Page 25 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

"You saw how I felt. In the garden. At the beach," he said, realizing how ludicrous it sounded when he said it like that.

"I did," she replied simply. "I just need a little time, Shahid."

Was that all she needed? Time away from him? Could he even contemplate that, after what had happened today. Everything that had passed between them merely confirmed his belief that he'd been right about Aliyah. And now she wanted some space, some more time? He wasn't even sure he was physically capable of granting such a request, not with the way he felt about her. This whole situation cried out for urgent action, not patience. That wasn't the way he did things, he told himself, feeling the anxiety rise within him.

Shahid took a deep breath and let himself settle for a few moments. He took hold of himself, realizing that he could easily make the biggest mistake of his life if he made demands, if he overreacted.

"Okay," he said eventually, trying to adjust to a whole new scenario; a woman pushing him away, telling him he was moving too fast. That had never happened before. But, then he'd never wanted a woman the way he wanted Aliyah.

Aliyah pushed the car door open and stepped out, making it obvious she didn't want Shahid to open the door for her. Maybe she was thinking about someone watching from inside the palace, he thought.

Aliyah bent down and smiled at Shahid. "I'll see you at the wedding, I suppose," she said.

Shahid felt his heart racing, knew he had to say something, but at the last moment he managed to restrain himself. The last thing he wanted was to create a scene in front of the palace doors.

"Aliyah," he said sharply.

Her brows rose and she smiled at him. His pulse rushed at the mere sight of that smile. "I'll see you before then," he said, realizing that he was insisting in defiance of what she had said.

She nodded and then closed the door. As he heard the soft thud of the door, Shahid felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach.

He waited until she'd reached the top of the steps. He savored a few more moments of watching her, and then he fired up the engine and sped away as fast as he could.

---