“Still time to decide,” she thought.
She closed her eyes and listened to the ocean. The tension eased out of her body as she relaxed. Eventually she leaned back in the sand and let the minutes drift by.
Sometime later she felt a slight prickling down her spine. She sat up and turned to see Rafiq walking toward her. He’d changed into jeans and a shirt and, like her, he hadn’t bothered with shoes. He carried a towel or something against his chest.
She rose to her knees and waved at him. As she watched him approach, she felt the love filling her heart and knew she would have to say something before she left. Whether or not it mattered it him, the information was important to her.
“How are you feeling?” he asked as he stopped beside her but didn’t sit down.
“Better. I’ve cleared my head.”
“Good.” He lowered himself beside her. “I have brought you something.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not again. Rafiq, no. You have to stop buying me things. I’ve told you and told you I’m—”
He cut her off with a kiss. “I think you should stop talking now because when you see what I have, you will not be able to resist.”
He drew back the towel and leaned toward her. Kiley stared down at a sleeping pile of white, fluffy fur.
“A puppy,” she breathed quietly, wanting to pet it but afraid to wake it up.
“Yes. She is a Maltese. Ten weeks old.”
She looked at him. “You bought me a puppy? Why?”
“Because you said you wanted one.”
Just like that. Would he get her the moon, too? Tears burned in her eyes, but she blinked them back. No crying, not over something this wonderful.
“I did some research. I thought you would want a small dog, but one with a big personality. She seems quiet now, but trust me, when she is awake, she takes over the room.”
Kiley laughed and threw her arm around him. The puppy woke up and immediately began to lick her face.
“Look at you!” Kiley said, scooping her up and holding her out at arm’s length. “You’re so cute!”
She was all white, except for her black eyes and black nose. Her entire fanny swayed from her enthusiastic tail wagging.
“What a pretty girl,” Kiley said as she set the puppy in her lap. The dog immediately tumbled into the sand, stood, shook herself and scrambled back into Kiley’s lap.
“She seems to have taken to you,” Rafiq said.
“Good, because I adore her.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you.”
He feigned surprise. “What? No protests, no threats to leave her behind when you go?”
“Nope. She’s family.”
“Good.” He put his arm around her and fingered her hair. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes.” She patted the puppy who promptly flopped onto her back, exposing her tender, pink belly for rubbing. “I wasn’t sick, just tired, I guess.”
“My mother has that affect on people.”
She looked at him. “You told me not to meet her. You warned me she would be difficult.”
“And was she?”
“Sort of.” She sighed. “Okay, yes. She was difficult and rude and I don’t know why she wanted to meet with me. What was the point?”
“What did you discuss?”
“Me? Not much of anything. She knew we were living together, although I don’t know how. I didn’t think you spoke to her very much.”
“I do not.”
“That’s what I thought. She wanted to make it really clear that our relationship wasn’t going anywhere, and she said you were supposed to be getting married and I was in the way of that.”
She held her breath after she finished, not sure what he would say back. For a long time there was silence. At last he kissed her neck.
“She’s a foolish old woman. I hope you didn’t let her upset you too much.”
Hmm, that was a neutral. “I tried not to. I told her that if you wanted or needed me out of your life, you would simply tell me.”
“True enough. But I don’t want you to go. I want you right here.”
Just where she wanted to be. “You sure know how to turn a girl’s head.”
He smiled at her. “Do you doubt my affection?” he asked.
“No. I think you like me a lot.”
“Is that enough for you?”
Dangerous, dangerous territory. She could see the flashing red lights all around her. The puppy wiggled to get more comfortable, then closed her eyes. And sighed.
“Yes,” Kiley said, knowing it was the closest she’d come to lying to Rafiq. Then, to change the subject, she stood and cradled the puppy in her arms.
“Have you thought this through?” she asked. “Puppies can be a challenge. There’s the whole house-training bit, and chewing and all kinds of trouble. Oh, and she’ll shed. You live in a really nice place.”
“I’ll survive,” he said. “We may have to bribe Sana, if there is extra cleaning for her.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll clean up after this little one.”
He reached over and stroked the dog’s head. “You’ll probably want to take her into work with you while she’s so small. A workday is a long time for her to be left alone.”
“I’d like that. Thank you.”
They walked back to the house, his arm around her. Kiley did her best to remember everything about this moment so that she could have it with her always.
Rafiq knocked on the door of his mother’s Century City high-rise.
“This is a surprise,” she said as she opened the door for him and returned to the living room. “You don’t usually just stop by. I assume there is a purpose.”
“There is.”
He walked into the large, airy condo. The windows faced north, giving him a view of west Los Angeles, Brentwood and Hollywood in the distance.
She sat down and picked up a tumbler filled with clear liquid and ice. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
He crossed the pale carpeting and sat across from the woman who had given birth to him. From the time he could remember until he graduated from university in England, he’d seen her fewer than a half-dozen times. Once he’d grown and, as she had put it on his twenty-third birthday when she’d thrown a party for him, gotten interesting, she wanted to be a part of his life.
