met,” he said, his voice raw. “This. Us. That’s all that matters.”
“There is no ‘us.’ There can’t be. I told you—you don’t know anything about me …”
He bent his head, took her mouth in a hard, quick kiss.
“I know everything I need to know,” he said roughly. “You’re brave. And strong. You face life with dignity and courage.”
Guilt was sharp as the thrust of a knife into her heart.
Tell him, a voice within her whispered. You must tell him. You have to … you have to—
“I was wrong to say I’d take your son from you.”
Oh, God! “Karim,” she said quickly. “Karim. About—about the baby—”
“No. You don’t have to say anything, habibi. You are a good mother. A wonderful mother. We’ll find a way around this.” His expression softened; he smiled and ran his thumb gently over her mouth. “And you’re beautiful,” he said softly. “Not just your face and your body. Inside, where it counts, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. So you see? I know all I need to know about you.” His smile broadened. “Except, perhaps, what you would like for a midnight snack.”
Rachel looked into the eyes of this man who had turned out to be nothing like his brother, nothing like any man she’d ever known.
Despite herself, her lips curved in an answering smile.
“You’re changing the subject, Your Highness.”
“Aha. Progress.” His tone was solemn, but his eyes were filled with laughter. “That’s the first time you’ve used those words without making me cringe.”
Her smile broadened. “Don’t let it go to your head, but you can be a very nice man.”
He grinned.
“For an arrogant, self-centered despot, you mean?”
Rachel laid her hand against Karim’s jaw. It was rough with end-of-day stubble. It made him look dangerous and incredibly sexy.
“Maybe I was wrong about that.”
“You were right, habibi. I am all those things—but not when I am with you.” He caught her hand, pressed a kiss into her palm. “On second thought …” His voice turned as rough as that stubble. “On second thought …” His teeth sank lightly into the flesh at the base of her thumb. “Are you hungry, too, sweetheart?”
Rachel looked up into her lover’s dark eyes and answered the question she saw there.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I’m hungry for you.”
Karim groaned, brought her hard against him and kissed her.
The world, and the web of lies she had created, spun away.
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