Still, Rian didn’t want to take anything away from his father that he wasn’t willing to relinquish. If his father wanted to continue to work, then Rian wasn’t going to stop him. But it was time to have that conversation.

  “Earth to Rian!” Razeem called out, snapping her fingers in his face.

  He jerked back to the present, blinking down at her. Her ruby red lips curled into what she probably thought of as a seductive smile, the invitation in her eyes obvious. Rian remembered Amilee’s words the first time she’d met his friends, that Razeen wanted him. Despite their previous intimate encounter, the idea of a repeat performance with Razeen repulsed him. Now he wondered why he’d given in to her in the first place. Razeen was another hanger-on that had no purpose. No goals and no desire to have anything other than a good time.

  Even Amilee, a fourteen year old whose life was already mapped out for her, had found a passion; women’s history. That couldn’t be said for his friends. They had no passion other than finding the next party or night club.

  “I have to go,” he announced, placing the pool stick back in the holder. “I won’t be joining you tomorrow. I have work I need to finish.” And he walked out, feeling foolish for not seeing something that even Amilee had comprehended on her first meeting with them.

  Chapter 3

  Six Years Later…

  Rian stared at the woman walking into the ballroom, stunned and…angry? No, not angry, but definitely stunned and…well, stunned! He couldn’t find another word for what he was feeling now.

  Betrayed? Yes, that term was certainly applicable. He definitely felt betrayed. Whether that was a legitimate emotion, he didn’t give a damn. Seeing Amilee, her soft, feminine form wrapped up in a shimmering cocktail dress of cornflower blue that enhanced her creamy complexion and seemed to heighten the lovely sheen in her dark hair…then there was her graceful movements and the lovely smile she bestowed on…some ass that didn’t deserve her smile!

  Rian wanted to…!

  “Your Highness?” Rual, his assistant asked, standing almost directly behind him. No one could enter the ballroom since Rian stood in the doorway, glowering at the woman who was supposed to be his wife! She was twenty years old now. Twenty! He could have married her two years ago! But he’d waited, wanting her to enjoy college life a bit longer. Rian had told himself that Amilee deserved a bit more freedom before she was trapped into married life with him and all of the constrictions of palace life.

  But when had she become this ravishing beauty? When had her pretty features morphed into…shocking loveliness?!

  And why the hell was he so angry? His pretty betrothed had transformed into a stunning woman! He should be happy!

  “Your Highness!” Rual hissed.

  Rian angrily glanced at his assistant, wondering what the hell was wrong with him!

  “Everyone is staring!” Rual explained in a low whisper.

  Rian looked around. Sure enough, several of the guests were smiling at him as he glared at his fiancée.

  “Right,” he muttered, along with several curses that he kept to himself.

  He started to move forward, but suddenly realized that his body was…aroused? What the hell?!

  Unfortunately, that was the moment that the guests realized that he’d entered the ballroom. A silence descended over the room and, for the first time in his life, he felt self-conscious about the attention directed at him. All his life, he’d accepted that people would stare and talk, agree and disagree with his policies. They would whisper and speculate, gossip and comment about any and everything about his life. But at this moment, he wanted everyone to just…disappear so that he could deal with the reality of this moment.

  He was attracted to his fiancée!

  No “attraction” was too tame of a word for what he felt. He wanted to pull her into his arms and explore every soft, voluptuous curve. He wanted to kiss her and explore the soft lips, to press her body against his and discover what she felt like. And yet, he also wanted to simply stand here and admire her. To take in every delectable curve on her body. Had she known how that dress would cling to her lovely curves?

  Of course she did! Every woman knew the tricks that brought a man to his knees! But this woman…Amilee was better than most. It wasn’t that she was simply alluring and enticing. There was an aura of innocence around her. It was almost as if there was a glittering neon sign over her head that flashed, “You can look, but you can’t have!” For a man like Rian, that challenge was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. He wanted to charge. He wanted to walk over to her, pick her up, and carry her out of here!

  Damn it! How many years had the palace staff organized a birthday celebration for Amilee? How many times had he spoken to her, smiled down into her innocent eyes? But now…there would be no smiling. Not tonight! Tonight, he wanted to take her away and make love to her!

  How the hell had that happened? How had she turned into this woman, this alluring, tempting creature, without his knowledge?

  The orchestra started playing a new song, something that startled him enough that he snapped out of his contemplation of Amilee. Looking away, he surveyed the other guests, forcing his feet to carry him further into the room. The overhead lights shimmered upon the guests while a small orchestra played off to the left. The ballroom was covered in gold leaf with the colors of Abidnae in the furniture, flags, and uniforms of the servants. Even the marble floor was embellished with the seal of Abidnae. The elegance of the room normally overwhelmed the guests. But this time, the beauty of Amilee overwhelmed Rian.

  He nodded at several people but didn’t recognize anyone, still focused on Amilee’s transformation. To be more specific, he was contemplating bending her over his knee and spanking her!

  For becoming the stunning beauty he’d foreseen years ago? That was ludicrous. But yes, that was exactly what he was angry about. Furious, even.

