“I think so. My secretary has been telling me what to expect and what to take.”
“How is Layla working out for you?”
He’d sent her a woman who’d trained in European universities and who had a fresh, open manner. Not that he supposed Sheridan would have had any trouble if Layla had been dour, considering how she’d wound Daoud around her finger. If Daoud didn’t have a fiancée he adored, Rashid might be jealous.
“I like her. She never makes me feel stupid for not knowing what I’m supposed to do.”
Layla had been teaching her protocol and schooling her on Kyrian history in preparation for their upcoming public wedding. Rashid had pushed that out as far as he could, simply because he hadn’t wanted to deal with a long day of ceremony and pomp, but the day would arrive soon enough and they’d have to give the Kyrian people something to celebrate.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
She frowned a little then. “I asked Annie and Chris if they would come for the formal wedding, but I don’t think Annie wants to come.”
“I’m sorry, Sheridan.” He was predisposed to dislike her sister simply because the other woman seemed not to care how her actions hurt Sheridan, but he knew that it wasn’t quite as simple as that. Annie was shy and frightened of new situations. He understood that now, but it didn’t mean he liked the way it affected Sheridan.
“I knew it was a long shot. All the pomp and noise, the dignitaries, the heat and strangeness of a place she’s never been. It would be too much for her.”
He didn’t point out that apparently the strangeness of Switzerland, where Annie would have her experimental treatment to try to give her a chance to conceive, didn’t seem to bother her.
“We will bring them here another time, then. I will make it happen, I assure you.”
She laughed. “Please tell me you’re not going to kidnap my sister and her husband, Rashid. If you keep snatching people from the States, eventually you’ll be caught, and then there’ll be an international incident.”
He came and sat down beside her while the puppy yipped and tried to chase his tail. “I won’t kidnap them.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
He tugged her onto his lap because he couldn’t quite control himself.
“But I’m not sorry I kidnapped you,” he told her, pushing her blond hair back behind her ears and watching the way her eyes darkened with passion as he ghosted a thumb over one budding nipple.
Her voice was a purr. “I thought you had appointments?”
“I’m the king. I can reschedule if I want to.” He reached for his phone and punched a button. Mostafa answered. “Reschedule everything for the next two hours.”
Sheridan laughed as he tossed the phone aside again. “Such a bossy man. And so certain of yourself. What if I have appointments?”
He pulled her head down to his. “None are more important than this one.”
Her mouth brushed his softly, sweetly, and his groin tightened.
“No,” she agreed. “None are.”
* * *