Page 26 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“I’d like to please you. I’d be offended if you refused.”

My sister’s return cuts off what would probably have been another protest. “Did I hear the word ‘shopping’? Don’t even think of saying no, Adeela. I already know which stores I want to go to. You look stunning in that dress, but we have plenty of plans ahead, and you’ll need variety. European high society pays close attention to who wears what. In fact, I think you should take off the hijab and see how you feel without it. What do you think, Kaled?”

I know exactly what she’s doing. Jazmina doesn’t really want my opinion; she wants Adeela to feel like she has my approval, as her future ruler.

From what I’ve seen so far, Adeela’s repressed. Even more than most older women back home.

“She should do whatever she wants. Wear the scarf if you wish. Take it off if you’d like to see how it feels to be uncovered.” I’m granting her the freedom to choose, but it’s hard to fight the urge to reach out and pull it off myself.

Her hands lift, and I wait in anticipation. But then she lowers them again.

“Maybe next time. I’m not feeling that brave today.”

Chapter 13

Le Pré Catelan Restaurant

“You’ve never taken me to such a beautiful restaurant before,” Jazmina complains, pouting.

I don’t know what to say, but the closest thing to the truth is that I wanted Adeela’s first dinner in Paris to be special.

“I should’ve eaten slower,” she continues. “Everything was delicious, but there were so many different dishes I won’t be able to remember their names or flavors.”

Adeela looks at her with a faint smile.

She’s been avoiding eye contact with me, as if every glance happens by accident, and every time it does, I feel like I’ve just won the grand prize.

That girl makes me crave her attention, and that’s not something I’m used to. Women’s gazes have always drifted to me easily.

While my sister talks endlessly, blissfully unaware of the tension between us, I feel as though Adeela and I are in our own separate world, because there’s no doubt that, despite her efforts to avoid looking at me, she feels it too.

I love Jazmina, but tonight, I wish she weren’t here.

I barely tasted the food. I spent most of the evening watching Adeela.

She’s so delicate. From the way she holds her fork to the way she takes a sip of sparkling water, every gesture is graceful.

She’s more of a listener than a talker, letting my sister dominate the conversation, but when she does speak, it’s always with a subtle wit that takes me by surprise.

I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a woman’s company so much, knowing full well I wouldn’t be taking her to bed afterward.

Even though none of this is her fault, I feel trapped in a dilemma. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but I can’t see a way to have her.

“Why did you two have to come stay with me in such a hurry?” I ask without warning, partly because I want a direct answer and partly because I need to stop thinking about Adeela’s full, soft mouth.

From what I know so far, that mouth has never been kissed.

Damn it. That only makes me wonder what else I could teach her.

“Do you really want to talk about that now?” my sister asks, incredulous.

No. I want to take your friend somewhere private, some alternate reality where rules and social conventions don’t exist.

I clear my throat, forcing my thoughts back into order. “Yes. I brought you both here, as you asked, and now I want to know what’s going on.”

I don’t miss the look they exchange. A silent understanding.

I lean back in my chair, arms crossed over my chest. “Well?” I press.