By then it had been too late for him. He was willing to treat her with some measure of respect—she was his mother—but that was all.
He suspected she used her connection to him when it was convenient, although that came with a price. To claim to be the mother of a prince meant admitting her age—something he knew she hated to do.
She was attractive, he acknowledged. Doctors had worked their magic to keep her skin tight and unlined. She dressed well, could converse on many subjects and knew the value of any antique, piece of jewelry or fine art. In many ways, she reminded him of a snake: cold-blooded, keeping to the shadows and intent only on survival.
“It’s about the girl, isn’t it?” Carnie said with a sigh. “I knew right away she was going to be tiresome.”
“Leave her alone,” Rafiq said. “You are to have no further contact with her. I don’t know what game you’re playing but I won’t be a part of it.”
His mother sipped her drink. She wore a pale shirt tucked into tailored slacks. Her small feet were bare, her toes painted. She was the epitome of at-home elegance.
“My, my. I don’t recall you being so protective about one of your women before,” she said with a smile. “How touching.” She set down her drink. “But honestly, Rafiq, is she all that different? At night, when you reach for her, couldn’t she be one of a hundred different bodies?”
“I meant what I said. Leave her alone.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Yes.”
His mother seemed unfazed by the statement, but he suspected it was posturing on her part. They both knew there was damage to b
e done. Should it come out that she had been snubbed by her own son, invitations would not flow so freely. The rich and famous would be less inclined to frequent her exclusive gallery.
“Interesting.” His mother gazed at him. “And this one matters why?”
“I’m not going to discuss that with you.”
“Of course not. You wouldn’t want to risk me offering advice. What if it made sense? You couldn’t possibly take it, because it came from me, and then where would you be?”
“I’m not a child who feels the need to rebel against you,” he told her.
“That’s true. You’re a man. A prince. Your father’s heir. Are you aware that Kiley is in love with you?”
The question slammed into him with the subtlety of a California earthquake. He felt the floor shift, shake, then settle back into place.
In love with him? Kiley? It wasn’t possible. She could not be.
“Unlikely,” he said, keeping his turmoil safely inside.
His mother laughed. “Oh, my dear. You may be all grown-up but you’re still a man and blind where women are concerned. Of course she’s in love with you. What did you expect? She’s your secretary.” She paused and nodded slowly. “Yes, I know that. I know more than you think. I know that before you, she was engaged and he was quite the jerk. So she came to you, all sad and broken and you offered to fix her. How kind.”
That wasn’t what had happened, but he wasn’t about to correct her.
“Did you honestly think she was like your other women?” Carnie asked mockingly. “Did you think she would understand the rules and play by them? If so, you were mistaken. She’s the kind of woman who leads with her heart, the poor fool. I’m sure she’s saying all the right things, but trust me, she is desperately in love with you.”
He didn’t want to know that. Part of him started to dismiss his mother’s words out of hand. Kiley had known him for a long time. She’d seen the other women in his life, was clear on how the process worked. She wouldn’t break the rules.
And yet…He couldn’t ignore what Carnie said simply because he didn’t like the messenger.
“What happens when you walk away?” his mother asked. “For you, she is simply one more conquest, but for her you are her prince. I mean that in the literal sense as well as the figurative. I can’t blame her and you shouldn’t, either. Look at her life, Rafiq. Look at what you have shown her, done with her. How could she resist? It’s not her fault. But it’s very sad. Imagine how her life will be when you tire of her. Who will pick up the pieces of her shattered heart then?”
He didn’t believe in love, not for himself. He couldn’t imagine ever trusting that much. But he knew it existed. He’d seen tiny lights in the darkness, places where people truly gave all they had for another. He’d seen signs of love at Kiley’s family’s house. In the laughter, the hugs, the memories.
“What is your point?” he asked his mother.
“I just wanted to warn you that you were treading on dangerous territory with Kiley. She’s such a sweet girl.”
He narrowed his gaze. “And?”
“And I’ve heard rumors. Your father isn’t all that happy with you these days. You’re over thirty, Rafiq. It’s time you married.”
“I see. Let me guess. You have a candidate in mind.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. The daughter of a friend. She’s a wonderful young woman. Very beautiful and accomplished. She’s extremely well educated and has an advanced degree in music. She plays the violin. I would like to set up a meeting between the two of you. Nothing too stressful. Perhaps a brunch this weekend or next.”
He stood. “I’m not interested in the relative of anyone who would call you a friend. If nothing else, I would be forced to question her judgment.”
Carnie glared at him. “You’re going to have to marry someone, and we both know it’s not going to be that fool you’re sleeping with. She’s a nobody. Who are her parents? What lineage or talent would she bring to that match? Who would your children be?”
