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Her heart was racing still, like a bee trapped in a glass. The servant rapped on the doors and they opened almost instantly.
The room was enormous. A burgundy carpet covered the floor, luxurious looking sofas were set up on one side, and a desk made of marble was near the windows. As for them, they were enormous, framing the view of Knightsbridge. And in the very centre of the room stood Layth.
He was dressed in a robe – she presumed it was traditional Takisabad clothing – and his dark eyes were glittering intently in his handsome face.
The servant who had escorted her approached Layth slowly and then bowed low – so low his nose almost brushed his feet.
Layth’s eyes didn’t waver from Cassie’s face. Without looking at the servant, he waved his hand dismissively. A moment later, they were alone.
Despite her sense of awe, Cassie managed a droll frown. “What, no crown?”
Layth’s expression was thunderous. He moved to the desk and lifted a golden box from beneath it. He pressed something to open it, and then lifted out a jewelled headpiece that sparkled with an almost blinding brilliance. He slipped it onto his head and the effect was terrifying.
He didn’t need a crown to seem regal. He couldn’t help but radiate power and strength. But the crown was the cherry on top of the sundae. Cassie bit down on her lip, drawn to him out of fascination and curiosity, rather than anything else.
“They’re not all diamonds are they?” She murmured, studying the piece from the other side of the desk to him.
His sigh was exasperated. “What do you think?”
She nodded. “Of course they are.” The stone in the centre must have been at least fifty carats, and there were several others almost as big. She shook her head to clear the distraction and then focussed on Layth. Her pulse was fire in her veins. “You asked me to come here today. How can I help you?”
His eyes lanced her soul. “You left me with little option.”
“Oh?” Her breath burned in her lungs.
“You are running away from me.”
“No. I ran away from you. Past tense, it’s done”
“Why?”
Yes, why exactly. The answer was too hard to explain. She dug her teeth into her lower lip and distractedly lifted a hand to her necklace. Layth’s eyes followed the betraying gesture of anxiety and his lips twisted into a mocking smile. “You know why,” she shrugged. “I told you what I wanted. No fuss. You were … making fuss.”
“Because I was honest?”
She shook her head, confusion making her head swim. “Look at this, Layth. You are literally a world apart from me. I live in a small apartment in a hook of the Thames with a cat-loving room mate. I sell art for a living – I don’t have a museum worthy collection at my disposal. And whatever you think we are, you are going to be getting married soon. One of us has to walk away.”
“No.” His eyes flared. “I will not let you. Not for these reasons.” He paced around the desk, bringing his body within touching distance of hers. “There is a fire between us, a flame that still burns. You do us both a disservice to ignore it.”
She groaned softly. “Come on, Layth. Be fair. This is hard for me. But I don’t want to get hooked on you. You’re going back to Takisabad soon.”
“Life is unpredictable, Cassandra. Even within the boundaries of what we know to be true, such as my upcoming marriage, there are uncertainties. Can you truly justify closing yourself off to what we share when we are together?”
A shiver ran down her spine. “I made my decision. You had no right to manipulate me into seeing you today.”
“Did I not?” He pushed thoughtfully.
“You’re the one who said you wouldn’t be patient forever.”
“Does this seem like the actions of a patient man?”
She toyed with her necklace again. “Layth …”
“I brought you here today so you can see what I am. From where I come, and for what I live.”
His words were laced with passion and fire. And despite herself, she felt her curiosity growing. “Why?” She pushed.
He couldn’t have said.
