Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 22608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Boring things should only happen to boring people like me.
And that's why I don't understand how I ended up in bed with a stranger---
Who also happens to be the most beautiful man I've ever seen---
And both of us are naked?
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Him
IT WAS THE LAST DAY of the Global Alliance of Peace Conference, and the royal palace had already opened its doors to welcome guests from all around the world. Rubbing elbows with each other were ambassadors and blue-blooded statesmen, Olympian medalists and Oscar-winning thespians, and billionaire tycoons of various industries. All of them were united in their zeal for ending war and strife, but in truth, they were no match for the passion in which a small group of socialites aired their most honest sentiments in one corner of the ballroom.
'His hair. It is so...how do you say it?'
'Clean cut.'
'Yes, yes. And those eyes.'
'Piercing!'
'And gold, like a tiger's.'
'But what about his lips?'
'Very kissable.'
'And such a strong jaw.'
'Let us not forget how his muscles ripple! Did you watch him fence?'
'I did not just watch him! I wanted him to thrust—-'
Giggle. Giggle. Giggle.
'Oh, ladies, such vulgar minds you have! It is because his foe is an enemy of our nation. So of course I wanted to see him have the winning thrust!'
'Fencing is not the only thing he is good at. Because that bulge—-'
GIGGLE. GIGGLE. GIGGLE.
'Ah, ladies, you disappoint me! We Kivran noblewomen are expected to be models of decorum.'
'You are the one who spoke of bulges!'
'A gun in his pocket, it is all I'm talking about.'
'And I suppose you will tell us next that his, er, pistol comes with a ten-inch barrel?'
'If the bulge fits.'
Choke. Giggle. Choke.
'But truly, ladies. Does he not remind you of a fairytale prince?'
'For an adult movie?'
'Of course!'
Choke. Choke. Choke.
'It's such a pity we are not allowed to have our phones with us. It is so very rare to see him without his mask. I would die to just have one photo of him.'
'For what purpose?'
'Oh, just a little improv for my Kegel exercises, that sort of thing.'
CHOKE. CHOKE. CHOKE.
Ella looked at her husband's most trusted general with sympathy.
Poor Zahir.
A glance at the billionaire sheikh showed how his stoic expression had remained unchanged, but she was sure he had heard every word those women had spoken.
Then again...
They clearly did not know Zahir at all, Ella thought. The man was extremely old-fashioned, and there was no bigger turnoff for Zahir than women who spoke of him like he was no different from a juicy slab of steak.
When another ten minutes had passed, and the women still showed no signs of relenting in their attempt to capture Zahir's attention, Ella finally lost her patience and gave them a look.
It was enough, and the women scattered as they scurried away like roaches that were about to be exterminated.
"Thank you."
Ella shook her head. "I should be the one for thanking you." It was true that Zahir rarely went out sans his army-issued mask, and the only reason he had dispensed with it tonight was out of respect to his husband's guests. But even though a mask-less Zahir was indeed a rare sighting, did those women have to act like a pack of rabid she-wolves that hadn't eaten for days?
"I'm so sorry you had to hear that."
"I am used to it."
Ella choked back a laugh. Right. It had been a while since Zahir was last assigned palace duty. She had forgotten how this particular sheikh was the master of low-key arrogance.
"In any case, I still don't think it's right that you have to bear with these things. Next time, I'll ask Khal—-"
Zahir slowly raised a brow at her.
"Or not." Ella was not above changing her mind where the kingdom's most dangerous warrior was concerned.
"I am glad you understand, Your Highness. Your safety is the highest priority of our kingdom."
"And I appreciate that, really," Ella quickly assured the sheikh, "but it can't be fun to play my bodyguard all the time, Zahir. You need to live your own life, too."
"You are starting to sound a lot like your husband."
Oh wow.
"Did I just detect a note of grumpiness in your tone?"
"No."
"I knew it!" She looked at him eagerly. "Did he ask you to take a holiday or something?"
"Or something."
Mm.
"Did he command you to file for leave?"
The sheikh's lip curled, and Ella choked back a laugh. Being the workaholic that he was, and with notoriously high standards to boot, it was just so like Zahir to abhor the very idea of rest.
"Where are you going?"
"Miami."
Ella brightened. "The others are there, too, right? For Adam's wedding?"
"Yes."
"And..."
She looked at him expectantly, but Zahir only gazed back at her.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Yes."
Ella crossed her arms over her chest. "Is that your way of saying a princess like me should know better than to meddle?"