The Princess and The Chauffeur
by
Arjuna
Copyright © 2010 by Arjuna
Smashwords Edition
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Chapter One
The Chauffeur
THE arrival hall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport wasn’t at all crowded that day, yet Eva couldn’t locate her family driver. Again, she scanned each corner and most faces within her sight. Still, no sign of Jon. He couldn’t be contacted either. And nobody had answered the phone when she called home. Aware that her parents had left for their trip a week ago, she wondered what the maids could have been up to.
An irritated sigh escaped Eva as she dragged her single piece of heavy luggage across the marble flooring. The eight-hour flight from London had left her weary and dehydrated. She drew a deep breath, lips pursed in irritation as her patience ran thin. A cool drink would ease her tension, or better still, a warm bath and her luxurious bed would definitely dissolve her fatigue.
“Excuse me?”
She turned to her side and confronted an unrecognised face. It wasn’t just any face. She blinked, struck by an amazing pair of dark, luminous eyes. They bored into hers, expecting a quick response. Bothered by the sudden increase of her heartbeat, her voice came out frosty. “Yes?”
“Are you Miss Eva?”
The voice demanded attention as well. She lifted her chin a fraction higher. “Who are you?”
He thrust both hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “Adam. I’m here to pick you up.”
Fine legs. Eva lifted her gaze and stretched her neck to glance beyond his frame. “Where’s Jon?”
“Your father took him along.”
“And who are you to my father?”
“No one. I’m Jon’s son.”
Huh? Old, balding Jon has a son looking this hot? Where’s he been hiding?
Their gazes clashed again and Eva’s heartbeat escalated to a new tempo. She glanced away, but for only a moment when he, without further words, bent to retrieve the handle of the luggage still clutched in her hand. His longish hair fell to cover part of his face. Flipping the dark strands back, he straightened and pulled her case away.
Eva remained still, needing to recover from various disturbing elements attacking her at the same time. First, the person himself, and his unaccustomed attitude towards her. Then, most disturbing, was the electrifying effect shooting through her when their hands touched briefly. Her gaze clung to his back as he slipped through the mingling crowd.
Instead of hurrying after his quick strides, she applied more control to hers. They faltered the moment she exited the sliding glass doors.
Humph.
Jon’s blue Honda waited by the pick-up lane.
“What happened to the Merc?” she asked as Adam stepped away from the boot.
He came around and opened the back door for her. “I was told not to touch it.”
Eva rolled her eyes before getting into the car, but not before she stole another glance at him. Somehow, his gaze wasn’t fixed on her.
She had hardly settled in the seat when he closed the door, seeming in a hurry to get away from the surrounding chaos of people getting on or off their transports.
The car soon charged forward. It jumped over a couple of road bumpers.
She dumped her handbag at her side. “Why the hurry?”
“Sorry,” he mumbled to the windscreen.
Eva exhaled heavily and leaned back. Dusk had fallen, and heavy clouds covered the sky’s expanse. She sighed. In addition to coming home to an empty house, a wet journey could be another dreary welcome for her after a month away. Pushing back her due-for-wash hair, she shifted her gaze to her new chauffeur. Her spirit somehow rose, although apart from his good looks, she couldn’t be sure what else could have caused the instant excitement coursing through her.
She scanned his broad shoulders while he drove in silence and wished he would say something. How could I simply trust this stranger? What if he’s a kidnapper? Despite herself, Eva chuckled inside. The thought sounded foolish, although she failed to understand why she hadn’t been told in advance about this arrangement.
As the car surged along the right route, she tried to remain calm, but total relief only surfaced when the tall gates of her home came into view.
The moment Adam parked in the driveway, Eva got out and headed right to the main door. She pressed the bell several times, ready to lash out at whoever opening it. It wasn’t possible that no one had heard the phone.
“Nobody’s home,” Adam said as he opened the boot to retrieve her luggage. After slamming it shut, he came to the door, a set of keys jingling in his other hand.
Eva frowned his way. “What happened to the maids?”
He concentrated on opening the double-lock before saying, “Your mother brought the girl along. Bibi’s having a vacation with her family.” Pushing the door open, he set her luggage inside.
She snorted, kicked off her shoes, and headed straight for the stairs. How am I going to survive without a servant? At the first step, she turned and indicated to her luggage. “Bring it up to my room.” She then climbed up without looking back.
