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Grace squinted at Qazim. "And that is?"
Qazim lifted a brow. "Is this some kind of test?" he asked with a smile.
"No."
Qazim put his glass down and started toward the open french doors. "I don't want to spoil the surprise."
Grace felt her stomach rumble. He heard the noise and grinned at her. "Looks like you are hungry, after all."
He went inside and she heard him speaking on the internal phone.
Grace turned back and faced the garden. She felt her heart beating faster. She hadn't realized how much that simple conversation had affected her. This evening was going to be more awkward than she could ever have imagined.
It was obvious he was trying to be charming, trying to keep her in a good mood. She wouldn't have expected anything else from Qazim. The whole time she'd known him, he'd always had impeccable social skills.
He came back out onto the terrace. "Dinner will be here in a few minutes," he announced. He smiled at her. "You sure you can wait that long?"
Grace shook her head and grinned. "Of course. I just haven't eaten much today. Not after that reception downstairs."
Qazim's gaze softened. "It was wonderful," he said quietly. "I don't think I've ever been so proud."
"Zarif was on his best behavior."
Qazim shook his head. "I wasn't talking about Zarif. Of course I'm proud of Zarif. He's amazing. But, I was talking about you, Grace."
"Me?"
Qazim nodded. "The way you handled it all. So many people there, you didn't even know that well. In a foreign land. A language you barely understand. You just took it all in your stride."
Grace felt her face redden. He was trying to compliment her, but all he was really succeeding in doing was embarrassing her.
"Every one of my family members told me the same."
"What was that?" she asked.
She wasn't sure wanted to hear what he was going to say next.
Qazim smiled softly and gazed at Grace. He leaned closer. "That I'm the luckiest man alive to have you as my wife," he stated firmly. There was a finality in his voice that stopped her in her tracks.
Qazim held her gaze, almost like it was a challenge. He looked like he was waiting for her to say something.
She waved a dismissive hand at him. "Stop it," she gasped.
"What?" he replied, moving even closer to her. He was mere inches away from her now. She could see the emotion in his eyes. Those dark pools which always threatened to suck her all the way into his desire.
His need.
Draw her into his world again. Forever.
She snapped herself out of the momentary dream he'd caught her in. "You're making me blush," she complained.
His brows narrowed and his gaze drifted across her features. "It looks good on you," he murmured.
Grace waved a hand in front of her face, feeling the air cool slightly.
"Warm?" he asked.
Grace turned away from him and placed her glass down onto the table. "I think I'll sit down."
