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"If you won't be my permanent wife, then at least consider marrying me for the sake of the baby. It doesn't have to be forever."
Grace's eyes narrowed. "You want me to have an arranged marriage with you?"
Qazim nodded slowly. "If that means we can all be together, then yes," he replied.
"But, that just can't be, Qazim," she said. "It doesn't make sense."
"It makes sense for all three of us," he replied.
Grace frowned at Qazim. "But what kind of marriage would that be?"
"A marriage that will give our child a family," he declared. "We owe the child that, at least, don't we?"
Grace sighed and shook her head. She thought for a few long moments. "And you'd be happy with that?"
"I would have to be. Although it is not what I would really want for us."
"There is no us, Qazim," Grace said.
That statement sounded harsh and unwelcome, but he ignored it. Apart from anything else, he knew it wasn't true. There would always be a bond between him and Grace. He felt that in his soul.
He glanced down at her middle. "I think there is," he stated firmly. "There always will be."
Grace placed a hand across her belly and shook her head. " I have to go back to my apartment."
"You'll consider my offer?" he asked.
She paused and then nodded curtly. "I'll give you my answer tomorrow."
Hope rose within him. He started toward her but she gave him a cold look, causing him to freeze on the spot.
"Can you arrange for me to be taken back to the city?" Her voice had an icy edge to it now. He felt his heart sink slightly at the sound of it.
"Of course," he replied. "I'll get one of the drivers to take you home."
Grace nodded.
And then they both started back toward the palace.
All he had to do was wait. That wasn't something he was used to doing. But Grace had demanded it of him and he would comply.
Until tomorrow. Already, he felt impatient.
Qazim felt as if at least some small victory had been won. She would consider becoming his bride of convenience. His wife of convenience.
It didn't sound right, to his ears. But, it might have to do. For the moment. If it meant he could make Grace his wife, it would be a beginning.
Time would tell if it would be a beginning of something that would last beyond the birth of their child.
If he had anything to do with it, it would last forever.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Grace awoke the next morning and immediately wondered if last night had been a dream. Of course it hadn't been a dream, she told herself. Qazim's kiss had felt all too real, an unmistakable reminder of how things had once been.
She wished he hadn't done that. Wished he'd restrained himself. Her body had reacted in a treacherous fashion that must have given him completely the wrong idea.
But most of all she wished he hadn't asked her to become his wife.
