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Chapter 288
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 289
They breezed through check-in and customs and took off on time. The journey was in fact perfect—except for the two coiled springs sharing the first-class cabin.As they hurtled across time zones, Brianna played a game with the night sky, convincing herself that the day that had started so perfectly was being extended so it could end on a better note, and that somehow he’d look over and smile, as if pleased the universe was giving him these extra hours. Only Elmo didn’t use them wisely. Barely a word passed between them even as they landed, renegotiated customs, and stepped out into the freezing morning.Freezing!Melbourne winters weren’t exactly warm, but they were positively tropical compared to this. Her breath was blowing out white clouds, her teeth chattering as they headed to the waiting car, jumping like a puppy left behind into the heated warmth as the driver loaded their cases.But nothing—not Elmo’s black mood nor her earlier confrontation with Gilberto—could dim the beauty
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 290
"I’m not ignoring you now..." Elmo husked, then groaned into her neck. ‘Brianna, please. This endless day has been hell...Naked beneath the sheet, her body begged for no more questions. He was here; he’d come to her; somehow he needed her tonight, and it must be enough to hush her worried mind. His hands were cupping her face as he kissed away her doubts, and her sob of anger was aimed at herself as she pulled at his suit and her fingers tore at his clothes.Could she do it? Brianna begged for herself as he entered her.Could she be the woman he came to at night if he gave nothing of himself in the morning?‘Yes!’ Brianna sobbed her answer out loud, then sobbed it again. ‘Yes.’ she whimpered, her nails digging into the taut muscles of his back as he moved deep within her, tears spilling out of her eyes as he took her to the edge, then toppled her over.Staring down at her as she slept, her face as pale as the pillow in the moonlight, her hair spread on the sheet, her lips swollen fro
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 291
"Bonita, this is my new personal assistant, Brianna Doyle—Brianna, this is Bonita Leonardo." He gave Brianna a sudden smile. "Of course—stupid me." "You two will have already met."‘Met?’ Brianna frowned, and so too did Bonita."We’ve spoken on the telephone, yes?"‘That’s right.’ Brianna nodded, then turned to Elmo. "We’ve never actually met.""But surely at your interview for the PR position..." Elmo was still smiling, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. ‘Oh—sorry, Brianna. I didn’t introduce you properly; you see, not only is Bonita Evaristo Leonardo’s wife, she’s head of PR. That’s how they met, in fact!"Still, he keeps me working!" Bonita laughed, but her laughter faded as her eyes—not her Botoxed forehead—crinkled in concentration. "You say you had an interview..." she attempted, her voice fading as she attempted to place Brianna."It must have been with another hotel chain." It was Elmo who broke the appalling silence. ‘My mistake.’ He might have broken the silence, b
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 292
‘Elmo!’Evaristo Leonardo was, of course, the guest of honor at his own party, but Elmo clearly came in a close second. Their host quickly excused himself from the gathered crowd and made his way over, talking in rapid Italian as he greeted his friend but politely switching to English as soon as Brianna was introduced."So, you are Elmo’s new personal assistant—congratulations!" "No doubt we will be seeing quite a bit of each other.""It’s a pleasure to meet you," Brianna dutifully answered."May I say you look stunning?" "Every head turned when you walked in."In Elmo’s direction, Brianna wanted to point out but instead she murmured her thanks."This is my wife, Bonita..." Evaristo said cheerfully, sliding an arm around his wife’s tiny waist as she came over. "You're looking stunning too—though so should you, darling," he teased good-naturedly, "with the amount of time you spent at the parlor today!" Bonita, this is Brianna Elmo’s new personal assistant! And from the tiny nervous dar
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 293
‘Me?’"It was confirmed today—you never did have a second interview lined up with Leonardo." He watched as she colored up, watched her hands tighten around her drink, and couldn’t help but smile in triumph. It's been Brianna playing for some time now. "You never even had a first!""No," Brianna finally answered, glad for the water that had been poured—glad that there was actually something she could do with her hands as she fiddled with her glass."You never even sent them your résumé, did you?""Why bother asking when clearly you’ve been checking up?""Of course," Elmo answered evenly. ‘What? Did you think that I wouldn’t? Did you expect me to just trust you? Did you think that I really thought I had the hotel name wrong?"I’m surprised you had time to even think of me when you were with Bonita," Brianna spat. "I’m surprised I even entered your head.""I don’t have to explain myself to you." In a curiously insolent gesture, Elmo raised one shoulder, then dropped it. "But clearly, aft
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 294
‘Drop it!’ His voice had a stern warning ring—angry, even. Only it wasn’t aimed at her; instead, it was turned onto himself. The past few days had been hell—the past few weeks, in fact. Knowing his family would soon all be together, Elpido’s name would be said again. Like living in a sewer, the filth and grime seeped through the floorboards no matter how much he tried to gloss it over. And now here she stood—understanding in her voice, eyes that seemed to reach inside him—and it would be so, so easy to push aside doubt and convince himself that she actually was different, that here was someone he could tell.And how he wanted to tell. Only Gilberto’s warning was ringing in his ears like the doomsday bell, and eyes as blue as Maya’s were staring back at him, just as they had that fateful day."It shouldn’t be like that, Elmo...""How should it be, then?" Elmo fixed her with his glare and tried to warn her off—to get her the hell back—tried to ward her off, tried to keep his head, befor
