The realisation was emotionally debilitating and if he thought that giving her a couple of extraordinary orgasms would be enough to make her comply with his every wish then he had another thing coming. Especially since she’d had at least a day now to stew over the news that they were to be married at the end of the week.
She doubted she would have taken the news that well if it had come from Nadir, but since it had come from Tasnim asking what style of dress she would like to wear she felt like telling Nadir to go to hell. That she’d been right all along and this was nothing but an enormous mistake they would both live to regret.
A slight noise from behind her had her hackles rising as she recognised the subtle shift in the air that told her it was him. Pride kicked in and fortified her spine. There was no way she would let him know that his actions had hurt her. Determined to be cool and dignified despite her racing heartbeat, she finished off a leisurely stretch and then stood up as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
He walked towards her, his eyes raking over the casual clothing she had found in amongst the clothes he had provided for her. She hadn’t wanted to wear them but then she hadn’t really had any choice. Nadir was garbed in traditional white robes that emphasised his regal bearing and sun-bronzed skin. How a man could make robes look sexy was beyond her, but unfortunately they only seemed to enhance Nadir’s physical perfection rather than detract from it.
He ran a hand through his hair and she realised that he looked tired beneath his natural tan. ‘Where’s Nadeena?’
Of course he would ask after their daughter first. It was why she was even here after all. Stupidly, it hurt.
‘Having a late afternoon nap.’
He nodded. ‘Has she been okay?’
‘Great.’
‘Okay then it’s you.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘What’s wrong?’
She kept her expression bland. ‘What could possibly be wrong?’
* * *
Nadir didn’t know, but something was. He’d spent the last two days meeting with members of the UAE to determine Bakaan’s future membership into the federation and he was exhausted. It had been a frustrating endeavour because his father had never been interested in political or economic alliances and instead had treated Bakaan as a lone wolf. Naturally enough that made some of the members of the federation highly suspicious of what Bakaan’s intentions were and what the benefit was in including them into the federation at all. When he had explained his and Zach’s vision of the future—drawn up and refined over many years and many lagers—he’d had a breakthrough and all but one had signed the new treaty.
Reform would be slow, he knew, and arduous but intensely satisfying once it started to take effect. And it was also supposed to be Zach’s job—not his. Zach, who had still not returned any of his phone calls.
Now Nadir was supposed to travel to Sur, a Northern city, and present the terms of the agreement to the outer tribal elders who still held a lot of influence in certain sectors of Bakaan.
First, though, he’d wanted to stop off and see Imogen and Nadeena. He’d been frustrated the past two days that he hadn’t been able to see them at all but the federation members had been due to leave and Nadir had needed to strike while the iron was hot. When he’d returned to his suite late last night, even though he’d sent a note telling Imogen when he would finish up, he’d been disappointed to find her already in bed. And not his. After their lovemaking two nights ago he’d assumed that things between them would improve. Seeing the look on her face now, he knew that had been an erroneous assumption.
He stepped closer to her and she stepped back. His smile turned wry and he deliberately kept his gaze above her neck or he knew he wouldn’t give a damn about finding out what was wrong and fix it in his own way. ‘I don’t know, Imogen. But something is.’
She shrugged and he gritted his teeth. The wall was back up between them and she’d added a couple of bricks for good measure. Did she really find the idea of being tied to him so hateful? Or was it something else? Her London lover, perhaps?
He tried to cap his instant irritation at the thought of them living together and reminded himself that the buffoon was part of her past and she was as entitled to one as much as he was. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. ‘Did you get my message last night?’
She tossed her head in a feminine challenge and her wheat-blonde braid swished over her shoulder like the tail of an angry cat. ‘I did.’
‘But you ignored it.’
‘I was tired.’
Not much he could say to that since the reason she was most likely tired was because he’d kept her up most of the previous night making love to her.
‘And what would have been the point in waiting up anyway?’
Now there was a lot he could say to that and he barely resisted the urge to just pull her into his arms and show her. ‘I would have thought after the night we spent together you wouldn’t need to ask that.’
She shrugged again. ‘We were two people letting off steam. It meant—’
‘Do not say nothing, Imogen.’ His jaw clenched tight. ‘Not unless you want me to set about proving just how much it did mean.’
Her eyes flashed and it looked like she bit her tongue. ‘Did you come here for a reason? Has your brother returned?’
He drew his hand across his lower jaw. ‘No. Unfortunately not. And something about his lack of contact no longer rings true. I’ve sent a convoy out to check on his whereabouts. In the meantime I have to convince our tribal leaders in the north that this union will be for the good of Bakaan.’
‘Sounds busy. You’d better go.’
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Imogen turned dismissively as if she had a hundred better things to do and Nadir’s frustration and tiredness tripped over into anger. ‘You could show a little more interest than that.’
She seemed unconcerned by his outburst. ‘What would you like me to say?’ She was formal, polite. Reserved. The warmth from their lovemaking had gone as if it had never existed. ‘Break a leg?’
