Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
The older woman was good as her word, returning just ten minutes later with Anisah’s beloved dessert: a medium-sized wooden goblet filled with mouthwatering rose-flavored booza covered with a gooey, saccharine layer of pistachio.
“Shukrahn.” Anisah bowed her head in thanks, and as Minnie skated back to the counter, Anisah closed her eyes and clasped her hands in prayer.
Heavenly One above, thank you for your grace.
The sheikh’s image flashed in her mind, disturbingly vivid, and she squeezed her eyes shut more tightly in an effort to chase it away.
I pray for the spirit of chastity to remain in me.
I pray for the strength to fight earthly temptations.
I pray for the wisdom to remain on the path of righteousness.
Amen. Anisah absently uncrossed her legs under the table as she ended her prayer, but in the course of doing so, the tip of her foot hit something solid.
Her eyes flew open.
The sheikh stood next to her table, looking handsome as a devil in shirt and jeans, and when he smiled down at her, murmuring politely, “Marhava, Tory,” – it was like being struck by a bolt of lightning.
Must. Escape. Now.
Chapter Nine
Anisah’s violet eyes were wide and panicky as she stared at him, her face flushed and her lips parted. It was quite similar to how she had looked just before bolting out of his limousine earlier, and so the moment she made an attempt to leave, Tarif was ready, sliding next to her inside the booth before she could even fully stand up.
Knowing there was no way for her to get past the sheikh, Anisah forced herself to sit back down and move away until her back hit the window. For one long tense moment, they stared at each other, and in the sheikh’s possessive and forceful ebony gaze, she saw her most wanton memories come alive.
Aaaaaah.
She remembered the sinful beauty of his voice as he urged her to succumb to her baser desires—-
Let me in, Tory...I need to touch you...Tell me I can touch you, my sweet.
And her fingers tightened into fists.
She remembered the masterful strokes of his tongue inside her mouth, and the way he ground himself against her, and a sensual shiver danced down her spine.
She remembered how it felt to have him suck on her nipple—-
Stop it, Anisah!
She drove the memories away with an effort and dragged breath into her suddenly dry throat. Ever since she had returned to the apartment she shared with Hyacinth, she had done her very best to distract herself. She had tried to pretend that everything was okay, and that everything could remain normal.
But instead, she had found herself acting the opposite. She had ended up making her sister think she had lost her marbles – and it was all the sheikh’s fault, curse it.
Everything was his fault!
Tarif had come looking for Anisah prepared for battle, and when she raised her eyes to his, the militant look in her gaze told him it was so.
“What are you doing here, Your Highness? And how did you even know I was here?” Her voice was polite but icy, the closest a loyal citizen like Anisah could afford in discouraging the attention of an Al-Atassi sheikh.
Too bad for her, such words had no impact on him. He only cared about her truest desires, and the way her breasts rapidly rose and fell under her thin robe told him that Anisah wanted the same thing he wanted.
Sex.
Lots of it.
And one day my sweet, I will make you admit this myself.
But for now he had to bide his time, and so he simply ignored her questions, remarking instead, “You do not seem happy to see me.”
The sheikh’s words reminded Anisah of another person who’d feel the exact opposite, and her face whitened. She immediately twisted her head to look around while demanding, “Where’s Minnie?” The other woman was obsessed with royalty, and heaven knew what crazy ideas Minnie would entertain if she saw Anisah sharing a booth with the sheikh.
“Relax, my sweet. I had one of my bodyguards ensure she took a well-deserved break while you and I...talk.” Tarif cocked his head to the side. “You do not have a problem with this, I assume?”
Her teeth gnashed. Both of them knew she would rather not have anyone see them together, but with Minnie away, it also meant they were alone – and she did not like that. She tended to do foolish things when she was alone with the sheikh, and oh dear heavens, just having him so near now –
It was making her want to do more foolish things, and that was not good at all.
“Why are you doing this, sheikh?”
“I already told you why.”
Another memory drifted to her. No more games, anisdi. I want us to try again. Such beautiful words, but she’d be an idiot if she let mere words sweep her away, and so Anisah slowly shook her head. “It’s impossible.”