Page 33 of Forbidden Passion
“Are you okay?” Zayed asked, taking a seat next to Ciara on the garden bench. “You look tired.”
She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’m exhausted.”
“What did your brother say when he asked about your nanny?”
She didn’t have to ask which nanny. “He was furious that I didn’t go to him and tell him what that old bitch was doing.”
“You explained that you were too young to know better?”
She sighed. “I tried. He was still furious. I think he blames himself, which is absolutely absurd. He might be older than me, but he was just a kid when my nanny was abusing me.”
“He was always a big guy,” Zayed replied. “Ramit could have confronted her. Or told your parents what was happening.”
“I know,” she whispered. “You’d said the same thing when I first admitted to you why I hated enclosed spaces.” She looked up at her friend. “I think we should end our betrothal.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Really?” He sat up straighter, then wrapped his arm around her. “I can stick around for a bit longer, give you some breathing space.”
She laughed and kissed the hand that was resting on her shoulder. “I appreciate your sacrifice, but I’m good now.”
He chuckled, then playfully nudged her chin with a fist. “What if I want to hold onto you? Maybe I actually want to marry you now.”
Ciara cringed, making him laugh harder. “Don’t be gross,” she teased with a mock gag. “You’re like a brother to me.”
He nudged her again, careful because of his larger size and incredible strength. “What am I going to do without you for my protection?”
She rolled her eyes. “Like you need protecting.” She snorted, emphasizing her derision. She watched as the lovely Tara stepped out into the garden and started towards them. “I think you should marry the woman that you’ve been pining for ever since you hired her.”
Zayed looked up and caught sight of his assistant. “Tara?”
She snorted again. “Don’t even try it. I see the way you look at her. You’ve been head over heels in love with Tara for a long time. Why haven’t you dumped me so you could pursue her properly?”
“Because she doesn’t want me. She keeps people at arm’s length.” He sighed, shaking his head. “She’s smart and, I know you’re not going to believe me, but she’s funny as hell. And she’s truly beautiful when she’s not trying so hard to hide her beauty.” He paused, watching Tara walk through the room. “Hell, she’s beautiful even when she is trying to hide it.”
Ciara stared at the woman whose lips were currently puckered with disapproval. “I kept Falk at a distance because he’s so used to issuing orders. He’s a commanding presence and that terrified me.”
“Because of your nanny?”
“Yes. Every perceived defiance or infringement meant I would be brutally punished. I couldn’t stand the thought ofgoing through that in a marriage.” She looked up at Zayed. “He terrified me, but I’ve gotten to know the softer side of him. And he’s been so…sweetly charming, asking me about stuff.” She bit her lip and glanced over at the woman. “Have you ever wondered why Tara keeps you away despite her obvious attraction to you?”
Zayed stared at Ciara for a long moment, obviously processing that question. Then he looked up at Tara who was waiting about three feet away from their bench.
“Bloody hell!’ he muttered, then stood up. He started to walk towards Tara, ready to respond to whatever new information she had for him. But then he turned back and smiled at Ciara. “Yes, I accept the disintegration of our betrothal, Princess Ciara,” he said in a formal tone. Then he came back to her and lifted her hand, kissing her fingertips. “And thank you for being so incredibly observant.”
Ciara stood up and smiled at him. “It was my pleasure, Your Highness.” She laughed at his chagrin. “Now go! Be off with your handsome self!”
Chapter 28
“Are you ready, my dear?” Myala’s father called out, adjusting the knot on his bow tie. He slid a hand over his medals, then examined the rest of his uniform for deficiencies. But everything was in place.
Myala stepped out of the second bedroom in their hotel suite and Arvin whistled. “You look lovely, my dear!” he told his daughter.
Myala twirled, enjoying the way the silky, blue evening gown swished around her feet. “Do you really like it? I found it at the cutest little shop last month and wanted to save it for a special occasion.”
Arvin smiled and nodded. “It looks perfect! And tonight is an especially good night for the big reveal.”
Myala laughed, then looped her arm into her fathers. “You’re so good to me!”
Arvin chuckled, patting his daughter’s hand. “You need a husband to take my place, dear. You’re getting to the age when you deserve to be married.” He pulled open the door and led Myala down the hallway to the elevators. “Do you have someone special in mind?” he asked, glancing at her with a twinkle in his eye. “Such as our illustrious leader, perhaps?”