Lark bit her lip on the same spot he’d just nibbled. Her chest urged her to release the breath she was holding. But her lungs wouldn’t let go.
“Will you call the Duchess and warn her about the publication of your salacious relationship? Otherwise, Zhi will have my head."
The long-held breath came out in a gush. Then a giggle. Then a snort.
Omar’s dark gaze glittered with amusement watching her cover her mouth and the embarrassing noises coming from them. When she went silent, he pulled her back to him. “I don't know how I'm going to keep my distance from you at the wedding?"
"It'll be easy. Women will be flocking to you."
"What women? They all pale to your sparkle."
"Smooth." Lark patted his chest, getting distracted by the corded muscle she found there.
"Truth,” he said. "I want to see you tonight."
"We can't leave out together. They'll know."
“Fine,” he sighed.
That was too easy. Lark got the feeling this fight was far from over. She saw she was right when Omar handed her a card.
“Meet me here,” he said. "Dress comfortably. It's going to be a long night."
He kissed her again. Her lips were swollen by the time he reluctantly released her.
She wobbled like her feet left the ground. She’d never been swept off her feet by a man a day in her life. Who knew that all that would take was a man who simply believed in her and gave her a boost up the ladder of success.
Chapter Thirteen
"Are we going back to Italy?" asked Lark as they pulled up to the private airfield that housed his company jet.
"Not so far this time," Omar said.
It was hard to move words past his throat. His tongue was either salivating or tied in knots around this woman.
Just looking at her and he was lost. Even now, she wore a simple dress. Strappy heels and a shimmering wrap. He'd seen women in expensive gowns whose fabric could feed a small country. Not one looked as stunning as she did in the simple gown she’d likely gotten from a department store.
“If not Italy, then where?" she asked.
"You’ll see when we get there."
"So, you’re kidn
apping me? Regressing back to your ancient ways?”
“Kidnapping means one party is unwilling.” He held out his hand to her. As he opened his palm, he felt he was baring his soul. "Do you trust me?"
Her breath caught. Her nostrils flared. She didn't say the words, but it was right there in her eyes.
She did trust him. The revelation of the fact appeared to surprise her. It surprised him too.
Her fingertips sliding into his hand left trails of fire, like a comet’s tail. Her palm meeting his was a supernova. Omar’s universe broke apart and reformed. The new center of his galaxy was this woman who’d come into his orbit.
Bypassing the jet, Omar handed his precious cargo into the helicopter. Even though she came with him of her own free will, he strapped her into the safety harness himself, pulling the belt tight so she couldn't escape.
Lark made not one complaint. Not one single demand. She was like no woman he’d ever dated.
The whoop whoop of the helicopter blades matched the pounding of his own heart. He was already feeling lightheaded before the lift-off.