Her voice, by comparison, was crisply uninflected. ‘Thank you.’
She still wore the dress of cobalt blue from the museum event. Less severe than her work clothes, it skimmed her body in a way that made Salim’s throat dry. Even the sight of her slender legs felt like too much temptation to a man battling for control. Like a teenager instead of an experienced man of the world.
A mighty shudder rippled down Salim’s spine.
A portent of trouble? Or anticipation?
Her chin was up and her gaze direct, as if ready for a confrontation.
Was that the real reason he’d come to his rooms and stayed here?
Because he knew their relationship teetered on the brink of something perilous.
Perhaps, subconsciously, he courted that danger.
Salim’s pulse slowed to a heavy thud as he battled the urge to reach for her and see those gunmetal eyes glitter silver with desire.
That would be a monumental error. He wasn’t a man to be undone by physical urges, no matter how compelling. Even if he knew that he wasn’t the only one feeling this way. Rosanna might pretend to be untouchable but she hadn’t been able to hide completely her response to him.
Salim’s life had been a lesson in self-mastery and strategic focus. Spur of the moment impulses, giving in to selfish desires, weren’t encouraged in royal princes. That had been his brother’s style, which was one of the reasons he’d been passed over as sheikh and Salim, the dependable, hardworking brother, had been chosen.
He didn’t feel dependable now. He felt...
‘Please, take a seat.’
He gestured to the long sofa opposite before sinking back onto his own.
As soon as she sat, in a sinuous movement that notched his temperature higher, he realised his mistake. They should be at a desk, a very wide desk where Rosanna would be safely on the far side out of reach and those shapely legs out of his line of vision.
Although she sat with her knees together and ankles demurely crossed, her dress rode distractingly higher and Salim had to concentrate on not staring.
He cleared his throat. ‘You had matters to discuss.’
She did. Lots.
Rosanna had been busy, which is what he’d come to expect. She had a slew of new candidates for him to consider. A proposed schedule which would allow him to meet them at upcoming events. Plus her observations on the women to whom he’d already been introduced. All detailed, all insightful, all logical.
Yet Salim couldn’t focus on the meeting’s desired outcome. Moving closer to choosing a bride.
Finally she paused, looking at him in expectant silence.
‘You’ve done well. I can see why your aunt’s enterprise is so successful.’
‘But?’ She looked at him, eyebrows raised and lips pursed. ‘I hear abutin there.’ She drew a slow breath as if searching for calm. ‘We don’t seem to be making progress. You need to be open with me about your responses to these women. Then we can move forward and find the right one for you.’
I’ve already found her.
The thought jammed his tongue and stopped his breath for a second.
Not as a wife. Rosanna MacIain didn’t fit those criteria.
Fuad’s unstable, selfish temperament and his excesses while ruling for their ailing father proved how the wrong person in a royal role could damage the nation. Even a well-meaning but unprepared person would flounder. Salim needed an absolute paragon as a wife. A woman with an unblemished past who wouldn’t undermine the royal family’s prestige but help him rebuild it. A woman with the unique mix of skills and experience that would make her a superb queen.
Yet Rosanna was the woman he wanted fornow.
That was the problem. With Rosanna in his home it was impossible to think about other women.
His mind and body betrayed him by continually focusing on his stern, sexy siren. Replaying the passionate kiss that had been a promise of carnal pleasure. Even her tight control and prim corporate suits only emphasised the alluring dichotomy of a capable woman whose businesslike exterior hid sultry ardour.