‘I fail to see what this has to do with me.’
‘Then let me explain it to you.’ His blue eyes glittered down into hers. ‘Since you have created this issue, you will become the escort you made me lose.’
‘I didn’t make you lose anyone,’ she denied hotly. ‘And there’s no way I’m going to be your escort.’ She gave a shaky laugh. Just the thought of it made her hot. ‘Do you know what people would think if they saw us together?’
His eyes turned smoky and he leant against the back of the sofa, one bare foot crossed over the other, his eyes on her denim shorts. ‘I think that horse has already bolted, habiba.’
Regan swallowed heavily. ‘Well, I don’t intend to make it worse by being seen on your arm. And anyway, this is all really your fault for bringing me here in the first place.’
‘I agree. But that horse has also bolted, and now we deal with the consequences.’ His eyes turned hard. ‘Usually Milena would step in during these situations, but we both know why she can’t do that, don’t we?’
Regan grimaced. ‘My brother had nothing to do with your sister going AWOL! But okay,’ she added quickly when she noticed the betraying muscle clench in his jaw. ‘I think the best thing we can do now is leave things as they are. I won’t cause any more problems,’ she promised. ‘And soon enough everyone will forget all about my little photo.’
‘No one will forget you’re here after that little photo. But even if they did, that doesn’t solve all of my problems.’
‘Surely you have women on speed dial all over the world who could play hostess—escort—for you. Probably any one of them would jump at the chance to do it.’
‘I’m sure you’re right.’ His gaze travelled over her in blatant male appraisal. ‘But the women I have on speed dial fulfil a very different function from hostessing, habiba.’ His lazy drawl left her in no doubt as to what that function was. ‘And I don’t want to spend the weekend with a woman who might think that I’m more interested in her than I am. With you I know that won’t happen.’
‘Oh, you can count on that.’
A smile played around the edges of his mouth, amusement lighting his eyes. ‘Why is it you’re the only person who ever has the gumption to argue with me?’
‘Probably if someone else had we wouldn’t be in this dilemma because you’d have developed a sense of reason.’
‘Oh, we’d be in it.’
‘You might be,’ she said irritably. ‘But I wouldn’t. I work at a prestigious private school. I have my reputation to think about, and once this is all over I’ll be returning to my normal life and I’m not doing that as some hot desert king’s mistress!’
‘Hot?’
‘As in temperature,’ she said, her face flushing. ‘You’re like a furnace.’ He laughed, which only irritated her more. ‘Probably my friend, Penny, has already left me a tonne of messages on my phone asking me what’s going on. Not that I’d know about those.’
‘She has. My staff have replied on your behalf.’
‘Oh...!’ Her lips pressed into a flat line. ‘I promised myself I wasn’t going to let you make me angry again, but I’m struggling.’
‘Good to know. And I understand your dilemma.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes. Which is why I won’t present you as my partner, or escort. I’ll present you as my fiancée.’
‘Your what?’
Ignoring her shocked outburst, he paced back and forth. ‘Yes, this is a much better solution. It will not only satisfy the curiosity of those wondering why you’re in my palace, but, since the photo of you in my arms didn’t bring your brother running to your rescue, news of our betrothal might do that job too.’
‘You’re as ruthless as a snake,’ she spluttered. ‘But it won’t work. Chad would never believe it.’
‘He doesn’t have to believe it.’ His bright blue eyes connected with hers. ‘He just has to bring my sister back unharmed.’
Regan frowned. If Chad knew she was engaged to the King there was no doubt he’d come running. And maybe that was for the best. Then this whole situation would be resolved and she could go home. ‘And if it doesn’t work?’
‘It has to work.’
‘Why? Because your mightiness has decreed that it will?’
He stopped pacing to stare at her. ‘You like challenging me, don’t you, Regan?’ His gaze lingered on her lips and her pulse jumped erratically in her throat.