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“Well, this is certainly going to be the romantic night Nura wanted for me,” Aubrey muttered and then realized that she’d spoken out loud. Glancing up at Cyril, she frowned. “Sorry. When I get nervous, I talk to myself.”
“There is nothing to worry about, my dear. No matter what happens, you are family, and we will always treat you so.” Cyril almost sounded fatherly, and despite her earlier misgivings, she did find herself warming up.
Still, Cyril was the king, and he had an agenda for the evening’s festivities. He sent Mikal off to speak to certain people. When Jarah returned, Aubrey sipped her alcohol-free spritzer and accompanied him around the room as he made introductions and talked about politics. It was nearly two hours before Jarah finally led her onto the dance floor.
“Maybe it would have been better if you hadn’t come after all—I can’t take my eyes off you. You’re so beautiful, and the way that dress shows off your bump…” Jarah murmured as he put his hand on her back possessively.
“It’s impossible to hide,” she muttered. Most of the conversations aimed at her that night were about the baby. Polite and strained conversations. Wasn’t she so happy that it was a boy? She would be lucky if he looked like Jarah.
Grit your teeth and smile.That’s what she’d been telling herself over and over again, but Jarah looked at her and saw a woman. He made her feel incredibly sexy.
“You’re beautiful, Aubrey. When you're nine months pregnant, I’m going to think that.”
Her heart melted just a little bit. “I’m glad I came tonight. I’ve been so tense about this trip, I worried I would keep you from having a good time.”
“This trip isn’t about having a good time. It’s about introducing my wife to the right people.”
Sure. No pressure there. “And the right people are at the gala?”
“Yes.”
“Were they at the wedding?”
“Some, but not all. Since you’re pregnant, it’s important that…”
“Wait.” Aubrey stopped dancing and looked up at him with a frown. “I thought you wanted to introduce me because I’m your wife.”
“I do.”
“Or is it because I’m pregnant with your son?”
She kept her voice down, but Jarah still took her arm and led her off the dance floor to a more private corner. “I feel like you’re trying to make a point, but I’m not certain what it is.”
“That’s the point, Jarah. You look at me and you see your wife and the woman pregnant with your son, but I don’t think you see me. I’m just an incubator to you.”
His scowl deepened. “I did not marry you just because you were pregnant.”
“Yes you did.” Why would he even bother trying to lie? They’d both been there, in Hysani’s restaurant, when they’d had that conversation. It wasn’t as if she didn’t already know that she’d sold herself to make certain her child was safe. Now he was trying to manipulate her.
Before he could refute that, Yosef joined them. “I’m ready for my dance, my dear. Or am I interrupting something?”
“No. I’m happy to dance with you, Sheikh Yosef.” Hardly able to look her husband in the eye, she followed Yosef onto the dance floor. “I’m afraid I don’t know any of the traditional dances.”
“Not to worry.” He put a hand on her hip. Because of the dress, his fingers danced along her bare skin, and she stiffened. When Jarah touched her like that, it made her heart flutter, but with Yosef, her skin crawled.
Especially when she saw the smirk on his face. He knew exactly what he was doing.
“Are you enjoying the gala? You are the talk of the evening.”
“Am I? I didn’t even realize. I’ve been too distracted by the wonder of the ballroom. I must give my compliments to your wife.”
“My wife isn’t feeling well, I’m sorry to say. But it gives me more time to pay attention to my guests.” The way he said that sent a shiver down her spine, and she took a deliberate step back. He closed the distance the next moment. “That dress is a rather daring choice.”
“My mother-in-law chose it.”
“Nura. Shame she didn’t come with you. I get the feeling she does not like me very much.”
Aubrey wanted to deny it, but she had a feeling that if Nura were here, she wouldn’t refute his claim.
