Page 34 of Crowned for His Son

‘Then we would have wasted one of the most renowned Michelin starred chef’s entire evening and possibly got ourselves blacklisted.’

There was an arrogant note in his voice that said he didn’t give one single damn even if that had been the case.

She looked around, noting the touches of Asia in the decor. ‘This is a Japanese restaurant, right?’ The name didn’t give it away, but somehow she knew…felt another tingling of…something.

‘Yes. It is,’ he confirmed.

Sensing his keen gaze on her face, she glanced at him. ‘Something’s up. Are you going to tell me what?’

Only the barest lift of his chest gave him away. ‘Is it?’

She sighed. ‘I’m getting that it’s a strategically advantageous tactic to answer a question with a question, but it’s getting old very quickly. Either answer the question or don’t.’

That light she’d noticed when she’d stood up to him before glinted again, and foolishly ignited her own fire.

‘I’ll bear that in mind,’ he said. ‘Ah, here’s our host now.’

Hiding a spurt of frustration, she smiled as the Michelin-starred chef reached their table and bowed from the waist.

‘Your Highness, Miss Moss, good evening. I’m Ike Konosuke. I’ll be personally preparing your meal this evening. Do you have any preferences or allergies?’

Eden started to answer, then closed her mouth, uncertainty making her hesitate. Was it possible to develop allergies later in life?

‘She doesn’t have any allergies,’ Azar replied, slanting her a gaze simmering with intimate knowledge that had heat scything through his cool answer.

‘Very good. Then, if I may, shall I suggest aplateau de bouchéesencompassing the whole menu?’ the diminutive man offered with a smile.

Azar nodded. ‘Everything but thefoie gras. Eden strongly dislikes that.’

Her breath caught, and her eyes snagged on his as the chef departed and asommeliertook his place.

She nodded absently at the offer of champagne, then immediately leaned forward once they were alone. ‘The only way you could know all that is if you’d hacked into my medical records or…’

‘Or?’ he prompted redolently.

Heat consumed her whole. ‘If I told you that when we…’

‘When I had Konosuke flown over to Arizona three years ago and we ate his sushi naked in bed in…inventive ways? Yes. I’m well versed in your preferences.’

If she’d thought she was burning before, she’d had no idea. Every inch of her body was ablaze with the flame of his words.

Fighting not to squirm in her seat, she pushed at the memory he’d so surprisingly offered. ‘That’s why I remember the name of this place?’

‘You declared his food your absolute favourite. All except thefoie gras, of course. An objection to the process with which it’s made, I remember.’

‘Why are you telling me this when you didn’t want to divulge anything before?’

He paused for a second. ‘I read up further on your condition. Your doctor is right, but he may be erring on the side of overcaution. Supplying benign information isn’t detrimental if it nudges your recovery in the right direction.’

She wasn’t sure whether to be surprised and thankful that he’d researched her condition, or sceptical as to his ultimate motive.

The hit of champagne bubbles when she took a sip fizzed alongside the excitement of moments ago, and for good or ill Eden chose the former. ‘Thank you.’

He stiffened, his eyes searching her face. ‘That’s the second time you’ve sounded surprised as you’ve thanked me.’

She froze, clearing her throat when a few bubbles threatened to go down the wrong way. She considered a vague reply, then went with the truth. ‘It’s because I’ve learned that nothing comes for free—especially from influential men.’ She dropped her gaze for a moment, wrestling back her composure. ‘My wariness is inbuilt for good reason.’

He studied her for a long stretch, his gaze completely unfathomable. Then, ‘If there are skeletons to be found, it’s best to air them now rather than later.’

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