Smoothing down her skirt, she gave her reflection a curt nod of approval, then turned to leave the bathroom.
The long corridor was silent and empty as she headed for her next meeting.
Staring blankly at the floor, she mentally reviewed the issues that would be brought up. Perhaps if she’d watched where she was going, she might have avoided the person rushing down the hallway.
Unfortunately, she didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Which meant that she didn’t see the person hurrying around the corner until it was too late. When he ran into her, he knocked her off balance and she threw her arms out, trying to keep herself from falling.
Something hard and powerful stopped her fall, pulling her up against something that was almost as hard as the floor.
“I got you,” a gravelly, deep voice whispered in her ear as strong arms tightened around her.
Avi’s breath left her lungs in a whoosh. “Thank you!” she whispered back, looking around to make sure no one had seen the embarrassing collision.
Lugar held the shockingly beautiful woman carefully, feeling her bottom inadvertently press against his groin as he steadied her. A familiar tug hit him. The curves against his body were familiar in odd way. For a long moment, he couldn’t place where he’d felt this woman before. None of his mistresses had ever felt this good! He did a mental inventory of the women he’d bedded, but none had been this curvy. Or this soft.
And none of them smelled this…!
It was her! It was the woman from two weeks ago! That night…! She’d saved the damn dogs, then snuck over to the building where the women were kept. Without any doubt, it was her!
Slowly, he released her. Lugar kept his hands on her waist until he was sure that she was steady. Only then did he move away. Then he watched, almost as if her actions were in slow motion, as she turned to look at him, tugging her brown suit jacket back into place.
He knew the exact instant that she recognized him, although how she did, he wasn’t sure. He’d worn a black balaclava that night.
“You!” she breathed, her soft, pink lips forming an interesting moue as she stared up at him.
He wasn’t sure how to react to that, especially since he also realized that this was Princess Aviera bin Saldira of Cordaire. An hour ago, he’d watched her speak, had been stunned by her poise and beauty and now….!
They were enemies, but…!
Hell, she was stunning! Her soft cheeks glowed with an attractive pink as he stared down at her.
He reached out, pushing a stray lock of hair off her forehead. “Do we know each other?” he asked, pretending he hadn’t recognized her. He doubted that any woman would want to know that she had been recognized by the impression of her derriere against his groin.
“You’re the one that…” she paused, moving closer to him and dropping her voice. “You saved those women! All of them! You were there that night!”
For a moment, he was surprised by her recognition of him. How could she know? He and his team had been in a small village that was not part of Shadir or Cordaire. If anyone discovered that he’d been there…well, it wouldn’t be good. The ruler of Tilar would consider his presence there to be an act of war, even though he’d only been saving kidnapped women who were going to be sold to traffickers for vile purposes. His reasons wouldn’t matter.
Quickly, Lugar’s eyes hardened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied firmly.
But she stepped closer, her soft hand reaching up and…damn, she ran her finger along the scar just under his eye.
“You were there,” she repeated. “I was trying to get the puppies out of danger while you…” she paused, her voice cracking slightly. “You were there rescuing human beings.”
“Dogs are important,” he reminded her.
She nodded, pulling her hand away and, almost instantly, Lugar wanted to pull her hand back, to press her fingers against his skin and revel in her touch.
“Yes, dogs are important too. But the women,” she shook her head. “They were going to be sold off, weren’t they?”
“Yes,” he admitted.
“Are they okay now?” she asked. “They were heavily drugged.”
Lugar wanted to deny everything, but those dark eyes glowed up at him as if he were some sort of super hero. Nor could he lie to her. She was asking about the women out of concern, not curiosity, which was the only reason he nodded. “Yes, they are fine. We took them to a hospital and reunited them with their families, if that was what they wanted.”
The beautiful woman smiled. He couldn’t think of her as a princess just now. Maybe later, once he had some space to process everything. But right now…he was entranced by her soft touch and the sparkle in her eyes.
“I’m glad. You were…”
Noise from the other end of the hallway startled her. Lugar put a protective arm around her waist, pulling her against his side as they both turned to figure out what the commotion was all about.
“Allaenat ealahy!” he muttered with a low growl as he watched a crowd of reporters heading for them.
Because she’d practically melted against his side a moment ago, he also felt her stiffen as she realized what was happening.
And then their countries’ political realities hit them with a thud.
“You’re Sheik of Shadir!” she gasped. “I’m from Cordaire! We can’t be seen together.” She pulled away, stepping several feet from him. The reporters converged on their position, their cameras flashing.
“Princess Aviera!” one of the reporters shouted. “Are you having secret meetings with the Shadir government?”
Avi groaned at the ridiculous question, but understood why the reporter asked it. Their embrace moments before had appeared very intimate. Time to act, she thought quickly, pulling herself together as she thought frantically, grasping for a reasonable explanation for why she and the ruler of her country’s sworn enemy were having a cozy tete a tete in an empty hallway.
