Her Royal Bed by Laura Wright Read Free Book Online Page B

that?”
    â€œMe asking you out.”
    Jane grinned gleefully, and snuggled her ear closer into the phone. This was an answer she liked. “Would it appear too desperate to say that I’m really glad you called?”
    He laughed, and the sound was genuine this time, not forced. “No, darlin’. Sounds honest.”
    â€œHonest is good.” The simple phrase was a mantra for Jane, had been ever since she could remember. Even as a child, her mother had always led her to believe that honesty was the only way to live her life. Painful or painfree. Ironic as her mother was holding onto a very deep secret regarding Jane’s father during that time.
    â€œPick you up in an hour?”
    Bobby’s query shot her back into reality, and she muttered swiftly, “I’m sorry, what?”
    â€œI said I’ll come by, pick you up in an hour,” he repeated.
    She glanced at the clock, then down at her robe. “It’s only eight o’clock.”
    â€œAll right,” he acquiesced with a trace of mock annoyance. “Two hours.”
    â€œSo bossy,” she chided playfully. “And would you like to tell me what to wear, as well, Mr. Callahan?”
    His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Damn right I would, but with the suggestion I’d make you might just get arrested the minute you step out your front door.”
    She laughed. “Casual elegant, it is then.”
    â€œFine,” he muttered dolefully.
    â€œAre we really going to do this, Bobby? Are we really going to date after…well, after last week?”
    â€œYou bet. And we’re going to do it the right way.”
    â€œThe right way?”
    â€œHand-holding, then maybe a kiss or two…we’re going slowly this time.”
    Little shots of thrill twirled in her belly, and she leaned closer to the phone, her lips brushing over the receiver, her mind conjuring images of that sweet, soft kiss. “Like courting?”
    â€œSure, but I won’t be asking your brother for permission.”
    â€œNo.” His shot of cold humor put a slight damper on her romantic feeling, but she brushed it away.
    â€œSee you in an hour?”
    â€œI thought you said two.”
    â€œI don’t want to wait that long. Do you?”
    â€œNo.” The excitement that ran a marathon through her blood mingled irritatingly with caution, brought on by last night, and her judgment and blind hope that he was trustworthy.
    â€œBye, darlin’”
    â€œBye.” As Jane hung up the phone, slipped out of her robe and headed for the bathroom, she wondered what she was in for downstairs. She wondered if her brother would raise holy hell when he found out what she was doing.
    But as soon as she stepped under the hot spray of the shower, she let her mind fall to more appealing queries, such as what delights awaited her on her first real date with Bobby Callahan.
    Â 
    Forty minutes later, down in Sakir’s very masculine, very brown leather-and mahogany-paneled library, Jane got the answer to her first question.
    Not holy hell, but definite displeasure.
    â€œHe is using you, Jane.”
    Dressed in a white kaftan, her brother looked impenetrable and uncompromising sitting behind his desk.
    Jane stood before him wearing a pale-green sweater, white jeans and a determined set to her chin. “I don’t think so, Sakir, but even if that were true, it’s my choice to make.”
    â€œRita has told me that she spoke to you regarding the history of Bobby Callahan and myself.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThe man will do anything to get back at me, including hurting the members of my family, I am certain of it.” He leaned forward, lifted his brows. “He despises me that much.”
    â€œDoes he have a right to?” The question fell from her mouth without thought, and she quickly added, “In the short time I’ve gotten to know you, I see a great man, an honorable, caring