The Sheikh's Rescued Baby - Leslie North Page 0,2

I don’t expect you to bring me any beverages.”

“No?” He arched an eyebrow. “Well, just in case the opportunity arises. Which is it?”

“Coffee. With a splash of milk and two sugars,” she added, irritation heating her face in spite of herself. She’d expected, based on Nadim’s reputation, for him to hit on her. To try and pick her up. And here he was, asking a completely benign question. Was he even going to try? And why did she care, all of a sudden, about whether or not he saw her as a sexy prospect. “There is one thing I wanted to make clear.”

He sat up straight, looking at her with a serious expression. “What’s that?”

“I’m looking to fulfill the letter of the law with this marriage, not adopt a ruler.” She didn’t have to do a thing to match his posture—Aisha already sat straight and tall at the edge of her seat. “I intend to rule.”

Nadim nodded. “Good. I like the sound of that.”

Another surprise. “You do?”

“I’m here to placate my parents.” He shrugged. “I’m glad to hear you have your own plan for the years ahead, because I have mine, too—and it doesn’t involve ruling a country. Or marrying anyone. Not for a long time.”

An odd disappointment tumbled through her gut like a loose stone down the mountainside. “Good to know.” She stood again, and he followed her. “One of my men will show you to your quarters for the night. I trust you’ll find everything you need there.” She’d prearranged this signal for one of her security guards, who came into the office at just the right moment. “Let any of my people know if you need anything.”

Nadim offered his hand to shake again, and she took it, shaking as quickly as she could without appearing rude. “It was lovely to meet you, Sultana.” He flashed her a smile so handsome it made her knees go weak. She put a casual hand on the desk. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Then he was gone, following the security guard out. Echoes of his voice made their way back to her. Befriending the guard, no doubt.

Sanaa stepped back in, eyes wide, eyebrows raised.

“He’s not the one.” Aisha flipped through some papers on her desk, trying to sort out what it meant that her heart was beating so hard and fast as her chest filled with a foreign mix of excitement and hope and longing. “He’s far too...”

“Good looking?”

“No,” she said quickly. Too quickly. “He’s too...flip. He’s not serious-minded enough. And he’s not taking this situation seriously. He doesn’t even want to be here.” Aisha let out a long breath. “He’s only participating to get his parents off his back.”

Never mind that she’d been the one to dismiss the idea of a ruling partnership. And never mind that strange twist of disappointment she’d felt when he dismissed the idea of marriage outright. She thought briefly about cancelling the whole week, but that would shame him and his parents, and she didn’t want to burn that bridge. Their two countries had a close relationship, and she would need that alliance someday.

“He’s not the one,” she said again.

Sanaa nodded, apparently getting the hint. “Do you need anything? A drink?”

“I’m fine.” Aisha settled back into her seat and pulled the papers in closer. Anything to kill time. Her highest priority would be to get through the tour as quickly as possible. It was her third time around these sites with a potential husband. With Nadim, it would be an utter waste of time. Far better to get back to work and move on to the next candidate. If they could find him. “Thank you.”

Sanaa went out, and Aisha leaned back in her seat. She pressed her fingertips against her temples. Her assistant had been gone several minutes when it came to her—what she’d wanted to say when Sanaa had first entered the room.

Nadim couldn’t be the one because he was too tempting.

Tempting—that was the word that had been on the tip of her tongue.

He was far too tempting, and she did not have time to give in to temptation.

2

The car glided smoothly over the road outside of Liddah, the first stop on the tour, and Nadim was glad for the noise. He didn’t usually run out of things to say to a woman, but this wasn’t his usual circumstance. For one thing, Aisha didn’t want anything to do with him. And for another, he liked how unusual she was, in all her disinterest.

He stared out the