LITMIR.BIZ

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of his voice had echoes of his father, but he couldn’t dwell on that now. Not when hot desire raced around him in a way he’d never experienced before.

      ‘No, I can’t.’ Her eyes were wide with shock, her cheeks lightly flushed, fuelling his desire even more.

      ‘I will not accept that. You belong to me and it’s time I claimed what is mine.’ Even to his ears his words sounded barbaric, like something uttered by a sheikh of many years ago—or his bullying father. He’d never wanted to be either but as soon as his lips had touched hers he’d lost all reason, all ability to think rationally. Wildness raced in his blood, driving him on.

      ‘Please, Kazim, I can’t be your wife,’ she begged, her eyes beseeching him. ‘You can’t just whisk me back to Barazbin.’

      ‘We’re not there yet.’ A gust of wind all but snatched his words away as he got out of the car, tossing them around the airfield, and he saw a frown of confusion furrow her brow.

      ‘Why did I have to come now?’ Amber got out of the car, the wind pressing her blouse against her, and he savoured her slender figure until she glared at him. She stepped closer to him, her chin lifted in defiance and, although her height didn’t quite match his, she was still tall for a woman. ‘I’m not a wayward pet that needs bringing to heel.’

      ‘This way,’ Kazim said, touching her arm and guiding her towards the plane, determined not to rise to her provocation. At his side, she kept pace with his strides and it felt strangely right to be walking with her, as if they were matched and meant to be so.

      ‘We will stay in London this evening. Tomorrow, we will attend a polo match where I am due to meet with several other rulers. Once my business is concluded we will return to Barazbin.’

      He climbed the steps into the small private jet, turning as he entered it. ‘From the small amount of luggage you have, I’m assuming you don’t have evening wear or anything suitable for a polo weekend.’

      ‘Weekend? This is getting worse by the minute, Kazim. Why can’t I just travel back to Barazbin with you?’ Her eyes were wide as she stood on the threshold of the jet, looking like a startled animal. A flicker of guilt pulled at him but he couldn’t afford to heed it now, not when so much was at stake. If emotional force was needed to keep her at his side then so be it.

      ‘Do you really need to ask?’ He pushed aside all notions of guilt, needing to remain focused.

      ‘Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.’ Indignation made her stand tall and he met her gaze, seeing the challenge in her eyes.

      ‘You could refuse to go.’ She would have every right to do so. He knew that, just as he knew how he’d handled things on their wedding day would be enough to make any woman turn and run. But she hadn’t, because last night he’d seized the one thing that meant something to her and used it to his full advantage. She’d made it all surprisingly easy for him.

      ‘As long as you keep your side of the bargain and send Claude to the States, I will go with you. For a time, at least.’ Her eyes hardened and deepened to mahogany as she looked at him, defiantly laying down a challenge. He held her gaze and something zipped between them—something more than just attraction and desire. Again, he ignored it—for now.

      ‘The child will have his medical treatment; you have my word. I will send the one person I trust above all others to ensure that.’ The flight attendant halted any further discussion on the subject as she showed them to their seats and carried out the necessary safety checks in the cabin. He sat and relief rushed over him as Amber did too, but she didn’t look at him, pretending instead to be engrossed in a magazine.

      * * *

      Amber wanted to get up and run out of the plane. She watched as the flight attendant closed the door, its heavy clunk ominously final. Was it final? Was she leaving to go back to Barazbin for good? No—she shook her head in silent denial—she couldn’t do that.

      As the jet soared up into the sky she gripped the seat, keeping her attention focused directly ahead of her. Could Kazim really appear out of nowhere and blackmail her to go back and be his wife—forever? She didn’t think she had the strength to resist him for long. His kiss just now had proved that. She’d wanted to push against him, but instead had yielded. What would have happened if the driver hadn’t opened the door at that moment?

      The plane levelled off and she turned to look at him, finding he was watching her intently. ‘How long am I expected to be in Barazbin?’ She was amazed at the calm tone of her voice and, judging by his expression, so was he.

      ‘That is a strange question when you are my wife.’ He treated her to one of his most charming smiles, the kind that had robbed her of her heart within seconds of seeing him for the first time.

      She’d been young and naïve then, swept up in the romance of being engaged to such a handsome man. She’d known of him long before she’d met him and had fallen in love with what she now knew was the fantasy conjured up by her imagination.

      ‘For almost a year, Kazim, we have led completely separate lives. I am your wife in name only, nothing more.’ Because you refused me, turned me away in disgust. The words were on the tip of her tongue and she pressed her lips firmly together to prevent them from leaving. He must never know how humiliated she’d been when he’d rejected her. A man legendary for his prowess as a lover, her mother had warned, would not be expecting a simpering girl. Heeding that warning had been her one mistake and one which ended her marriage before it had begun.

      ‘I have been busy with many problems since our wedding. I hope now all those issues can finally be resolved. My father’s ill health worsened the situation, forcing me to return to the palace. On our return, all will be well.’ His words rushed her back to the present faster than the jet was flying. She mustn’t dwell on that night. She had to be as strong as he now was; it was her only defence.

      ‘Our return?’

      ‘Yes, Amber. You are Princess of Barazbin and you have a duty to your people, just as I do. Your return is expected in the current circumstances.’ Had she missed something when her mind had been back in the past? Had he told her just why he was demanding her return?

      ‘What circumstances?’ She heard the slight tremor in her voice and hated herself for it.

      ‘As I explained last night, my father is ill. He is a weakening man and, despite whatever else I think of him, he is a good ruler. He wants to secure the future for his people. A future both you and I are duty-bound to play a part in.’

      ‘I am not returning to Barazbin with you out of any sense of loyalty or duty to your people...’

      His words cut across hers. ‘They are your people too.’

      She took a deep breath, composed herself and spoke with as much regal dignity as possible. ‘I am returning because you have blackmailed me, using a young boy who is in desperate need of help. That is the only reason I am going anywhere with you, Kazim. Don’t ever forget that.’

       Not because I am still in love with you.

      He rubbed his finger and thumb over his jawline as he took in her words, the shadow of stubble rasping, snagging her attention. His eyes narrowed with suspicion, irritation clear in his voice as he leant towards her. ‘It is not blackmail. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement. One we will both gain from.’

      How could he possibly believe that, when he’d plainly stated he would walk away from her and from Claude if she didn’t agree to return to Barazbin with him?

      She looked at him, aware of the hum of the jet’s engine, taking her on the first part of her journey back to his country, a place she didn’t want to go. And she was going because he held all the cards, wielded all the power.

      ‘It’s blackmail, Kazim. And you know it.’

       CHAPTER FOUR

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