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“Yes, frankly.”
“Why?”
“You just don’t strike me as compassionate.”
He laughed, pulling her into his arms. “Don’t I?” He kissed her mouth, teasing her with his tongue.
She surrendered to the kiss. She’d been wanting this all day, since he’d left her room. It was over too quickly, though.
“What do I ‘strike’ you as?” He asked, leading her to the blanket and pulling her down with him.
“I thought we’d agreed to stay away from controversial subjects,” she reminded him with a hint of a smile.
He dipped his head in silent agreement. “As you wish.”
He poured two glasses of sparkling water and handed one to her. “I did not like seeing you cry today. I am pleased you seem to be in better spirits now.”
She swallowed and looked away from him. “I’m sorry you saw it.”
“I’m not.” He was watching her, scrutinizing her in a way that made Phoebe self-conscious. “I did not expect you to let your guard drop.”
“I don’t know what you mean by that.”
“You act, Phoebe, you don’t live. Everything about you is a careful construct.”
“Gee, don’t hold anything back, will you?”
“It is not a criticism. Just an observation. Take your seduction of me. Even the most natural of feelings, you allowed to be controlled by a manipulative plan for revenge.”
“That’s not fair!” She denied. “It wasn’t just about revenge.”
“Ah!” He caught hold of her admission and pushed his advantage. “What else was it about?”
She lowered her gaze. “I thought you would be good in bed. You are.”
He laughed, setting aside their drinks and pulling her so that she fell on top of him. “I’m glad to hear you say so.”
“Surely your ego doesn’t need stroking in that department?” She ventured in disbelief.
“No,” he acceded. “But it bodes well for our marriage that you can be so honest with me.”
“There will be no marriage, Hakim.” Her expression now was earnest. “I have a life in England. I’m twenty one now, not sixteen. You cannot threaten me in order to get me to fall in with your plans.”
He ran his fingers down her back, until he found the hem of her dress. He lifted it, touching her bare skin in a way that made Phoebe tingle.
Instead of facing her with the very real fact that she would not be free to leave Mehran for some time, he tried a more subtle tack. “What life? What ties you to England so strongly you cannot remain with me?”
“Remain with you?” It was absurd. Completely ridiculous. “We hardly know each other!”
“We know one another intimately. And the rest, we can learn. Besides, I have known of you for a very long time, and in such detail as to make me feel that we are compatible.”
“Compatible!” She spluttered.
“Outside the bedroom, I mean. For we have already tested whether we are suited there, and I believe we are.”
“Yes, yes, but none of this makes any sense.” She closed her eyes, and took in a deep breath. “We don’t love each other, and I don’t know if we ever would.”
He frowned. “What is that to do with it?”
