Page 16 of Unknown Royal Baby

Avril opened her mouth to say her neighbours were lovely, unlike him, then snapped it shut.

‘Or shall we have this out in my suite? Perhaps over the conference table with Rashid taking notes?’

She yanked the door open so hard it almost bounced off the wall beside her.

‘Don’t you come here with your threats. You think you’re a big man, high-ranking and powerful. But there are more important things in life. Respect, for one.’ She jammed her hands on her hips and seared him with her scorn. ‘Common decency.’

She was so incensed at his nerve in coming to her house after effectively dismissing her earlier, she could barely catch her breath.Thatwas why her breathing was so choppy, her breasts rising so vigorously they tested the buttons of her blouse.

Avril crossed her arms over her chest.

‘We need to talk.’ Something in his tone quelled her surge of anger. He didn’t sound smug, but strained. ‘We both know it.’

Finally she nodded. ‘We do. Tomorrow. I’ll meet you somewhere.’ Somewhere neutral like a coffee shop. ‘What time—?’

‘Not tomorrow. Now.’ When she didn’t respond, merely lifted her eyebrows in a show of disdain, he continued. ‘My time in London is limited. Most of it is accounted for. If we want a private discussion it needs to be now.’

‘Surely a king can set his own timetable.’

He merely shook his head slowly as if to say she had no idea of his schedule.

And he’d be right. What did she know of royal life? The few days she’d spent with him had been remarkable for their informality.

Informality! Hysterical laughter at the understatement threatened her composure.

Avril had sudden recall of how it had felt when he’d taken her to bliss with his body, then held her close, whispering words of affection. Even now the deep timbre of his voice made something loosen inside her.

She’d wanted to see him for so long. Been desperate to see him. Now here he was and it was like a nightmare. Nothing was as she’d once hoped. Even her determination to despise him was undercut by her body’s response to his nearness.

‘Avril?’ Her gaze lifted to his and was trapped. His eyes gleamed pewter-dark. Did she imagine they looked troubled? ‘Let me in.’

Reluctantly she stepped aside and he walked past, so close her skin prickled and she closed her eyes in momentary despair. She loathed this man. He’d treated her badly. Yet her yearning body hadn’t yet got the message. But after tonight she’d probably never see him. One way or another she wouldn’t work for Isam after this.

‘To the left.’

She followed him in to see him standing, surveying the old-fashioned furniture. The packed bookcases and clutter of photos. The thought of him snooping through her life, hers and Cilla’s, made her step forward to stand in front of the display.

‘Take a seat.’ Because she’d feel better if he weren’t dominating the room with his height.

But it wasn’t just his height. He’d always had an energy about him, a charisma she’d never been able to ignore.

To her relief he sank into a large armchair, looking just as at home as he did at that dauntingly large conference table.

Or naked in bed. His musculature and that fine dusting of hair across his chest utterly fascinating.

Appalled at her thoughts, Avril took a chair opposite him. She didn’t offer refreshments. This wasn’t a social occasion. Just as well Cilla wasn’t here. She’d been a stickler for polite niceties.

‘Why are you here?’

‘I thought that would be obvious. To talk about us.’

‘Thereisno us! You made that clear when you refused to answer my calls and messages.’

A flicker of emotion crossed his face but she couldn’t pin it down. He looked down at his hands, triangled in front of him with fingertips touching.

‘You tried to contact me.’

It wasn’t a question but a statement. Yet there was something about his tone that made her hesitate for a second. But she wasn’t in the mood to play games. They both knew how he’d treated her.

---