Excerpt from “The Forbidden Sheik” – Marianna’s Story!
Release Date: April 25, 2025
He knew the exact moment when she understood what was about to happen.
With that intention in mind, he reached out and pulled her chair closer. Marianna gasped when her outer thigh brushed his. But, she jumped up from the chair and backed away, abandoning dessert in favor of putting space between them.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, gripping the back of Tasha’s chair.
Amit remained seated, watching her steadily. She was nervous. He’d moved too quickly.
“Nothing you don’t want to happen, Mari,” he assured her, shortening her name into an endearment.
“I don’t want anything to happen,” she insisted, straightening her shoulders in an effort to sound more convincing.
But Amit heard the question in her voice. He stood up and, keeping back with the table between them, he suggested, “I know you enjoy our debates.” He paused, watching her expression brighten with hope. “I also suspect that there could be more between us.” He waited and saw the wary shift in her eyes. “Perhaps we could work on a friendship?”
She bit her plump, lower lip, considering his suggestion.
He moved around the table, relieved when she didn’t step away. “And maybe, something even more than friendship?”
When she didn’t argue immediately, he stepped even closer. Reaching out, he carefully took her hand. “I know you don’t believe me, but I genuinely enjoy our debates. I appreciate your intelligence and the way you’ve made a career out of your ability to understand the nuances of the political and financial world.” He kissed her fingers and heard her gasp of surprise. This time, Marianna stepped closer. He doubted she even realized she’d done so, but he could smell her soft lavender perfume more clearly now. It suited her. She was crisp and light, but also pretty.
“What do you want from me?” Marianna demanded.
For several seconds, Amit gazed down at her, debating how to answer that question. In the end, he decided on a physical response. “This,” he said, then leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.
Immediately, he pulled back, dropping her hand. “When you’re ready, let me know.”
Before he could pull her into his arms, Amit turned and left the dining room. He knew that if he stayed, he would kiss her exactly how he really wanted to kiss her. And that would be a mistake. He knew that Marianna wasn’t ready for his passion. Not yet. He would have to ease her into the reality of where their relationship would eventually lead.
But it was definitely heading towards his ultimate goal.