The Billionaire Princess (6 page)

They both remained silent while a waiter presented them with their drinks and promised to return when they had made their dinner choices. So far neither had spoken much beyond the general pleasantries.

“You said you wanted to know more about David's education plan,” Sara said kicking off a real conversation.

He tried to maintain eye contact.  No easy task tonight.  A stray piece of her golden blonde hair had escaped her elegant
updo, and it kept brushing against her collarbone.  His fingers itched to brush the hair away and tuck it back behind her ear.

At the sound of her voice, Christopher’s eyes flew away from the teasing strand and back to her face.  “Yes.  When we played golf he mentioned that he'd put together a new initiative merging technology and education and that it would soon come before the Senate for a vote.”

“It's a multifaceted plan for improving public education by promoting science, engineering, and technology in our public schools in a variety of ways.  First he wants to get the latest technology into schools at all grade levels, whether it's a small school in Greenwich, Connecticut or a large inner city school in Detroit.  At the same time, raise the current standards used in schools.” 

The minute she'd mentioned the words education, science, and engineering his interest had been piqued.  Yet the way her eyes literally came alive as she spoke and the excitement coming through her voice only pulled him in further.  If it hadn't been for his love of science and computers, he'd be just another guy from Wisconsin.

Sara leaned forward in her excitement as she continued to tell him about the plan, giving him an excellent view of her cleavage.  A fact she probably didn't realize and he one he had no business noticing.  Still he did. Any man in his position would.

Look away.
Reaching for the menu he hadn't looked at, he opened it.  He already knew what he wanted.  The restaurant was one of his favorites in the city, but the inside of the menu gave him something other than Sara to study. 

“Have you decided on what you're having?” Christopher asked when Sara paused in her explanation.

He almost sighed with relief when she leaned back in her chair and reached for her own untouched menu.

“No, not yet.
  Is there anything you recommend?”

“Everything is great, but they outdo themselves when it comes to seafood.”

“Then I'll have to go with the shrimp scampi,” she said just before the waiter returned.

Throughout dinner they discussed the new education plan.  The more she told him about it, the more he felt it was something he could get behind and support.  “When you get back to Washington let David know he has me on board.”  Christopher rested an elbow on the edge of the table.

A full true smile, not one of her society smiles, spread across Sara's face revealing a tiny dimple in her check.  “Excellent.  I think you'll be the perfect spokesperson for it.”

He didn't know how much Sara knew about him, but nearly everyone in the world knew he'd come from an average background and turned himself into a technology billionaire.

“I'm surprised he didn't tag you for the role.” With her excitement for the plan and her recognizable name, she'd make an excellent spokesperson.

Sara's smile disappeared.  “He did but I refused.  It would feel like I'm using the
Sherbrooke name to get it passed.  I plan to make my own way in DC without relying on my family name.”

He understood her reasons, and admired her for her determination. 

With the topic of the new bill exhausted for the time being, he turned his thoughts to other possible topics for conversation while they waited for dessert.  “How did your mom handle the news when she learned about Jake's wedding?”

Sara's delicate shoulders rose and fell causing the stray piece of hair to sway back and forth, taunting him.  “I haven't talked to him.  But I don't think he has told her yet.  If he has she hasn't called me.  But he should tell her soon before the media gets wind of it.”  Sara paused as the waiter appeared with their desserts.  “I don't envy him.  I wouldn't want to tell her either,” Sara said with no hint of humor in her voice.

He smiled despite the seriousness in her voice.  “You and me both.  I have to confess though, I would love to be a fly on the wall when he does tell her.”

A sweet laugh escaped from Sara.  “That would be entertaining,” she said before turning her attention to the New York cheesecake before her.

Christopher focused on his own dessert.  She hadn't spoken to Jake either.  Was she avoiding her brother as well or did they just not talk much?  He thought Jake told him once that he and Sara were close.

“He hasn't said anything to you?” Sara asked
, her face clouded with uneasiness.

“The last time he called, I was in a meeting.” 
Although not a lie it wasn't the complete truth either.  Jake had called him twice since the wedding.  The first time he'd texted Jake back saying he was on his way to a meeting.  He hadn't responded at all to the second call. 

Sara nodded and he got the impression that she knew he was avoiding her brother. 
Probably because she was too.

Less than a week later, Sara found herself once again seated across from Christopher.  This time they weren't in a candle-lit restaurant, but rather in Senator Healy's office.  As agreed, she had called Christopher directly after returning to Washington and set up a meeting with the senator in DC.

Now as the three of them sat there, Senator Healy explained the finer details of the education initiative he and Senator Kenny were pushing.  Much to Christopher's credit, he asked insightful questions regarding how the new plan would be implemented and what kind of timetable would apply.  Since he'd already told her he was on board, she guessed his questions had more to do with his genuine interest and not because he'd changed his mind.

“This is something I can support, so what exactly do you need me to do?” Christopher asked directing his question to both her and Senator Healy.

“Just what we wanted to hear, right Sara?” David didn't give her an opportunity to answer before launching into his next sentence.  “Money is always a must for these types of things, and we need to get the word out.  People need to know about the proposed initiative and how it will benefit their children and grandchildren.  Once the public is behind it, the senators and representatives will be more likely to vote in favor of it.  We'd like you to do a few TV ads to promote the plan.  Who better than you to be the spokesperson for it?”

