Page 15 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

Paige thought a few moments and then nodded. "Okay. Just give me some time to get ready. And then I'll get going."

She could see the disappointment on his features. He didn't want her to leave. But he had to understand, she told herself. Especially after what had just happened. She'd won this particular battle, but would she win the war?

And then she turned and raced out of the room. As she did so, she couldn't help noticing that every nerve in her body still tingled with the remnants of his touch.

CHAPTER SIX

The limo drew up outside the apartment block near the center of the city. This was the place Paige wanted to use as her escape from Razim. It was the early afternoon and the sun was shining brightly against the darkened panes of the tall building's exterior.

Razim glanced out through the limo's tinted windows. He'd have one last moment of privacy before Paige left the limo's interior. He needed to explain to her what would be happening tomorrow.

Paige uncrossed her legs and shifted on the seat next to him. "I'd prefer it if you don't come up to the apartment," she said.

"I wasn't going to ask," he said casually, although he knew that wasn't true. He forced himself to disguise the disappointment he felt at her request.

"Really," she replied, clearly unconvinced.

"I'll get the driver to help you up with your bags," he said.

Paige nodded. "That'll be fine."

"About tomorrow," Razim said.

She lifted a brow and stared at him for a long moment. "What about it?"

Razim stretched his legs out, leaned back and drew in a deep breath. "I've arranged for the papers to be at the palace in the morning."

"You have?" Paige said, obviously surprised. "I thought you said it would take a couple of days. And that there would be lots of people present."

Razim tilted his head. "I spoke with the Chief Administrator of Marriages," he said.

"Grand title," Paige observed wryly.

"He was present at our wedding," Razim reminded Paige.

"I know," she said. "I remember. I was only joking."

He narrowed his eyes. "This is no joking matter, Paige."

Paige turned away from him, reached down and picked up her small bag. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just tired. Put it down to my terrible sense of humor."

He squinted at her. "How could I forget?"

She looked at him. "What?"

He leaned closer to her. "Your marvelous sense of humor."

"That's not what you said the last time I was here."

He sighed. "That was different."

Razim recalled how Paige had made fun of some of his most sacred traditions. She'd made light of some of his customs and he hadn't liked what she'd said. He'd tried to express his disapproval and, before he'd known what had happened, they'd had a blazing row.

After some reflection, Razim had come to realize that it was actually her different ways which he really found most attractive about her. She was, after all, not a Qazhar woman. And that had been one of the reasons he'd been fascinated with her to begin with. There was so much about her which was different.

Unique, really. Paige was incredibly special. And he was about to lose her. He could hardly believe it.

"He'll be at the palace mid morning," Razim explained "I'll send the car for you," Razim added, feeling his heart sink into his stomach.

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