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There was a long silence. Had she been too blunt, too direct? The words had seemed like a hammer blow.
Qazim gazed at Grace, his features frozen. He understood now. Suddenly and all too quickly, awareness had dawned on him. She could see that. It had taken an extraordinary bluntness to make sure he got the message.
He opened his mouth, about to say something. Grace felt a sudden rush of emotion. Before he had a chance to say anything, she threw the bedcover away from her body.
Grace slid off the bed and picked up her clothes from the floor. She faced away from Qazim as she put her bra and panties on.
Qazim was still silent. While Grace tugged on her dress she thought about his reaction. She'd expected him to explode, do anything necessary to implore her to change her mind or even explain why she was doing this.
But he had not said a word.
She'd told him it had to stop, and he'd said nothing. That was unnerving. She'd have preferred it if he'd responded in any other way except with silence.
She continued to get dressed. When she turned she saw he was standing at the foot of the bed looking at her.
"You're leaving," he said in a flat voice.
"I have to, Qazim," she said. She took in the sight of his nakedness, felt her heart quicken. He looked amazing, powerful and so incredibly tempting. She must be mad, she told herself, to even consider walking out on a man like this.
But that was exactly what she was about to do.
Qazim took a few steps toward Grace. He seemed blissfully unaware of his own nakedness. Perhaps he was doing that deliberately, she thought. Maybe he was trying to remind her of what she was rejecting.
She searched for her shoes and found them by the side of the bed. She slipped her feet into them. As she twisted down, pulling on a shoe, she looked up at him. "This isn't going to work, Qazim. You know that as well as I do."
"I don't agree," he said firmly.
Grace peered at him and took a step toward him. "I'm sorry you don't see it the way I do," she said.
Qazim gestured to the bed. "And this? Did this mean nothing?"
His voice was deep and low, emotion-filled.
"Of course that's not what I'm saying, Qazim. But we both know what's been going on between us."
"And what is that?" he demanded.
Grace folded her arms and tried once again to compose herself, she tilted her head still trying to ignore how the sight of this incredible looking, naked man was affecting her.
Before she could say anything he advanced toward her. His muscles were taut looking, his masculinity a complete and utter distraction.
"Habibti," he growled.
There was that word again she told herself. She knew what it meant. Knew what it signified
Beloved.
His beloved.
It is more than just a word. She knew that. It was a declaration, one step away from the ultimate declaration.
And then what?
Would he take the next logical step and ask another question which would turn her world upside down?
"Qazim, don't do this," she pleaded.
He came to her, his naked presence now overwhelming, filling her senses completely making emotions sweep through her. Then he started to reach out.
