Page 38 of Warming the Sheikh's Bed & Love in the Fast Lane

e could now picture this woman and she could see how well she would match Layth.

“She sounds good for you,” she said quietly.

“I have already told you I am waiting to make my decision.”

“Does she know about the other women?”

“She knows she has submitted to a process.”

“So all of these women are prepared to leave their lives and marry you, and have a baby with you, just as soon as you click your fingers?”

“Being married to the Emir of Takisabad is a great honour. My wife will have wealth and power beyond imagining.”

Not to mention getting to share Layth’s bed. She lowered her mouth to his shoulder simply so that she could hide her face. She knew her hurt was showing, and she didn’t want him to see it.

She felt him stiffen beneath her. “What’s wrong?” She asked throatily.

His smile was tight. “Let’s talk for a while.”

“We are talking.”

“I mean without other distractions.”

“Without sex?” She blinked up at him. “You know, I could take that as a challenge.”

He groaned softly. “Take it as a compliment. I want to know you better. Your body is a drug, and I need more, but I believe your thoughts are beautiful too. Let me examine them as I have you.”

She spun away from him, her heart racing and tears pricking her eyes. The boundaries she had wanted to enforce were crumbling minute by minute.

A noise in the apartment made her freeze. She turned to face him, but he did not appear phased.

“Someone’s out there,” she whispered, her eyes huge.

“It is dinner.”

“But what if someone comes in and sees us.”

His laugh was rich with humour. “Believe me, no one would dare intrude on my privacy in such a grievous way.”

“But the hotel staff …”

“Would not breach my sanctity. My security agents alone will have brought the food.”

“Oh.” She bit down on her lip. “Don’t you resent their constant presence?”

“No. I grew up with them. I have never known anything else.”

“Of course. That must help, a little.”

“Why would I waste energy regretting something that must be?” He shrugged. “It is the same with my wedding. I would not wish to marry, were it not for the dictates of my role. I would certainly not select a wife based on breeding and acceptability to my people.”

“Wouldn’t you?”

His dark eyes probed her face. “No. But I must, and so I do.” He shrugged. “It is a lot easier to make peace with such matters when you do not buck against them.”

She nodded slowly. “I guess I’m not like you. I could never sacrifice my own happiness in the way you do.”

“Do I seem unhappy?”

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