She continued to talk, but he wasn’t listening. He turned and walked out of her condo, then turned toward the elevator. One word repeated over and over in his head.
Children.
He and Kiley had been lovers for three weeks. In that time he’d taken her several times a day, making love with her until they were both exhausted. Yes, he had used protection…every time but one…the first time.
She’d been a virgin, inexperienced and unprepared. He’d been around her enough to know she wasn’t on The Pill.
One time, he told himself. Only one time. Yet she could be pregnant. Condoms weren’t foolproof.
He stepped onto the elevator and pushed the button for the parking garage. He was Prince Rafiq of Lucia-Serrat. If there was a child, there was only one thing for him to do.
Kiley sat curled up on the sofa, reading. When she heard the garage door open, followed by the low purr of Rafiq’s car, she did her best to continue to concentrate on her book, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. Her stomach clenched, her toes curled and everything in her body went on the alert.
She wanted to stand up and shout, “He’s home! He’s home!” But that seemed silly, what with the entire population of the house currently consisting of herself and the puppy, and the latter had already scampered for the door off the kitchen where she would dance and whine until her pack leader came in and acknowledged her.
Kiley knew she had it bad when she felt a slight flash of jealousy, knowing the puppy would get the first bit of attention. Then she decided to be mature, because that night she would have Rafiq in her bed.
“I’m home,” he called as he walked into the house.
“Hi,” she said back, and wondered if he made any announcement when he walked into the official residence back on Lucia-Serrat. Or was there some town-crier type who ran ahead telling all that Prince Rafiq had returned?
He came in carrying the puppy. “She gets far too excited about my arrival,” he said. “If she spins much harder or faster, she’ll injure herself.”
“She’s happy to see you,” Kiley said, willing to do a little spinning herself.
She walked up to him and kissed him. The puppy yipped happily at being caught in the middle and tried to lick them both.
She laughed and took her from Rafiq. “You’re a little crazy person, aren’t you?” She glanced at him. “I’ve named her.”
He took her free hand and led her to the sofa. “What did you decide?”
“Fariha. It’s Arabic. It means—”
“Joyful or happy. I speak Arabic.”
She grinned. “Of course you do. I thought the name was appropriate and we can call her Fari for short.”
She sank onto the sofa and held Fari up in the air. “Do you like your new name?” she asked the puppy. “Don’t you think it’s as pretty as you?”
Fari wiggled and yipped her approval. Kiley set her on the floor and watched her scamper to her chew toy by the window.
“How was your meeting?” she asked.
“Interesting.” He stared at her. “Are you happy here, Kiley?”
“What?” Silly man. “Of course I am.”
He took one of her hands in his and kissed her palm. “I know things have moved quickly between us. Becoming lovers, you moving in.”
Was he worried about her? “I’m fine with all that. I like being here. You’re a pretty fun date.”
“How flattering. Do you love me?”
The question came from nowhere and knocked the air right out of her. She didn’t know what to think, what do say. Heat flared on her cheeks as she realized that he must have guessed. Somehow she’d given herself away.
“I, ah…” She pressed her lips together. “Rafiq, I don’t understand.”
“It’s a simple question. Do you love me?”
Panic joined embarrassment. He hated that she’d fallen for him. She’d broken all the rules and he wanted her out of here. Oh, but she wasn’t ready to go. Not yet. They st
ill had more time together.
She wanted to protest, to promise to do better. She wanted a lot of things, but wanting something didn’t always make it come true. So she drew in a deep breath and looked directly into his dark eyes.
“Yes, Rafiq. I’m in love with you. But before you panic, I want you to know this doesn’t change anything. I understood the rules when I first asked to be your mistress and I still understand them.”
She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. She thought he might be on the verge of smiling, but wasn’t sure. He didn’t seem angry or upset, so that was good.
“Some rules are made to be broken,” he told her, and stunned her by pulling a ring out of his shirt pocket.
Not just any ring, either. This was a huge, sparkling diamond solitaire that looked very much like an engagement ring. The hits kept on coming, then he slid off the sofa onto one knee and smiled at her.
“Kiley, will you marry me?”
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
He laughed. “What is so confusing about the question? I have asked you to be my wife.”
Okay, it sounded like English. She was fairly sure she understood all the words, but the sentence itself didn’t make any sense.
Yet there he was, on his knees, holding out an engagement ring. What was that old saying? If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck then it’s probably a duck.
“You’re proposing,” she said, just to be completely sure.
“Apparently not very well.”
“To me.”
“Yes. The only other female in this room is the dog and I assure you I have no interest in her except as a pet.”
“You want to marry me.”
“Yes.”
There was a sliver of doubt, a voice that whispered stuff like this didn’t happen to regular people and yet here it was. In the flesh, so to speak.
Happiness bubbled up inside of her until she felt light enough to float away.
“You’re not kidding?” she asked, just to be sure.
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