page10 (1/2)

She had spentand cooking their traditional Middle Eastern dinner She’d given up on her current wardrobe in despair and invited Jennifer to go shopping with her

Since the other woround, they were even able to do the shopping trip under the auspices of Lina’s security teairlfriend before and found that the tough ex-soldier was in no way i on clothes, visiting cosht accessories

Lina’s outfit was definitely sexier than anything she had ever worn before, but it was not skanky Or so Jennifer ured her The thin, scoop necked silk sweater by Jones New York clung to her generous curves, as did the low-rise o with it She’d taken her shoes off and her bare toes peeked out from the flared hems A belt of dark leather rommets rode her over the camel colored sweater

Both Jennifer and the sales ociate had ured Lina it was a casual, but sexy look

The clothes were also comfortable, which was just as well since she was practically crawling out of her skin with nerves from what she planned to do

CHAPTER FIVE

SEBASTIAN arrived only a oodness Lina’s stress level would never have stood up to a long wait His knock was firm and confident Like the man

Lina opened the door with a shtly forced “Hello, Sebastian”

He didn’t smile, but she was used to that She’d learned he did so rarely, but since she’d noticed that his smile seemed to be reserved pretty much exclusively for her, she didn’t h His look practically singed her

So, the shopping trip had been worth it

“Hey” He looked around the small apartment “Where’s Jennifer?”

“She’s not here”

“I thought ere having dinner”

“We are”

His eyes narrowed “But not with Jennifer?”

“Uht we could use some time alone”

Soaze “That’s not necessary, Lina”

She bit her lip, took a deep breath and firmed her resolve “I think it is”

He sniffed the air “So?”

She allowed the subject change “I’ve prepared B’stellela, traditional Middle Eastern salad, apricot chicken, vegetable cous cous, braized beef kabobs and fresh o for dessert”

“Wow Sounds delicious I didn’t know you were such a gourmet cook”

She relaxed a little at his praise It was only as she’d been reciting the one overboard on it “I’ food for the people I care about”

She’d never cooked for her parents, though Only her aunt and uncle and her brother when he came to visit She’d even made B’stellela for her sister on occasion when she’d been in Marwan But getting ti tiuards

Sebastian’s visage turned even warier and it was at that point she realized that had been hisin the apartment What did he have to be concerned about? Had sheher ht No, so him react this way

Or she could behim completely

Deciding they could both use a break from the tension, even if it was all in her head, she said, “Would you like so to drink before we eat?”

He made a visible effort to relax his shoulders “Sure”

So, not in her head

She nodded and went to pour hiotten Jennifer to buy for her “Why don’t you sit down and relax with this while I put the food on the table?”

“All right” He looked down at the oversize pillows she’d set up in front of the coffee table “Here?”

“Yes”

“So, we’re going all out authentic with tonight’s dinner?”

“Yes, I hope you don’t mind”

“Not at all”

She hoped he still felt that hen she inforers just like such a meal would be consumed in Marwan

He took a sip of his vodka and his eyes widened “It’s very strong”

“Yes My uncle says thiswater”