“I drive a very sensible Toyota Prius. It gets excellent gas mileage!” she replied proudly.
He chuckled as her adorable expression shifted slightly. “That’s a good car,” he replied. “What color?”
“Black,” she sighed. “The Prius gets excellent gas mileage, but it isn’t sporty. I thought that the black color would make it look sexier. Maybe even encourage it to be a tough little bully while driving to work every day.” Her lips twisted, then she laughed. “It didn’t. The little guy is good, but he’s not going to outrace the BMWs on the road pushing all of the other cars around.”
He almost laughed at her description. “You would prefer to drive a BMW?”
Once again, Faye laughed, shaking her head and causing her hair to shimmer in the overhead sunlight. “No. Not a BMW.”
“What is your favorite vehicle?” he asked, thinking he could order one and have it delivered.
Unfortunately, Faye simply shook her head. “I’m not really into cars. All that’s important to me is fuel-efficiency. Save the environment and all that.”
Zantar grunted, wondering if she was telling him the truth.
But before he could question her further, she asked the next question. “Tell me the strangest thing that’s on your bucket list.”
Zantar stared at her with confusion. “What is a bucket list?”
Her mouth fell open. “You don’t have a bucket list?” When he merely lifted an eyebrow, she continued. “It’s just a list of things that you want to do before you die. Some people put sky diving or traveling to various countries, learning a foreign language…things like that.”
He didn’t have a bucket list. Since he’d already been to almost every country in the world, or at least the ones that he wanted to visit, plus several that he’d be very happy to never see again, that possibility was knocked off the list. He also spoke several languages fluently, rode horses better than most, had gone through military training that had led him through both jungles and deserts as well as other insane environments. He knew how to jump out of planes, could even fly the plane as well as helicopters and…hell, he had no idea what he wanted on his personal list of things-to-do. Then he realized exactly what he wanted.
“I want to find a woman to marry and have a large family,” he stated succinctly, thinking that having children, specifically with Faye, would be a pivotal moment in his life. As soon as he had the thought, he knew that he wanted that more than anything else in the world.
Her smile faltered slightly, although Zantar had no idea why. But she merely said, “That’s a very nice goal.” She glanced at her cell phone and sighed. “I’d better get to the museum.”
He stood as well, then stalled her hand when she reached into her cotton bag to pull out money. “I will pay for the coffee this morning,” he assured her. “Will you have time tomorrow to show me your work at the museum?”
Her hand pulled out of her bag, but he could see the indecision in her eyes. He wanted to warn her that she needed to get used to him paying. After yesterday’s surprise handful of coins, he knew that he’d never allow her to pay for anything with him again. Hell, he wanted to tell her to move out of her rental space, quit her job and he’d find an apartment for her! Even better, he wanted to claim her, bring her back to his private quarters within the Citran palace and make love to her until she finally agreed to marry him so that he could make every one of her personal bucket list items a reality.
But he doubted Faye would allow that. She seemed like a very independent sort of woman and putting her up in an apartment reeked of “mistress”. Even he didn’t like what that implied.
“You want to see the paintings I’m studying?” she asked, her voice hesitantly excited.
“I would sincerely enjoy discovering anything that puts that excitement on your features,” he told her.
“Oh!” she grinned, shifting, then looking to the right then the left before looking at him again. She cleared her throat, staring at his chest. “I would be honored to show you my work. But I’ll have to check with the museum director. Syid Latro is a very capable director, but he’s also careful about who he allows into the museum. I don’t want to impose on his generosity by bringing a stranger into his museum. Especially since he’s allowed me access to the back areas where there isn’t as much security.”
“Give me the name of the museum and I’ll speak with Syid Latro to assure him of my altruistic intentions.” He actually didn’t have an altruistic bone in his body when it came to Faye. No, his intentions were much more…basic. Carnal, even. And yet, he also wanted to ensure that she was safe. It was a very odd sensation, he thought. One he wasn’t used to, but he liked the idea of protecting Faye from the harsh world.
“No!” she gasped, shaking her head again. “That’s okay. I’ll speak with him today as soon as I arrive. No need to bother yourself when I’ll see him in a few minutes.”
He moved closer, not liking the nervousness that had entered her voice. “Which museum, Faye?” he asked, his voice lowering in an effort to convey his authority.
Unfortunately, he’d forgotten that Faye ignored his authority. Her light laughter stunned him, but not nearly as much as the touch of her hand on his chest. He was so surprised by her soft fingers, even through the layers of his suit, vest, and shirt, he couldn’t speak for a long moment.
“Don’t be silly,” she told him, pulling her hand away. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Yes,” he growled, wanting to say something more, but before he could get the words out, she had already skipped away.
“I look forward to tomorrow then!” she called and almost danced down the sidewalk away from him! Damn her, she had no idea who he was!
Then he realized what had just passed through his mind. She had no idea who he was. She was interested in him. Not his title or his power. Just him!
The surge of lust that thought engendered inside of him caused him to almost smile. Almost! She’d still disobeyed him! He’d definitely have to remove that inclination from her personality, he told himself as he moved to the line of SUVs that pulled up moments later.
But even as he pulled the door closed, he stopped his thoughts. He didn’t want Faye to be like all of the other women who had traipsed through his life. He loved her free spirit and the way she trampled over his authority. No, he wasn’t going to get rid of that inclination. But it was time to step up his plan so that he could stop her disobedience in a much more delightful manner.