Page 48

“Am I allowed to say, that her perfume is still going to be on me after I shower?” Kelan says, and we all laugh. I smile at him. I want to thank him for breaking the awkward moment.

We all continued to talk again. I excuse myself; Knox comes with me. I wish he wouldn’t but what excuse do I have? I know he wants to discuss the obvious. I can’t lie to him. I can’t tell him his eyes are deceiving him. We make our way through the crowd and get outside on the terrace. The beautifully laid landscape architecture cannot overshadow the truth that’s about to rip in my face. Knox turns me to him.

“It’s him isn’t it.” I simply nod, as I fight back the tears that are pooling.

“Does he know?” I shake my head. That makes him let out a frustrated three-ton sigh. As I manage to taper down the tears. “I wish you had told me, the fucking prince of Rhanaz is who I have to fight against.”

“I can’t tell anyone,” I say quietly.

“I can understand that part, but I can tell you still love him, and it’s written all over him as well the way he looks at you.”

“How?” I ask befuddled.

“Mariam, he’s been staring at you all night. I’ve noticed even if you haven’t noticed, that’s why I asked who he was. Then I noticed the finger and looked closer. Micah is his clone.”

“He’s with Princess Nadra.” He’s quiet for a moment. “That woman doesn’t stand a chance, where you stand with him. What I need to know is, do I stand a chance with you.”

“Yes,” I answer quickly. He pulls me into a hug, relief washes over me because I’d expected him to run.

“That’s all I need to know; I’ll keep your secret.” He says.

“Thank you,” I whisper throatily. When we pulled from the hug, he was smiling at me.

“Come on let’s go and have a good time,” he says, I break out laughing cleaning my eyes. We return hand in hand to the party. The cloak of despair falls off my shoulder, only it falls off too soon because we run right into Ken and Naseer. Deep in conversation, Naseer's eyes are zeroed into our laced hands his disdainful look is coated by controlled anger though Knox and Ken don’t notice but I do. Knox then lifts our hands to his lips, maybe Knox did notice. Just as Ken let out a strained sigh, almost like he wished Knox had not done that. Ken gives me a look of I warned you.

“Knox, do you mind, Ken and I need to speak with Ms Diaz?” Naseer says, stressing the Miss in a gruff tone, he wasn’t asking.

“It will be just a minute,” Ken says to soften the command which should have been a request.

“Sure,” Knox responded. He turns to me and unexpectedly he’s planting a kiss on my lips, best I don’t let this go further, it will be an ugly scene if Naseer releases Get on Knox. “Hurry back babe,” he says planting one final kiss on my cheek, before walking away, “Excuse me guys” There’s a moment of standoff with Naseer and Knox just before Knox leaves. I smack my lips and look at Ken. I can’t look at Naseer, I can feel the fire of his eyes engulfing me, I’ll be ashes soon.

“Leave us, Ken,” he says sternly.

“But …”

“Don’t make me say it again, Ken!”

“Fine, just be nice. Brutes aren’t cute,” Ken says as he leaves.

He’s now pacing in front of me in the manner he does when he’s trying to control his anger, Knox has poked the Lion. He stops pacing and turns his darkened eyes to me.

“What’s he doing here? He had the guts to kiss my wife in my presence. I know he’s unaware of the shackled twin under this tux and it will do him a lot of good to not force a break of the shackle. He’s bold.” He gives a strained chuckle. “Kissing my wife in my presence.” He growls, and I shrivel away from him as my back hits the wall.

“Divorce me then if it upsets you so much,” I say. He let out a loud grunt, The loud music was able to hide the grunt, but Ken returned to see what was going on. “Stay back, Ken,” he yells at him without taking his eyes off me.

Ken looks to me for an answer, but I offer none and he leaves again. Naseer turns to me.

“I’m going to have a word with Knox, and you’ll not play games with me again. If and a very big if I ever thought about giving you a divorce, taunting me will only make it difficult for you to ever get one from me. You left me twice already, there wouldn’t be a third time. Wipe divorce out of your brain.” He leans in closer to the nape of my neck, making sure I can smell him. I instinctively move my neck to give him more room. My body’s Pavlovian response to his proximity. I should be upset at his words, but my nipples are hard my lady part is freakishly happy.

“It will do you a lot of good not to test me, remember my possessive nature isn’t pretty. I have no intention of being cute with any guy who tries to take my passion and my love from me.” My arched brows raised higher than the Eiffel Tower. His warm lips kiss my neck. I let out a soft moan before my senses remembered that I needed to push back.

“Please, let me go, Naseer. I ran from you twice that should mean I don’t want to stay,” I shakily plead.

“I will. The day this stop being real.” Before I could ask what this was, his lips took over my mouth demanding I open, which I did. His tongue is boldly whirling with mine commanding that I accept the passion we both feel. My mind wants to fight but the passion, dominance, and possession with the ferocity of his kiss is whirling my whole being to submission. My shield mind doesn’t stand a chance. I let my subconscious take over and I passionately kissed him back. He pulls my body closer to his as we tear at each other. The music and noise are drowned out.

“Naseer!” Ken calls out. We break from the kiss and his forehead is touching mine, releasing strangled breath. “Jade stop fighting us,” he quietly pleads.

“We are not a possibility, can you please trust me on that,” I mumble, I can’t let him see the passion and desire I crave.