Chapter 13
Coral wasn’t sure how Rand would handle all of that. Or what it would mean for them. There wasn’t even really a them. It was awkward in every way. But maybe it was a good way to see if Rand fit in with her as even a friend. Only a precious few could handle all the complications that came with being a royal. Might as well see early on if Rand was one of the few.
He pulled her into a hug. “You still doing alright?”
She hugged him back, the sweet security of his arms around her, the fresh smell coming off his clothes all combined to make her smile. “I am now.” She pulled back. “But you’ve been pulled into some royal nonsense. Please know this doesn’t mean I’ve told them you’re like a boyfriend or something. It’s just, everyone who comes over and might come over more than once, gets the talk.”
He pouted. “And here I thought I was special.”
“Oh, well you are. If you want to be. But special people get additional public relations talks.”
He held up his hands. “I’m not special.”
Coral ignored the ping of hurt. She knew he was kidding. But it hurt all the same. So few lasted long enough to get the special talk.
“Can I finally admit that I was happy to see you walk into Goldstein and Smithson?”
“You were?” She sat up so she could look him in the face. “You were not.”
“I was! I was also unhappy.”
“If we’re being honest?” She crossed her arms. “I was not happy either if you must know. You didn’t call. You just let me go like I didn’t matter. And then. I show up at your law firm? What kind of mess is this going to cause me? I liked this firm.” She fell back against the sofa. “I guess I’m kind of an emotional wreck still. Let’s just stick with happy to see you.”
“I understand. I’ll do whatever I can to make things uncomplicated as far as I’m concerned. You already made sure they don’t think we text each other.” He had questions there. His eyes asked, but he waited.
“I didn’t want to add complications. I didn’t want them to know we know each other any more than we do. It was more a gut feeling than anything. I hope it didn’t cause problems for you.”
“Not yet. But it’s not often easy to hide things from them. They make it their business to know things.”
“Do you hear yourself? Is that normal?”
“I don’t know. They’ve never wanted to know personal things before. And I don’t honestly think they want personal information now. It’s all related to the day and the intruder.”
“True. Let’s hope you’re right because right now this whole thing has me pretty creeped out.”
“Well, I hope you’re hungry. I brought enough takeout for an army.”
“Starving! I wasn’t sure you’d remember.”
“Of course. I’m counting this as the best part of a very weird day.” He pulled out all the different dishes and pieces of the Thai food he brought. They both piled food on their plates, and Coral was happy that Rand sat as close to her as possible.
“Remember before the sharks came?”
She almost choked on her drink. “In the ocean? Yeah.”
“That was nice. The water was perfect. The waves were calm. You were…amazing.”
“It was awesome, wasn’t it? Even after the sharks though.”
He took a huge bite of noodles. And then nodded. “Mmhmm.” He took a large drink. “I loved spending time with you.”
She ate in silence for a moment, wondering why he hadn’t reached out.
“I thought you lived on the islands full time.”
She wiped her mouth.
“And I didn’t want to start something with a woman I knew I would fall for who lived so far away. And was a princess.”
Did he say he knew he would fall for her? “Well, I’m still a princess.”
“You are, aren’t you? That added to the complications last week.”
“And now?”
“Well, now you’re a princess who lives here in my same town and works at my same job…And if I haven’t had a chance to make this perfectly clear, I am very happy about that.”
“I’m happy about it too except when I’m not.”
“But can we just decide to be happy about it tonight?”
She started to nod and then finished it. “Yes, we need something to be happy about.”
They finished up their hot food and then Rand carefully opened up a carton of ice cream. “And now, for the best part of this meal.” He lifted a spoon and scooped out some creamy soft nutty swirls.
“Mmm. I could get into that.”
“I hope you will. Here, try this bite.” He held out a spoonful of ice cream and watched while her lips encircled it and brought it into her mouth. Suddenly the temperature in the room rose. “I think I need another one of those.”
He dipped the spoon in and held out another bite. “I’ll give you as many as you like as long as I can do it like this.” His eyebrow wiggled just a little, just the one, and she decided it was his most charming feature. She scooted closer and opened her mouth. This time he followed the spoon with his own mouth, resting his lips over hers for the briefest moments and then licking his. “Mm. That is good. I’m going to get me a bite.” He filled his spoon again and Coral unashamedly watched him lick it clean.
They finished a pint of ice cream that way and by the time they were done, Coral needed about a gallon of water to cool her thoughts. She smiled to herself. No incoming tide to interrupt them now. Probably best not to start. Making out with your boss on your couch on your first day was not on her list of stellar resume builders. She sat forward and ran her palms down the front of her pants. “Should we talk about all this?”
He tugged at her arm. “Yes.” She was cradled in his arms, looking up into his face before she even knew what was happening. “But I’m not going to be able to think about anything else until I do this properly.” He lowered her face to hers, his lips hovering over hers. “Would that be alright?”
She nodded and then lifted her face to meet his. When his soft mouth caressed hers once, again, softly, tenderly teasing her, all the feelings from the beach came flowing back with a rush of current she was not prepared to handle. Her fingers dug into his arms, and she responded with urgency.
He shifted their position and deepened the kiss, cradling her with his arms and showering her with so many sensations at once all she could do was hold on. Until he slowed their pace and kissed her once more on her lower lip, holding it a moment longer before lifting his face from hers. “Wow.”
“Yeah, really.” She smiled. “I better not think about that when we’re at work.”
