Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Zain took a sip of his tea, his eyes glinting with mild satisfaction—the bastard didn’t look surprised by his acquiescence at all, as if he had expected it. It made Aiden’s fingers itch with the urge to smash his fist against that arrogant face.
But there was also something else in Zain’s eyes, an emotion Aiden couldn’t quite read. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Zain was also displeased. Which made no fucking sense. How could he be displeased and satisfied at the same time? Why would he be displeased at all?
“Gadiel wants to see you soon. As expected, his supposed human decency stood no chance against his inability to keep it in his pants.”
Aiden’s stomach knotted up.
Leaning back in his chair, Zain heaved a sigh. “But you had a point: your inexperience might be a hindrance. My brother is…” He grimaced. “He’s a horny idiot who thinks with his dick whenever he sees a handsome man. It will be hard for you to keep his interest since you lack the skills. But you will do it.”
Aiden blinked, wondering if it was the language barrier.
“I will?” Aiden said with a laugh. “And how am I supposed to do it?”
Zain’s expression was unmoved. “I don’t care. I just want results. There are… rumors around. About Gadiel’s inclinations. I couldn’t entirely quash them, so he’s going to be under increased scrutiny until his marriage. Gadiel is not to even look at other men that way this year. You will have to become the perfect little sex pet of his dreams, so perfect that his attention doesn’t stray.”
Looking down, Aiden realized he was gripping his knife too hard. It was blunt and useless against anything but fruit, but the temptation to throw it at the dickhead’s face was becoming nearly irresistible.
“A perfect little sex pet,” he repeated slowly, trying to keep the rage that was choking him out of his voice. “If you wanted a perfect little sex pet for your brother, you should have bought him one. You can’t buy a poodle and then expect it to guard your house.”
Zain’s bland expression didn’t change. “The poodle will have to learn,” he had the gall to say. “So are you going to cooperate or not?”
Aiden let out a sigh through his gritted teeth. “You might be used to getting your own way every time, but newsflash, Your Highness: you can’t just order someone without any experience with men to suddenly become a pro at keeping another guy’s attention solely on him for a year. Even the high and mighty Sheikh Zain ibn Mustafa Al Rahim can’t will those nonexistent skills into existence.”
For a long, charged moment, they stared—glared—at each other, at an impasse.
Aiden almost cheered aloud when Zain was the first to look away.
“Fine. I’ll help. You can ask me anything about him.” Zain’s tone was short, clipped, as if every word pained him. “I’m aware of my brother’s tastes.” His lips twisted. “More aware than I ever wanted to be.”
Aiden scoffed. “How is knowing his sexual preferences going to compensate for the complete lack of practical experience?”
Zain looked at him dispassionately. “Knowledge is power. A well-informed lover is better than an ignorant whore. Every man has a weakness. Luckily for you, I know my brother’s.” Glancing at his watch, Zain got to his feet and headed toward the door.
Aiden frowned. “Wait, you’re going? You didn’t—you didn’t tell me anything useful!”
“Later. I’m late for my meeting as it is. My helicopter was supposed to leave five minutes ago.”
“Right. As if you can’t tell your pilot to wait for you.”
“Of course I can,” Zain said without looking up, typing on his phone. “If I had something important detaining me.”
Aiden vividly imagined curling his hand into a fist and smashing it against the asshole’s haughty face.
The fantasy gave him a visceral satisfaction, but as soon as the door closed after Zain, Aiden felt a peculiar sort of emptiness, his insides pulsing with hatred that needed an outlet—needed its target. Badly.
Christ, he’d never felt such hatred. He wanted to chase after Zain and make that dick look at him, pay him some real attention, make Zain treat him like a fucking person and not a thing that was at the bottom of his priorities.
Fuck him, fuck him, fuck him.
God, Aiden hated him so much. So much.
Chapter Six
The idea came to Aiden a little after two in the morning, when he finally got tired of lying in his bed, fuming uselessly, and started thinking of ways to get back at Zain.
It was obvious that his hostility didn’t bother Zain at all. But there could be another way to get under his skin. The asshole wanted him to be cooperative? He could be very cooperative. In fact, he could be very cooperative right now.
Grinning, Aiden sat up in his bed and pushed his sheets off.