Asim reached for Elena’s hand under the table, nodding at the maid as she cleared the dinner plates. He and the women had shared a classic Lebanese spread: pita, tabbouleh, baked kibbeh, and kebabs. Aubrey sighed, patting at her belly.

“That was the best food I’ve had in this country so far,” she said.

Asim smiled at her, then over at Elena. He’d been watching her every move with amplified interest since their intense moment in the garden earlier. She was captivating—even more so after he’d fingered her into ecstasy. Really, he was just counting the moments until he could get her alone again.

“I agree,” Elena said, giving his hand a little squeeze. “Your cooks are talented.”

“The best in the country,” he confirmed. Approaching footsteps yanked his attention to the arched doorway. Anxiety flashed through him, hot and fast—surely it was one of his brothers, which meant a lot of questions were headed their way.

“Asim.” Nasir, his older brother, stepped through the arched entryway, a knowing smile on his face. The presence of the women didn’t seem to surprise him as he strolled to the table. No doubt their mother had called him and apprised him of the latest happenings. “Won’t you introduce me to your two lovely guests?”

Aubrey turned toward the voice; even from the side Asim could see the way her jaw clattered to the floor upon seeing his brother.

“Ladies, this is my brother Nasir,” Asim said, eyeing him as he bent down to kiss Aubrey on the cheek. He came around the table to greet Elena in the same fashion. “Nasir, this is Elena and Aubrey. Elena and I have been dating for quite some time now.”

“As I’ve heard.” He sat in the empty seat at the other end of the table, smoothing down his button-up. He signaled to a maid and asked for a glass of wine. Then a big, sugary smile overtook his face, the type he always used with his American clients. The type that told Asim a thinly-veiled inquisition was headed his way.

“Elena and Aubrey arrived yesterday,” he said. It was time to take the offensive, before his brother launched his own attack. “I’ve been so looking forward to introducing them to mother’s favorite.”

Nasir laughed. “Really? We’re going straight there?”

Asim chuckled. Ribbing his brothers was one of his favorite past times. “Ah, you’re right. I’m sure they’ll see soon enough.”

Nasir shook his head. “Perhaps mother prefers me because I’m the responsible one. After all, you’re always up to no good.” Addressing Elena and Aubrey, he said, “Be careful. Both of you. You wouldn’t believe the sort of things this one gets into.”

The girls giggled politely, but the comment struck a little too close to home for his tastes. “Up to no good is code word for having fun,” Asim clarified. “Which is something my brother hasn’t learned how to do.”

Nasir received a glass of wine from the maid graciously, taking a sip before responding. “I have fun in my own ways. Coincidentally those ways are also known as fiscal responsibility and world domination.”

Asim snorted, taking a sip of his own wine. “I know those as boring, but maybe your English has improved more than mine since living in the US.”

“Oh, you live in the US?” Aubrey leaned forward, chin propped in her palm. She watched Nasir as if a movie star had materialized in the dining room.

“I do.” He grinned, leaning back into his seat. “West Coast. And you?”

“Oh.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Same. We’re from California.”

“Beautiful state, isn’t it? My primary home is near LA, but I travel often.” Nasir grinned, which prompted a giggle from Aubrey. Asim looked over at Elena to find a knowing smirk on her face.

“Primary home, huh?” Aubrey flushed, taking a sip of her wine. “If this home is any indicator, I can’t imagine what your stateside home must look like.”

“Far more reserved,” Asim interjected. “Nasir’s tastes don’t allow for so much marble and extraneous patterns.”

Nasir nodded. “It’s true. I’m a man of simple, clean tastes.”

Aubrey cleared her throat, the blush cresting her cheeks.

“So, tell me more of this engagement.” Nasir nodded toward Elena, who squeezed Asim’s hand like she wanted to break it off. “I’m dying to know everything.”

Elena smiled wide at him. “Know everything, huh? That might take a while.”

The irony killed him.

“So where did you meet?” Nasir asked.

Elena cleared her throat, turning to face Asim. “Well, it was very unexpected really.”

“Yes,” Asim added. “We just kind of…ran into each other.”

“Where?” Nasir’s steely gaze told Asim he was logging this, as if it would be used in court testimony later. With his mother serving as judge.

“Beirut,” Elena said, at the same time Asim said, “In the States.” Shit. They turned to each other, embarrassed smiles erupting.

“Yes, we originally met in the States,” Elena said. “I thought you meant this last time.” She cleared her throat. “When I came over.”

Nasir nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. Fuck. He knows. He had to end it now, before they botched another question.

“Elena, Aubrey, don’t let us keep you.” Asim gestured toward the hallway visible through the arched doorway. “You must be exhausted, after the long day. If you’d prefer to rest or get ready for bed, by all means. My brother and I will catch up for just a little bit.”

