Junayd walked over to the window and stared out at the glittering lights of New York City. There were literally millions of people. He was looking for a diamond in the Sahara. His stomach clenched at the thought of never seeing her again.
This is insane.
He turned and was about to stride over to the liquor bar when the movement of light from a flickering candle caught his attention. The decorative patio table that was normally on the balcony had been brought inside and was now in front of the window, covered in a pristine white tablecloth. A single place setting of fine china, a silver-covered dish, a goblet filled with red wine, and a basket of bread rolls caused him to stiffen with confusion. He breathed deeply. The familiar fragrance of garlic teased his tastebuds.
A whisper of movement alerted him that he wasn’t alone in the apartment. He slowly turned.
“I thought you’d never get home."
Junayd’s body immediately reacted with a roaring heat. He reached for the lamp and frowned when the light didn’t come on.
"I can’t guarantee how hot your dinner will be. I’m sure the art gallery didn’t have anything appetizing. You must be starving.”
He sensed her before he saw her, as if she were a force of nature that every cell of his body responded to. She stepped closer, and he saw that she was holding up a light bulb.
“I prefer the dark,” she said.
“How did you get in here?” he demanded.
He vaguely wondered if his mind had snapped from exhaustion and he was hallucinating. She stepped closer, and he briefly closed his eyes as her delicate scent teased his senses. She smelled of fresh air, wildflowers, and rain. He opened his eyes to find her standing inches from him.
“You should be careful what you wish for," she teased. "Why don’t you eat while we talk?”
He glanced at the table. “There is only one place setting. What about you? Dinner should be enjoyed by us both.”
She chuckled. “You took too long and I was too hungry to wait.”
He laughed in disbelief.
"Sorry," he replied dryly. "I didn't know we had a date."
He lifted his hand toward her face, wanting to pull down her scarf and reveal her features, but she stepped away.
Sinking down onto one of the chairs, she placed the lightbulb on the table next to her. He took his seat across from her, and she lifted the silver cover. She even filled his plate. He watched her every move, bewildered and elated.
She was wearing a black scarf tonight with tiny silver stars on it. All he could see were her eyes and forehead. She returned the cover and relaxed back in her chair.
“Eat while it's still warm. It’s your favorite dish.”
The vegetarian lasagna was something he couldn’t get at home. The palace chef, no matter how hard he tried, couldn’t seem to duplicate the taste.
“How did you know?” he asked.
Her eyes were so expressive that he felt as if he were drowning in them.
She shook her head. “I’m not talking until you eat,” she gently replied.
A flash of emotion swept through him. He couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Anger that she was trying to manipulate him? Indignation that she felt she could order him to do something? Surprise that she cared that he had barely eaten all day when no one else seemed to notice?
Yet, she might follow through with her threat, possibly even leave if he didn’t. Finally, his hunger and the desire to please her overrode his pride and he lifted the fork to his lips. Her eyes followed the movement. The sexually charged moment caused him to clench his fist against his thigh as he swallowed.
“You have this delivered to you whenever you are in town and don’t have time to go out,” she murmured, her eyes slowly lifting from his lips to his eyes.
“What else do you know about me?” he wondered.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You like gorgeous, tall, leggy blondes with fake boobs.”
That hit him like a punch in the gut. Junayd drained his wine glass. She rose and walked a few steps away from her seat. Her movements were quick and impulsive. He suspected that she had not meant to confess knowingthatpiece of information about him, but as she looked at the city lights, she continued, "When you give them jewelry, it's never a ring or diamonds."