going, shall we?”
I give her my arm as I lead us outside. Flashes are bright in the spring evening. Zara stiffens at my side but doesn’t waver. We ignore the questions shouted at us as we approach the waiting car.
“A limo? Where are you taking me tonight?” The door is opened and she slides into the limo. A bottle of champagne is chilling in the ice bucket.
“I promise you, you’ll like it.” I pop the cork and hand her a glass as the limo pulls away from the curb. “To surprises.” I clink my glass against hers and take a sip.
Zara gulps half of hers down before turning her eyes on me. “You might just be the biggest surprise of all, James.” Her eyes are dark as she takes my hand in hers. Her delicate fingers trace the veins on the back of my hand. It’s intoxicating. What this woman does to me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
“And why is that?”