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 295
But thankfully, he wasn’t taking his time tonight. He was swelling deeper inside her as she coiled into him, and she wasn’t sure if it was people in the next room knocking or the thud of the mirror against the wall. She didn’t even care where they were as he arched his body and leant back, as somehow he climbed deeper inside her. as somehow he took just a little bit more than she knew she should give.And after, when they were in bed, maybe she should have just left it, but bravely she didn’t. Boldly, yet terribly tentatively, her fingers traced the length of his jagged, raised scar. She watched as he closed his eyes—not gently, but sort of squeezing them together, as if anticipating the hurt her touch would cause, as if the wound was still raw—and Brianna knew then that it was."What happened here?"His fingers caught hers, and she closed around them. Brianna was sure he was about to pull her hand away, and mentally kicked herself for asking too much too soon, but instead of pushing
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 296
"I wish you’d told me," Brianna said, wondering how the sky could be so blue and the sun could be out, yet it was so cold as they emerged from the hotel. Finally, she was to be treated to a real glimpse of the Eternal City..."It wasn’t my place to tell.""So you let me think the worst?""You chose to think the worst," Elmo pointed out."So do you..." It was the hardest thing she’d ever said, offering a fact that was only based on her feelings. "Elmo, surely it’s something we should talk about—?"‘Not today.’ He silenced her with a kiss. "Let’s just enjoy today."There were only a few hours till they headed back to Australia—and though she’d braced herself for coldness and the distance between them, it was anything but. And once breakfast was over, he’d suggested they spend the day wandering Rome.They stopped in tiny cafés, where Brianna practiced her appalling Italian and Elmo winced in apology at the waiters. She took her camera out at every turn. She ate chestnuts out of the bag,
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 440
He moved suddenly, turned to her, and gripped her arms; she glimpsed the desperation in his eyes as he dragged her against his chest. "I will do whatever it takes to win you back, Kalila." "You are my wife, the love of my life, and I won’t let you go." His warm breath fanning the curls that framed her face, he pressed his lips to her temple, his eyes briefly closing as if in pain."I have told my father to name his brother Sulim as the interim ruler of Qubbah in the event of his dying before Hazem comes of age." Kate stared at him, shocked beyond words. "But... but why?" she finally stumbled.I thought that you were to rule until Hazem was older. "You are the King’s only son, and it is your duty." Ahsan shook his head. "My first duty is to my wife, and my father agrees." Even if he did not, I would still be here for you."Don't you understand, Kalila?" he asked urgently. "You are more important to me than Qubbah, my father, everything." You, me, and Hazem are a family, and the only thin
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 439
The still silence in the garden that followed his astounding statement was broken by the piercingly sweet song of a blackbird. Kate licked her suddenly dry lips, her heart beating so fast she was sure it would explode. "I don’t understand.""It’s quite simple." He sounded impatient and stared at her haughtily. But to her amazement, streaks of dull color highlighted his cheekbones, and his eyes veered from hers as if he were afraid to meet her gaze. "I love you, Kate."Her rebuttal was fierce and immediate. "No, you don’t.""I should have known you would want to argue about it, Kalila." A little of his tension left him, and his smile stole her breath."You don’t love me," she said again. It was probably some cruel trick, and she had more sense than to be fooled. "You married me for Hazem." You love Farrah. Malika said so.Malika said a lot of things, most of them untrue. Ahsan’s voice was suddenly harsh."But not the things she said about me," Kate said thickly. "My mother was a prosti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 438
The blue sky was dotted with cotton wool clouds, and the warm breeze carried a scent of lavender and old-fashioned roses. There was no place on earth more beautiful than Ingledean on a spring day, Kate mused—except an oasis in the middle of the desert, where palm trees provided shade from the scorching sun and an azure pool glinted beneath a cloudless sky.She had been home for a month—although Ingledean no longer felt like home without Hazem. The image of his huge brown eyes and impish smile caused the familiar agonizing pain in her chest, and she bit down hard on her lip, tasted blood, and cursed the tears that slid unchecked down her face. She couldn’t cry forever. Somehow she was going to have to find the strength to move on, pick up the threads of her life, or maybe make a new one, far away from Ingledean and all its memories. But since she had left Qubbah, a terrible lassitude had settled on her, and she could not plan anything when the only two people she loved were far away on
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 437
