Scandal: His Majesty's Love-Child

It reminded him he was his father’s son. Decadent. Self-interested. A man obsessed with pleasure.

The fact that Tahir found pleasure almost nowhere these days didn’t alter the truth that he was as flawed as Yazan Al’Ramiz. He was the last man on earth she should be building castles in the air over.

For that was what she was doing. He could see it in her eyes. Annalisa was so refreshingly transparent.

Regret lanced him, so powerful it was a physical pain even stronger than what he already suffered.

He ignored it.

Annalisa would not be a casualty of his vices. She’d forget about him and get on with her life with never a backward glance.

He’d cure her of her romantic daydreams.

He owed her that much.

CHAPTER SIX

HE WAS awake. She caught a glimpse of his eyes, glinting like sunlight on the ocean. Her heart gave an awkward thump then settled into something like a steady beat, albeit far too rapid.

‘I’ve made you breakfast.’ She knelt beside him, eyes lowered, wishing she had the nerve to reach out and touch him as she had last night. But in the bright morning light she felt shy. It would be easier soon, when he smiled, caressed her. Maybe even tugged her down to him.

Heat sizzled in her stomach.

She wasn’t sorry it had happened. Stunned, yes. Amazed at how beautiful it had been. But not regretful. It had been the single most wonderful experience of her life.

Tahir had been exquisitely tender and generous. She’d heard enough matrons gossiping about wedding nights to know not all women enjoyed their first time with a man.

Annalisa had done more than enjoy. Tahir had given her ecstasy. Warmth and connection and unbelievable pleasure. More, he’d bestowed something she couldn’t name. Something glowing and positive that countered the pain of these last months. Something that made the future look sunny and wondrous.

‘Not sweet tea again.’ There was a petulance in his voice she’d never heard. ‘Is that all you have?’

Her head jerked up and she met his frowning stare. His eyes were hard, almost febrile, his expression tight and unfamiliar. The grooves around his mouth had deepened and his lips were pursed in a disgruntled line.

‘Are you in pain?’ What had she done, demanding so much last night? He was still far from recovered. Guilt slashed her and she reached out to him.

A sinewy forearm blocked her move. His eyes glittered and his nostrils pinched as if in displeasure.

‘Of course I’m in pain. Having sex with these injuries was a fool’s game.’

‘I know. I’ve been wondering how you are.’

She waited for him to smile and say their night together had been worth the pain. That they’d shared something momentous and special.

The silence grew.

Tahir’s gaze was unreadable. Something about his raised eyebrows and tight mouth made her sink back on her heels, her certainty suddenly on shaky foundations.

He had enjoyed it, hadn’t he?

Of course he had. There’d been no mistaking his pleasure.

But maybe…maybe what had been a special, out of the world experience for her had been something else for him?

She clasped her hands, fighting the doubt roiling in her stomach. How she wished she understood.

Had he nothing to say about their night together? Even simply lying in his arms, tucked up against his large, powerful body had been bliss.

‘I feel like you’d expect me to feel after a chopper crash, dehydration and over-exertion. I feel like death. Far worse than yesterday.’

Over-exertion? Annalisa frowned. That was what he called their lovemaking?

Over-exertion?

The churning in her stomach intensified even as a shaft of indignation hit her.

She tried to ignore it. Tahir was ill. By the look of him far worse than he’d been last night, and that was her fault. If she hadn’t been so needy…

‘I’ll just…’ She paused, his words sinking in. ‘Chopper crash? You remember an accident?’

His mouth curved in a smile that held none of the rakish charm she’d grown used to. Instead he looked sarcastic.

‘I wouldn’t have said so if I hadn’t remembered.’

‘Were there others? On the helicopter?’ The thought of people lost in the desert had haunted her for days.

‘No. No one else to practise your precious nursing skills on.’ The way he spoke made it sound as if she’d done more harm than good. Hurt and bewilderment curled inside her. Even as she heard his cutting words and saw his supercilious expression she didn’t believe it. Tahir would never speak to her like that.

‘But—’

‘But nothing.’ He paused. ‘I had an important cargo, just not people. Crates of the finest champagne and the best caviar money can buy. I was bringing it here for the coronation, but I’ve missed the party now.’ He lifted his shoulders in a stiff movement that confirmed his pain had worsened. ‘A pity. If there’s one thing I enjoy it’s a good party.’