She looked stricken. Not what he’d intended or hoped for. Salim was used to women eager for his attention. Women who’d jump at the chance to be his bride.
But Rosanna had never been like other women, had she?
Why had he imagined this would be straightforward?
His gut twisted. She couldn’t surely reject him?
She shook her head, her lovely dark hair slipping around her shoulders. ‘What a mess. How are we going to get out of this?’
Salim’s spine stiffened. ‘We don’t have to get out of it.’
‘You mean I just leave quietly and everything eventually dies down?’
How could she even think it? ‘Absolutely not.’
Her head jerked up. ‘Whatareyou saying, Salim?’
Nerves gnawed at Salim’s belly. He felt unsure of himself. Unsure of Rosanna.
But he wasn’t a man to dither.
‘I’m saying we marry.’
‘You’ve got to be kidding! To avoid gossip? Just because you held my hand? That’s pretty extreme.’
‘Not as extreme as losing you.’
That stopped her rant. Her cheeks flushed and her questioning look scored him to the bone. He grimaced, fully aware of how he’d publicly put himself and his feelings on the line. ‘Don’t worry, Rosanna. You can always refuse. That’s your prerogative.’
‘Why are you doing this?’
Salim hauled in a sustaining breath. ‘I thought that was obvious. Because Iwantyou, Rosanna.’
She backed away a step. ‘That’s just lust—’
He took a step towards her. His pace was longer than hers and it brought him into her personal space.
‘Not just lust. A whole lot more. Things I never expected.’ He paused, searching for some sign she felt the same. ‘Your happiness matters to me and when you hurt, I hurt. I want to protect you from harm, but I love watching you succeed at whatever you set your mind to. Did you know I find your competence incredibly sexy?’
Given the way she gaped up at him, clearly not. He smiled through taut facial muscles. It was rare that he found Rosanna lost for words.
‘I’ve fallen in love with you, my darling.’
‘That’s impossible. You don’t believe in love.’
‘I didn’t. I never expected it.’ Which was why he’d been slow to understand what was happening to him. ‘But there’s no other explanation for the way I feel. I want to make you mine for always.’
Yet Rosanna didn’t smile or sink into his embrace. Salim fought not to reach for her, knowing he needed her to come willingly, not because she was seduced by passion. Not because he was the sheikh and he commanded it.
‘This is crazy talk. You need an aristocratic wife. Someone who understands diplomacy and Dhalkur. Who speaks the language and can be useful. Not a woman with a tainted reputation.’ Suddenly she was blinking. ‘Not a woman who doesn’t understand the culture or politics.’ The blinks came faster and his heart hammered against his ribs. ‘Not someone who’s brunette and only medium height and—’
‘My love.’ Salim pulled her into his arms and held her tight against him. Was that a sob? She was shaking, her head burrowed against him so he couldn’t see her face. ‘Does my proposal make you so unhappy?’
‘You didn’t propose.’
He slid his hands up her arms and stepped back, holding her at arm’s length. Her overbright eyes shone misty grey and Salim felt excitement stir.
‘Beautiful Rosanna. Will you do me the honour of marrying me? Will you be mine for the rest of our lives? I promise to be faithful and supportive and to love you always.’