He moaned. “Please. Let’s not talk about work right now.”
“Right. Sorry. Kind of on my mind though.”
He sat up, tugged her hand into his and then nodded. “Too true. Okay. Let’s talk about it all.”
Coral needed to make a decision. How much should she trust Rand? And it was very difficult to think clearly about trust after being kissed like she had and being rescued by the man. But she cleared her head. “My team don’t think the two events are related.”
“Would they change their minds if they knew my bag was stolen at the airport?”
“Your luggage?”
“No, my briefcase, with a full docket of files regarding one of our manufacturing clients.”
“And you feel like it was pointed.”
“Absolutely.”
“Hm. Did the intruder try to steal any files from the office?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so? I’m being kept out of the loop on some of this and it’s very frustrating.”
“Why do you think that is? Why you? The guy with military experience.”
“I don’t know. What are you saying?”
“Some of this feels very hushed up.”
“Oh, for sure. The way they handled that whole interview process? Locking everyone in. You’re the only one they can’t totally control because you have your own team.”
“And you say that before I came here, these things didn’t really happen?”
“Not really, at least not that I know about. Though two of our new associates last year left in a kind of hushed up way and moved to the Mediterranean.”
“Anders and Astra,”
“Right. And they seemed to know a lot about Muskanza and some of the suspects involved in the Palisades incident.”
“Do you think Muskanza is involved with the Palisades bombing?”
“Lucan mentioned them, didn’t he? Or someone did. Have you seen anything to indicate they might be a terrorist group?”
Coral’s eyes widened. “Do you think our firm represents a terrorist group?”
“Well, no. But I’ve been kept away from this client and I’ve noticed they assign people to them on a need-to-know basis.”
“Then why me?”
“I think it’s the royal connection.”
Coral pressed her lips together. “They don’t want me talking about this outside of the attorneys assigned to the case, but talking to you doesn’t break any laws. Just firm policy I guess.” She breathed out slowly and then shrugged. “But I need to talk it through with someone so here goes. I’ve seen nothing suspicious yet.”
“But it’s your first day, and a distracted one at best.”
She held up a finger. “Except. They have a very detailed, very intricate manner in which to hide their money.”
“Hide?”
“That’s a leap. But I don’t know. The foreign accounts, the multiple numbers, names. It’s all legal, but it seems odd to take such great lengths unless you have something to hide.”
She turned to face him. “Otherwise, these guys are completely boring. I mean. Copy machines. Office supplies. A few dips into tourism and fun.”
“What? Like what?”
“I don’t know. Like a moped rental business. Wave runners. That kind of thing.”
Rand sighed. “Then why keep me so completely outside of that particular client?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll learn more as I go. But if they’re shady, do I want to know? Then I’m bound to keep their secrets from the law.” She pulled her sleeves over her hands. It helped her think. “But why are we even suspicious of them?”
“Oh, just because of something Lucan said. And the fact that they are so shrouded in secrecy around here.” Rand sighed. “I might be making something out of nothing. It’s a sore topic with me.”
“What do you know about today’s attack?” She flicked her fingers over his phone.
“Just that he locked the security team away. He had free reign over the place and no one was doing anything about it. Shots were fired. But no one was injured.”
“Is he taken into custody?”
“Yes, and he is most definitely behind bars.”
She breathed out. “I won’t feel safe until we know for sure it wasn’t targeted toward me.”
“I just can’t see that being the case.”
“There are a lot of psycho people in the world with issues and problems with royals.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“We aren’t going to solve this tonight. But I’m happy we have a secure line and a safe house. Should we meet at least once a week to talk about any developments?”
“And get dinner and maybe dancing sometimes or the local bar?” He winked. “Sure!”
She shoved him gently. “You feel like I’m asking you out?”
“Aren’t you?”
“Well, now that you mention it, I did see it as a plan with multi-faceted benefits…”
“Oh, did you? And what were some of these?”
Men’s voices interrupted. Paul, her head of security peeked his head in the door. “We have some interest in Rand’s car out back. We’ll watch the situation, but they have had access to it.”
“Enough access to plant something dangerous?”
“Maybe not that much, but a tracking device or a bug? Sure.”
“Thank you, Paul.”
He dipped his head and his voice could be heard down the hall.
“Do you have any sort of security at your place?” Coral bit her lower lip.
“Not really. I sleep with my gun.” He shrugged. “I’ll be alright.”
She shook her head. “Not tonight. Not with your car now needing a thorough sweep. Stay here.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You, Coral, are a fast woman.”
“Oh stop. You can have the corner bedroom. All by yourself.”
“That just sounds lonely.” He pulled her into a hug on the couch. “Thank you. I’d love to stay the night. But I’ll be fine at my place.”
“Just this one. Please. I won’t sleep unless you do.”
He hesitated and then nodded. “If you let me make breakfast.”
“Deal.”
“I make a mean omelet.”
“I only like nice omelets.”
“You’ll like this guy. He’s grumpy but his inside is soft and gooey.”
Coral wondered if he was describing himself a little bit. “Are you going to change personalities at work?”
“Probably.”
“Hm. You’re like your omelet then?”
“I can’t be showing you any favoritism.”
“I guess not, but maybe a little?”
He laughed. “Not even a little.”
She snuggled closer into him. “It’s still early but I can’t think about cases and files. Do you care if I put on a mindless movie?”
“That sounds perfect.” He put his arm around her and rested his head on hers. Within about thirty seconds, she was breathing heavily and asleep.