Emerald St. Clair's POV

My heart pounded so loudly when I heard his accusing tone. I cleared my throat, trying to sound nonchalant. "H-How...d-did you know--"

"That you went to a party with that American bastard?" he completed for me with an amused tone in his voice.

"Yes."

I heard him give a short laugh from the other line. "I have eyes on your every move, habibti."

My temper flared inside me. How dare he spy on me without my permission? I took a deep breath. Maybe he was just bluffing. "You're kidding, right?"

"I'm afraid I am not."

"Well, it doesn't matter now," I answered casually. "I was about to tell you, but I could not contact you. Besides, granddad forced me to attend."

I was about to enter the gated estate of my grandfather when his next words stopped me in my tracks. "It seems to me that you enjoy his company more than you care to admit. Should I be worried?"

I felt a surge of anger that filled me inside. "What are you implying, Al-Farsi?" You are the one who seems to enjoy the company of your bride-to-be back in Saqr. Are you planning the wedding already? But I will not say that out loud.

I heard him sigh from the other end. "You looked stunning tonight."

A gasp escaped me as I looked around to the silent street. He couldn't be... I swallowed hard, looking sideways again. Is he here? I was only aware of how my heart hammered in my chest. "How did you know that?"

"I am jealous because that bastard enjoyed seeing your beauty the whole night. I want to kill him right now."

"How did you know what I looked like?" I asked again when he didn't answer the first time. "Did your goons send you pictures tonight?"

He laughed softly, but it was more of a mocking one. "I wish that was only the case, but I'm afraid that I saw it with my very own eyes."

This time my heart practically stopped beating in my chest. I bit my bottom lip, unable to formulate my reply because it felt like my brain had stopped functioning. "W-what did you say? You're here?"

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed that there was a figure in the dark corner not far from me. My instinct told me to run away inside Granddad's estate. This person could be a stalker or a serial killer, but my feet stayed rooted in place as the familiar figure came to light.

The first thing that I noticed was his familiar cobalt eyes that shone under the moonlight, and he was still holding his mobile phone next to his ear while looking at me intently.

I blinked several times, making sure that I was not just imagining him standing in front of me-- my mind didn't just conjure him because I missed him so damn much.

He raked his gaze on me from head to toe. And then, his mouth curved with a smile. "Because I'm back, habibti," he said over the phone while looking at me with such intensity. He was now only standing a few meters from me.

It was a cold late October night, and yet the chilly wind had nothing to do with the shiver I felt right at that moment. It was all because of this man in front of me.

His eyes filled with unholy light in their depths. I knew I was in deep trouble the moment I agreed to Daniel's demand.

"W-what...when d-did you arrive?" I wanted to curse myself for stammering. I slowly lowered my mobile from my ear while staring at him, still unable to believe that he was there.

He gave me one infamous sexy smirk, but the annoyance was visible in his eyes. Beneath that carefree smile, this brute king was very much pissed.

Oh, boy. This is bad.

"I wanted to surprise you," I heard him saying. "But I was the one who got the surprise when I found out that you went on a date with that so-called fiancé of yours."

I tried to smile at him, but I felt like the smile was so brittle as he advanced in my direction even more. "Is that the reason why you suddenly went back to New York? Because I went to this party with him?"

He shook his head. "I can't believe that you went with him and met his family."

I rolled my eyes in his direction. "I told you, I only agree because of Granddad. I would not have gone to that party otherwise."

Right now, he was standing only a few feet away from me. My fingers itched to stroke his handsome face, but I won't do such a thing. I won't give him the satisfaction of knowing how much I missed him.

"Did he touch you inappropriately?" he interrogated. "Did he kiss you?"

I shook my head in disbelief while scoffing at him for behaving like a strict parent. "Don't worry. He was a complete gentleman, and I am quite stunned, to be honest. I never expected that from him. Ryker is a nice guy."

I realized my mistake as soon as the words left my mouth. I couldn't miss the way his eyes darkened and became wintry. It feels like I added fire to his fueled anger.

"Uh...it's not what you think..." I added when he remained silent, just looking at me with his icy cobalt gaze. "Let me explain... Why don't we continue this chat inside the house? It's rather cold here."

"Don't bother."

"Huh?"

He smiled pleasantly in my direction. I could perceive how fake his smile was. "What I mean to say is that I don't have the intention of continuing our conversation inside your grandfather's house."

"Is that so?" Disappointment crept inside me. Maybe he was mad about this whole thing, and he didn't want to talk to me right now. "You're leaving then?"

