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Chapter 342
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 343
But knowing that Chloe wanted him physically and that she responded to his kisses and caresses did not mean that she felt anything else for him but desire. And even that desire could not persuade her into going to bed with him.He looked up at her, his dark gaze intense on the pale beauty of her face in the moonlight. "Can you deny that you like my hands on your body, Chloe?" he probed.She swallowed hard, her green eyes haunted. "I haven’t tried to deny it, Gregorio." She sighed. "I’ve simply told you that I won’t have an affair with you.""Yes, I believe you have made it very clear that you do not have any room in your life for "a rich Sicilian playboy who might have decided he wants to hop in and out of your bed whenever he happens to be in London"!" Gregorio barely acknowledged it.The fact that Gregorio remembered what she had said earlier told Chloe that her remark must have hit a raw nerve. But why should it have been done? She was no more conversant with affairs than she was w
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 344
Chloe looked up fearfully from where she lay face-down on the bed as she heard the bedroom door open and then close. Her vision was too blurred by tears for her to be able to see anything more than the silhouette of Gregorio’s tall, imposing figure as he approached.She knew she wouldn't be able to handle another assault on her emotions, that she loved Gregorio too much.The bed sagged slightly as he sat beside her, reaching out to turn her over, luring her into his arms and burying his face in her hair.Chloe's arms instinctively moved up around his shoulders, and she clung on tight."Please understand that I just can’t do this, Gregorio!" she sobbed as she burrowed her face against the hardness of his chest. "I wish that I could—you’ve no idea how I wish that I could be one of those women who would be happy to take the affair, the living together, that you’re offering!" she admitted emotionally. "But I can’t!" "You see, I’ve never—I haven’t ever—I’d probably be a terrible disappointm
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 345
"No, that would never be true of a child we had together, Gregorio," she assured him. "Our children will be an affirmation of our love for each other, Gregorio, not a threat to our own relationship," she told him shyly.Gregorio became very still as he stared down at her, as he looked deep into those expressive green eyes and saw—as he saw...He drew in a sharp breath, his hands tightening against her cheeks as he looked down at her wonderingly. Do you adore me, Chloe...He breathed softly, hardly daring to believe it could be true."I love you, Gregorio," she confirmed, her eyes starting to glow as her hands moved up to tightly clasp his arms. "I love you so much that I’m as terrified as you obviously are," she admitted. "Gregorio, do you think two people like us—two people who, for various reasons, have avoided love their entire lives—could possibly find happiness and love together...?"Gregorio breathed deeply, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. "I think—I know—that we are perf
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 346
‘Cassia, you have to tell him you love him tonight. If you don’t, he’ll never know. You’re going home in two days, next year you’ll be at college or working…this is it, your last chance to tell Calix how you feel.’Cassia’s arms were gripped by her older cousin, Lyra, her dark face close to Cassia’s, her eyes fervent. In some dim part of herself, she did wonder at that moment why Lyra cared so much about this. and stifled the thought, feeling mean. Hadn’t Lyra been her confidante, having had to listen to her wax lyrical about Calix for years on every summer holiday? She was only helping her.Nerves made her voice shaky. ‘But, Lyra, I haven’t seen him in ages, he’s always in Athens now…’ She shivered. And a little remote. Which he’d never been before…Lyra shook her head emphatically. ‘Doesn’t matter. He’s always had a soft spot for you. He’s exactly the same, the only difference now is that he’s loaded.’Cassia gulped. And much more mature... he's going to laugh at me."Cassia, come o
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 347
‘Cassia…why did you come out here? You should go back, it’s getting dark.’She looked at him, hurt in her eyes. ‘I just… I don’t mind just sitting here with you.He groaned softly and ran hands through his hair. ‘Sorry. I’m just…not the best company tonight.’She laid a hand on his arm, and looked at him. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’He stared at her for a long time, causing something to coil deep within Cassia's abdomen, something alien and tight...hot.He seemed to be fighting an inner battle, struggling with something. Then it passed. She held her breath as he reached out a hand and caught a lock of her hair, letting it slide through his fingers."Your coloring is amazing, do you know that?"Cassia grimaced, felt like squirming under his gaze. ‘It’s horrible. I burn too easily. I blush too easily.’And I’m too fat.Every insecurity rose up all too easily.He shook his head. "No, you’ve got your mother’s coloring." "A classic English rose...""That’s why my father says he fell in
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 348
When Cassia woke up the next morning, the tight ache in her chest didn’t seem to have dissipated one bit and she had the horrible sensation of thinking it could have all been a bad dream, but of course it hadn’t. Her only consolation was that she knew Calix would probably be in Athens, and that she was due to go back to England the next day. She prayed Calix would stay in Athens till she was gone. And that no one would ever know what had happened. Except them. And Lyra. Who at least, Cassia thought with a shudder of relief, hadn’t witnessed her humiliating efforts.However, she came downstairs to noise, confusion, and commotion, with her parents and Calix in the middle of it all. Her father was shouting at him, thrusting a newspaper in his face."How could you?" We trusted you. She’s seventeen, for God’s sake. little more than a child. Isn’t it enough that you’re getting married to one of the most beautiful women in Athens? "You had to mess around with Cassia."They didn’t see her com