She opened her mouth to spout the normal diplomatic phrases that would put off the reporters. But instead of the well-used, pointless phrases, she heard herself saying something different.
“I don’t think that Sheik Lugar is in the habit of having foreign policy conversations in the hallway. Do you?” she teased.
The reporters laughed even as the cameras continued to flash. Avi knew what to do, folding her hands in front of her. Body language was a huge asset in situations such as these.
Question after question was tossed at her and she answered with a smile, laughing at some of their assumptions while nodding politely at other questions. Some of the questions were barely veiled innuendoes, asking if she and Lugar were having an affair. Other questions were about trying to clarify her statements from her speech. Avi deftly avoided the questions about her personal life while politely answering the questions related to her role here at the United Nations.
When the reporters turned to ask Lugar similar questions, she turned slightly, appearing politely attentive as he responded with sharp, precise answers that didn’t encourage follow up questions. With surreptitious movements, she put a bit more space between herself and the large man who…goodness he smelled incredible!
She also appreciated the way he handled the reporters. He was calm and succinct, even when they obviously were trying to get him to say something he shouldn’t. He didn’t get angry or flustered either, no matter how stupid the question might be. While Avi tried to tease the reporters into liking her so that they only threw her softball questions – a perfectly adequate tactic that had served her well so far and allowed her to maintain secrets that her brother, as ruler, wasn’t ready to reveal to the public…she still appreciated Lugar’s more direct approach. It suited what little she knew of his personality.
“So, is there a romantic component to your relationship with Princess bin Saldira?” one reporter dared to ask.
Avi’s eyes widened ever so slightly, shocked that any reporter would dare to ask someth
ing so forward. They might imply it later when they reported this impromptu news conference, but she hadn’t thought anyone would be brave enough to actually say it out loud!
“I’m done answering questions,” Sheik Lugar snapped. He glanced over at her, silently commanding her to precede him out of this nest of reporters.
Avi jerked upright, and followed his lead. On the one hand, she truly appreciated that he wasn’t going to leave her to fend for herself. It was quite gentlemanly of him to use his size and presence to protect her.
On the other hand, his protective gesture only further ignited the rumors that he’d just tried to shut down.
Staying several feet away from him, she lifted her chin slightly and walked towards him, stepping in front of him but not looking at him in any way. Avi could just imagine the pictures on the news tonight if anyone caught her looking up at his face as the two of them walked away. The photos would probably catch the sun shining through the tall windows at the end of the corridor, capturing the outline of their bodies, which would create a much more romantic image than the circumstance justified.
Although, there had been that moment just before the reporters had hurried down the hallway. He’d been holding her as they’d looked into each other’s eyes. She remembered the rough calluses on his hand as he’d briefly touched her cheek, the way his fingers gently pushed her hair out of her eyes. Oh, and what about that moment when he’d caught her, stopping her fall? Yeah, that had been…thrilling. Exciting!
Dangerous!
Good grief, what was she thinking?! She was not romantically involved with him! Sure, his touch had…well, it had been thrilling, but he was the enemy, and she wasn’t in the market for a husband, which was the only way any relationship with a man like Lugar could end.
No, Avi definitely was not wife material for a powerful man such as this one walking next to her! So just push those silly, schoolgirl fantasies out of your mind, Avi! She lectured herself sternly. But as usual, her mind wasn’t listening.
Chapter 3
Avi looked longingly over at the comfortable sofa as she walked through the hotel suite that night. Oh, for a relaxing evening of reading and sipping wine all by herself! She could curl up on that big, soft, comfy couch, tuck a pillow behind her back and pull that soft blanket over her legs, sip a glass of white wine and just read for the next several hours.
Turning away from the tempting image, she opened her silk clutch purse, ensuring that her lipstick, panic button, cell phone, credit cards, and extra cash were tucked away. No identification though. It was common practice for her family to not carry identification, just in case they were kidnapped. A sad state to have to consider whenever she left the security of her brother’s palace, but she reminded herself that she had a few perks as well.
Her hand slid down over her blue silk dress. She really did love dressing up, Avi thought. And shoes. Yeah, she was the stereotypical woman who loved shoes. With her role in her brother’s government, she had an almost unlimited clothing budget. Although, lately, she hadn’t been able to visit the designers as often as she’d like.
Nor had she been able to visit with her best friend as much as she’d like. Avi and Chloe Hughes, daughter to wealthy billionaire Sebastian Hughes, had become fast friends during boarding school and college. They’d gone through so much over the years. Avi missed her friend terribly. While Avi was the kind of woman who preferred to buck the system, to challenge the status quo, and go on crazy adventures, Chloe was studious and quiet, with a surprisingly silly sense of humor. But anyone who assumed that the beautiful blonde was weak was quickly disabused of that notion! Chloe was strong, tough, and could take on any challenge!
