Royal Opposites Read online

  Joan bristled at the question. That part was none of his business. She was already embarrassed at the hole she’d dug herself. She didn’t need to lay out the gory details for a complete stranger. The man must be a mind reader. He reached out and covered both her hands with his. The heat from his hands contrasted with the iciness of the glass and claimed her full attention.

  “I don’t mean to pry. I’m just trying to get a handle on their game.” Joan relaxed. Well as much as she could with his gentle touch warming her to levels she didn’t quite understand. “One hundred eighty-‐-six dollars and twenty-‐-four cents.”

  Because their hands were linked, she felt him tense before she noted the tight lines that framed his mouth. “Eight hundred for twenty-‐-four months?” His brows shot up. “So you paid them over nineteen thousand dollars when you owed under two hundred at the beginning.”

  Joan shook her head. “Nineteen…? No. I doubled up on payments to get rid of the debt faster.” She wanted to grin from ear to ear at his nod and look of approval. Somehow, she managed to keep her expression neutral. “It was a little under seventeen thousand to pay them off.”

  The tight lines around his mouth returned. “Almost a fifty percent interest rate. How do they manage to get away with that?

  Maybe ten or fifteen percent of what you owe, but not fifty.”

  “Now that I think about it, I’m not positive I owed the two thousand to begin with. It’s a ludicrous amount of money and it would take me ages to spend so much. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, I think they held my deposit on purpose.”

  She watched his lips quirk like something had just amused him, but she couldn’t for the life of her imagine what. Before he could share what he was thinking, the waitress interrupted. The woman was all smiles and with a trim figure that Joan could only imagine for herself. And that was if she were having a good day.

  She wasn’t sure today qualified.

  The woman placed a glass of what appeared to be cranberry juice in front of the man and refilled Joan’s glass. She smiled at their linked hands on the table and winked at him. “It’s about time you brought in a dining companion. I was beginning to worry about you.”

  Joan felt her face flush and tried to pull out of his grip. To her astonishment, he held on tight. “Well, Molly, I most humbly apologize for any sleepless nights I may have caused you.”

  The woman snorted. “I didn’t say all that, Tom.”

  Joan didn’t know why, but it surprised her to hear him laugh at the waitress’ reaction. He didn’t appear to be annoyed at all.

  “Are ya’ll ready to order?” She swept a lock of black hair from her forehead with her left hand. That was when Joan got a glimpse of the diamond ring on her finger. Hmm. Maybe Tom’s lethal smile didn’t work on all women. The moment she recalled the name Molly had called him, Joan realized they’d never even introduced themselves. Yet, here they were holding hands like a couple of lovebirds.

  Joan noticed with a start they were both looking at her.

  Molly had her pen poised over a pad ready for her order. Tom watched her with an expectant look in his eyes. They must think she planned to stay for dinner. While she’d been waiting for him, she checked out the prices to factor into her budget next month.

  This month, however, she didn’t have a spare dime because she’d allocated every penny to the final payment and now she was also on the verge of some serious late fees from the stupid loan she’d taken. No, she was going to get Tom’s e-‐-mail and get herself home.

  “I think we need another moment or two, Molly. Thanks.”

  The waitress nodded and headed off to check on other customers while Tom turned his attention back to Joan.

  She needed to conclude their business and be on her way. So she said, “I’m Joan.”

  Tom frowned at the non sequitur so she continued, “Molly used your name and I realized we never introduced ourselves so I’m…” “…Joan,” he finished for her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Joan. I do hope you’re not thinking of running out and leaving me here to dine alone. Molly will never let me live it down.”

  “In all honesty, I was just hoping to run into you to give you the video I shot and then be on my way. If you give me your e-‐-mail address I’ll send it to you tonight.” She pulled out of his grasp and gestured with the camera case. “I think you have a pretty good claim to file against the bank. This footage will help.”

  “How did you know to find me here?” he asked. His eyes took on an intensity she had yet to see from him in their brief acquaintance.

