While I had a very sheltered upbringing and remained a virgin to this day, I was no clueless fool when it came to such matters. Even without the aid of racy novels, the stories that the other girls in school shared were more than enough to educate me.
I knew how it felt to want a man. And I knew the signs that told me when a man wanted me back.
And the King of Layla?
He definitely wanted me, and oh, just the thought of what could happen if he ever unleashed his desire...
The thought was enough to have my pulse quicken.
“Aurora.”
My cheeks flamed when I realized the sheikh had caught me daydreaming again. “I’m sorry, akh. What was that again?”
His frown deepened. “What is it with you today?”
“I just have a lot of things on my mind,” I hedged.
“Such as?”
“School stuff.” Since I could see Mik’hail having a hard time believing me, I changed the subject right away, saying, “I promise I’ll listen this time. So please...” I clasped my hands in a pleading gesture, and just as it had always been in the past, this was enough to have the sheikh shake his head in resignation.
“I was asking about tonight,” Mik’hail said a bit dryly. “Do you want to go out for dinner?”
“If you’re free to spend time with me,” I said cajolingly, “could we just watch a movie here?”
“If that’s what you want.” The sheikh was looking at me oddly.
I frowned up at him. “What?”
“I’m worried that you don’t act your age anymore,” he said slowly. “Young girls like you are supposed to enjoy going out, but you have never asked my permission to spend time with your friends. It’s not right that you’ve locked yourself here in the palace—”
“Akh.” I shook my head, exasperated that he was still thinking this way. “Here we go again. You keep harping about how it’s not right I’m stuck with an ‘old man’ like you,” I grumbled, “when I’ve never thought of you that way.”
“I see.”
Since he still didn’t sound convinced, I said insistently, “I’m just really happy being with you—”
“Alright, alright.” He made a vague gesture with his hand to silence me. “As long as you know I only want what’s best for you—”
“Of course I do!” Rising to my knees on the bed, I surprised the sheikh by wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself against him in a tight embrace. “I’ll always be thankful that you took me in even when you didn’t have to...”
My voice trailed off as I became belatedly aware of how rigid his body had become in my arms.
So very still...so very tense...
A moment later, the sheikh abruptly pulled away as if only realizing the same thing, and both of us couldn’t quite meet each other’s eyes as the sheikh gruffly told me to get moving and I quickly mumbled out my assent.
In the corner of my eye, I saw the sheikh about to turn away when he noticed my nightgown hike up as I climbed off the bed.
His powerful body went completely still at the sight, and my heart slammed against my chest even as I took my time rising to my feet, the reckless part of me wanting him to keep looking.
“See you at breakfast in ten, Your Majesty.”
“Yes.” The unnatural thickness of his voice sent warmth flooding through me, and as I forced myself to turn around, I could feel his dark gaze lingering on me.
Oh please.
Hold me.
