LITMIR.BIZ

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frustration and tiredness tripped over into anger. ‘You could show a little more interest than that.’

      She seemed unconcerned by his outburst. ‘What would you like me to say?’ She was formal, polite. Reserved. The warmth from their lovemaking had gone as if it had never existed. ‘Break a leg?’

      It took three steps to reach her and when he clamped his hands around her slender arms she went as rigid as a poker. He gentled his touch. ‘What’s wrong, habibi? Has someone upset you?’

      She tried to shake him off. ‘You don’t talk to me about anything—why should I talk to you? I’m just an additional problem you don’t want. Nadeena and I both.’

      ‘That’s not true. I don’t have a lot of time right now.’

      ‘When will you?’ She lifted her chin. ‘Never, that’s when. If this marriage goes ahead—’

      ‘It will.’

      ‘So I heard.’ She lifted her chin. ‘In five days’ time, apparently. It would have been nice of you to tell me. What if I wanted to invite some of my friends for support?’

      ‘Invite whomever you want.’ His brow furrowed. ‘And I thought I had told you. It’s been decreed by the council.’

      ‘I don’t care if it’s been decreed by the Queen of England. The last thing I want is a husband who is off having a good time without his family. I tell you, Nadir, if Nadeena ever hears of any affairs you’ve had I will unman you.’

      ‘There will be no affairs.’

      ‘Right.’ Her green eyes flashed sceptically. ‘All that travel and long hours at work...I know how it goes.’

      ‘I do not operate that way and I never have.’

      ‘And if you fall in love one day?’ Her delicate brows arched in challenge. ‘What then?’

      Nadir gritted his teeth. ‘That won’t happen.’

      Instead of being relieved by his reassuring words, she looked achingly vulnerable and he was beyond frustrated because he had no idea how to please her. No idea how to win her over.

      ‘Go away, Nadir. I understand you have important people waiting for you.’

      Her words stuck in his head. There was no doubt the emirs waiting for him were important. But so was she and he didn’t want to spend another night away from her. ‘Actually, I don’t. I’ve cancelled all my other obligations.’

      Her eyes narrowed warily. ‘You have?’

      No, but he would. It was only a white lie and what was he doing telling white lies anyway? He hated lies and liars and had never seen any excuse for those who did so. And yet here he was, telling one because he knew if he didn’t he’d somehow hurt her again.

      Anyway, Omar could travel north with the emirs. He was equipped for the job and Nadir could use the time to take stock of all that was happening in Bakaan. Take stock of the fact that he’d relished the challenge of the last couple of days. And why wouldn’t he? It was what he did for a living after all. Bought companies experts said were dogs and turned them into cash cows.

      If it was part of Zach’s plan to disappear so that he’d have no choice but to get involved in Bakaani business then it had worked. To a degree because he still wouldn’t take on the leadership role, no matter how sly Zach was. But right now all that was second to putting things right with Imogen.

      He felt her try to pull away again but he slid his hands down her arms and felt goose bumps rise up on her flesh. His muscles hardened as he registered what the shiver beneath her skin betrayed and the need to stamp his claim on her became paramount. Forcing his hold to remain gentle, he sipped at her lips, took her bottom lip between his teeth and suckled it rhythmically until he heard the small hitch in her breath that said she was his. That little sound always undid him and he drew her closer and groaned as her soft curves yielded to his hardness.

      ‘And I’m taking you out for dinner,’ he found himself saying. ‘There’s a dance troupe in the city showcasing some of Bakaan’s tribal dances. They’re performing tonight.’ He was sure he’d seen it on the list of possible excursions for the emirs because he’d immediately thought of her. ‘There might be some other leaders present but I booked a private table.’ Another white lie that would only be so until he got onto Staph.

       CHAPTER TWELVE

      NADIR WAITED FOR Imogen to return from the restaurant bathroom and thought that if one more person stopped at their table to suck up to him he’d have them locked up for making a nuisance of themselves.

      Of course it wasn’t just him they were interested in. With her blonde hair and natural grace, Imogen would no doubt become the Jackie Kennedy of Bakaan if he were to become King. Something everyone assumed was already the case.

      He sighed and was thankfully distracted from heading down that line of thought as Imogen wove her way through the crowd, Bjorn keeping a discreet but alert distance. She’d chosen to wear a traditional abaya for their night out and the thoughtfulness of the gesture wasn’t lost on him. She could just as easily have worn something shockingly skimpy to embarrass him but it wasn’t in her nature. He didn’t know why he hadn’t seen from the start that she wasn’t manipulative or two-faced, as many of the other women he had dated in the past had turned out to be. Women who would simper and preen and bend any which way he asked them to. He smiled as his memories of the other night came back on a rush. He was already looking forward to the end of this evening and bending Imogen to his will again.

      ‘Wow—this looks delicious.’

      Nadir followed her gaze to the table. He’d forgotten all about the food.

      ‘I hope you didn’t wait for me to start.’

      ‘Of course I did.’

      ‘Oh, thanks.’ She leant forward and sniffed appreciatively. Her eyes closed and a look of total bliss swept across her face and he very nearly called for his car.

      ‘Is that cardamom and cinnamon I can smell?’

      ‘And vanilla and honey,’ he said roughly. Like her skin.

      ‘What’s this dish?’

      Shelving his sexual appetites for now, Nadir turned his attention to the food. For the next hour they ate and talked and when it was time for the music to start the tables were cleared to make room for the dancers to take the floor. Of course he and Imogen were given a central position and moments later a lute started playing. Then a flute joined in along with a riqq. Imogen started swaying in time with the music.

      She leant closer to him so that she could be heard above the music and revelry of the excited audience, her lips so close to his ear he could feel her warm breath. ‘What’s that instrument?’

      Nadir turned his head, his gaze snagging with hers, their mouths inches apart. He thought about kissing her but knew he couldn’t. Public displays of affection were currently considered a crime in Bakaan. Instead he inhaled her fragrance and reminded himself that he was a man reputed to have wonderful self-control. ‘Which one?’

      She swivelled her head and pointed towards a group of musicians and he breathed in her tantalising scent.

      ‘The one across that man’s lap that looks like a harp.’

      ‘A qanun.’

      She smiled up at him. ‘It’s beautiful.’

      No, she was beautiful and he wondered how it was possible for his heart to feel so light when Zach’s continued lack of contact was starting to worry him and insurgents were right now threatening to disrupt industry in the north.

      She tapped her feet in time with the music and the lead dancer noticed. With a smile on her face

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