Page 50 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“Are you telling me your daughter can’t stay in my home?”

In an instant, he sobers. “Of course not, Your Highness. It’s just that—”

“If you’d stop interrupting, I could explain why I’m calling.”

“My apologies if I’ve been rude.”

I don’t bother replying. “I’ll be marrying Adeela in a few weeks.” The words leave my mouth slow and deliberate, designed to strike every layer of his consciousness. I want him to understand that I’ll tolerate no objections.

He goes silent, eyes fixed on me, his face draining of color. For a moment, I think he might collapse, every drop of blood rushing to his head.

“Your Highness...it would be an honor, of course, but that’s...impossible. The dowry I can offer isn’t worthy of your stature.”

“I’m not interested in your money. I don’t need it. I want her, and I’ll marry her.”

I expect that to end the conversation, but the man seems to have no sense of self-preservation.

“I must inform you, however, that my daughter has already been promised—”

I raise a hand, cutting him off. “No, she hasn’t. Whatever arrangement you made with another man was done without her knowledge.” I lean back in my chair. “Let’s make something clear, Arif. This isn’t a proposal. It’s an announcement. I am Kaled Fouad Ayad Badawi Faheem, Prince of Rheadur. I don’tneed anyone’s permission to marry. Last night, I received the only answer that matters, and she said yes. So consider this a warning: you no longer have any power over Adeela’s future or”—I pause for effect, letting him absorb the weight of my words—”over Daisy Ellis’s.”

“Daisy? What does my ex-wife have to do with this engagement?”

“My future mother-in-law is under my protection now. And as soon as she’s well enough, she’ll live with us in Rheadur.”

Chapter 24

Paris

Two Days Later

“I could’ve done this with Jazmina. You didn’t have to come with me.”

“Yes, you could have,” I say, taking her delicate hand and bringing it to my lips. “But I wanted to.”

To my satisfaction, she shivers, and as if her hand has a mind of its own, it moves, brushing against my beard.

I lean back against the car seat, closing my eyes for a brief moment, allowing her to touch me as much as she pleases. In my mind, I imagine that soon there will be no fabric between us, that her hands will move freely across my body. I’ll teach her what pleases me, and I’ll learn what makes her moan and scream in my arms.

It’s a good thing Jazmina is staying with us at my apartment. My sister acts as a natural barrier against my libido, making it easier to control myself around my delicious fiancée.

Because Adeela, beyond being beautiful, is sexy just by breathing. Every look she gives me feels full of promises. Each time I touch her, she reacts as if she wants more. Not once has she discouraged my caresses. On the contrary, in an innocent kind of seduction, she presses closer, moves her hips, and pulls me toward her, as if she wants me to take her.

“Why did you want to come?” she asks, pulling me out of my fantasies.

I open my eyes and let my thumb trace the curve of her lower lip, aching to bite and taste that soft, full mouth. “Maybe because I enjoy seeing my fiancée trying on clothes.”

I throw it out there to tease her, and as expected, she blushes and turns toward the window.

It’s just the two of us in the car, the partition separating us from the driver rolled up. At the last minute, my sister decided she’d rather go for a massage at a spa than shopping. I suspect Jazmina wanted to give us some privacy.

Normally, I wouldn’t have cared if she’d come along, since what we’re doing today isn’t exactly my idea of fun, but now that we’re on our way, I realize I’m exactly where I want to be.

I want to spoil Adeela, give her small pleasures. Teach her how to ask for what she wants without shame. Soon enough, my fortune will also be hers.

I’ve noticed that although she wears quality clothes, none of them truly flatter her beauty. I suspect it’s been like that since birth, another way Arif used to control her.

But the Adeela beside me now isn’t the same one who arrived in Paris. She’s opening up, like a soft pastel landscape slowly transforming into vibrant color.