Page 53 of To Tango, with Desire

“Amira.”

I wished he didn’t say my name. Not like that. Not like he pretended to care.

“Look at me.”

I schooled my features, trying my best to see the opportunity, but all I could see was pain.

FOURTEEN

ZANE

The sight of her eyes filling with tears made me want to break something. Knowing that it was because of me left me feeling nothing but self-loathing. This was one of the reasons why I’d stayed away. The thought of causing her pain, of seeing the disappointment in her eyes when I couldn’t offer her the love she wanted was too much to bear.

But I was a greedy bastard. A man who’d grown accustomed to taking what he wanted, to being ruthless. I wanted this woman all to myself. I wanted to be the only man to have her, but God help me, I didn’t want to cause her pain. Before I knew it, I knelt before her.

I brushed my thumb over her cheek. It killed me to see her cry.

Red-hot anger clouded my vision. I would make it up to her. I might not be able to love her, but I would give her a chance to make her every fucking dream come true. I swore a silent vow then and there to make this happen.

I held her hands in mine, hoping she would listen.

“I promise to look after you, Amira. Being married to me might not involve love, but I will care for you. I may have my faults, but I’m not a cruel man . . . at least not outside of the boardroom. I’ll care for you and provide for you in every way I can. I want you to give this a chance. Give me a chance to prove this to you.”

She looked at me, lost and a little confused.

“I’m afraid.”

“I know. I can be selfish, Amira, but I will try my best to make this marriage as fulfilling for you as I can. I’m used to getting my way, and I know this is sudden for you. I appreciate that. So how about you come to my office on Monday, so we can talk through your terms, then we’ll see where we stand.”

Eventually, she nodded. “Okay.”

I didn’t want her wary of me, of this marriage. But it was my own fucking fault. I had to accept that and make amends.

Standing now, I placed a fleeting kiss on the tip of her nose.

When she left to go the restroom, I did my best to squash the guilt that kept stabbing at my fucking conscience. I hadn’t appreciated her fear until now. I hadn’t expected it. But I would be damned if she felt this way by our wedding day.

Fuck. I was so intent on getting what I wanted that if I wasn’t careful in how I approached this, I might find myself alone. I knew Amira had the guts to refuse me, to walk away from what I offered with her head held high.

I appreciated it.

But I wouldn’t accept it.

“You alright?”

She nodded, sitting back down. Gone was all evidence of emotion. She was the brave warrior queen once more.

Before I could pick up my dessert spoon, she blurted out, “I don’t want kids.”

“Okay.”

She stared at me. “I said—”

“I heard you. You don’t want kids.”

“That’s all you’re going to say?”

“What did you want me to say?”