And yet…
Whenever she and I were alone, a quiet peace settled over me. It was like two souls melding together. Her presence made me feel as if I’d been searching in the desert for years, only toreach a deep river that promised not only to relieve my parched body, but also to fill me up and heal all my hidden wounds. She spoke, pulling me out of my trance.
“The word you used, hyatim? That’s a very beautiful saying. I’ve never heard anything like that. It was like poetry,” she said, her cheeks back to their porcelain perfection.
“Our language is full of poetic meaning. I’m glad you liked it.”
The server reappeared, and we both scanned the menu quickly and ordered, letting him know we’d stick with just water for now.
Alone again, she said, “Thank you for making that awkward encounter bearable. I knew I’d run into him, orthem, eventually. I’m glad I was with you when it happened.”
“I’m glad I was, too. He’s a bit of an idiot, isn’t he?”
She chuckled. “Yeah, in the end, that described him well. No idea what his thought process was with what he was saying. The only thing he accomplished was making his fiancée jealous, and me irritated.”
“Like I said. An idiot.” We laughed in agreement. “But you didn’t need me at all. Your witty comeback was ruthless.”
“Well, I’d practiced it enough. Always wanted to have a snappy comeback ready if I ever saw him again. But you. What in the sexy hand kissing magic wasthat, Mr. Smooth?”
I laughed so hard my side started to hurt. Her bright smile, watching me come apart next to her, was worth everything. All my anxiety melted away.
“Seriously, though. I know you practice ahead of time, but do you practice that, too? Like do you do it in the mirror with your smoldering looks?”
Raising my eyebrows and smiling, I answered, “I told you about preparing for social settings in confidence, not to throw it back at me.” Having her tease me about what I’d shared with herbrought another level of connection that caught me completely off guard.
Sheepishly, she answered, “Too soon? I didn’t offend you, did I?”
“Not at all. You just gave me a nickname, although it’s terrible,” I said with a grin. “Do I get to use the one I gave you?”
Her brows furrowed. “What nickname did you give me?”
“Hyatim.”
Leyla was so still she looked like she had stopped breathing. Finally, she took a deep breath in through her nose. “You should save that for your mystery woman.”
Man, that backfired. Pivoting, I asked another question.
“But you do think I’m sexy, though?” I asked, my face smug as I brushed off nonexistent lint from my shoulders.
Leyla scoffed loudly. “Just like a man to snag on the sexy part. You’ve been hanging out with Mike and Luke too long.”
When I didn’t answer, she asked, “What?”
“Still waiting for your answer.”
She laughed loudly, the kind I loved, and shook her head incredulously. “You’re as ridiculous as Luke right now.Fine. Yes, you’re sexy, Nikolas Demir. You and your hand kissing, Turkish love words, brooding self. Yes, that was very sexy.” Her hands waved over me as she spoke, and my whole body preened.
Leaning in toward her, I whispered, “I know.”
She huffed out a laugh and grabbed her glass, only to find it empty, and set it back down.
I wasn’t sure who this new Niko was, but if it meant I could sweep her off her feet, I was all in. Moving from a passionate moment to laughter confirmed she was the woman I wanted.
Eat your hearts out, Tom and Will.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Leyla
