“I know,” he says, arrogantly, and I roll my eyes. “That’s not why I’m calling, or it is, in a way. I’m throwing a party on my yacht in three weeks to celebrate my new whiskey brand, and you’re coming.”
“Wow, what a lovely invitation. I’m touched. Shame it wasn’t actually a question. Still, here’s my answer: no, thank you.”
“Did that sound like an invitation?” he asks dryly. “I must be out of practice. It was an order, princess. You’re still grounded for the next few weekends. If you want to socialize, you’ll do it with me.”
My stupid heart, instead of backing my decision to tell him to mind his own business, races like I’m about to drop dead. Traitorous organ. “Can I bring Josephine?”
“Yes. Tell her we’ll be sleeping in Italy.”
“Does Kaled know I’m going?”
“I told him I would take you, and he didn’t ask why. But you owe him answers—you can’t avoid that forever.”
“I know. I plan to call him today.”
“Good. I’ll send the exact date and time I’ll pick you up. Good afternoon, princess.” He hangs up before I can reply.
“Where am I going?” Josephine asks.
“A party on Rodrick’s yacht to launch a whiskey brand or something. He said we’ll probably sleep in Italy. Thoughts?”
“A party in Italy? I’msoin.” She looks at me mischievously.
“What?”
“You might not have noticed, but you smiled from ear to ear while talking to him.”
“Are you crazy? Did you forget what I said? Rodrick will beengaged soon.”
“I don’t know, Jazmina . . .I have a feeling about you two.”
“Absolutely not. He’s only taking me because he doesn’t trust me alone in London.”
“Maybe that’s the excuse he gave himself, but I’d bet keeping you close has nothing to do with making sure you behave.”
“Then what does it have to do with?”
“Who knows? But if you want my advice . . .dress to kill.”
“I don’t follow.”
“I mean wear something very sexy.”
“I don’t have many sexy clothes. Expensive ones, yes. Sexy, not really.”
“Then we’re going shopping. And if your duke is stupid enough to marry someone else, at least he’ll have burned into his memory exactly what he’s losing.”
“You’re insane. Things don’t work like that in my culture. Even if I’m dressed seductively, nothing will happen. Women in my country don’t engage sexually outside marriage.”
“And I don’t think he’d cross that line with you either, out of respect for your brother. But you can still look stunning and leave your duke drooling.”
Chapter 20
“You should have told me sooner,” my brother says, his expression dark on the video call.
It’s a blessing Adeela is beside him, because only my best friend can tame our sheikh’s temper.
“Rodrick took care of me,” I say honestly. “He was wonderful, and I’m grateful you trusted him with that task.”