Chapter 20
Falk watched Ciara, noting that she didn’t appear to hear her friend’s question. Nor did he, but that was beside the point. He’d gotten to her. Last night had been…spectacular. After making love to his woman, thoroughly showing her that they were meant to be together, she’d cuddled up against him and fallen into a deep sleep.
She was his woman, even if she wasn’t able to admit it to herself just yet.
“Goodness, is this another party?” a shrill voice called out.
Myala and her father appeared in the doorway. She toddled up to Falk and he desperately tried to hide his groan.
The woman was relentless! Myala ignored Falk’s glare as she sidled up to him, looping her arm through his own and smiling brightly up at him. “What’s on the agenda for today? Are we going to do something fun?” She glanced at the others and Falk watched with amazement as her eyes widened when she took in the presence of Astra Phillips.
“Ms. Phillips! Are you here to work your magic for Maggie’s next big event? Oh my, that’s going to be such a wonderful spectacle!”
Falk didn’t give a damn about his friend’s social agenda other than the fact that it allowed him to be close to Ciara. Yes, he had responsibilities, like meetings with several military leaders and businessmen. But for the most part, he was here to show his support for Ramit’s new wife.
And to convince Ciara to break off her engagement to Zayed. He’d tried to convince her to do that in Switzerland, but he’d done something wrong. He wasn’t sure what though. He’d merely told her to break off things with Zayed and she’d…shut down.
Yes, that was it! Ciara had shut down when he’d told her that they needed to marry. Somehow, he knew that was significant, but he wasn’t sure why. Two weeks ago, when she’d walked out of his life, he’d tried to dismiss her from his thoughts. But he’d failed miserably. When he’d seen her again yesterday, and seen her reaction to him as well, he knew what he’d had to do. Ciara was the only woman for him. And he suspected, from her reaction to his touch last night, that she was just as crazy for him.
It wasn’t love. Not yet. They didn’t know each other well enough for love. But this attraction, this magnetic pull that tugged them relentlessly closer, would eventually morph into love. He was sure of it.
Seeing her now, he realized that she was hurt. Why the hell was she upset? He wanted to go to her, to comfort her! Moving forward, he suddenly realized that Myala was still clutching his arm. Before he could extricate himself from the woman’s hold, Zayed, the bastard, had moved to Ciara’s side. He loosely wrapped his arm around her waist and lowered his head, whispering something in her ear.
She nodded and…and Falk had to restrain himself from punching his friend! The white-hot, searing fury that another man was touching his woman was almost too much to bear.
When Ciara looked back at him, he noticed her anger as well. Was she…? He looked down at his arm, still captive in Myala’s embrace, and knew what was happening! Damn, he was an idiot! Ciara was jealous! Of Myala? Oh, this was just insane!
His only excuse was that, when Ciara was around, he didn’t notice anyone or anything other than her!
She didn’t understand that though.
But he could rectify the situation! Turning to the obnoxious woman, he addressed her in the most patient tone he could muster. “Myala, where is your father?” he asked, firmly reclaiming his arm.
She looked hurt at the extraction, but he didn’t care. His only concern was for Ciara’s feelings, and apparently, she didn’t like another woman touching him. Good! That was progress!
“My father is speaking with Sheik Ramit’s generals. They have a military inspection happening today.” She smiled brightly, trying to weave her arm through his again. “I told him that I would speak with you and lure you to the inspections. Maybe you’ll learn something about the Ditra military that we could apply to our own troops in Itim.”
That explanation made sense, but there was zero chance that Falk was going to inspect anything with the clingy woman. Not without Ciara around to protect him.
“That’s a good idea. Why don’t you catch up with your father and give me a report later?”
The woman’s smile faded briefly, only to brighten again. “Of course!” she replied. “It would be my honor to do this favor for you.” She leaned forward, whispering, “I would do anything for you, Your Highness.”
And before he could admonish her for speaking to him so casually, she turned on her spike heel and walked away.
Confused, he stared after her for a long moment. He’d have to speak with her again. Apparently, last night’s refusal hadn’t gotten through to her.
But that was for later. Right now, he wanted to…!
He was alone. Zayed and Ciara as well as the other couples, had gone. He stood in the doorway to the ballroom, angry that Ciara had abandoned him.
However, he now understood that she was jealous of his interactions with Myala. And that made him want to find her and explain. He hadn’t meant to hurt Ciara’s feelings. Hell, he’d do anything to protect her from both physical and emotional harm! He guessed it was time to prove that to her.