Page 28 of Her Irresistible Sheik
“Just a bit ago.”
“Why wait to call me?”
“I thought one of my staff had taken a bite out of the scones and tried to cover it up,” she said with a shrug.“But I lined them up, counted their teeth, and…” She held up both hands.“All smiles were intact.”
That earned her a low chuckle, deep and unexpected.It rippled through her stomach like a sensuous cream sauce over chicken!
He stood and faced her again, and wow—he was even taller when not crouched beside a bloody flour patch.
“I’ll have someone secure this area,” he said.“No one’s to touch anything until we finish our sweep.”
Heather nodded.“Understood.”
Tom turned to leave, then hesitated.He looked back at her, one hand resting on his hip, and for a moment, the professional mask slipped just enough to reveal a grin that could short-circuit a stand mixer.
“I think you’re beautiful,” he said simply.“Would you want to grab a coffee sometime?”
Heather blinked.
And then she smiled so hard, her cheeks ached.“Yes.Absolutely.I’d love that.”
His grin deepened.“Great.”
With that, he turned and left the kitchen, all calm efficiency and broad shoulders.
Heather watched him go, unabashedly admiring the view.“Nice,” she murmured, then turned on her heel, her steps practically bouncing.
Coffee and scones, she thought—but then glanced at the tray of Nahla’s lethal scones still sitting on the counter.
Nope.No scones.
Shortbread.Buttery, sweet, safe-for-dental-health shortbread.Much better seduction strategy.
Chapter 16
Mikail stepped into the main salon and scanned the room, refusing to admit—even to himself—how much he’d been looking forward to seeing her tonight.
Last night had ended abruptly.Too abruptly.He hadn’t trusted himself to stay in the same room with Nahla and not do something idiotic, like kiss her.Or worse, beg.He wasn’t a man who begged.
Tonight, though—tonight he was prepared.He’d worked out with his guards at dawn, lifting heavier than usual until his arms shook and his body ached.Afterward, he’d buried himself in reports, approving proposals, vetoing idiotic plans, and issuing terse commands that made his staff scatter before lunch.His mind was clear.His self-control was firmly reinstalled.
Or so he thought—until he realized Nahla wasn’t in the salon waiting for him.
For fifteen minutes, he paced like a caged beast, ignoring the scotch sweating in his hand.When he could no longer tolerate the silence, he snapped, “Where the hell is she?”
The nearest guard didn’t flinch.He tapped his earpiece and spoke in low, professional tones.A moment later, he reported, “The princess has been taking photos around the palace today.She returned to her suite a few hours ago and has remained there.”
That did not improve Mikail’s mood.
He downed the scotch in one swallow and strode from the salon.Fine.If she wanted to hide in her suite, she could explain it tohim.Preferably with fewer smiles for palace staff and a more rational respect for schedules.
And if he saw even a hint of a sparkle to those beautiful blue eyes… he was going to—well, he wasn’t sure what he’d do.Kissing her was out of the question.That way madness lay.She was a guest.Not a temptation.Not a fantasy.Not the woman he dreamed about.
Damn it, why had he assigned her quarters so far from his?
When he reached her door, he paused, knocking with more force than necessary.He waited.Knocked again.The absurd instinct to storm inside wrestled with his usual decorum.
Then a faint “Come in!”sounded from the other side.
