Читать книгу Born In Secret - Kylie Brant - Страница 12

“The talks have been progressing well.” Jasmine strolled alongside Walker in the courtyard, purposefully lingering close to the listening devices. “Prime minister El-Dabir has been quite enthusiastic about forging an alliance between Tamir and Maloun. I believe Sheik Kamal will be pleased at some of the trade prospects we’ve discussed.”

In his role as her assistant, Walker kept a respectful distance from her. But Jasmine was aware of his presence as never before. From his manner toward her in the time since, one would never suspect that he had climbed through her window two nights ago; that he’d suggested they give in to the passion that still simmered between them. No, he was firmly in character. It was a matter of pride that she appear the same.

“The development of another ally at such an uncertain time would be a relief to the sheik.”

“Of course you are right. With an enemy country on one side, Tamir must have friends surrounding its other shores. The sheik does not wish to leave his country vulnerable.”

“It sounds as though you’ve almost finished your negotiations here.” Walker slipped on some sunglasses to shield himself from the blinding sun, and steered Jasmine to a bench beneath a bit of shade. “Are you ready to return and report to Kamal?”

Jasmine settled on the bench, aware of the bug planted beneath it. She was more willing than she’d like to admit to get out of the sun. The heavy garment she wore beneath her caftan was stifling in the heat. “I am not yet convinced that I can suggest to Kamal that he enter into an agreement with Maloun.”

“Because of the rebel faction in the country?”

“The Brothers of Darkness, yes. Each time I broach the subject, the prime minister assures me that the group is harmless. An organization more patriotic than dangerous.”

“You don’t believe that?” Walker was as good as his word on the day of their arrival. He was following her lead in the conversation; she only hoped El-Dabir acted on the misinformation.

“I do not know what to believe. But I cannot do the sheik the dishonor of suggesting an alliance, unless I can assure myself that The Brothers represent no threat. It will be my duty to voice my reservations to Kamal.”

“Of course, if you are unsure about the Brothers, there is little else you can do.”

Having laid the groundwork, Jasmine smoothly changed the subject. “At any rate, my job here is nearly done. Did you make the changes to the car that I spoke to you about?”

Her tone had taken on a deliberately haughty note— princess to servant. Walker’s mouth quirked, just a little, in recognition of the fact. “Yes, Madame Mahrain, I tuned up the engine yesterday.”

Some hint of mischief seized her. She was finding that she enjoyed having him subservient to her, even in pretense. “And what about the springs in the seats? I informed you that I found them quite uncomfortable.”

She couldn’t read Walker’s eyes behind the dark glasses, but she recognized the look that came over his face— wicked and just a little bit feral.

“Of course, madame. Your pleasure is my utmost concern, always.”

Abruptly, Jasmine gave up their battle of words. In a war of double entendres, she was woefully ill-equipped. Once again he had gotten the upper hand. Because she remembered, all too well, when he had concerned himself with her pleasure. And the shattering results.

“We will have a guest joining us for dinner this evening,” El-Dabir informed her. He met her in the hallway at the base of the stairs, playing the dutiful host. “I hope that meets with your approval.”

“Of course, Hosni. I am not surprised you have frequent guests with the wonderful hospitality I have found here.”

The man preened a bit, and Walker inwardly rolled his eyes. There was certainly a part of this farce that Jasmine was perfectly suited for—winning men over and turning them into simpleminded fools. That he had once skated too close to having the same description apply to him was a fact that still stung.

Leaving her alone in her bathroom a few nights ago had taken a great deal more control than it should have. It wasn’t as though he wanted any more from her than the physical. He had strong sexual needs, and he usually didn’t deny himself for as long as he had during the course of the last assignment. He was used to controlling those needs, but despite the antipathy that had developed between them, he hadn’t gotten his fill of Jasmine three years ago. Hadn’t steeped himself in her body deeply enough to erase this sharp-edged hunger that had flared to life the moment he’d seen her again.

Walker was a pragmatic man. The solution seemed simple enough. A few hours in Jasmine’s bed would burn out the sexual frustration and stamp an end to this uncomfortable ache for her. Then, and only then, would their relationship be completely over. On his terms.

Women being the emotional creatures that they were, she was balking a bit at the sheer logic of the solution. But not for long. Whatever else she claimed, he knew when a woman was interested. As a matter of fact, knowing that Jasmine suffered from at least a shadow of the lust burning in him was equal parts comfort and frustration.

He shifted from thoughts of the physical to the professional with a long-practiced ease and followed Jasmine and El-Dabir into the drawing room. When he saw the man standing near the table there, he mentally gave credit to Jasmine’s earlier prediction.

Tariq Abdul sprang to her side, displacing El-Dabir as he showered Jasmine with flowery compliments. Walker made sure the flicker of annoyance he felt didn’t show on his face. Whether Abdul would prove to be connected with the Brothers remained to be seen, but some of his motives were clear enough. If ever there was a man on the make, it was this guy. And Jasmine played the part of a woman enchanted with an ease that seemed just a little too natural.

“Madame, it is the greatest pleasure to see you again.”

With a sense of déjà vu, Walker sat at the large table, set for a more intimate gathering than the last time Abdul had been present, and watched, without seeming to, Jasmine’s handling of the man.

“Your visit is a welcome surprise,” she was telling him.

“Welcome?” Abdul’s brows raised, and he inched his chair infinitesimally closer to Jasmine’s. “I am glad. But it should not be a surprise. I promised that I would return. I could not have stayed away.” The light in his dark eyes as they rested on the woman at his side was all too easy to read.

“I am happy we could meet one more time before I returned to Tamir.” Jasmine accepted the tea the servant handed her and sipped, while Abdul exchanged a quick glance with El-Dabir.

Walker’s inner radar interpreted the message passed and received between the two men. If he’d had any question that Abdul’s return visit had been hastened by the conversation he and Jasmine had planted earlier that day, it was erased. He only hoped that she could pull off the rest of her task.

Issuing a sharply worded order in Arabic, El-Dabir dispatched the servant. Once the man was out of hearing, he smiled toothily. “I, too, am grateful you came by, Tariq. I believe Rose has some reservations about recommending a closer relationship between Maloun and Tamir. Perhaps you can help me convince her.”

Walker watched narrowly as a delicate flush colored Jasmines cheeks. Could the woman actually blush on command? Her voice, when she spoke, was firm. “I must give the sheik the benefit of my perceptions gathered here.”

“And you have concerns?” Again that quick glance exchanged between the men. Jasmine appeared to not notice. She looked for all the world like a woman out of her element, with news she was reluctant to share.

“The Brothers of Darkness continue to be something of a mystery.”

The prime minister’s voice was ubiquitous. “I have assured madame that the Brothers are not a rebel faction at all, but a nationalistic organization. It appears I have failed to allay her fears on the matter.”

Jasmine buried her face in her cup. “One hears all sorts of rumors in my country.”

“Rumors.” Abdul scoffed. “There will always be gossip about such associations. One cannot put faith in rumors.”

A mulish expression settled over her face. It was one Walker was intimately acquainted with. “I will advise Sheik Kamal of my impressions. That is my duty to my country.”

“Perhaps I can arrange for you to form a more accurate impression.” Abdul waited for her gaze to raise questioningly to his before going on. “The Brothers of Darkness are a discreet society, but they would not want their goals misrepresented. If I could arrange it, would you agree to stay in Maloun longer, meet with some of their spokesmen?”