The Sultan's Bed

The Sultan's Bed by Laura Wright Read Free Book Online

Book: The Sultan's Bed by Laura Wright Read Free Book Online
Authors: Laura Wright
husband’s pride has been nicked. His affairs never came up in court, and now he’s claiming he was a faithful, devoted husband and father and she was the slut and that his kids shouldn’t be around a mother like that.”
    Zayad’s jaw was rigid. He detested men like this one—cowards. “He wants to use the children as revenge.”
    â€œExactly. This guy is rich and powerful and has no trail for his affairs that his ex-wife or I could find. The women aren’t talking. His friends and business associates aren’t talking. The hotel and flower receipts my client had found have suddenly vanished.”
    â€œThere is always a way to recover these things.”
    â€œI’ve tried. She’s tried. Nothing.” She nibbled on the bread. “I don’t want to lose this case.”
    The male protector inside Zayad sprang to life, and he made an imprudent vow. “You will not lose.”
    â€œI have a killer sprain and no way to do any legwork on this case.”
    â€œWe will find this man’s trail.”
    Her eyes narrowed with surprise. “We?”
    He moved from the chair to her bedside. “This case reminds me of my own struggles. I, too, had to fight to reclaim a child from a parent who only wished to use him.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? What child?”
    â€œMine. I have a son.”
    Mariah’s mouth dropped open. “You do?”
    â€œYou do not see me as parental?”
    â€œWell, no.” She shook her head, felt cruel for saying something like that. “What I mean is that, well, you’re so…”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Gorgeous, charming, cultured. The men she knew with those traits were usually the kind of men she fought in court. The kind of men who wanted to get rid of their baggage—wife, kids—and start fresh. Her mind whirled. This man had a child? This man had fought for his child? “I don’t know what to make of you, Zayad.”
    He leaned toward her, brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “It was falling in the soup.”
    He didn’t move away. He stayed close, his mouth just inches from hers. She felt his warmth, and her heart jumped her in chest. “It’s really bad soup, by the way,” she whispered.
    His gaze moved over her face, pausing at her lips. “I did warn you.”
    Mariah paused, let those words sink in, cool her heated skin. She couldn’t believe herself. She actually had been ready to kiss him, throw her arms around his neck and go for it. This man she hardly knew. This man who represented everything that terrified her in a lover.
    She swallowed hard. “I’d better get some sleep. That last pain pill is starting to wear off.”
    For a moment he remained, deliciously close and still tempting. Then his gaze flickered and he pulled back, a vein in his temple pulsating. “If you need anything, I will be in the living area.”
    Her heart dropped into her belly. “ My living room?”
    He nodded. “On the couch.”
    â€œThe couch.” Just outside her bedroom door? Him in his boxers, or whatever he wore to bed, on her couch, in her living room?
    â€œThis is all right, yes?” he asked, standing. “If you need assistance in the night.”
    â€œYes, of course,” she sputtered.
    â€œGood night then.”
    â€œâ€™Night,” she called after him. “And again, thanks.”
    When he left, she fell back on the pillow and sighed. Oh, what she had to be missing right now. The feelingof his face so close to her own had been heaven. She could just imagine that a kiss would be absolute magic.
    Just the thought had her body glowing, had her senses high and heady with a feeling she hadn’t wanted to feel ever again—a feeling that made her vulnerable.
    Pure, unadulterated lust.
    Â 
    â€œWell, I’m here,” Jane said over the phone ten minutes later.

Similar Books

Tell No Tales

Eva Dolan

Corralled

Lorelei James

The Scarred Earl

Elizabeth Beacon

All Up In My Business

Lutishia Lovely

Crystal Caves

Kristine Grayson

Hoodwinked

Diana Palmer

Hitler's Terror Weapons

Geoffrey Brooks

Candy Store

Bella Andre