Page 17 of Her Prince in Disguise
However, her efforts to pay were in vain. Laith simply wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her back just enough that she couldn’t quite reach the credit card machine. Then he deftly slid his own card into the machine. He winked at the cashier, while restraining Andi as she stood in his arm, stunned.
This embrace…it felt so good. She wanted to stay just like this forever. She wanted to curl herself against him and press her face to his chest. Or his neck if he was willing to duckdown so she could reach it. She breathed in his clean, masculine scent, etching these memories into her brain so that she could replay them later when she was alone.
When he looked down at her this time, there was triumph and amusement in his gaze. But when he noticed her expression, his changed as well. There was a hunger there that mirrored her own. His arm tightened around her waist and she held her breath. This was when he would kiss her. He’d lean down and their lips would touch. It would be magical and heady. She would moan and he would deepen the…!
“Order’s up!” the cashier announced.
Startled, Andi looked over at the woman who was sporting a smirk as she held out a large, white bag.
Reluctantly, carefully, Andi took the bag, trying not to crush it against her chest as she led the way towards a table. She sat down and didn’t move. Andi watched as Laith folded his tall frame into the uncomfortable chair, then they just stared at each other.
Chapter 8
Laith was in pain. He’d seen the hunger in Andi’s eyes and knew she wanted him. Possibly nearly as badly as he wanted her. If they’d been almost anywhere else, he would have her stripped down to nothing by now and they’d be in bed. He’d be exploring every damn inch of her curves and maybe he could finally ease the ache that had started the moment he’d walked into that damn conference room to see her beautiful eyes staring back at him.
Unfortunately, they weren’t alone. They were in a fast-food place that had mis-labeled themselves as “fast casual” in order to pretend that they weren’t just a place that slaps burgers together.
“Where did you go to uni?” he asked.
Andi reached for her burger, which pissed him off. He didn’t want her to ignore this need thrumming between them. It was hot and intense and he knew that she felt it too. He’d been sensing the growing awareness between them for what seemed like forever and it infuriated him that she didn’t seem to feel it as intensely as he did.
He watched as she carefully unwrapped her burger. “Um…I attended George Mason University, in Virginia,” she replied. The husky tenor of her voice soothed him, letting him know that she hadn’t recovered as quickly as he’d assumed. Good!
“How was life at George Mason?”
She sighed, blinking down at the burger for a long moment. “It was…um…” she paused and seemed to mentally shake herself. Then she peeked under the top bun of the burger, ensuring that the condiments were adequate. “It was fun. It’s a huge campus, but I made a small group of good friends, most of whom I’m still in contact with.”
For the next hour, they ate burgers, nibbled on the fries, and talked about their years at university. She’d taken Italian and French classes along with her business and finance requirements. He’d studied Mandarin and Spanish while working on his economics degree. She told him about her unfortunate choir attempts and he told her about being the captain of the soccer team.
The whole time, they laughed and relaxed. The hum of awareness was still there, but at a lower, more manageable level.
By the time she excused herself to go to the restroom, Laith realized that he’d honestly enjoyed the past hour. It was surprising because he still felt the ache in his groin, and watching her walk away didn’t help, but he’d enjoyed just sitting here, talking with her.
As she returned to the table, Laith remembered why he’d wanted to get her alone. The box.
When she slid into the seat, she wore a fresh, bright smile. Damn, he could stare into those pretty, blue eyes all night! But hehadto know what was going on with that damn box.
“So, why did someone send you a sex scene in a box?” he asked.
Chapter 9
Andi felt as if he’d just slapped her. The box! Damn, she’d completely forgotten about that stupid box.
“Sex scene?” she prompted, her anger rising since he’d obviously opened her private mail.
His eyes showed his understanding of her anger and he smiled. “I didn’t open it, Andi. My security team x-rayed the box to ensure that there wasn’t an explosive inside. Or anything else that could harm you.” He leaned back in the hard chair, frowning thoughtfully at her. “There was nothing that was going to explode, but the scene the x-ray revealed was a bit…unexpected.” He leaned forward curiously, resting his crossed arms on the table. “Is that the kind of thing you’re into?”
“God, no!” she gasped, repulsed by the idea. Thinking back to the previous diorama, she cringed. “Well, actually,” Andi licked her lips and sighed, “I have no idea what’s in the newest box, but no, I’m not into pain during sex.”
There was a brief pause, then his eyes narrowed. “This isn’t the first time someone has sent you something like this?”
Andi’s mouth fell open in shock at what she’d inadvertently revealed. “Um…well…!”
His eyes hardened and he eyed her carefully, his protective instincts rearing to life. “Tell me the truth, Andi!”
She flinched at his harsh tone. “The truth is this isn’t your problem, Laith,” she said firmly. “I have no idea whysomeone is sending me weird dioramas, and no, I’m not into S&M and also no, I don’t want you to protect me.”
“Tough!” he snapped. “You will be protected,” he growled. Then he gathered up their trash and stood up. Andi stood as well, refusing to sit while a man loomed over her. But he stepped closer, leaving less than an inch of space between their bodies. Andi gasped, fighting not to move even though she desperately wanted to press herself against him, be held by him.
