The Prince’s Forbidden Lover(6)

Sensations she didn’t like…

“Please,” she whispered, hoping that this man was the only one who heard her.



Rais heard the plea and thought about ignoring it. But the fear in her eyes, the confusion, pulled him back. He didn’t want her to fear him. And there would be no confusion when he took this woman to his bed. He would make sure that both of them were very clear about what would take place when that event finally happened.

“It is a pleasure, Ms. Caldwell,” he said and slowly released her hand.

Turning to the person next to her, Rais surveyed the man carefully. It suddenly occurred to him that the man in front of him was doing the same thing he’d done to the lovely Joline. When Rais realized exactly what was going on, his eyes darted to Shantra’s, narrowing on her mischievous smile. He remembered the night before, her promise to keep this man’s attention away from him if…

Rais was furious with his little sister. His first instinct was to spank her bottom but since that wasn’t an option, he’d deal with her privately. “We’ll discuss this at another time, Shantra,” he snapped and walked out of his brother’s office.

Ramzi recognized what was going on and chuckled as his brother quickly retreated. He had gone through exactly the same issues when he’d met his beautiful wife so it was great to see his youngest brother having to deal with the same problems.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he mumbled softly in his sister’s ear.

Shantra wanted to jump up and down with excitement at how that introduction had gone. She’d never seen her brother so…enamored…about a woman before. She’d seen him move in when he wanted a woman, but never with that intense look in his eyes. “I know,” she laughed. Taking a deep breath, she spun around to face her brother. “Thank you for the offer of coffee and refreshments, but you have work to do and I’m going to show my friends around the palace. So have a great day.”

“I’ll see you at dinner, correct?” he asked, crossing his arms over his massive chest.

Shantra shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’ve arranged for Keith and Jo to see some of the sights.” She saw the wary look in his eyes and smiled brightly. “I’ll bring my bodyguards! Don’t worry!”

“I don’t think Rais is going to approve of your plans,” Ramzi commented, glancing behind his little sister at the woman who was now looking at the floor. She was probably feeling a bit out of whack after Rais’ interruption. But he had complete faith in his youngest brother’s ability to help the woman find her way in palace life.

“Rais won’t bother us. Not on this visit,” she assured Ramzi. Her oldest brother looked skeptical, but she smiled. “Remember last night’s conversation?”

Ramzi thought back. Shantra’s promise to Rais and…Ramzi looked at the woman, then at the man. The man was looking down the hallway where Rais had disappeared. When everything clicked into place, he looked down at his baby sister, then threw back his head laughing. “You’re an evil woman,” he said a moment before disappearing back into his office.

After that, she pulled the newcomers out of the administrative area of the palace, almost skipping with her excitement. The introductions had gone off perfectly and her friends hadn’t raced out of the building. So far, so good.

“Oh, that was perfect!” she sighed as she led Jo and Keith towards her private apartment.

Joline wasn’t sure what Shantra was talking about, but she was too flustered to speak. She followed her friend down the hallway, still trying to get her mind back under control.

The third member of their group wasn’t so quiet. Keith kept turning his head, trying to get another glimpse of Rais but the doors were closed and he was thwarted in his efforts. “That was your brother? Why didn’t you tell me he was so hot?” Keith asked with speculation in his eyes. “Is he…?”

“Very much so,” Shantra replied, knowing exactly where Keith’s mind was moving. “Possibly too much so.”

Keith sighed with disappointment. “Too bad. He would be…” he blew a kiss into the air. “Yes. He would have been fantastic!”

Shantra rolled her eyes. “Sorry. He’s more interested in Jo than in you.”

Jo stopped in mid-stride, not liking what her best friend was implying. “What are you talking about? Who is interested in me?” Before Shantra said her next word, Jo knew what her friend was going to say. And no matter how hard she willed Shantra to stop the words, they came anyway, making her stomach tighten with fear.