Page 20 of The Forbidden Sheik
For the next hour, Marianna researched the events in Uftar and Lativa over the past ten years. What had been happening that Amit didn’t want Khal to know about? Had the comment been a red herring?
Even after digging through a decade’s worth of information, no significant red flag emerged. There had been smaller revelations over the years, but nothing that rose to the level of obfuscation.
Leaning back in her chair, she looked around, resting her eyes as she admired the suite. It really was a beautiful apartment. Hers was smaller, but just as luxurious, although she definitely didn’t have a private pool. Marianna loved water almost as much as she loved riding Stella.
Standing up, she stretched her arms over her head as she moved to the window. It would be hot outside, but the plants as well as an awning that stretched overhead shaded the pool. She eyed the pool longingly.
Should she go for a swim? Marianna didn’t have a swimsuit. However, since she was alone, she could just swim in her bra and panties. That would cover her just as much as a bathing suit, she reasoned. Dipping her toe into the pool, she sighed at the cool, refreshing temperature. The heat would get up well into the triple digits by later this afternoon. Even now, the temperature was in the high nineties. It was the perfect time to swim.
Chapter 22
Amit tried to focus on the comments in the meeting, but he couldn’t seem to get his thoughts away from the fact that Marianna was here, in his home! He’d fantasized about her for so long, he couldn’t remember a time when she wasn’t on his mind, in his fantasies.
What was she doing right now? Was she going through his closets? Searching for his secrets? Amit enjoyed the idea of Marianna…no, she was Mari to him now…touching his clothes with her soft, delicate fingers. He smiled quietly at the thought of her flipping through his suits and shirts, deciding which she liked and disliked. That wouldn’t be difficult, he thought with silent amusement. He didn’t have a wide variety of clothes. He had ceremonial robes for special occasions, but he tended to prefer the suits and slacks that western men wore. The robes were cooler during the hot, summer days, but the pants were more practical, easier to move in.
Unfortunately, he suspected that Marianna was too ethical to secretly go through his personal things. He’d read every article she’d ever published and honesty, fairness, and concern for others were always prevailing themes.
How could he get her to touch him? Amit contemplated that while someone droned on about roads or…hospitals? Had they changed topics? He didn’t give a damn. He’d spent his entire life working to heal the wounds of Uftar. For one day, he wanted to think about himself. He wondered what it would be like to have Mari’s hands on him, her fingers exploring his body, running through his hair, and…!
Nope, that wasn’t a good idea. His thoughts would become too obvious if he continued down that road.
But damn, she’d looked beautiful earlier today. Her dark hair had been pulled over one shoulder and her chocolate eyes had seemed huge without her usual makeup.
However, that wariness still followed her. He was horrified that Marianna had been hurt by his comment all those years ago. He’d only offered the offensive trade in order to show Marianna how important she was to her brothers. Khal, Joran, and Raj had immediately jumped to her defense, refusing to trade her, even if the trade could have eased tensions between the two countries.
Unfortunately, Amit now realized that she’d been too vulnerable to grasp the lesson implied. She’d been too raw to see the point he’d been trying to make.
With a soft sigh, he realized his efforts to help her feel included and important had only magnified her hatred and distrust of him.
Damn, he doubted there was a better way to muck up his intentions.
But now he had her here. Amit was determined to make the most of his time with Marianna. Somehow, he would prove to her that she was not chattel to him, but an incredible, glorious woman.
Chapter 23
Jadwat paced the length of his cousin’s outer office, seething with fury. He hadn’t heard from the team leader of his secret mission yet. The guy holding the bitch in the secluded, makeshift prison should have checked in yesterday to assure Jadwat that the plan had been successful and everything was on schedule. Hell, he should have sent pictures of Princess Marianna bound and secured in the abandoned warehouse, which had no connection to their group. He should have told his team to release the eviction notices and moved on to the second phase by now!
Unfortunately, he couldn’t begin until he knew that he had his cousin under control!
So what was keeping the guy from checking in? Hell, Jadwat didn’t even know the man’s name. Someone online had given him the contact. Everything had been arranged anonymously. At the time, Jadwat had thought it was a brilliant idea. If his pain in the ass cousin ever figured out who was behind the kidnapping, Jadwat could honestly say, “I have no idea who did this!”
Now, though, he wanted the name of the bastard who hadn’t checked in. He wanted to be able to curse the guy who hadn’t followed up.
And today, his bastard of a cousin had called him to the palace. Like a dog! The insult rang through loud and clear! Jadwat hated that Amit could demand a meeting. He hated that the younger man had the power to make Jadwat crawl to him. And to add insult to this whole debacle, his cousin wasn’t even here! Jadwat hated waiting, but here he was, pacing the confines of a waiting room! Awaiting room, of all places! Jadwat was a member of the royal family! He shouldn’t be made to wait! Others should wait on him!
Taking a slow, deep breath, Jadwat forced himself to calm down. Amit was a smart man and would immediately know that something was wrong if his worries showed.
There was a sudden stirring further down the hallway and Jadwat turned, watching as his ass of a cousin walked towards him. The man was over half a foot taller than Jadwat’s own five feet, nine inch height. And why did the guy have to stuff padding onto the shoulders of his suit like that? No man had shoulders that wide!
As Amit drew closer, Jadwat realized his cousin wasn’t wearing a suit jacket, only a dress shirt. Those muscles werereal! Holy crap, the man was buff!
Jadwat realized that his mouth had fallen open and snapped it shut, then straightened his shoulders, not wanting to get caught ogling the other man. The ass was his freaking cousin!
Chapter 24
Amit waved his cousin into his office. As he’d walked down the hallway, an idea had come to him. It was brilliant, actually. It would get Jadwat out of the way and allow his security detail to go through his cousin’s various properties and financials without Jadwat even realizing he was being investigated.
“Close the door,” Amit called back over his shoulder, as he went directly to his desk and dumped the pile of folders on the towering stack already there. He moved over to the bar and pulled out a precious bottle of Glenlivet scotch that was over one hundred years old. He’d been saving the bottle for a special occasion, and this seemed like the perfect moment.
