Page 24 of His Impossible Heir

Swallowing, Amanda couldn’t pull her eyes away from the intensity of Daniesh’s gaze.

“Well, we have to go,” Emma abruptly announced, bending to kiss Amanda’s cheek lightly before turning to leave. “Rayed’s team is helping your guards look into the murder,” she told Daniesh. “My assistant sent a statement to the police, explaining that you two were at the event last night and there simply wasn’t any point during the evening that Amanda could have slipped out, run back to the hotel, shot a man in cold blood, then rushed back to the evening’s festivities.” She added a firm nod to emphasize her statement.

“Thank you,” he replied, not taking his eyes away from Amanda. She wondered if he’d actually heard what Emma said. Amanda didn’t hear what Rayed said next, since she was too absorbed with the singeing heat coming from Daniesh’s gaze.

Then there was silence.

Daniesh walked towards her, his eyes never leaving hers.

“You are worried?” he asked, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“Terrified,” she replied, and cleared her throat, finally looking away.

“Why?”

Amanda’s mouth opened and she started to say something, to be honest with him, but no. That wouldn’t be polite. Emma was literally advising Amanda to use the man.

“It’s…nothing.”

He took her hand, lifting her fingers to his mouth. “You are worried that your friend’s advice might be offensive to me.”

Amanda’s jaw dropped and she tried to reclaim her hand. “You were eavesdropping on our private conversation?”

He chuckled. “The door was not fully closed. I tried not to listen, however, it was a…fascinating discussion.”

She searched for something pithy to say, but Daniesh was too close, too tall and…just too distracting!

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear. “Feel free to use me all you like.” He pulled back so that he could see her eyes as he added, “Consider me your boy-toy.”

She laughed, his comment too outrageous. “You are definitely not a boy,” she shot right back.

He chuckled. “I’m relieved you’ve noticed.”

“Plus, I can’t justusesomeone. At least, not intentionally. I’m sure that I’ve accidentally used someone but…I mean, I just…I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

He tucked her hand into his arm, leading her out of the bedroom. “I think we should have this conversation somewhere that doesn’t have a convenient bed.” He winked at her, then added, “Where I can convince you to change your mind.”

She glanced back over her shoulder at the bed, instantly picturing many lascivious ways to enjoy that bed!

“So what if I offer my services as your…uh…” he lifted his eyes to the ceiling as he led her down the ornate staircase, “…stress reduction therapist?”

Despite the awkwardness of the subject matter, Amanda smiled at his offer. “I appreciate how generous you are with both your body as well as your time, but I don’t think I could really enjoy any sort of sexual escapades at this moment. Not with a murder charge hanging over my head.”

He nodded understandingly as if her comments were only to be expected. “I can see how that could be a hindrance.” They moved down the wide stairway now. “How about if we leave that subject for now and re-visit it later? Perhaps there are other ways in which we could resolve your dilemma.”

She huffed a bit. “I love that you think of my possible imprisonment as a mere ‘dilemma’. However, I consider the potential to be a touch more…nerve-wracking.”

He chuckled while nodding his agreement. “Then we will resolve the issue.”

They stepped into a large, old-fashioned library with two walls filled with books. There was even a small balcony and a spiral staircase to reach the second level. Amanda stared, taking a deep breath and inhaling the scent of old leather, books, and musty history with delight.

“This is beautiful!” she gasped.

“Because of your chosen profession, I suspected that you would appreciate this space.” He gestured to one of the leather chairs. “Please, have a seat.”

He waited until she sat down before seating himself. Amanda loved the way he jerked at his slacks before sitting down. For some reason, it seemed like such a male thing to do, although she knew that women did it as well whenever they sat down. Perhaps Daniesh just did that little flick with a touch more flair.

He opened his mouth to speak, but a knock at the door interrupted.

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