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Her love was actually stronger than when she first played the song. It might be as battered and bruised as her heart, but her feelings reached a depth she couldn’t have even imagined a year ago.
Lacey paused at the thought, her fingers curved over the ivory keys. She couldn’t play it. Not now, not here. This was a song just for him, not for a roomful of strangers. She would only bare her soul for Hafiz.
She wouldn’t play it, Lacey decided, despite his request. Even if he were here, she wouldn’t cave. If he were watching over her, she would play him a different song, one that offered another message but still held a poignant memory. The song she played when they first met.
Her determination wavered as the first few chords twanged deep in her heart. She would have stopped altogether, but an inner need overrode her misery, guiding her through the song. Her smoky voice was coaxed out of her raw throat, occasionally hitching and breaking with emotion. She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears as the last note was wrung out of her, depleting her remaining strength.
The enthusiastic applause sounded far away when she felt a shadow fall over her. Lacey froze, instinctively ducking her chin. She knew who was standing next to her before she inhaled a trace of the familiar scent of sandalwood.
Lacey was reluctant to look up. She wasn’t strong enough to see Hafiz and let go of him again. But she also wasn’t strong enough to deny herself one more glance.
Cautiously opening her eyes, Lacey saw the expensive leather shoe on the traditional Persian rug. Her chest tightened as her gaze traveled along the black pinstripe trousers. She remembered every inch of Hafiz. The crimson red tie lay flat against his muscular chest, and the suit jacket stretched against his powerful shoulders.
Her pulse skipped hard as she looked at Hafiz’s face. Her skin flushed as she stared at his harsh, lean features. When she looked into his eyes, Lacey felt the full force of his magnetic power crash over her.
Hope and devastation escaped her fractured heart. Hafiz.
She couldn’t turn away. “What are you doing here?” Her voice croaked.
“Why didn’t you play my request?” he asked softly. His voice skittered across her skin, blanketing it with goose bumps.
Lacey gnawed her bottom lip. She didn’t expect the gentleness. His reticence was surprising. In fact, it bothered her. Where was the primal man who made a fierce claim on her?
She cringed as she remembered how she’d misunderstood his motives the last time he sought her out. She wasn’t going to repeat that mistake. “That’s not an answer,” she said as she reached for the flower.
Hafiz’s watchful eyes made her feel awkward. Her simple black dress suddenly felt tight against her chest and hips. The silky fabric grazed against her sensitive skin.
“When are you taking your break?” he asked.
“Now.” She covered the keys and stood up abruptly. How could she work when he was nearby? At the moment, she didn’t care if she received a reprimand for her boss or got docked in pay. “What are you doing here?” she repeated as she stepped away from the piano.
He arched his eyebrow in warning. “I’m here for you.”
Lacey’s brisk stride faltered when she heard the words she craved. But she knew better. There had to be a catch, a dark side to her deepest wish. She kept walking and sensed him following her.
“Hafiz, we’ve been through this,” she said, grateful for her firm tone that came out of nowhere. “I am not available every time you’re in town. I’m not a one-night stand. And I don’t sleep with married men.”
“I’m not married.”
Lacey whirled around and stared at Hafiz. “What? How is the possible?”
“Is that why you didn’t play my request?” his voice rumbled.
The rose threatened to snap, and she relaxed her grip. “No. Why are you not married? You were supposed to have your wedding after Eid.”
“I refused.” A shadow flickered in his dark eyes. Lacey had a feeling his refusal wasn’t as easy as he made it sound.
“When? Why? I don’t understand. You had to. There was no way out of it.”
“I found a way.” Hafiz dipped his head next to hers. “Why didn’t you play my request?” He was so close, sending a burst of sensations spraying through her veins. “Because you thought I was married?”
