One Night Of Consequences Collection. Annie West

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ 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.’

      ‘I hate you,’ she said, but the words lacked the heat they had carried the day before and by the way he smiled he knew it.

      ‘I got that memo last night. Now, let’s get this duty over and done with, hmm?’

      Yes, Nadir was all about duty but Imogen knew that duty was a poor motivator that led to anger and neglect and resentment unless it was backed up by something deeper and she feared that was exactly where they were headed if she conceded to his demands.

       CHAPTER EIGHT

      ‘KID, THAT’S SOME pitching arm you’ve got on you.’ Nadir leant down and picked up the ball Nadeena had lobbed from her high chair for the millionth time. It was a game she never seemed to tire of. ‘I can see you being a softball star when you’re older.’

      She babbled gleefully when he placed the soft fabric ball back in front of her but, instead of throwing it straight away, she reached towards him with a big grin and tried to grab his keffiyeh. ‘Not that.’ He grinned down at her and pushed his headdress back over his shoulder. ‘I’ve explained that it doesn’t look so good scrunched up by grubby baby hands.’ Redirecting her attention to the ball, he checked his Rolex again and spied the empty doorway.

      If Imogen didn’t show up soon they wouldn’t have time to stop for him to give her the ring that was burning a hole in his pocket and he didn’t want her facing a room full of dignitaries and gossips without it. And somehow it seemed important to solidify things between them. Important to remind her that she was with him now and always would be.

      Their earlier conversation and her look of surprise when she’d asked him if he wanted more—and he’d said no—replayed in his head. For a moment she’d looked so vulnerable that he’d wanted to snatch the words back but there had been enough misunderstanding between them and he didn’t want there to be any more. But he supposed he should have realised that she was a romantic. That she would want love. It still irked him that she had said she didn’t want to marry without it because clearly she didn’t love him and he didn’t love her.

      Which did not mean that their marriage was doomed. He had feelings for her and she might not think great sex was any reason to get married but it was a start and he knew she wasn’t as immune to him as she tried to pretend to be. Hell, that kiss had been proof enough of that, as was the way she held herself so carefully whenever he got close to her.

      Nadeena clapped her chubby hands together with delight when he returned the ball to her yet again. ‘If only your mother was so easily pleased,’ he said softly.

      She blew him a raspberry and he stroked his hand over her silky head. His daughter was a revelation to him—as was the depth of his feelings for her. Which only made him more determined to forge ahead with this marriage. Nadeena would not suffer the division of two parents’ expectations for her the way he and his sister had.

      As she СКАЧАТЬ