  “It’s like this. I’ve kinda seen you around. Here, in fact. So I took a chance…” She trailed off with a shrug.

  “That’s it? What if I didn’t show?”

  “I’d have seen you sooner or later. I would’ve asked for your e-‐-mail then.”

  Tom stared at her for a long moment. At last, his serious expression gave way to that lethal smile of his. She must have passed whatever test he’d given her. She made no excuses, she knew she’d gone through one with a certainty she rarely felt.

  “You’ve gone through so much trouble for me. The least I can do is treat you to dinner.”

  She shook her head. “You need to conserve your funds. I have a feeling this little incident is going to get worse long before it gets better. You’ll need something to get you through.”

  He tilted his head while he studied her. Without taking his eyes off her, he signaled Molly. “I have other accounts.” Molly arrived with a pen at the ready. “We’ll start with the Bruschetta and Caesar salad. For the main course, we’d like a sampling of the jerk chicken, wild salmon enchiladas and turkey meatloaf to share.

  We’ll top it off with the apple crisp and vanilla ice cream.”

  Molly gave them a big grin. “You got it.”

  Joan stared at him with one raised eyebrow. “You’re not at all worried about your bank problem are you?”

  “Not at all. It’ll get worked out. To my benefit, in fact.”

  Joan chewed on the straw in her tea. “I so hope those aren’t famous last words.”

  Chapter Three

  Tom leaned back on the bench and rested his arm along the top of the booth. He couldn’t believe how much he was enjoying Joan’s company. Maybe he should’ve sought her out months ago.

  He would love to keep in touch with her once he left, but he was pretty certain he wouldn’t have a lot of time for himself. Once he returned home, a myriad of duties would fall on his shoulders. Not the least of which was parceling out loans to the thirty businesses he’d targeted for expansion around the city of Santa Monica. Still, that wasn’t going to stop him from enjoying today.

  “You’re not afraid of anything are you?” he asked when she wrapped up the story of how she’d been lost in the Santa Monica Mountains overnight.

  “Are you kidding me? I was terrified. I’ve never been so glad to see dawn in my life.” She nibbled on the remains of their apple crisp and he reveled in the satisfaction of sharing a meal with an appreciative woman. Not once had she wrinkled her nose at the dinner he’d ordered. Since he’d just met her and didn’t know her tastes, he’d wanted to provide a variety of foods for her to sample.

  Between the two of them, they’d managed to polish off everything.

  He did have to admit, he’d done most of the polishing. Still, she’d held her own. He remembered their brief spar over the last bit of the jerk chicken with fondness.

  “What are you thinking over there? You’re looking very satisfied with yourself.”

  “I am?” He affected a blank look.

  “You know you are.”

  “Maybe I haven’t had dinner with such an engaging companion in a very long time.”

  She rolled her eyes like she had every other time he’d given her a compliment then brushed it off. “Whatever. You’re very kind for letting me chatter away like this.”

  “Your chatter is enchanting.”

  Her eyes rolled a
gain and he smiled. Yes, he would have quite enjoyed getting to know this woman better. If only he’d met her back in his wild oats days. They could have had some great fun together. Now, however, the next woman to join him in his bed would be his queen, the way custom dictated, at the conclusion of his year away. The thought didn’t bring him much joy. He speculated that it was because he didn’t know who his queen would be.

  Would she be as delightful to dine with as Joan? Would she keep him mentally on his toes? Would she agree with everything he said just because he said it? Would she have a mind and personality of her own?

  He hoped with great fervor the answers to all those questions would be yes. He hadn’t even returned home, yet, but he was already feeling pressed for time to meet and woo the woman who was to become his wife since the wedding was already scheduled for three months’ time.

  “Apparently not so enchanting that you don’t space out on me.” “I blame the food. I believe I ate way too much.”

  “I think you did, too.”

  “Are you calling me a pig?”

  “If the snout fits.”