In less than an hour, she was expected to attend the lavish dinner organized in honor of King Kabir’s recovery and his return as supreme ruler of Qubbah. And somehow she was going to have to do so without revealing that she was breaking up inside, which Kate acknowledged despairingly as she stared in the mirror at her paper-white face and red-rimmed eyes.When she first returned to the palace after her explosive confrontation with Malika, she locked herself in her dressing room and recalled, in stunned disbelief, everything the young Arab woman had told her. Could it be true? Had Ahsan always intended to divorce her once he’d gained custody of Hazem and marry his beautiful advisor?She did not know how long she’d sat there, but eventually her maid had knocked on the door and reminded her that it was time to prepare for the banquet. She should have made the excuse that she was ill—no one who saw her pallor would fail to believe her. But the steely backbone of pride that had seen her th
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Despite the warmth of the early-evening sunshine, Kate shivered. "You’re talking nonsense," she said firmly, striving to sound confident despite the sudden lurch of her heart. She was perfectly aware of why Ahsan had married her, but he had given no hint that he wanted a divorce. Ahsan told me he was never engaged to you. She lifted her chin and glared at Malika, trying to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach."He wasn’t," Malika agreed, looking surprised. "I was engaged to Farhan; Ahsan was engaged to Farrah."The world seemed to tilt alarmingly for a few seconds, and Kate actually gripped the edge of the wall for support. Ahsan and Farrah! It couldn’t possibly be true, could it? "Jamila told me that Ahsan was in love with his fiancée," she said faintly. "She doesn’t know why the marriage didn’t take place."Malika gave a careless shrug. ‘Jamila knows. Everyone at the palace knows that Ahsan adored Farrah and that she eloped with his brother on the eve of their wedding.
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 435
He was suddenly aware that the children had finished their dance and everyone was waiting for his response. Kate had turned her head to him, frowning at his inattention, and he quickly clapped his hands in applause. Once the dancers had filed out of the marquee, his personal assistant Zaid appeared at his side and informed him that a group of local potters had brought their best work for his gracious inspection. Stifling a sigh, he led the royal party out into the blazing sunshine.The garden party continued all afternoon, and Ahsan was not in the best of moods when he strode back to the palace. He suddenly realized that he was too far ahead and slowed his pace, waiting for Kate to catch up with him. He frowned when he noted how pale she looked beneath her wide-brimmed hat. She made no attempt to speed up, and the dejected droop of her shoulders fueled his impatience."I appreciate that an afternoon spent admiring traditional crafts and customs is not likely to top your list of exciti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 434
Her feet briefly touched the floor, and he spun her around, tugged her zip down her spine, and removed her dress before she had time to catch her breath. Her bra went the same way before he lifted her again and threw her onto the bed as if she were a rag doll, his eyes glittering with a mixture of anger and sexual hunger that made Kate’s stomach dip."At night, I’m happy to give you all the attention you could possibly want," he growled, his shoes, trousers, and shirt hitting the floor with barely controlled savagery until he stood in his silk boxers. "This is the only bed you’ll ever sleep in." The boxers joined the rest of his clothes, revealing his powerful, unashamedly aroused body in all its glory. "But I wouldn’t bank on sleeping for many hours yet."Kate stared up at him, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she struggled to control the wild excitement that was pounding through her veins. She was conscious that she was wearing nothing but a pair of tiny lace pants and the pric
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 433
Clearly embarrassed, Aaliyah determinedly changed the subject to Hazem and how fast he was growing. But although Kate smiled and made token conversation, her mind was whirling. If Malika’s family had expected her to marry Ahsan, was she the woman he had been engaged to years ago—the woman Jamila had said he had loved? But, if so, why had they not married? It didn’t make sense, and she brooded miserably as she stared at Ahsan. He was smiling at Malika and clearly enjoying her company. Perhaps they had argued and broken off their engagement. Was he now regretting his lost chance to marry a beautiful, clever Arab girl who would have made him the perfect wife?From that moment on, the party became a blur of faces and stilted conversation with people she had never met before. She was sure they viewed her as an oddity, with her pale skin and vivid hair—and her glaring lack of sophistication. But until his father had recovered, Ahsan was king, and one of her wifely duties outside of the bedr
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 432
As Ahsan had predicted, his team of advisors was waiting for him when they arrived back at the palace. Even on the journey across the desert, he’d had his mobile phone clamped to his ear, and Kate had sat silently beside him, lost in her thoughts. The honeymoon was over, and he had made it abundantly clear that he now saw her role as his wife as a walk-on part—or perhaps a lie-down part, she thought bitterly. But what had she expected? She had married him for Hazem, and he had married her for sex, and they had each gotten what they wanted.At least she had Hazem, she told herself later that evening, when she tucked the toddler into bed. She had missed him desperately, and his evident delight that she was back was a comforting balm to her raw emotions. She was Ahsan’s wife, a member of the Royal Family of Qubbah, and no one could ever take him away from her now.But as she prepared for the state banquet, her insecurities returned, and she felt sick with nerves. She had been horrified w
