“Cannonball!”

Aubrey launched herself from the side of the infinity pool, tucking her knees into her chest, launching a tidal wave of crystalline water. Elena giggled, turning away from the spray, floating closer to the stone wall lining the edge of the pool.

Once Aubrey resurfaced, she hooted with laughter. “Okay, I think that was my last one.”

“About time.” Elena wiped water from her face. They’d been lounging and gabbing in the extensive network of palace pools and waterfalls for hours. She’d nearly had her fill of dives, cannonballs, and water in general. Even though it seemed sacrilegious to even think it.

“I’m pruning,” Aubrey said, examining her fingertips.

“Me too.” Elena stepped up the stone steps, holding onto the wrought iron banister leading out of the pool. The infinity pool was set above the terrain of the property, which made the infinity edge blend into the expansive, rolling greenery of the gardens. And then, on the horizon, skyscrapers and city buildings peeked up over the edge of the property, reminding them of where they were.

“I might be ready for a rest,” Elena said, reaching for a plush white beach towel a palace attendant had brought them. “All this luxury is exhausting.”

“You’re telling me.” Aubrey wrapped another towel around her body, resting her hands on her hips. “I could get used to this.”

“It’s just temporary.” Elena patted her hair dry then swooped it up into a turban. Though really, she could get used to it, too. Perhaps too easily. “Don’t you forget that, either. It’s a week, or whatever. But definitely not forever.”

“Listen, once Asim gets back, we have to grill him on a few points.” Aubrey held out her hand, ticking off each finger as she listed. “First of all, can they provide us with unending falafel? Secondly, does Asim have any brothers who are similarly single and in need of a fake wife? Third—”

Elena raised a hand, laughing. “Okay. Let’s save these for when he comes around later.”

The two girls started down the winding, shrouded path that led back to the palace. Birds twittered—sweet songs that made Elena’s heart flutter. The whole garden was the definition of well-manicured and lush. And there was so much more to see! She didn’t know what else there was, but she could sense the vastness of the property, all the unexplored corners and crevices that called her to find their secret shadows and unseen treasures.

“It would be fine if this whole game lasted longer than a week, though, right?” Aubrey lifted a brow, her light freckles slightly more pronounced after an afternoon in the sun. “I wouldn’t mind staying here two weeks. Or three.”

They rounded the corner, coming up on a patio that led to the palace. As Elena opened her mouth to respond, a voice broke through.

“Ladies. I see you’ve been enjoying the afternoon.”

Asim emerged from the doorway leading into a sunroom, a pleased grin on his face. His gaze traveled up and down her body, both nerve-wracking and thrilling. Maybe he liked what he saw in her skimpy bikini—or maybe he was secretly dismayed. After all, he was probably used to some other standard—models and celebrities, no doubt.

“Enjoying is an understatement,” Aubrey said. “That infinity pool is awesome.”

“Have you seen the gardens in the north quarter?” Asim’s dark eyes settled on Elena, sending a shiver through her.

“Not yet,” she admitted. “We wandered until we found water—and that’s where we got hung up.”

“Well you must see it,” Asim said. “Let’s go now.”

Aubrey grinned, pinching her friend’s waist. “I think I’m gonna go take a nap, guys.”

Elena looked over at her, suddenly scared about navigating the palace with only Asim. She needed the buffer of her friend, the assurance that she wouldn’t rip his clothes off in broad daylight and do something indecent. “Are you sure you don’t want to come see the gardens?”

“I think you’ll enjoy the garden far more than I will,” Aubrey said, lifting a brow. “And I hope that enjoying is an understatement.”

She winked, sauntering off, leaving Asim and her alone on the patio.

“Let’s go.” He reached for her hand, which she offered to him before thinking twice. He tugged her down a different path, one that she hadn’t noticed before. A few steps later, she realized she was still basically naked.

“Shouldn’t I go change?” She touched the turban on her head, somewhere between confused and delighted. Wandering the palace in a bikini, after a dip in a salt-water infinity pool, was pure pleasure. But maybe there was etiquette being overlooked.

“You’re fine.” He glanced back at her, his dark gaze sweeping up and down her body again. “It probably feels nice to dry in the sun, doesn’t it?”

“Mmm. Divine.” She tilted her head back as the path wound through shrubs and patches of flowers, the bright sun warming her cool skin. Asim kept his hand tight on hers, a reassuring heat.

“What did you do today?” she asked.

“Well, aside from getting engaged?” He laughed. “Mostly work. I oversaw a few new acquisitions today.”

“Where do you work?”

“My family owns a business. We have three main branches: one in the Middle East, one in Europe, and one in the US.”

“Ah. An international company.” Elena grinned. “Very nice. You handle all of them?”

