Page 20 of His Impossible Heir

Chapter 8

“What’s on your mind,Habibi?” Rayed asked, setting the cup of coffee down as he smiled at his wife.

Emma smiled back engagingly and he instinctively knew that she’d been waiting for him to finish reading the file his assistant had given him.

“I’m so glad that you asked!” she replied sweetly.

“This is about Daniesh and your friend, isn’t it?”

Those blue eyes of hers lowered and she toyed with the silver knife and fork. “Why would you ask that?”

He swallowed a chuckle at her attempt at subtlety. His Emma was brash and bold, diving enthusiastically into any situation in which she thought the underdog needed help. Apparently, her best friend was her newest project.

“Because I was there last night too. Because I felt the instant spark of electricity that passed between them. Because I saw the dreamy look in Amanda’s eyes when Daniesh brought her back from the terrace, and we both could tell they’d been kissing.” He ignored her gasp of surprise and continued. “And because Daniesh is obviously more than halfway in love with her and…” he lifted a finger when she drew breath to say something, “…because you want your friend to be as happy as you and I are.”

Emma’s beaming smile nearly blinded him. But he was getting used to his wife’s impact on him. She was just so…glorious! Even now, after making love to her last night and again this morning while in the shower, he wanted to pull her onto his lap and make love to her all over again. She was…his! Rayed had never believed in the term “soul mates” until he’d met Emma. Now he understood.

“So, you’re on board?”

Rayed turned his head slightly, wary of the mischievous sparkle in her beautiful, blue eyes.

“On board with what?”

She grinned, leaning forward, resting her elbows on the table. “To help the romance bloom between our good friends.”

Rayed agreed…sort of. “Why not just let them figure things out on their own?”

Emma waved his suggestion aside. “Amanda is only here for less than a week. We need to encourage them to explore whatever is happening between them.”

As a man, he didn’t like what she was saying. As a husband though, he completely agreed.

“What did you have in mind?”

Emma’s head tilted slightly, as if she were considering her options. But he knew his wife well enough. She already had a plan.

“I think we should encourage them to have sex.”

Rayed stared at her for a long moment, then threw his head back, laughing at the ridiculous suggestion. “I guarantee Daniesh doesn’t need encouragement in that department.”

“But he dropped Amanda off at her hotel last night. He didn’t stay with her. Therefore, they probably weren’t thinking about sex.”

He chuckled again. “First of all, Daniesh brought her back to his home after rescuing her from the police station. The suite in which she’d been staying is a crime scene. Secondly, Daniesh isdefinitelythinking about sex, my love,” he explained, taking her hand and pulling her around the table. When she was in his lap, her head on his shoulder, he put his hands on her scrumptious derriere, holding her in place. “Men always think about sex.”

She pulled back, even though she didn’t release her arms that were curled around his neck. “We just had sex less than an hour ago. Are you telling me that you’re…thinking about sex now?”

“Yes,” he replied without hesitation. “With you? Always.”

Emma rolled her eyes and he swatted her bottom.

“Men are too single minded.”

He shrugged. “Well, if you’re hoping to get those two together, perhapsyoushould encourage them to have sex.”

Emma tapped her finger thoughtfully against his neck. “I think that’s a good idea. I mean, Amanda hasn’t been with anyone in…” she tilted her head slightly, then blinked. “Well, I can’t remember the last time she dated any guy. It’s been a while. Maybe since our university days.”

“That’s….” he shuddered, causing Emma to roll her eyes, “…an awfully long time.”

Lowering her head, she brushed her nose against Rayed’s neck, smiling at his expected response. His arms tightened on her waist and he pulled her closer, his body tightening in a delicious manner.

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