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I could feel his reluctance to let o, but he did and turned without a word I poured us some tea and decided to sit in the chair—not on the couch where he could reachrooly beautiful, andso near I sed repeatedly, and then suddenlyto be sick Dammit!

I excused myself and rushed to the bathroom I tried and be as quiet as possible, but I knew he could hear ies, I took my seat and stared at him He stared back

“What do you need to tell me, Julie?” his voice was an odd mix of stern and curious

I lifted er tea “I have some questions for you, first” He nodded and picked up his tea, dragging the tea bag through the stea his eyes from mine Still as unsettled as I’ve ever felt, I continued

“Anna just told me you are a sheikh? You have your own country? Abu Dhabi? Is that right? You’re like a king?”

“That is correct” He answered as if it were coe

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“My status should make no difference to you” he rejoined

“But it does!”

He cocked his head, looking confused “Why? We were siinally met”

“True—but—but, now it matters”

“Well, now you know” I made an exacerbated sound, and he chuckled “Yes, I am fully aware I frustrate you, Julie You have more questions? What do you need to know?” He spread his ar any of his tea

I blurted, “Are you married?”

“I was”

“Divorced?” I squeaked, thinking the Arab populous didn’t believe in divorce