“No, I oversee the European branch. My brothers handle the other two.”

She tutted. “Brothers. Aubrey will be happy to hear that.”

His boyish grin nearly broke her heart. “Oh, yeah? Well she can meet them soon. You, too.”

Excitement quivered through her. Meeting the brothers…the rest of the family…what a strange turn this trip had taken. Asim’s grip on her hand tightened as they strolled toward a glass-framed building: a greenhouse. He pulled open the door, a humid blast of air greeting her.

“Welcome to the greenhouse,” he said, shutting the door behind them. Rows and rows of exotic plants sprawled before them, strange vining plants boasting bold blooms. Some blossoms looked vaguely erotic—lush curves, heavy pendulums. She’d never seen a more fascinating or arousing greenhouse. Gravel crunched underfoot.

“Wow,” she breathed, unable to focus on only one beautiful thing. Everything in the greenhouse vied for her attention, yanked at it like an impatient child. “This is a miracle. So much life and color under one small roof.”

Asim smiled, surveying the area. “Absolutely. And so much pure oxygen.”

They walked down the main row of plants until they came to the door at the other end of the building. Pushing through it, Asim led her toward an area of the outdoor garden flanked with tall, skinny trees. Big square stones formed an expansive, uneven pavement. Elaborate pots dotted the walkway, overflowing with bright red flowers.

“Your home is beautiful,” she said, fingering a blossom as they walked by.

“Thank you. That means a lot coming from you, since I can tell you have an eye for beauty.”

She grinned, feeling the blush creep into her cheeks. “Why do you say that?”

He shrugged, heading toward a simple stone bench set off to the side. “There’s something very artistic about you.”

As far as she was concerned, that was the highest compliment someone could give her. “Thanks for that. I appreciate it. I am an artist, by the way.”

He snapped his fingers. “I knew it. What do you do?”

She sat on the bench slowly, transitioning into the hot bite of the sun-warmed seat. She absentmindedly traced patterns in the rough surface. “Mostly oil. But I also sketch. I love landscapes, cityscapes. I’ll do portraits when compelled. But I’m mostly a fan of colors.”

Asim nodded, like this cleared up everything for him. “I’d love to see your work.”

“It’s all at home.” She gazed into the distance, suddenly desperate to show him what she did with her time and passion. Not like it mattered, really—he was just a stranger. A business arrangement, however unconventional. But something inside her was eager to woo him. To show him the depths of her soul. “You’d have to come to my house and see it.”

He grabbed her hand, squeezing it in his lap. “Maybe I’ll do that someday. Would your parents mind?”

She laughed a little, but the smile dropped from her face. “You don’t have to worry about them. They’re…not around anymore.”

Asim grimaced. “I’m sorry. What happened? Or should I not…?”

“It’s okay.” Her heart tightened a little, but just the way it always did when telling someone what happened. “They died a few years ago. It was unexpected, but they were older. They had me later in life. My mom passed first, and then my dad died a few months later. Probably of a broken heart.” She sighed a little, offering a small smile to him. “They were soul mates.”

Asim’s grip on her hand had turned into stroking sometime during her explanation. His rough thumb made a warm path over the top of her hand. His other arm had snuck around behind her. He squeezed her hip, which made her breath hitch.

“I’m sorry you had to lose them so young.” His voice dropped a little, came out raw and soft. His head came closer, like he might press his forehead to hers. “That must have been so difficult.”

The heat of his nearness clouded her mind, and she struggled to think straight, to keep focused on the conversation. “It was. It is, sometimes. But I had a rich life with them.” He squeezed again at her hip, which made her mind blank. “I think they’re watching over me. They know all the cool stuff I’m doing now.”

“Like posing as my fiancée?” His voice came out softer, at her ear. Goosebumps erupted over her arms, and she looked up at him, surprised to find him so close. His dark eyes were vortices of desire; from so close the angle of his jaw from was like a decadent treat, one she couldn’t say no to if she tried.

“Exactly.” She giggled, but it came out throaty. Kiss me kiss me kiss me. He had to do it first, because maybe there was still a chance she was reading this wrong. Or was there? The scent of his cologne grew stronger, his breath coming out in hot puffs at her chin. Dear Lord, kiss me.

“Thanks again for your help,” he murmured, fingertips skating over her forearm. “You were quite unexpected, but just what I needed. It was like fate sent you to me.”

He squeezed her hip again, this time drawing a surge of moisture in her swimsuit bottoms, and then she knew it—game over. If he could make her wet on a garden bench, this was a serious problem. Kiss me or fuck me now. That’s what fate had decreed. A garden hookup.

