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"Water?" she gasped, looking at the glass.
He smiled. "I thought you'd prefer mineral water, seeing as how Zarif might be needing you, later."
She wasn't sure whether to laugh or be annoyed. "You think of everything, don't you," she stated.
He tilted his head. "I try."
"Always thinking ahead," she said. "Some things never change."
"Why would I stop doing what works?" he asked with a broad grin.
Grace shook her head at him and turned away, moving to the marble balustrade. She rested her hand against the cool marble and gazed out across the garden, taking in the sight of the bright colors, inhaling the wonderful mixture of scents. This truly was a magical place, she told herself.
She felt Qazim ease alongside her.
"It's going to be a beautiful night," he said quietly.
Now what had he meant by that? She quickly lifted her head up and looked at the shimmering stars which were just beginning to emerge against the darkening sky.
She sighed. "It sure is," she agreed, keeping her gaze upwards. "You can see so many stars out here in the desert," she said, eager to change the direction of the conversation. Anything to stop it becoming too personal so soon.
"I didn't know you were into astronomy," he said. There was a teasing tone in his voice.
She looked at him. "There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Qazim."
One corner of his mouth creased into a mischievous smile. "Really?" he said in a flat voice.
She smiled and cocked her head to one side. "Yeah. Really," she replied defensively, but still playing along with him.
He turned and leaned his side against the balustrade. He gazed at her as he took another sip of champagne. He looked like he was already enjoying himself, she observed.
Qazim grinned at her. "So, what exactly don't I know about my wife, that I should?"
That one word caught her off balance.
Wife.
The way he'd said it, made it sound so certain, almost indisputable. She felt something inside her pull back, as if he'd moved closer to her, too quickly, and she'd instinctively reacted with an impulse to restore distance between them.
She rolled her eyes at him. "You have no idea. I guess I'm just full of surprises."
"Okay," he said. "Maybe I've got some things to look forward to."
She smiled at him. "We've only been married a year and you already think you know everything about me? Don't you know it usually takes longer than that?"
Qazim ignored that last remark, and she was pleased that he did. She didn't know why she had teased him like that. "I would have thought I've done pretty well, all things considered," he replied.
Grace peered at him. Had there been just a hint of criticism in that last remark. She wasn't sure.
Grace sipped her mineral water. Suddenly she was glad it was just water. It was going to difficult keeping a clear head this evening. She'd need all the help she could get.
"When's the food coming?" she asked abruptly.
His eyes narrowed. She was sure he'd sensed her pulling away from him. He paused and thenlooked back toward the inside of the sitting room. "They're waiting for my call."
"Who?"
"The staff. The chef has cooked your favorite."
