Arranged: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella Read online

  Arranged

  A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  By Lexi Blake

  1001 Dark Nights

  Arranged

  A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  By Lexi Blake

  1001 Dark Nights

  Copyright 2017 DLZ Entertainment, LLC

  ISBN: 978-1-945920-24-0

  Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose

  Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Book Description

  Arranged

  A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  By Lexi Blake

  Kash Kamdar is the king of a peaceful but powerful island nation. As Loa Mali’s sovereign, he is always in control, the final authority. Until his mother uses an ancient law to force her son into marriage. His prospective queen is a buttoned-up intellectual, nothing like Kash’s usual party girl. Still, from the moment of their forced engagement, he can’t stop thinking about her.

  Dayita Samar comes from one of Loa Mali’s most respected families. The Oxford-educated scientist has dedicated her life to her country’s future. But under her staid and calm exterior, Day hides a few sexy secrets of her own. She is willing to marry her king, but also agrees that they can circumvent the law. Just because they’re married doesn’t mean they have to change their lives. It certainly doesn’t mean they have to fall in love.

  After one wild weekend in Dallas, Kash discovers his bride-to-be is more than she seems. Engulfed in a changing world, Kash finds exciting new possibilities for himself. Could Day help him find respite from the crushing responsibility he’s carried all his life? This fairy tale could have a happy ending, if only they can escape Kash’s past…

  About Lexi Blake

  Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem. She also writes contemporary Western ménage as Sophie Oak.

  Connect with Lexi online:

  Facebook: Lexi Blake

  Twitter: twitter.com/authorlexiblake

  Website: www.LexiBlake.net

  Also from Lexi Blake

  Click to purchase

  Masters And Mercenaries

  The Dom Who Loved Me

  The Men With The Golden Cuffs

  A Dom Is Forever

  On Her Master’s Secret Service

  Sanctum: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Love and Let Die

  Unconditional: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Dungeon Royale

  Dungeon Games: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  A View to a Thrill

  Cherished: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  You Only Love Twice

  Luscious: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped

  Adored: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Master No

  Just One Taste: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 2

  From Sanctum with Love

  Devoted: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella

  Dominance Never Dies

  Submission is Not Enough

  Master Bits & Mercenary Bites: The Secret Recipes of Top

  Perfectly Paired: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped 3

  For His Eyes Only

  Arranged

  Love Another Day, Coming August 22, 2017

  Lawless

  Ruthless

  Satisfaction

  Revenge, Coming June 20, 2017

  Masters Of Ménage (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)

  Their Virgin Captive

  Their Virgin’s Secret

  Their Virgin Concubine

  Their Virgin Princess

  Their Virgin Hostage

  Their Virgin Secretary

  Their Virgin Mistress

  The Perfect Gentlemen (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

  Scandal Never Sleeps

  Seduction in Session

  Big Easy Temptation

  Smoke and Sin, Coming Soon

  URBAN FANTASY

  Thieves

  Steal the Light

  Steal the Day

  Steal the Moon

  Steal the Sun

  Steal the Night

  Ripper

  Addict

  Sleeper, Coming Soon

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  As always thanks to Liz and MJ and their crew—Kim and Pam, Fedora and Kasi on the editing side, to that weirdo they have formatting (I can say that. I gave birth to him) and the amazing Jillian Stein working on social media and making pretty things to show off! Thanks to my publicist Danielle Sanchez and the entire crew at Inkslinger.

  We all come across hard times in life and in our work. When those two worlds collide into a raging heap of toxic waste, you really need your friends at your side. This book is dedicated to two amazing women—Mari Carr and Lila DuBois. You helped me through a very hard time and I’ll never forget it. I love working with the two of you around because you speak my language and make me comfortable. And this book would likely be very different without Lila helping me to see how Kash and Day could work, how even dominance can be light and feminine and lovely.

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One

  Click here to explore

  FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black

  CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham

  CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom

  DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake

  AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione

  NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones

  SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair

  ROPED IN by Lorelei James

  TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights

  TAME ME by J. Kenner

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two

  Click here to explore

  WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan

  WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham

  EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby

  MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair

  CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner

  ADORED by Lexi Blake

  HADES by Larissa Ione

  RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton

  DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James

  RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  DRAGON KING by Donna Grant

  PURE WICKED by Shayla Black

  HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye

  STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian

  ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham

  KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice

  DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster

  TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti

  THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  Also from 1001 Dark Nights

  THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice

  SERVICIN
G THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three

  Click here to explore

  HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan

  BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham

  SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst

  DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice

  ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey

  DEVOTED by Lexi Blake

  Z by Larissa Ione

  FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige

  EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby

  UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton

  HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye

  DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant

  KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

  STRUNG UP by Lorelei James

  MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian

  TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti

  DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black

  THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely

  SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

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  1001 Dark Nights story

  The First Night

  by Lexi Blake & M.J. Rose

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  About Lexi Blake

  Also by Lexi Blake

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four

  Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights

  Discover More Lexi Blake

  Love Another Day by Lexi Blake

  Special Thanks

  One Thousand and One Dark Nights

  Once upon a time, in the future…

  I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.