  He stopped and spoke to several people, but his every thought was focused on her. He knew the exact moment she moved, where she went, whom she spoke with, and…yes, he knew when she decided to slip out the door. It was almost as if he could read her mind.

  Circumventing her escape, Rian shifted his route so he could intersect her path. It was almost amusing, this game of cat and mouse. Plus, her attempts to allude him put him back in control. He was the predator and Amilee, the prey!

  Closer and closer, he stalked through the room, stopping to speak with one person, greeting another with a short handshake. Relentlessly, he moved towards her, amused by her futile attempts to outmaneuver him.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Caligari,” he heard Amilee say, “but I need to slip out for…”

  “Amilee.”

  One word. Just one word and she felt as if she might melt into a puddle at his feet! What magic was this? What sorcery?

  Amilee trembled as Rian, Sheik Rian now, stepped closer, taking her hands in his own.

  “Your Highness,” she whispered through suddenly numb lips as she stared at the collar of her betrothed. Protocol demanded that she look into his eyes, but that was impossible! No way could she…!

  His thumb brushed against her pulse, the touch so startling that she gasped!

  “You were saying?” he prompted, his voice low. Husky. His eyes dark and penetrating as she looked up at him, wishing she could remember why she didn’t want this! Because right now, she wanted nothing more than to stare into his eyes forever. How many years had she been engaged to him? How long had she known that this man would someday become her husband? But never, not in all this time, had she suspected that she would react this way! Her reaction was completely irrational and yet, she couldn’t seem to look away.

  Rian turned, tucking her hand onto the crook of his arm. The movement brought her closer and Amilee could feel the warmth of him under her hand, her fingertips finding the muscles hidden underneath his jacket.

  “You look lovely tonight,” he commented, nodding to one of his cabinet members. Amilee understood her place and she smiled to the man as well, acknowledging each person moments after Rian. Because this protocol had been drilled into her over the years, she knew her role and did it extremely well, even if a part of her rebelled at acknowledging someone only after Rian had done so. She wasn’t a shadow, she told herself, but at the moment, she was too…overwhelmed to do anything more.

  “Thank you, Your Highness.” She bit her lip, trying to remember what was expected of her next. “Thank you for another lovely birthday party.” Even though none of her friends had been invited, she thought resentfully. They continued to walk through the crowds, Rian still nodding and Amilee walking stiffly beside him. Surely everyone who looked at them grasped the strained silence between them, didn’t they?

  “You’re welcome,” he replied, his voice husky but still polite. “You’re twenty now, correct?”

  “Yes. Twenty years old.” When she had a modicum of control back, Amilee looked up at him and was startled by the flash of…what? Amilee didn’t care! No matter what was going through his mind, she wasn’t ready!

  Turning, she pulled her hand away and stood in front of him, unaware of how her chin lifted or the way her eyes flashed with her determination. She had to get this out before…before he decreed that they would marry! “I want to finish my degree, Your Highness.”

  Amilee’s long, dark lashes lowered and he felt like roaring with frustration. But then she looked up at him through those lashes and his body reacted with an intensity that astounded him!

  “You have your degree, don’t you, Your Highness?” she asked. “In fact, I believe you went on to earn a Master’s in economics and business, didn’t you?”

  His eyes narrowed and that spanking was becoming more imminent. “Yes.”

  Amilee looked away, then brought her eyes right back to his. “I want to finish my degree, Your Highness. I don’t think there’s any reason to rush into a marriage when neither of us are truly prepared for what we will face in the future.”

  Rian considered the possible future, much of which included a bed with Amilee naked while he explored every inch of her delectable body!

  “What would prepare us?” he asked, nodding to the events coordinator when she gave the signal that dinner was ready. He took Amilee’s hand, placing it on his elbow, leading her towards the dining room.

  “A formal, complete education, Your Highness,” she stated firmly.

  Rian pulled out her chair, waiting until she sat down before taking his seat. The other guests quickly moved into the room and found their assigned table, sitting down amid a flurry of conversation.

  “In other words, you want to delay our wedding until after you’ve finished college,” he said, his irritation ramping up even higher.

  “Yes, Your Highness,” she replied.

  The other guest assigned to their table joined them. “We’ll continue this conversation later,” he said as she drew a breath to argue her point further. “In private.”

  Over the course of the meal, Rian watched Amilee carefully, impressed with her manners and the easy way she conversed with everyone at the table. She chose topics that were sure to include everyone, but nothing controversial. No need to start a major political battle over a meal, he thought.

  He enjoyed watching Amilee eat. Gone was the child who had learned to mimic adult manners and conversation. In her place was a graceful woman with an easy, natural demeanor. In addition, she was able to converse intelligently about every topic brought up. Her smiles were easy and genuine even if her posture was a bit stiff and…what was it about the way she was sitting in her chair? She was…tense? It didn’t show in the way she spoke. She had everyone laughing.

  Testing out a theory, he moved his arm, resting his hand on the back of her chair. The movement came across to the other guests as territorial, but none seemed to mind since the two of them had been betrothed for the better part of a decade.

  But as soon as he moved his arm, Amilee dropped her fork, the clatter resounding around the table. She smoothly apologized to the others and continued the conversation, but the slip was…interesting!

