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.’
Her 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.
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.