His gaze raked over her face, lips poised for the kiss. Electricity sizzled in the air between them, and she leaned closer, smoothing her hand over the flat plane of his chest, pleased by the hardness beneath the crisp fabric. She tilted her head back, opening her lips, urging him nearer.

And then he dipped down, catching her chin between thumb and forefinger, stilling her face as his lips brushed velvety soft against her own. The first kiss stole her breath, but the second one replenished it. Energy surged through her, and she swallowed a squeal of delight. Thank you, Aubrey, for being smart and taking a nap!

They kissed over and over again, one desperate, sloppy, passionate kiss leading to another. Asim made a small noise, cupping the side of her face in his big hand, turning so they faced each other. Elena opened up her legs, straddling the bench, scooting closer to him. He pulled away, drawing a ragged breath, looking down between her legs.

Reality crashed around her. What were they doing?

“Wow,” she said, clarity making slow steps across her mind. “We took the ruse a step too far, huh?”

“Turn around.”

The steely command sent shivers through her, and she immediately complied, straddling the bench again, facing away from him. He scooted closer to her, pulling her back against him, his rock-solid chest meeting the curve of her back.

She let out a small sigh as he wrapped his arms around her, crossing over her breasts. Her eyes fluttered shut as his soft kisses found the curve of her neck.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured into her ear, letting a hand drift down over her belly. She tensed at the contact, his touch sending thrills under her skin. Her breath coming out in sharp puffs, she stilled as his fingertips danced around her belly button, skating the line of her bikini bottoms.

“Oooooh, my God,” she moaned, louder than she meant to. She arched her back, and his arm over her tightened, the bulging bicep visible even through his work shirt. “God, that feels good.”

He licked at her earlobe, smoothing his palms over the tops of her thighs. “You like that? You feel good, too.”

“Mmmm.” Her head lolled to the side as he caressed her, his avoidance of the one area that needed it most an infuriating reality. Her pussy throbbed for him with an intensity that surprised even her. What had gotten into her? At just ten o’clock that morning, she’d never even seen this guy before. Now by five in the evening, his fingers were almost down her pants.

This wasn’t her regular MO. She’d never moved so quickly with anyone before. But somehow, it seemed right.

“I want to feel you everywhere, Elena.” His gravelly voice ignited a fire in her. She arched again, clutching at the forearm across her chest.

“Do it,” she said. Her pussy was desperate for it, clit throbbing like it had never been touched. “Please.”

Asim dragged a kiss over the side of her cheek and slipped his hand down her bikini bottoms. His fingertips swirled and caressed her mons, drifting slowly toward the tight, needy nub. His touch was feather-light as he danced over her folds, and then finally, he pinched at her clit. She tensed, drawing a sharp breath, the pleasure that jolted through her almost crippling.

He dipped a finger down to her entrance, swooping up some of the slickness, then returned to her clit. He rubbed it between thumb and forefinger, then pinched it, prodded it, alternated between the nub and her dripping entrance. Elena clung to him, mouth parted, a shriek stuck halfway in her throat. The pleasure was too good, too intense. She was ready to come but hesitant to let this moment ever fade away.

Asim’s breath in her ear was an anchor, rooting her to this pleasure. “You like that?”

She moaned low, writhing in his grip, bucking against his hand. “Fuck, Asim. I love it.”

He dipped his head, taking a soft bite of her neck, his devilish fingers working her harder, faster. She inhaled sharply, tensing against him, the combination of his cologne, his touch, his teeth on her skin a frightening trio that pushed her right up to the edge.

When he slipped two fingers into her, the climax roared through her, a tidal wave of pleasure. Her eyes shot open, taking in the sight and colors around her like they were being injected instead of observed. The kelly green of the trees, the startling cerulean of the sky, the jagged white of the clouds. She tensed and squeaked, hips bucking, his fingers slipping and sliding all over her dripping pussy as she wrung every last dreg of pleasure from the orgasm.

Asim chuckled softly in her ear as she heaved, trying to catch her breath, riding the waves back down to Earth. His big hand stayed under the fabric of her bottoms, like maybe even he was too wrung out to move much.

“Mmmm.” He nipped at her earlobe. She blinked lazily, the sharp focus of the world around her receding into normalcy. It was like the whole world around her had responded to his hand, that orchestrator of pleasure. And now that it was over…back to regular green, regular blue, regular white.

“That was intense,” she said, looking up at him.

His lips curled up at the corners. She could have him look at her like that forever, and still want more. “Yes. That’s one word to describe it.”

“That better not be the last time,” she said, clutching at the wrist above her panty line.

“Oh, you want more?” He dragged his lips over her forehead, a knowing smirk on his face. “There’s so much more to come. But you’ll have to wait.”