Page 4 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

Not a chance.

So, we’re both safely shielded. I just want to satisfy my curiosity and leave for the party. Maybe a few shots of arak[13] will help me get through the night. Though I prefer whiskey, that’s the only alcoholic drink allowed in our country.

But then she finally decides to obey, and when she lifts her face, something like a gust of wind announcing a storm sweeps through me.

I lose myself in those black depths that stand out against her alabaster skin, my body’s reaction overtaking reason.

Her beauty is the kind that, in the past, would have driven men to battle for the right to have her in their beds.

Without question, she’s the kind of muse who would inspire poets and painters.

She isn’t just fair, she’s almost translucent, making her dark brows and lashes stand out even more. The tiny, upturned nose, the full, naturally red lips, the delicate contour of her face—all of it forms an irresistible whole, mesmerizing anyone who looks at her.

Tense from the unexpected impact of her appearance, I turn my gaze away, but it’s too late. I’ve alreadymemorizedher, and I know I’ll never forget that face.

I’ve never minded the women of Rheadur wearing the hijab; I grew up seeing it. Even though my father passed a law about ten years ago making it optional, many women still wear it out of respect for their male relatives, their husbands, and the sheikh himself.

Today, though, I find myself wishing I could walk over to her and uncover her, just to see if her black hair is as long and silky as I imagine.

Adeela must be soft all over.

The wild loss of control that hits me is so intense it makes me take a step back, and I never retreat.

Then, suddenly, she lowers her head again and runs off.

I blink a few times, wondering if that really happened.

Could that ethereal figure who stood before me and vanished like magic have been real?

When I glance down, I see a small handkerchief embroidered with the initials A.G.—Adeela Ghazal.

I bring it to my nose and inhale the faint scent of roses.

I should return it, but I know I won’t.

It’ll be my secret. The closest I’ll ever allow myself to get to her.

If Adeela had been raised in a different culture, with a mind as open as mine, I wouldn’t think twice before seducing her. But I’d never do that to someone who was taught to stay untouched until marriage.

So, even though I’ve just felt the most devastating physical attraction of my life, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Chapter 2

Hours Later

“I think I’m making a mistake, Jazmina. Actually, I already did when I agreed to go along with your absurd idea. I can’t do this. My father hasn’t spoken to me all week because of our performance.”

He hasn’t spoken to mepolitely, I mean. As always, he didn’t miss the chance to insult me. But I’m too ashamed to tell her that. Jazmina is a princess who lives in her own world, a place where fathers and brothers love you. Even the future sheikh, who doesn’t seem to love anyone, treats her kindly.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Adeela, but your father doesn’t need a reason to ignore you. Honestly, I think he uses silence as a form of punishment.”

I know she’s right. My father knows how lonely I am and that, aside from the hours I spend with Jazmina, I have no one to talk to. So I don’t doubt that he and his wives use their silence to punish me. That punishment would be even worse if I weren’t lucky enough to be the childhood best friend of the sheikh’s beloved daughter. My father knows Jazmina is theapple of our leader’s eye, and angering her by separating us would enrage him.

“You’re not backing out now,” she says. “You promised, Adeela. Father would be disappointed if we didn’t dance in his honor.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or hit her. “You tricked me, and you know it,” I accuse. “We’re not dancing just because it’s your father’s birthday—you want to convince him to let you study in England.”

She smiles, but her eyes grow sad. “This will be my last chance to convince him, my friend. After my brother Naim takes office as our country’s new sheikh, he’ll never agree to give me that kind of freedom.”