LITMIR.BIZ

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a stalled lift. Which maybe explained a little why she hadn’t backed off more quickly.

      There had been nothing vulnerable in the way he’d crowded her after, though. Or the way she’d almost dared him to kiss her. She couldn’t help the curve of her lips at the return of that memory and thought ruefully that he’d never want to see her again.

      Which was fine. Her husband’s underhand conniving had taken her home, undermined her self-respect—though she supposed she should thank him because she was tougher than ever now—and taught her to reserve judgement for a long while yet.

      But Zafar’s face seemed indelibly stamped in her memory. Dark, tortured eyes under black brows and a firm yet wickedly sexy mouth that captured her attention with such assurance—a mouth that looked used to command. Everywhere. She felt the re-kindling of awareness low and hot in her belly. Outrageous. She shook her head. She wasn’t going there.

      The guy embodied everything she hated about men. Power and prestige. She knew he had it despite his aversion to a stalled lift, and she had no doubt he could be as cynically ruthless as he looked.

      He had to have extreme wealth, of course. The very expensive watch and the suit that shrieked of a tailor her ex would have killed to find were dead giveaways. Though why he was out in the beach fringes of eastern Sydney was a mystery.

      She really needed to stop thinking about him, but once inside the lift she could picture him across from her easily, too easily, in fact, for someone she’d met for five minutes twenty-four hours ago.

      The lift stopped on six and she stepped out onto the main baby floor and made her way to the midwives’ room. To work, woman!

      As she discussed her patients with the morning shift midwife she was surprised to hear that Fadia had already been moved to the hotel. Occasionally a very well woman with her second or subsequent baby would move across after four hours but for a first-time mum with twins it was very unusual.

      ‘And the paediatrician said it was okay? And Tilly’s Dr Bennett as well?’

      ‘They’ll both be visiting daily here and a mothercraft nurse transferred across with her.’

      Special considerations, then. Not the first time wealthy clients had brought their own nurse but she hadn’t envisaged Fadia being like that. ‘That will help.’

      ‘Not any more. Fadia sent her away as soon as she was settled. Apparently didn’t like her.’

      Carmen raised her eyebrows. ‘Curiouser and curiouser.’

      Fifteen minutes later when Carmen knocked on Fadia’s door, the last person she expected to open it was the man from the elevator.

      Zafar.

      Her pulse jumped and he captured her gaze easily and held it, just as he held the small smile on his lips. Heat flooded her cheeks.

      CHAPTER TWO

      ‘AH. THE midwife. Come in.’ As if she was always turning up on his doorstep.

      She hoped her mouth was closed because he looked jaw-droppingly handsome when he wasn’t terrified. He seemed ten times taller and broader than before but she guessed her first real impression must have been coloured by his distress.

      ‘It seems I must thank you for your magnificent skills at the delivery of Fadia’s twins.’

      ‘Being there was a privilege. Fadia did all the hard work. I was just catching.’

      He smiled sardonically. ‘Yet some skill is required with multiple birth.’

      He leaned casually against the door. Funny how she had the idea he was as relaxed as a tiger about to spring.

      Fadia, perched on the edge of the chair with one of her sons, looked anything but calm and Carmen’s fluttery surprise turned to bristling protection of her patient.

      Was the lift almost-kisser the person Fadia was scared of? ‘Is this your husband’s friend?’

      Fadia shot a startled glance at Zafar and then back at Carmen’s face. ‘No. Goodness, no.’ Carmen couldn’t help the relief. That saved a bad lack of professionalism and would be a sorry pickle.

      ‘No, this is my cousin. From Zandorro.’ Fadia sent another glance his way—this time slightly less anxious. ‘He’s come in response to a letter I sent to my grandfather and to see if I need help.’

      Zafar inclined his head. ‘Ensuring you and your babies are well. So I can pass the good news onto your relatives, yes.’ He turned to Carmen and raised one sardonic eyebrow. ‘So you haven’t met the elusive friend of our newest family members either, then?’

      ‘No.’ Carmen had no plan to elaborate. She shrugged to let him know that family dynamics were none of her business. ‘But perhaps you could excuse us while I spend a short time privately with Fadia?’

      ‘Is that totally necessary?’ Such surprise when she’d said it and obviously a request uncommon in his experience. Carmen bit back her smile at his shock. So, we don’t like being asked to leave, she thought. How interesting.

      Just who was he? But it didn’t really matter. She’d had four hours’ sleep, she was worried about Fadia, and wasn’t in the mood for tantrums. ‘Yes. Afraid so.’ Tough. Out you go, though she didn’t say it out loud.

      He frowned down his haughty nose and thinned those sexy lips until they almost disappeared, which was a shame, but proclaimed this man expected obedience, not orders.

      Welcome to my back yard, buddy. Carmen squared her shoulders and fixed the smile on her face. She could be as tough as he was. Or tougher, if needed.

      His eyes clashed with hers. It seemed he was going to cross his arms and flatly refuse.

      What would she do then? She had no idea. Figure something out. Mentally she crossed her own arms. Bring it on. Never hassle a woman off night duty.

      He didn’t. On the brink of refusal he hesitated, gave her a mocking smile that actually made her feel more uncomfortable than a flat refusal—almost a promise of retribution—and annoyingly her satisfaction at the win dimmed.

      She didn’t like that look. Or the feeling it left her with. Who was this guy?

      ‘I shall return,’ he said to his cousin with a stern glance in Carmen’s direction, ‘when your midwife is finished with you, Fadia.’

      Fadia nodded, twisted her hands, and Carmen inclined her head politely. She couldn’t wait to ask Fadia what the problem was.

      ‘We won’t be long,’ she said sweetly as she opened the door for him. The lock shut with the heavily finality hotel doors had and thankfully the room returned to a spacious suite.

      Amazing how much breathing space one man could take up. Carmen looked at her patient. ‘You okay?’

      ‘Yes.’ The young woman hunched her shoulders and tightened the grip on the baby in her arms. Fadia didn’t look okay. She looked shattered, on the brink of tears, and Carmen just wanted to hug her.

      ‘And your babies?’

      ‘Fine.’ Fadia glanced across at her other baby asleep in the cot and visibly shook. ‘I can’t believe he actually left. You told him to go!’

      ‘Of course.’ She wasn’t wasting time on him, she was worried about her patient. Something was badly wrong here.

      ‘Zafar wasn’t listed as next of kin?’

      ‘I didn’t know if the family recognised me.’

      ‘So his arrival was unexpected?’

      ‘Yes. No.’ She lowered her voice. ‘I wrote to my grandfather last week but Tom said I would be sorry when the family took over my life. But I’m glad Zafar is here while I decide what I wish to do.’

      ‘Well you have a few days to think about it before you

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