YazminaLion Are Read Free Page B

since his wallet was missing, and went to the hotel lobby. There were some boutiques on the ground floor that sold women’s clothing. He bought a few essentials and picked up a new disposable cell before returning to his room. Yazmina had just come out of the bathroom when he got in.
    Arcan put his purchases on the bed and told her to change. He tried his new cell and gave his number to Cyeon as Yazmina went back to the bathroom. He also called Jackson again. This time his business partner answered.
    “Where the hell have you been?” Jackson sounded pissed. “You ditched me in the club with a bunch of European chicks. They got rowdy after the third round, you know? One of them did a ‘girl gone wild’ kind of thing, and we all got the boot from the bouncers. What gives?”
    “Sorry, I got food poisoning and spent the night at a clinic. But I’m okay now,” Arcan lied. He couldn’t reveal his secret to Jackson. His business partner wasn’t exactly a cat person. If Jackson knew he was a shifter, it would complicate their business relationship.
    “Jesus Christ. Food poisoning?” Jackson seemed to have trouble taking that one in.
    “Yeah, must be some stuff I ate. Local food didn’t agree with me.”
    “Jesus.”
    “Look, I know we still have a meeting with Bazrai tomorrow. I wonder if you can cover it for me? Just send the paperwork to my room, and I’ll sign it. I’ve decided to stay here another week.”
    “That bad, huh?” Jackson sounded worried.
    “Nah. I met a pretty girl.”
    “Son of a bitch.” Jackson chuckled. “When did you have the chance to score?”
    “In the clinic.”
    “Damn. I’ll see you in Canberra then.”
    “Say hi to Cole for me.”
    “Your cousin won’t be happy if you take too many days off. We have the governor’s building project to finish.”
    “Tell Cole I found my mate. He’ll understand.”
    “The girl, you mean?”
    “Mate,” Arcan repeated. “She’s more special than just a girl.”
    “Sometimes I don’t understand you, pal. Whatever. I’ll see you then.”
    “Thanks, buddy.” Arcan hung up. He and his cousin Cole had started a joint venture in a construction company in Canberra a few years ago. The business was booming and had become a full-time job. Because he and Cole were part of the K’stal pride, they had to split their time between Canberra and their pride home in the Serengeti. Therefore, they’d brought Jackson in to manage the company in their absence.
    Yazmina peeked her head around the bathroom door and shyly stepped outside. She smiled. Arcan had forgotten how breathtaking she was. Her raven hair was combed smooth and fell like black silk down her back. She looked fresh and calm. Arcan had bought her a few blouses and matching pants, and the clothes she wore fit perfectly on her luscious body. And it seemed the shoes he’d picked for her were the right size. As an added precaution, he’d also purchased a scarf and sunglasses for a disguise.
    He couldn’t get enough of watching her. He could get lost in those gorgeous eyes of hers. “You’re beautiful.”
    She blushed prettily.
    “Ready for a late dinner?”
    Yazmina nodded. “Quite frankly, I’m starving.”
    “Good. I’m so hungry I could eat a cow.”
    She looked puzzled. “Beef, you mean?”
    “That’s just an expression.” Arcan got up from the bed. “Let’s go.”
    They went to the hotel’s in-house restaurant on the second floor and picked a corner booth for privacy. “So, you want to tell me your whole story?” Arcan asked after the waiter took their orders.
    She hesitated at first. “There’s not much to tell. I ran away because my father arranged a marriage for me.”
    “Did your mother agree with your father in this?”
    “My mother died when I was born. I was told it was a complicated childbirth. I never knew her. I only remember her from family photos.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.” He took her hand and squeezed it.
    Her face reddened, but she