Ashraf would do anything to ensure his son didn’t face that. He didn’t want Oliver merely to survive. He wanted him to thrive.
Ashraf expelled a slow breath, realising there was only one way to convince Tori. He’d planned to seduce her into agreement. But, while that might help, Tori was a woman who thought things through. Who weighed up options and responsibilities. Sexual pleasure wouldn’t be enough. She needed concrete reasons.
The thought of baring those reasons filled him with cold nausea. Even with Bram and Karim the past was a territory he didn’t visit.
‘Family is very important,’ he began.
‘Of course. But Oliver can have that without us marrying.’
‘Not the sort of family he’ll need.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Za’daq is a modern country but it still has traditional roots. Traditional values.’
‘You’re saying we should marry because you’re worried about what people willthink?’ Her mouth tightened. ‘You believe public opinion is worth an unhappy marriage?’
‘You assume it will be unhappy?’
Tori spread her hands. ‘We don’t know each other. We probably don’t have anything in common—’
‘We have Oliver.’ That made her pause. ‘And we have more too. Respect.’ Ashraf held her eyes. ‘Liking. Attraction.’
White-hot desire was a better description, but he sensed she’d baulk at such straight talking. He’d seen her nervous reaction to the craving they both felt.
‘That’s not enough.’
‘You want romantic love?’ He searched her face, watching her gaze skitter away.
‘It’s usually the basis of marriage.’
‘In your country, but not mine. Here love often comes with time, with respect, with liking and shared experience. All of which we have.’
‘We shared one night of captivity!’
‘An intense experience. You can’t deny the connection between us is strong because of it. Far stronger than if we’d met on an online site and begun dating.’
Tori pursed her lips but said nothing.
‘We have what it takes to make a good marriage. For Oliver’s sake we need to try.’
Ashraf paused but she refused to admit his point. He ignored the churning in his belly and plunged on.
‘I want our son to have what I didn’t. Two parents who care for him. Who are there for him every day.’ He watched her brow knot. ‘Every child deserves a supportive environment. Without that life can be tough.’ His lips curled as a sour tang filled his mouth. ‘I don’t want that for Oliver.’
‘I didn’t know your childhood was difficult.’ There was curiosity and sympathy in Tori’s look, but instead of pressing for details she went on. ‘But I don’t see how that applies to Oliver.’
Ashraf shook his head. ‘I want Oliver to have the best in every way. I can declare him legitimate, and that will give him legal status, but I want him to be part of arealfamily. To give meaning to the bare legality and make it something more.’ He paused and turned to look at the innocent child who, he knew, would suffer if Ashraf wasn’t careful.
Suddenly his lungs ached, pain searing deep.
‘I want him protected from scorn and prejudice.’ He took another slow breath that still didn’t fill his chest. ‘Above all I don’t want him to believe, for a moment, that I’m not committed to him or don’t want him here. I won’t have him growing up in the shadows, unsure where he fits.’
* * *
Tori’s arguments stilled on her tongue as she read the lines of tension wrapping around Ashraf’s mouth and pleating his forehead. An icy wave washed over her, despite the balmy evening.
Here was something she didn’t understand. Something important. Ashraf wasn’t posturing. Whatever the problem was, it was deep-seated. She felt the ache of it just watching his still frame as he stared at Oliver.