Page 20 of Warming the Sheikh's Bed & Love in the Fast Lane

“No.” He thought of the meetings he had lined up over the following fortnight.

She turned her head to face him, her eyes thoughtful. “I hope you don’t think this means I’ll start calling you sir or something.”

It was such a light-hearted and unexpected response that he burst out laughing – something he hadn’t done much of in the past year. It felt good.

Being with Cassie felt good.

5

“So, a King huh?”

He paused, mid-way through slipping a coffee capsule into the pod machine, then nodded.

“A King is making me coffee.”

He pulled the short black out and handed it to her. “I aim to please. You.”

She slid it back across the bench. “Then would you add some milk?”

He shook his head. “You will enjoy this. These pods are blended for me especially. They are filled with cardamom and honey. And they are designed to be had black.”

Unsure if she found his tone sexy or dictatorial, she decided to at least sip the brew.

“Well?” He prompted, watching her from across the kitchen island.

“It’s delicious.” She took another sip, enjoying the way it was both sweet and spiced. The coffee had a robust quality to it.

“We grow our own coffee beans.”

“In Takisabad?”

“Yes, but more specifically, these beans are from the palace.”

“Wow,” she sipped it again. “That’s kind of just showing off now.”

He grinned. “Is it? Then you should see my private jet.”

She pulled a face. “How the other half lives, huh?”

“Indeed.”

“So what brought you to a pretty ordinary little bar in Mayfair?”

He scanned her face thoughtfully. It wasn’t a secret, exactly. But discretion was required. And he got the distinct impression she was on friendly terms with the bar staff.

“Business,” he said, finally.

“Business? You weren’t meeting anyone.”

He ran a hand across his chin. The stubble was rough; he needed to shave. “No.”

“And you were angry, remember?”

“Yes.”

She rolled her eyes. “If you don’t want to talk, I can go sit somewhere else.”

He wasn’t used to being spoken to so curtly. And certainly, no one had called him on behaviour that didn’t please them. It interested him enough to bring a smile to his face, and the truth to his lips. “A friend is looking to buy the building.”

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