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)
“I’m thinking I shouldn’t say anything at all. I mean, I have other options—-”
“And one of it would be?”
“Kill myself,” she answered promptly.
“Aside from the fact that’s a terribly melodramatic alternative, anisdi, is that also your way of saying you’d rather take your own life than live in a world where everyone knows I got as far as second base with you?” When she pretended to think about it, the sheikh drawled, “At least spare a bit of my pride and lie if you must, anisdi.”
“Umm...”
“On second thought, let’s not discuss that.”
Anisah coughed to cover her smile. She knew she should be taking this more seriously, but right now she simply wanted to pretend there was nothing to worry about. She wanted to pretend that this was just one of those times they were fighting and dancing at the same time –
And when Anisah looked up at the sheikh, she saw in the dark, indulgent light in his eyes that he knew exactly what she wanted – and what she wanted, he would give.
If you want to pretend, then that’s what we’ll do, his gaze promised her, and her toes curled involuntarily.
The sheikh reached for her hand after, and she inhaled sharply at the way his fingers tightened around hers. The real world can wait, the strength in his grip assured her. And if it didn’t want to, I will make it do so.
Oh, curse this man for being so good at making her feel safe and protected.
The sheikh tipped her chin up at her continued silence. “Anything wrong?”
“Umm...” For one second, she seriously considered telling the sheikh that his unexpected chivalry was making her feel ridiculously weak-kneed about him.
“Tory?”
The moment passed, and she mentally shook her head. The sheikh was arrogant as he was already. If she told him how he was making her feel now, he’d be completely unbearable.
Seeing that the sheikh was still waiting for her answer, she cleared her throat, saying, “I was just thinking about my Plan B, Your Highness.”
“I’m all ears, anisdi.”
“I was thinking I could...” She pretended to sound thoughtful. “I don’t know...maybe quit my job, enter the convent, and lead a life of atonement?”
“Good idea...except for the fact there are no convents in the kingdom.”
“Then whatever its equivalent is in Islam perhaps? I’m hoping doing so would save Hyacinth from the backlash of having a sister who’s the personification of lewdness—-”
Tarif snorted. “Believe me, my sweet. If you’re lewd, then 90% of the world consists of whores and sex maniacs.”
Her lips pursed. “I guess that leaves me with just one last option.”
“Which would be what?”
“Earn back my honor by enlisting in the army.” She expected the sheikh to roll his eyes at the suggestion, but instead she saw a smirk play on his lips.
“What an excellent idea.”
It was?
“After all, who better to enlist than someone who knows all about bases?”
Oh! Anisah was torn between helpless laughter and disgruntlement. She had not seen that coming at all!
The sheikh laughed at the look Anisah threw at him. ‘Drop dead’ was the best way to sum it up, and he said with a rakish grin, “Maehdina, anisdi.” I’m sorry, milady. “I simply could not resist it.”
Anisah only answered him with another look – ‘drop dead, NOW, please’ – and this time, the urge to laugh coincided with an intensely powerful wave of desire jolting through the sheikh’s large, muscular body. How was it that the more this woman defied and resisted him, the more he craved her?
Glancing back at her, he saw Anisah looking out at the window, her face paling as the limousine drove past the palace’s first set of gates. Knowing that it meant playtime was over, he said quietly, “I have my own suggestion to put forward, anisdi. Would you at least hear me out on it?”
“I’m only going to hear you out,” she warned warily, “but I’m not making any promises.”
“Fair enough,” the sheikh murmured. “And I am only making a suggestion because we both know handling this kind of controversy is not your forte.” He paused. “But it is mine.” Loosening his grip on her hand, he began stroking her knuckles with his thumb as he murmured, “So can you not trust me as you did earlier, my sweet – and let me help you resolve this. Trust in me, Tory, and I will make sure that you emerge from this unscathed.”
By the time the sheikh finished speaking, the limousine had slid to a stop in front of the palace’s majestic stoop, and a moment later, the chauffeur was already opening the door. She drew her breath when the sheikh immediately stepped out of the car; for one moment, she imagined him abandoning her just like that, and her eyes squeezed shut as a painful twinge squeezed her heart.
Why did she feel so scared at the thought of Tarif Al-Atassi disappearing from her life?