“You’re mocking me,” he growled.
She didn’t resist.Even now, she wanted to be close to him.
“I’m offering you exactly what you offered me.”Her voice shook with restrained emotion.“You thought it was good enough forme.But when it’syouon the receiving end, it suddenly sounds ridiculous?”
He grunted, holding her still.“I have more money.”
“So what?”She jerked her wrists free, scrambling off the bed.“We’re syndicated.Every time we pick up a new region, my income increases.”
“I’m next in line to rule my country, Azlyn!”he snapped, rising to his full height and stepping toward her.“I can’t just walk away from that.”
“And I can’t walk away frommyresponsibilities,” she fired back, backing toward the wall.
He followed, caging her in with his arms.
“That doesn’t make my life less important,” she said, tears shining in her eyes.“What I domatters.I’m the one who researches the stories.Olivia may be the face of the show, but I’m the one who figures out the truth, who builds the narrative.That’s me, Zayn!Imatter!My work matters.”
His expression softened.“I know you do,” he said quietly, resting his forehead against hers.“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to diminish you.”
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.“But I have to go.I have to return to Lativa.”
That hurt and she didn’t like the idea of a future without him in it.
But she couldn’t give in.
She couldn’t be what he was asking her to become.
“I can’t be your mistress, Zayn.That’s not fair to me.”Her voice was quiet but resolute.Then she turned and walked into the bathroom—angry, but also heartbroken.
He followed.
In the mirror, she saw him watching her, storm clouds in his expression.
“So that’s it?”he asked.“We’re just done?You’re not even going to fight for what we have?”
Azlyn dipped her head, her chest aching.She didn’t know how to answer.When she felt his hands on her upper arms, she turned and pressed her face against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist as silent tears spilled down her cheeks.
“What can we do?”she whispered.“You can’t quit your job.It’s who you are.It’s yourbirthright.”
He sighed, resting his cheek against her hair.“And you won’t quit yours.”
She winced.That hurt more than she expected.
“I know how that sounds,” she said softly.“Selfish.”
He pulled back to look at her, arms still holding her close.“Isn’t it?”
Her chest tightened.“Aren’tyoubeing selfish?”she countered.
His eyes darkened.“I’m offering you a life of luxury, and you callmeselfish?”
Azlyn let out a bitter laugh and stepped away, heading for the closet.She needed distance.She needed something to do with her hands, or she might scream.
She found fresh clothes—because there was no way she was putting on yesterday’s panties.Even if she’d worn them for ten minutes, they were going in the laundry.Once she was dressed, she felt marginally more stable—until she turned and found Zayn still shirtless, the expanse of his powerful chest practically daring her to change her mind.
“Put on a shirt,” she snapped, yanking a sweatshirt over her head.
He crossed his arms, his gaze heated.“Why?”
