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Now the very cause of her misery was right here, hauling her about like a piece of baggage.
Khaled dumped her back on her feet, manacled her wrist with his fingers and set off down the deserted corridor, towing her behind him.
She yanked at her trapped arm. ‘Let go of me!’
‘No.’
His scowling gaze fixed forward, his robes billowing around him as he walked, he looked every inch the desert prince: proud, vital, and maddeningly handsome.
Lily’s heart skipped a beat.
She was weak, weak,weak—wanting him even while he was behaving like a tyrant.
At the party she’d searched for him as subtly as she could. Her heart squeezing when she’d spotted his imposing figure, spectacular in his robes, but not by so much as a flicker of recognition had he acknowledged her. It was pride and hurt that had made her send him that smouldering look. When she’d seen desire flare in his eyes she’d deliberately looked away, hoping she’d left him burning with need.
She’d wanted to shake that cool façade.
Then she’d wanted to forget him entirely.
‘I’m not going anywhere with you.’ She stopped dead.
Without missing a step he carried on, dragging her with him. She only just kept her feet.
Through empty corridors they went. Across courtyards echoing to the thunder of fireworks as the display began. Past placid pools reflecting the starbursts overhead. Into the Family Wing he marched her, then up the stairs, and along the veranda, with its romantic lanterns and vista of lush trees below. He ignored it all, only stopping when they arrived at her suite. He pulled her inside it, kicking the door shut behind them, before finally throwing her arm from him in disgust.
Lily rubbed at her wrist while he prowled back and forth, his furious stare fixed on her bedroom, where the lamps were lit and the bed turned down ready for her return.
‘So what have I done this time?’ she snapped.
He turned towards her.
‘You flaunt yourself all evening. Treat me with blatant disrespect. And then dare ask how you have transgressed?’
Flaunt herself? She’d quit the party to getawayfrom male attention.
She stamped her foot in frustration. There was a soft slapping sound. She’d left her shoes behind.
He snorted. ‘Bare feet, green dress, bad behaviour. All we need now is something for you to steal and we’ll be back where we started.’
She glared at him. ‘You’re despicable.’
‘I’m merely stating facts.’
‘Facts? The facts are that I did nothing but try to be pleasant to your father’s guests. I smiled. I chatted. I attempted to be charming. You should try it sometimes. It’d be a big improvement on how you normally conduct yourself.’
That landed a blow.
His cheekbones flared red. ‘You’ll curb that insolent tongue—or, so help me, I will take you across my knee.’
‘You could try,’ she flung back at him.
‘Do not challenge me.’ He took a step closer.
‘Then don’t threaten me.’ She stepped nearer, too.
His eyes, diamond-hard, glittered down on her. ‘Have a care,’ he cautioned, ‘and remember who you’re speaking to.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ She dipped into her second mocking curtsy of the night. ‘God forbid that anyone should point out when you’re behaving badly, Your High and Mightiness.’
