The Sheik's Rebellious Mistress Page 0,4

and tried to hide her expression. “He"s a little intimidating.”

Clearing away the irritation over her guards " imposing disposition, she changed the subject back to something more interesting. “How many dates have you been on with this new Mr. Wonderful?”

Susan smiled and her eyes glowed with excitement. “We"ve been out with each other every day and night for the past week,” she enthused. “He meets me for lunch and we talk and laugh about our days,” she explained, closing her eyes as she thought back to her dates with Mr. Wonderful, “then he picks me up after work and we either go out to dinner or we cook at each other"s flats. He"s incredibly romantic.”

Electra"s eyes widened in fascination. “Nights?” she confirmed.

Susan nodded emphatically. “Yes! He"s a great lover. Very generous and sweet.”

“You went home with him that first night?” she asked again, trying to hide her shock. She was fascinated as well, wishing she had that option with men. But her guard would never allow that to happen. She was well protected, to the point that she was now twenty four years old and the closest she got to having sex was reading about it in Greek or Roman mythology. Electra sighed. “I"m so jealous!”

Susan laughed. “Another hour and you"ll be with your guardian to explain the situation. Don"t worry, everything will be fine once you simply tell himthat you"re an adult and can make your own decisions without the interference of your guards.”

Electra looked down at her coffee and sighed heavily. “I hope so. I"d do just about anything to have a real relationship with a man.”

Susan leaned forward, glancing carefully back at the guard sitting several tables away to make sure they couldn"t hear her next question. “Have you ever kissed someone, Electra?”

Electra"s eyes sharpened with frustration and resentment. And not a small amount of embarrassment either. “No. About eight years ago, I almost had the chance with a very cute boy but that"s the day Micha showed up. Ever since then, no man has ever ventured out on a second date with me.” Electra knew that being twenty four and never having experienced a kiss was very, very odd.

Susan shook her head in disgust. “That"s awful, and so unfair! How are you supposed to find a guy when none are willing to get close to you?”

“Exactly. I"d do just about anything at this point.”

“Even marriage?”

Electra reared back in horror. “No way!” she exclaimed, laughing slightly. “I"m not going into a marriage without knowing the man. Look at how many relationships our friends have had, trying to find the man of their dreams?”

Susan didn"t need to be convinced. She was of the group that thought women should live and have fun before settling down with one man for the rest of her life. “Exactly! You don"t really know a guy until you"ve lived with him for a while. You have to sample the product before you can buy,” she teased. “Truths come out with familiarity.”

Electra nodded her head, agreeing completely with her friend"s words. “I don"t want to get married even if I find Mr. Wonderful. I"ve been protected to the point of being stifled. I"d like to live a little before I dive into marriage and responsibility.”

“Is Jasmine still dating Tom?” Susan asked.

They discussed their other friends for the remainder of the time before Susan had to go back on duty. Electra stayed at the table and picked up the newspaper that had been laying on the table next to her. She pulled out the classifieds, skimming the listings to see if there was anything she might qualify for. But just as it had before, her mind wandered, thinking about the meeting that was about to happen in less than twenty minutes.

This meeting today was so important. It was the first time she"d get to actually meet the man who had made her life so miserable. She had to push her resentment away and focus on her arguments. If she didn"t get her emotions under control, she wouldn"t be able to convince the man to ease up the guard that had been assigned to her. She couldn"t go on job interviews because employers and potential boyfriends alike were intimidated with the guards standing behind her. None would stay outside the building or even outside the interview room. She"d given up trying to get a job a year ago, and continued to attend university classes. She now had three undergraduate degrees and a master"s degree in early