A few minutes later, Adam appeared at her opened doorway and placed the luggage there. “Anything else?” he asked.
Catching a hint of impatience lacing his tone, she turned. Something about the guy seemed to infuriate and charm her at the same time. Others would start to fumble under her steady gaze, but he remained calm and somewhat nonchalant. She wondered about his age, probably not much older than her twenty-one years.
“Just close the door,” she said and turned her back on him.
* * * * *
Eva woke to quiet surroundings. She lay idle for moments before glancing at the bedside clock. 9 a.m. Hmm, still early. She rolled about, stretched and grimaced. Hours of sitting on the plane had tightened her joints. A morning swim would loosen them up, but a major part of her was reluctant to leave the bed. She needed to re-adjust her sleeping pattern. Yawning aloud, she cuddled the bolster and threw one leg over it. Her eyes were about to close again when a splashing sound came from the pool. Frowning, her mind jogged back to the previous evening.
Ah, I have company!
Visions of Adam popped up in her mind and her heart raced, bothered and excited at the same time. Curious, she left the bed, slid open the glass door and stepped onto the balcony overlooking the pool.
Someone was swimming. She watched, fascinated, as his long strokes ate up the pool’s length from one end to the other. After several laps, he climbed out of the water, and she held her breath. Her gaze skimmed his lean form as he stood under the outdoor shower. Wet, dark shorts clung to firm, well-toned physique - not the overly bulging muscular type. She sighed. How come he seems to be equipped with all the things I fancy in a man?
Adam turned off the tap and looked up.
Eva stood rooted to the spot with wild flutters in her heart.
“Morning,” he threw a careless greeting, grabbed a towel and walked out of her sight.
Huh? Who does he think he is? No man had ever ignored her that way - not when she stood there with tousled hair and in her skimpy nightdress. Humph.
She stepped back inside and wondered why his actions bothered her. Her stomach growled, protesting against her intent to jump back into bed.
The smell of coffee wafted from the kitchen as Eva made her way towards it. Adam, looking at home in a white T-shirt, was at the table, reading a newspaper. His still-damp hair looked as if it had gone through vigorous towelling, and obviously had not been combed. Still, the sight appealed very much.
“Hi.” He glanced up just long enough to utter the word before lowering his eyes back to the paper. “The coffee’s still hot.”
“No, thanks.” Taking a glass from the counter, she went to the fridge and poured some orange juice.
“Let me know if you need anything,” he added.
She lifted the glass and took a sip. “Were you in the house last night?”
He flipped a page. “Yeah.”
“Do you stay here with your father?”
“Hmm.”
Eva set her drink on the table and waited until he raised his eyes, then asked, “Since when?”
“Almost a month. Just got a job here.”
“Doing what?”
“Computer analyst.”
Indeed. Eva stepped to the cupboard and retrieved a box of cereal. She returned to the fridge for milk, fetching a bowl and a spoon on her way.
Adam was back to reading when Eva sat across from him. Except for the sound of cereal crackling under cold milk, silence descended between them.
“Have you eaten?" Eva then asked, trying not to be affected by his distant attitude.
“Yup.”
She glanced at the paper. “Any interesting news?”
“Nothing much, just the usual.”
What a situation she had ended up in - to be home alone with some character, who found the usual news in the newspaper more interesting than her. Sighing inside, Eva quickly emptied her bowl and excused herself.
She crawled back into bed and slept for the rest of the day.
The sun had softened its glare when Eva opened her eyes. After a shower and a couple of phone calls to friends, she decided she had enough of staying in for the day. Searching through the big house, she found Adam at the back quarters, facing his computer. She wondered if he ever thought of more interesting things to do.
At the door, Eva paused and cleared her throat. She waited until he turned her way before saying, “I’m going to meet some friends. Can you drive me over?”
His dark gaze clung to her for only mere seconds, yet Eva caught a glimpse of admiration in his eyes. She knew she looked sexy in her body-hugging top and jeans.
“Give me . . . ten minutes,” he said and turned his attention back to the screen.
A reluctant chauffeur. “I’ll be in the hall,” Eva announced and walked away, wondering why she needed him to drive anyway.
