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‘Don’t you want more?’ The words were out of her mouth before she knew she was even about to say them and when Nadir looked up her heart stuttered at how incredibly virile he looked.
His eyes skimmed over her and if she wasn’t mistaken lingered on her lips. Heat suffused her cheeks. ‘More what?’
Imogen didn’t want to say it but it was as if someone else was directing her mouth. ‘Love. Don’t you want to marry for love?’
His grimace spoke volumes. ‘Love is for greeting cards and grandmothers, not for marriage.’
‘Which shows you how wrong we are for each other because I only want to marry for love.’
‘I already told you my parents married for love. It caused nothing but grief.’
She could tell by his tone that he was deadly serious. ‘You really believe that, don’t you?’
‘No, I know it. Otherwise you would not still be arguing with me and resisting this marriage. You would be embracing the fact that I can give you a life few others can.’ His mouth tilted mockingly at the corners. ‘Including your friend back in London.’
Ignoring his last comment, Imogen was shocked by his view. ‘You would prefer that I marry you for your money? That’s so cold and...empty.’
‘It’s honest.’ He gave a frustrated shake of his head, keeping his face soft for Nadeena’s sake. ‘And tonight is important, Imogen. Or I wouldn’t ask.’
She swallowed and lifted her eyes to his. ‘Why?’ she asked bleakly. ‘I got the impression that Bakaan doesn’t mean anything to you.’
‘That’s complicated too.’
‘How?’
His face closed down and she knew he wouldn’t answer her.
‘Let’s just say that it is and leave it at that.’
‘So much for listening,’ she muttered.
He looked at her. ‘I have answered every question you’ve asked.’
‘You think?’
He rubbed a hand across his jaw. He needed a shave, she thought absently, and how was it possible for his mouth to be such a perfect bow? He caught her staring and awareness pulsed between them.
The kiss they had shared the day before jumped into her mind and by the way his eyes had now dropped to her own mouth she suspected it had jumped into his as well.
His silent scrutiny unnerved her and she moved sideways to get around him and hoped to heaven that he didn’t touch her because she wasn’t sure how she’d react if he did. Or at least she was sure but she didn’t want to have that reaction. She had a horrible way of mixing sex up with love when it came to this man and given his miserable views on love it would be emotional suicide for her to risk her heart—and Nadeena’s—on him again.
‘My country suffered a great deal because of my father’s reign. I will not worsen that by ignoring my current duties. Now, as much as I enjoy arguing with you, we are out of time. Will you come with me tonight?’
It wasn’t really a question. ‘Do you always have to be so pushy?’ she complained.
A cloud came across his face and, just like that, he was a stranger again. ‘I will watch Nadeena while you get ready.’
Frustrated at the way he just seemed to corral her into a corner as if she was a rogue horse, she tried to think of some way out. ‘She needs a bath.’
‘Then I will give her one.’
‘By yourself?’
‘Don’t look so surprised. I doubt it’s rocket science but if it makes you feel better I will have Maab present so that Nadeena can bond with her.’
Outdone by his logic, Imogen gnashed her teeth. ‘It will be a mistake taking me.’
‘Why do you say that?’
Because she had no experience of dealing with world leaders and dignitaries and she’d likely embarrass them both. ‘I’m a dancer. I danced at the Moulin Rouge. Surely everyone will think I’m unsuitable to be the wife of a king.’
‘No doubt some will.’
That stung and his ready agreement was like the flick of a knife across a wound that hadn’t quite healed.
He glanced at her impatiently. ‘But I won’t be King so it doesn’t matter.’
‘Why not? Too much responsibility for you?’
He shoved his hand through his hair and turned it into a sexy mess. ‘Are you trying to annoy me to get me to change my mind about our union ?’
‘Would it work?’
‘No.’ His brow quirked with a mixture of frustration and humour. ‘Now, stop with the delaying tactics. Nadeena will be fine and, as beautiful as you undoubtedly are, yesterday’s jeans and T-shirt aren’t going to work tonight.’
