Queen of His Heart Read Online Free Page A

voice.
    Nitara snatched open the door. “If Martin likes my mother’s cooking so much, then he should have married her.”
    â€œI don’t suggest you tell him that,” Keenan warned. “He might take you up on it.”
    â€œGreat. I’m thirty-four years old and competing with my mother for my husband’s affection.” She sighed. “I thought the whole point of my being a successful businesswoman meant that I didn’t have to be a traditional housewife. Turns out you don’t have the choice of one or the other. The more you do the more you add to your to-do list.”
    â€œWait until you have children.”
    Nitara arched one delicate brow at him. “Is there something you want to tell me? You got a rug rat running around here or something?”
    â€œNot hardly,” he laughed, his dimples flashing, and transforming his handsomely chiseled face into something even more adorable and mischievous. “Unfortunately, you know all there is to know about me. Warts and all.”
    â€œLucky me.” Nitara jumped to her feet and headed toward the door. “I’m out.”
    â€œIf you come up with any ideas for the fall lineup, please feel free to share them with me,” he said.
    â€œIf I do that, what will you stay up all night thinking about?” she asked sweetly and opened the door.
    â€œContrary to popular opinion I do sleep.”
    Nitara glanced back over her shoulder.
    He shrugged. “Sometimes.”
    Making an about-face, Nitara tossed up her arms. “I already told you, scripted reality. Stop fighting it. They’re cheap and people love them.”
    Walking back to his chair, Keenan dropped down into it and proceeded to rub his temples. From Nitara’s viewpoint it looked more like he was trying to squeeze out another idea. She didn’t see the point. They’d been having this same conversation for the past six years. The world of entertainment had changed drastically since they had gotten into the business. People no longer held movie and television stars in the same regard. In fact, it had become more of a sport, in recent years, to tear them down.
    â€œI got nothing,” he finally admitted. “Maybe I should go home, too,” he said wearily.
    â€œYou’re just fighting the inevitable.” Nitara started out of the door again, but Keenan’s quick bark stopped her in her tracks.
    â€œIf we were to do this…reality thing…” he shrugged his shoulders as if this was a vague possibility “…what kind of show would it be?”
    Nitara twirled around, not sure she should trust her hearing.
    He glanced up. “I’m not saying that I’m interested. Just…hypothetically.”
    A slow smile spread across Nitara’s face. “It’s all about romance, baby.”

Chapter 4
    â€œL adies, where have all the good men gone?” A frustrated Jalila sat cross-legged on the edge of her bed while she ranted in front of her camcorder. Her weekly chat session on YouTube was like e-therapy: a way to vent her frustrations about navigating the L.A. dating scene. Over the past year, she’d grown accustomed to the camaraderie of her subscribers. Their frequent comments and questions lifted her spirits and gave her hope and courage to keep plugging away.
    One bad date at a time.
    â€œThe guy was in my closet, sniffing my shoes! Ugh!” Jalila squeezed her eyes shut and tried to erase the image from her head. It didn’t work. Chances were she was doomed to relive that horrible moment for the rest of her life. Then it occurred to her. “Do you know thatmeans my shoes have seen more action than I have in two years?” Jalila lowered the camera and screamed up at the ceiling.
    Cujo padded his way into the bedroom, parked himself next to the bed and cocked his head.
    Jalila glanced over and met her loyal friend’s questioning gaze. “Don’t mind me. Momma