Free Charis by Mary Francis

extremely intelligent and
they had much in common and enjoyed so many of the same things. His sense of
humour matched hers, his witty remarks made her laugh, but they were never
hurtful or sarcastic, and he seemed so full of life and fun without being
overbearing. She had to constantly remind herself that he was a prince, yet he
seemed so real, so down to earth, so much a part of her world, like she’d known
him and loved him forever…that he was an integral part of her being. But even
so, she couldn't see where this could possibly lead.
    When she entered the bedroom he was waiting for her. He'd changed
and was wearing his sweats and t-shirt again, a serious expression on his face.
She walked towards him but he kept her at arms’ length.
    “We need to talk,” he said. “I need you to listen and not interrupt
until I'm done, okay?”
    She nodded, at a loss to understand the sudden change in him.
    “Firstly, I want you to know that these past forty-eight hours with
you have been the happiest and most wonderful two days of my life. But it's all
over now. The King is happy with the trade agreement and I have to be in Dubai
on Sunday morning. I promised that if you wanted I would take you home and I
never break my promises. So tomorrow, I shall take you, but first I want you to
promise me something.” 
    Charis could barely breathe. The last thing she wanted was for her
time with him to end but she managed a nod of understanding.
    “After you're home, if, in a few weeks’ time, you find that you are
with child as a result of our coupling here, you must promise to let me know. I
would always want to be part of our child's life and I would expect to provide
for both of you.”
    He paused. She couldn't speak. Her eyes were full of tears and she
daren't even look at him. She managed another nod. After a moments’ silence he continued.
“But if I could have the wish of my heart it would be that you would stay with
me. I cannot bear the thought of losing you.”
    As he spoke tenderly, Charis lifted her head and her eyes met his. She
could see the love clearly in his eyes. A tiny sob escaped her lips as she
whispered, “Oh, Ben.” 
    He put his fingers to her lips then caressed her cheek. “Hear me out
before you say anything,” he said softly. She nodded for the fourth time. “I’m
not going to insult your intelligence by saying that I could never be happy
without you, but I can tell you that I will be much, much happier with you in
my life than I could ever be without you.”
    Charis struggled to contain her tears – he loved her! It was almost
unbelievable to her that it could be so and she couldn't help herself asking,
“Why?”
    “You mean apart from the obvious?” he smiled as he asked.
    “Obvious?” It was a question.
    “Your beauty is beyond words to describe,” he reminded her and made
her blush. “And the sex of course!” She felt herself blush all over and lowered
her eyes. He smiled at her shyness and decided to tease her a little. “Never,
not even in my wildest teenage fantasies, could I have imagined anything as
wonderful as being with you…making love to you.” He knew he’d embarrassed her
so he went on. “But even more importantly than that are so many other things. I
love the sound of your voice and the way you move. I love your smile, your
sense of fun, your laughter, courage, kindness and thoughtfulness. You're intelligent
and articulate and I never have to explain things to you. I love everything
about you. Even the ordinary things like the way you dress and do your hair,
and that you don't use gobs of make up or put garish colours on your nails and
make them look like witches talons.” And added, just to tease her a little
again, “And the fact that after all we have done together in bed, when you go
to the bathroom to perform your ablutions you shut the door firmly in my face!”
    She squirmed. “You think it's silly.”
    “I think it’s very endearing,” he said lovingly.