Cinderella and the Sheikh - By Teresa Morgan Page 0,38

his baby. From the sound of it, he thought that she'd seduced Rasyn to trap him into fatherhood.

"I admire you." His tone was flat. "You saw an opportunity to advance yourself and took it. Very admirable. At least Rasyn's heir will not have the blood of some cowardly, unintelligent female in its veins."

She swallowed past the solid wad of emotion in her throat. "There's no baby."

He looked up. The intensity of his gaze dared her to look away. The hard set of his jaw turned her stomach. Was this the environment Rasyn grew up in?

He raised a slashing black eyebrow. His tone told her he believed she was lying. "If you take the money and go, you will not have to put up with this pretence of a marriage. It will save you a lot of effort and you can start a life of luxury in the country of your choice right away. I will arrange for a bodyguard to ensure your safety, and to encourage you to stay in good health while you carry the child. No drugs or alcohol. As soon as the heir is born, he or she will be delivered to us, here. Everyone benefits."

"'Everyone benefits'." She was stunned by the callous words. Did Imaran hate her for her lowly birth or her hair color?

"I am sure you don’t care to be saddled with a child. And if it is a son, he will inherit a country, but he will not be in the line of succession if you remain married."

Her vision blurred as her eyes filled with tears for the man who resembled her Rasyn so much, but was nothing like him on the inside. Over the years, King Anwar's preference for Rasyn had hurt Imaran more than anyone would ever know.

"Or perhaps you are not yet pregnant. This will save you all the effort."

"How did you get so cruel?" she asked.

He snorted as he pulled away from the table. "Rasyn has had many women. Don’t imagine that he loves you."

***

Rasyn entered the breakfast room to see his bride waiting for him. The buttery yellow tunic she wore set off the fire of her auburn hair and the sea-green of her eyes. Its conservative cut hid her full breasts and the curve of her hips from the prying eyes of other men, and, unfortunately, his as well.

She didn't look up when he entered, but stared at her toast as if she could read the secrets of the world in it.

He couldn't resist the opportunity. And, since she was his wife now, he could indulge himself. It was practically his duty.

Keeping his steps soft, he strode up and captured her face between his hands before she realized he was there. She gasped, startled, and he took the chance to cover her open mouth with his own. Libby stiffened in shock. Then, as he explored her mouth, savoring the sweet taste of the fresh orange juice she'd been drinking, he felt her relax, soften, melt against him.

She trusted him, he realized. He'd worked and fought for it, and now, she trusted him completely.

Too bad he was betraying her in every possible way.

He broke the kiss with a little nibble on her bottom lip. Not only because of the tension in his stomach caused by his guilt, but because if it continued, there was a real danger that he would pull her down to the floor and take her there.

He brushed his lips over her knuckles. "Good morning."

"Sabah il-khair, Rasyn." Her pronunciation was flawless, but she looked at the floor when she said it. "How is the king?"

For once, there was good news. His uncle had improved overnight. As he told her this, she seemed distracted. "Is something wrong, Love?"

She drew in a quick breath and lifted her chin. Looking him straight in the eye, she said, "Nothing. That's good news about your uncle. It's just... what do you think will happen now?"

He ignored the obvious lie. She was no good at deception. Which was a good thing. Moving to his chair, he poured himself a cup of coffee from the silver pot, and wondered why she'd dismissed the servants. She usually seemed to enjoy talking to them when no one else was around. "Why should something happen?"

"King Anwar has made you his heir."

His uncle had made the official announcement the day before. The coffee suddenly tasted bitter on his tongue. He smiled at her anyway and avoided lying. "Thanks to you."

She frowned. "But Parliament made a law