“Yes, a much better place,” she whispered.
They enjoyed the stars for a few minutes more before Steph found herself unable to hold back an enormous yawn.
“I’ve exhausted you. I’m sorry,” Mehdi said. “Are you hungry at all since our meal?”
Steph laughed. “Absolutely not. I am stuffed and happy,” she said.
Mehdi smiled. “Good. Since you’ve agreed to stay with us here a while longer, why don’t I escort you to your room so you can get some well-earned rest? It’s been quite a stressful few days for you, and I imagine jet lag is still a factor as well. Did you get any sleep last night?”
Steph thought about how she had woken up with Mehdi on her mind and nodded.
“Some,” she said.
Mehdi nodded. “But not much, I imagine. Come. I’ll lead the way down, so if you fall you can land safely on me.”
“That’s very gallant of you,” she said with a grin, and Mehdi’s smile broadened, revealing a dimple even in the dark.
Dear lord, he was attractive.
“I should hope so. I am a sheikh after all. I do have a Prince Charming reputation to uphold, do I not?”
“I think you can be whoever you want to be. There’s no need to put on an act with me.”
Mehdi turned and looked up at her from the stone steps. His eyes were filled with an emotion Steph didn’t recognize, and she knew she had struck a chord with him somewhere.
“Thank you, Steph,” he said, his voice husky.
He turned quickly and led the way back down the tower, seeming to collect himself on the way. By the time they reached the ground level he was back to his normal, jovial self. He asked her more about Vermont, and Steph regaled him with stories of the countryside, where she’d spent her childhood going to the state fair and helping raise baby chicks and goats.
“That sounds very rustic,” Mehdi said, and Steph nodded.
“It was. There aren’t a lot of people in my town, so we all generally know one another. Country life has its pros and cons. For one thing, we all have each other’s back if we get into trouble. On the other hand, everyone is a gossip and there isn’t a soul in town who doesn’t know your business.”
Mehdi nodded. “This city can be a little like that, though maybe that’s just my perspective because everyone seems to think that my life is their business. I suppose when they’re funding my existence, they are entitled to print about my behavior and love life.”
“Has there been much to report?” Steph asked.
She couldn’t help herself. Since Mehdi had told her he had been married, a whole slew of questions had flooded her mind, but she didn’t want to pry too much. It was clear that opening up was fairly difficult for him, and the last thing she wanted to do was break that trust.
Mehdi’s grin was wry as he glanced down at her. “Besides being placed in a terrible marriage that ended in a sticky divorce? No. I’m afraid that experience has made me a little skittish when it comes to love.”
“I understand,” Steph said, and she did. Even if her heart did sink at his statement.
Perhaps Mehdi really was just being kind, rescuing her because he would do it for anyone. She had begun to think that there might be something more between them, but perhaps she was wrong.
Before she could think more on the subject, Steph found herself staring at the guest-room door.
“Here we are,” Mehdi said, taking a step back.
Steph opened the door, turning back to face him. “Thank you again, for everything. This has been the experience of a lifetime.”
Mehdi gave her a gentle, respectful bow, and when he looked up at her his eyes were filled with impish humor. “It’s my pleasure. After all, how often does a king with no real power get to rescue anyone anyway? Hardly ever.”
Steph laughed. “I don’t think you’re giving yourself much credit. It sounds like you have the needs of your people in the back of your mind, always. You even welcomed me as one of your own, even though I’d never set foot in El Farah before yesterday.”
“You will always be welcome here, Steph, no matter what. Please know that,” he said earnestly.