Page 31 of Prince of Her Heart
Martin stepped closer, lifting his beer and gesturing toward him with an exaggerated, drunken sweep.“Yeah, we got that.But who the hell are you?”
The sneer grated.Ramzi didn’t blink.
Leandra appeared next to Martin, swaying slightly as she joined the confrontation, her lipstick smudged and her eyes glassy from too much alcohol.“He’s a faker,” she scoffed, loud enough for those nearby to hear.“I think Tabitha hired this guy to play the part.Probably paid for the whole act.”
Her gaze slid toward the bodyguards.“Them too.Actors.She’s trying to impress us.Pathetic.”
Ramzi tilted his head, studying her with an unreadable expression.The sharp, greedy gleam in her eyes told him everything.This wasn’t about truth or status.It was about her being outshined, about her not being the center of attention.
“Is that what you think?”he asked, not bothering to mask the amusement in his voice.He’d never been spoken to like this in his life—and oddly, he found it…entertaining.This whole mess would be a fantastic story to share with his cousins.Zayn, especially, would howl with laughter.
Leandra smirked, emboldened by the watching crowd.“It’s obvious.You’re just some hired pretty boy.And Tabitha?”She sniffed.“She couldn’t face coming home a failure, so she faked a fiancé.”
She grabbed Martin’s arm.“Come on, baby.Let’s get dessert.We have real friends.”She gave Ramzi one last look, the kind meant to cut—disdainful and smug.
And then someone shouted, “He’s a prince!”
Everything stopped.A strange silence bloomed in the space around them.
Ramzi turned his head, following the voice.A man was holding up his phone, scrolling rapidly, then turning the screen for others to see.People pressed closer.Murmurs rippled.“Is that him?”“Oh my gosh, it is!”“Look at the sash!”“That’s a real crown!”
Ramzi sighed inwardly.So much for blending in.
He shifted his gaze back to Martin and Leandra.The change was immediate.Leandra’s face drained of color, her mouth slightly open as her eyes darted between Ramzi and the small crowd forming around the phone.
She released Martin’s arm and took an uncertain step forward.“Is that true?”she asked, her voice no longer taunting but breathless.“Are you…royalty?”
Ramzi groaned, irritation tightening his jaw.This whole evening had taken an unfortunate turn.He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until it found Tabitha.
She was chatting with a group of women, laughing at something one of them had said.And yet, the moment his eyes landed on her, she looked up—as if she’d felt him searching for her.That small reaction eased something inside him.
“Excuse me,” he said aloud, brushing past the group still muttering about royalty.“I’m going to dance with my fiancée.”
He handed the cold beers to the person nearest, still mildly surprised at how incredible the food had been.The plastic forks and dented trays might’ve lacked elegance, but the taste had rivaled a five-star kitchen.Well…some of the casseroles were aggressively bland, but the ribs, the brisket, and that peach cobbler?Outstanding.
Not that he cared about the food anymore.He wanted her.
As he made his way toward Tabitha, she stood slowly, her eyes never leaving his.It was the quietest invitation.
“You’ve been neglecting me,habibi,” he murmured, sliding an arm around her waist and brushing a kiss against her lips.It was light, too light for what he wanted, but still enough to feel her respond.Her lips moved softly against his, and Ramzi had to rein himself in before he forgot they were in public.
“Dance with me,” he said, low and rough.
It wasn’t a question.
And instantly, he realized how that sounded—demanding, not a question.He half-expected her to push him away or correct him on the spot.
But instead, Tabitha placed her hand on his chest, her smile slow and knowing.
“I’d love to dance.Thank you for asking.”
There it was.
That graceful correction.Sweet and subtle…and infuriatingly arousing.
Or maybe it was the curl of her mouth.The slight teasing tone in her voice.Or the way her fingers lingered against his shirt.
He didn’t bother to analyze it.She was close.That’s all that mattered.
