“Jazmina.”
My tone is never what you’d call gentle, but combined with the irritation of wanting a woman I should see as a little sister, my voice sounds close to thunder.
She was lost in the music and startles, wobbling.
Only then does she seem to realize she has an audience, besides me, obviously.
Because I’m not a hypocrite. Until I realized she was a girl and not a woman—and the wrong girl at that—I wanted her. Naked under me. Moaning my name.
Fuck.
I shove the filthy thoughts down, forcing myself to remember she’s Kaled’s little sister, even if she looks nothinglike anyone’s youngest sibling. Despite her delicate build, she’s all woman.
Fuck it, I’m going straight to hell for this.
I watch her scan the group ofadmirers.
Her cheeks are flushed, whichalmostmoves me. Yes, she’s just a kid, even if reckless.
Then, she finally gathers the courage to look at me.
She knows she’s in trouble, and I get the feeling that if she could, she’d bolt. But she’s proud and lifts her chin as if she can challenge me. Cute.
With my arms crossed and practically at her feet, I stare up at her without hiding my anger.
“Hello, Rodrick,” she says, as if we sit together drinking whisky every day.
As if this isn’t the first time we’ve met in person.
Of course she knows who I am. Even if I’ve never been to Rheadur, Kaled and I appear together in tabloids all the time.
“Hello, princess,” I reply. “Are you coming down willingly, or is your loyal subject here going to have to throw you over his shoulder in front of everyone?”
She tries to look offended, but I see the worry in her eyes as she glances around, probably looking for my friend. “You won’t get a second warning, Jazmina.”
“I’m not your sister. You don’t need to look after me,” she says, recovering quickly from the embarrassment of being caught doing something she shouldn’t. “Besides, you wouldn’t dare touch me. In Rheadur—”
And that’s it. One sassy sentence, and my temper flares.
I know some guests are watching, but I don’t give a damn.
“Too bad for you we’re not in Rheadur, Princess Jazmina,” I say, taking a step forward.
“Don’t you dare!”
In a quick movement, I grab the rebel and toss her over my shoulder. While she kicks and struggles, I need every ounce of self-control not to slap her ass.
“I’m barefoot, you brute! How is it possible to meet you in person and already hate you?”
“Go back and grab her sandals,” I tell one of my security men, ignoring her threats and curses.
One of our friends is definitely going to let Kaled know I took her.
“This is kidnapping! Where are we going?” she yells, pounding her fists against my back.
“Jazmina, stay quiet, god . . .darn it!” I correct myself quickly, because I don’t want her fainting if she hears me swear.
She stops moving, and we manage to walk in silence until we reach my car parked away from curious eyes. The driver opens the door as soon as he sees us.