by Lexi Blake
Arranged
A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
By Lexi Blake
1001 Dark Nights
Arranged
A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
By Lexi Blake
1001 Dark Nights
Copyright 2017 DLZ Entertainment, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-945920-24-0
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose
Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
Arranged
A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
By Lexi Blake
Kash Kamdar is the king of a peaceful but powerful island nation. As Loa Mali’s sovereign, he is always in control, the final authority. Until his mother uses an ancient law to force her son into marriage. His prospective queen is a buttoned-up intellectual, nothing like Kash’s usual party girl. Still, from the moment of their forced engagement, he can’t stop thinking about her.
Dayita Samar comes from one of Loa Mali’s most respected families. The Oxford-educated scientist has dedicated her life to her country’s future. But under her staid and calm exterior, Day hides a few sexy secrets of her own. She is willing to marry her king, but also agrees that they can circumvent the law. Just because they’re married doesn’t mean they have to change their lives. It certainly doesn’t mean they have to fall in love.
After one wild weekend in Dallas, Kash discovers his bride-to-be is more than she seems. Engulfed in a changing world, Kash finds exciting new possibilities for himself. Could Day help him find respite from the crushing responsibility he’s carried all his life? This fairy tale could have a happy ending, if only they can escape Kash’s past…
About Lexi Blake
Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem. She also writes contemporary Western ménage as Sophie Oak.
Connect with Lexi online:
Facebook: Lexi Blake
Twitter: twitter.com/authorlexiblake
Website: www.LexiBlake.net
Also from Lexi Blake
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Masters And Mercenaries
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men With The Golden Cuffs
A Dom Is Forever
On Her Master’s Secret Service
Sanctum: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Love and Let Die
Unconditional: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Dungeon Royale
Dungeon Games: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
A View to a Thrill
Cherished: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
You Only Love Twice
Luscious: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped
Adored: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Master No
Just One Taste: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 2
From Sanctum with Love
Devoted: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Dominance Never Dies
Submission is Not Enough
Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Top
Perfectly Paired: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 3
For His Eyes Only
Arranged
Love Another Day, Coming August 22, 2017
Lawless
Ruthless
Satisfaction
Revenge, Coming June 20, 2017
Masters Of Ménage (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)
Their Virgin Captive
Their Virgin’s Secret
Their Virgin Concubine
Their Virgin Princess
Their Virgin Hostage
Their Virgin Secretary
Their Virgin Mistress
The Perfect Gentlemen (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Scandal Never Sleeps
Seduction in Session
Big Easy Temptation
Smoke and Sin, Coming Soon
URBAN FANTASY
Thieves
Steal the Light
Steal the Day
Steal the Moon
Steal the Sun
Steal the Night
Ripper
Addict
Sleeper, Coming Soon
Acknowledgments from the Author
As always thanks to Liz and MJ and their crew—Kim and Pam, Fedora and Kasi on the editing side, to that weirdo they have formatting (I can say that. I gave birth to him) and the amazing Jillian Stein working on social media and making pretty things to show off! Thanks to my publicist Danielle Sanchez and the entire crew at Inkslinger.
We all come across hard times in life and in our work. When those two worlds collide into a raging heap of toxic waste, you really need your friends at your side. This book is dedicated to two amazing women—Mari Carr and Lila DuBois. You helped me through a very hard time and I’ll never forget it. I love working with the two of you around because you speak my language and make me comfortable. And this book would likely be very different without Lila helping me to see how Kash and Day could work, how even dominance can be light and feminine and lovely.
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Click here to explore
FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black
CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham
CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom
DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake
AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione
NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair
ROPED IN by Lorelei James
TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
TAME ME by J. Kenner
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Click here to explore
WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham
EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby
MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair
CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner
ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton
DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout
STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James
RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham
KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster
TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice
SERVICIN
G THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
Click here to explore
HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham
SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst
DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice
ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey
DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Z by Larissa Ione
FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige
EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby
UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton
HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye
DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant
KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
STRUNG UP by Lorelei James
MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian
TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti
DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black
THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely
SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
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1001 Dark Nights story
The First Night
by Lexi Blake & M.J. Rose
Table of Contents
Book Description
About Lexi Blake
Also by Lexi Blake
Acknowledgments from the Author
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Discover More Lexi Blake
Love Another Day by Lexi Blake
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Prologue
Fifteen Years Before
Oxford, England
Kashmir Kamdar lay back on the blanket, his face to the sun. He loved England, genuinely adored the years he’d spent here, but sometimes he missed the sun of Loa Mali. It could be so dark here, but on a day like this, he found his way to one of the parks and let the sun soak into his skin and he felt the connection to his island home.