"Yes."

This time I couldn't hide the sadness I felt. "Well, goodnight then. I'll see you around, I guess." When you're not busy with your princess.

I immediately turned around so he couldn't see the sadness on my face. I was about to ring the doorbell from the gate when I was lifted off from the ground and I found myself slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"What are you doing?" I asked him indecorously, smashing my closed fists against his back. "Put me down, you bonehead!"

"It seems that you didn't understand me, my Emerald," he chuckled deeply. Enjoying his display of barbaric disposition. "I said I wouldn't go inside your grandfather's house tonight, but I didn't say that I was going to leave without you."

"What?!"

Laughter vibrated through his body, and then a luxury SUV pulled up in front of us. "You will come with me, ya amar. To put it simply, I am officially kidnapping you."

"What? Are you out of your mind?!" I asked horribly while still hanging on his shoulder. "Put me down! I'm starting to feel dizzy while hanging upside down on your shoulder."

"I am dead serious."

To prove his point, he opened the passenger side of his SUV and tossed me inside. Before I had the chance to struggle and get out of the car, he was already inside, sitting beside me, instructing his driver to lock the doors.

"Where are you taking me?" I demanded once the car sped away from the street. "You'll go to jail for this."

He smiled wolfishly at me. Even with the darkness inside the interior of the car, I could see the way his eyes held a devil's satisfaction in their depth. "Somewhere no one can disturb us."

My mouth hung open at his declaration. "You can't just show up here and abduct me in the middle of the night."

"I can and I will," he answered with a shrug. It was as if he was not concerned about the consequences of his actions.

Well, he is a damned respected king after all. No one would believe that he's capable of such a thing except when he's jealous as hell.

"...you leave me no choice but to do it." I heard him saying, dragging me out of my reverie.

I stared at him in bewilderment. "Excuse me?"

He gave me a cruel smile. "Haven't I told you before not to play with my jealousy or there will be a consequence for it?"

I glowered at him openly. "I don't remember you ever giving me such warnings! Besides, just who do you think you are to control me like this?"

He cocked an arrogant eyebrow in my direction while there was a pleasant smile playing on his face. "I am your boyfriend."

"Pretend boyfriend," I spat at him. I made sure to emphasize the word 'pretend.'

He shrugged uncaringly. "Well, it doesn't matter if it's just pretending or not. But you cannot deny the simple fact that you are mine, Emerald."

I barked a humorless laugh. "Oh? Since when?"

Al-Farsi stared at me for a long moment as if I asked the most absurd question he had ever heard. He shook his head in disbelief before staring deeply into my eyes. "Since the first moment, we laid eyes on each other eight years ago."

I was surprised when he suddenly caught my hand in his and laced our fingers together. But my heart trembled in my chest when he suddenly kissed the back of my hand with our intertwined fingers.

My eyes narrowed in his direction, ignoring the way my heart behaved. "If you think you can sway me by your sweet talk, you need to think again, Al-Farsi. I am not like those women who will swoon over your words."

"I am completely serious, habibti."

I tried to remove my hand from his, but he merely tightened his grip. "Why should I believe you?" My words dripped with acid and I could not help it. "You, who didn't bother to contact me these past few days, just show up and announce out of the blue that you are kidnapping me! Are you out of your mind?"

He exhaled a deep breath, closing his eyes while resting his head on the backrest of the car. "I think I am," he answered ruefully. He opened his eyes and stared at me intently. "When it comes to you, I am losing all of my rational thoughts. You are the only woman who has made me feel this way."

My mouth gaped open. This man... I shook my head resolutely, reminding myself to be firm in dealing with him. I am not a weak woman like my sisters.

Besides, I am still mad at him for the...

Why are you mad at him in the first place? A voice inside my head inquired in confusion.

It doesn't matter, I reminded myself silently. All I know is that I am quite pissed with him for the lack of explanation about the party he attended with that princess.

Looking at him now with his eyes closed again, I had the chance to study him and see the exhaustion in his face. There were dark circles under his eyes, a clear indication of lack of sleep.

I frowned at the sudden urge I felt to caress his face. What was he doing in Saqr to be this weary? And then, I also noticed how unkempt his clothes were.

What happened to you? I wanted to ask him, but I kept my mouth shut. This version of Khalil Al-Farsi was way different from the usual well-dressed man I knew before.

"It's been a long night for both of us," I informed him softly. "Tell your driver to drive me back to my grandfather's estate and we'll talk tomorrow."

