Chapter 2
Calista shifted to the right, out of the way as the eager crowd surged forward. The interminable conference had finally ended. All she wanted to do now was to head back to her hotel suite and soak in a hot bath! Her back hurt, her legs hurt and even her ankles hurt since she’d had to remain on that stage with her legs crossed demurely at the ankles. She wondered if the rest of the world had any idea how hard it was to keep one’s legs crossed at the ankles like that, never shifting, never changing positions for fear that some enterprising and overly observant photographer, or just some jerk with a cell phone, might capture the instant when her shifting legs revealed something that the rest of the world didn’t need to see.
Men didn’t need to worry about that! Goran had worn slacks to this conference! He’d shifted back and forth in his chair, crossing and uncrossing his legs whichever way he needed to shift in order to be comfortable! The jerk! And now, she couldn’t even get away to relax. She had to stand here, smiling like an idiot while the press yelled out questions to him. Why couldn’t she head out to the vehicle? Why did she have to stand here? It wasn’t as if she had some sort of interest in this conference! In truth, she hadn’t heard anything that anyone had said during any of the speeches. She’d been too absorbed in plotting out what she’d do once she’d told Goran that she wanted to end the engagement. She was also eager to see the furious look in his eyes when she told him the news. Just one little spark of…any emotion!
Of course, he probably wouldn’t be furious. The man didn’t have any emotions underneath that handsome façade, she suspected. Oh, he was intelligent enough. Probably too intelligent! The man didn’t have a heart. He had a calculator where his heart was supposed to be! One that continuously calculated the profits or cost of one thing or another. The man could spout facts and figures unlike anyone she’d ever known! Some might even call the man brilliant.
She called him a bore!
Except for that one, damn kiss!
Smothering yet another sigh, she shifted her clutch purse from her hands so that it was now tucked under one arm. She tried to take the weight off of one foot, but the pressure on the second foot was too much. She really shouldn’t have worn these heels today. She should have worn the other pair that was more broken in. Now she’d have a blister because these shoes were too tight at the toes. Darn it, when was the man going to shut up?! Couldn’t he delegate the talking points to one of his subordinates? Why did Sheik Goran have to answer all of the reporters’ questions?!
Maybe he’d shut up if she flipped one of her shoes towards his head.
Calista banished the thought, because all of her shoes were specially made. Unfortunately, her mental efforts worked for about five seconds. But then Sheik Goran, her “beloved” fiancé, took yet another question from the group of reporters and the image popped back into her mind. What would he do if she just…flipped her foot up? Maybe that was something she’d have to practice at home for future use. She could draw a target on one of the walls in her suite and practice flipping the shoe from her foot to the circle. Of course, she’d have to be careful about which shoes she flipped. She had several “special” shoes, including the pair she was currently wearing. It wouldn’t do to have her special shoes going astray of her target!
The man in question turned and…stared at her. Calista stared back, not sure why he had that startled look on his features but…for some silly reason, the look caused her heart rate to accelerate. She didn’t want that. Calista really didn’t want to feel…anything…for Sheik Goran. All she wanted was to leave this crowded place, have a brief but polite dinner with the man where she gave him the news of their breakup, then drive to the airport where a plane was on standby for her. She’d climb on board, wave to whatever intrepid reporters followed her all the way to the airport, then step into the cool interior of the plane. She knew that her favorite flight attendant, John, would have a chilled glass of white wine ready for her. He’d hand it to her seconds before the pilot started down the runway for takeoff. God bless Johnny! He always knew what she needed!
Unlike some men!
Feeling strange, almost nervous, Calista’s chin went up a notch. Unknowingly, one dark eyebrow lifted as well.
“Your Highness?”
Calista turned, trying to dismiss Goran’s odd reaction, but focused on the nervous woman standing in front of her.
“Yes?” she asked, relieved to have something to do other than stand here alone feeling awkward.
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” she said in a low voice, then she paused to glance nervously at the body guards that were glaring at her. “I just…” she sighed, clenching her hand tightly together. “I was just wondering if you could mention to…” she tilted her head slightly, indicating Goran. “We’re…I…” she stumbled, sighing in frustration.
“Go ahead,” Calista urged, gently touching the woman’s arm.
The woman smiled briefly. “Thank you. You’re very kind.” She seemed to pause long enough to pull herself together. “It’s just that…well, strange things are happening near my town. There are lots of strange noises at night and bit trucks. After what happened in Silar, with the town collapsing and all, I was wondering if…maybe someone could look into the issue?”
Calista tried to hide her surprise with an encouraging smile and nodded. “Of course. Strange nighttime noises doesn’t sound very savory.” Her smile widened towards the woman. “I’ll whisper in a few people’s ears.”
The woman’s relief was apparent on her features and she gushed out, “Oh, thank you Your Highness!” And then she was gone! The woman simply spun around on her heel and hurried out through a side door.
Calista watched, confused because…well, what town? Did the woman live here in Skyla or in Silar? Was the woman asking for Calista to mention the issue to Astir or Goran? And…how many trucks? What kinds of sounds? She glanced at her guards, both of whom shrugged, obviously equally confused.
Calista almost asked one of the guards to go after the woman and get more information, but Goran’s conversation had ended and he was shaking the other man’s hand.
He walked over to her, his towering height causing him to look down at her even though she was wearing four-inch heels. Never mind that those heels might have been tossed against the back of his head. Or that they were now hurting her feet. These heels gave her the much needed height so she didn’t feel so painfully short while standing next to him.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked, his tone one of sardonic…amusement? What the hell did he have to be amused about?
Calista dismissed the strange woman, wondering if she’d just been punked. “Only if you’ve finished all of your business,” she replied, her voice saccharine sweet. Calista added an overly bright smile, batting her eye lashes for effect.
“I’m ready,” he said. Without another word, he shifted so that she could precede him out the door to the waiting limousines. Calista ducked into the back of the limousine and scooted over, leaving at least two feet of space so that there was no risk that he might inadvertently touch her.
Goran gritted his teeth, wishing that he could figure Calista out. When he’d turned around a moment ago to find her smiling, a soft, gentle look to her eyes and a softness around her mouth, he’d been…enchanted once again.
Unfortunately, the lovely expression was fleeting. The blank look quickly descended back into place, but this time, she added in that sarcastic lift of her eyebrow.
He watched as Calista ducked into the back of the limousine and he couldn’t stop his eyes from looking at her derriere. He might not like her personality, but Goran had no issues with her ass! Princess Calista had a damn fine ass! One that he’d like to spank. Hard! He’d love to teach her a lesson, to show her that he wasn’t going to endure those blank facial expressions.
Sighing, he paused before he followed her into the limousine. Goran wanted to growl when he noticed her sitting so far away, but instead, his phone rang and he answered the call.