Page 36 of The Sheik's Pretend Fiancee
Chapter 25
Angela walked gingerly into the breakfast dining room, praying that her tentative steps appeared normal to anyone watching her. But there was silence as she walked to the table. Three sets of wide eyes watched as she gently sat down on the cushioned chair. When there wasn’t any pain, Angela breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up to…a burst of laughter from her Aunt Tasha and Aunt Tila.
Angela blushed, but hoped that they had no idea why she was walking so carefully. She glanced over at her mother and…stopped breathing at her mother’s concerned gaze.
“Are you okay?”
Tila and Tasha’s laughter died out as they too looked concerned.
“Was it…bad?” Tila asked, worried now.
“Did he hurt you?” Tasha demanded, bracing her palms flat on the table as if ready to go into battle.
Angela’s jaw dropped. “Hurt me?” she gasped, shocked that they would ask her that. “Absolutely not!” she replied in a heated rush. “How can you think that?”
“Because you can barely walk,” Tasha growled.
“And you’re sitting down as if he…!” Tila paused, her eyes wide. “Did he spank you?”
Angela stared at her aunt for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Why in the world would he spank me?”
Tila blushed, then looked down at the table as she fiddled with her fork. “Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes a good spanking can…!”
“Don’t…!” Helen interrupted her friend and sister-in-law, rubbing her temple as if a headache was threatening. “I don’t want to know anything about Joran, or…anyone…spanking anybody.”
Angela looked from one woman to the other, completely baffled.Was spanking…sexual? Intrigued, she kept her silence, thinking to speak with Tiro about the possibility. She couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to be spanked, but Tiro had shown her things over the past…however many hours…that she had never considered could be erotic. And yet, here she was, nearly trembling with lust at the thought of…aspankingof all things!
She cleared her throat, started to say something, but paused to smile her thanks as a waiter poured her some coffee.
When they were alone again, Angela looked at family members. “I am hale and healthy. No bruises or…”
Tila snorted, holding her cup of coffee with both hands as she leaned forward. “And both of you have been locked away for the past twenty-four hours!” she giggled.
Tasha laughed, but laid a gentle hand on Angela’s arm. “Congratulations, dear. I’m excited for you.”
Helen glared at Tila, then turned her attention back to her daughter.“Honey, are you really okay? Was he…gentle?”
Angela laughed, shaking her head even as the blush warmed her cheeks again. “I cannot believe I’m having this conversation with my mother!” she muttered, then lifted her head and stared directly into her mother’s eyes.“Yes, I’m perfectly fine.”
“Was it good? Does he know how to doit…right?” Tila continued, her expression serious now. “Because if he doesn’t know the tricks, then he’s not worth the effort. Trust me, some men just don’t have any idea how a woman’s body works. They don’t know all of the places to–”
Angela lifted her hand, stopping her sometimes brazen aunt from continuing.She felt mortified, but told her, “I guarantee that Tiro…knows…how a woman’s body works.” Hell, he knewmore abouta woman’s body than she did! That thoughtmade her pause for a moment as she breathed through a moment of jealousy. Then she reminded herself that she couldn’t get angry about the women in Tiro’s past.
Well, she could, andshe was! But itwas a counterproductive thought process.
“Be careful,” Helen cautioned to her daughter, placing a gentle hand on her arm. “I know that this whole set up and what you’ve been experiencing for the past twenty-four hours is exciting. But don’t let him break your heart.”
A movement in the doorway caught their attention and everyone turned to watch Tiro enter the dining room. He looked directly at Angela, his eyes quickly assessing. “Good morning, ladies,” he said, addressing all four women, but he never took his eyes from Angela. “I regret that I will be unable to join you for breakfast.An issue has come up.” He looked around, then asked, “What are your plans today?”
Tasha smiled at him. “It was suggested that we have a spa day today.”
His eyes lit up as he leaned down to Angela. “Will you be joining them?” he asked.
Angela wasn’t sure how to respond. In truth, she’d assumed she’d spend the day with him. But his question indicated he had other responsibilities. So she swallowed her disappointment and smiled weakly. “I suppose so.”
“Good,” he said, straightening up. “Then I will join you ladies when I’m finished.” Hewinked at Angela. “Perhaps you could join me afterwards for a bit of a workout in the gym?”
With that suggestion, her heart soared and she nodded, eager to spend more time with him. She didn’t care if she was on the treadmill and he was somewhere else in the gym. She just wanted to be near him, to be able to see and talk to him. And perhaps, if there was a moment for a kiss or a brush of his hand against her back, she wouldn’t object. Not even a little!
