She refused to stay here for another day, and Kate vowed to return the following morning as she stood at the nursery window, blinking back angry tears. She would not allow Ahsan to manipulate her and treat her as if she were worthless—particularly where Hazem was concerned.She screwed up her eyes against the brilliant glare of the sun and scanned the palace gardens. But only the peacocks that lived in the grounds were strutting along the paths, and there was no sign of a man or a small boy.She’d spent the previous night plagued by memories of her shameful response to Ahsan and worrying over his shocking statement that he would never let her take Hazem back to England. She'd eventually fallen into a restless sleep and awoken late as a result.The sun had already been streaming through the blinds when she’d hurried to the nursery, where Jamila, the nanny Ahsan had appointed, had explained that "His Royal Highness" had taken Prince Hazem for a camel ride in the desert.How dared he take
Kate’s face flamed. Admittedly, her dress left her shoulders exposed, but the hem of the skirt fell to her knees, and to her mind, that was perfectly respectable. Ahsan made her feel like a tart, and mortification made her voice sharp. "What do you suggest I wear?" A sack that covers me from head to foot? "Or do you expect me to dress in robes and a veil?" she snapped."My father is a liberal-minded man who would not expect you to wear clothes that are not part of your culture," Ahsan said tersely. "But out of respect for him, I expect you to dress and act with a little decorum—and to restrain your insolent tongue."On that parting shot, he strode out of the room and slammed the door behind him with such savagery that Kate was surprised that great cracks did not appear in the palace walls."What is Ahsan upset about?"Hazem turned his huge brown eyes on her, and his bottom lip quivered."He’s not cross with you, darling," Kate quickly reassured him. "He would never be angry with you, H
Taken aback by the question, Kate did not know how to answer. She could feel Ahsan’s dark eyes boring into her and knew what he was thinking—that she had callously married Farhan knowing that she would soon be a rich widow. It wasn’t true, of course, and as she thought of the man she had married a year ago, she suddenly relaxed and met the king’s gaze."Yes, I loved him," she said honestly. She had not been in love with Farhan, but he had been like a big brother to her. He’d been the only person apart from her foster parents who had been prepared to give her a chance and accept her for the woman she had become, rather than the unhappy and rebellious teenager she had once been.She had met him fresh from the humiliation of being sacked from her first job as nanny to the Fitzroy children, and Farhan had believed her when she explained that, far from flirting with Giles Fitzroy, she had hated his revolting sexual innuendoes and his suggestion that she could improve her career prospects b
Perhaps it was the knowledge that she was forbidden that made her even more alluring? Isn't it human nature to want the things you can't have the most?Living under the same roof as her threatened to be purgatory, he acknowledged grimly, even taking into account the vastness of the palace. Even worse, he had promised his father that he would cut back on his trips abroad so that he could spend more time attending to matters of state. It would be many years before Hazem could rule Qubbah, and King Kabir had already made it clear that, on his death, he expected Ahsan to rule until Hazem came of age.Ahsan loved his homeland, but he was going to miss his freedom. He had always enjoyed spending time at his homes in London, St. Tropez, and New York, and up until recently, he’d kept mistresses at all three locations. Out of respect for his father, he’d always kept his affairs discreet, and he certainly could not invite his lovers to the palace. But he had a healthy sex drive, and he could se
It would be easy to disappear without trace in the miles of corridors that wound through the vast palace, she decided some twenty minutes later, when she finally negotiated her way to the east wing."Will I find Prince Ahsan here?" she asked the hapless guard who had followed her from her side of the palace and who had looked increasingly unhappy when she had steadfastly refused to return to her suite.He did not reply, but she saw him exchange glances with the two guards standing at the end of the corridor. She was certain she would find Ahsan beyond the double doors."I’m here to see the prince," she told them, lifting her chin and glaring at them when they stared straight ahead, their faces impassive. "He is expecting me." The lie still earned no response, and with an angry toss of her head, she stepped forward—only to find her way instantly barred as the guards crossed their swords in front of the doors."It is not permitted for you to enter." One of the men finally spoke, and Kat
"And he is heir to the throne—a little fact that you forgot to mention at Ingledean when you persuaded me to bring him here," she said icily. I suppose you were too busy making up all that rubbish about your father being on his deathbed—so ill that he could not possibly fly to England to visit his grandson. "You lied to me." She rounded on him bitterly. You led me to believe that the King might only have a short time left and that he was desperate to see Hazem before he died. "But your father is no closer to death than I am," she snapped. "For a man of eighty, he looks as fit as a flea."She was so burned up with anger because Ahsan had manipulated her into doing his bidding that she missed the warning glint in his eyes. "You tricked me into bringing Hazem here, but you are not keeping him." It was his father’s wish that he should spend his childhood at Ingledean with me. "I know what Farhan wanted," she flung at him, pushing her tumbling flame-colored curls over her shoulder with an
Ahsan’s dark head swooped, and his mouth sought hers with unerring precision. When her senses reacted to the sensual heat of his body and the subtle musk of his cologne, she twisted her head and braced her hands against his chest, despair sweeping through her.She could not let him kiss her—not again, no way, never!"You’re mistaken," she muttered. "I don’t feel anything for you—and the only reason I didn’t sleep last night is because I’m desperate to take Hazem and leave here.""Liar," Ahsan drawled lazily. One hand cupped her chin and forced her head up, while the other anchored in her hair to hold her fast. "You assure me you want to leave, but your body tells a different story." He trailed his eyes down her body to the visible peaks of her nipples straining beneath her blouse and gave a satisfied smile.She looked so prim and proper in the high-necked blouse and long skirt she’d worn for her meeting with the King, but her demure appearance only inflamed his hunger for her. He knew
"Oh, I will please you, Kate," he said softly, but it sounded more like a threat than a promise, and she twisted her head wildly and bucked her hips—until she realized that her actions were having a profound effect on his already aroused body. "Don’t stop," he mocked, when she ceased the frantic movements that had brought her pelvis into direct contact with the solid ridge of his throbbing manhood. "But you’re wearing too many clothes."With deft movements that proclaimed his expertise in the art of undressing a woman, he one-handedly unfastened the row of tiny buttons that ran from Kate’s throat to her waist and pushed the edges of her blouse apart to reveal small breasts cupped by a gossamer-fine bra. Her nipples were clearly visible beneath the sheer fabric, and he brushed his thumb gently across one peak and then the other, until she was desperate for him to caress her naked flesh.His gaze locked with hers as he unhooked the clasp at the front of her bra and bared her breasts. Wi