The Prince’s Forbidden Lover(26)

“I can’t make dinner tonight,” she said, looking around nervously. “I just have too much to do and I can’t get away. I would have called you but I don’t have your phone number.”

“Let’s talk about it,” he said and took her hand, pulling her gently but firmly out of the store.

Joline pulled back, irritated with him. “Rais, you’re not listening to me,” she snapped at him.

He turned back to her and almost laughed at her anger. No woman had ever shown her emotions towards him. Well, unless they were the positive ones. Joline was refreshing! “When was the last time you had something to eat?” he asked.

She opened her mouth to answer, but she honestly couldn’t remember having anything today. He’d arrived early this morning and she’d only had coffee by that point. After his departure, she’d been too…distracted…to have lunch.

“Exactly. So how about if I take you to that great Italian place three blocks over and you can order an enormous plate of pasta that is smothered in sauce and cheese.”

Her mouth was already watering. “And garlic bread?” she asked softly, hopefully.

He smiled slightly. “Two orders of garlic bread. And a perfect Chianti. Does that tempt you enough to forego whatever work you were going to bury yourself in tonight?”

She couldn’t help herself. The idea of rich, decadent pasta and loads of cheese made her body remind her of just how hungry she really was at the moment. “Fine!” she replied with ill-grace, completely forgetting that this man was royalty and she should be respectful when she spoke to him. “But just food! No more…” she wiggled her fingers in the air as if a bunch of gnats were flying towards them.

Rais wanted to bend down and kiss her, she looked too adorable when she was trying to boss him around. And the idea of a woman needing to be enticed into spending time with him? Unheard of!

But he nudged her towards his waiting limousine anyway, feeling like he was finally making headway with her. At least she was talking to him, he thought with self-derision.

Over dinner, they discussed business, the retail industry and all of the challenges of the fashion world. Rais could honestly say that he was fascinated by her work. She was innovative in her solutions and determined to make a go of the business.

“I’m guessing your third partner is older? More experienced?” he said as they fought over the dessert.

Joline pushed his fork out of the way while she nabbed a larger bite of the amazingly delicious whipped cream. “No.” She knew what he was doing, trying to get her to talk about that mysterious third partner, but she’d gone through this many times with others in the industry and she’d learned to hide Shantra’s anonymity. She’d also only allowed herself one glass of wine, determined not to get inebriated in this man’s company. He had too much control over her as it was.

“Hey!” she cried when he stole the last of the chocolate fudge out from underneath her spoon.

“You started it,” he said and winked in her direction. “And it was delicious.”

She laughed when he savored the last bite, thinking he was too darn charming! “I’m full anyway,” she said and ran a hand over her stomach, feeling very satisfied now that the gnawing hunger from lack of food all day was appeased. “Thank you very much for dinner,” she told him, lowering her lashes when she noticed the heat in his eyes.

“You’re welcome.”

She looked around, trying to find the waiter so they could pay their bill. She’d pay the check herself, she thought. And she wouldn’t blink about considering it a business expense since they’d discussed business during the entire meal. He’d even given her some excellent advice on a supplier she’d been having trouble with lately. So this definitely counted as a business dinner.

“Don’t even try it,” he growled when he realized what she was trying to do. He took her hand and pulled her out of her chair. “Let’s go,” he said and led her through the restaurant.

Joline looked back, startled that she hadn’t even had a chance to pay the bill. “But…”

“My staff will take care of the check, Joline. Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?” she asked, feeling better once they were outside in the cooler, night air. It was a gorgeous spring day and one of the few times that she could see the stars over Manhattan. Normally, the lights of the city plus the weather made it difficult to see the night sky.

“How about if we take a walk?” he suggested.

Joline sighed with relief. “That sounds really nice,” she said and smiled up at him. “A walk.” She looked back at the bulky men behind them. “Are you allowed to just walk around?” she teased.