The Sheikh’s Secret Heir(34)

“Is that what she calls you?” Kira asked, a note of awe in her voice.

“Yes.”

“Then apparently that’s how she sees you.”

“It makes me somewhat uncomfortable,” he reluctantly admitted.

“Why?”

“Because I believe I am not worthy of the endearment.”

“Maybe you should work a little harder to remedy that.”

She would not understand his reticence unless he explained further. “I fear she will become too attached to me.”

Kira’s frown deepened. “I don’t view that as a problem unless you plan to send her away.”

“I would never consider such a thing.” His tone sounded unquestionably defensive.

She studied him for awhile as if trying to peer into his very soul. “Then maybe you’re afraid you’re going to become too attached to her.”

Her insight astounded him. “Perhaps you are correct.”

She crossed one leg over the other and leveled her gaze on his, as if preparing to analyze him. “What’s the basis for this fear, Tarek?”

“Attachment leads to betrayal. You should know that as well in regard to your former fiancé.” Now he had said too much.

She swept one hand through her hair as she appeared to ponder that a time. “That’s different, Tarek. We’re talking about a child. I’m going to guess that your parents somehow wronged you, or maybe you feel betrayed by your mother’s death.”

He had been deceived by his mother, yet not in the way Kira believed.

When a landscaper began planting shrubs nearby, Tarek thought it best to suspend the conversation. “Our privacy has now been disturbed so it is better we return to our duties. Did the table you requested for the kitchen arrive?”

Kira rose from the bench and sent him a slight smile. “Yes, and it’s exactly what I was looking for. I’m about to meet with the designer and inspect the furniture in the restaurant. Would you like to go with me and give your seal of approval?”

He would like to go with her to another place that had nothing to do with the resort. “I plan to complete this project before day’s end.”

She did not appear at all pleased with that. “I hope you return to the villa tonight at a decent hour so we can finish this discussion.”

As far as he was concerned, they had. “I should be there before sundown, yet I would prefer to spend our evening in ways that will not require discourse.”

She started away before hesitating and facing him again. “It’s really imperative we talk, Tarek. I have something important I need to tell you.”

He could only imagine what that might be. Perhaps in her eyes he now seemed dishonorable due to his reluctance to permanently commit to raising Yasmin. Or perhaps she no longer intended to stay. Regardless, he would attempt to convince her that he wanted her by his side, for however much time they still had together. He had the means, and the methods, to make her forget they ever had this conversation, though he most likely never would forget.

* * *

The man was nowhere to be found. Avoidance, plain and simple.

Kira strode through the living area in search of someone who could tell her Tarek’s whereabouts. She assumed their conversation earlier today had him running scared. Or at least running from her.

She reached the cook’s kitchen—all stainless steel, granite and glass—to find the one member of the staff who seemed to have a human radar where his employer was concerned. “Alexios,” she began, “have you seen Mr. Azzmar? He didn’t come back for dinner and I was wonder—”

“He’s taking a walk on the shoreline, Ms. Darzin,” he replied without missing a beat folding the cloth napkins. “He told me to inform you of his location should you need to speak with him.”

Oh, she needed to speak with him all right. And he knew it. “Thank you for another wonderful dinner tonight.” Too bad she’d had to spend it alone. Again.

Kira made her way past the pool and through the gate that led to the private beach. The moon wasn’t quite as full as it had been on their impromptu cruise, but it provided enough light to guide her way. She didn’t have to walk far to see the silhouette of a man seated in the sand, his arms casually resting on bent knees.

After kicking off her sandals near a small rock formation, Kira approached him slowly and the closer she came, the better she could see his profile. Handsome and rich, her first thought. Troubled and stoic, her second. He seemed so immersed in contemplation, she almost hated to disturb him. But the mission she was on—sharing the information that might very well change their future—could no longer keep. She’d waited too long to tell him and worried that he wouldn’t take the news well, even though she’d seen a nurturing side to him that both pleased and surprised her.