&nb
sp; “Which is why we are so unsuited.”
He swung back to meet her puzzled gaze. “No, it is why we are so perfectly matched.”
“You are making no sense, Dimitri. We are forever squabbling with one another.” She shrugged. “How could we possibly be suited?”
He hesitated, considering his words, then squaring his shoulders he peered deep in her eyes.
“The simple answer is that I love you, Emma Linley-Kirov.”
Emma stumbled backward, her hand pressed to her chest in a futile effort to still her racing heart. Obviously, the heat of the desert sun had damaged Dimitri’s mind.
“No,” she breathed. “It is not possible.”
Dimitri arched his brows, smiling wryly at her less than joyous response to his declaration of love.
“Not possible?”
“No.”
He prowled forward, not halting until she was backed against the wall.
“Perhaps you should explain, since I am quite certain of my feelings,” he said, the very softness of his tone conveying his sincerity.
Astonishing.
She shook her head, her mouth dry. “We have nothing in common.”
“I suppose that is true enough,” he readily agreed. “You are a proper lady while I am a notorious criminal and the son of a whore. I have no doubt that you are far above my touch.”
She gasped. Surely he could not believe such nonsense?
“You must know that was not what I meant at all.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“I am not beautiful or sophisticated or fascinating.”
“Emma—”
“No.” She placed her hand across his mouth. Did he know how desperately she wanted to toss aside all reason and accept his pledge of love? It was only the fear that she could never truly offer what he needed to heal his wounds that made her hesitate. “I am a simple woman who desires a quiet life. I have had quite enough adventure.”
Pressing his lips to her palm, Dimitri gently tugged aside her hand, his eyes glowing with a near feverish light.
“Oddly enough, I have recently developed a taste for a quiet life, as well.”
The mere thought was enough to bring a grudging smile to her lips.
“You?”
“I must admit that I am as shocked as you, milaya,” he teased, aimlessly rubbing his thumb over her inner wrist. “I never imagined that one day I would hand the reins of my empire to another.”
“You mean—”
“As of today Josef is now the Beggar Czar,” he proudly announced. “While I am a mere gentleman who is unencumbered by such vast responsibilities.”
She shook her head in bemusement. It certainly seemed the day for surprises.