LITMIR.BIZ

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not want you now, I cannot do that. I cannot promise that if you decide to join me, I will be able to discard my desire for you. If you have trouble accepting this, perhaps you should decline accompanying me to Cyprus. I prefer you not do that, but I will leave the decision to you.”

      As he turned to leave, Kira realized that if she rejected his request, she would be giving up the opportunity to know him better. To learn if he might be the kind of man who would be open to raising a child. She couldn’t squander that opportunity for both her and their baby’s sake. “Tarek, wait. We need to talk.”

      He faced her again and sent her a frustrated look. “I have said all that I have to say about this matter.”

      “But I haven’t,” she said as she strode to him. “I’m sorry that I’ve jumped to conclusions, and I do realize you were only following my instructions. If we can get past this, I would really like to start over and return to our original relationship.”

      “Which was?”

      “Friendship.” When he scowled, she added, “Unless you’re not able to maintain a friendship with a woman.”

      “I would find it difficult to go back after what we shared, but I would be willing to try.”

      “And if that’s true, then I’d be willing to go with you to Cyprus.”

      “You will?” Both his expression and tone reflected disbelief.

      “Yes. We could spend the time together getting to know each other better.”

      Now he looked skeptical. “I am a very private person when it comes to certain aspects of my life.”

      “I’m not suggesting you show me a financial statement and I don’t expect to rifle through your underwear drawer for secrets.”

      His expression turned hard, unforgiving. “Why would you believe I have secrets?”

      His reaction took Kira aback and led her to believe he might be withholding something. But so was she. “Everyone has secrets, Tarek. I have no reason to ask you to reveal yours to me, unless you’re doing something illegal.”

      He seemed to relax somewhat. “I assure you that all my business dealings are aboveboard and within the law.”

      “That is good to know.” Now for the question that would seal her fate for the next two weeks, depending on his response. “Since I’ve laid out my terms, does the offer to join you still stand?”

      “Yes. My driver will come for you at 4:00 p.m. and escort you safely to the airport.”

      She had less than twenty-four hours to prepare. Twenty-two hours, to be exact, to change her mind. But, with so much riding on this trip, she had to follow through. “I suppose I will see you tomorrow afternoon then.”

      “I am looking forward to it. Sleep well, Kira.”

      “You too, Tarek.”

      As neither of them made a move to depart, a tension as thick as smoky mountain haze hung between them. The craving to kiss Tarek settled over Kira, and to counteract that desire, she started toward the door to his back, intent on a quick escape. Yet as she brushed past him, Tarek clasped her wrist, halting her progress. “If I establish nothing else during our time together, Kira,” he began, “I am determined to win your trust again.”

      Kira responded with a shaky smile and, after he released her, left him standing alone in the courtyard.

      Trust between them was a slippery slope, for if Tarek Azzmar eventually learned what she’d been withholding from him, he would probably never trust her again.

      She couldn’t worry about that now. First, she had to finish her duties for the night and pack for the trip. Hopefully she wouldn’t be disturbed.

      * * *

      “Are you busy, cara?”

      Sequestered in her quaint but comfortable live-in quarters, Kira looked up from the suitcase to find sixty-something, Italian-born Elena Battelli hovering inside the bedroom doorway sporting her neatly coiffed silver hairdo, standard palace-issued navy suit and trademark kind smile. “I always have time for you, Elena. Come in.”

      “Good. This will take only a few minutes.”

      After placing the last of her clothing into the bag, Kira zipped it closed, lifted it from the cream-colored bench and set it on the floor at her feet. “All done. Did I forget something when we met earlier today to go over the schedules?”

      “You covered everything in regard to business, but I do have an important question.”

      “And that is?”

      Elena strolled into the room and roosted on the edge of the bed. “How well do you know this Tarek Azzmar?”

      That she hadn’t expected. Time to bring out a half-truth. “I’ve met him a few times during social gatherings. Why?”

      “Several rumors have been circulating among the staff that perhaps you and Mr. Azzmar are...how do I say this? Lovers?”

      If it were truly possible to swallow one’s tongue, Kira would have accomplished that feat following the verbal bombshell. “You know how people talk, Elena,” she said once she’d recovered her ability to speak. “Gossip is as common as morning coffee in this place. You can’t believe everything you hear.”

      “Then why are you blushing, cara?”

      Her hands automatically went to her flushed face before she quickly dropped them to her sides. “It’s embarrassing to think you’re the butt of false hearsay.”

      “Then you and Mr. Azzmar are not romantically involved?”

      “No, we’re not.” At least not anymore.

      “Then he is not the father of your unborn child?”

      Kira collapsed onto the bench from absolute shock. Did she already look pregnant? Had Maysa breached doctor-patient privilege and mentioned it to Elena? Both theories were utterly preposterous. “I have no idea where you would get the idea I’m pregnant.”

      After reaching into her blazer pocket, Elena withdrew a large white plastic bottle. “These fell out of your bag when you hurried out of the office following our meeting.”

      Kira remained frozen on the spot as she eyed the prenatal vitamins. She chastised herself for being so careless, or perhaps she’d subconsciously wanted Elena to find out. Consciously, she thought, for the time being, it was best to rack her brain for some plausible explanation that didn’t involve the truth. “I’ve heard they’re good for your hair and nails.”

      Elena presented a cynical smile. “I know several good herbal supplements that would suffice without expense. I also know when a young woman is concealing the truth from a presumed naïve senior citizen.”

      She should have known better than to attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the wisest person she’d ever known. Resigned to the fact she couldn’t wriggle out of this, and tired of denying a truth that should be bringing her joy, Kira collapsed onto the bench and sighed. “All right. I am pregnant. But I can’t risk everyone knowing before I tell the baby’s father.” And her poor, clueless parents.

      Elena pushed off the bed, claimed the spot beside Kira, and took her hand. “You are under no obligation to reveal the identity of the man who knocked you up.”

      Hearing “knocked up” coming from the woman’s mouth sent Kira into a fit of laughter. Once she recovered, unwelcome and unexpected tears began to flow. They only increased when Elena handed her a handkerchief and patted her arm. “I don’t know what to do, Elena. I’m so afraid of how Tarek is going to react to this news.” A moment passed before awareness dawned that she’d let the truth tiger out of the cage. “And I’m sorry I lied to you about him in the beginning.”

      “That is understandable, cara,” Elena replied,

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