She had to be messing with him.Sure, she’d come up with a semi-viable plan for her future, all on her own.There was, indeed, a market online for women who didn’t mind exposing their bodies and telling men what to do—both of which she did not.He’d enjoyed the show she’d provided for him from her balcony, although he was less enthused about discovering he’d been a trial run.Between her roommate and her sisters, she was remarkably well informed, even if lacking hands-on experience.His head swirled at the same pace as the stars.
He’d just provided that for her too.
But her plan still needed work.A great deal of work.He spotted a few flaws she hadn’t thought through.
“Aren’t you worried that your brother—or any other male member of your family—might stumble across your business if they’re surfing online?”
“How?They’d have to be surfing an American domain to find it.That’s why my roommate set up her business here, rather than in Djitania.She didn’t want her family to find out.This is the land of the free.”Malika’s deep sigh expressed happy contentment.“Freedom is wonderful.”
“Your brother spends a lot of time in this country,” Jayce pointed out, because one of them should be experiencing regret right now, and if it wasn’t going to be her, it might as well be him.
She dismissed that concern.“Adeel doesn’t use a computer.He is a dinosaur when it comes to technology.”
“The people who work for him aren’t.”
Her roommate with the side business online, for example.
She lifted her head to look at him.“I thought men didn’t care for conversation after sex.You’re ruining the moment.”
And Malika lived in the moment.He doubted if the possibility of pregnancy had entered her head.
Marriage to him was a much better solution than her ridiculous plan.Better to let her figure that out on her own.She’d be thrilled when she did.He was thrilled too.If she wished to display her body for his viewing pleasure and boss him around in the bedroom, then he was all in.Their compatibility was no longer in question.
But this wasn’t the right moment to ask.
Because he’d gotten lost in the moment too.Ali had promised Burning Scrub twenty-five million dollars if the town kept his sister out of trouble until he returned.Reality came crashing down.
Jayce had not kept her out of trouble.
And he didn’t have that kind of cash lying around.
*
Malika
Jayce refused tomeet Malika’s eyes across the breakfast table the next morning, despite her attempts to engage him.They were alone in the kitchen.His parents awoke very early.
Malika took a small, thoughtful sip of orange juice.He behaved as if he were the one who’d been ruined.The thought was intriguing.Could men be ruined?She didn’t know.
She did know her own ruin had been glorious.She’d thought she knew everything she needed to know, and he’d been wonderful when it turned out she didn’t.He was an excellent tutor.
Now was the time for her to tell him he had no need to worry about any expectations he thought she might have, if that was why he was so distant this morning.She understood that last night was about physical attraction.
She’d discovered something else as she’d tossed and turned in the long hours of the night, however.Not only did she not want to be second best, but she also didn’t want to settle for second best, either.No other man would ever compare.One more reason why she couldn’t marry Eli Chamas.
She needed to make that call to Aisha.
Huck entered the kitchen, and her moment to clear the air between her and Jayce was lost.
“Something flattened a section of my durum field last night, right in front of those damned weasel burrows,” Huck grumbled as he sat down to his breakfast.“They’re being watched.Mark my words, something’s going to get them.I heard coyotes.”
The tips of Jayce’s ears turned an intriguing shade of bright red.He pushed his plate of half-eaten pancakes aside.
“I’m going to give Mom a hand in the garden.Malika?Want to come with me?”
Huck poured a cup of coffee from the carafe.“Let her finish her breakfast.”
“But—”
