The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(96)

The Sheikh was smiling blissfully, as dopily as I was probably smiling too.

“Of course—take all the time you need.” He pursed his lips. “All the time you need…up to a month.”

We laughed, our lips finding each other. As we kissed, I was enveloped with a whole new round of delighted giddiness. Khabib bin Samara cared about me, of all people! I was the one who he wanted to be his girlfriend, Khabib, the very womanizer who hadn’t settled down for a second since he got to LA. The first man who I could laugh with and be my true self around, the first man who I could see myself really loving and having a future with.

And yet, as we broke away, I was reminded of the real reason I couldn’t agree to his request. I was spying on him, for the very family he was willing to defy to be with me, no less.

“Lucy, is something the matter? You’ve been quiet all night. Was it something I said?”

I avoided his gaze, keeping mine on our intertwined hands.

Now was my chance. I had to tell him, to get this off my chest. I had to be truthful with him, let him decide what to do with me—the real me, not the flawless one he’d made up in his head.

And yet, when I looked at Khabib, at his handsome, understanding face, I couldn’t do it. No, I could see it now, how that same happy face would crumple with hatred once I told him the truth. Those warm eyes would never be able to look at me the same again, never again be able to trust me. I couldn’t ruin this perfect moment, no. I couldn’t tell him now.

“It’s nothing, just all the planning for your party, it’s a bit more than I expected. And then there’s Mom—she hasn’t been following the doctor’s orders or taking her prescription how she’s supposed to. Just a lot going on.”

“Oh, Lucy, I’m so sorry. I hope she’s okay.”

I waved my hand, relieved at the quick save, which wasn’t completely a lie.

“It’s fine. I’ll manage.” I kissed him again and took his face in my hands. “Thank you, Khabib. For tonight, for these past few weeks, for everything. You’ve been more than I could’ve ever hoped for.”

The Sheikh kissed my forehead, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

“As have you, my darling, as have you.”

My heart was fluttering, but when I turned to look out the window, it toppled to the floor. Now that I knew what I had to do next, I felt even worse. It wasn’t going to be easy.





Chapter Thirteen





Khabib




After going so high up in the air, it only made sense to return to sea level. The sequel to the helicopter ride was a gondola ride. When we arrived by the water’s edge and the little mustached man paddled the long pointy boat up to us, Lucy turned to gape at me.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

“Oh, sorry…that boat’s not for us. Awkward.”

As her face fell, I took her in my arms.

“I thought you wanted me to kid you.”

In exasperation, she threw her head back.

“Khabib!”

I let her go and kissed her cheek.

“Okay, okay, I’m taking you on a gondola ride, Lucy Morrison. For real.”

“And if I refuse?”

I tapped her nose and took her hand.

“Aw, you’re cute when you think you have a choice.”

Lucy stuck out her tongue at me and I swept her up in my arms again, depositing her in the gondola. Then, I got in myself.

Our boatman, Jules, was an expert navigator, not to mention pretty well stocked, too. Only a few minutes into our trip, he offered us wine and chocolate. So, as Lucy and I munched little bars of dark chocolate and sipped on red wine, we looked out at the skyline of Los Angeles.

Instead of the sight of all the lights filling me with loneliness, as it so often did, I found myself in awe of the beauty of the city. Lucy too, was taking it in with a quiet expression I couldn’t quite place.

“What are you thinking about?”

She shrugged, nestled herself into me further.

“I don’t know, lots of things, I guess. You?”

“I’m thinking that I want to introduce you to my family. My parents, really.”

Lucy stiffened and sat up.

“What’s the matter?”

She shook her head, looking away.

“Khabib, I thought you said that you were going to give me some time.”

“I know, I know, but Lucy, I don’t know how much longer I can keep how I feel about you a secret. It’s too hard. You touch everything in my life, everything. I can’t think of one thing that hasn’t brightened since you came into my life.”

Still, she wasn’t looking at me.

“It’s the same for me, but Khabib, you promised. It isn’t just about us, remember—there are other people involved.”

“I know, I just…I’m sorry, it just slipped out. How about I break the news to them slowly, starting now, while you get your end in order?”

She shook her head and jumped back so rapidly that the whole gondola rocked back and forth with the motion.

“No—Khabib, I mean it. You cannot tell your parents. Do you understand me? Not yet. I have to do something first.”

Lucy’s whole face was red, her eyes wild. I’d never seen her like this.