Chloe was more like Avi’s sister than just a friend. They told each other everything, supported each other through the trials and tribulations of school, dating, and social pressures. Even more importantly, it had been Chloe that had forced Avi to study, to get the grades needed to finish high school and get into a good university. Yes, her father could have bought her way into any university in the world, but because of Chloe’s quiet determination, Avi had earned it.
Avi looked around wistfully, wishing that her friend was here tonight, wishing that they could pull on comfy pajamas and binge watch some ridiculous horror movie, screaming at the television in a vain attempt to stop the characters from doing something obviously stupid.
“Chloe, where are you now?” she whispered as she stepped out of the suite, surrounded by her guards. She glanced at her watch, wondering what time she’d be finished tonight. Because Avi desperately needed to tell her friend about the man who had caught her from potential humiliation. Twice. And then touched her in a very strange way.
Lugar almost growled with frustration as he watched yet another reporter catch sight of his approach and make their way towards him. His guards would stop their progress, not allowing the reporters close, but they would still shout their questions to him.
Lugar hated these kinds of functions! He had things to do, but these social engagements were…well, he’d been told that they were necessary.
Once he was inside the ballroom, the press faded away. None were allowed into this area, which was strictly regulated for the heads of state and diplomats only. Still, he didn’t relax, knowing that the evening was going to be difficult.
His thoughts flashed back to the afternoon. He’d watched with increasing amazement as Princess Aviera, his country’s enemy, teased and cajoled a crowd of reporters, twisting them around her little finger until he suspected they’d literally carry her to her next meeting if she’d asked for their assistance.
Lugar hated the press, but knew that they were a necessary evil. They served a purpose, although he didn’t always like that purpose. Especially when they’d disturbed a very intimate moment.
Allaenat ealayh, he wanted to…
She was here! He blinked when he saw the flash of blue silk and warm, teasing smile. His fingers itched to pull the pins out of her nearly black hair so her dark tresses caressed her shoulders. The elaborate twists and curls of her current style showed off her long and sexy neck. And the small, demure diamonds in her ears weren’t a gift from him, which pissed him off. He wanted to drape her in diamonds from his own sources, to see her smile light up after he’d…!
Okay, slow down, he told himself as his body hardened in response to the image of her nude and covered with diamonds. Laenatan, she looked beautiful in blue! The color suited her soft, creamy skin and those dark, flashing eyes of hers.
Leaning against one of the ornate columns, he watched as she did her greeting thing, charming the host and hostess, laughing at something someone said. She looked enchanting, he thought. And soft! Her breasts were full and high, her body narrowing to a delicate waist and then flaring out with luscious, round hips.
He doubted that she thought of him in that way. He knew that his back and chest, the scars along his arms were something from a horror movie. Hell, she’d recognized him because of one of those damn scars! His face wasn’t handsome like the man she was talking with just now. Lugar’s nose had been broken so many times and not set properly, so it was now permanently crooked. The scar under his eye was only the most visible mark from his brutal life. There was another along his neck that was hidden by the collar of his shirt and she hadn’t even seen his chest and back.…
Turning away, he was confronted by yet another idiot diplomat who wanted to talk with him. Right. Trade agreements. Economic ties. Political intrigue. This was his life, he reminded himself. This was his world. It didn’t include a beautiful, soft, incredibly sexy princess.
Avi felt his presence as soon as she stepped into the brightly-lit ballroom. How she could be so sure about his presence, Avi couldn’t really explain. She just knew. She could feel him. He was a powerful man, both politically and charismatically. His body was packed with muscles and his eyes…those dark, fascinating eyes were filled with intelligence and determination.
She continued to smile an
d nod at whatever the person in front of her was saying. Apparently, she didn’t need to reply, as the person continued to speak, giving her a moment to get her mind, and her body, back under control.
Over the next hour, she glimpsed him several times, but he stayed on the opposite side of the ballroom. As much as she wanted to move closer, to just feel the power of him near her once again, Avi stayed away. This fascination wasn’t healthy. He was completely off limits and, if the press – or anyone in this room – realized that she was thinking about him, the backlash back home would be swift and severe!
Still, she couldn’t help peeking at him as he chuckled at something someone said, his voice deep and masculine. He was a head taller than everyone else in the room, which made it easy for her to keep track of him.
After several hours of smiling and nodding, talking about inane issues and avoiding the one man she really wanted to talk with, Avi needed a break! Just a short break, she promised herself, shifting on her feet.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment,” she said to the couple standing in front of her. She couldn’t remember their names or which country they were from, so she smiled apologetically at them.
Thankfully, the couple smiled and nodded, allowing her to escape. Avi moved to the bathroom and freshened up. But even there, several women in powerful roles in other governments sought out “just a moment” to talk with her.
When she finally escaped the bathroom, she peered down the blessedly empty hallway. Instead of turning to the right to head back into the party, she moved to the left and headed towards one of the closed doors. “Five minutes,” she whispered to herself. “Just five minutes.”
Forbidden Seduction (The Diamond Club Book 12) Page 2
