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“But you were suffering—-”

“If you had known earlier,” he said flatly, “then I wouldn’t have been able to help myself. I would have fucked you the moment I knew you wanted me back – and your age wouldn’t have mattered to me.”

Oh.

He stared up at her with dark, haunted eyes. “Does it scare you, Ky? How much I want you?”

She knew she should say ‘yes.’ She knew she should think he was wrong, and that her age should have mattered. But she couldn’t. She just couldn’t.

“I’ll never be scared of you, Malik,” she whispered.

He let out a despairing laugh. “You should be.”

“Maybe. But I can’t.” A tender smile wobbled on her lips. “You know what I always say. You’re my favorite person in the world—-”

A hoarse chuckle escaped the sheikh.

“So how can I ever be scared of you?”

****

THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, Malik had always been inclined towards subtlety rather than taking a direct approach to any objective he set his sight on. Perhaps it was because like all younger sons, he had been born with the need to prove himself different and at least equal to Altair, but he had also wanted to do so without giving the world any reason to think that he was envious of his older brother, which he had never been.

Perhaps it also had something to do with being subconsciously aware of his feelings for Kyria for almost half of his life, and the knowledge had forced Malik to learn how to operate in the shadows, far away from prying eyes.

Perhaps it could be none or all of these reasons, but either way, it was a tactic he had long excelled in, and as such the sheikh didn’t hesitate to employ the same strategy in introducing Kyria’s new role in his life.

On Kyria’s second week with him and with summer soon coming to a close, the sheikh decided it was time to take her with him to a social function that he had to attend as a representative of the royal family. Kyria had of course accepted his invitation without demur, considering it as part of her responsibilities as Vanna’s legal ward. And so it was, but only when it was too late did she realize that Malik had also intended the event to serve as her baptism by fire.

“Malik, please,” she protested under her breath three hours later. “Everyone’s staring.” And although she wished she were exaggerating, Kyria knew she was speaking the truth. Everyonewasstaring, and rightfully so.

It had started with luncheon, when Malik had insisted that she sit next to him rather than across him, as was the original seating arrangement planned by the host. It was a little high-handed of him, but then again he was a sheikh who was used to having his orders followed, and so Kyria – and no doubt the other guests – had simply shrugged it off.

Unfortunately, Kyria thought glumly,that was Mistake #1.

Malik had also insisted on being a proper gentleman, too much so, actually, by not only pulling out Kyria’s chair for her but also unfolding her napkin and placing it on her lap.

She should have known by then, Kyria thought with a private sigh. Instead, she had told herself not to make a big deal over it, which was of course Mistake #2.

The third one took place almost right after, when their first course was served. With different menus for men and women, Malik had then insisted to have Kyria taste his...by feeding her a bite...for every course...

And there were ten courses, Kyria recalled in despair.

By the time desserts were deserved, the few people who had so far resisted the temptation to stare at them had completely lost the battle, and Kyria could only comfort herself with the thought that the worst was over...which was of course Mistake #4.

As the conversation in the table turned idly to random topics, Malik had casually put an arm around Kyria’s shoulder. Later on, his hand went to the small of her back. In another instance, his fingers had curved around her waist. All perfectly innocuous touches that shouldn’t have raised any eyebrows—-

If the world didn’t think of them as brother and sister, that was.

And now, as if the sheikh wished to cap the day with a coup de grace, was Mistake #5.

As the music changed tempo, Malik twirled her around in an expert move, and despite her embarrassment, her body moved on its own volition, her steps automatically following his. She let out a little gasp as he spun her back to his arms, and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest as he looked down at her with a decidedly rakish smile.

“Having fun?”

“No!”

But the sheikh only laughed. “What a liar you’ve become,shaqifa.”