The next day, Liyah slipped even deeper into Asad’s world. A boat ride carried the Sharif family and their friends and business associates along the Persian Gulf. The intricately carved barge was a wonderland of flowing, white drapery, and there were flower petals beneath every step that she took. The smell of salt and plumes of smoke filled the air. Serving girls, dressed in lovely but modest gold dresses that stretched to their ankles, with rose-tinted hijabs, extended trays full of Liyah’s favorite delights—baklava, rich and decadent hummus in colorfully decorated pastry bowls, the sort that made her forget about the Westernized versions served by the Halai Brothers franchise in her old neighborhood. Cardamom and lavender cakes cooled in personal-sized tins, and there was no end to the variety of the finest coffees and teas.

Liyah was truly immersed in luxury, but instead of feeling uncomfortable, she was content under Asad’s loving gaze. He was tender and publicly affectionate.

Others took note.

“I see things are going well,’ Rashid said in a low voice as he took a seat next to them on the deck. “If the sparks between you two are any hotter, you may set the boat on fire.”

Asad sent his younger brother a withering look. “Easy,” he warned. “There are ears here.”

“Relax. No one can hear us. They’re too busy staring at your lovely bride-to-be. Ah! Here comes Bashar now!”

Liyah nearly forgot that she was on stage, but it was obvious that Asad didn’t. He continued stroking her arm with his finger as the investor approached them.

“I only ever get to see you at night,” Bashar joked as he winked at her. “But you are a vision, bathed in sunlight.”

“Are you about to spout sonnets, old man?” Asad teased.

“Someone should, if you do not. Tell me dear, how are the wedding preparations going? I find it odd that Asad’s mother has not returned to help. That woman loves to throw a party.”

Liyah stiffened. She’d completely forgotten that she was supposed to be a bride and not just a lover. No doubt everyone expected her to be stressed over the ceremony. “I will welcome the sheikha’s opinion when she returns. I have a whole binder full of ideas for her to look over!” That was what engaged women did, right? Make wedding binders?

“Of course. I also assume that you’ll present her the family ring when they return?” Bashar asked, turning a narrowing gaze on Asad.

Liyah swallowed hard. The investor seemed almost suspicious of them. It was odd, considering the way the affection between them was growing more and more natural as time passed.

“Yes,” Asad said stiffly.

“Is there a date set?”

“We’re still working out the details,” Asad said smoothly. “Liyah has family and friends in the States, and we want everyone to attend.”

At the mention of family, her gut tightened. She hadn’t attempted to get in touch with her mother even once since she’d arrived in Dubai. Guilt wrapped itself around her, and she forgot all about Bashar and his suspicions.

Later that evening, as a dark blanket settled over the waters, the boat’s lights sparkled on the surface, and the entertainment began. Belly dancers dressed in red and yellow swiveled their hips and danced, enthralling both the men and women alike. Briefly, Liyah wondered how Asad would react if she learned to move like that.

When the dance ended, a band started a quiet serenade in the background, and Amira waved her over. The dark beauty sat suspended in a hammock enclosed by translucent curtains.

“I can see that you’re enjoying the evening,” she said coyly. “I believe that everyone can. There’s a new look in my brother’s eyes. Remember to make him earn you.”

Earn her? Surely Amira knew that Asad already had her. She couldn’t voice the thought out loud, but Amira’s playful gaze turned serious. “Protect your heart, Liyah. This business arrangement is meant to crumble, and you mustn’t become a plaything. Promise me.”

“I don’t know how to promise that. It’s not my choice—”

“It is,” Amira cut in urgently. “It is your choice, and you must embrace that and make him see it. Makes your values clear, and be wary of his charms. I love my brother, but he is still a man, and they will not strive for more if everything they want is freely given to them.”

It almost sounded as if Amira knew first-hand, but Liyah kept her mouth shut.

Their conversation was cut short as a group of women drifted toward them, giggling and laughing.