  I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and

  the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast

  library at my father’s home and collected thousands

  of volumes of fantastic tales.

  I learned all about ancient races and bygone

  times. About myths and legends and dreams of all

  people through the millennium. And the more I read

  the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered

  that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually

  become part of them.

  I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher

  and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I

  would not be telling you this tale now.

  But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off

  with bravery.

  One afternoon, curious about the myth of the

  Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to

  see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar

  (Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then

  sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written

  and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,

  the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand

  women.

  Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived

  in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged

  places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had

  never occurred before and that still to this day, I

  cannot explain.

  Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have

  taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can

  protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to

  protect herself and stay alive.

  Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.

  And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a

  point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.

  And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that

  he might hear the rest of my dark tale.

  As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new

  one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before

  you now.

  Prologue

  Fifteen Years Before

  Oxford, England

  Kashmir Kamdar lay back on the blanket, his face to the sun. He loved England, genuinely adored the years he’d spent here, but sometimes he missed the sun of Loa Mali. It could be so dark here, but on a day like this, he found his way to one of the parks and let the sun soak into his skin and he felt the connection to his island home.

  “You don’t care at all about quantum mechanics today, do you?”

  He didn’t open his eyes. He didn’t have to see Dayita’s frown. Her perfect lips would be turned down, but there would also be a light in those hauntingly gray eyes. “You could read the chapter to me.”

  “While you snore? I think not.”

  He felt her settle down beside him, their arms barely touching. Yes, that was better. Dayita Samar was the only other Loa Mali resident here at Oxford, and in the last six months he’d pretty much decided that she was the only Loa Mali resident he needed.

  He even adored her name. Day. She scared off all the other guys by putting that insanely thick mound of hair up in a mousy bun, hiding her glorious eyes behind bulky glasses, and wearing somewhat shapeless sweaters. He suspected she simply hadn’t figured out how to dress for the cold weather. He wanted to see her on their island home, her body wrapped in a sari that would allow him hints of her copper and gold skin. She scared the men off with her incredible intellect as well. They were all intimidated by how freaking smart she was.

  It hadn’t intimidated him. After all, he’d lived in his big brother’s shadow for all his life. He was absolutely used to being the second smartest person in a room.

  “I suppose it won’t hurt to take a little nap.” She sighed beside him. “Or to watch the clouds. They’re different here. I’m thinking about taking a meteorology class in my spare time. I’m fascinated by how different the weather is here in England.”

  He turned on his side and smiled down at her, his head propped in his hand. “You should feel the way the winds can whip around the Himalayas. There’s nothing like a storm at base camp one.”

  Her eyes came open. “You’re telling me they let you climb Everest? I would think the guards would have a problem with that. Did you force poor Rai to be your Sherpa?”

  Naturally she knew what he was talking about and that he would need someone to guide him. And she was right about the guards. “I went to Nepal in Shray’s place. He got a horrible cold at the last minute, but Father didn’t want to cancel the trip. They let me go up to the first base camp. It was more than enough. A storm hit and I froze my poor backside off. I got back to the beach as quickly as possible.”

  She laughed, the sound musical to his ears. “Did you cuddle with the guard?”

  “I have a ‘no cuddling’ policy with my royal guard. And you know they only really stay close when I’m working for my father. There aren’t many people here in Oxford who want to hurt the spare heir of a tiny island country. Shray, on the other hand, oh, let’s just say I’ve learned to be happy that I’m a second son.”

  “It’s one of the things I like about you, Your Highness.” She rolled over too, and they were side by side. “I think it would be hard to have your whole life laid out for you. I like that you’re not jealous of your brother.�
�

  Yes, this was the Day he’d come to… Had he come to love Day? He certainly felt more for her than he’d ever felt for a girl before. He hadn’t slept with a single model, or anyone else, since he’d met her, and he hadn’t even tried to kiss her yet.

  “Most people think I should be saddened by the idea of being the spare. By being so close to the crown and yet so far away. They think I should be jealous of Shray, but I feel sorry for him. Don’t get me wrong. I adore my brother, but I don’t want to be him. You’re right. His life is laid out for him. He’ll marry some woman my father approves of, have children as soon as possible, and settle down to be the perfect king one day. Did you know they forced him to major in economics and political science?”

  He shuddered at the thought. And Shray hadn’t been allowed to go so far from home. He’d studied in India so he could be close to the palace. His leash had been so very short.

  Day’s nose wrinkled. “How boring. Except the math part. That’s probably fun. Maybe I’ll study it in my free time.”

  He had to smile. “You don’t have any free time. I’m forcing you to study something else. It’s called human dynamics. We’re going to a pub tonight and we’ll drink and eat and watch the crowds.”

  Now her eyes went wide. “I need to study. I have a test in differential equations next week.”

  “Which you can pass in your sleep.” Day had forgotten more mathematics than most people ever learned. Still, he knew she would prepare. “You can study later, Day. Tonight you’re going to play. You never play.”

  She sat up and started to gather her books. “I don’t and I should remember that, Your Highness.”