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“This is where I come to think and sort out my problems. It’s been my secret hideaway since I was a young boy.”
“Quite a hideaway.”
“Na’am.”
She gave him a confused look and he smiled. The small gesture changed him from brooding to beautiful. Janna’s pulse quickened and her breath caught.
“It means yes, in my language.”
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“Ah.” She nodded and took a step back, away from him and all the naughty things he made her feel and want. “Well. I should probably get back to my room now.”
“Not yet. It is time for dinner. Come, we will dine together this evening.”
“Oh.” Janna hesitated. “I don’t want to bother you.”
“No bother at all. You are my guest. Please, come along.”
“Are you sure? I’m sure you’re really busy and I don’t want to intrude.”
“I would not have asked if I was not sure.”
Dinner with him would be a mistake. Especially given the fact that every time she looked at him today, she couldn’t seem to help fantasizing about what she’d seen of him in the gym earlier, wondering about how he might taste, how he might feel—his muscled body tight against hers. She floundered for the first excuse that popped into her mind. “Won’t you be eating with your bride, since she missed lunch and all?”
“No. I will be having dinner with you.” He took her arm and led her back toward the palace.
Distracted, she tripped on the first marble step and heat prickled her cheeks. Smooth move, idiot. “Listen, I really appreciate the offer and all, but I think it would be best if I eat in my room tonight.”
“Nonsense. There is no reason for you to dine alone when you can share a meal with me.”
She tried to free herself from his grip as he tugged her toward the patio doors, but couldn’t. It seemed whatever Nassir wanted, Nassir got, whether she liked it or not. The thought rankled and she sighed.
“What is wrong?” He stopped on the veranda and faced her. “Are you not hungry?”
“No.” Her stomach rumbled loud, betraying her. Nassir raised his brow. “Okay, maybe a little.”
“Good. It is settled then.” He let her go and she missed the warmth of his touch immediately.
Dammit. This was awful. Nassir was engaged to married and she’d been hired to plan the wedding, not sleep with the groom.
He smiled again, a crooked little affair brimming with masculine charm, as if he knew exactly the effect he had on her. “I will leave you here so that you may get changed for the evening. Have you met Hafa?”
Nassir gestured toward a lovely young girl standing near the doorway.
“No. Not yet.”
“Hafa will be your personal maid while you are here.”
Janna glanced from Nassir to Hafa and back again. She never had a maid in her life. “Um, I don’t…”
“No objections. You are my guest and you will be treated as such. Now, if you will excuse me I have a few more business details to attend to before the day is done. I will see you in an hour. Hafa will help you get dressed and assist you with anything you may need.”
Janna stared after him as he strode off down the hall, then turned to Hafa with a polite smile. “Okay, then. Guess we should get back to my room.”
Chapter 6
An hour later, Nassir paced the length of the dining room. He’d given the kitchen staff explicit instructions for tonight’s meal. Now all he needed was his dinner guest.
