Page 19 of The Sheik's Pretend Fiancee
She looked at him over her shoulder, staring up at him for a long moment. “I’m not a kitten!” she spat back. Actually, her words came out as a mere whisper instead of the snap she’d intended.
To her cousins, it probably looked like they were having an intimate conversation, or maybe it appeared as if they were silently communicating in a language only lovers understood. In truth, Angela had already forgotten her cousins. There was no one in the world exceptherself and Tiro, his strong arm around her waist and those lips so close!
She was stunned by his touch and her only thought was wondering what it would feel like to be kissed by him all over again. But she didn’t want him to stop this time. Too many times over the past few nights, Angela had wondered what it would be like to have this man make love to her. She wanted to know, finally, what it was like to be in a man’s arms and know the beauty of making love.
Of course, that was a ridiculous fantasy, she told herself firmly and pulled away from Tiro. He wasn’t here for a real engagement announcement. He was here to deal with the misunderstanding that occurred because of that kiss. Just one kiss. One long, intoxicating, sensual, amazing kiss.
“Angela!” her father snapped.
Her head swiveled around and she suddenly realized that she’d been gazing up into Tiro’s eyes.With an audience!
Good grief!
“Right!” she gasped and pulled away, tugging her dress back into place.How had her dress shifted?
“We need to talk!” Khal announced.
Tiro rubbed a hand over her back and Angela shivered again, wishing that she could suppress her reactions. It was ridiculous to be so affected by him.Her country’s enemy!
“I agree,” the voice behind her replied. “Lead the way.”
Khal turned and opened the door, but he gave Angela a warning look before he left the room. All of her cousins filed out as well. Zayn gave her a pointed look, one that silently ordered her not to interfere in the future.Laith and Rafi looked at her with confusion and…was that maybe understanding?
Then they were gone and there was a moment of silence.
Angela stood there, not sure what to do while Tiro walked by her. He let his hand linger on her back, then slide along her bare arm as he moved past her and she held her breath, startled by the way his gentle touch made her mind go blank and her body quake with interest.
Suddenly, the door closed and she inhaled, shocked to realize that she’d been holding her breath. However, she wasn’t alone. Her father stood by the door, eyeing her carefully. When he moved closer, Angela tilted her head back, staring up at him.
“It wasn’tjusta kiss, was it?” he asked, his voice gentle and laced with genuine concern.
She wasn’t sure how to answer. “Just a kiss” didn’t seem like the right way to describe what they’d shared. It had been more than one kiss. And those kisses had been…wow!What would happen if they were to kiss again? Angela suspected thatthe memory of their one kiss had been blown out of proportion. Surely, it couldn’t have been as magical as she remembered.
“It wasjust one kiss,” she replied, not sure if her father would understand the hidden message in her words. She was a diplomat after all, and prided herself on being one of the best. It was a subtle art to say something but mean another.
However, her father was just as well versed in the art of diplomacy. One side of his mouth quirked upwards and Angela realized that she hadn’t been as subtle as she’d hoped.
“It was more than just a kiss,” he confirmed. Then he reached up and touched her cheek. “I get it, sweetheart.” He sighed and dropped his hand. “I honestly do.”
Angela was left alone, staring at the room but not seeing the beautiful details of the blue and silver décor. Her heart and mind were spinning, trying to sift through the last few minutes.
Chapter 14
“So, we’re agreed?” Khal firmly asserted. “You’ll spend time here, then Angela will spend time in Ginisia. She’ll return and both of you will continue with your lives. If the press asks, the answer will be that the wedding planning is taking some time due to the political issues that need to be worked through.”
Tiro stared at the big man. That was the agreement that he’d originally agreed to. But he’d stood beside Angela and felt her trembling. He’d been shocked, and touched, when the woman had stepped in front of him, as if she wanted to protect him from Zayn.
The darling woman had tried to protecthim!
Tiro hadn’t been able to speak for a long moment. No one had ever tried to protect him before.Never! He’d always been the protector! It had been his life’s goal to ensure that everyone in his country was safe and thriving.
Granted, he had bodyguards with him constantly. However, Angela’s gentle nature wasn’t trained to protect. She was a brilliant diplomat, and he doubted that she’d be able to stop a man the size of Zayn.
And yet, the crown prince had stopped when Angela had stepped in front of Tiro. What the hell did that mean?
“Sheik el Maistri?” the older leader prompted.
Tiro blinked, then focused on his rival. Oddly, the old, competitive feelings didn’t rise up. Tiro didn’t feel as if he needed to best this man. He could. Tiro had absolute confidence that he would come out the winner in any competition.
