Page 31

Khalid
Iwatched Valeria turn around, her hands brushing the empty oak wood table. I told her where all the paint tubes and brushes were kept with large bottles of paint placed in the shelf at the corner of the room. I had decorated the walls with some of my smaller paintings, stacks of panels and canvases stored at the back of the studio. Faint scent of the paint thinner and oil lingered in the air.
Her hand touched the large pillars on our left with heavy doors open. The view was nothing but endless sand dunes. I remembered sitting there at night and staring at the sky.
“It feels different in this room,” Valeria muttered.
I walked beside her, warning her about the chaise lounge before she could stumble into it. The end of her cane gently tapping against it.
It was navy blue in color, looking black in certain lighting. The arms of chaise were intricate in gold, making it look elegant. It was the only piece of furniture which stood out the most in my art studio.
I never painted figures, especially nude models, since my art school. But I wanted to try it with Valeria. I could just imagine how gorgeous she would look, draped over the lounger. Without any clothes.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and made her touch my wooden easel. She giggled, feeling the rough strokes of pain that were splashed across it. I wondered how big the painting would be. I would need an enormous canvas for what I had in mind.
I walked her upstairs, showing her the master suite. It was my room. I opened the French doors with intricate designs and told her about the color scheme. Black and golden. All the material was velvet or satin with golden lace, which matched with the subtle decor. Abstract artwork and antiques were decorated throughout the ancient building, with soft Egyptian rugs adorning the floors.
The bed was the center of attraction of the large space. It was set up higher than the floor, with black satin draping down from the center to its drapes tied on the long legs of the bed with golden lace strings. It was rich and opulent.
The balcony could be compared to a terrace as it had its own lower sitting dining area with lanterns and a pool.
“Be careful,” I warned when Valeria excitedly walked towards the sound of the water.
I bent down beside her when she dipped her hand on the gleaming surface of clean water. I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t trip down and make her clothes wet…
Her face was so serene. The freckles dotting her face seemed to sparkle when she closed her eyes. She must love water a lot. I wanted to paint her portrait, capture the moment on a canvas and keep it with me to look back in time and remember Valeria and torture myself by missing her because she wouldn’t be a part of my life at that time.
I had to remind myself about the differences of her pure world and the demons of my past that I still bore. No one needed to know about them. Not even my family, and especially not Valeria. I would finish the painting, get her out of my system, and eventually move on with the chemistry we have after sending her back to London.
“You can come bathe in here anytime you want,” I said in a teasing tone.
She splashed cold water across my face. I shook my hair at her face that was dripping with water.
Valeria laughed, pushing me away. “You are filthy, Prince Khalid.”
I grinned at her, wiping the water droplets. “Sh, you love it, my sweet one.”
Valeria
My sweet one.
I tried not to melt every time he called me that in his velvety voice. I wondered why he called me that. Or if he had endearments for everyone he met.
Khalid led me to my room, staying with me while I mapped it out in my mind. He mentioned that it was like his but with ruby and golden color scheme. The balcony had the dining area and my bathroom felt like another room with a sink and bath carved out from a dark, cold rock.
I felt like a Princess in a castle, getting spoilt by the lovely Prince. The fact that Khalid, Prince of Azmia, might be spoiling me made me feel giddy. I wanted to laugh and hide my face in the pillow.
He left, assuring me that I could send my maid to him anytime I wanted.
My own personal maid? Oh Christ.
Wanting to relax and take a bath, I went to the bathroom and stripped out of my clothes. I had found a few small bottles of oils in the cabinet and used the one which smelt like roses in the bath. I let out a long sigh when my body dipped in the warm water, my muscles relaxing.
My mind raced back to the night before. The passionate kiss that burned my core as soon as I thought about it. My lips tingled at the memory. I wanted to kiss Khalid again. The thought of kissing him without clothes made me shiver with pleasure. I wanted to feel his strong arms around me when we embraced each other. How safe and protected I would feel in his arms.
Would he be gentle?
My heated sex clenched with need.