  He chuckled and was searching for a suitable reply for her clever retort when his cell phone rang. He longed to hit ignore on the device and continue their banter, but the ringtone was the one assigned to his mother. For a woman who was as technically challenged as she claimed to be, she sure managed to figure out how to download ‘God Save the Queen’ and load the ringtone on his phone. Then she’d assigned it to herself. When the woman put her mind to something, nothing could deter her.

  “Excuse me a moment. I must take this.” Tom waited for Joan’s nod then answered the call. A small part of him hoped it would go to voicemail first; however, he wasn’t quite so lucky. He had the sneaking suspicion his mother had also managed to change the number of allowed rings for her calls.

  “Hello, Mother.” He watched Joan’s reaction and was a bit relieved when she seemed to relax again. He’d noticed how she’d tensed up before nodding her permission for him to answer the phone. “Tomas, where are you? Are you in the air, yet?” Tabitha Josephina du Bacoeur’s smooth contralto held the slightest tinge of expectancy that made him smile. She’d told him years ago he’d always be her little boy and she’d worry over him always. After being away from her for an entire year, he could imagine how excited she’d be to see him. He tried not to let on, but the feeling was mutual.

  “I’m still in Santa Monica. I had some business to wrap up today.” He rubbed his temple when he remembered how well that wrapping up had gone. “I’ll be on the first British Air flight leaving in the morning.”

  “Darling, if you fly commercial it’ll take you forever to get here. Why don’t I send the jet?”

  “That’s quite tempting, Mother, but I have one final company to vet. I’ll be there soon.” He smiled at Joan signaling he hadn’t forgotten her.

  His mother heaved a heavy sigh before saying, “Very well, my darling. If you must, you must.”

  Tom frowned. “Is there something you’re not telling me?

  Some reason I should rethink my itinerary?”

  His mother laughed, but he could tell it was forced. “Have you heard news of Marlachina?”

  If he hadn’t been puzzled before, he was now. Was his mother trying to warn him that his nemesis had indeed gotten wind of his plans? No. That didn’t make sense. His mother had never believed how manipulative the younger woman could be.

  “Now that you mention her, please give my regards to Marlachina.

  You may let her know I’ll be home soon if you wish.”

  He heard his mother’s relieved breath rush out of her lungs.

  “I most certainly will.” Oh crap. That had been the wrong thing to say. His mother had made no secret of the fact that she’d like the two of them to marry. “And, Tomas, she has announced her engagement.”

  Tom couldn’t stop his eyebrows from shooting up in surprise under the lank of blond hair he’d have to cut once he was again on Rafferstonian soil. He shuddered to imagine what the poor bloke was in for once he said, “I do.”

  “In that case, add to my message that I will be delighted to give her away.” His mother went silent. He gave her a moment to compose her thoughts before pressing the point home. “And, Mother, be certain to say ‘delighted’ when you speak with her. So there’s no misunderstanding.”

  “Are you sure, Tomas? The wedding isn’t for another few weeks. You would have time to”—”

  Tom smiled. “Excellent. That’s plenty of time for the tailors to prepare a new suit for the occasion. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, my son.” She hung up the phone. Tom took his away from his ear and regarded it for a moment. So Marlachina was getting married. He hoped the nuptials would mellow her out a bit so she no longer had the time to meddle in the affairs of his state. Except, if she was busy planning a wedding, then who was behind the scene in the bank?

  “Whoever this Marlachina is, I don’t think I’d want to be in her shoes. Judging by your expression, she isn’t that well liked.”

  Joan’s observation startled him out of his disturbing thoughts. Tom tucked his phone away in his pocket. “If you were to look up royal pain in the neck, you’d behold her picture.”

  “I’m sure she can’t be all bad.”

  “Perhaps, but she’s trying quite hard to get there.” Suddenly restless, Tom slid out of the booth. He tossed several bills on the table he knew would more than cover their meal and give Molly a generous tip. Even though this was one of the businesses he expected to partner with once he returned home, this would be his last quiet meal here. It would never again be otherwise with the kind of entourage the king required.