It took three steps to reach her and when he clamped his hands around her slender arms she went as rigid as a poker. He gentled his touch. ‘What’s wrong, habibi? Has someone upset you?’
She tried to shake him off. ‘You don’t talk to me about anything—why should I talk to you? I’m just an additional problem you don’t want. Nadeena and I both.’
‘That’s not true. I don’t have a lot of time right now.’
‘When will you?’ She lifted her chin. ‘Never, that’s when. If this marriage goes ahead—’
‘It will.’
‘So I heard.’ She lifted her chin. ‘In five days’ time, apparently. It would have been nice of you to tell me. What if I wanted to invite some of my friends for support?’
‘Invite whomever you want.’ His brow furrowed. ‘And I thought I had told you. It’s been decreed by the council.’
‘I don’t care if it’s been decreed by the Queen of England. The last thing I want is a husband who is off having a good time without his family. I tell you, Nadir, if Nadeena ever hears of any affairs you’ve had I will unman you.’
‘There will be no affairs.’
‘Right.’ Her green eyes flashed sceptically. ‘All that travel and long hours at work...I know how it goes.’
‘I do not operate that way and I never have.’
‘And if you fall in love one day?’ Her delicate brows arched in challenge. ‘What then?’
Nadir gritted his teeth. ‘That won’t happen.’
Instead of being relieved by his reassuring words, she looked achingly vulnerable and he was beyond frustrated because he had no idea how to please her. No idea how to win her over.
‘Go away, Nadir. I understand you have important people waiting for you.’
He
r words stuck in his head. There was no doubt the emirs waiting for him were important. But so was she and he didn’t want to spend another night away from her. ‘Actually, I don’t. I’ve cancelled all my other obligations.’
Her eyes narrowed warily. ‘You have?’
No, but he would. It was only a white lie and what was he doing telling white lies anyway? He hated lies and liars and had never seen any excuse for those who did so. And yet here he was, telling one because he knew if he didn’t he’d somehow hurt her again.
Anyway, Omar could travel north with the emirs. He was equipped for the job and Nadir could use the time to take stock of all that was happening in Bakaan. Take stock of the fact that he’d relished the challenge of the last couple of days. And why wouldn’t he? It was what he did for a living after all. Bought companies experts said were dogs and turned them into cash cows.
If it was part of Zach’s plan to disappear so that he’d have no choice but to get involved in Bakaani business then it had worked. To a degree because he still wouldn’t take on the leadership role, no matter how sly Zach was. But right now all that was second to putting things right with Imogen.
He felt her try to pull away again but he slid his hands down her arms and felt goose bumps rise up on her flesh. His muscles hardened as he registered what the shiver beneath her skin betrayed and the need to stamp his claim on her became paramount. Forcing his hold to remain gentle, he sipped at her lips, took her bottom lip between his teeth and suckled it rhythmically until he heard the small hitch in her breath that said she was his. That little sound always undid him and he drew her closer and groaned as her soft curves yielded to his hardness.
‘And I’m taking you out for dinner,’ he found himself saying. ‘There’s a dance troupe in the city showcasing some of Bakaan’s tribal dances. They’re performing tonight.’ He was sure he’d seen it on the list of possible excursions for the emirs because he’d immediately thought of her. ‘There might be some other leaders present but I booked a private table.’ Another white lie that would only be so until he got onto Staph.
CHAPTER TWELVE
NADIR WAITED FOR Imogen to return from the restaurant bathroom and thought that if one more person stopped at their table to suck up to him he’d have them locked up for making a nuisance of themselves.
Of course it wasn’t just him they were interested in. With her blonde hair and natural grace, Imogen would no doubt become the Jackie Kennedy of Bakaan if he were to become King. Something everyone assumed was already the case.
He sighed and was thankfully distracted from heading down that line of thought as Imogen wove her way through the crowd, Bjorn keeping a discreet but alert distance. She’d chosen to wear a traditional abaya for their night out and the thoughtfulness of the gesture wasn’t lost on him. She could just as easily have worn something shockingly skimpy to embarrass him but it wasn’t in her nature. He didn’t know why he hadn’t seen from the start that she wasn’t manipulative or two-faced, as many of the other women he had dated in the past had turned out to be. Women who would simper and preen and bend any which way he asked them to. He smiled as his memories of the other night came back on a rush. He was already looking forward to the end of this evening and bending Imogen to his will again.
‘Wow—this looks delicious.’
Nadir followed her gaze to the table. He’d forgotten all about the food.
‘I hope you didn’t wait for me to start.’
‘Of course I did.’
‘Oh, thanks.’ She leant forward and sniffed appreciatively. Her eyes closed and a look of total bliss swept across her face and he very nearly called for his car.
‘Is that cardamom and cinnamon I can smell?’
‘And vanilla and honey,’ he said roughly. Like her skin.
