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Something clouded in her face and her eyes drifted to his cheek again. The lipstick was still there. She blinked as hot tears began to burn in her eyes. “I’ll be fine. I don’t need a doctor. Just give me a moment.” She blinked and moved away from his touch, reaching into the shower to get the water running. Steam began to fog through the bathroom and Cassie peeled her gym gear off without looking back at Layth.
She stepped into the shower and leaned against the cold tile wall.
Layth was still there. Watching her thoughtfully.
“I’m fine,” she said through gritted teeth. That lipstick was visible to her through the distance and steam. Or perhaps it was just burned into her brain in a way that made it impossible to un-see.
“I know.”
Cassie propped onto her side, so that she was facing away from him. Her life, she decided melodramatically, had rapidly become a mess. This sexy man whom she had intended to use as a fun fling had become something much, much bigger than that. She couldn’t bear the thought of his inevitable departure; nor of his marrying someone else. The thought that she might have a tiny baby in her stomach made joy and delight crystallise in her. But what if he didn’t want that? What if he wanted the marriage to Arja? What if his parents and uncle never accepted her? What about her job? One didn’t simply have a royal baby and keep going with normal life. The little prince or princess could hardly be shipped off to crèche while she continued to sell art to corporate clients.
She reached for the loofah and began to soap her body. She couldn’t know how hard it was for Layth to stay outside the shower. How he wished it were his hands running over her body, covering her in warm, soapy water. But concern for her safety and well-being was now paramount. He pushed down on the rampant desire she effortlessly invoked in him.
He heard muffled voices beyond the door. “The doctor is here,” he said, pulling a towel off a hook.
Cassie flicked the water off and opened the door, stepping into the enormous bath sheet he offered. She wrapped it around her wet body.
“That was quick.”
“He travels with me always.”
Layth’s face was almost unrecognisable. He was withdrawing from her – going into what she’d started to think of as Sheikh mode. All firm, powerful, untouchable control-freak.
“Take a minute to prepare.”
She nodded, biting down on her bottom lip.
“Layth?” Her voice was soft. She hated that. She hated that he could turn her to mushy and sensitive when she wanted to be confident and strong-willed.
His dark eyes roamed her face. He understood the question she was asking; the reassurance she sought. “Whatever happens, we will cope with it.”
She nodded. Question answered. Cope with it.
Cope with it.
If she turned out to be pregnant, that would be something to cope with. Bad news. Not good.
Her heart was a stone, weighing down in her chest.
She scanned the clothes and finally settled on a simple blue dress. She used the hair dryer to take most of the moisture out of her blonde mane and put a tin
ted moisturiser on to hide the paleness of her skin. A little pale pink lipgloss completed the transformation.
Cassie was pleased to see herself in the mirror. She was almost normal looking, despite her tumult of emotions.
Layth was pacing the lounge room. A slender man dressed in traditional robes was standing in the entrance of the suite, staring straight ahead.
“Cassie,” Layth exhaled, and for the briefest moment, the hint of a strong emotion crossed his face when he looked at her. “This is Doctor Anessi. He has been chief advisor to my family for as long as I can remember.”
Cassie nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”
The doctor’s smile was professional and brusque.
“His highness has briefed me on your … situation. A blood test is the best way to confirm your status.”
“A blood test?” Her eyes drifted to Layth.
He nodded. “It is most accurate at this early stage.”
