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So what if she’d thrived on challenges once upon a time? What did it matter if this Scheherazade-adjacent task felt like one plucked right out of her deepest fantasies? Matt’s life wasn’t a fantasy, and this time with Tahir was far from a fairy tale.
At the much-needed reminder, she rose from the seat, tugging the stole firmly around her. ‘I’m sure you’ll let me know when you’re free to start this task. Goodnight.’ She turned and started for the door.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’
She paused, unwilling to admit his deep, rumbling voice triggered another micro tsunami within her. Neutralising her expression, she turned. ‘You’ve explained the rules and I’ve agreed to play your game. I’m assuming you’ll fit me in at some point tomorrow?’ She crossed her fingers, hoping he wouldn’t spitefully schedule her too late in the day.
‘You’re mistaken. The game will be over by this time tomorrow.’
She stiffened. ‘What do you mean?’
‘It means you only have twenty-four hours with me in the desert to earn my consideration. And your time started fifteen minutes ago when you entered my tent.’
Tahir watched shock flit across her face. Every expression that crossed her face was infuriatingly mesmerising. Hours later, he still couldn’t believe he’d kissed her. Couldn’t believe he’d disparaged himself for his base inclinations only to succumb to the theory seconds later. Hell, even now, he could hardly keep his eyes off those luscious lips.
‘What?’
He refocused on their conversation. On the game he’d decided on his helicopter ride over would be the ideal tool for his retribution. ‘You’re wasting time, Lauren. Sit down.’
Eyes wide with shock and a charged spark he wanted to foolishly explore, she whirled with an innate grace he suspected she wasn’t conscious of and drifted back to her seat.
Sinking back onto it with that same riveting poise, she frowned. ‘We’re doing this now?’
‘Weren’t you eager to get started only a little while ago?’
‘Yes, but—’
Tahir reached forward and spun the tray, watched the shrouded hourglasses whirl before slowing to a stop. For a moment he wondered whether he was tarnishing the memories he’d created with his grandfather by using this tool. Just as his mother did with him, was he lowering himself by sinking into the same soulless transactional quid pro quo with Lauren?
No. It was the most effective means of reaching his goals. Nothing more.
‘Choose.’
For an age, her gaze clung to his, her expressions ranging from wariness to defiance to trepidation. Then extending one fine-boned hand, she traced her fingers over the pouch to the left for a moment before, emitting a small breath, tugging it free.
Tahir had played the game often enough to know which one she’d uncovered, and even as sprigs of excitement unfurled in his chest, he muttered coolly, ‘You have forty-five minutes.’
He sat back, momentarily regretting letting her go first because he knew the next forty-five minutes would be about her brother, the selfish idiot she seemed to irrationally care about. He tightened his gut against the faint spikes of sensation that reeked far too much of jealousy. ‘Proceed.’
She licked her lips, leaving a damp trail on her plump flesh and sending a pulse of lust into his groin. ‘Matt was arrested two weeks ago. He...was told he’d have time to organise his defence team but the court has expedited his case.’ She paused, sucked in a long breath that drew his unwilling gaze to her chest and the firm breasts pushing against the material of her saffron-coloured top.
He should’ve instructed that she not be dressed in his favourite colour...
He wrenched himself from that distracting thought and focused, tensing as her words penetrated.
‘My judicial system marches to its own drumbeat.’ Tahir shrugged. ‘Unlike other court systems, Jukrat has attained its level of excellence by being fair but swift,’ he said without conceit. It was a system his father had fought hard for; one Tahir had strictly maintained.
Lauren nodded. ‘So I’ve discovered.’
He refused to be affected by the alarm in her response. ‘What was your brother charged with?’
Her lush eyelashes swept down, the first indication that she didn’t relish the response she had to give. When her lips pursed in a futile effort to buy herself more time, Tahir’s skin tightened with premonition. ‘Answer me, Lauren.’
‘Drug possession,’ she finally said, her voice subdued.
The potent dose of poetic justice being delivered held him still for several seconds. He only roused himself out of it when she darted a glance at him.
‘Your brother smuggled drugs into my kingdom?’ The words felt like ice chips falling from his lips.
