Page 24 of Hired Husband

“Wouldn’t it?” I mused out loud, then held out the phone toward him, speaking loudly enough that she would be able to hear me. “It’s Deja. Maybe she can talk you off this cliff.”

“I’m not on a cliff,” he protested but took the phone anyway. His eyes slid shut as he pressed the phone to his ear. “Deja? Hey. What’s going on?”

He paused for a beat to listen, and as I watched, he exhaled a deep, long breath, some of the tension easing out of his features. “Yeah, I know, but it’s just, like, I’ve never been to something like this and Basel’s already talking about introducing me to so many people that it’s making my head spin.”

I winced in sympathy, understanding a little better why he looked so stressed. It became even more apparent after he’d listened to whatever my sister said next. “Thanks, but somehow, I doubt having your family there is going to save me from your father. Plus, I don’t speak the language, I don’t know how not to offend people in business over here, and I didn’t bring dress shoes, so I had to go out and buy some but⁠—”

Without even thinking about it, I reached over and gently took my phone back. Holding his gaze, I explained to Deja what was going on. Then I said, “Don’t worry about him, okay? I’ve got this.”

She chuckled. “Oh my gosh. He’s so nervous. Just be nice to him. Please? I know I’ve asked you before, but I think he might bail on the gala and Dad would come down on him like a ton of bricks if he does.”

“I’ll deal with it,” I said, then hung up, still staring into those bright blue eyes and wondering why the hell the universe kept doing this to me. “I’m going to take pity on you.”

“You are?”

“Yep.” I inhaled a deep breath and slid my phone back into my pocket. Isaac looked so overwhelmed that it was oddly endearing. This wasn’t his world, and as much as I wanted it to be somebody else’s problem, I also might just want it to be mine. “Do you just want to come to the gala with me?”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s not that hard, Isaac,” I said, motioning toward the building. “We live in the same place, so we’ll go to the gala together. When we get there, I’ll introduce you to the people you actually have to know instead of only those my father wants to show you off to, and I’ll stick to your side like glue in case you accidentally offend somebody.”

He stared at me like he wasn’t sure he’d heard me correctly, but then a slow smile broke out across his face. A sudden twinkle lit those eyes. “You do realize that sounds like a date, right?”

I laughed. “Don’t flatter yourself, buddy. This is just me being nice to you. It’s the start of your grand tour, so be ready at seven sharp and I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

As I spun around, I had to admit that he had a point. It did sound like a date, but I’d rather catapult myself to Mars than admit it out loud. So instead, I simply strode to the elevator, not hating the fact that I could feel him staring at me.

Once I walked into my apartment, however, it was game time. Seven o’clock wasn’t that far away, and if I was going to be ready on time, I needed every last minute. So I did my best to shove Isaac out of my mind, drawing a cool bath and very carefully not getting my hair wet as I washed.

Unfortunately, the man refused to stay out of my thoughts. Even as I lay in my Calm Nostalgia scented bubbles, one of the best scents my sister had ever created, I found my mind drifting toward him. All sorts of things happened to my body when I realized he could be in the shower right now.

Naked.

Wet.

Water trailing down from those broad shoulders to his⁠—

A completely involuntary soft moan slid out of me and I shocked myself so badly with the sound that I sloshed half the bubbles out of the tub because of how fast I sat up. God, this is ridiculous. I am Jasmine Saad. I do not fantasize about random boys, and I definitely do not get turned on by it.

I did not do vulnerability or connections, and as it was, I had let Isaac see far too much this week, when I’d given him an impromptu little tour of our neighborhood. He was just another guy trying to get in with my father and I didn’t need more of that in my life either.

I’d do well to remember that tonight.

Reaching for my loofah again, I quickly finished up in the bathtub and got out before I could do anything else stupid, like perhaps act on the impulses thinking about him in the shower sent through me. Once I was out, I dried off and strode into my bedroom utterly nude, getting a little thrill just knowing he was somewhere in the building while I was doing it.

Stop it. Stop.

I grabbed a pair of lacy panties out of my dresser and slid them on before I sat down in front of my mirror. The makeup I needed was already spread out on the table. For the next forty minutes, I put on my public face, dabbing, spritzing, and brushing until my war paint was firmly in place.

And this gala was a war.

People were always watching us closely there, just waiting for any slip by the mighty Saads. There were some who used the opportunity to try and get closer and others who would love nothing more than to see us fall from grace so they could take our place.

It was times like this I understood exactly why Deja had chosen to move to Chicago without putting up much of a fight. It sure is easier, being away from the limelight.

As much as I loved the attention at times, all I really wanted for my future was a life of travel, love, and children someday. Not that I would ever tell anyone that.

Glancing at the standing clock in the center of my room, I stood right on cue, thankfully still completely on schedule despite my little foray into the naughty part of my mind in the tub. My gown hung against my wardrobe, layers of champagne silk and lace as gorgeous and intricately designed as any wedding dress.