Page 7 of The Forbidden Sheik
“Well, that was unexpected,” she blurted out, touching the edge of the delicate plate underneath the beautifully presented dessert. She turned the plate slightly, pretending to admire the artistry from different angles. “I didn’t think that my brother would…” she stopped, startled by where her mind had gone. She lifted her eyes to his and her heart began to race.
Chapter 7
“I don’t think he had much of a choice,” Amit replied, watching her closely. He knew the exact moment when she understood what was about to happen.
With that intention in mind, he reached out and pulled her chair closer. Marianna gasped when her outer thigh brushed his. But, she jumped up from the chair and backed away, abandoning dessert in favor of putting space between them.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, gripping the back of Tasha’s chair.
Amit remained seated, watching her steadily. She was nervous. He’d moved too quickly.
“Nothing you don’t want to happen, Mari,” he assured her, shortening her name into an endearment.
“I don’t wantanythingto happen,” she insisted, straightening her shoulders in an effort to sound more convincing.
But Amit heard the question in her voice. He stood up and, keeping the table between them to ease her concerns, he suggested, “I know you enjoy our debates.” He paused, watching her expression brighten with hope. “I also suspect that there could be more between us.” He waited and saw the wary shift in her eyes. “Perhaps we could work on a friendship?”
She bit her plump, lower lip, considering his suggestion.
He moved around the table, relieved when she didn’t step away. “And maybe, something even more than friendship?”
When she didn’t argue immediately, he stepped even closer. Reaching out, he carefully took her hand. “I know you don’t believe me, but I genuinely enjoy our debates. I appreciate your intelligence and the way you’ve made a career out of your ability to understand the nuances of the political and financial world.” He kissed her fingers and heard her gasp of surprise. This time, Marianna stepped closer. He doubted she even realized she’d done so, but he could smell her soft lavender perfume more clearly now. It suited her. She was crisp and light, but also pretty.
“What do you want from me?” Marianna demanded.
For several seconds, Amit gazed down at her, debating how to answer that question. In the end, he decided on a physical response. “This,” he said, then leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.
Immediately, he pulled back, dropping her hand. “When you’re ready, let me know.”
Before he could pull her into his arms, Amit turned and left the dining room. He knew that if he stayed, he would kiss her exactly how he really wanted to kiss her. And that would be a mistake. He knew that Marianna wasn’t ready for his passion. Not yet. He would have to ease her into the reality of where their relationship would eventually lead.
But it was definitely heading towards his ultimate goal.
Chapter 8
Marianna leaned closer to her mare’s neck, urging her to gallop faster, to fly across the hard, packed earth. The wind tugged at her braided hair and the sun had already heated up, making the ride almost uncomfortably hot. But she didn’t turn back. Not yet. She needed to run and her mare, Stella, needed the exercise as well. Marianna could feel her mare’s need to stretch her legs and it was thrilling to feel the power between her thighs, to know that Stella’s speed would push all thoughts of last night’s kiss from her mind.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t working. Not this time. Normally, riding with Stella would clear out the cobwebs, allowing Marianna to think more clearly. But after a sleepless, confused night, Marianna still struggled with a whirlwind of emotions.
Stella reached the end of the trail and Marianna slowed the mare to a canter, then a trot. Stella would have gone further, but it was too hot right now. Stella needed to get back to the stables where it was cooler and shaded from the intense sun.
“Sorry, sweet girl,” Marianna soothed the still restless horse. “I’ll take you out again tonight, when it’s cooler, okay?”
Stella seemed to understand and flicked her ears. Obediently, the mare turned, heading back towards the stables. Since Stella still had some energy to release, Marianna tightened her legs slightly, urging Stella into a canter.
Unfortunately, the slower pace allowed Marianna to think again. She didn’t need to concentrate on the present and remaining on top of the mare. So, she let her mind wander, pondering the questions that had plagued her all night.
She remembered her first conversation with Amit. She’d been leaning against the stable fence, watching the horses frolic. She’d been so lonely back then. It had been right after she’d been brought to Lativa after her mother had died. Everything had been different and she’d missed her mother so much. Discovering that she had three big, obnoxious, overly protective brothers who were intensely busy with their own lives had been difficult as well. She’d rebelled at first, before slowly learning to accept. Still, it had been so hard to find her way in this new world.
Marianna remembered thinking that Amit might be one of the stable hands. She’d asked him how new horses were introduced to the herd. Marianna had been looking for clues on how to integrate herself into her new family.
Then he’d gone and wounded her soul by suggesting that she be traded for Tila and the twins.
Bastard!
There had been plenty more interactions over the years. Still, Marianna didn’t understand the man. And she definitely hadn’t understood his kiss last night!
What had Amit meant about contacting him when she was “ready”? Ready for what? What had that kiss meant?