Elena nodded, squeezing his arm. “Yes, I’m feeling so tired. I should go lie down.” She leaned forward, placing a small kiss on his cheek. To Nasir, she said, “It was a pleasure meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”

Aubrey let out a small sigh, eyes lingering on Nasir. “Yeah, bed, I guess. See you, boys.” She stood reluctantly, lagging behind her friend as they exited the dining room. Nasir watched the hallway for a moment before he spoke.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Asim creased his brow, reaching again for his wine. “What do you mean?”

“This is clearly a farce.” Nasir leaned forward, lowering his voice. “I’ve never seen such an obvious lie in my life.”

Asim scoffed. “Please. What does it matter to you?”

“It matters a great deal to me, because you are about to get nailed.” Nasir jabbed his finger into the tabletop for emphasis.

“Nailed. Is that another new American phrase?”

“Listen. Once our mother comes home and sits down to properly talk with Elena, the truth will fly out faster than a flock of geese. You won’t get this past her.”

“There’s nothing to get past her. I’ve made my decision.”

Nasir tutted, leaning back into his chair. “Asim, you’re making a huge mistake.”

“Am I?” Asim turned in his chair, looking for a maid. When he spotted her, he signaled for another round of wine. Then he added, “Just bring the whole bottle.” Turning back to his brother, he said, “The only mistake I can see is marrying a woman I do not know or care about.”

“And you care about this one?”

Asim paused. “I do, actually.” And it was the truth. Even though they’d met less than twenty-four hours ago.

“Mother has been working for three years to set you up with the Dahoud daughter. Her father finally agreed to the marriage just last month. After three years of needling and convincing! It would be an insult if you didn’t marry her. And it won’t be you who shoulders the brunt of that insult—it will be mother. You cannot do that to her.”

Asim watched as the maid filled their glasses, leaving a half-empty bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon on the table between them. “So, it’s more important to preserve mother’s social niceties, rather than my own happiness for the rest of my life?” Anger burbled hot and raucous inside him, the same way it did whenever he thought too much about the infuriating dynamics of the situation.

“It might not sound fair,” Nasir said, “but it’s right. She just wants the best for us. And you have to admit that marrying the intelligent, business-minded daughter of a Lebanese family sounds like what’s best for us.”

“Then why don’t you do it?” Asim gulped back the rest of his wine.

“Mother knows she doesn’t have to finagle me into a marriage. I’ll get there on my own terms.” Nasir sent him a stern look. “Your constant string of women is no secret. You might as well have a quilt made from all the strange panties left in your bedroom.”

Asim laughed into his palm. “How horrid that would be.”

“You must be rational here,” Nasir pleaded. “For the good of our family, for the good of our business.”

“You sound like mother now.”

“Well, she’s right in this instance. Besides, you need a woman who can temper you.”

“Elena does temper me,” Asim said. “She’s got a beautiful nature. She’s poetic and artistic. The way she views the world is unlike anyone else I’ve ever met.”

“And how does that translate into managing a business?” Nasir narrowed his eyes, sipping at his wine. “Don’t forget, the Dahoud girl is famously accomplished in business. Not only has she launched two businesses in the past three years, she’s also—”

“She’s also a catty princess who makes the newspapers for her childish outbursts,” Asim interjected. “I can tell you right now where this match would end up.”

Nasir shook his head, sucking at his teeth. “Fine. Then consider one last thing. If you rope Elena into this farce, so be it. But what about when it’s over? What then?”

Asim pushed his wine glass in a pattern on the table, gnawing at his lip.

“If she’s so special and delicate like you say, then I can’t imagine she’ll want to be dragged along in this charade simply for your benefit.” Nasir let out a terse sigh.

Always the rational older brother. He’d go to his grave the most practical man he’d ever met. And in a way, he was thankful for it—even when it butted up against his spontaneous plans. “You’re right.”

Nasir finished off his glass. “I’m going to bed now. I’ve got terrible jet lag.”

“Will you spend some time with Aubrey tomorrow?”

Nasir shrugged as he stood. “I suppose. What would you like us to do?”

“Whatever the two of you want to do. I just want to have Elena to myself tomorrow. Get to know her a bit better.” Steal some more of those scorching kisses.

“Yes. This once, I will. But be careful please.” Nasir squeezed his shoulder on his way out of the dining room. “Think about what I’ve said.”

Asim’s mouth made a tense line as his brother’s words ricocheted in his mind. Pushing his own glass aside, he headed for the hallway. Maybe some sleep would do him good. Or maybe he could swing by Elena’s room and see if she was still up. Just to say goodnight. One last kiss. And a little bit more…

With each step closer to Elena’s room, his brother’s warnings grew louder, as though he could tell he was on his way to her room. What are you really doing here, Asim? Except now, he couldn’t tell if the thoughts were his own or his brother’s admonishments.

This isn’t fair to her. This isn’t right. His fist hovered in front of her door, a half-second away from knocking.

Maybe his brother was right. It would be better to at least sleep on it and face the situation fresh in the morning. Let his subconscious determine if he was making a grave mistake or not, analyze the dreams that cropped up overnight.

Asim turned and headed back to his bedroom.