Khalil Al-Farsi's POV

I sat in the cream-colored leather seats of my private plane, fumingly mad. How dare that woman turn down my invitation?

I already explained my side of what happened eight years ago, but her lack of response hit a nerve inside me. Now ten hours of cold silence between us, she hasn't even called me to apologize.

Hell, I am a king of the rich country of Saqr. A king never begs anyone. I will not be the one to say sorry first!

I have checked on my phone for the nth time now. Maybe her message went to my spam mail. That's why I didn't receive it.

"Your Majesty," the cabin crew said at my side. "We're about to depart--"

I raised my hand to stop her from talking. "I just want to check my phone first."

But I found myself dialing Emerald's number to inform her about my departure. I frowned when she didn't answer her mobile.

Is she still mad at me?

I looked at my wristwatch to look at the time. It's already 10:35 pm. Where could she be at this time of the night? I dialed her number again and still no answer.

"Sir..."

I looked at her with a warning glance. "One moment." After my fifth try calling her number, I dialed Ruby. I hope she knew her twin's whereabouts.

Thankfully, she answered after a few rings. "Ruby, it's me. Khalil."

"Oh, Khalil. What's up?"

I slightly shifted in my position. "Emerald," I cleared my throat. "I can't reach her on her mobile. Do you know where she is?"

There was a long pause on the other line for a moment. I thought the phone call had disconnected. "Oh, didn't she tell you? Her unofficial fiancé invited her to this newly opened nightclub if I am not mistaken."

"What?!" I leaped out of my chair. I saw a red haze in my vision. I don't think I heard her right. "C-Care to repeat that?"

My eyes narrowed when I heard Ruby stifle a laugh. "She went clubbing with Ryker Creed."

I took a deep breath as I tried to relax my tension. I heard the roar of the plane engine, and I shouted to the pilot. "Stop the goddamn plane! I need to get out." Going back to my phone conversation with Ruby, I ask. "Do you know the address of this nightclub?"

"Of course." And she proceeds to dictate the address of the club. I am tempted to burn this nightclub to the ground with Ryker Creed in it.

I went out of my private plan with a determined stride. I need to be in that freaking club as soon as possible.

"Sire?" my driver looked at me questioningly.

"Get out," I commanded. "I'll drive myself."

"But sire..."

I threw him my darkest look. "Are you getting out of that car? Or I will personally have to remove you from the driver's seat?"

My trusted driver paled visibly, and I suddenly felt sorry for him due to my crude behavior, but I didn't have time to be apologetic. I want to fetch Emerald from that fucking club as soon as possible.

The man in the driver's seat finally slid out of the car, and I took the keys from him as I drove away from the tarmac. If Ryker Creed touched my Emerald in the wrong way, I would burn him into the deepest pit of hell.

I finally reached the nightclub. It took half an hour at record speed. I wouldn't be surprised if I got a speeding ticket first thing tomorrow morning.

I automatically scanned the crowded nightclub, looking for the familiar figure of my Emerald.

It didn't take long before I spotted the most beautiful woman I had laid my eyes on, alone at the table in the slightly secluded part of the club.

My eyes narrowed at her outfit. What the hell is she wearing?

I crossed the distance between us lightning-fast. She's so intoxicated that she doesn't even notice me standing in front of her. I cleared my throat to announce my presence.

She looked up at me with a smile on her face. I looked around. Where the hell is Creed? Why did he leave Emerald alone in this kind of place? I focused my attention on the woman in front of me. "You need to learn your lesson, woman."

She frowned at me as if she didn't understand why I was fumingly mad at her.

"Let's go," I informed her. I need to get her out of this place as soon as possible.

"No," she protested in a slurred voice. "In a moment. I'm still having fun."

I didn't have time to play games with this drunk Emerald, so I threw her over my shoulder and walked out of that nightclub. I ignored the protesting woman in my arms as I crossed the street to where my car was located.

People walking on the streets of New York didn't even bother to raise an eyebrow upon seeing us. One thing I like about New Yorkers is that they are too busy minding their own business.

I put the struggling Emerald on the shotgun seat of my car. "No! I am having fun inside. I want to dance."

"No," I informed her firmly as I put the seatbelt around her body.

Once I was in the driver's seat, I was about to start the car when I saw Emerald shifting in her seat while groaning. "What's wrong?"

"H-Hot..."

"What?"

"I'm hot..." she said as she tried to remove her dress. "I want to take off my dress. It's scorching hot."

"Emerald!" I told her in disbelief. "It's freezing outside. It's 41°F."

"Hot..." she moaned. "Turn on the AC."

I looked at her helplessly. "You want to turn on the AC on this cold November night? Are you crazy?"

She smiled at me like a cat. "Yes."

"We're going to die due to hypothermia. Do you know that?" I informed her matter-of-factly.

"No!" she stumped her feet. "I want AC!"

