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Khalid understood her, even though it hurt him that he couldn’t be of more help. He stood up and walked towards her, her dainty face so vulnerable with emotions that he wished to hug her, caress her, and whisper that everything would be okay. Instead, he maintained his space and helped her delicate hands through the armholes and tied the robe for her.
Running a finger down her cheek, he lifted her jaw, boring his dark eyes into her face. Her lips. Leaning down, he brushed a gentle kiss over them. “Promise me that you will talk to me tonight, my sweet one. Promise me that you… that you willstay,” he whispered, hating how weak his voice was.
I cupped his cheek, caressing his cheekbone with my thumb as he leaned into my soft palm. “Oh, Khalid, of course, I will stay. I just need to have some time alone where I won’t make a decision overpowered by you because you distract me.” I smiled at him, my cheeks warm. “I promise I will talk to you. Tonight, I will sneak into your room.”
“I look forward to that, sweet one.” His lips lifted into a smile, kissing her palm. “Now leave my room unless you want me to bend you over the armchair, spread your pretty legs and have your sweet pussy for lunch.”
Khalid smirked, loving the way red blush creeped over her slender neck to her face. Her freckles brighter than before.
I shook my head stepping away from him. “You are a filthy hot prince, Khalid.”
Valeria let out a small squeal of giggle when Khalid smacked her ass as she walked pass him. She was grinning when she turned around to give him one last look in his direction before leaving his room. Leaving him alone with a silly grin on his face that he couldn’t seem to wipe off even after finishing the final touches of the painting.
Even with all the silly talks with Valeria about his feelings, deep down, he knew that he wasdone for. Valeria Dunneownedevery inch of him, his mind, his heart, and his soul. For he was in love with her. Deeply and ferociously.
* * *
I wasat ease during the lunch with Khalid sitting beside me. I had called Mr Benjamin and talked to him about my stay in the Golden Palace of Azmia and how welcoming Khalid’s family was. Mr Benjamin and Mabel were happy for me, but they missed my presence back at home.
I had to sort out my thoughts and decided that I wanted to continue whatever I had with Khalid and see it develop into something deeper and meaningful. I wanted to be with him as much as he did me. Some part of me felt empty without his scent surrounding me. He was my anchor, and I didn’t want to know how it would feel if we ever parted ways from each other.
Khalid’s hand squeezed my thigh, making me snap out of my thoughts when Zayed asked me a question related to my business, asking me to release a scent after his name. Khalid scolded him while Zara and Nasrin laughed at their banter.
For the first time in a long time, I felt accepted. I had made so many friends who didn’t see my loss of vision as a disability, who treated me as an equal. Treated me as their friend.
All thanks to Khalid, the man who sat beside me chatting away with his brother and best friend.
I squeezed the hand on his thigh and kept it there finishing the deliciouskunafahfor dessert. I would later show him how much all of it meant to when I would sneak into his room at night and touch him.
After the plates were cleared up from the table, I frowned. “Where is grandma? I didn’t hear her teasing the Prince or the Sultan.”
Khalid smiled down at his sweet while his brother chuckled. Nasrin replied with a small smile of her own, “She had her lunch in her room. She has a minor cold. Don’t worry, she will join us for dinner and make up for the teasing.”
* * *
“And this sweetgirl is Yasmine, she is very gentle with everyone unlike Khalid’s horse, Kamil,” Zayed commented, walking beside her, allowing me to pet his horses. He was the Sheikh of Azmia. As an orphan, he had grown up with the Al Latif siblings, earning the title of the Sheikh through hard work, even though he tried to hide it behind his charm and addictive laughter.
I chuckled, remembering the horse ride. “Not really. Kamil was kind when I sat on him for a brief ride. He doesn’t like you because you always tease him.”
“True enough,” Zayed said with a smile. “Here, touch Yasmine, she has a white mane.”
I lifted my arm, and he carefully led it to the flaring nose of the horse and down her jaw. Yasmine grunted happily, allowing me to scratch and rake my fingers over her jaw, petting her silky mane. I chuckled softly when Yasmine huffed loudly.
“Valeria, there you are!” Khalid exclaimed, trying to hide his jealousy when he found Zayed standing too close to me.
I lifted my hand from the horse and looked over in Khalid’s direction. I could hear some sort of restraint in his voice.
“Hi.”
“Hi? I have been looking all over for you in the palace. Zayed, why didn’t you tell me?”
Zayed raised his slashing brow at his friend, who was obviously jealous. “I asked her yesterday, Khalid. You were there, promising to join us, but we couldn’t find you so I brought her here.”
Khalid
(Khalid first person. Valeria third person)
I glared at him. Zayed grinned, with his charming dimples and easy-going smile.