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‘I like both.’
‘Very diplomatic.’
‘And true. We always had cats growing up. Maman said we were too busy for a dog, it wouldn’t be fair. But one day I will have one—and several cats too.’ She scratched the top of Tiger’s head again and the feline tilted his head up, eyes half closed, purring under the caresses. Akil felt a stab of something that felt remarkably and absurdly like jealousy.
‘Come on, I’ll show you the rest.’
It didn’t take long to show her the open-plan kitchen and dining room and the small second bedroom he used as an office. They didn’t go into his bedroom; it felt too intimate. Instead he swung the door open to show her the neat room, and he just indicated the bathroom. Clem noted every detail, asking about the photographs and paintings he’d chosen, lingering over his books and greeting them like old friends.
‘I like your apartment,’ she said, leafing through a poetry anthology. ‘But it’s not what I expected.’
‘What did you expect?’
‘Something to match your car, all modern and sleek and styled. This...’ She waved a hand. ‘This feels like a home.’
‘Thank you.’ He tried for light, but he was surprisingly touched by her words. ‘I think so too.’
‘So what’s the plan?’
‘We’re going to be tourists in the city. I hope you’re wearing sturdy shoes. We have a lot of ground to cover.’
She didn’t answer for a long moment, anxiety creasing her forehead, and he looked enquiringly at her.
‘The city?’ she said at last. ‘That’s pretty busy. Is it safe?’
‘Asturia’s one of the safest countries in the world.’
‘I mean for me, for you, for us to be seen together? Won’t people wonder who you’re with? You’re not exactly unknown and in my experience young, single, prominent men attract attention, especially when accompanied by women.’
‘The Asturian press is a lot more respectful of private lives than most of the European press and most people aren’t interested in what politicians do in their own time as long as they’re not obviously corrupt. If I took you to an official event or we were seen together at the races or a regatta or some other society occasion, then we would expect to be photographed and questions asked, but not if we’re just walking around the city. And although you look a lot like your sister, you’re not so alike that anyone would seriously mistake you for her, especially when you dress so casually. We’re safe.’
She exhaled and he saw her visibly relax. ‘Okay, that’s reassuring. In that case what are we waiting for?’
‘You to stop reading poetry.’
She closed the book and carefully reshelved it. ‘Done! Come on, then, let’s go.’
‘After you.’ He held the door open for her to precede him out and closed it behind him, realising how much he was looking forward to the afternoon. To spending time with Clem, to showing her the city he loved. This might only be their second meeting but he was already comfortable with her in a way that was unusual for Akil. His family, his position, his own natural reserve created barriers between him and most people, but somehow Clem had effortlessly battered them aside without him even noticing. This afternoon was supposed to be a favour for Arrosa, a day out for Clem, but it was turning into an unexpected treat for him too.
Clem broke into a skip as she walked through the busy streets at Akil’s side, relieved to be out and about, surrounded by people like a normal person once again. Akil was right, nobody gave them a second look, even though Akil still cut an imposing figure dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt.
Although maybe he wasespeciallyimposing dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt. The grey T-shirt was faded, clearly well worn, but it looked as if it had been expensive, well cut and fitted, clinging to toned arms and showing off the breadth of his chest and shoulders, the flatness of his stomach. His jeans were perfectly cut, riding low on narrow hips and showcasing what she couldn’t help but notice was a very nice butt—she was only human after all—and clinging to muscled thighs.
The sun shone, a perfect Mediterranean mid June day, and she was glad of her sunglasses as it bounced and sparkled off the paved streets, marble pavements and shop windows as she eagerly looked around, drinking in every sight, sound and smell.
The Asturian capital city, Asturia Valle, was a medieval city set in a large valley and ringed by the mountains that made up the bulk of the small country. Beautiful as the coastline was, it was the mountains that lured the tourists in, skiers in winter, walkers in summer, the blue lakes that dotted the valleys and mountain shelfs a magnet for skaters, swimmers and water sports enthusiasts.
Clem wanted to explore every inch of her country. And this was the perfect start. Akil knew exactly where he was going, steering her to one of the tourist booths dotted around the city, where he left her for a couple of minutes, reappearing with a map and a couple of tickets.
‘I’ve got us these,’ he said, handing her one of the tickets.
Clem squinted at it as she made out the small printed words. ‘A one-day city pass?’
‘This gets us in everywhere.’
‘Everywhere?’
‘The castle, the city museum, the zoo, the cable car, the funicular railway, the steam railway, the cathedral, the walking tours, all five of them, discounts at the theatre and the opera house and several restaurants and cafes. Pretty much everywhere.’ His smile was smug, but she had to allow he deserved it. This was a great idea.
