The Sheikh's Secret Bride (The Adjalane Sheikhs 1)

A muscle ticked near Nassir’s clenched jaw and he gave his brother a pointed stare. “If you are not going to take this situation seriously, then perhaps you should leave. Or meet me back in the boxing ring. Your choice, brother.”

“Calm down.” Adilan shook his head and chuckled. “I’m just giving you a hard time. So, explain to me why this kissing Janna is so bad.”

“Because she still believes me to be engaged to another. Nehla. And she made me promise her this morning that not only would I never kiss her again, but that I would tell my fiancée the truth of what I’d done or she would leave.”

“Oh.” Adilan slumped back on the sofa, frowning.

“Exactly.” Nassir took a seat behind his desk. “Now do you understand my dilemma?”

“Was the kiss good?”

“Excuse me?” Nassir raised a brow in irritation.

“I’m trying to ascertain if the chemistry between the two of you was worth the risk.”

Nassir straightened the papers on his desk then dug through his drawer for nothing at all, doing his best to avoid his younger brother’s too-perceptive gaze. The kiss with Janna had been more than good. It had been exceptional, explosive, exquisite.

And the chemistry between them seemed to burn brighter than a thousand suns. As for his part. If he rolled his lips inward, he could still taste her there—sweetness and sin all rolled into one. He sat up and found Adilan still looking at him expectantly. “It was fine.”

“Fine?”

“Good. It was very, very good.”

“Excellent. You’re falling for her. Hard.”

Lips compressed, shook his head. The truth of his brother’s words hit far closer to home than he was comfortable admitting. “I am doing no such thing. This is purely business.”

“Right.” Adilan clasped his hands and tapped his index fingers against his lips. “And when do you plan to tell your little wedding planner that she is your intended bride?”

“Not until the last possible second. That way her perfect wedding will already be planned and underway and besides, I plan to convince her to marry me anyway. My research into her background indicates she supports not only herself, but her disabled mother and two younger siblings with her business.”

“And you intend to use her desperation against her.” Adilan’s expression shifted to disgust. “That’s extremely heartless, even for you.”

“I am not heartless and I don’t intend to do anything, unless she forces my hand. This marriage would be to her benefit as well as mine. I would gain the bride I need to retain my position in the company and she will gain the funds she so desperately needs to pay for her mother’s care and to provide her siblings with a better life.”

“And what of her career goals? Her independence?”

“There will be no need for her to work once she is my wife. And independence is overrated.”

“Yes.” Adilan gave him a rueful smile. “I’m sure that’s exactly how she will see it.”

Nassir gave his brother a withering look then glanced at his watch. “We could still go a few more rounds in the ring before lunch.”

“Fine. What of Nehla?”

“What of her?”

“Perhaps Hazim is right. Perhaps things would be easier if you married her.”

“Never. I will marry Janna when the times comes. That is my final decision. Now, I promised her I would meet her at a cake shop to choose the dessert that will be served to our wedding guests.”

“Cake, huh? Sounds like this reception will have a definite Western flare.”

“I wanted a cross-cultural ceremony. Evidently, cake is part of that.”

“Well, then.” Adilan stood and clapped Nassir on the back as they walked out of the office together. “Good luck with all of your cake related decisions, brother.”

“I have reason and good planning on my side, Adilan.” They strode down the hall and Nassir did his best to convey a confidence he didn’t quite feel. “I do not require luck.”