Page 43 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

Shahid drew in a deep breath, curling his fingers around her hand. He could see the color change on her cheeks as she waited for him to speak.

Shahid leaned closer, inhaling her delicious scent. He lowered his voice even though he was sure they were alone in this part of the palace. "I need to you to know what that meant to me, Aliyah," he murmured."What it meant to stand there and say those words to you, " he stated, surprised at how direct the words sounded.

Her gaze dropped, and he was sure he could see her fighting to control her response to his words. When she lifted her head, he saw the emotion in her eyes. Did she feel the same as him, after all?

"They meant a great deal to me, too, Shahid," she said in a soft voice.

"They did?" he asked trying to contain the pleasure her words had caused in him.

Aliyah nodded. "But it was just pretend, Shahid. Again."

"Was it? Really? You believe that, Aliyah?"

She nodded again, although this time he wasn't convinced she was so sure.

Shahid gripped her hand tighter. "You still think this whole thing has been one long pretense?" he asked.

"I don't know, Shahid," she said, the hint of an anguished tone in her voice. "I thought that's what we agreed."

Shahid leaned closer. His leg pressed against her thigh, and he could feel the heat of her body. It sparked desire, and he felt himself firm in response.

"Hasn't the whole thing felt real to you? Because it has to me," he declared.

Aliyah smiled defensively. "We've just been playing a game. Just like we did in the past."

He could hear the hesitation in her voice, could sense that she didn't quite believe what she had just said.

"But, that's where you're wrong, Aliyah," he replied. He dipped his head closer to her. "As far as I'm concerned this isn't a game anymore," he growled. His heart was thudding, hammering like a wild thing, and he could feel energy coursing through his body.

He saw her eyes narrow, and she examined him closely, as if searching for any hint of insincerity.

"We're just friends, Shahid. You said so yourself," she replied.

He groaned and leaned against the hard wall behind them, feeling the cold marble against his back. The chill of her words spread along his spine.

Shahid gazed at her. "That's where you're wrong, Aliyah. So very wrong. All of that is in the past."

He saw her shake her head and felt a stab of panic cut into him.

Shahid leaned closer and noticed she didn't back away from him. Was she encouraging him by letting him get so close? Did she really believe what she was saying, or was this what she thought she needed to say to him? Even if she knew deep down that any claim that they were just friends was no longer true?

"Maybe it should all stay in the past," she said softly.

Once more her words dug painfully into him.

"You don't believe that, do you?" he demanded quietly.

Even speaking so softly, he knew their voices would probably carry down the long corridors. What if someone heard them? His jaw tightened, and he told himself he didn't care anymore. They'd already seen the truth, as far as he was concerned. There was no point in denying it any longer.

He was in love with Aliyah.

The realization struck him like a physical blow. He'd known it deep inside for a long time now. He loved her.

"Well?" he prompted Aliyah. He was burning to know what she had to say.

"I'm not sure what to believe anymore," she said softly.

Shahid's gaze flickered down to her lips, and he was seized with an uncontrollable desire, one that he'd felt so many times these past few days. The moment for words had passed. He felt that in his bones and knew there was only one thing he should do.

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