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 349
Seven years later, The Ritz Hotel, ParisCalix Petrakis was bored. It was like a heavy mantle around his shoulders. a black cloud that spread outwards from his very depths, pervading everything. He was oblivious to the fact that he was surrounded by opulence. The opulence that came with being one of the wealthiest men in the world, in one of the world’s most exclusive hotels Hushed whispers encircled him. He tuned them out, the superlatives bouncing off him. They’d surrounded him for years, but he’d never courted them or needed any assurance.So young and so handsome!The most successful shipping magnate since Onassis... Even more money... Most eligible bachelors...Now the constant murmurs that followed him wherever he went only added to the ennui he felt. He’d achieved a pinnacle of success attained by just a very few and only imagined by most. And it had been hard won, which should make it all the more sweet. But was this it? How could he be feeling like this when everything he’d ev
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 350
He tore his gaze away with more of an effort than he liked to admit and looked down at Isadora again. As he remembered wanting to leave, he smiled smoothly, her harsh beauty even more jarring now.He murmured, "Forgive me... I have an important early meeting tomorrow. Would you mind if we left?"Not at all, darling." I’ll get my coat from the cloakroom.She squeezed his arm and smiled, clearly anticipating, somewhat misguidedly, that he wanted them to be alone, and walked away.As he watched her walk away, Calix felt no compunction or guilt at what he was about to do. A woman like Isadora was well versed in the way he worked, as were men like him. He had no doubt she’d be put out, but as no emotions were invested, he knew it’d be for the loss of his money, his largesse, and the social standing that came with being seen on his arm. It was the state of affairs he was used to. He enjoyed the thrill of the chase. But lately, if he were honest, every conquest had become stale, even flat. A
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 440
He moved suddenly, turned to her, and gripped her arms; she glimpsed the desperation in his eyes as he dragged her against his chest. "I will do whatever it takes to win you back, Kalila." "You are my wife, the love of my life, and I won’t let you go." His warm breath fanning the curls that framed her face, he pressed his lips to her temple, his eyes briefly closing as if in pain."I have told my father to name his brother Sulim as the interim ruler of Qubbah in the event of his dying before Hazem comes of age." Kate stared at him, shocked beyond words. "But... but why?" she finally stumbled.I thought that you were to rule until Hazem was older. "You are the King’s only son, and it is your duty." Ahsan shook his head. "My first duty is to my wife, and my father agrees." Even if he did not, I would still be here for you."Don't you understand, Kalila?" he asked urgently. "You are more important to me than Qubbah, my father, everything." You, me, and Hazem are a family, and the only thin
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 439
The still silence in the garden that followed his astounding statement was broken by the piercingly sweet song of a blackbird. Kate licked her suddenly dry lips, her heart beating so fast she was sure it would explode. "I don’t understand.""It’s quite simple." He sounded impatient and stared at her haughtily. But to her amazement, streaks of dull color highlighted his cheekbones, and his eyes veered from hers as if he were afraid to meet her gaze. "I love you, Kate."Her rebuttal was fierce and immediate. "No, you don’t.""I should have known you would want to argue about it, Kalila." A little of his tension left him, and his smile stole her breath."You don’t love me," she said again. It was probably some cruel trick, and she had more sense than to be fooled. "You married me for Hazem." You love Farrah. Malika said so.Malika said a lot of things, most of them untrue. Ahsan’s voice was suddenly harsh."But not the things she said about me," Kate said thickly. "My mother was a prosti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 438
The blue sky was dotted with cotton wool clouds, and the warm breeze carried a scent of lavender and old-fashioned roses. There was no place on earth more beautiful than Ingledean on a spring day, Kate mused—except an oasis in the middle of the desert, where palm trees provided shade from the scorching sun and an azure pool glinted beneath a cloudless sky.She had been home for a month—although Ingledean no longer felt like home without Hazem. The image of his huge brown eyes and impish smile caused the familiar agonizing pain in her chest, and she bit down hard on her lip, tasted blood, and cursed the tears that slid unchecked down her face. She couldn’t cry forever. Somehow she was going to have to find the strength to move on, pick up the threads of her life, or maybe make a new one, far away from Ingledean and all its memories. But since she had left Qubbah, a terrible lassitude had settled on her, and she could not plan anything when the only two people she loved were far away on
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 437