A slight uncomfortable feeling bothered Eva as she sat in the backseat while Adam drove, though she kept telling herself to just treat him as a driver. She thought she caught him stealing glances at her through the front mirror and tried her best to remain ignorant.
Reaching her destination, Eva waited and watched as he got out of the car, crossed to her side and opened the door.
“What time do you want me to pick you up?” he asked while she stepped out.
Eva fought a strong urge to reach up and flip those few strands of hair falling over his forehead. "I'll call," she said and hurried away.
* * * * *
Chapter Two
The Attraction
MORNING light beamed upon Eva’s closed lids as she gradually came out of sleep. Scrunching her brows, she forced her eyes open and flinched.
Ugh, someone forgot to draw the curtain . . . .
She yawned aloud and turned her back towards the window. Heaviness settled in her head and vague images crowded her mind. She frowned, before her drooping eyes widened.
I’m in bed? What happened? Her head spun when she tried to recall the previous evening.
She’d been at the club with friends - laughing, drinking . . . lots of drinking. Blurry recollection surfaced - a phone call, and a grim-faced . . . Adam! She remembered him helping her to the car. She remembered being carried up to her room, and . . . God! Lifting her head, she stared at her clothing - a mismatched pyjamas - pink top and cream-coloured bottom.
Did I, or did he?
Stumbling out of bed in an urgent need to relieve herself, Eva stepped on the clothes she had worn last evening, folded on the floor. Her need escalated, she scampered to the bathroom.
The throbbing in her head persisted as she peered into the mirror moments later. Thinking a hot shower might help, Eva undressed. Despite herself, she smiled at the odd combination of her sleepwear. At the same time, heat crept up her cheeks, thinking of the whole process when she had been in his care. Standing under the warm spray, she closed her eyes and let the water soak her hair and body.
A couple of knocks rattled on the bathroom door and a male voice pierced through the drone of pouring water.
“Are you all right? Eva!”
Ah, my attentive chauffeur! Could this be the first time he called her name, or did she hear it last night? Somehow, it sounded wonderfully familiar. She grabbed a towel, wrapped it around her and stepped out of the shower.
Adam stood still for several moments in front of the door when she opened it. His expression was unreadable when he muttered, “Just . . . checking on you.”
She wondered how much of her he had seen, or checked. Her gaze went over his immaculate clothing. “Where are you going?” she croaked.
He averted his eyes. “Work, and I’m running late.”
“Do you have to?”
“Huh?”
Silly me! “Yeah, you have to work.”
“I . . . yes.” A hint of a smile lurked in his eyes before he stepped back. “See you later.” He turned to go.
“Hey, how do I . . . why don’t you leave your number or something?”
Adam paused in his step and fetched a card from his wallet. He left it on the dresser before making his way out.
Eva remained at the spot for moments, clutching the towel to her damp body, which had turned warm all over under his gaze.
What’s happening to me? Do I actually want his company? Come on, Eva. He’s your servant’s son. But why is he so damn attractive, and . . . challenging? Hmm, maybe I’ll just flirt with him for a few days while everyone’s away. I’ll wipe off that cool façade and make him smile!
Eva spent the rest of the morning lounging in bed, chatting on the phone with friends and discussing how she ought to spend her day.
“How about some shopping?” Nina, her close friend of the moment, asked.
She eyed her unpacked luggage by the wardrobe. “I thought we shopped enough in Europe?”
“Okay. Since you don’t feel like going out, I’ll come over and bring a few DVDs then.”
“Um . . . I don’t know . . . I’m still kind of sleepy.”
The vision of Adam before he left replayed on her mind. On another man, his longish hair was at a point it would need a cut. On him, however, it gave a certain male aura. His dark eyes revealed hidden messages; well-shaped lips promised hidden . . . passion? Eva blushed, picturing those lips forming an infectious smile. His pristine white shirt, neatly pressed, refreshed her eyes. The maid wasn’t around, so he must have done it himself. Eva had never held an iron in her life. Striped dark gray tie and matching pants fitted his long legs perfectly.
“Eva! Are you falling asleep on me?” Nina called out.
“Huh? Oh, sorry. Look, I think we have to make it some other time,” Eva said as she spotted Adam’s card lying on the dresser. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
She hung up and strolled over to pick up the card.
“Hello? Eva?” Adam answered the call on the second ring.
