Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 179189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 896(@200wpm)___ 717(@250wpm)___ 597(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 179189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 896(@200wpm)___ 717(@250wpm)___ 597(@300wpm)
“I’m not,” I lie.
“Yeah, you are,” he says, coming even closer. He cocks his head and places a hand on the shelf just beside me. “Are you afraid of me?”
“Me? Afraid?” I snort. “Why would I be afraid?” Could my voice sound any more fake? I doubt it.
“Because of what I could do to you …” he says, his voice sultry. Almost addictive to listen to. Especially when he leans in to whisper, “And your body.”
I hold my breath as I feel his breath near my ear.
“I know you want me to. I saw you looking.” His lips almost touch my neck. I can’t breathe. “You wish you had been in that bath with me.”
I push him back, and say, “Stop being such a player.”
“Player?” He frowns, confused.
“I’m not falling for your tricks again, dude,” I say, placing a finger on his chest. “I’m not that easy.” At least, not a second time.
“I didn’t say you were,” he replies. “But I’m not giving up either.”
“Why? You have plenty of other girls you can seduce. They’d all die for a chance to date the prince. Go ask them,” I say with a sigh, folding my arms. “I’m sure they’re dying to be with a prince.”
“You keep saying that, but it’s not true.” He shakes his head. “They only want me because I’m a prince. I don’t want them. My father forces me to spend time with women, mostly the rich ones, but they’re boring. I don’t want any of that.” He grabs my hand. “I’d rather spend time with you.”
I don’t know what to say or what to do. I’m frozen in place. And as he leans in again, I don’t back away even though his lips are so close to mine I can almost taste them.
Suddenly, a blinding flash of light goes off in front of me.
I blink a couple of times and block my face with my hands.
There’s someone behind Amir.
Another flash.
“Fuck,” Amir hisses.
By the time I realize what’s going on, Amir is already dragging me out of the store. “Run!”
Chapter 7
Amir
Fuck. I didn’t think they’d find me, but apparently, they did. Fucking paparazzi. Always following me around. Guess I’ll need to find a different outfit to disguise my identity because this one obviously didn’t work.
I drag her through the alleys, going as fast as possible to escape the photographer. I’m not sure he was alone, and I really don’t want to make a scene right now. Especially when she’s with me. And I’m sure they already caught a glimpse of something I didn’t want anyone to see.
Fuck.
I pull her along while she keeps asking questions. “Who was that? What’s happening? Where are we going? What about my fabrics?”
“You can get them later,” I growl. “We have to hide.”
We enter an alley and weave through some tiny streets until I finally reach the only place I know we can hide without anyone calling the media. A small home in the middle of the city tucked between two gigantic apartment buildings. I knock on the door but go inside immediately, not waiting for someone to open it.
I already know I’m welcome anyway.
“Sorry for the sudden visit,” I say as Saida gives me a surprising look. “Can we hide out here for a few?”
“Amir! It’s been so long since I last saw you,” she says, smiling. “Of course, you can. C’mon in.” She beckons me to follow her to the back into the yard where I always played as a child. Oh, the memories of me and Faiz throwing mud at each other, playing catch, and falling into the pond. Those were good times.
Saida places her hand on my back and guides us outside. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Sure,” I say. “But don’t go through the trouble of making something fancy. We won’t stay long.” I don’t want to bother her more than I already have.
“Oh, nonsense,” she says, waving it off as if it’s no big deal. “Stay as long as you like.”
Her warmth brings a smile to my face. Time flies by so quickly.
She goes back inside and into the kitchen while Miss Maya keeps tugging my arm.
“Where are we?”
I smile. “An old friend’s home. He’s … no longer here, but his mom and I know each other well. I supported her when things were rough.”
“Ahh … Is he …?” she mumbles, afraid to finish her question.
“He passed away,” I answer as I grab two foldable chairs and place them side by side in front of the plastic table.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” she replies, sucking on her bottom lip. “You two must’ve been close.”
“Yeah. I used to come here a lot when I was little. Faiz and I were best buds. I hung out here whenever I was trying to hide from the paparazzi.”
“Not much has changed then,” she muses.