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Logan stiffened at the gleam of interest he saw in the prince’s eyes. “No one you need to know.”
The answer surprised Raj enough to glance back at the billionaire, and he asked bluntly, “Are you saying that because you have a standing claim on her?”
“She’s under my protection,” Logan said harshly.
“I hope that is not your way of insinuating I have it in me to hurt a woman.” Although Raj’s tone was light and amused, the warning that underscored his voice was unmistakable. “All I want is an introduction, and I can take care of the rest.” The prince noticed the way the billionaire’s face hardened at his words and found this particularly intriguing. Simply to see how the other man would react, Raj deliberately tried goading a response out of the billionaire, drawling, “It’s not like this is the first time you’ve given me leave to play with your women—”
Logan felt sick at his inability to deny the other man’s words. Because it was true. In the past, he had not thought twice of letting Raj bed any of his mistresses, having known that the latter would be more than eager for a chance to pleasure and be summarily rewarded by the Crown Prince’s generosity.
But Tilly was not like that, dammit.
“She’s different, alright? So just fucking drop it—”
“Why should I,” the prince asked calmly, “when you cannot even say that you have a claim on her?”
“Go to hell.”
The Crown Prince remained unruffled. “You asked me earlier what my price would be. It would be her then—”
“She’s not fucking for sale.”
“Did I say she was?” Raj asked diplomatically. “All I wish for is an introduction and the opportunity to invite her out to dinner. Surely it is not too much to ask, considering what I will be offering in exchange? Not everyone can be a part of the Hartland Initiative, but a seat in the board is yours: all I need is your blessing for me to take your woman out—”
Tilly reached them by then, and the Crown Prince stopped speaking and instead flashed a wickedly charming smile at her.
Logan saw this and had the strongest urge to plant a fist right at the center of the prince’s too-handsome face. Tilly was his wife, dammit. Raj had no fucking right smiling at her, and Tilly had to fucking know that. So why the hell was she now smiling back at the asshole?
“Will you not introduce us, my friend?” Raj drawled.
Words of refusal were at the tip of Logan’s tongue, but the inescapable thought that to do so was to follow in his father’s footsteps forced him into doing the opposite.
Tilly fought hard to keep her expression polite and unreadable as the billionaire made the introductions. She had heard everything they had spoken of, and the way Logan’s piercing gaze narrowed at her told Tilly he knew this, too. This man – this prince – wanted to take her out for dinner, and instead of telling him to go fuck off, Logan was actually introducing Tilly to him.
Like she really was on sale.
Tilly forced a smile as the prince’s gaze collided with hers. “Good morning, Your Highness. I, um, hope that’s the proper greeting?”
“Salamo Alayki,” Raj murmured. “It is the traditional greeting of my people,” he added by way of explanation, having seen the curious expression on her face.
“And how should I respond?” Tilly asked.
“You can either say ‘Wa Alaykom el Salam’…or you could simply kiss me instead.”
Tilly waited for Logan to react.
But he didn’t.
“I think I’ll play it safe,” she told the prince. “Wa Alaykom el Salam, Your Highness.”
“Please call me Raj.”
“I’m not sure—”
“You are not one of my subjects, Mathilda. You can call me whatever you want.”
“You’re going to make me blush if you keep talking like that – Raj.”
“I do not mind,” the prince murmured. “I’m sure you will be even more beautiful when you blush.”
And this time, Tilly really did blush, unable to help it.
“I would like to see more of you while I am here,” Raj pressed. “Does being a nanny mean working for my friend 24/7?”
She shook her head. “I get off at five. Plenty enough time for me to ready myself before you take me out for dinner.”
Again, she waited for Logan to speak.
But he did not.
Raj laughed. “Your candidness is very becoming.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Tilly managed to say.
“What time shall I pick you up?”
She turned to the billionaire, willing him to put an end to this.
Forget about the timeline. Tell him he’s wrong. Say I’m yours.
Anything was fine, just as long as it was enough to keep her heart from breaking.
But the billionaire did nothing at all, and Tilly finally realized that she had gotten a lucky break, not having given in to the urge to ask him her question.
Can I believe you love me?
