Sheikh's Hired Mistress Read Online Free Page A

but it wasn’t a swimming pool!
    “Ha!” Aziz said as he popped up, his eyes sparkling.
    Laine jumped back, but then swatted his arm. “What is wrong with you!”
    “Not much. The water is very nice.” Aziz winked at her and dipped back to float with his arms spread out.
    “It’s cold out here!” Laine objected. But she had to laugh as well.
    Aziz kicked his legs leisurely. “You could come in with me. Though that would defeat the purpose of my coming in here to cool off. You’d heat it right up again.”
    “I think your bigger worry might be hypothermia.”
    “If that is Allah’s will, so be it. I accept my fate.”
    “You are ridiculous.”
    Laine crossed her arms and watched him swim around in the fountain. Aziz turned over in an acrobatic kind of move and pulled one knee up as he beckoned her forward with a finger. The fountain itself, which brought water up through a glowing centerpiece, rained water down on him. He didn’t seem to notice.
    Laine shook her head. “I’m not getting in there.”
    “You must. I’m lonesome.” Aziz raised a brow. “Do this thing for me.”
    “I…” The tone of his voice surprised her. He could have commanded her to do what he’d asked. He could have issued his decree and expected his wishes be followed just as quickly as fetching his water. Instead, he seemed to be genuinely, seriously, asking.
    Laine slipped her shoes off and stepped closer to the fountain. Tentatively, she dipped her fingers into the water to test how cold it really was. Aziz grabbed her wrist and jerked her forward. Laine flailed and crash-landed into the water with a huge splash. She didn’t sink too far, because immediately Aziz’s arms were around her. She came up with a gasp.
    “I wasn’t ready!” Laine said, smacking the water hard enough to cause a small wave to hit Aziz in the face.
    Aziz held his hands up in defense. “You looked like you needed some encouragement! I wanted to be supportive!”
    Laine gave him another splash, and he ducked under the water. She looked around for a moment before his arms were around her waist, dragging her back under. For a moment, Laine held her eyes tightly closed. What was Aziz doing? How clean was the fountain? When she opened them, she could see Aziz’s face next to hers. Then she looked up.
    She could see the night’s sky through the rippling water, through the transparent awning that covered the patio. It was like the stars were dancing for them. She looked into Aziz’s expectant eyes and touched his chest. Then she pushed herself up.
    Laine broke through the surface of the water and panted. Aziz came up with her and pushed her hair out of her eyes.
    “It’s freezing, but this is still better than that party,” Laine said.
    Aziz wrapped his arm around her. He frowned as he looked at her. Laine was about to ask him what was wrong, when his finger traced down the scar over her forehead. She looked away and pulled on the top of her dress, which was starting to slip in the water.
    “Ah. I know,” Aziz whispered. “You save your secrets for those you know and trust. I’ll strive to earn the right to be considered one of them.”
    Laine slipped away from him then. It became apparent that she was the better swimmer, even if he’d seemed graceful enough at first. He tried to catch her, but each time he nearly grasped a foot or an elbow, Laine turned in the water and got around him as quickly as a seal.
    In the end, both laughing and splashing, Laine let him catch her, kiss her, move his hands over her body.
    “You can’t be in there!” boomed a man’s voice.
    Aziz’s brows knit together and his jaw grew stiff as he looked up at their interruption. It was the bouncer and a slim man in a suit. Probably a manager.
    “I will be where I please!” Aziz announced.
    “Not in our fountain!” the manager objected. “Sir, you must get out of the fountain immediately.”
    Stubbornly, Aziz lifted his chin. “We will leave when we are finished,