‘What’s this dish?’
Shelving his sexual appetites for now, Nadir turned his attention to the food. For the next hour they ate and talked and when it was time for the music to start the tables were cleared to make room for the dancers to take the floor. Of course he and Imogen were given a central position and moments later a lute started playing. Then a flute joined in along with a riqq. Imogen started swaying in time with the music.
She leant closer to him so that she could be heard above the music and revelry of the excited audience, her lips so close to his ear he could feel her warm breath. ‘What’s that instrument?’
Nadir turned his head, his gaze snagging with hers, their mouths inches apart. He thought about kissing her but knew he couldn’t. Public displays of affection were currently considered a crime in Bakaan. Instead he inhaled her fragrance and reminded himself that he was a man reputed to have wonderful self-control. ‘Which one?’
She swivelled her head and pointed towards a group of musicians and he breathed in her tantalising scent.
‘The one across that man’s lap that looks like a harp.’
‘A qanun.’
She smiled up at him. ‘It’s beautiful.’
No, she was beautiful and he wondered how it was possible for his heart to feel so light when Zach’s continued lack of contact was starting to worry him and insurgents were right now threatening to disrupt industry in the north.
She tapped her feet in time with the music and the lead dancer noticed. With a smile on her face she headed their way and Nadir knew what was coming.
‘Would the new Sheikha like to join in the line-up?’
Imogen’s face lit up and she said, ‘Shukran,’ which impressed everyone within earshot, and joined them.
The audience cheered when they realised what was going on and the female dancers surrounded Imogen, much to Bjorn’s consternation, and wound shimmering skeins of fabric around her to match their own costumes.
She stood with her feet together, toes turned out and he grinned as he remembered the time he had teased her about looking like a duck. She’d quacked and told him that after years of dancing she couldn’t help it. He’d kissed her and told her he loved it. He still did.
Missing a step, she laughed and delighted the other dancers with her unaffected nature and he tensed as he wondered how any man looking at her could fail to want her as much as he did. Immediately following that thought was the one that said he should bundle her up right now and take her back to the palace. Back to his bed.
Only the dance had started and he couldn’t turn away from her as she mastered the routine. His gut tightened and then the dance changed and the men joined in.
They looked at him with an air of hope rather than expectancy because, of course, his father had never mixed with his people like this, preferring to rule from the lofty heights of the palace walls. If he were to take the job he wouldn’t rule that way and neither would Zach.
And then he realised what dance they were about to perform. It was the dance a man did when he was courting a woman and his instinct was to beg off but then he caught Imogen’s eyes, her swaying figure. To hell with it. He moved to stand opposite her. He had never performed it before but he had seen it done many times as a boy. She looked up at him with a shy expression. Did she know what this performance represented? That it signified undying love?
His steps faltered as he circled her. Was that what he was feeling? Love? He immediately discarded the idea. He’d never wanted to find love in his life because—as he’d learned from first-hand experience—deep emotion brought even deeper mistakes and he liked his mind clear and sharp. Not that it was exactly clear or sharp right now but that was just lust and lust could be sated.
Imogen’s words about how she only wanted to marry for love came back to him. What would it be like to have hers? Something tightened in his chest. He didn’t want that from her. It was enough that they were compatible in bed. That they enjoyed each other’s company. He stepped closer to her than he should have. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he growle
d in her ear.
She looked up at him with big eyes and he thought to hell with it and kissed her before dragging her off the dance floor amidst the shocked gasps of his countrymen. Things would be changing soon enough in Bakaan. He’d just add PDAs to that long list of improvements.
* * *
Imogen could feel the tension radiating from Nadir’s big body in the car and desire made her blood grow sluggish in her veins. That dance they had performed back at the restaurant had been highly erotic even though they’d never actually touched. And Nadir had performed it like a professional. She’d guessed that it was some sort of mating ritual and she wondered if Nadir had ever danced it with another woman before. She wanted to ask, but she wouldn’t.
Instead she thought about how much his people had loved it when he’d joined in and she wondered yet again why he didn’t want to be King. He would be exceptional in the role. Was it because of his father? His sister who she didn’t feel comfortable enough asking him about? And when would she start to feel comfortable enough with him to be able to freely discuss what was on her mind?
‘Did you have a good time?’
‘Yes.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘You’re biting your bottom lip. What’s wrong?’
Imogen glanced at the driver of the car. ‘Nothing.’
‘By now I understand that nothing inevitably meant something.’
‘You’re not that clever,’ she said, smiling in spite of her misgivings. But he was and it was a bit disconcerting to think that he knew her so well already.
Fortunately he let it drop as the car swung through the palace gates and stopped at the front steps. They both got out and Nadir didn’t try to talk to her until he’d closed the door to his suite.
After finding out Nadeena was okay, Imogen once again found herself standing awkwardly before Nadir when what she’d love to do was go up to him and wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.
Prince Nadir's Secret Heir Page 13