Thankfully, they’d arrived at the palace then. When they’d gotten out of the car, he’d hugged her close and kissed her forehead before giving her into the care of the servant who’d shown her to this room. She knew he’d only done it for their audience, but the touch of his mouth on her skin was disconcerting nevertheless. She’d been thinking about everything that had happened since she’d signed the marriage documents—and then the baggage had arrived. That was when she realized they were sharing a room.
Her anxiety levels had gone through the roof then.
She was still pacing and wondering how to fix this mistake when Kadir walked into the room. He looked...angry. That was a surprise. She blinked, but before she could say anything he speared her with a stormy look.
“You are upset with the sleeping arrangements, no doubt.”
Emily drew in a breath. It suddenly didn’t seem like the time. And yet he already knew what was bothering her. She gestured at the bed. “There is only one.”
He stalked toward her, his expression not softening in the least. “Yes, because husbands usually sleep with their wives, even in Kyr.” His gaze dropped over her body as he came to a halt. Her skin prickled with heat. “Perhaps especially in Kyr.”
She tried not to let the sensual tone in his voice get to her.
“This isn’t a public place, Kadir.”
His eyes glittered hot. “No, it is not. But if I ask for another room, or another bed to be brought into this one, there will be questions. And I am not willing to answer those questions, habibti. It defeats the purpose of our agreement.”
She turned her head to look at the bed. At least it wasn’t small. Maybe if they put pillows down the center, it would work. It would have to work.
“Fine. But you stay on your side.”
“If you insist.”
She lifted her chin at the mocking note in his voice. “I hope you plan to wear more than you usually do.”
One dark eyebrow arched. “I don’t know, Emily. The desert is very hot. And one does not wear flannel pajamas to bed in Kyr.”
Heat flared inside her at the thought of him naked. Beside her.
Oh, dear.
That simply could not happen. She’d seen him without clothing, yes—but not often and only briefly. The barest flash of male flesh before he robed himself.
This, however, was different. She drew herself up.
“Yes, but this is a palace, not the desert. And I saw a thermostat, which tells me there is air-conditioning. Turn it down and put on some clothes before you come to bed.”
Kadir laughed, but the sound was low and sensual and her belly tightened into a knot. “I will consider it.”
“You need to do more than consider it.”
He looked amused, which was a nice change from when he’d entered the room. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but she felt as if it would be prying to do so. She was still getting accustomed to this shift in their relationship, however temporary, and she didn’t want to cross any deeply personal lines.
“Afraid of losing control, sweet Emily?”