Tori’s expression morphed into a searing disapproval that would have done his father proud. Even with her moonlight-pale hair dripping rivulets down her shoulders and chest she looked strong, compelling. And angry.
She wasn’t the only one. ‘Where did you get such an idea?’
‘You’re not answering the question.’
Her hands went to her hips, pulling the towel down to reveal more of her breasts. Ashraf dragged his attention back to her face and her perplexing words.
‘That’s ridiculous. Who suggested that?’ If one of his political enemies had been bothering Tori he’d—
‘No one. I’m able to think for myself.’
Ashraf frowned. ‘But youcan’tthink that.’
Surely his actions showed that he respected her? He’d gone out of his way to ease her into this new world. It was true he’d rushed her back to Za’daq because he couldn’t afford more time out of the country right now, and because instinct had demanded he keep her and his son close. But otherwise he’d been the acme of consideration.
‘You haven’t answered me.’
That rounded chin tilted and Ashraf felt an urge to angle it even higher, so he could slam his mouth down on hers. He’d stop her insults and take out his frustrations as he ravished her mouth, then moved on to ravishing her body.
‘I’m neither ashamed nor embarrassed about you and Oliver.’ He held her haughty stare with one of his own and watched her eyebrows twitch in confusion. ‘What gave you such an idea?’
Tori held herself stiffly. She clearly didn’t believe him.
The realisation ground through him like glass grating beneath his heel. Except he felt it inside—as if his windpipe and belly were lined with shards. No one, not even those vultures waiting for him to fail as Sheikh, had ever accused him of untruth. Ashraf’s hackles rose.
‘It’s the way we live here in the palace...alone, not mixing with other people.’
‘I understood that you and Azia had been out together for the last three days?’
The fire in Tori’s eyes flickered. She hadn’t expected him to know about that. He breathed deep, biting back the impulse to tell her it had beenhissuggestion that Bram’s wife visit her.
‘Yes, we have. But if it weren’t for her Oliver and I would be isolated here. Except for your visits late in the day.’
Ashraf stared. In other words, his presence counted for nothing. The hours he carved out of his packed schedule weren’t appreciated.Hewasn’t appreciated.
Fleetingly Ashraf felt something dark and hurtful—a whispered memory of all those times when he’d tried to please his father and failed. But that boy was long gone. Ashraf had moulded himself into a man who wouldneverbe needy.
‘Is that all?’
She must have heard a trace of suppressed anger in his tone for her hands slipped from her waist and she wrapped her arms around herself. Yet still she held his gaze.
‘No. There are other things. The way we were hurried off from the airport without being introduced to anyone except Bram. Even when we got here Bram hurried us inside so fast that I wonder if he was worried we’d be seen. We always use the back entrance, and this apartment is at the rear of the palace. Is it because you don’t want anyone knowing about us?’
Ashraf opened his mouth to respond but she hurried on.
‘You spoke about marrying because of people’s prejudice when your father believed you were illegitimate. You’re worried about what other people think. And...’ she sucked in a quick breath ‘... I’m obviously not good enough to attend your big celebration next week.’
He stared down into her flushed face, torn between fury at the insult and regret that Tori should believe that for a second. His hands clenched so tight the blood was restricted and his fingers tingled. He flexed them and shoved them in his pockets.
‘First, Bram probably hurried you inside because he was worried about you coping with the heat—especially when you were tired from a long journey. Second, I didn’t introduce you to the man who met our plane because his sole purpose in being there was to find out about you so he could make trouble. He’s the Minister for the Interior, one of my father’s oldest cronies, and he’s devoted to the idea of unseating me from the throne. Call me prejudiced, but I didn’t want him to be the first Za’daqi you met.’
Ashraf rocked back on his feet, forcing further explanations through clenched teeth.
‘As for you being at the rear of the palace—thatwasintentional. Because I believed you needed rest. And I thought you’d appreciate some peace while you acclimatised and thought through your options for the future.’
So much for her appreciating his efforts on her behalf!
‘You haven’t been isolated. I moved out of the royal suite to be near you and Oliver.’ He nodded to the windows on the side of the courtyard adjoining her rooms. ‘I’ve spent every night since you arrived right next door. If you care to check, there’s a concealed door between the suites. The staff have instructions to wake me if you call for assistance in the night.’