A hint of anger flashed in his eyes. “You are making an erroneous assumption, Kira. As I have told you, I was seeing to business. I do not treat women as chattel.”
“They why did you fail to inform me you would be leaving?”
“I was only honoring your request not to approach you again.”
He definitely had her there. “True, but I didn’t mean we should completely sever all ties. Your actions made me feel used.”
He streaked a hand over his jaw and his gaze momentarily drifted away before he returned it to her. “My sincerest apologies, and I am sorry that you have so little faith that you would believe I considered our interlude as nothing more than a diversion. If you wish me to lie and say that I do 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.”