Sara felt Christopher's eyes on her and couldn't stop herself from looking in his direction.  Somehow she resisted the urge to squirm in her chair as his brown eyes remained fixed on her.  “Everyone knows your history.  People will be more open to someone like you who has used education to change his life rather than a Hollywood celebrity.”  Prior to the meeting, she and David had discussed how best to sell their plan.

Christopher nodded once, his eyes never leaving her face. “You're probably right.  But I think it'd be even more powerful if you did the ads with me.  From a marketing point of view an ad with me and the President's daughter is ideal.”

“I agree, but Sara refuses to attach her name publicly to the plan.”

“She told me that, but maybe she'll reconsider.”  Christopher looked directly at her.  “What do you say Sara?  Will you work on this with me?  These ads will attach both our names to the plan.  And you know the importance of this initiative.  It's not like we're talking about some fluff piece of legislation.  If this passes it would improve education for millions of children.”

This time she did squirm in her seat as a lead ball plummeted through her stomach not only at the thought of working with Christopher but at putting aside a personal rule she'd made when she joined David's staff.  How could she work with someone she felt so uncomfortable around?  Sure she respected the man.  It'd be hard not to considering all he'd achieved.  Plus he'd never once run to the paparazzi with a story about her family or her brother despite his connection, something a lesser man would've done without any hesitation.  That didn't change what had happened between them.

He's not Phillip.
  She let her gaze trail over Christopher while his full attention was once again on the senator.  The man across the table looked nothing like the man who'd tried to ruin her father's political career.

Memories of Christopher intervening when Phillip stopped her at the fundraiser came rushing back to her.  If it hadn't been for him that night, there definitely would've been a scene.  Phillip just couldn't take no for an answer.

“I agree with you Christopher, but she's been adamant about this one.” David's statement forced her to store away her thoughts of Christopher for the moment and concentrated on what he said.  He was right.  This education initiative would affect millions if it passed.  And with Christopher on board too, it would no longer be just her name, attached which made her feel a little better about publicly endorsing it.  But working with a man who she'd slept with seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.  Why couldn't Christopher stick with her original plan?

Beneath the solid cherry conference table, Sara tapped a foot against the floor, the sound muffled by the thick rug as she made her decision.  “If you both think it's necessary, the two of us can do it.”  The words flowed from her mouth before she stopped to consider her exact word choice.  Once the words escaped, Sara looked over at Christopher.  There was no mistaking the heated gaze he threw her way before glancing down at his watch.  A hot flush burned her face and she jotted down some notes on her legal pad to keep from looking at either man.

David slapped his hand on the table.  Instantly, Sara jerked her head up.

“Excellent.  I have contacts in Hollywood who are all set to start filming the commercial for us.  They just need my final okay and you two.”

An argument against the new plan sat on the tip of her tongue, yet she couldn't get the words through her lips. Despite her uneasiness at working with Christopher and attaching her name to the initiative, she had to admit it was a good idea. If they showed their support together it would make a more powerful selling tool.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Christopher wrap his hands around a glass of water and raise it to his lips. He had such large hands, yet their night together they had been so gentle and smooth. No rough skin or calluses ruined his hands. Even from across the table she could see how short and clean he kept his nails. There were no ragged edges or torn skin. For half a second she closed her eyes almost able to feel his hands sliding down her back and up her legs again.

"If your people are ready for us, Sara and I can fly back to California together in a few days."

The momentary daydream went up in a puff of smoke when Christopher spoke.

"I think that can be arranged," David said before turning toward Sara. "Call Bruce Gordon, tell him everyone is on board and that we want to get started ASAP."

Sarah nodded. "Won't they need time to write scripts?" She backed the senators’ proposed bill one hundred percent, but she wanted this done right.  Ad campaigns took time and required the correct amount of preparation.

"Already prepared. I made a calculated guess that Christopher would agree. Before filming you can go over the scripts and adjust them as you see necessary," David answered, his usual confidence leaking into his words.

David's words didn't surprise her. If the senator had any characteristic in overabundance, it was confidence. Hence he always assumed people would fall in line with his plans. While she sometimes found it annoying, he wasn't the only politician to suffer that flaw. Even her father fell into that category from time to time. Sara shot a glance toward Christopher. Going by his expression, the senator’s assumption didn't shock him either.

"If we're through here, I'll contact Bruce." Sarah uncrossed her legs and stood.

"We are for now,” David said.

After gathering up her notes, Sara left both men seated in the senator's office and returned to her office with a list of tasks.

***

Dark blue suit, check. Lilac dress, check. Sarah went down the list crossing each item off as she added it to her suitcase. Since the year she first left for boarding school, she always made a list of the items she wanted to pack regardless of whether she was going away for two nights or for two months. Some might consider the habit ridiculous especially since she could buy what she forgot, but she couldn't shake the habit.

Once she reached the bottom of her list, Sara closed the suitcase and slipped it off the bed. Then she turned her attention to her monthly calendar.
The day before she had spent over an hour rearranging meetings so she could make this impromptu trip to California. While she thought she'd managed to reschedule everything, she figured one last pass over things wouldn't hurt.

Halfway through the first week, a popular heavy metal song her brother liked came from her phone.
Jake
. For a few heartbeats, Sara sat frozen, her hand poised above the phone. She still hadn't talked to him since Hawaii. Rarely did she go this long without at least a quick phone call to say hi and she found she missed talking to him. Before she could change her mind, Sara picked up the phone. “Hello.”