  Joan looked at the money then back at him. “Are you sure I don’t owe you anything?”

  The question caught him off guard. Every woman he’d ever shared a meal with had expected him to pay, no questions asked.

  Of course, they understood their dinner companion was the crown prince of Rafferstonia from the beginning. Since he’d kinda left all mentions of royalty out of their conversation, Joan didn’t have a clue. Tom smiled.

  “Dinner is the least I can do. After all, you did”—”

  “I did not save your life.” She interrupted. “At most, the guards would’ve tossed you out on your ear. Bruised your pride a little, maybe, but not kill you.” She slid out of the booth before he could offer her a hand up. When she stood he was fascinated to note that the top of her head reached his shoulders. Her personality made her seem so much bigger; he marveled her body could contain it all. “So please stop saying that,” she finished.

  It took him a minute to remember what they’d been talking about. When his brain caught up, he gave her a small bow and said,

  “Your wish is my command.”

  Some more customers crowded into the restaurant with the pre-‐-dinner rush so Joan and Tom had to press their way outside.

  On the sidewalk, she turned to him and said, “You still haven’t given me your e-‐-mail address so I can send this video to you.” She gestured with the camera case in her hand. She also had the strap around her wrist to lessen the chance of losing it and a canvas bag on her shoulder he hadn’t yet noticed.

  “Let me see you to your door. Once you’re safely inside, I’ll let you know how to contact me.”

  “That’s not necessary. I don’t live far.” She gestured in a vague direction away from the water.

  “Perfect. Neither do I.”

  ****

  Joan studied Tom’s earnest face. Letting a strange man walk her home wasn’t something she was accustom to doing. However, she’d enjoyed his company this afternoon, and if that phone call could be believed, he was leaving the country tomorrow. Couldn’t get any safer than that. If she were wrong about him, she still had some untried booby traps up her sleeves, leftover from when she lived in her last apartment complex with its smarmy owner.

  “Suit yourself. It’s this way.” She set off to lead t
he way, but he fell in step beside her. Sometimes he’d pass her while they walked and talked and laughed. She upped the ante and passed him right back. It surprised her how comfortable she felt with the man. It was almost like they’d known one another forever.

  “Man, you walk fast,” he panted and tried to keep up the breakneck pace at which they were walking.

  Joan frowned, “Me? I’m trying to keep up with you.”

  “Well, I’m trying to keep up with you.”

  “Fine. We’ll both slow down.” The two slowed to a more reasonable pace. When they got to talking again, the pace sped back up.

  “See? You’re the one walking fast,” Joan pointed out with a smirk. “I’m walking fast because you’re walking fast,” Tom retorted and slowed down.

  “I’m walking fast because you’re walking fast,” Joan said with a grin. They tried to keep the pace slower, but ended up speed walking again the moment they stopped thinking about it. Before long, they were both laughing uncontrollably and trying to keep up with one another.

  A bit winded, Joan pointed to her street. “I’m right over there.”

  “Good. Because you’re wearing me out.”

  “I’m wearing you out? You’re the one doing the Speedy Gonzales impression.”

  They laughed halfway down her block and turned into the driveway. Joan stopped in her tracks once the large guesthouse she called home came into view. Her porch light was on. It was a rare occasion that she turned the thing on during the night and she never had it on during the day. Was someone in her apartment?

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” Tom asked, watching her face.

  Maybe she’d hit the switch on her way out the door. She gave Tom a smile. “Nothing, I…” She frowned when she saw something move past her window. “Someone’s inside my place.”

  Tom’s head swiveled to look at the building. “What?”

  “I just saw someone walk by the windows. I didn’t think I left that light on.”

  “We have to call the police.” Tom pulled out his phone to dial. Before he could press the third number of 9-‐-1-‐-1, a man shoved her door open and stepped out on the porch. Joan’s jaw dropped when she recognized the man. It was the skinny guard who’d accosted them at the bank earlier.