Page 62 of Prince of Her Heart
“Mom,” he rasped, “could you give us a minute?”
Marianna paused, glancing between him and Tabitha.Then her smile softened, and she stepped back.“Of course, darling.We’ll be right outside.”
She lingered just a moment longer.
“Thank you,” she said gently to Tabitha.“For staying.For… talking to him all night.”
Tabitha looked caught off guard, like she wasn’t sure whether to curtsy, nod, or apologize.But before she could say anything, the door closed behind his family.
Ramzi turned back to her, extending his good hand until he found hers.She didn’t hesitate to take it.
“You okay?”he asked, his voice still gravelly.
She laughed, the sound breaking halfway into a sob.“I wasn’t hurt,” she whispered.Her fingers trembled as she reached up to touch his cheek.“Apparently, you tackled me to the ground and took the knife meant for me.”
He arched a brow, the movement tight with pain.“Is that why I can’t feel my damn arm?”
Tabitha nodded, her smile wobbly.“Yeah.That and the concussion from hitting your head on a table on the way down.”She pressed his hand tighter against her cheek.“You scared the hell out of me.”
“Well,” he muttered, trying to lift his brows but giving up when the effort hurt, “that sucks.”
She hiccupped a laugh, brushing his knuckles with her lips.The relief in her eyes nearly undid him.
Then he gave her a crooked, sleepy smile.“You know...everyone’s gonna think you’re in love with me now.”
Tabitha’s tears streamed silently down her cheeks.“I am,” she whispered.“I’m sorry.I know that wasn’t our dea—”
Ramzi pressed his thumb gently over her lips, silencing her.
“It was all a ruse,” he murmured, his voice low and raw, “just to get closer to you.”
She blinked, uncertain she’d heard him right.“What?”
A crooked smile tugged at his mouth, though pain still etched the corners of his eyes.“I mean… the whole thing about protecting your mother from gossip?That was complete crap.”
Tabitha gaped at him.
“I like your mother,” he added with a short laugh.“But this weekend?It was all a setup.I needed an excuse to be near you.”
Her jaw dropped.“Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.I wanted you, Tabby,” he said, the teasing warmth in his voice dimmed only slightly by fatigue.“For the past three years, I’ve been trying to figure out how to get you to see me as a man—not just your boss.So when your mother mentioned this wedding, I thought, perfect.Two birds, one stone.”
She tilted her head.“And what was the other bird?”
“I hated that you were pining over some cheating jackass.”His eyes gleamed.“I was jealous.”
Tabitha’s laugh broke through the last of her tears.“You?Jealous?”
“Green.The kind of jealousy that makes a man consider punching a guy he’s never even met.”
Her smile faded slowly as she stared into his dark eyes.“You really… wanted me?”
His brow lifted.“Have the past two nights taught you nothing?”
She climbed up onto the edge of the bed.“That’s just sex.”
Ramzi reached for her, brushing his thumb down her damp cheek.“I love you, Tabby-cat,” he said quietly.“You’re it for me.”