“You don’t care at all about quantum mechanics today, do you?”
He didn’t open his eyes. He didn’t have to see Dayita’s frown. Her perfect lips would be turned down, but there would also be a light in those hauntingly gray eyes. “You could read the chapter to me.”
“While you snore? I think not.”
He felt her settle down beside him, their arms barely touching. Yes, that was better. Dayita Samar was the only other Loa Mali resident here at Oxford, and in the last six months he’d pretty much decided that she was the only Loa Mali resident he needed.
He even adored her name. Day. She scared off all the other guys by putting that insanely thick mound of hair up in a mousy bun, hiding her glorious eyes behind bulky glasses, and wearing somewhat shapeless sweaters. He suspected she simply hadn’t figured out how to dress for the cold weather. He wanted to see her on their island home, her body wrapped in a sari that would allow him hints of her copper and gold skin. She scared the men off with her incredible intellect as well. They were all intimidated by how freaking smart she was.
It hadn’t intimidated him. After all, he’d lived in his big brother’s shadow for all his life. He was absolutely used to being the second smartest person in a room.
“I suppose it won’t hurt to take a little nap.” She sighed beside him. “Or to watch the clouds. They’re different here. I’m thinking about taking a meteorology class in my spare time. I’m fascinated by how different the weather is here in England.”
He turned on his side and smiled down at her, his head propped in his hand. “You should feel the way the winds can whip around the Himalayas. There’s nothing like a storm at base camp one.”
Her eyes came open. “You’re telling me they let you climb Everest? I would think the guards would have a problem with that. Did you force poor Rai to be your Sherpa?”
Naturally she knew what he was talking about and that he would need someone to guide him. And she was right about the guards. “I went to Nepal in Shray’s place. He got a horrible cold at the last minute, but Father didn’t want to cancel the trip. They let me go up to the first base camp. It was more than enough. A storm hit and I froze my poor backside off. I got back to the beach as quickly as possible.”
She laughed, the sound musical to his ears. “Did you cuddle with the guard?”
“I have a ‘no cuddling’ policy with my royal guard. And you know they only really stay close when I’m working for my father. There aren’t many people here in Oxford who want to hurt the spare heir of a tiny island country. Shray, on the other hand, oh, let’s just say I’ve learned to be happy that I’m a second son.”
“It’s one of the things I like about you, Your Highness.” She rolled over too, and they were side by side. “I think it would be hard to have your whole life laid out for you. I like that you’re not jealous of your brother.�
�
Yes, this was the Day he’d come to… Had he come to love Day? He certainly felt more for her than he’d ever felt for a girl before. He hadn’t slept with a single model, or anyone else, since he’d met her, and he hadn’t even tried to kiss her yet.
“Most people think I should be saddened by the idea of being the spare. By being so close to the crown and yet so far away. They think I should be jealous of Shray, but I feel sorry for him. Don’t get me wrong. I adore my brother, but I don’t want to be him. You’re right. His life is laid out for him. He’ll marry some woman my father approves of, have children as soon as possible, and settle down to be the perfect king one day. Did you know they forced him to major in economics and political science?”
He shuddered at the thought. And Shray hadn’t been allowed to go so far from home. He’d studied in India so he could be close to the palace. His leash had been so very short.
Day’s nose wrinkled. “How boring. Except the math part. That’s probably fun. Maybe I’ll study it in my free time.”
He had to smile. “You don’t have any free time. I’m forcing you to study something else. It’s called human dynamics. We’re going to a pub tonight and we’ll drink and eat and watch the crowds.”
Now her eyes went wide. “I need to study. I have a test in differential equations next week.”
“Which you can pass in your sleep.” Day had forgotten more mathematics than most people ever learned. Still, he knew she would prepare. “You can study later, Day. Tonight you’re going to play. You never play.”
She sat up and started to gather her books. “I don’t and I should remember that, Your Highness.”
