Page 25 of The Sheik's Pretend Fiancee
“Why are you two coming with me on this trip and not Uncle Khal and Uncle Joran?”
The ladies snorted as they set their coffee down on the table between them, then secured their seat belts. “Because they would only get in the way,” Aunt Tasha explained. “Nor were Zayn, Rafi or Laith allowed to chaperone this trip.”
Angela’s heart sank at the mention of chaperones. This trip was going to be just as irritating as Tiro’s visit to Lativa. She’d spent sleepless nights tossing and turning as sexual frustration had nearly overwhelmed her. She and Tiro had been allowed only minor touches, and nothing more. And every time he was close, she could feel the heat of his body, smell his intoxicating scent. It had been the most frustrating three days of her life.
Never in her life had she felt sexual frustration like this. She’d dated other men, but nothing had prepared her for the impact of Tiro on her senses.
She’d almost canceled this trip, because she wasn’t sure she’d survive another round of such torture.
Now, examining her aunts’ and mother’s expressions carefully, she wondered what kind of mischief they were planning.
Unfortunately, the flight attendant closed the flight doors, sealing off her escape. Not that she could have rushed off the plane. She wouldn’t do that to Tiro. The publicity around her visit to Ginisia was all over the news. There was even a photo opportunity planned at the airport. If she’d suddenly changed her mind about visiting, rampant and worldwide speculation about the relationship would follow.
So, Angela leaned back in the comfortable leather seat and attempted to relax. However, she couldn’t help but compare this chaperoning business to a Victorian era romance and she was worried that her aunts and mother would put her through a similar charade.
Once the plane was in the air, coffee cups were refilled, and the flight attendant dismissed, Angela watched as her mother and both aunts released their seat belts and reached into their bags.
“These are for you,” Aunt Tasha explained as she plunked a beautifully wrapped box into her lap.
“This is also for you, but don’t show it to your mother.” Aunt Tila winked, then grinned at Helen.
“What’s in that box?” her mother demanded, leaning forward as if she could somehow see through the wrapping paper. “And don’t worry, I got you something as well.”A moment later, her motheradded her gift to the pile on Angela’s lap, then sat back, looking smug.
Angela eyed the two small and one medium packages. However, the mischievous looks in her mother and aunts’ eyes warned her that these weren’t typical presents. Something strange was going on. Angela knew that, when her aunts were involved, anything could happen. Her mother, Aunt Tasha, and Aunt Tila were definitely not only the sedate, ladylike wives that sat at their husbands’ sides and smiled politely. And when her Aunt Marianna came for a visit, the four of them were a force to be reckoned with.
“Aren’t you going to open them?” Aunt Tasha encouraged, smiling broadly. “I guarantee mine will make this visit much safer.”
Angela’s mother groaned. “You’d better open mine first. It’s probably the tamest.”
Angela glanced at her mother and noticed her blush. “Why?”
“But we agreed!” Aunt Tila admonished, looking mock-sternly at her sister-in-law. “In fact, I was so inspired by our idea that I created a new website with more information.”
Angela was curious now. Her Aunt Tila had been a website designer before she’d married Uncle Joran and she’d continued working after the wedding, but she more was reserved about her work. None of her clients knew that she was married to a prince or that she regularly mingled with world leaders.
“Mine first,” her mother urged, waving at the other two.“It will ease you into Tila and Tasha’s offerings.” After they laughed, her mother continued, “I suspect that theywent for shock value.”
Of the three, Angela knew that her mother was the most conservative. She and Angela’s father worked together to find investment opportunities for both the family and the country. Because of their combined efforts, Lativa has seen steady, healthy growth in almost every business sector for the past two decades.
“Yours is the most practical,” Aunt Tasha interjected with a chuckle. “Moms don’t like to think of their daughters as sexual beings in their own right.”
“Not true!” Helen argued. “I just…” she shifted uncomfortably in the chair.“I just think that…well.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “I can’t wait until Nahla isin this situation.” She opened her eyes and glared at her best friends. “I’m going to enjoy throwing your words back at you.”
Tasha grinned. “Oh, I will definitely give Nahla the same advice that we’re offering Angela.”
“Every woman should know,” Tila chimed in. “It’s a part of a healthy relationship.”
Helen nodded. “I agree. But it’s different when it’s your child.What if she gets hurt? What if this doesn’t work out the way we think it will?”
Tasha and Tila’s smiles disappeared. “That’s always a risk. It’s definitely possible that this won’t work out. But everyone needs to experience a bit of heartache, if only for wisdom’s sake.”
Angela’s eyes moved from one woman to the next. “What are we talking about?”
“Your love affair with Sheik Tiro,” Aunt Tila explained gently. Then she pointed to the packages in her lap. “Open up your mother’s first. I agree, it probably has the smallest shock value.”
“Fine,” Angela sighed and opened the pretty package. She stared down at a box of…condoms? Angelalooked to her mother, who was still clearly uncomfortable. “You gifted me a box of condoms?”
“Of course, honey. If you’re going to have sex, then you need to use protection. And don’t let him get away with not using those. He should know better. If he says he won’t use a condom,” she explained, leaning forward to emphasize her advice, “then walk away. A lot of men don’t like condoms because it lessens their pleasure slightly. But any man who won’t protect his lover in something as basic as sex isn’t worthy of your time or attention.” She paused and looked carefully at her daughter. “Don’t put yourself in jeopardy for a man’s comfort!”
