His arms wrap around me; his finger at my lips silencing me. ‘You aren’t dragging me into anything. We’re in this together. Besides,’ he says as the finger traces down my neck. ‘I need to meet them, especially as I’m to ask permission.’
‘Permission for what?’ My voice is light with anticipation, the atmosphere having changed suddenly.
‘For marrying you.’
‘You askedme, you don’t need to ask them,’ I say straightening uncomfortably in his arms. ‘This isn’t 1903.’
‘You offend my sense of propriety,habibti. ’ He pulls my body back against him, forcing me to relax.
‘I wonder if it’s the same sense of propriety that has my boob in your hand.’
‘No, that’s a sense ofproprietorship.’
‘I see. It’s ownership you’re after?’ Even I can hear the dangerous edge to my voice. It’s archaic—I don’t need to be passed from parent to spouse like some fucking chattel.
‘Yes,’ he agrees, kissing the place where my neck and shoulder meet, causing me to shiver and stealing the accusation from my next words.
‘You’re a Neanderthal.’
‘But I’myourNeanderthal,’ he answers, succeeding in rolling us both onto our sides. ‘I’m a stranger to them, Kate. And I’m coming to take you away. Please let me do this properly.’
I don’t answer. There is no retort. Possibly more to do with his explanation than the way he rolls my nipple into a stiff peak.
‘She said to be there around eleven. I suppose we should shower soon.’
Moments later, his movement slows, his hand opening as his breathing changes, setting into a deep and regular pattern as the arm across my body becomes heavy as he slips into sleep.
I wish I could say the same. Filled with the thoughts of facing my mother and Geoff, telling them I’m about to get married, makes me wish I could retreat into sleep. In fact, the whole situation has me feeling as prickly as an echidna humping a broom.
I manage to lie still for a few more moments, ensuring Kai has drifted off into a deep sleep, before lifting his arm and slipping from the bed.