I took a deep breath. Arguing with this drunk woman was pointless. "Fine. I am probably going to die anyway before this night is over." I started the engine of the car and turned on the AC as she requested. The cold air from the air-conditioning greeted me. "Ya Ibn el Sharmouta! It's so cold."

"Much better," she purred, settling back to her seat comfortably, and closing her eyes in the process. "Now, take me home."

"Oh, I will take you home." I agreed with her as I sped up the car onto the highway.

I barely feel my hands while driving. This woman will be the death of me. I glared at her vehemently. What madness had possessed her to drink excessively with that man? Is this her way of punishing me over our disagreement early this morning?

I let out an angry sigh. On my way to the nightclub, I thought about how to punish this hard-headed woman, but I realized that it was no fun to make her pay for making me sick with worry and jealousy throughout the day when she was this drunk.

An evil smile fitted my lips. Oh yes, I will punish her when she is very much one hundred percent sane. I will not do it while she is in this state. I like it better when she can remember every second of it.

Finally, we arrived at my penthouse. I scooped her in my arms as I rode the private elevator.

"I can walk, you know," she giggled like a schoolgirl in my arms inside the elevator.

I looked down at her. "I know. But I just don't want you to trip on something."

She laughed. "I know, right? I don't know why the floor is spinning tonight."

"Because you're drunk."

She shook her red hair. "I'm not." She stared at me for a long moment. "You're so handsome, do you know that?"

I couldn't help to twitch with a smile. So, an intoxicated Emerald is quite honest, huh? "Oh?"

"Yes!"

My anger slightly melted. Once the elevator doors opened, I stepped inside my living room while I put Emerald back on her feet.

"Home, sweet home!" she said in her singsong voice. I watched her as she tossed aside her heels and walked barefoot in my living room. And then she squinted her eyes while looking around my living room. "I don't remember redecorating my house all black?"

"You did not," I informed her dryly. "This is my house."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yes. Sit down on the couch, Emerald," I commanded firmly, gesturing to the long sofa near her. "I will get you water."

"I don't want water, handsome."

I frowned at her. "What can I get you, then? Tell me."

She tiptoed to where I was standing. Her eyes turned sultry while gazing up at me. I swallowed hard as her hands slowly traveled to my chest. "You. I want you, handsome."

My mouth went dry. Dealing with an inebriated Emerald was far more dangerous than I thought. I never expect her to be this bold.

I put some space between us. I need to be in control. "Despite what you think of me. I am not the type of person who takes advantage of a drunk woman."

"Don't you find me desirable?" she purred, running the tip of her tongue to her lower lip.

I took a deep breath as I wanted to bite her lips. I was already rock hard, thanks to her.

Hello, cold and long shower.

"Come with me," she invited. She guided me to the long sofa and pushed me to sit on the black leather seats.

I swallowed hard. Never in my life have I felt petrified about something or someone, but tonight this woman made me reassess that. "W-What are you doing?"

Emerald stared at me with passion-filled eyes. "I have been told that for Khalil to forgive me, I need to do something for him..." She sighed deeply as pain entered her eyes. "...you see. I kinda hurt him earlier today."

My mouth hangs open at her. Didn't she recognize me?

She surprised me when she dropped to her knees and cupped my arousal. "Whoa!" I jumped in my seat. "Take it easy, habibti." I tried to remove her hand. "This is pure torture," I said through my greeted teeth.

"Someone told me that Khalil would be happy if I did this." My breath was caught in my throat as she tried to unbuckle my belt. "But since he's not here, he's traveling back to Saqr as we speak. I will try on you first. Besides, that man is still probably mad at me."

I stared at her in disbelief. Should I put her in my lap and spank her delectable ass over and over for thinking of doing something like this to another man other than me? Or put her in my arms and kiss her senselessly? "Don't you recognize me, Emerald?"

She stared at me for a long moment and then shook her head with a grin. "Not really. But I think you're handsome--not as handsome as my Khalil but handsome nevertheless."

I want to wring her pretty neck right this moment. How dare she not recognize me? But at the same time, I couldn't help but smile at her admission.

My Khalil? That sounds freaking awesome in my ears.

Before I knew what was happening, she had already pulled my pants down. I nearly choked on my saliva when she started to caress my length with her hand.

"Yalla, habibti!" I clamped her wrist to stop her. "D-Don't do this," I said through my gritted teeth. "Please stop it now before I lose my self-control and take you to bed. You are still sore down there." I looked down at her almost pleadingly. "Do you understand, my love?"

She grinned at me, nodding in agreement.

Just when I was about to breathe a sigh of relief before I could stop her, she leaned forward and took me in her mouth.

"Holy shit! Holy crap!" I shut my eyes while gripping the couch as if it were my only lifeline. "Fuck, Emerald. Have mercy on me."

She's not listening. She's busy doing her business.

"Oh, Lord..." I groaned while the feeling of her mouth sliding on my shaft was mind-blowing. Mind over matter. I reminded myself. I think I just died and went straight to heaven. "Em...E-Emerald, please...habibti."

