Page 42 of Deadly Betrayal

Once she was dried off and her injury freshlybandaged, she felt much better. Clean, dressed, her headscarf inplace to cover the bright white bandage, she shook out her tensemuscles. Kaden was out there, waiting for her. Alone.

Khodaya, they were going to be aloneall night.

After a momentary dizziness that had nothingto do with her head and everything to do with her heart, she openedthe door and stepped into the room. Kaden sat by the window,talking on the phone in serious tones. There was a steaming pot oftea and a plate of dates on the table. He glanced up and smiledwhen he saw her. Genuine pleasure and relief filled his gaze andturned her stomach to jelly.

Bidding the caller goodbye, he hung up. “Youlook like you’re feeling much better.”

Overly flattered by his observation, sheblushed. What a ninny she was. Maybe her concussion was moreserious than she’d thought. “I am. And thank you again for”—shepaused and pointed to her head—“taking care of me.”

Kaden grinned. “Well, Shahram wasn’t up toit.” Azita laughed. Her brother had always had a weak stomach.Kaden stood and pulled out a chair at the table. “Have a seat. Iordered us some tea while we wait for our meal to arrive.”

Her eyes widened. If anyone had heard himspeak—

“Relax. I wrote it down.”

Her eyes widened even more. “You can writeDari?”

“Not as well as Jake, but much better than Ican speak it.” He shrugged nonchalantly. It didn’t keep her fromseeing the gleam of pride in his eyes.

“Jake. He is one of the friends that came toAfghanistan with you?”

“You’ll meet him tomorrow at the German base.A doctor can look at your head too.” He stopped speaking and hisbrows drew together. Azita found the changes in his expressionfascinating. Few adult males of her acquaintance showed theirfeelings so freely. As though proving her point, Kaden jumped tohis feet. “Shit, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner. Doyou need stitches? We can go there right now.”

“Tomorrow will be soon enough.”

“Tomorrow? Uh-uh. Let’s go.”

His concern filled her with warmth, made herfeel light as a bird. “Seriously. I want to leave it open for atleast one day to watch for signs of infection. If a doctor isavailable, I will get stitches tomorrow.”

Kaden sat back down, his limbs stiff. Heseemed to be restraining a great deal of movement. “A doctorwillbe available. I’ll make damn sure.” He spoke throughclenched teeth, deepening his already low voice.

The notes went straight to her lower abdomenand a flush heated her cheeks. Tea. That’s what she needed. Shepoured two glasses and handed him one. When he took it, his fingersbrushed hers. Awareness shot through her. Feeling like she’d beenelectrocuted by one of the faulty lamps at the women’s shelter, sheinhaled sharply and pressed a hand to her chest. A hard nipple mether palm, and it was all she could do not to moan.

Kaden’s nostrils flared and his eyesdarkened. Flags of color appeared on his cheekbones, despite thethick layer of foundation makeup he’d applied that morning.

Gazes locked, they continued to stare at eachother, breathing heavily. Faced with the undeniable evidence thather attraction was reciprocated, she was unable to look away. Hertraitorous body moved closer, as did his. She could feel his heat,smell the sweetened tea on his breath. His eyes were the mostamazing color, gold and bright like a lion’s mane.

A knock at the door sent them both sprawlingback in their chairs. Fire raced up her entire body, covering herin a flush from the throbbing spot between her legs to the veryroots of her hair. She bit her lip to keep from crying out infrustration. Would he have kissed her? Would she have finallylearned how he tasted, how it felt to be held by a man who actuallyliked her? Who’dchosenher?

Eyes closed, Kaden sat forward with hiselbows on his knees. The sharp intake and slow exhale clear signsof the pains he was taking to slow his breathing. She wondered whatother signs of arousal he might be fighting.

Another knock shook her out of her fantasies.“One moment,agha,” she called out.

Sighing, Kaden set thepakolon hishead and went to open the door. Azita stood and moved to a spotagainst the wall. As soon as he opened the door, she indicated tothe waiter to set their tray on the table. Kaden kept up hisroutine of coughing and clearing his throat as the excuse for hisnot speaking.

As the man passed by him on the way out,Kaden handed over a few afghanis.

“Tashakor, agha. Khanom,” the mansaid, bowing deeply.

Kaden closed the door and leaned his foreheadagainst it.

“Are you all right?” she asked, worrypropelling her into doctor mode. She hurried across the small roomand touched his cheek. “You feel warm. Are you experiencing anyshortness of breath? Tightness in your chest? Numbness in yourarm?”

Kaden’s chuckle sounded strained. “I’m nothaving a heart attack, Azita.”

“What is it then?”

He turned and sank to the floor, his backagainst the closed door. When he covered his face with his hands,her consternation grew. She knelt in front of him and placed herhands on his knees for support. “I can help you. Iamadoctor.”