He slowly opened his eyes again and looked at me without a hint. He gave me this blank expression. "No. I told you, I am kidnapping you."

"Khalil--"

I shrieked when he abruptly hauled me from my seat and placed me in his lap. My eyes widened when his arms locked around my waist, trapping me in this position. "What do you think you're doing?"

His upper lip curled with a slight smile while his eyes were like hellfire. "This is where you belong, in my arms. I guess I need to chain you to my side from now on so everyone will be aware that you are mine alone. I think I need to make sure that Ryker Creed will get the memo next time."

His words were pure of possessiveness, and yet the butterfly that resides in my stomach seemed to flutter their wings which was not a good sign for me.

I am not weak. I will not be swayed by his words.

I struggled to be free from his possession, but he was not giving me an inch to move away from his arms. I glared at him heatedly, but he just smiled devilishly.

"I miss you, my love," he muttered, staring deeply into my eyes. His eyes burned like molten gemstones on fire, stealing a kiss from me. He caught me off guard with the sudden quick but sensual kiss.

"I don't," I replied bravely, refusing to look away from his intense gaze. I am not affected by his kiss. I am not.

He gave me an I do not believe you smirk. My breath was caught when his hands slid inside the coat I was wearing and found the exposed skin on my back. His eyes narrowed while giving me a disapproving look. "Backless, Emerald? Really?"

I rolled my eyes, pretending not to be bothered by his severe look. I flashed a winsome smile. "It's fashion, Mister."

He clicked his tongue. The annoyance was visible on his face. I could see the way he clenched his jaw. Oh, boy, he was pissed. "I guess you were disobedient while I was away."

"I don't know what you mean, Al-Farsi."

He caressed the exposed skin on my back. I shivered the way his hand moved lustfully on my back. I could feel the slow-burning sensation in my belly with his touch. He gave me a predatory smile. "You leave me no choice but to punish you. I will not let you sleep tonight, habibti."

Before I had the chance to ask what he meant by that statement, I noticed that we were on the tarmac, and there was a private plane waiting for us.

"Where are you taking me?" I suddenly felt nervous about the whole thing. I was in deep trouble with this jealous king.

Al-Farsi didn't bother to answer and just gave me this self-satisfied smile. He opened his door and slid out. I was about to do the same thing, but before I had the chance to step out of the vehicle, he was already there, standing in my doorway. He suddenly scooped me from my seat and started to walk to the waiting aircraft.

"I can walk, you know," I informed him acidly. All of a sudden, I felt shy and conscious that he was carrying me bridal style.

He looked down at me with a wide smile while ascending the iron staircase. "I know. But as I said, you are not leaving my arms again. I will not let you."

I was dumbstruck as we rode his private jet. I was only aware that I sat next to him throughout the whole thing. This was the last thing I expected when Ryker dropped me off in front of Granddad's estate.

I was being kidnapped by Khalil Al-Farsi and he would take me to some unknown destination. I didn't bother to ask him again where he was taking me since I was sure that he wouldn't answer me, so instead, I remained silent in my seat and stared at the dark city below.

It seems that I dozed off slightly, only stirred when I heard Al-Farsi gently waking me up. "We are here, love."

"Where?" I inquired hazily.

He smiled lovingly at me. "To our destination."

Before my brain could fully function again, he gently scooped me from my seat. Since I was still sleepy, I rested my head on his chest. I felt his lips lightly touch the top of my head but I let my eyes remain shut.

Right now, I couldn't care less about where he was taking me. I was too sleepy to know where we were at the moment. I was only aware that we rode in a car and after a short drive we probably arrived at our destination.

This time I summoned my eyes to open and looked around. My eyes widened when I realized that he had taken me to Aspen, Colorado and we were outside this stunning villa.

"What the hell...?" I started.

He had this satisfactory smile on his face as he held out his hand in my direction. "I am kidnapping you for a weekend getaway in Aspen," he eyed me from head to toe with unmistakable hunger in his eyes. "In these rocky mountains, I will claim my gift from God."

My mouth hangs in disbelief. "You're kidding, right?"

"Oh, I am not," he responded with a smirk playing on his lips. "I will make love to you until you can't walk anymore."

"Fuck you!" I glared at him heatedly as I exited the car ignoring his offered hand.

"Yes, habibti," he answered. I suddenly took a sharp intake of breath when he unexpectedly pulled me closer to his body until nothing separated us and I felt the distinctive bulge between his legs. I stared at his eyes and saw the dark, raw, almost primal desire that made me shiver. "I will fuck you nonstop until there is no room for other men in your life but for me."