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‘It won’t. And I’m relying on you to make sure of that.’
But Malik’s reaction had been a good barometer. He was worried about Daisy, worried about what the people of the RKH would think if the affair became public, and with good reason. Sariq was no longer free to follow his passions wherever they took him. He was now the ruler. He’d been crowned, and the weight of a country rested on his shoulders.
He needed to remember that, and yet, faced with Daisy, he couldn’t. He was not a man to throw caution to the wind. All his life he’d been trained for this, he knew what his responsibilities were, but suddenly he wondered if he could have his cake and eat it too.
His engagement hadn’t been announced...yet. He had a little time. And he knew just how he wanted to spend it. He regarded her thoughtfully, something pulling at his gut, given how she was looking at him—as though she was remembering every single moment they’d shared, every kiss, whisper, pleasure.
He could postpone his trip, stay in New York a few more nights. Would she stay with him here, at the embassy? It was hard to read her, hard to know what she’d say if he suggested that. Besides, it wasn’t enough. A few nights would satisfy him temporarily, but if the fourteen weeks since he’d last seen Daisy had taught him anything, it was that his need for her was insatiable, and not likely to be easily dispensed with. He wanted longer. As long as she could give him.
There was only one solution, and suddenly Sariq knew that if he didn’t reach for it with both hands, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.
‘I have a proposition for you. One I think you’ll like.’
She stood completely still except for her fingers, which she fidgeted behind her back. ‘Oh?’
‘Have a seat.’ He gestured towards the dark leather sofas and she followed his gaze, but shook her head.
‘I’d prefer to stand.’
‘Would you like a drink?’
‘No, thank you.’
He nodded.
‘What is this proposition?’
‘When is your admission set for the Juilliard?’
Darn it. She should have researched this. ‘Mid-January,’ she guessed, glad the words came out with such authority.
‘In three months.’ He ran a palm over his chin, as though contemplating this.
‘Yes.’
‘Then here is what I would like to propose. I want you to come to the RKH with me, Daisy.’
Her eyes flew wide and her lips parted. She stared at him, wondering if she’d imagined the words. ‘But you’re...aren’t you getting married?’
He nodded. ‘My situation is as it was before. I have chosen my bride, but the wedding date is not set.’ Now he moved, closing the distance between them, until he was standing right in front of her. ‘I will not marry her until you leave.’
A shiver ran down her spine, and she hated that heat was building low in her abdomen, filling her with a need that was instantly familiar even as revulsion gripped her, making her want to shout and stamp.
‘No one could know you were there.’ His jaw tightened, as though he were grinding his teeth. ‘It would be a disaster if anyone were to find out, so we would have to be very, very careful.’ He paused once more, and, for no reason she could fathom, Daisy held her breath. ‘Malik would arrange it so that you were installed in an apartment in the capital. He would manage your security, ensure you were not seen by anyone but me. And I would visit you often.’ He lifted a finger, tracing a line down her cheek towards her lips. She shivered again. ‘It would be just like it was here, in New York. You would have a piano, and you would have me, and anything else you could want. And at the end of it, you would return to study, your tuition paid in full, a house provided for you in New York. Anything you wanted, Daisy.’
She stared at him, her heart dropping to her toes. Pain lashed her. What he was offering was little more than prost
itution! Well? What had she expected? She’d come here, cap in hand, after the weekend they’d shared. Could he be blamed for thinking her attention could be bought? Her knees felt weak and her stomach hurt.
‘You’re asking me to come and be your secret mistress,’ she repeated, incredulity ringing through her.
‘I’m asking you to be my lover for as long as possible.’
‘Before you get married.’ She nodded, numb to the core.
He dipped his head in silent agreement.
‘And in exchange, you’d give me money.’