In less than an hour, she was expected to attend the lavish dinner organized in honor of King Kabir’s recovery and his return as supreme ruler of Qubbah. And somehow she was going to have to do so without revealing that she was breaking up inside, which Kate acknowledged despairingly as she stared in the mirror at her paper-white face and red-rimmed eyes.When she first returned to the palace after her explosive confrontation with Malika, she locked herself in her dressing room and recalled, in stunned disbelief, everything the young Arab woman had told her. Could it be true? Had Ahsan always intended to divorce her once he’d gained custody of Hazem and marry his beautiful advisor?She did not know how long she’d sat there, but eventually her maid had knocked on the door and reminded her that it was time to prepare for the banquet. She should have made the excuse that she was ill—no one who saw her pallor would fail to believe her. But the steely backbone of pride that had seen her th
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 436
Despite the warmth of the early-evening sunshine, Kate shivered. "You’re talking nonsense," she said firmly, striving to sound confident despite the sudden lurch of her heart. She was perfectly aware of why Ahsan had married her, but he had given no hint that he wanted a divorce. Ahsan told me he was never engaged to you. She lifted her chin and glared at Malika, trying to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach."He wasn’t," Malika agreed, looking surprised. "I was engaged to Farhan; Ahsan was engaged to Farrah."The world seemed to tilt alarmingly for a few seconds, and Kate actually gripped the edge of the wall for support. Ahsan and Farrah! It couldn’t possibly be true, could it? "Jamila told me that Ahsan was in love with his fiancée," she said faintly. "She doesn’t know why the marriage didn’t take place."Malika gave a careless shrug. ‘Jamila knows. Everyone at the palace knows that Ahsan adored Farrah and that she eloped with his brother on the eve of their wedding.
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 435
He was suddenly aware that the children had finished their dance and everyone was waiting for his response. Kate had turned her head to him, frowning at his inattention, and he quickly clapped his hands in applause. Once the dancers had filed out of the marquee, his personal assistant Zaid appeared at his side and informed him that a group of local potters had brought their best work for his gracious inspection. Stifling a sigh, he led the royal party out into the blazing sunshine.The garden party continued all afternoon, and Ahsan was not in the best of moods when he strode back to the palace. He suddenly realized that he was too far ahead and slowed his pace, waiting for Kate to catch up with him. He frowned when he noted how pale she looked beneath her wide-brimmed hat. She made no attempt to speed up, and the dejected droop of her shoulders fueled his impatience."I appreciate that an afternoon spent admiring traditional crafts and customs is not likely to top your list of exciti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 434
Her feet briefly touched the floor, and he spun her around, tugged her zip down her spine, and removed her dress before she had time to catch her breath. Her bra went the same way before he lifted her again and threw her onto the bed as if she were a rag doll, his eyes glittering with a mixture of anger and sexual hunger that made Kate’s stomach dip."At night, I’m happy to give you all the attention you could possibly want," he growled, his shoes, trousers, and shirt hitting the floor with barely controlled savagery until he stood in his silk boxers. "This is the only bed you’ll ever sleep in." The boxers joined the rest of his clothes, revealing his powerful, unashamedly aroused body in all its glory. "But I wouldn’t bank on sleeping for many hours yet."Kate stared up at him, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she struggled to control the wild excitement that was pounding through her veins. She was conscious that she was wearing nothing but a pair of tiny lace pants and the pric
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 433
Clearly embarrassed, Aaliyah determinedly changed the subject to Hazem and how fast he was growing. But although Kate smiled and made token conversation, her mind was whirling. If Malika’s family had expected her to marry Ahsan, was she the woman he had been engaged to years ago—the woman Jamila had said he had loved? But, if so, why had they not married? It didn’t make sense, and she brooded miserably as she stared at Ahsan. He was smiling at Malika and clearly enjoying her company. Perhaps they had argued and broken off their engagement. Was he now regretting his lost chance to marry a beautiful, clever Arab girl who would have made him the perfect wife?From that moment on, the party became a blur of faces and stilted conversation with people she had never met before. She was sure they viewed her as an oddity, with her pale skin and vivid hair—and her glaring lack of sophistication. But until his father had recovered, Ahsan was king, and one of her wifely duties outside of the bedr
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 432
As Ahsan had predicted, his team of advisors was waiting for him when they arrived back at the palace. Even on the journey across the desert, he’d had his mobile phone clamped to his ear, and Kate had sat silently beside him, lost in her thoughts. The honeymoon was over, and he had made it abundantly clear that he now saw her role as his wife as a walk-on part—or perhaps a lie-down part, she thought bitterly. But what had she expected? She had married him for Hazem, and he had married her for sex, and they had each gotten what they wanted.At least she had Hazem, she told herself later that evening, when she tucked the toddler into bed. She had missed him desperately, and his evident delight that she was back was a comforting balm to her raw emotions. She was Ahsan’s wife, a member of the Royal Family of Qubbah, and no one could ever take him away from her now.But as she prepared for the state banquet, her insecurities returned, and she felt sick with nerves. She had been horrified w
