Page 17 of Desert King's Forbidden Temptation

‘How do you know I haven’t eaten?’

He lifted his brows. ‘I asked.’

‘Why?’

‘I’m not in the habit of explaining myself to anyone in Savisia.’

It was so arrogant she almost laughed. ‘Why don’t you give it a shot?’

He didn’t react, but she felt the amusement humming through him and delighted in that. She liked making him smile. She liked... Danger sirens blared, and she heeded them, gripping the door more tightly.

‘You’re my special guest. I made plans for our dinner.’

‘Together?’ she squeaked.

‘Unless you are afraid to be alone with me?’

‘I’m not afraid.’

‘Then you are a fool,’ he muttered, a rueful expression on his face. ‘We’re playing with fire, you know.’

‘I’m not playing with anything.’

‘We’ll see.’

‘And even if that were true, isn’t it all the more reason for us to keep our distance?’

‘I can’t do that.’

‘Why not?’

‘I’ve announced to my cabinet and yours that I am spending the next week with you. I intend to see that through.’

‘But surely this afternoon—’

‘Changes nothing,’ he said flatly. ‘It can’t.’

‘I know, but—’

‘You still want to get to know me, don’t you? To see if you should recommend this marriage to Elana or not?’

She closed her eyes, caught between a rock and a hard place. ‘Yes,’ she admitted, finally, grudgingly.

‘Then come and share a meal with me.’

‘You make it sound so simple.’

‘Isn’t it?’

It should have been. After all, what they’d shared was meaningless, in the scheme of things. He wasn’t to know that her experience with men was so limited. Clearly, his knowledge of female anatomy was first rate, undoubtedly garnered through extensive experimenting. So why couldn’t they just forget the kiss, and everything else, and focus on the reason she’d come to Savisia in the first place?

‘Fine,’ she said with a huff. ‘But don’t even think about touching me.’

‘I can’t promise that,’ he murmured. ‘But I won’t act on those thoughts unless you ask me to.’

Her lips parted and she groaned. ‘Why are you doing this?’

‘What am I doing, Eloise?’

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