In the pocket of his khaki board shorts the burner phone he’d smuggled onto the island buzzed. In the beginning, he’d carried it around everywhere, hoping for news from the mainland. But now, he only stuck it in his pocket each morning out of habit. Honestly, he hadn’t thought about his responsibilities back in Djeva much at all, other than his speech. The realization brought both relief and guilt.
He sat up, legs dangling over the side of the hammock as he pulled the device out and squinted at the tiny screen.
“Hey, what’s up, baby?” Ani said, walking up the beach to him then lea
ning in for a quick kiss. “That the phone you brought? Did you finally manage to get reception?”
“Seems so,” he said, holding the phone this way and that, trying to increase the number of bars on the stupid thing. “I believe I’ve received a text, but it just keeps loading and won’t show me anything.”
Pushing off the hammock, Rehaj stalked out onto the beach, the mid-afternoon sun prickling hot on his bare chest and arms. His aviator shades cut down on the glare, but also made it more difficult to see the phone screen. Finally, he stopped walking when his toes hit the cold ocean water and slid his glasses up to the top of his head. The message appeared at last and his heart dropped. It was from his assistant in the Djevian government.
cabinet vote moved up.
Sending ship to pick you up this afternoon at 5pm.
“Did you get it?” Ani said, walking up beside him. She peered up at his face, her hand shielding her eyes. His shock must’ve shown on his face because she asked, “What’s wrong?”
For a moment, all Rehaj could do was blink down at the device. Back when he’d sent the message his first day on the island, he’d been anxious to leave, still mired in the stress of his day-to-day life, closed off from everyone and everything that made him feel alive. But now…
He and Ani should have had two days left together. Two days of fun and laughter and making love all night long. He felt torn between his obligations to his country and the yearnings of his heart. The same way he’d felt thirteen years ago. He’d been so full of hope and bravado in the face of his impending adulthood and his future right before the accident, the night Ayesha had been killed because of his recklessness. He’d also felt the weight of his responsibilities to his family and his title, responsibilities that had made him distracted. That distraction had cost him everything once, and might do so again, if he let it. The knowledge terrified him.
“I, uh…I’m to return to my country this afternoon.” Rehaj swallowed hard against the constriction in his throat. “The cabinet vote has been moved up.”
“Oh.” Ani’s gorgeous smile fell. Her shoulders slumped and she curled her toes into the wet sand beneath her feet. “Well, I guess you better get packing then, huh?” She gave a sad little snort, blinking rapidly as if holding back tears. “I, um, I should get back to my place anyway. So much to do before I leave on Friday. It’s been great getting to know you and spending time with you and…” Her voice cracked and she looked away. “I’m going to miss you more than I can say, Rehaj, but I know you’ll be brilliant in your speech.”
She turned away and started back toward her villa.
Rehaj stared after her for a moment before reaching out to gently clasp her wrist. He had no idea how to proceed from here, only that he couldn’t let her go, not yet, not this way. “Wait.”
Ani halted, but didn’t turn around. He walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her back into his chest. Skin on skin, warmth to warmth. Rehaj rested his chin atop her hair and stared at the palm trees ahead.
“What time are they picking you up?” she asked, her voice quiet.
“Not until five.”
“Right.” She sniffled and his heart ached. “Look, I’ve really enjoyed all my time with you here on the island. In truth, I’ve never met anyone I felt so compatible with.”
“Not even Marcus?” Rehaj asked, raising a brow.
“Especially Marcus.” Ani snorted. “But I know a fling when I see one. We both came here to Recover Love and that’s what we’ve done. We needed to heal and open up again to the possibilities around us and that’s what happened. For that, I’ll forever be grateful to you.”
The words escaped before Rehaj could consider them. “Come back with me.”
“What?” Ani stiffened in his arms, turning to face him at last.
Now that the idea was out there, it didn’t seem so crazy. After all, she’d planned on being away until at least Friday. She could accompany him back to Djeva. He could show her his homeland, all his favorite spots—the palace, the desert, his brother’s wildlife preserve. They would have to be more careful, yes, with the media always watching, but it would give him more time to sort out all the chaotic emotions swirling inside him whenever he thought about losing Ani.
“I want you to return to Djeva with me today.” Rehaj placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “It’s quite beautiful, I assure you. There’s plenty to do in our capital city of Al-Qustra too. Shopping, theatre, spas, anything you could want.” His breath hitched. “Plus, it would give us more time together. You could come see me make my speech to the cabinet. You could stay for a week, two even.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Wow. Um, I don’t know. I’d have to call my family back in Texas and make sure they can make do without me. My mother is starting a new publicity tour soon and I was supposed to act as her assistant. I guess my dad could do that though, or my sister. Are you sure you want me there?”
“Yes.” And surprisingly, he meant it. In the past, he felt nothing but stress when he had to make public appearances. Part of that was the accident, but the other part was not wanting to reveal too much of himself in public for fear he’d be found lacking. His younger brother, Raheem, had always been seen as the charmer, the suave playboy. And Feraz, as new leader of Djeva, was treated with the respect that position demanded. Rehaj, though, hadn’t really had a good handle on who he should be, in private or public. Until now. “Yes. I want you there. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t. Please, mahbubi. Say you’ll accompany me home to the palace.”
“The palace?” Ani chuckled. “You weren’t kidding about the prince part, were you?”
“I am a sheikh, yes.” He took her hands and brought them to his mouth, kissing the backs of each. “But I am also a man. Today, I stand before you as simply Rehaj, the man. Asking the woman he cares for to come home with him. You can meet my family too. My sisters will love you.”
I love you.