Prince Nadir's Secret Heir(33)

                He saw her posture stiffen and regretted taking his frustration out on her. But hell, she was partly to blame. Sorting out the leadership issue would be over and done within a matter of hours. Sorting out the rest of his life with a wife and child... He didn’t want to contemplate how long that would take. Particularly given the light of defiance burning hotly in Imogen’s eyes. A defiance he had yet to fully understand.

                ‘Don’t be,’ she responded smartly. ‘It was an aberration that won’t happen again.’

                He smiled. He hadn’t realised she was so feisty when they’d been together back in Paris. Back then she’d always been thrilled to see him, delight written all over her expressive face. And it had been catching. For those all too brief weekends he’d been happy too. Perhaps that had been her allure. That and the red-hot chemistry between them. ‘Whatever you’ve got to say can wait until morning.’

                ‘Really?’ Her eyebrows arched skyward. ‘Because you decreed it, My Lord?’

                No, she definitely hadn’t been this feisty in Paris but part of him—the part that turned caveman every time she was around—liked it a little too much for comfort. ‘Yes. That and the dark circles under your eyes which suggest you need sleep more than conversation.’

                ‘I’m sorry you don’t approve of the way I look.’ She dipped into a mocking curtsy. ‘I’ll try to do better next time, My Lord.’

                ‘I wouldn’t use that term too often,’ he advised softly, tossing back another finger of Scotch. ‘I might like it.’

                She scowled at him but her eyes followed his hand as he rubbed it across his chest and his blood surged as he saw the breath catch in her throat. He’d forgotten Zach had interrupted his shower. Did the sight of him bother her? He’d sure as hell be bothered if she was standing before him half naked. Hell, he was bothered anyway and she still had on her crumpled clothes from earlier.

                A spike of conscience needled him. She might still be as beautiful as ever but she really did look worn to the bone. His eyes scanned over her body and came to rest on her chest. And she was braless.

                ‘So, anyway...’ She cleared her throat and his eyes rose from her round, full breasts to the pulse point beating like a small trapped bird inside her creamy throat. ‘I’ve looked up some options I’d like to go through with you.’

                With his instincts pulling at him to go to her and haul her up against him and tame that defiant look in her eyes until she softened and became once again pliant and wanton in his arms, Nadir forced his mind to recall her words. ‘Options’ was the only word that had stuck but he knew she wouldn’t want to discuss the options he was presently interested in. ‘Now is not a good time.’

                ‘I disagree.’

                Of course she did. ‘You had ample opportunity to talk on the plane. You chose not to.’

                She perched on the edge of the sectional sofa and faced him. ‘Nadeena was awake the whole time. I didn’t want her to realise how tense I was. At this age babies feel everything the mother feels.’

                He gave a short laugh. ‘If that’s true you wouldn’t have fooled her. Even a blind man could see you were about ready to snap in half.’

                ‘And whose fault is that?’

                ‘Mine, no doubt. Did she go to sleep easily?’

                Her lips tightened. ‘Yes, thank you.’