Page 22 of Redemption of a Prince

“Thank you for accommodating the change in travel plans.” He smiled at her, something he’d done more readily over the week they’d been working together.

“I was almost ready when you called.”

“Of course.”

Was that a smirk he tried to hide on his face? “I was! Maybe not as ready as I would have been ten minutes from now, but almost is an accurate description.”

This time the smile widened. “I believe you.”

The security team member handed Nikki her attaché case before taking his spot in the passenger seat.

“Were you planning to work on the way up?” Ezekiel asked her.

“It’s a two-hour drive,” Nikki replied as she pulled her tablet out. “And it is a work day.”

Using the Bluetooth pencil paired with her tablet, she jotted a note about the main resort in the notes app, something she’d thought of overnight.

When she pulled up the contract she needed to review, Nikki heard Ezekiel stifle a sigh then dig a folder out of his bag and start to read through some papers.

It was best if she ignored him. Her heart had been broken in more than one way the last time they were in a relationship.

Given their shared past, this certainly wasn’t the time to try to start a new one.

As much as she hated it, there would never be a good time.

6

The first ninety minutes of the drive were more or less silent. Zeke kept his eyes focused on the contract as much as possible, but found himself staring out the window far more often than actually reading.

Fortunately for her, Nikki seemed to be focusing much better than he was.

As they started to drive through the mountains, Zeke noticed a few snowflakes starting to fall.

He turned back to his contract but couldn’t focus.

When he checked out the window again, the flakes were coming down with more intensity.

Zeke leaned forward. “How bad is this storm supposed to be?” he asked the security team members escorting them.

“Storm?” That got Nikki’s attention.

“Just a few flurries, sir,” one of them replied. “Nothing to be concerned with.”

“Thank you.” He wondered if the weather was part of the reason the departure was moved up - just in case - but he trusted his team.

The rest of the drive continued in silence, until they reached the gate.

Nikki put her tablet away and leaned as far to the side as she could, taking in the columns and as much of the rest as she could.

“This is so cool,” she whispered.

The gate opened and the SUV continued up the drive.

When the house came into view, she whistled. “I’ve seen photos, but they don’t do it justice.”

Zeke leaned toward his window and looked at the imposing structure nearby. He’d been visiting a couple of times a year his whole life. Compared to the palace, it wasn’t very impressive at all, but he tried to be objective.

“I love it here,” he told her. “Of all of my family’s homes, it’s my favorite.”