“That laughter didn’t do wonders for my ego, woman.”
“I don’t think there are any doubts about how masculine, powerful, and virile you are, my Sheikh.”
I lift her in my arms, pressing her against the wall, and slowly enter her. “Now that sounds like my good girl, Madeline.”
London
“We’ve been dating for a day. I’m not going to bring a suitcase of clothes to your house. I might sleep there occasionally, but I won’t move in,” she says.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m afraid of getting too attached.”
I don’t have a reply for that.
I think about what Irfan told me. If she is not pregnant, how long will I go on with our relationship? It would be a collision of two completely different worlds.
I can see all her doubts written on her face.
“What are you afraid of specifically?” I ask.
“Of losing my heart and never finding it again.”
“And staying away from me will help you protect yourself?”
She doesn’t answer and looks down at her lap.
I reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear to take a proper look at her.
“I don’t intend on staying away, but I just need to shield myself a little,” she says. “Keep my world as I know it. So if things between us don’t work out, I’ll have somewhere to go back to.”
I run my hand across my face, irritated. I’m not used to giving in. “In any case, we will be traveling to Sintarah in a couple of days,” I inform her. “Regardless of the test results, I need to go back to my country. Duty calls.”
“Okay. I’m curious to see your Emirate. I just need you to explain the basics to me. How I should dress and basic manners so I won’t feel so out of place.”
“I’ll take care of that.”
She takes my hand. “Come to my apartment tonight.”
“What? Why, when my palace is much bigger?”
“Forget it.”
“No. Explain it to me.”
“I spent three days amidst luxury far beyond what I’m used to. I want to experience us both in a setting where I can sneeze without someone rushing to say ‘bless you.’”
“Are you talking about my staff in Ibiza?”
“No, about everyone wherever you go. People always seem ready to guess your desires. Here, in Ibiza, in Turkey . . .Come home with me. Let’s be an ordinary couple for one night.”
I stare at her for a few seconds before making up my mind.
“Alright. Show me the ordinary side of life, Madeline.”
Chapter 31
“Today?” I ask the nurse who’s come to draw my blood in Kamal’s office, feeling both relieved and nervous.
