The Sheik's Angry Bride (15 page)

Luna shook her head.  “I’m not seeing anyone,” she said but not sure why she was admitting all of this to this stranger.  She suddenly realized that she didn’t even know his name.  How could she have revealed so much to a stranger?  But for some reason, he didn’t feel like a stranger.  As she looked into his dark eyes, she sensed that this tall, intimidating man was just as lonely in his high-pressure occupation as she was despite both of them being surrounded by people almost constantly. 

How crazy was that, she thought?  A man as gorgeous and sexy as this man couldn’t possibly be lonely.  But still….

“What about the man in the kitchen?  The one who kept punching you.”

Luna laughed, the idea of her and Barry as a couple was ludicrous.  “Barry?  Oh goodness, he’s just a friend.”  She was watching the man under her lashes and thought she sensed a relaxing in his shoulders with her statement.  But that was impossible. 

“So you are the owner here,” he stated with a change of subject.  Dassar was satisfied that she was relatively innocent, although he suspected she wasn’t a virgin.  No woman who looked like she did and was as open and honest as she was could remain untouched.  He didn’t like it, but he definitely liked her.  “Tell me what it is like to own a small inn like this?”

“Oh, the cleaning and early mornings are a bit of a problem for me, since I love sleeping in and I absolutely hate doing laundry.” She smiled even as she crinkled up her nose at the confession.  “But I love cooking, which compensates for the rest of the chores.  Just wait until you try my scones.  They’re really amazing,” she told him. 

“I will anticipate that experience with relish,” he replied.  He was truly enchanted by her enthusiasm, but hated the idea of this woman cleaning.  Looking down, he realized that her hands were red, obviously used to the harsh chemicals needed to freshen up a hotel room after guests had stayed overnight.  He’d have to speak to Hasif about getting her some help.  He didn’t like the idea of this little woman with her soft, beautiful skin, having to clean up after guests. 

No, he couldn’t marry this woman, but he could definitely make her life easier, he thought. 

He stood up, determined to find Hasif and tell him they could leave.  “Perhaps you would be kind enough to have dinner with me tonight?”  Those words surprised even him, but the look on the lovely woman’s face told him that she was surprised as well. 

Luna stood as well, preferring not to look up at him quite so much.  But the man was so tall that even standing still caused her to have to tilt her head back.  “I’m so sorry,” she gushed sincerely.  “But I already have a big meeting with some people tonight and I can’t miss it.”

Dassar bowed slightly.  “Another time then,” and he walked out of the room.  She was wrong for him, he thought again as he ascended the stairs.  But she was beautiful and she stirred something inside of him that he hadn’t felt in a long time.  Actually, never, he realized.  There was lust, absolutely, but there was something more, something that he couldn’t quite define because he wasn’t familiar with the sensation. 

Surely it wasn’t protectiveness, he thought.  No, that was ridiculous. 

He went upstairs and spoke to Hasif about other matters, the issue of the lovely Luna spinning around in his mind.  In the end, he shook his head. 

“I can’t marry the woman,” he told his chief advisor.

Hasif had recognized the signs in this man.  He was interested in the woman.  More than interested.  And from the small bit of interaction he’d witnessed, Luna Montgomery was exactly what this man, and Altair, needed.  She would bring life and happiness to this man.  She was filled with hope and optimism.  She was perfect.

But he had to be careful. 

“Perhaps you are right,” he said and started gathering up the papers he and Dassar had been working on moments ago.  “Another man might be better suited to marry her.”

Hasif wasn’t looking, but he could feel the rise in tension.  After only a few minutes in the woman’s company, Dassar was smitten.  And his ruler certainly wouldn’t like the idea of another man touching what Hasif suspected Dassar already considered his woman.  Moments later, his suspicions were confirmed.

“This is a good place to relax and get some of the issues worked out,” he announced.  “So we will stay here for a few days and work on the details of that construction plan and the military bases.” 

Hasif didn’t even crack a smile.  He simply gathered up the papers and bowed out of the room.  “Yes, Your Highness.” 

The Texas Tycoon’s Temptation

The Royal Cordova Trilogy

Escaping a Royal Wedding

The Man’s Outrageous Demands

Mistress to the Prince

The Attracelli Family Series

Never Dare a Tycoon

Falling For the Boss

Risky Negotiations

Proposal to Love

Love's Not Terrifying

Romantic Acquisition

The Billionaire's Terms: Prison Or Passion

The Sheik's Love Child

The Sheik's Unfinished Business

The Greek Tycoon's Lover

The Sheik's Sensuous Trap

The Greek's Baby Bargain

The Italian's Bedroom Deal

The Billionaire's Gamble

The Tycoon's Seduction Plan

The Sheik's Rebellious Mistress

The Sheik's Missing Bride

Blackmailed by the Billionaire

The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

The Billionaire's Elusive Lover

The Intimate, Intricate Rescue

The Sisterhood Trilogy

The Sheik's Virgin Lover

The Billionaire's Impulsive Lover

The Russian's Tender Lover

The Billionaire's Gentle Rescue

The Tycoon's Toddler Surprise

The Tycoon's Tender Triumph

The Friends Forever Series

The Sheik's Mysterious Mistress

The Duke's Willful Wife

The Tycoon's Marriage Exchange

The Sheik's Secret Twins

The Russian's Furious Fiancée

The Tycoon's Misunderstood Bride

Love By Accident Series

The Sheik's Pregnant Lover

The Sheik's Furious Bride

The Duke's Runaway Princess

The Russian's Pregnant Mistress

The Lovers Exchange Series

The Earl's Outrageous Lover

The Tycoon's Resistant Lover

The Sheik's Reluctant Lover

The Spanish Tycoon's Temptress

The Berutelli Escape

Resisting The Tycoon's Seduction

The Billionaire’s Secretive Enchantress

The Big Apple Brotherhood

The Billionaire’s Pregnant Lover

The Sheik’s Rediscovered Lover

The Tycoon’s Defiant Southern Belle

The Sheik’s Dangerous Lover (Novella)

The Thorpe Brothers

His Captive Lover

His Unexpected Lover

His Secretive Lover

His Challenging Lover

The Sheik’s Defiant Fiancée (Novella)

The Prince’s Resistant Lover (Novella)

The Tycoon’s Make-Believe Fiancée (Novella)

The Friendship Series

The Billionaire’s Masquerade

The Russian’s Dangerous Game

The Sheik’s Beautiful Intruder

The Love and Danger Series – Romantic Mysteries

Intimate Desires

Intimate Caresses

Intimate Secrets

Intimate Whispers

The Alfieri Saga

The Italian’s Passionate Return (Novella)

Her Gentle Capture

His Reluctant Lover

Her Unexpected Admirer

Her Tender Tyrant

Releasing the Billionaire’s Passion (Novella)

His Expectant Lover

The Sheik’s Intimate Proposition (Novella)

The Hart Sisters Trilogy

The Billionaire’s Secret Marriage

The Italian’s Twin Surprise

The Forbidden Russian Lover

The War, Love, and Harmony Series – April-August 2015

Fighting with the Infuriating Prince (Novella)

Dancing with the Dangerous Prince (Novella)

The Sheik’s Secret Bride

The Sheik’s Angry Bride

The Sheik’s Blackmailed Bride

The Sheik’s Convenient Bride