The Sheik's Scandal The Sheik's Scandal (The Raminar Family #3) - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,4

her to go to him, to speak with him. She stared. He stared back, his eyes telling her…? Talia couldn’t interpret his message! What was he saying?

Before she could translate, a woman in a sparkly, hot pink dress, that barely covered her butt, stepped up, sensuously pressing her body against his. He glanced down at the woman and…that hurt! A savage, almost violent stab of jealousy hit her and she frowned, startled by the unexpected sensation. Unfortunately, Talia couldn’t deny that pain. She seriously didn’t like that woman touching him!

But he wasn’t hers, Talia reminded herself firmly. She had no right to be upset that another woman was doing exactly what she wanted to do.

“Oh well,” Cary sighed, apparently noticing the pink, barely clad woman who had moved in on their target. “There are plenty more!”

Talia looked at her friends, noticed the bright eyes and the skimpy dresses. In contrast, Talia wore a champagne colored cocktail dress that might show a bit more cleavage than normal, but wasn’t anywhere near as revealing as what her friends wore. Talia’s outfit came down almost to her knees. Her heels were only three inches, compared to Theresa’s five inch, platform shoes that made Talia think of a pole dancer.

This wasn’t her scene, she thought again. And these women, they weren’t her friends. Not anymore. The only reason she’d called them during this visit was…because…well, Talia wasn’t exactly sure why she’d called her college friends. Other than that niggling sense that she was missing out, that life was passing her by. That she needed an adventure in her life, which she couldn’t seem to get out of her mind.

Which was ridiculous! Talia traveled all over the world! She’d seen and done things that most people in the world could only dream about!

So, why was she here? Why was she trying to be someone she wasn’t? Talia wasn’t a party girl. She didn’t flit from one bed to another. She’d had a lover back in college, but the event had been so miserable, she hadn’t bothered to try it again.

“I’m heading out,” she told her friends. A glance over her shoulder revealed that the pink-clad temptress had vanished, and been replaced by a woman in a diaphanous, red dress. The man looked up at her and, if Talia had been a more adventurous woman, she might have taken the man’s look as a dare. It almost felt as if he were challenging her to come down the stairs, to try and tempt him.

But she wasn’t a temptress and her dress wasn’t nearly as revealing as that man obviously preferred.

“Don’t go!” Cary whined again. “We’ll find another other club. There are hundreds!”

Talia lifted a hand, stopping the others from chiming in. “No, you ladies stay and have fun. I have an early meeting tomorrow and need to get some sleep.”

Jessica giggled. “See, that’s the problem. Never schedule meetings before noon,” she told Talia with an earnestness that seemed…odd. Perhaps the light in Jessica’s eyes was caused by something more than alcohol and excitement?

Drugs repulsed Talia and she stepped away, tucking her clutch purse under her arm. “I’ll talk to you ladies soon,” she lied, air kissing each of them before turning away. Moving towards the circular stairs, she carefully made her way towards the exit. She was halfway down the staircase when she stupidly looked up, wanting just one more glimpse of the man.

He was watching her, his eyes telling her…to stay? Daring her to come to him?

Talia hesitated. That daring spark flared to life again. Should she do it? Should she walk over there, introduce herself and then…what? Take him to bed?

She shivered, just thinking about that possibility. His broad shoulders and flat stomach told her that the man was ripped. But falling into bed with a man the same night she met him? That was just stupid. Dangerously stupid.

Before she could do anything, another woman moved towards him and Talia knew that she needed to leave. That man wanted something she couldn’t give him. Oh, she wished she could be more like Orella, more daring and rash. Talia wished she could ignore the potential dangers, such as diseases and unanticipated pregnancies. Or the physical dangers of meeting a man and going to his place.

Unfortunately, Talia watched too many crime dramas. She’d seen too many episodes where the woman didn’t come out of those interactions with a smile.

Instead, she headed towards the exit, expecting her guards to follow. They’d been there all evening, inconspicuous and