Page 19 of His Impossible Heir

She turned huge emerald eyes up to him. “Stay with you? But…I can’t! The hotel…!”

Taking her hand, he looked into her eyes. “Your hotel suite is a crime scene, Amanda,” Daniesh explained gently. “The police won’t let you back into it until the case is closed.”

That wasn’t good news! “What about my clothes?” she whispered, feeling like an enormous burden. “I don’t have anything to wear but this stupid dress!”

His smile widened. “I would enjoy taking you shopping for more clothes.”

Amanda closed her eyes, wishing desperately everything would just stop long enough for her to catch her breath, and maybe sleep for a week.

She felt his arm around her waist and the touch of warm lips to her forehead. “Like M. Jalois said, one step at a time. How about a shower and some sleep? Then something to eat? I suspect you are running on fumes by now.”

“Yes,” she sighed, melting into him again. “That would be lovely.” She bit her lip again and looked around. “But you don’t have to help me. Emma will–”

“Iwill do this,” he asserted firmly. “Come. You need to rest,” he told her, as he stroked her cheek. “These dark circles tell me it’s been too long since you rested.”

She swallowed hard, fighting back another bout of tears. “Why are you being so nice to me? I might be a murderer.”

He chuckled. “You’re not a murderer.”

“How do youknow? The police saw my search history on my computer. I know exactly how to chop up a body and hide it so that no one will ever find it.”

He laughed again. “You may know how to do it in theory. But I’m confident that you don’t have the mental fortitude to do that in real life,Habibi.”

“I could!” she mumbled, as she followed him out of the police station, relieved to get away from that horrible place. “Especially if I’m mad.”

He took her hand, helping her into the back of the limousine. “How about if we debate your murderous tendencies once you’ve gotten some sleep and food in you?”

She yawned as she slid into one of the soft leather seats. She started to lean her head against the back cushions, but his strong arm pulled her against his side. So, she used his hard, muscle-packed shoulder and knew that it was infinitely more comfortable.

Chapter 7

Amanda woke up and stretched, opening her eyes to the dim sunshine filtering through the soft, filmy drapes. But the royal blue room wasn’t familiar. This wasn’t her bedroom at home. It wasn’t the hotel suite either!

She gasped as memories of the previous night flooded her. Last night! The murder! The man with a hole in his forehead!

And the police thought she killed him!

Pushing the sheets and comforter out of the way, Amanda got out of bed and looked around, trying to get her bearings. Last night…no, this morning, Daniesh had led her up here to this beautiful room and told her to sleep.

What time was it now? And where was she? Where were her clothes? Glancing down at herself, she remembered Daniesh handing her one of his dress shirts to sleep in and she’d felt…special. The shirt was huge on her, but she didn’t care. It was his and she felt safe, wrapped up in his scent.

A knock startled her and she spun around just in time to see Daniesh open the door.

“Good. You’re awake. I thought I heard someone moving about.” He stepped into the room and smiled at her. “Are you hungry?”

Her stomach let her know rather forcefully that she was starving. “Yes. Definitely.”

“Good.” His eyes moved over her figure in the overly long dress shirt and he smiled faintly. “As enticing as you look in my shirt, I’m sure that you’d be more comfortable in something else.” He pointed towards the bathroom. “My assistant arranged for several outfits to be delivered. They should be in there, ready for you to choose which you prefer.”

“You bought me clothes?”

“Of course.”

She sighed, clasping her hands together. “Thank you. I will pay you back for everything.”

He shook his head. “You willnot!” he replied firmly. “It is my pleasure to help you.” He turned, reaching for the doorknob. “Come downstairs when you are ready. I have a new computer ready for you so that you can write up a timeline for your lawyer.”

After he left, Amanda stood still for a long moment, wondering how exactly her life had gotten here.

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