Page 35 of Unknown Royal Baby

There was a ripple of movement as all the guests rose then bent their heads before the Sheikh, who paused in the doorway, flanked by a number of serious-faced staff.

Over their heads, Isam’s eyes met Avril’s and heat skimmed her flesh. In that second it felt as though something powerful passed between them. Understanding. Recognition. And something far more powerful.

Or maybe you’re imagining it because you want to believe he didn’t just propose out of duty. Because you’re tempted to accept.

But Avril wasn’t into self-deception. His proposal was pragmatic, nothing more.

Yet as he crossed the room towards them, she couldn’t prevent the flutter of excitement in her chest. Those grey eyes seemed to flare as they met hers.

Maybe it was time for an eye test.

‘Your Majesty.’ Her quick curtsey felt ungainly. ‘May I present Ms Hana Bishara.’

He greeted the older woman in Arabic then continued in English. ‘My sincere apologies for the discomfort your group has suffered. My staff tell me there was a problem with the timetable. But that’s no excuse. I’m deeply interested in your delegation’s views.’

‘Your Majesty is very kind.’

‘Not at all. Perhaps you’d like to introduce me to the members of your group.’

As he turned towards her companions, Isam murmured to Avril, ‘Thank you for saving the day. We’ll speak later.’

His words and his smile warmed her to the core.

Was she really so needy, basking in his approval for something any sensible person would have done? Yet she found herself smiling as she exchanged farewells with the women.

It was late when Isam finally left his office. His already full schedule had been disrupted by the lunchtime fiasco, throwing the rest of his timetable out completely.

It had been a near disaster. If not for Avril...

His jaw clenched so hard pain circled the base of his skull. It wasn’t the first inexplicable problem. There’d been a series of difficult, potentially embarrassing situations. The common factor was that in every case the mistake led back tohisoffice.

The women’s delegation today, there to advocate for better support for the elderly, had been told he’d specifically requested they attend today, whereas his official appointment diary showed them coming tomorrow.

He knocked on the door to Avril’s suite, and hearing nothing, knocked again.

A muffled voice called from inside. Opening the door, he heard Avril, in another room. ‘I’ll be out in a minute. Maryam and I are just finishing up.’

His daughter was still awake? Isam’s spirits lightened. She was the perfect antidote to the pressures and problems weighing down on him.

He closed the door and crossed the sitting room, only to halt in an open doorway at the sight before him.

He’d imagined Avril was changing a nappy. Instead he found her seated in a comfortable chair, her long hair curtaining her shoulders, head bent as she smiled down at the baby who’d clearly just finished feeding. Avril’s blouse was open, one perfect breast bared.

The air caught in his lungs.

She looked the archetypal mother, tender and life-giving.

And sexy. So sexy Isam felt his blood rush to his groin. Carnal hunger ripped through him, weighting his muscles and tightening his lungs. Hunger and something else that felt like possessiveness.

Given the fact each day brought more teasing memories of them making love, it shouldn’t surprise him. He remembered her exquisite softness, her delightful eagerness, her expression as he tipped her over the edge into bliss. She’d looked at him in wonder, as if he weren’t a mere man but some hero. As if he’d made the world stop for her alone.

Those memories, though fragmented, made him wish—

‘Isam! I thought you were Bethany.’

As she spoke she pulled her blouse closed, a delicate rose pink tinting her cheeks. She looked adorable. Though the word didn’t do her justice. It was too passive for such a vibrant woman.

‘I said we’d talk. I’m afraid this was the earliest I could get away.’

---