Another night, they dined with some business people who wanted to set up a resort in the southern city of his country. As soon as the meal started, Tamara disagreed with the price the men offered for the land. When they started in on the “amazing” jobs that they would bring to the southern city, she couldn’t hold her tongue.
“Do you seriously think that the people in that region will appreciate jobs that will demean everything that they stand for?” she blurted. She didn’t dare look at Jurid.
“Your highness, you don’t understand these things,” one of the businessmen oozed.
She shook her head. “Do not patronize me,” she snapped. “The people in that region have a long history of fishing. The waters are pristine, and the fish the small villages are able to catch are shipped all over the world and are of the highest quality.”
“Yes, but only a few people are able to fish. Our project will bring thousands of jobs.”
“First of all, there are only small villages in that area. They earn a living wage and they are happy. The ‘thousands of jobs’ your resorts propose to bring into that area are low paying, demeaning jobs. Not to mention, the pollution your resorts will bring to the waters, the devastation when you bulldoze the land, which will disturb the estuaries and ecosystems. You call that progress?”
Tamara turned to Jurid. “I won’t stay here and listen to this man talk down to me,” she told him. Standing, she placed her napkin on the chair. “Excuse me,” she snapped, not bothering to use the term “gentlemen” because she didn’t believe that they were. They were swindlers and she despised them.
With her head held high, she stalked out of the restaurant and stepped onto the sidewalk. But before she could lift her hand to hail a cab, Jurid’s strong arm wrapped around her waist. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you are lately?” he murmured, and lowered his head to kiss her neck.
She blinked up at him, stunned and a bit overwhelmed by her outburst. She might have just ruined a lucrative deal for him and the people of his country. She didn’t know the villagers who lived in that area. They might have been excited about the prospect of a resort coming to the town. It might have been a bunch of jobs that could have saved the area. What had she just done?! But she couldn’t sit idly by while someone tried to take advantage of people who didn’t have the power to fight big conglomerates.
“I’m sorry Jurid. I was out of line.” She started to raise her hand to hail a cab. But before she could, one of Jurid’s guards stepped in front of her.
“Your Highness, we have your car ready.”
She turned and looked at Jurid, expecting to find him angry with her. Instead, he seemed…proud. Of her?
“Why aren’t you inside?” she asked.
“Because you told off those investors much more eloquently than I could. Thank you,” he explained and kissed the top of her head. “Now, let’s get out of danger, and into the car.”
He put a hand to the small of her back, hurrying her over to the purring limousine where he waited until she was safely inside before he ducked in as well. “I need you to do something for me,” he said as soon as the vehicle was moving again.
“What’s that?”
He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her thoroughly. “Don’t ever change.”
When he lifted his head, she could barely catch her breath. “What you said back in the restaurant was exactly right. It was right for my country and right for the people in that region. They need someone with your passion to speak up for them. And they need me to protect them against people like those investors who want to rape their village and natural resources in order to make a hefty profit, leaving the villagers in a circle of poverty and dependent on the resort for their income.” He kissed her again. “Thank you.”
She sighed, the tension leaving her at his words. “Happy to help,” she replied, wrapping her arms around his neck.
That night, he made love to her with soft, silken caresses, pulling out every gasp as he ramped their passion higher and higher. When it was all over, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
It was at that moment that Tamara realized something horrible. She was in love with Jurid. The week with him had revealed so much about him. So many things that she’d assumed about him based off of her father’s way of ruling were wrong. She’d made wrong assumptions and, now that she knew the truth about him, about his generous heart, and the equitable way he used his immense power, always thinking of what was best for his people, not to mention the generous way he gave his time to her, making love with her, dining with her and talking with her, making her laugh, debating with her about the various issues close to her heart and just…being a good, wonderful man!
How was she supposed to protect herself from that?
She couldn’t. Tamara loved him. Passionately. Completely. She loved him and loved making love with him. She stared up at the ceiling that night, watching the shadows from the moon dance along the walls, wondering what she should do next. She’d been so adamant that she wouldn’t marry the man, even going to extreme lengths to get her picture in the tabloids dancing with other men! Nothing had worked and now she was in a very awkward position.
Sighing, she rolled over, snuggling against his heat. She smiled slightly when his strong arm pulled her closer. He might be asleep already, but he was still conscious of her, still wanted her close.
Tomorrow she’d talk to him, tell him how she felt and that she wanted to marry him as soon as possible.
With that plan in place, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter 9
The ringing of her phone the following morning woke her with a start. Jerking upright, she looked around, trying to orient herself. This wasn’t her bed. Jurid’s bed. Yes, that made sense. She’d been with him all week and…
Phone ringing. She leaned over, then grabbed the sheet. “Naked,” she whispered to herself. “Always naked in this bed.” She said it out loud, but there was a smile on her face and her body felt…glorious. She always felt amazing after a night with Jurid although…
“Where is the man?” she muttered as she answered the phone.
“Your man is here,” Mike teased. “Remember me? Your fabulous business partner?”
She laughed and leaned back against the pillows. “I have vague recollections of an annoying business partner.”
“Ah, you break my heart, missy.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked, still laughing at their banter. It was nice to have a business partner who was also a friend. She and Mike had a good relationship. It was easy and respectful, but also fun.
“We have multiple issues,” he told her and she could hear papers shuffling in the background. Then he read off several problems and Tamara’s smile disappeared. “Right. Okay, well…” she looked around and confirmed that Jurid wasn’t in the bedroom. Was he already down at breakfast? Usually, he woke her up with kisses…or more…before he left for the day.
“Don’t tell me that you’re still in bed at this hour,” he teased. “You didn’t head out for a fifty mile run this morning?”