Page 9 of Shâhzâdeh

My eyes widened as Liam kissed the side of Frankie’s face, and she just giggled. I had to swallow because that comment made my body want to break out in a cold sweat.

“Nafs bakesha, azizam.”

The panic ebbed as my brain was given something else to focus on instead of the memories. Confused, I turned to him and found his eyes already on me.

“What? I don’t speak Arabic.”

“Farsi. I’m Persian. And I saidbreathe, sweetheart.”

His words did that sophisticated tumbly thing that had me fluttering. It was as if his words glided over one another. Flowed like the gentlest of rivers. Like an audible therapeutic scalp massage I’d seen onOneand would love to experience.

“I’m okay. Just zoned out for a minute.” My smile was weak and I could tell by the way his eyes swept over my face he wasn’t convinced.

With his eyes on me, he leaned closer to me causing my breath to stall in my lungs.

“Are you sure? We can take a walk outside if you need a minute to gazer yourself. I too get nauseated at zhe way zhey behave. But I’m almost sure my annoyance is grounded in jealousy. Zhe last zhing I can do is allow Liam to know I am jealous of his joy. He would never let me live it down.”

His words caused me to smile, breaking through the panic I had felt at Liam’s words.

“He definitely seems the type to hold it over your head for the rest of your life.” I stifled a grin and glanced up seeing they were still watching the way the two of us interacted.

As though he could sense I was better, he leaned back taking the warmth of his closeness with him. I took a moment to take him in. His wavy hair hung to his collarbone and it wasn’t covered today like it had been a few times I’d seen him. I’d wanted to ask questions about it, but didn’t feel like it was my place to be curious. And I didn’t want to seem uneducated or offend him.

He too was dressed casually, well casual for him, in what looked like a linen button-up shirt and matching black pants. His clothing added to the dark and mysterious vibe he always gave off. And he looked and smelled expensive.

“You should see how he brags on his offspring. As zhough Francesca has not done zhe heavy lifting on zhat front.” He was smirking, clearly baiting his friend into speaking up. Xerxes took the water glass and took a healthy drink as he waited on his friend to respond.

“But isn’t your cousin having twins? It seems he’s stolen your shine.” I couldn’t help but tease Liam because Frankie told me how his cousin joked with him about his wife giving him a double blessing. Something about it being good luck for their clan.

Liam sighed like he was truly aggrieved, his long blond locs falling over his face as his head dipped dramatically. “So it wuid seem. But I am no’ so petty as to nae be ‘appy fo’ ‘im. ‘Is joy is ‘ard earned and well deserved.”

“Maybe I misjudged you, Liam.” Because few people could find joy in another’s happiness even if it was family.

He smiled ruefully and caressed the back of Frankie’s neck. Her hand went to his thigh under the table. I prayed it was his thigh but you never knew with the two of them. We were having dinner in the kitchen because it wasn’t necessary for us to go in the dining room. It was just the four of us plus the babies and I liked the intimacy of their kitchen table. It made it feel like I was part of a family.

“Yoo didnae, but I will let yoo keep yoor kind thoughts aboot me. I am sure my friend ‘ere will tell yoo ‘ow wrong yoo are.” He nodded toward Xerxes with a grin on his face and I was well aware when the heat of him returned, signaling he’d leaned closer.

His mouth came closer to my ear again but this time I leaned into his words. “Are you sure you are alright?”

I turned to him slightly, unable to keep my eyes off of him. He was close, but not so close that he invaded my personal space. “I am. Thank you.”

“Point me in zhe direction of zhe dragon I need to slay and I will bring you back his head.” He’d leaned in even closer and I appreciated his discretion despite his inability to help.

“Well, that wouldn’t work.” I smiled and picked up my fork, digging into the grilled steak that I’d cut but hadn’t tasted. It was beautifully seasoned and I was happy I could focus on my food despite how overwhelming his presence was.

The confusion I felt was only confirmed as I glanced at his face. The few hairs that joined his brows together were dipped down as he furrowed. “And vhy not? I am capable—”

“Trust me. I know you all are very capable in the slaying. I simply like my head being attached to my shoulders. But thank you. I appreciate your wanting to help.”

He blinked a few times before his face cleared up in understanding. “Always.”

“Xerx, yoo plan to travel back to Tehran soon?”

He hesitated to answer Liam, his eyes still focused on me briefly. I continued to chew and gave him a reassuring smile. Only then did he turn to Liam.

“Wizin zh week. But it won’t take long. Zhe business I have here becomes more urgent by zhe day.”

“Is everything alright?” Now I was worried because I didn’t think these men moved with urgency unless they wanted to.

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