She didn’t know whether to be flattered or horrified.
‘But that’s—’
‘Predictable? I admit I should have foreseen it.’
Stunned, Rosanna scanned the vast reception room. But no one in the glamorous crowd was watching her in that superior, judgemental way the Minister for Finance had.
‘He can’t really think I’m an obstacle to his niece...’ She paused, conscious that while they stood alone, it was better to be discreet. ‘That I’m in the way.’
‘You underestimate yourself. You’re intelligent and engaging. And you look charming tonight.’
Charming.That deflated her illicit exhilaration at being thought the sheikh’s lover.Charmingwas a word her grandma used when she couldn’t find something more positive.
‘In fact—’ his voice dropped to a deep, mesmerising whisper ‘—I’m surprised you don’t have a coterie of admirers swarming around. That dress was designed for seduction.’
‘Seduction!’ she yelped, then jammed her lips together.
‘Don’t act surprised. You must know you look ravishing.’
Rosanna opened her mouth then closed it again. Ravishing! The idea knocked her off balance. She’d never thought of herself in that way. Phil had never called her anything like that.
The cocktail-length dress had been a rare indulgence, purchased at a bargain price from an up-and-coming British designer grateful to Marian and Rosanna for their introduction to the suave Brazilian who was now her husband.
Rosanna loved the swish of satin as she moved and the deeply feminine style. She’d thought it elegant but demure, perfect for a formal occasion in Dhalkur. The dark green satin might have tiny shoulder straps and cling at the bodice and waist, but it fell in discreet folds from her hips and a sheer overdress of cobweb grey covered her bare arms and shoulders as well as the satin underdress.
‘You think the dress seductive?’
‘You have to ask?’ Salim’s eyes gleamed but not, this time, with amusement. ‘The see-through cover just makes a man want to explore what’s beneath, and the way it shapes to your body...’ He shook his head. ‘You’re not naïve, Ms MacIain. You know exactly what effect you have on a man.’
You.Not the dress.
Salim was calling her seductive.
She shouldn’t be thrilled but she was.
It had been a long time since Phil had made her feel desirable. Since then she’d been too busy trying to reshape her life and put the past behind her to think about being sexy or desirable.
Except with Salim.
‘I’m not going to apologise.’ It wasn’t as if she was showing excess cleavage. ‘It’s a lovely dress and I like wearing it.’
‘I don’t expect you to.’ Yet he didn’t smile and his voice sounded almost grim. ‘It’s time I circulated. I still have guests to greet.’
Rosanna followed his gaze to the other side of the room. The Scandinavian doctor she’d recommended as a potential wife stood among a cluster of attentive men. Clearly, despite what he just said, Salim wanted to return to her.
That was good news. So far he hadn’t shown much interest in the other candidates, whereas the lovely doctor had obviously caught his attention.
Why did his interest niggle at Rosanna? It was positive, knowing she made progress, introducing him to a woman he found appealing.
Because you don’t want him attracted to the lovely blonde.
You want him attracted to you.
Rosanna gasped and put a hand to her ribs as if that would still her knocking heart.
‘Is something wrong?’
That acute gaze raked her and she felt abruptly vulnerable.