Page 111 of Hired Husband

“I know my daughter,” he said, smiling faintly. “Jasmine has always wanted it all, and she’s found it. She’s found someone who will stick with her not because she’s beautiful, but because of who she is on the inside. How could I not approve of that?” He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and withdrew a folded document. “I have one final matter to discuss before I leave.”

When he handed over the papers, I figured it was probably a prenup he’d had drawn up because of his suspicions, but when I opened it, I realized it was pretty far from it. “The contract?”

He inclined his chin. “The bid has been finalized. You should see your first deposit very soon.”

My eyebrows shot up. “How?”

“I have my ways,” he said, waving me off. “The important part is that you will see that money soon enough, so you can buy a house next door to the family estate in Cairo. As it happens, a very nice place has just come on the market. Khaled can put you in touch with the seller.”

I laughed. “Real subtle.”

He winked at me. “I thought so.” Basel raised his glass. “Here to new beginnings.”

“To new beginnings.” I touched my glass against his, immediately imagining a home close enough to her parents that our children could run back and forth. “I’ll get in touch with Khaled.”

He smiled. “Make sure you do. A house like that won’t be available for long.”

After swigging down the rest of his drink, he set his empty glass down on the table. “I should leave before my daughter accuses me of stealing her brand new fiancé, but I’d like to leave you with a parting thought.”

“What’s that?”

“We may have to have the wedding in private, outside of Cairo. Just mention it to Jasmine.”

I hadn’t even thought about that yet, but as soon as he said it, I agreed. Between the Mahers and the media, it wasn’t the worst idea to keep a bit of a lower profile. “I might have an idea.”

“Excellent.” He extended his hand. I stood up and shook with him. “Welcome to the family, Isaac.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

He patted my knuckles before letting go, making his way back down the gangway, and disappearing into the night. As soon as he was gone, I headed below deck to the cabin, the lights now off and Jasmine fast asleep under the covers.

She stirred the moment I climbed into bed with her, rolling onto her side to face me with her long, dark hair spilling across the pillow behind her. “What happened?”

I smiled, leaning over to press a gentle kiss to her lips. “I think I just got your father’s blessing.”

“Are you serious?” She pulled away to look into my eyes in the ambient light shining in from outside, a lazy, sleepy grin spreading on her lips. “He’s actually okay with this?”

I laughed and slid an arm around her waist to pull her closer. “Oh, I’d say he’s more than okay with it. He’s happy for us, baby. He even thanked me for barging into the party.”

Her eyes widened and she squealed, her mouth crashing back to mine for a kiss that said she wasn’t interested in going back to sleep just yet.

CHAPTER 46

JASMINE

I’m kissing my future husband!

I couldn’t believe it. When Dad had shown up to crash our celebration, I’d been sure there would be some drama. I’d thought that maybe he’d make me choose between Isaac and the family or perhaps even threaten to disown me if I didn’t go back to Cairo right away and follow through on my promise to David.

Generally speaking, Dad was a warm and loving father, but I knew as well as anyone that he had a ruthless streak. He had to in order to get as far as he had, and while that streak had never shone through in his dealings with the family, there was a first time for everything.

I’d genuinely worried that time might’ve come, but now, Isaac was in bed with me, his body enveloping mine, and apparently, I was going to get to keep him. My love.

My head spun with the relief of it all, but as Isaac swept his tongue into my mouth, I decided to think later. This isn’t the time to let my brain take the wheel.

Isaac’s hair snagged lightly on the ring when I pushed my fingers into it and I smiled against his lips. The weight of the metal was still unfamiliar on my finger but it already felt so right. “You’re stuck with me now, Mr. Thayer.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” He flipped us over so I was on my back, his hand sliding to my hip and anchoring me in place as he kissed me hard and deep. I moaned into his mouth, arching into him as the last vestiges of my nap disappeared.