He released a rough sigh. “What do you wish me to say, Maysa?”
That he would tell the elders to go to hell. That she was an acceptable partner by virtue of her intelligence and skills, not her past. That he would make an effort to change the archaic laws governing the role of women. “Nothing, Rafiq. I wish for you to say nothing. You have already said it all.”
When she turned to retire to her room, Rafiq called her back. “I would rather die a thousand deaths than to wound you again, Maysa.”
And she would experience a thousand more regrets if she gave in to the sincerity in his dark eyes. “Then don’t, Rafiq. Be my friend.”
He approached her slowly. “I am your friend. That has never changed, despite the distance between us.”
Before she made another monumental mistake and walked back into his arms, Maysa left the terrace and returned to her quarters. And once she was safely in bed, she let herself imagine what it would be like to make love with him again, too. Yet the fantasies could never replace the reality. But the reality was she’d invited him here for a reason, and tomorrow she would begin to implement her plan. And with that plan came the opportunity to educate a king. The beautiful, sensual king of her heart.
* * *
Shirtless, Rafiq faced the double-paned window overlooking the veranda, allowing Maysa a premiere view from the partially open door. The strong planes of his broad shoulders, broken by a slight scar on his right, demonstrated he was still as physically fit as he’d always been. The indentation of his spine tracked into the waistband of his navy pajamas, surrounded by supple, golden skin. And below that, narrow hips and a toned buttocks looked quite touchable.
But she wouldn’t touch him. Not today. She had more pressing matters at hand, provided he cooperated.
Maysa moved quietly into the room, several items of clothing clutched in her arms. “Did you sleep well?”
If he was at all startled by her appearance, he didn’t show it. He simply turned and presented a half smile. “I slept as well as can be expected in a strange bed alone, knowing that a desirable woman is such a short distance away.”
She disregarded the innuendo, but she could not seem to keep her eyes off the downward stream of masculine hair below his navel, or that he seemed quite pleased to see her from an anatomical standpoint. “Well,” she said as she forced her gaze to his dark eyes, “I hope you are sufficiently rested since I have plans for us today.”
“Plans?” He rounded the foot of the bed and stood a few feet from her. “What do these plans entail?”
“I am traveling to the Diya region and I want you to come with me.”
He frowned. “That is over two hours away.”
“Yes, and I make the journey every Wednesday to treat the sheep farmers and their families. Today is Wednesday.”
“Why would you wish me to accompany you?”
“Because I believe it’s important you begin to understand the health care issues facing your country, including the lack of resources in remote areas.”
He appeared to mull that over before he spoke again. “The people of Diya never supported my father. It has been reported several possible insurgency camps exist there.”
“Perhaps they did not embrace being ignored by your father,” she said. “You could change that.”
He strolled around the room for a moment before turning to her again. “Would we be able to communicate by cell phone with the outside world?”
She rolled her eyes. “There are no cellular towers. The villagers only recently received regular phone service, and many do not have electricity. Some do not have adequate water supplies.”
“If I accompany you, I would require a contingent of guards for both our protection should I be recognized.”
“Not if you are unrecognizable.” She tossed him the army-green shirt and cargo pants. “If you put these on and wear sunglasses, no one will know a king walks among them.”
He unfolded the clothes and inspected them. “I doubt a change of attire would serve as an adequate disguise.”
“If you wear sunglasses and shave, that should suffice.”
He laughed. A deep, low, sensual laugh that sent chills down the length of Maysa’s body. “I have no intention of shaving.”
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