It was Alex’s turn to frown but anything he was about to say was interrupted by one of his team.
“So what do you reckon the chances are we’ll receive permission?”
“As I was saying, although he’s busy sorting out the country he’s inherited—he’s still committed to preserving the environment, and the reef in particular. It could be a big tourism earner for the country eventually.”
“Money!” Lucy scoffed. “It always comes down to money—so mercenary.”
A deeper hush descended on them and Lucy felt a prickle up her spine and a light sheen of sweat bloom over her body. The expression on the lead scientist’s face was one of sheer panic. Alex’s deep frown lightened immediately and turned into a wide grin. The faint rustle of robes turned into the whisper of soft shoes against marble as footsteps moved behind her and up to the chair on the other side of the low table.
Lucy closed her eyes with embarrassment and regret. She hadn’t heard the silent advance of the King and his party. What a way to start. What a way to repay Alex for all his kindness to her. When she opened her eyes she found two bodyguards, standing either side of the empty chair, staring at her disapprovingly. She swung round to see Alex and a robed figure hugging each other, clapping each other on the back. The sun caught the white, silk folds of the man’s robes that fell in undulating ripples from broad shoulders. Then he turned and eyes as dark as chocolate held hers with an intensity and curiosity that took her breath away.
She gasped and studied the floor in panic, as memories of the man she’d met in the night merged with the man who now moved slowly toward her as Alex introduced him to the team, one by one.
He’d known: all along, he’d known that they’d meet again. She’d told him they were meeting the King the next day. So he’d known all along but hadn’t said anything. She recalled the night’s events slowly, as if flicking through photographs, as she tried to remember what had been said, what had been done. But her mind didn’t move beyond the kiss as her body responded just as it had in the night.
She kept her eyes lowered and bowed, just as she’d been told to do. But she couldn’t stop her nostrils flaring to catch the deep leathery tones of his aftershave, so masculine, so reminiscent of the stranger she’d met on the beach. She could feel the King’s eyes upon her, their force keeping her head bowed.
“And this is Lucy Gee, a fellow New Zealander,” Alex said. She looked up to find the King standing before her, an amused expression on his face. “It’s Lucy’s culinary expertise that’s kept us going. She’s a nutrition nut and had us eating all the healthy stuff.’ Alex grinned at Lucy and glanced at the King expectantly. But there were no words of welcome as he’d uttered to the others. Instead there was a long pause during which Alex’s puzzled expression moved first from one amused face to the other, blushing face. It was the amused face that spoke first.
“Welcome to our country, Lucy.” His voice was the same as Lucy remembered and had the same effect, like notes playing softly upon her skin, the vibrations continuing into her body.
“You two haven’t met before, have you?”
“And how could we have done that, Alex?” The King’s lips quirked into a smile and he dipped his head to Lucy before turning away. “Knowing how tight a ship you run, I’m sure Lucy hasn’t had the time or opportunity to leave the boat.”
The King turned away and walked over to the vacant chair, either side of which a bodyguard stood. Now he’d drawn away from her he was entirely the King. She could hardly reconcile the man before her with the man from last night. His power and status were palpable. Besides the guards, there were attendants at all the doors, a secretary hovering near and domestic staff placing refreshments before them.
He waved his hand. “Please, be seated.”
They sat in the ornate chairs and Lucy willed herself to relax. She inhaled deeply but the dry air caught in her throat, making her cough. She glanced up at him, only to discover he was staring directly at her. His dark eyes appeared cold under the harsh light of the reception room, his brow was lowered and the sharp planes of his cheeks fell in shadows to a mouth that seemed more thoughtful than passionate. She immediately lowered her eyes and thanked God for the custom of women keeping their eyes lowered. Normally she would have balked at the restriction, but now? She was intensely grateful for it, as she studied the ancient patterns within the marble floor. She needed time to think and only half-listened to the polite conversation the King conducted with the crew, and the more playful banter he exchanged with Alex.