Ah . . . nice voice. And her name had never sounded sexier. “Adam, can you accompany me for lunch? Nobody seems to be free today.”
“Oh, um, but I can’t possibly pick you up. The lunch break is too short for that.”
Hmm, still trying to sound cool, huh? “I have a valid driving license, you know. Now, which is the easiest way to your office?”
An hour later, Eva’s sports car crawled to a stop where Adam waited in front of his office building.
He came to her side. “Do you want me to take over?”
She threw him a smile. “I can manage.”
He didn’t argue and soon climbed in, obviously not finding it strange to sit beside her. For the first couple of minutes, they travelled to her favourite restaurant in silence.
Eva searched her mind for suitable things to say. “How’s work?”
“Fine.”
Hmm . . . .
“Oh, your mother called while you slept,” he added.
“Really? What did she say?”
“They might return a little later than planned.”
She sighed and said nothing. Her parents never had much time for her anyway.
During lunch, Adam continued to give short, sensible answers to Eva’s mundane questions, until she decided to pop the one uppermost in her mind.
“Adam, last night,” she paused, “I can’t remember what happened last night.”
He set down his fork and spoon, and reached for his glass. “You were drunk. Your friend called.”
“Oh, um, what happened to my clothes? I mean, did you—” God, my stupid cheeks! She glanced away as heat surged up her face.
He retrieved his spoon, eyes downcast. “They were soiled. Looks like you poured some drink on them. Sorry I just left them there.”
Images of how he had peeled them off her flashed through Eva’s mind again, and her skin tingled. She reached for her iced lemon tea and sucked in a mouthful. Say something, for God’s sake!
“It’s OK. I’ll send them for cleaning. By the way, I need to shop a bit. Do you have to go back to work?” She tried to sound casual.
Adam gave her an odd look. “Of course.”
“Can’t you just take the day off?”
He turned to glance out the window, but not before she caught a smile. A flash of a dimple dented his cheek. She blinked. Oh, my . . . .
“I’m afraid not. Sorry,” he said. She was about to think of the next step when he added, “Maybe later, after work?”
Yes! “Thank you. That’s sweet of you.” She offered her most engaging smile and patted his hand on the table.
* * * * *
Eva brushed her newly washed hair till it shone. The fine, dark brown strands fell in soft layers over her slim shoulders. Her lime green sleeveless blouse clung to her curves, and the soft end of her long black skirt caressed her delicate heels whenever she moved.
Staring at her reflection in the long mirror, she smiled, relishing in her flirtatious mood. She was anxious to see the look on Adam’s face when he saw her. I bet my cool chauffeur will be simmering inside.
She did catch a flicker of admiration in his eyes when she met him downstairs, before the expression turned into a frown.
“I thought you wanted to shop?” he asked.
She, in turn, eyed his black T-shirt and jeans. “I changed my mind. We’re going for dinner instead. Do you mind changing into . . . something more proper?”
“Where are we heading?”
“Eden. I feel like having a fine steak.”
He gave a blank look. “I’ve no idea where that is.”
“Oh, no problem. I’ll show you the way.”
“Fancy place?”
Eva smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll pay.”
He seemed to hesitate.
“I insist,” she added.
Adam shrugged before making his way to one of the guest rooms where he had been told to occupy for the moment.
“We’ll take my car,” she said when he returned a few minutes later and handed him the key.
Eva kept glancing towards Adam as he drove, noting every detail. The short-sleeved, patterned shirt suited him well. She wondered how the skin on his exposed arm felt. She’d been with boys, but never had such a strong urge to touch them as how she felt like doing to this man.
Adam must have been aware of her gaze. He glanced over and offered a slight smile.
She returned it. “You should do that more often. You have a very nice smile.”
He remained quiet and kept his eyes on the road.
She played with the ends of her hair. “Do you have a girlfriend somewhere?”
“No.”
She would have enjoyed more if he were to answer ‘yes’ - another challenge. “Really? That’s hard to believe. I’m sure you know you’re very good-looking.”
He shrugged.
“Come on. I’m sure you have admirers.”
“Why is a beautiful girl like you . . . not with someone?” he asked instead.
Ah, I knew I had him. Smiling to herself, Eva answered, “I just dumped one.”