Liyah didn’t want to dwell on Amira’s warning. The princess pulled her onto the dance floor and acted as though she hadn’t just been coaching Liyah how to tear apart the delicately stitched business arrangement. The sparkle in Amira’s amber eyes, a contrast of warm copper smoke and shadows, showed no guile, yet she’d all but asked Liyah to seduce Asad into giving up his heart and play to win.

By the time the boat docked and the car drove them home, Liyah was exhausted. “Bed,” she muttered as Asad wrapped a hand around her waist, keeping her upright as he unlocked the suite.

“I’m going to take a shower. Care to join me?” he asked and kissed her on the forehead.

She shook her head and repeated her request. “Bed.”

“Very well,” he chuckled. “I’ll join you shortly.”

She knew that he expected her to come to his bed, but when she heard the water of the shower start, she made a decision to sleep in her own bed that night.

Alone.

Liyah was already falling for Asad, and she had no intention of playing games with him, no matter what Amira had said. The only option left to her was to close off her emotions. When the arrangement ended, and she prayed that it would end soon, they would both go their separate ways.

* * *

She woke in the middle of the night with his lips trailing down her spine and her legs spread as he slowly slipped a finger inside her. Even in her sleep, she was wet in anticipation. Moaning into the pillow, she tried to turn over so she could kiss him, but he kept her pressed on her belly as his lips moved lower and lower, his tongue leaving behind a trail of wet heat. Only when he reached the apex of her legs did he lift her hips and slide his tongue over her.

“Oh, God,” she cried into the pillow. “Asad. What are you doing?”

“You were not in my bed,” he hissed in disapproval. “Naked, yes, but not in my bed. Why?” His tongue slid over her again, and she couldn’t believe he expected her to answer. When she only whimpered in response, he flicked his thumb hard over her clit, and her hips jumped at the mixture of pain and pleasure.

“I was so tired,” she gasped. “I didn’t think.”

“You shouldn’t have to think. Your body is mine, and it should be in my bed so I can listen to your cries of pleasure all night long.” His touch turned gentle again, but she didn’t like the soft feathery sensations.

She wanted him hard and fast.

Impatient, she shoved her hips back, and he chuckled. “You should not be rewarded, but I cannot resist you. Not when you’re so tantalizing in the moonlight, like a nymph beckoning me to my sweetest pleasure.”

Almost without warning, he moved, driving into her so hard that she almost dove headfirst into the headboard. A scream of pleasure ripped from her throat, but he gave her no time to adjust.

She reveled in every single second of it.

Her legs were so shaky that she almost collapsed in the bed, but he held her upright, and it was all she could do to bury her face in the pillow so she wouldn’t wake the rest of the palace. It only took minutes before her orgasm shook her so hard that she thought she might break apart, and his own orgasm rode in the wake of hers.

Collapsing next to her, he drew her tenderly into his arms and kissed her. “Did you like that?” he murmured in her ear. “I find that I sometimes have no control over myself, but I would never hurt you.”

A slow smile curved over her face as she cuddled with him, but in the haze that followed her orgasm, Amira’s warning haunted her.

She needed to take control of the situation.

“You mean, did I like having you wake me with your tongue?” she asked as she trailed a finger down his naked chest. He hissed at her sudden change in attitude. “Did I like it when you buried that tongue inside me with all the promises of what your cock would do to me? Has done to me?”

“Liyah,” he groaned. “When did you get so naughty?”

Leaning up, she licked his ear. “Did I like it when you fucked me face-first into the pillow, so hard and fast that I thought I might die from pleasure? Did I like it when you filled me and stretched me?”

“Careful, or you’ll have it again,” he warned her. His cock stirred beneath her, and she straddled him, rubbing him against the juices of their combined orgasm.

“I don’t know, Asad. Maybe we should try it again, just to be sure.”

With a grunt, he seized her hips and thrust himself up inside her again, and while it was hard and fast, it was hardly quick. By the time it was over, she was too tired, too sated to deal with her emotions, and there were no more tender words as he passed out next to her.