Page 76 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“And I don’t need to say the same precautions should be taken with my fiancée.”

“I assumed as much and took the liberty of asking your head of security to evaluate the current palace guard. We may need to restructure it, if I may.”

“Why?”

“May I speak freely?”

“Always, Amin.”

“Most of the men there grew up taking orders from Counselor Arif and, for the two years your brother held power, from him as well. I fear they still fear him and that they wouldn’t have the courage to stop your future father-in-law if he tried to approach his daughter or ex-wife.”

I don’t need long to see he’s right. “Tell my head of security he has full authority to hire as many guards as necessary, even if they weren’t born in Rheadur, but it’s essential they respect our country’s customs, especially regarding our women. Which means they keep their dicks in their pants.”

One corner of his mouth twitches, but he schools his face quickly. “Rest assured, Your Highness. They’ll be warned. I can also review their résumés personally before final selections.”

Later that day, en route to Rheadur

“Do you think she has everything she needs?”

“I’m sure she does. She even asked the nurse to leave her alone for a bit. It’s funny how I see some of my quirks in her,” Adeela says.

“How so?”

“Except for the fact that she’s more outgoing and I’m shy, like me, Mom needs her own space.”

I’m not sure I like where this is going, but I’ve never been one to dodge a confrontation, or wherever this path may lead. “I’d like you to elaborate.”

She lowers her gaze to her lap. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

“Speak.”

“Per our agreement, you won’t take other wives, which means there won’t be other households to visit.”

“And?”

“I thought there might come a time when you’d want a little distance from me. I mean, our story isn’t a romance—it’s a contract. So I thought it might be a good thing for each of us to have our own bedroom.”

I’m so stunned by what she’s just said that for a moment I think I misheard. “What exactly are you talking about?”

She glances around, worried the nurse and Amin, seated at the back of my plane, might overhear, but there’s no way this conversation ends halfway.

I stand, unbuckle her seat belt, and offer my hand. She hesitates for a few seconds, then takes it.

We head to the jet’s second bedroom, but at the door she looks at me, confused. “People will talk.”

“We need to talk, and I don’t want to be interrupted. I won’t lay a finger on you, unless you want me to.”

She finally steps in ahead of me. As I close the door and lean against it, Adeela looks back. “I didn’t say...uh...that you couldn’t touch me now, if you want.”

This woman is going to kill me with her mixed signals.

It takes effort not to go to her, but tempting as it is, kisses don’t solve a couple’s problems.

And what do you know about that? Since when have you become a relationship specialist?a voice inside me mocks.

“Believe me when I say I’m too on edge right now to touch you safely.”

“What does that mean?”