‘Because I’ve kept it a secret for so long from everyone. And you mattered to me more than anyone I’d ever met. It wasn’t just that I was ashamed. I was afraid that if you knew, it would kill what we had.’ Admitting it was agony. ‘I was afraid that if you knew the truth about me, you wouldn’t want me any more. You know who you are. Your ancestors are Sultans and Princes. You can trace your family back for centuries. And I’m—’ Her voice cracked and she gave a despairing shrug. ‘I don’t even know who I am. I’m a … I’m the result of my mother’s unofficial social experiment.’
He took her face in his hands and rested his forehead against hers, his gaze holding her steady. ‘You’re the woman I love. The only woman I want.’
She hadn’t dared hope that she would hear that. ‘Even now you know?’ She discovered that her cheeks were wet and she brushed her palm over her face self-consciously. ‘I’m crying. I never cry.’ Her voice was unsteady and his was equally unsteady.
‘I’m not marrying you for where you came from. I’m marrying you for who you are and who you are going to be. You are a bright, talented, very sexy woman who will make a perfect Princess. I don’t care about your past, except for the degree to which it affects our future. Can you shut out everything she ever taught you and believe in us, no matter what? Or are you going to walk away?’
‘Last night she sent me a text. She’d heard I was getting married and she told me not to do anything stupid. And I realised that she was right. It is important not to do something stupid—’ she felt him tense and, because she saw pain flicker into his eyes, she carried on quickly ‘—and it would be stupid not to marry you. It would be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.’
He breathed in sharply. ‘Avery—’
‘I love you. That’s why I took a risk with you the first time, because I cared for you so much. And it’s why I’m here now. I was upset when I found out that you had to get married by a certain date, that’s true, but I only needed a few minutes alone to realise that everything you told me made sense. And it’s partly my fault that you didn’t tell me because I’m so screwed up. I do believe you love me but when you’ve believed yourself unlovable for so long, it’s hard not to doubt that. I love you—’ the words caught in her throat ‘—I really love you. And if you still want me, then I want to marry you.’
‘If I still want you?’ He hauled her against him and held her so tightly she could hardly breathe. ‘There is no “if”. There never has been an “if” in my mind. I have always been sure. Too sure, which was why I messed it up so badly the first time. And I did mess it up.’ He eased her away from him and smoothed away her tears with his thumbs. ‘I understand that now. You accused me of arrogance and perhaps I was guilty of that but most of all I was guilty of being too sure of us. I knew we were perfect together.’
‘I’m pleased to hear you think I’m perfect.’ She laughed up at him and he smiled back, but it was a shaky smile. The smile of someone who had come close to losing everything that mattered.
‘You know your problem? You’re arrogant.’
‘A moment ago I was perfect.’
‘You’re perfect for me.’
A warm feeling spread through her. ‘I’ve never had that.’ Her voice faltered as he kissed her. ‘I don’t honestly think anyone has ever loved me before. Apart from Jen. And most of the time I drive her mad.’
‘Not so mad that she didn’t agree to fly out for our wedding.’
Avery stared at him. ‘She—?’
‘My plane lands in the next hour. She is on it. She can help you get ready and she has strict instructions to call me if one word of doubt crosses your lips.’
‘It won’t.’
‘What if your mother texts you again?’
‘She can’t. I dropped my phone in the fountain.’ Her voice faltered. ‘But I am afraid of messing everything up. I don’t know anything about making a relationship work. Nothing.’
‘There is only one thing you need to know about making a relationship work and that is that you don’t give up.’ His fingers slid into her hair, strong and possessive. ‘Whatever you feel, you tell me. You shout, you yell, anything, but you never walk away. Never.’
It should have felt terrifying but instead it felt blissfully good. ‘My mother told me that marriage was a sacrifice, but it feels so much more like a gift.’
His eyes gleamed. ‘I look forward to unwrapping you, habibti. And in the meantime, do you think you could change into something that will make the unwrapping more fun? Everyone would be disappointed to see the elegant Avery Scott wearing jeans on her wedding day.’
She curled her hand into his shirt and pulled him towards her. ‘You want the dance of the seven veils?’
‘That sounds like the perfect way to begin a marriage.’
‘Where exactly are we going? Could someone please tell me what’s going on?’ Avery was so nervous she felt sick. ‘Jen?’
Her friend shook her head. ‘This is one event you’re not organizing, Avery. Just relax.’
‘I’m not a relaxed sort of person.’ Despite the air conditioning in the limousine, her palms felt damp and her stomach was a knot of nerves. ‘I’m supposed to be marrying Mal so it would be great if someone could tell me why we’re driving in this car away from the Palace and with blacked-out windows so I can’t even see where I’m going.’
‘It’s a surprise. You’re controlling, you do know that, don’t you?’
‘I’m efficient, not controlling. I get things done. And it’s hard to get a wedding done when the groom is in one place and the bride is in another.’ Just saying those words made her heart race. Bride. Groom. She was getting married. ‘And you, by the way, are supposed to be on my side.’
‘I’m on your side. You’re scared, Avery.’ Jenny reached across and took her hand. ‘Don’t be. It’s the right thing. I never saw two people as right for each other as you and Mal. And I’ve seen a few.’