Second Chances (Blood Brothers #3) by Manda Mellett

Author:Manda Mellett [Mellett, Manda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Trish Haill Associates
Published: 2016-10-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Zoe

Abruptly the emir pulls away from me, standing and walking to the end of the bed. He seems deep in thought, and I fiddle with the finely embroidered linen beneath my hands, wondering what he’s thinking.

He gives a snorted laugh as though he mocking himself then turns back to me, holding out his hand’s palms up. “I’ve nothing to offer you except my friendship and protection. But I’d like you to accept both.” After staring at me for a moment, he continues and repeats, “Friendship, Zoe. That’s all I want from you.” He picks up his headdress from the floor where he threw it. “It’s late—or early, whichever way you look at it. You need your rest. You should sleep now.” Walking back to the bed, he leans over and gives me a chaste kiss on the top of my head. “In the morning I’ll make sure the paperwork is completed so you can get workmen in and start the restorations. Anything you need doing, let me know and I will arrange it.” He holds up his hand to stop my protest. “And if you want to speak to me, at any time, about anything, tell your guard, and we’ll arrange it. I mean it, Zoe, there’s no need for you to feel alone.”

There’s nothing I can do but to thank him.

He smiles, nods, and then gives me a courteous bow and exits via the hidden stairway. My professional interest sparks. The Sultan’s entrance!

For a moment I lie stunned, unable to believe the turn of events and my conversation with the emir. Suddenly I start to chuckle; realising Kadar had had no idea I would be sleeping in the harem tonight. Shit, I hadn’t planned on it myself. Well, I certainly got the atmosphere I wanted to soak up. A hearty laugh breaks out of me as I wonder at the shock Kadar must have thought to have found a woman ready and waiting in his harem. I’d love to have seen his face before he had to wake me from the nightmare of my past. Idly I wonder about the coincidence of us both being drawn to this place tonight.

I giggle to myself. I never imagined the emir would pay a visit while I was asleep in his harem, Just like the Sultan with a concubine of old. Huh! I smile. But without the sex, of course, and however much his closeness made certain parts of me awaken and throb, I know now that’s completely off the agenda. Kadar is an honourable man, his future is pre-ordained, and I’ll have no part of it. But to have him as a friend? I can’t help but be proud he feels able to confide in me.

The room seems full of the scent of sandalwood, the odour that I’ll forever associate with him. He might have gone, but his presence still surrounds me. Tired, I soon fall back asleep, but Ethan doesn’t return to haunt me. Somehow Kadar has banished him away.

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