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Chapter 360
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 361
The day before the civil marriage was to take place at the office of the mairie on the Place du Panthéon, Cassia was meeting her uncle for lunch near his office on the Champs Elysées. The Arc de Triomphe was a mere shape in the distance as she steeled herself and went into the restaurant.He stood as she approached, and they kissed on both cheeks in a warm greeting. She hadn’t seen him since that night at the Ritz. They’d spoken on the phone when she delivered the news of the wedding, and now she couldn’t put off the inevitable any more. Finally, after she’d prevaricated for as long as possible, he got to the point. Taking her hand across the table, he said gently, "Cassia, darling, you know how important to me you are; you’re like another daughter."‘I know…’ She tried to keep the emotion out of her voice, aching to be able to confide in someone, anyone."Are you telling me the truth about Calix?" He shook his head. "I just find it a little hard to believe that you bumped into him th
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 362
He turned to face her, his face stamped with arrogance and a sensuality that even now called to her on some base, carnal level. She hated him. She knew she was telling herself that... and that it felt like she was trying to persuade herself.He reached out a finger and trailed it along her jaw. She clenched it, and he tapped where it bulged out against her smooth skin."Such dramatic language, Cassia." When you set me up all those years ago, when I was considered as close as family, it made me very wary. I’m just warning you about what will happen if you decide to leave your family to their fate. That’s all.’He was so far off the mark from how Cassia felt that her head swam. She would never, ever do something to hurt her family. It seemed as if everything—every conversation they'd ever had—had turned to poisoned ashes.and amounted to nothing. He’d decided to judge her solely based on what he’d perceived her to have done seven years ago.She straightened her shoulders and stuck her ch
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 363
Calix strode through the mass of photographers outside Cassia’s office. Unlike with other celebrities, whom they would crush around and intimidate into submission, a space was left around Calix. That elicited a certain amount of respect.As if they knew that with one swipe of his hand or one word, he could do some serious damage. He ignored the barrage of questions and got into the back of his car. The blacked-out windows concealed him from view immediately.He tersely instructed his driver to take the long way back to his office. He needed to think and collect himself. And this was as alien a concept to him as the thought of taking public transportation. But the fact of the matter was that his body still throbbed with a level of arousal he’d never experienced before.What the hell had just happened back there?He ran a hand through his hair and stared unseeingly out of the window. He hadn’t planned on kissing Cassia. But when she’d walked in, so prim and proper in her buttoned-up shir
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 364
‘For better or worse…’The words swam over Cassia’s head. She stood in the mairie’s office with Calix by her side. Everything seemed to be going swimmingly, ever since she’d come in the door with Rastus and seen Calix standing there. in a steel-gray suit, looking so tall and dark and vibrantly handsome that she’d stumbled on her walk towards him.Members of both their families were seated behind them. The speed with which the last few weeks had flown, the reaction of her body just standing beside this man…was overwhelming. She struggled to fix her gaze on a point in the distance and only belatedly realised that Calix was turning her towards him, having been told he could kiss his wife.His wife…Cassia looked up into his face, helpless now. Bound to him in front of everyone, in front of society. Wordlessly, she tried to communicate with him. Willing the harsh, angular lines on his face to soften... just for a moment so she could reconnect with the person she'd once known. But they did
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 365
Calix couldn’t focus on the conversation around him. From all the darker ones, Cassia's shining head stood out like a glowing beacon.He watched her progress as she walked back into the room, the only member of the family who wasn’t entirely Greek on both sides. She’d tied her hair back in a loose, tumbled knot. With an orchid caught in the glossy strands and minimal make-up, Calix thought he’d never seen anyone lovelier.Her outfit was simple, emphasizing her natural elegance, and he had to admit that he hadn't been entirely fair in his criticism of her attire.A knee-length cream silk dress with a gossamer-light golden-colored shawl and high, strappy golden sandals that drew the eye to slim ankles and shapely calves And when she moved, like now to greet one of her family, the silk of the dress moved with her and tightened across her hips. Again, he was blown away by the beauty that had been lying in wait through her younger years. Yet hadn’t she always possessed it? Her eyes had alway
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 366
When she was finally able to articulate a word, she bit out, "Are you going to tell me where we’re going?"The thought of a honeymoon, just her and Calix together, was sending waves of panic through Cassia’s tense body.Calix looked at her. Her arms were folded across her chest. Everything about her screamed, Get out! And made him more determined than ever to slake his lust, experience the passion that ignited with just a touch of their mouths.He forced himself to relax, to try and dampen the spark that was ready to be fanned into a burning flame at the slightest provocation…or encouragement, which he figured was unlikely in the near future."Our bags are following, so we’re going straight to the airport."Was he being deliberately obtuse? Cassia emitted a frustrated sigh."And is this a magic mystery tour, or are you going to tell me where we’re going?"She was all too aware of the strained edge in her voice. Calix regarded her coolly from his seat. looking casual and relaxed and at
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 367
Cassia woke to a gentle touch and found the stewardess standing over her. Someone had put a blanket over her, too.‘Mrs Petrakis, we’re landing in a few minutes.’For a second she was about to assert that she wasn’t Mrs Petrakis until she remembered that she was. She scrambled up inelegantly, relieved to see that Calix was missing from his seat. She pushed her hands through her tumbled hair and secured it back again. The orchid came out in her hand and she looked at it. What had possessed her to put it in her hair earlier? She threw it down on the table beside her, disgusted with herself that she might have somehow unconsciously done it for him. She wanted to get out of the dress, which clung far too much, and get into jeans…or overalls, or something. Anything else.And who had put the blanket over her? The thought that it might have been him made her insides liquefy. She chided herself for being so silly. It was far more likely to have been the stewardess. She looked up and saw Calix
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 368
Cassia wanted nothing more at that moment than to have the nerve to reach up, pull him back to her and give in. Once they’d slept together she was sure she wouldn’t satisfy him…a man with his reputation, used to women like Isadora! One night with Cassia would cure him of whatever madness she was sure was just tied up with his lust for revenge.He turned and stalked to the door, turning back just as he reached it. Dinner will be served at eight.She stood for a long time, waiting for her body to cool down. A curt knock came on the door, and Cassia steeled herself, expecting to see Calix again. But it opened to reveal Thea, who had put her bags inside the door. She was almost gone when Cassia called to her. ‘Thea…’ She walked over when the woman stopped, her heart aching that Thea could be so cold.'Thea… It’s good to see you again.The older woman just looked at Cassia, grunted something unintelligible and left.Cassia went and sat down on the bed. Her head reeled. Little had she known
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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
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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