I bit my bottom lip as the pleasure started to get harder and harder to resist. It took every ounce of my willpower to pull her away from my throbbing sex. I eyed her with pleading eyes while breathing raggedly. "That's enough, my love. Have mercy on me. Stay here."

"Where are you going?" she asked as I abruptly stood from the sofa.

The pain in my lower belly was now excruciating. I need a cold shower and to have my release. There's no way in hell that I would spill myself in her mouth. If I didn't pull away as soon as possible from her, that would happen.

"Stay there and be a good girl," I told her while I was hard as a rock. I barely managed to walk inside my bedroom and turn on the cold shower full blast.

I groaned while the cold water started pouring overhead. Closing my eyes, I started to stroke myself. Damn that woman.

I never thought that a drunk Emerald St. Clair would be this wild. That woman will never drink alcohol again, as far as I am concerned. The image of her moments ago giving me head crossed my mind.

"Fuck..." I grounded out through my gritted teeth. I don't know if I should thank or curse the person who gave her such ideas. But it makes me wonder who that person was. Is it her twin?

Damn, it feels like I was a schoolboy once again using my hand to satisfy myself. Concentrating on my work, I could feel that I was nearing my climax, and in a few moments more, I finally found my release on the bathroom floor. I was breathing hard while my heart was racing. I want to stay in the cold shower for a few more minutes before I go out. I wanted to make sure that my libido was under control. I don't want to lose my composure when dealing with an intoxicated Emerald.

My plan flew out of the window when the bathroom door burst open and revealed a naked Emerald.

"I want to take a shower too."

My mouth gaped at her. "Didn't I tell you to wait for me in the living room?"

She pouted at me as she advanced even further inside. "Are you avoiding me?"

"No." I avoided my gaze. Because the sight of her naked body waked my manhood again, I couldn't risk a second erection tonight and use my hands again for my release.

"Liar," she said, standing under the shower behind me. "If you are not avoiding me, then why are you hiding in here?"

My breath was caught when she hugged me from behind. Her naked breasts were pressing hard on my back. "Trust me. You are far safer if I stay here."

"But I want you," she whispered seductively in my ear while licking my earlobe. "I want you inside me."

"Emerald." I need to be firm here. I will not give in to the temptation. I turn around to face her. "Trust me, you're going to regret it in the morning. Besides, you're still sore from our last lovemaking session. The doctor told us you need at least two weeks to completely hear your lacerations."

"That's too long!"

"I know," I answered with a laugh, caressing her face. "But we need to wait. Let me warn you. I am going to punish you for your disobedience tonight." I smiled slyly at her, tracing her bottom lip with my thumb. "When I am done with you. You wouldn't be able to leave my bed, even if you wanted to."

She pressed her body into me. Her eyes become dilated. She put my hands on her bare ass. "Spank me, Daddy."

I squeezed her butt tightly. "My God, Emerald, where did you get that?!"

"Come on, handsome," she cajoled, tiptoeing to her feet. She captured my mouth with hers in a hot kiss. A moan escaped her throat, and I could feel that my self-control was slipping away like fine desert sand in my hand. I lifted her off her feet, hooking her legs around my waist as I pressed her back on the cold tile while kissing her roughly.

Our tongues dueled, tasting each other as if we were starving for each other all of our lives. She's answering my kisses with equal passion. The kiss turned deeper and rougher, but I still kept going.

"Breathe," I instructed, breaking the kiss.

"What?" she said, slowly opening her eyes.

"I am giving you five seconds to breathe before kissing you senselessly again." Before she could comprehend, I added, "Time's up." And my mouth was back on hers again.

When I finally came back to my senses, I broke the kiss, and this time I put some distance between us. "That's enough, my love. I think it's time for you to get some rest. You will catch a cold if you stay under the cold water for too long."

Besides, I'm rock-hard once again.

She gave me a sultry look. "Will you put me to bed then?"

An image fitted my dirty brain, but I banished it instantly. Self-control, Khalil. Self-control. "If you wish."

Emerald looked down at the thing that poked her belly. "Oh, look, the beast is awake once again."

She was about to touch it again, but I stopped her before her hand got in contact with that raging beast she was talking about. "Don't..." I warned her dangerously. "If you know what's good for you. If I lost control tonight, you would be invalid after I was done with you."

Thankfully, she took my warning seriously. I wrapped her naked body in the fresh towel as I scooped her in my arms and placed her on the bed.

Once I laid her on the bed, she was already half-asleep. She smiled brightly in my direction hooking her arms around my neck. She kissed my cheek and whispered. "I love you, you know?"

I froze while my heart practically stopped beating in my chest. When I finally recovered from my shock, I gazed at her to see that she was already sleeping soundly. I smiled tenderly, brushing the back of my hand on her flushed cheek, kissing her forehead, and muttering my reply.