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“Haven’t you figured out that’s exactly what I am?” he asked, one of those sculpted dark brows arched.
His phone rang, and he accepted the call almost eagerly.
“Donato.” He listened, his posture that of someone absorbing everything without having to write it down. I didn’t bother to pretend I wasn’t eavesdropping. Daniel actually smiled at whatever the person on the other end of the line said. “You have definitive proof the senator accepted money?” Another series of nods, and Daniel’s smile broadened. “This is perfect. We’ve been waiting for just the right person to talk. We’ll get what we want from him now. Both of us will benefit. You’ll keep your contacts placated, and we’ll have him in our pocket when we need him.” My gut told me Daniel’s business teetered on the fine line between legal and criminal, but as long as he wasn’t hurting anyone or himself, I wasn’t sure I cared. “I’ll speak with him this evening. When will these fuckers ever learn that spilling secrets to your mistress is a bad move? Once they get ditched, they always talk.”
The person he was speaking with said something else to which Daniel agreed, and then they ended the call.
“We’re trading rooms,” I announced, crossing my arms from my position in the doorway of his modest accommodations. “Why would you give me the other room? I don’t need all that space.”
“There is only one Presidential Suite in the hotel,” he said, as if this explained it all.
“Well, you should be the one in it.” I frowned at him. “Any room is fine,” I said quietly. He’d seen my apartment. That much should be obvious.
“You seemed to like the suite earlier.”
“I do. It’s fantastic. But from now on, I want the cheapest accommodations.”
“That won’t do for a princess.” His words were teasing, but his eyes were serious.
I made myself at home on the sofa, deciding to let it go.
“So…hypothetically speaking…how much money do you think a person might need to eat for two weeks in New Zealand?” I asked, fingering a snag near the bottom of my sweater.
“None,” Daniel said without hesitation, totally getting my drift. “Hypothetically speaking, how much money does said person have with them?”
I lifted my chin. “Six dollars and seventeen cents. And a mini Three Musketeers. If you’re nice, I’ll share.” A quick peek in my purse at the restaurant had made it clear, if anything happened here, I was up shit creek.
“Come here, please.”
I beamed at him. “You’re a quick learner, Mr. Elliott.” He pointed to the chair on the other side of the desk. I took the indicated seat.
“Why did you donate all your money at the Paths of Purpose charity event?” Daniel leaned back. I started to lie by telling him I hadn’t, but he squelched that notion with a look.
I quirked my mouth and shifted uncomfortably. I didn’t want anyone to know what I’d done, but apparently I hadn’t been as discreet as I thought. “What makes you think that?” I asked, deflecting. The lights outside the window suddenly became very interesting.
“Vivian. I watched you dig in your purse down to the last penny and stuff it in that envelope. You didn’t even have enough for a ride back to your apartment.”
Being under his scrutiny became impossible, so I got to my feet and paced in the small space between desk and sofa. “You’ve seen those children. Met the women who come to Paths of Purpose.” When I finished speaking, I was standing on the opposite side of the desk from Daniel, with my hands on the smooth wooden surface, leaning toward him.
“I can’t understand giving up everything for strangers.” There was admiration in his eyes.
“I didn’t give up everything, just money.”
“There were people at that party who have more than they can ever spend, and they gave less than you did.”
“Well, I hope you weren’t one of them,” I said with sass, beyond ready to get off this topic. He relaxed, and I did the same. “Tell me about your family.”
Daniel gripped the armrest. “You’ve met my family,” he gritted out, the vault doors slamming shut. “You should get some sleep.” He was much more controlled when he spoke this time, and I didn’t like that. Naturally, I didn’t want to see him hurting or angry, but I didn’t want him to hide from me.
I pushed out of my chair and rounded the desk, stopping beside him. He watched me with wary eyes as I spun his chair so he was facing me. I nudged his legs apart and stood between them, slipping my fist under his chin and tilting his face up, forcing him to look at me. “You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to make my dreams come true, so I’m going to draw the conclusion that you want some sort of relationship beyond this trip.” I stopped and smiled impishly. “That might not be true by the New Year, but it’s safe to say for now.” I turned serious, locking my eyes on his. “I don’t expect the whole enchilada right now, but if you want me, you can’t shut me out. I know I’m practically a stranger, but I have no intention of remaining one. If you keep me at a safe distance, I’m going to be at an unreachable one.”
There was no need to beat around the bush. I knew what I wanted, wouldn’t settle, and it was only fair he understood my expectations. They might not be easy, but they were definitely doable.
“You want me to bare my soul? Tell you all my deepest, darkest secrets?” His voice was laced with sarcasm.
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “I won’t be with somebody who won’t let me know them. I want a partner. I don’t need a body to keep me warm at night. That’s what blankets are for.”
“This is a heavy conversation for a first date,” he said, fingers drumming on the arm of the chair.
