Page 64 of The Geek and the Sheikh

“Did you forget about me already?” he teased.

She nodded. “This is—” She waved a hand at the palace. “It’s bigger than a museum.”

He laughed. “We don’t live in the entire thing. Part of the palace is sectioned off for government and cultural purposes.”

“Oh, I guess that makes sense,” she said.

“Come on. I don’t know about you, but I would love to freshen up and grab a bite to eat before we have to face my family,” he suggested.

“Are they difficult to deal with? Midnight really liked your brothers. At least, she didn’t say anything bad about them and I know she knows Tarek because he is with Idella,” she said.

"No, they're gonna love you."

He guided her along a sculptured garden path separating the helipad and the main building. Jameel nodded to a guard who emerged from a small building next to the entrance. The guard bowed to him before turning his attention to Junebug, his expression changing from reserved obeisance to one of masculine appreciation. A shaft of jealousy warred with amusement in Jameel as the man stood a little straighter.

“Sire, welcome home,” the guard greeted.

“Thank you, Tomas. It is good to be back. I assume the added security is because of the recent attacks on my brothers?” Jameel asked, noting the man’s name tag.

“Yes, sire. We are all thankful that the attack against Sheikh Junayd’s new bride was not successful,” the guard said.

“There was an attack on Midnight? What happened? Did she kick their asses? She’s good at that. She’s my sister,” Junebug said.

Tomas looked startled but quickly recovered. “Yes, my lady. I don’t know the details. I’m sure Sheikh Tarek will brief you, sire. I don’t want to give you any misinformation.”

“All is good, Tomas. Thank you for letting us know,” Jameel said, sliding his hand along Junebug’s lower back and nodding in appreciation when Tomas strode ahead of them to open the door to the building.

“I need to call Midnight,” Junebug said.

“I know how you feel. I need to talk to my brothers, find out what happened, and let them know what is going on,” he replied.

“At least we don’t have to worry about Allison and her goons here,” she said with a crooked smile.

Jameel could sense her anxiety rising.

He drew her to a stop and turned her to face him. Cupping her cheek, he kissed her.

“How about I contact the kitchens when we get to my apartments and request some hot chocolate with your favorite marshmallows along with something to eat while you talk to your sister?” he suggested.

She nodded. “I would like that. Do you think they have the marshmallows here?”

He laughed. “I'm sure someone has them.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

He caressed her cheek and had leaned in to kiss her again when the echo of heavy footsteps on the polished marble made him grimace and pull back.

“We’re about to have company,” he ruefully warned.

“Just when I was about to get some tongue, too,” she groaned.

Her unexpected comment made him laugh. “I’ll have to make sure I give you plenty of that later.”

“Jameel! I was told that you had arrived,” his father called out.

Jameel groaned. He would be lucky to make it to his living quarters for several hours if he wasn’t careful. He winked at Junebug, forced a genuine smile to his lips, and turned to his father.

“Hi, Dad. I was planning on coming to see you once I had a chance to freshen up,” he greeted.

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