  Suddenly, Rian felt significantly better about the night. Amilee was just as affected by his presence as he was by her! He could feel the tension vibrating off her, noticed the slight blush to her creamy complexion. Interesting, he thought.

  At the end of the meal, the orchestra started up again. Rian was the first to stand and he extended his hand towards Amilee. “Will you do me the honor of this dance?” he asked formally.

  Even as he watched, he noticed that she stopped breathing, her gaze going to his hand, then up to look him in the eyes. The pleading was there, but Rian didn’t relent. He couldn’t. Touching her, holding this woman in his arms was imperative. He needed to know, needed to confirm his suspicions.

  “Come,” he urged, taking her hand and leading her out of the dining room and back into the ballroom. “Did you enjoy your birthday dinner?” he asked softly, wanting to nuzzle the delicate skin of her throat. He didn’t, but only because everyone was watching them now.

  “Yes, it was lovely,” she replied, staring at something over his shoulder.

  “Aren’t you interested in opening my present?”

  Amilee was startled and looked up into his dark eyes, praying that he couldn’t see the need in her own, or feel how she was trembling. He was too close. She wished that tonight hadn’t included dancing! Darn it, this was…it was all too much!

  “Another piece of jewelry, Your Highness?” she asked, thinking back to the other pieces that he’d gifted her on other birthdays. The locket had been banished to the back of her jewelry case, never worn again after that night. Not that Rian would care, she told herself. He probably had forgotten that he’d given it to her. Just as he’d probably forgotten the pearl necklace, pearl earrings, and other assorted jewelry that he’d given to her over the years. Suspecting that he hadn’t selected any of them, Amilee hadn’t felt guilty by not wearing them.

  “You’ll have to wait and see.” He spun her around, pulling her in closer so that she was now pressed against him. Amilee closed her eyes, trying not to react. But the soft laughter in her ear warned her that Rian was a bit more perceptive. At least he was perceptive when it came to things of a sexual nature, she thought. Other issues, he was a bit more oblivious.

  “Why don’t we go out to the courtyard where you can open my present in private?” he offered.

  Amilee looked around, startled to discover that the other guests were dancing around them. In her mind, they were alone in an intimate bubble.

  Several of the older couples smiled in a knowing way that caused Amilee to wonder if she’d done something…revealing…during the moments in Rian’s arms. She didn’t like to think so, but…she’d been a bit overwhelmed by the man.

  “Yes. Fine. I’ll open your present,” she replied, wanting to get away from all of the eyes that were now watching her and Rian. “But not here. Not while everyone is watching.” She turned her head slightly, looking at the knot of his dark tie. “We could do it outside. The courtyard would be nice. It’s probably cooled down by now.”

  Rian took her hand in his, but this time, he didn’t place her hand on his arm. Instead, he continued to hold her fingers loosely in his hand. She wondered what he would do if she pulled away, but one glance at her mother’s stern approval told Amilee to wait until they were alone.

  As soon as the darkness surrounded them, Amilee knew that this had been a mistake. She shouldn’t be out here alone with Rian! There was a new moon, so it was dark tonight. It was…too intimate!

  “Let’s go sit on our bench,” he suggested.

  No, she thought frantically. Not that bench! “Maybe we should go back inside,” she offered. “It seems a bit rude to leave the party.”

  Rian laughed softly, tugging her along the pathway. “I don’t think anyone will miss us. At least for a few moments while you unwrap your present.”

  With a sigh, Amilee sat down on the bench, glanced through the windows, then to Rian as he sat down next to her. “Where are your friends?” she asked, wishing that they were here, that they would take Rian away so she didn’t feel this…crazy, breathless sensation. She didn’t want to be attracted to Rian! She preferred the indifference towards him that she convinced herself that she felt for him whenever they were apart!

  “They are skiing in Italy, I believe. Or maybe they’re out to sea, partying.” He put a beautifully wrapped present on her lap. “They aren’t my concern tonight,” he told her.

  Oh, how those words thrilled her! How many nights had she sat here, looking through the windows at the others and at him, wishing that she were important to him? How many times had she watched him walk away with his friends or his advisors because, whatever they needed, those activities were more important?

  Too often, she answered her own question. So now she was sitting here, getting exactly what she’d dreamed of. Why was she being such a ninny?! Why couldn’t she just…accept this moment?

  Because she didn’t trust it. Or maybe she didn’t trust herself.

  “Savoring the anticipation, Amilee?” he teased.

  Amilee looked up at him, startled by his teasing. She hadn’t been savoring anything, but it was as good of an excuse as anything. She forced her lips into a smile as her fingers plucked at the sparkly ribbon that bound the present. “You know how much I enjoy the anticipation, Your Highness,” she said, forcing a laugh.

  “I remember. I’ve learned a few things about you over the years,” he replied, amusement coloring his tone.

  Amilee laughed again, but it was genuine this time. “Well, I guess I should get to it,” she said, but her fingers still toyed with the paper and the ribbon, not wanting to let this moment go. Ever since they’d pilfered treats from the kitchen that first time, she’d wanted his undivided attention. Now that she had it, she didn’t want to give it up.