The air rushed from her lungs, as if in relief. Yet her pulse hammered too fast. Surely the only way they could work together was if they forgot what had passed between them in Scotland? Surely mentioning that kiss, and the embrace that was far more than a kiss, opened a Pandora’s box that was better left closed?
Because, while it might have meant little to him, Rosanna struggled not to be distracted by the memory of passion more urgent than she’d ever known. Even when she’d been engaged to marry the man she’d thought she loved...
She swallowed and moistened her bottom lip with her tongue. ‘Do you really think it’s wise to drop those barriers?’
The sheikh’s eyebrows shot up and the hint of a smile on his mouth flattened.
‘Don’t overcomplicate things, Rosanna.’ He paused on her name as if daring her to disagree. ‘I’m simply aiming to make our working relationship easier. Let me assure you I don’t expect anything from you except your matchmaking skills.’
That was her told.
Whatever had drawn them together before clearly no longer existed for him. Maybe what had seemed to Rosanna a once in a lifetime experience was for him nothing out of the ordinary. A little flirting to pass the time.
‘Is that clear?’
His voice was crisp, so different to the sultry voice of seduction at their first meeting.
‘Perfectly, Your Majesty.’
His eyebrows rose in an imperious slant. Clearly he’d heard the huffiness in her tone. Just as clearly he was used to instant, unquestioning obedience.
A chill raced down Rosanna’s backbone. This man truly was ruler of all he surveyed, the absolute authority in his country. If she didn’t satisfy him, if he judged her work to be below par, it would be her aunt as well as she who paid the price.
‘I understand, Salim.’
She swallowed, ignoring the thickness in her throat and the burr of excitement at the taste of his name on her tongue. She had to end this now, stop remembering what had been and concentrate on business.
‘I have a preliminary shortlist for you to consider.’
‘Already? Excellent.’
Did she detect surprise? As if he hadn’t expected her to produce any options so soon?
Rosanna didn’t know whether to be annoyed at his apparently low expectations or pleased to surprise him.
‘Do you have time to go through it now?’ Rosanna remembered his assistant warning her to keep this meeting short. ‘Or would you prefer to look at the material in your own time? I can email you the profiles.’
He shook his head. ‘Let’s get this started.’
Yet he didn’t sound eager, she mused as she opened her laptop. Not like a man excited to find his perfect match.
But this was a business arrangement. Finding a bride to fulfil a set of requirements. She’d heard no sentimentality as he talked of finding a wife.
Salim wasn’t seeking a love match.
Yet, a voice whispered in her mind, it wouldn’t be entirely business.
She looked up as Salim plucked a bunch of grapes from a bowl and lounged back, picking one grape at a time and popping them into his mouth.
The lamplight accentuated the hard angle of his jaw as he chewed. His powerful body sprawled in an attitude of utter relaxation. His bow tie dangled like a sexy invitation against the V of enticing skin at his open collar and her fingers twitched.
He looked flagrantly male and provocatively sensual.
Change the clothes and he could model for a pampered pasha in some erotic story, waiting for a concubine to please him through the night.
‘Rosanna? Are you ready?’
Heat rushed up her throat and into her cheeks as glittering dark eyes snared hers. A thump of something smacked her chest and she ducked her head.