Page 50 of Queen of Barrakesch
His eyes lingered on her face and made her feel a little shy. Her cheeks warmed and she cast her eyes down at her lap.
“We haven’t laughed and talked to each other like this in a while,” he said quietly.
“No, we haven’t.”
“I miss our friendship.”
“I miss it, too,” Imani admitted.
The chef, a tall heavy-set man with a thick mustache and beard, came out with one of the helpers behind him. “Will there be anything else, Your Excellency, Your Royal Highness? Dessert?”
Wasim looked at Imani, deferring to her, but she shook her head.
“Coffee, tea?” the chef asked, looking from one to the other.
Imani shook her head again.
“Nothing for me. Everything was delicious,” Wasim said. He waved a hand at the table and indicated they should clear away the dishes.
They did just that and disappeared inside.
They were alone for several minutes before Wasim asked, “Do you want to walk away from this marriage?”
She lowered her gaze. Walking away was the last thing on her mind, especially after today. Today gave her hope that they could have a normal relationship. Like him, she’d missed their camaraderie.
Wasim scraped back his chair and extended a hand to her. She took it and they walked to the grouping of wicker chairs with teal cushions. Wasim sat down first so that he was facing the sea and pulled her down against him.
“We need to talk,” he said. “I’m not very good at talking, but I can listen if there’s anything you want to say.”
Wrapped in his arms and not having to look at him, Imani felt comfortable enough to open up.
“I don’t want to walk away from our marriage.” She heard him breathe what could only be described as a sigh of relief. His hand stroked comfortingly over her hair. “But since we’ve been married, I feel like I’m little more than a body for you.”
“I can see how you would think that. I suppose it’s because ever since we kissed in Estoria, I’ve been consumed with thoughts of you. I’ve been consumed with thoughts of you ever since you stepped off the plane to attend graduate school in Barrakesch and Kofi told me to keep an eye on you. I should be angry at him for doing that because his request forced me to keep my distance. But Estoria changed everything, and there have been times when I wished I could cut off my hands so I wouldn’t feel the need to reach for you.”
Imani twisted so that she could see his face. “Wasim…” She touched a finger to his cheek.
He took her hand and kissed her palm.
Imani sighed. “I’ve been angry at you, and I want to explain. Obviously, I wasn’t happy about the way we got married, and then the only use you seemed to have for me was sex. We never talk about issues anymore or problems that we could solve together. You don’t share your work with me, and I don’t feel like I can share mine with you. Before I felt like we were equals, but now…” She shook her head as words failed her.
“You’ve always been so capable, I didn’t think you needed me to say or do anything to encourage you. You’ve always impressed me, Imani. Surely you know that.”
“I suppose.” She shrugged to downplay her need for his respect. “I know it’s unfair, but I worry that you’ll treat me the way my father has all my life.”
“Do you feel I’ve hindered you in any way?”
“No,” she admitted.
“I respect you. You are an amazing woman, and I am lucky to have you ruling by my side. Both of our countries are lucky to have you and your brilliant mind and caring heart.”
“Thank you.”
“But,” Wasim added, holding her attention with direct eye contact, “There is one thing you must understand. While I respect you and would never try to stifle you because I want you to thrive, you are my wife, and it’s my responsibility to take care of you. I take my responsibilities very seriously. Are we clear on that?”
“Yes. I suppose being married to a king means I’ll want for nothing?”
“Not one single thing.” He pulled her on top of him so that she straddled his thighs. “Anything else?”
