“That would never happen.”
He didn’t bother responding. Zara was new to this world, but he wasn’t. He’d seen the disastrous consequence of an ill-timed affair.
“You’re making me crabby,” she told him. “I hate being crabby. Not to mention confused. I want things with you I’ve never wanted with anyone else. Worse, I’m telling you that and even acting on the impulses. This is so not me. What’s going on here? Is it being in Bahania. Is it the water or maybe early signs of senility?”
Rafe didn’t have an answer. Or maybe he didn’t want to see the truth. He and Zara generated a lot of attraction between them. The heat was dangerous to both of them.
She put her hands on her hips. “Should I assume your silence means you don’t have an answer, either?”
“Not one that makes sense.”
“How helpful is that?” She sighed. “Everything about this situation is unfamiliar. I’ve actually teased you about kissing me. I never do that.”
“I never let personal interfere with business.”
She stared at him. “So this isn’t usual for you?”
“Not even close.”
A smile curved up the corners of her mouth. “That makes me feel a little better.”
He didn’t respond to that statement. There was no point in telling her that his inability to ignore the passion between them had him wondering what the hell was wrong with him. When had he gotten so damn soft? He needed a few weeks in a war zone to improve his reflexes and his self-control.
“Where do we go from here?” Zara asked.
“Nowhere. Nothing’s changed. I work for the king and I don’t get involved with his daughter.”
She dropped her arms to her sides. “You need to find some new material,” she told him. “This same story is getting old.” She turned on her heel and headed for the palace, then paused.
“Oh, by the way, Jean-Paul has invited me to dinner and I accepted. I think you’ll need to dress formally.”
Rafe watched her go, her head high, her slender hips swaying gently. She was back in a temper. She’d also had the last word. Princess Zara…formally Zara Paxton, professor, was turning out to be more trouble than he’d imagined possible. And damned if he didn’t like every second of it.
Once she reached the palace, Zara headed for her room. Dozens of thoughts swirled through her brain, and she didn’t know what was going on. Life had certainly taken a turn for the interesting ever since she’d landed in Bahania. She’d been prepared to feel conflicted about meeting the stranger who might be her father, but she’d never thought she could have man trouble.
For the first time in her life she had two men vying for her attention. Of course neither of them really cared about her—they were interested in getting a connection with the royal family. Of course, there might be a different motive—maybe the duke needed money for his aging manor house. Or Jean-Paul might want a loan to expand the vineyard. Whatever their reasons for pursuing her, she knew they had nothing to do with her as a person. So while her popularity was a change, it was especially unappealing.
She turned the corner and headed for the door leading to the rooms she shared with Cleo. As she stepped inside, she called her sister’s name, but heard only silence. Cleo must be out—maybe with the fabulously handsome Prince Sadik. He had certainly taken notice of Cleo at the state dinner.
Zara wandered around the spacious living room, then plopped down on the sofa. She could see the Arabian Sea in the distance. Already the sun was high in the sky. The temperature would be climbing, and soon it would be difficult for her to be out in the heat. But here in the palace the air was cool.
Zara glanced around at the elegant furnishings, the expensive tapestries and the small wet bar in the corner. She knew if she crossed to it and opened the minirefrigerator, she would find an assortment of drinks, including her favorite sodas. The small cupboard above held different snacks. She could even phone the kitchen and ask that something be sent up.
Bahania was a fantasy come true for her. In fact it was better than her fantasy. She was living in a palace, and if King Hassan really did turn out to be her father, then she was about to become a princess. So what if that made a couple of guys a little weird?