The Kingmaker

“When you told me last night about the opportunities you have, the one you seemed the least enthusiastic about was the one with the most potential to make money.”

“The lobbying firm.”

“Right. Your priorities, your values have been clear to me in every interaction we’ve ever had.”

We pause to be shown into the belly of the restaurant, the bunker downstairs where winter meals take place. The server takes our drinks order, and we’re left to pick up the threads of our conversation.

“So you think you’ve peeped my values, do you?” she asks, some mischief in her eyes.

“You’re not hard to read.”

“We’ll see. I may have a surprise up my sleeve yet.”

With that bit of cryptic information, our evening takes a turn that blessedly involves lots of food in the form of a four-course meal.

“Wow,” she says over the homemade flaky brown bread. “Everything is so delicious. You’re spoiling me. If this is the first date, what’s your follow-up?”

I sip the excellent Bordeaux that accompanies the meal. “Well, I’ve pulled out all the stops so I can secure a second date.”

“Trying to get lucky, huh?” she asks, bold humor darkening her nimbus gray eyes.

“Uh, not sure what that means exactly.” Lies.

I know exactly what that means. And, yes, I’m trying to impress her. And yes, I hope I get to do all the things I fantasized about. She’s no longer off-limits.

“Hmmm. You were seventeen four years ago. So now that makes you . . .” I pretend to calculate in the air. “Carry the one—”

“Old enough.”

“Old enough for what exactly?”

“For whatever you’re thinking when you look at me like that.”

The sexual tension between us is as sharp and bright as crystals, suspended, reflecting her desire for me and mine to her. I’m mesmerized by the color and the light of it. It burns bright. It burns.

“When I look at you like what?”

“I think you know, but don’t worry,” she whispers, leaning forward. “I want it, too. I’m a girl who knows what she wants.”

“I thought you were the girl who chases stars.”

“What do you think I’m doing right now?”

She wants me, too. I knew that, but to hear her boldly assert it? To not beat around it, no games or pretense, it feels good. It actually feels special, which is dangerous because I’m not sure I can afford special. For the last four years, I’ve been what my father said I could not be—ruthless. I haven’t been ruthless in my treatment of people, or the way my father is in business. I’ve been, and will continue to be, ruthless with myself. The things I want to accomplish are bigger than I am. Bigger than I can even wrap my imagination around. The truths I want to uncover are buried in faraway places. The things I want to sell, some of them don’t even exist yet. The world I want to create for myself, the life I want requires me to be an explorer, philanthropist, inventor, businessman, every man and any man. I’m doing what four generations of Cades did, but on my own. Making something out of thin air. I know I’m capable of it, but it requires everything. I can’t afford distractions or attachments. I don’t do relationships. I don’t do . . . special.

Which is a problem, since I suspect Lennix is the kind of woman I’d want all those things with one day, but right now can’t allow myself to have.

We’re on the boat headed back to the city, and it’s the same as last night. We touch and stare until it feels like I’m coming out of my skin. I want her in ways I’ve never wanted anyone else. Not just under me or on top riding me or in front of me when I pound into her from behind, but with her hair splayed on my pillow. Talking. Laughing. I want to see her in morning-after sunlight. How does she take her coffee? How does she likes her eggs? Does she floss at night?

Really, Cade? Floss?

When we exit the boat and reach the street, I keep her hand and turn her so we face each other.

“I’m fully prepared to take you back to the hostel, but I’d rather take you home. Well, to the place I’m renting because—”

“Yes.” Her assent, though softly spoken, is sure. Not colored by even a shade of doubt.

“Okay.” I stroke her palm. “Then I guess we can—”