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 rub my lips together, fighting the tears as he goes on his knees right in front of me.
“Amir, get up,” I hiss between my teeth as everyone around us starts gossiping out loud. “We’re making a scene.”
His dreamy eyes are locked on mine. “I don’t care. Let them talk.”
“But what about your father?” I ask.
“I told him the same thing. I don’t care about being part of a royal family if I can’t have what makes me happy, and right now, that’s you.”
“But you’ll throw away your right to the throne,” I respond, worried he might actually do that. I’m just … me. I’m not worth giving up his entire future for. Especially as a prince.
“I’d rather do that than throw away my only shot at a happy life with you.”
The beaming smile on his face makes the tears roll down my cheeks. I can’t fight them anymore. I don’t even want to. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. It’s like a fairy-tale dream come true.
“And you think your father would accept that?” I ask. “Would he accept me?”
“Once he realizes this is the only way, and that I won’t let him decide for me, I’m sure he will. He was never mad at you; he was mad at me for choosing differently. But I know he’ll come to his senses. Just as I did when I saw you run. I knew then that I never want to see you leave that way ever again.”
I frown, still worried about all the things that could happen if I stay. What about my life back home? My family and friends? My job?
I gaze over my shoulder at the plane and everything I’d be leaving behind if I said yes.
“If you’re worried about your home, I can bring your family here too. Anyone you want for as long as you need.”
“You’d do that for me?” I ask, wiping the tears away. It’s as though he can read my mind.
“Yes, because I love you.”
My eyes widen, and my heart skips a beat.
Love. Did he actually just say that?
“What?” I mutter.
The smile on his face almost seems permanent. He’s unafraid to admit his feelings for me and wants the world to know. “You heard me. I know what I want, and what I want is you. I’m not going to deny what I feel in my heart. Even if it’s quick. Even if it’s outrageous and pisses everyone around me off, including you.”
I laugh at his comment because it’s true, but it makes him adorable too.
“I don’t care what it takes; I wanna make you happy,” he says, and I can tell from his voice he means every word.
Still, the voices in the back of my head can’t seem to shut up. “But what about my work, and—”
“There are plenty of customers waiting in line. I’ve looked at your popularity, and it’s not just people in America who want your clothes. You’re famous, Maya. And don’t try to hide it from me.”
I snort, shaking my head, but his compliments make it hard for me to reply without my face turning into a strawberry.
“I’ll have the workshop upgraded, and any materials you need will be provided. We’ll ship them from abroad if we have to, and anything else to make your business flourish.”
“But you’re a prince, and I’m—”
“Perfect for me. In every way,” he interrupts, grabbing both my hands now. “Say you’ll stay. For now. As long as you want.”
I raise a brow. “You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?”
“Damn right, I have.” The smug look on his face makes my heart do a little spin even though the people around us all seem shocked he’d go through all this trouble just for me.
But that’s just it … to him, I’m more than just that girl from America. I’m more than just his designer. We had more than just fun. There’s a connection between us, something powerful I can’t explain, but it draws me toward him just as much as he’s clinging onto me.
As I spent all this time at the airport, I was hoping, praying he’d come to get me.
And here he is to fight for me. How can I not say yes?
So I do. “Yes,” I say. “I’ll stay.”
I’m deciding here and now I’m going to give it a shot. I owe it to my heart to stop waiting around for the right guy. This guy … he’s the one I want right now, and I don’t give a damn if that means giving up my life back home because life’s all about risks and taking chances. And I choose this path because it isn’t a coincidence that we met. We aren’t a coincidence.
So I don’t stop nodding until it finally sinks in. He gets up from the floor and wraps me in his arms, twirling me around as he hugs me tight. The people around us erupt into cheers.