She heard the unfamiliar note of uncertainty.
‘Really, Raif, I’m well.’
‘But the vomiting,’ he said, as he sat opposite her, ‘it is so severe.’
So he had heard her each morning. And worried about her. The thought made her heart go a little crazy.
‘Are you sure our…?’ He paused, and she saw the unfamiliar flush of colour darken his cheeks. ‘Our activity last night has not made it worse?’
‘Actually, I feel much stronger this morning—despite the nausea,’ she said, finding his concern utterly adorable. ‘Apparently multi-orgasmic sex is a cure for pregnancy fatigue—who knew?’
Her heart leapt at the slow smile that curved his lips and the sparkle of heat in his eyes.
‘Then I suppose it is my job to make sure you are supplied with it,’ he murmured.
His phone buzzed on the table, disturbing the moment. Picking it up, he frowned.
‘Is everything okay?’ she asked.
He nodded. ‘Yes, but the series of meetings I am attending in New York have been moved forward. I will have to leave tonight.’ He wiped his mouth with his napkin and placed it on the table, before getting up. ‘If you would like to remain in Paris for the extra days, I can arrange it.’
‘I would rather come with you,’ she said, perplexed by his offer until she saw the fierce satisfaction in his gaze.
Good, they were still on the same page.
‘I will have my staff make all the arrangements so you can join me on the company jet this evening.’ Resting his hands on her shoulders, he leaned down to kiss her neck. ‘I do not want you tiring yourself, is this understood?’
She nodded, her heartbeat galloping at the delightful domesticity of the moment. But as he shifted away from her, obviously ready to leave her for the rest of the day, she covered one of his hands with hers and swung round. ‘Wait, Raif—can I make a suggestion?’
‘Of course.’
‘Could we…?’ She swallowed, suddenly nervous. This really wasn’t a big deal, but it meant a lot to her and she was scared he might refuse. ‘Would it be okay if we stayed in an apartment while we’re in New York instead of a luxury hotel?’
His brows lifted a fraction, and his forehead creased. He was obviously surprised and a little suspicious of the request.
She rushed to explain herself before he could object. ‘It’s just that I’d like to be able to cook my own meals.’
And I want to cook for you.
She heard the plea inside her head but didn’t say it, because it made her feel suddenly vulnerable and exposed. Last night had been important to her, and not just because of the sex. It had deepened the intimacy between them and made her realise she was already more than halfway in love with this man. But she needed to tread carefully now, to make him see how much they could have together.
They would be in New York for over two weeks. While she’d loved sightseeing in Paris, and being treated like a queen, she’d much rather spend the time in New York making a home with Raif, however temporary.
‘But there is no need for you to cook,’ he said, clearly confused by her request.
‘I know, but I enjoy it. My grandmother taught me how and it always reminds me of her.’
Her grandmother had shown her how to use spices, to judge flavours and juggle tastes, to create her own unique recipes, because she had considered it an important life s
kill for any woman.
‘How can you keep your husband satisfied if you cannot fill his stomach?’
At the time Kasia had found her grandmother’s thinking about marriage antiquated and silly, but she’d still loved learning the intricacies of Narabian cuisine at her side. It was something they had shared, her grandmother’s way of showing her she approved of her, and she loved her. Unlike her mother. And it was a skill Kasia wanted to share with Raif, because she suspected, for all his wealth and status, both in Kholadi and in the outside world, he had never been nurtured in the way that only a meal cooked with love could nurture a soul.
She wanted to give him that, because he had already given her so much—she didn’t have money or status, but she did know how to conjure magic in a kitchen.
His frown remained, but then he shrugged, and relief flooded through her.