Eva sensed all eyes on them when they walked into the restaurant. Used to all the attention, it didn’t bother her in the least. She was in fact enjoying it, and now became aware that her handsome chauffeur attracted just as much attention.
Once seated at their table, the waitress handed them the menus. Adam glanced through his before placing it down. “You order.”
She gladly did so, and after the waitress left, asked, “How old are you, Adam?”
He took a moment. “Twenty-five.”
Hmm, just four years older than me. “Are you on your first job?”
“More or less.” He paused again. “How about you? What do you do?”
“Nothing right now, but Papa wants me to continue studying.”
“Of course, you should.”
“I don’t know . . . . Haven’t thought much of what I want to do.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Um . . . I wonder what you think of me?”
“Huh?” Adam lifted his brows.
“Do you . . . find me attractive?” Eva cursed herself the moment those words left her lips.
He gazed into her eyes, causing her to stop breathing. “You need me to tell you that?”
Heat surged up her face. An awkward chuckle escaped her. Despite his indirect answer, her heart lurched, feeling their increasing attraction. Things seemed to be getting out of hand. While she enjoyed playing her game, she needed to make sure to not end up being the one captivated by him. At the same time, she was curious to know how far it would take for her to charm him.
During the drive home, Eva mumbled about being sleepy and leaned back in her seat. Through half-closed eyes, she kept stealing glances at Adam. She couldn’t be sure of her intentions any longer. One thing for certain, he was affecting her in many ways without even trying to. Right now, she had a crazy urge to lean against the warmth of his body. Eyes closed, she yawned and let her head loll to his side. It landed on his shoulder.
He stiffened slightly, but did nothing.
She shifted to a more comfortable position. A little smile lifted the corners of her mouth when moments later, he moved his arm and held her in a loose embrace. With her automatic car, he shouldn’t have had any problem managing it with only one hand. As she snuggled closer, Eva swore she could hear the strong beat of his heart.
Pausing in the hallway later, Eva turned to him and whispered, “Goodnight, Adam.” On impulse, she leaned closer and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before heading for the stairs, feeling his eyes on her back.
The tremors in her knees as she climbed up the winding steps heightened her senses. She couldn’t resist glancing down. Her breath caught as Adam gazed up at her, the expression in his eyes unreadable, yet it left her breathless.
All her bones weakened as she made her way into her room. Leaving the door slightly ajar, she dropped her purse onto the floor and leaned against the wall.
The silence that followed was electrifying. Eva closed her eyes, again trying to figure what was happening to her, and whether she was ready to deal with the outcome.
An eternity passed before she sensed his presence. Too close. Her eyes opened just a fraction to meet his before they closed again as his lips captured hers. His arm circled her waist while his other hand cupped the back of her head.
Eva’s lips parted under the pressure of his. Warm tingles coursed through her body, dissolving her earlier anxieties. Just as a moan escaped her, Adam lifted his head.
“Goodnight.” He released her and stepped back, his eyes bored into hers briefly before he turned and walked out of the room.
Hot and cold tremors attacked her at the same time. She leaned against the wall and called out in a tiny voice, “Adam . . . ?”
“Yes?” he responded from the other side.
“Please stay.” Oh, I’m not letting you go, regardless of whom you are, or what people think.
“Are you sure?” A faint hope laced his tone.
“Yes. I . . . need you.” I want you to be mine; now and forever.
He re-appeared in the doorway. “As much as I need you?” His husky tone matched the expression in his eyes.
She could clearly see them now, and it was too much for her to take. “You do?” she breathed out.
Adam closed the little gap between them. “You have no idea how I wanted to do this, right from the first moment.” He pulled her into his arms and met her upturned, eager lips.
Eva wound her arms around his neck and moaned her response.
He pressed her against the wall as they kissed with renewed passion. His hands moved over her curves, moulding them to his hard contours, sending delicious sensations to every part of her.
Her fingers crept up and became tangled in his silky hair, before her hand, on its own accord, slid down his back and slipped under his shirt. It travelled along his firm flesh, moving towards his chest.
Adam groaned before suddenly pulling away again. “I think I should leave,” he muttered heavily.
Eva’s eyes popped open. Did she hear him right? A cold feeling, much stronger than before, washed over her as she struggled to find her voice. “Y-you said you needed me.”
He looked away. “Goodnight, Eva.”