He looked thoughtful, then nodded. “Please accept my apologies. I come from a different place where the men are protective of their wives. Where I’m from, it would be well within my rights to step in and make your life more comfortable.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. His words were meant to make her melt, to make her feel protected, but she resented them. “Coming from another country isn’t an excuse. You’ve been here enough times to understand the way this country works. Even if you haven’t dated here, all you have to do is glance around to see that men are equal to women.”

“There is no such thing as equality, no matter where in this world a person lives.” He smirked, and added, “I see you’ve been checking the hotel registry. You know how often I’ve visited.” He sounded so pleased with himself she couldn’t bring herself to continue arguing.

“Sure,” she admitted. “I was curious about you.”

“As I am curious about you.” He leaned toward her, intent on a kiss.

Yasmin moved quickly away. “I need to get home.”

He shook his head. “You don’t. I had your schedule changed.”

Yasmin pushed back the flare of temper that threatened. “I still have to study for my exam tomorrow.”

He nodded thoughtfully, then said, “Your studies are important to you, which makes them important to me, but you still have to eat.” When she shook her head, he took her chin in his hand and held her still. “You will not argue with me. For your health, you must eat, and I insist on making sure that you get fed.”

She couldn’t help herself. Despite her annoyance, she laughed. The man was determined to spend time with her. She didn’t think she could come up with an argument to deter him and, to be totally honest, she didn’t want to. He might occasionally do or say the wrong thing, but his enigmatic, exciting personality drew her in. His immense wealth didn’t hurt either.

“One meal,” she said, warning in her tone. “Then I go home.”

“One meal,” he agreed, grinning his pleasure before he leaned down and captured her lips in a consuming kiss.

Chapter Seven

By the time Volkan dropped Yasmin off at her apartment, she realized he’d tricked her. Not about bringing her home to study. Only a few hours had passed since he promised to have her home early. No, he’d tricked her into a lot more than lunch.

She piled her packages on top of her bed, shaking her head in stunned disbelief then stepping aside as Volkan and his driver strode through the apartment, their arms laden with purchases. She’d tried to say no. She really did. Multiple times she’d insisted that he couldn’t just buy her things. Not after only knowing her for a little over a week.