Page 53 of The Duke's Virgin

Although I’d insisted taking over handling Ricky’s salary after I received my inheritance at twenty-one, my car, the one he used as he ferried me around town, had been a gift from my parents, and I stored it at their estate in Tarrytown for the most part. Ricky stayed on salary, but I only needed him a couple of times a week, and there was no point keeping the car in the city for that.

If they were out of town, they wouldn’t even know I’d made use of the Navigator, so no point in making a fuss.

Neither of them had checked in to see how I was, even after I’d sent a text letting them know I’d landed. I’d expected them to be attending an opera, or a ballet, or maybe some speaking engagement by a visiting professor—although nothing too provocative or politically skewed. That just wasn’t acceptable.

Such events made up their Saturday night social plans and had been for as long as I could remember.

Feeling Ricky’s gaze, I pasted a disinterested look on my face. “What is it?”

He said nothing but patted me on the shoulder.

Both annoyed and touched, I turned away, taking care not to let the emotions show on my face as I looked for Luka. He’d gotten a call from his father just as Ricky had arrived, and I’d slipped out to give them some privacy. I knew they’d had a few texts exchanges the evening before but with his parents being three-fourths the way around the globe, the time difference must make for some interesting juggling for them both to be awake.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Luka appeared in the doorway, cellphone in hand, but no longer at his ear.

“Everything okay between you and your parents?”

“Of course.” He gave a polite smile, the distant one I’d seen from him too often, but I decided it was because of Ricky. Aeric was often the same way, friendly in public, yes, but with far more reserve than was his true nature.

After an awkward silence, Ricky stepped to the curb and offered his hand to me. “Miss Stacia.” After I’d joined him, he looked at Aeric. “Your Highness.” He gave Luka that polite, deep nod of the head I’d seen others overseas offer him and Aeric, which made me aware I’d been woefully lacking in…properetiquette, but…well. It was hard to think of him as the next Grand Duke of Luxembourg when I’d been on my knees in front of him, learning the feel and taste of his cock with my mouth.

My cheeks heated and I turned away. “I need to lock up. You can get settled, Luka.”

But when I turned back, Luka was still standing there, hands clasped in front of him, a brow arched.

I sighed because I knew why he hadn’t climbed in. I had no idea if this was a protocol thing or just a gentlemanly thing, but if he was anything like Aeric, he wouldn’t get in that vehicle until I did. He’d done the same thing last night.

I strode quickly to the SUV and Ricky opened the door, giving me a bemused look. Trying to cover, I said, “I never did get coffee this morning. Is it okay if we grab some on the way?”

* * *

Luka saidnothing as Ricky climbed out to get coffee for us from my favorite local shop.

I kept to myself, watching Luka from the corner of my eye as he worked on his phone, fingers flying. If the tension in the air was anything to go by, whatever he was reading didn’t leave him happy.

Ricky returned with three cups. He always surprised me, an old tradition, and I took a sip, making a stab at the concoction as he settled in his seat.

“White chocolate and caramel?”

He winked at me from the front seat. “I’m going to have to start trying harder, Miss Stace. I’ll put the screen up but buzz me if you need anything.” He shifted his attention to Luka. “Your Highness, I have the hospital already programmed into the GPS. Since it’s so early, and on a Sunday, the drive itself should only take about six hours. Just let me know when you’d like to stop for a break or food.”

“Thank you,” Luka said.

The screen went up, and next to me, Luka let out a pent-up sigh, tension evaporating.

“Are you afraid my driver is going to interrogate you?” I asked without thinking about it. The idea amused me, and when Luka whipped his head around to look at me, I laughed. “You’ve been so stiff, it’s like somebody glued a steel rod to your backbone. As soon as the screen went up, you relaxed. You don’t need to worry. Ricky’s harmless.”

Luka lifted a brow. “He’s military-trained and carries a weapon. I assume he also acts as your bodyguard. That’s not what I’d call harmless.”

“Um.” Blood rushed to my face, and I squirmed.

“Your family has money, I take it.”

Now, Ireallywanted to squirm. Squirm, or maybe just crawl into the very back of the vehicle and hide. “My dad’s in finance,” I said vaguely. “You can’t be in finance in New York City without doing well.”

What I didn’t say was that he’d goneintofinance already ridiculously rich and had only gone on to make more for the family, for his clients, often on the backs of people who had little to begin with. I loved my parents, but at the same time, I hated who they were and what they stood for.

“Not a happy relationship there?”

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