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Her delight had soared as she’d engaged him in repartee until the delivery of her requested items, then as she’d prepared the alongside her, she’d run to fetch a cushion, placed it where she’d have the best view of hi at that cushion, the picture of disbelief

When he’d finally gru, she’d spluttered in laughter Hilarity had become fierce sweetness as that indo her have this pleasure

And pleasure it had been, the likes of which she’d never experienced She’d never enjoyed cooking as she had for hi as she had with hi hi to his rulazed saletables and avocado-based salad

He’d just finished the khoshaaf she’dthem with toasted almonds and spices He’d scooped the last drops of syrup as if he’d coax the bowl to give upher how much he wished there was He’d been vocally appreciative of her effort and not a little stunned at her skill He’d ad whatever she’d i and be done with it As it was, he could have eaten ten tis He’d insisted he never ate that much at a time, nor that elaborately

Every word, no matter how it betrayed his preconceptions of her, had been a caress to her heart

Noaiting for her to qualify her state he wasn’t perfect at

“Math,” she elaborated “You counted the ‘prized fe I’ve been one of three for a while now”

Those divinely sculpted lips curled on that pout/twist coers itched to explore their dips and swells, her lips their

He interrupted the cascade of i that Aliyah, now queen of Judar, is one I hear she, too, had perfected the art of twisting untwistable er”

That, too,is aze was dismissal itself “Whatever you say”

She took the bowl from his relaxed hands “Why count on my word? One look at the back against the wall at the dining area—another floor arrangeh, unfinished-wood, round table, another keleeacushions—he crossed now-bare feet at the ankles “Women of Aliyah’s caliber can wreak untold havoc But she must have her hard life to thank for her ability to rein in her lethal potential Her fauided that it al to overcoe they did, she must have learned control, not to mention compassion for others That ed her to find a credible answer to his evaluation

Instead, she held her hand down to hiazeto accept a hand up froht into his co with the letdown, she withdrew it—only for it to be snagged in a vise of sheer power: his warh hand