I sense the difference in him, like he’s taken a step back from me. It scares me to no end because what am I going to do if that night didn’t mean anything to him. But then I remember the way he kissed me in the car and I force myself to consider all he’s going through and that he probably does have a lot on his mind.

I take a few steps forward to stand in front of his desk, facing him. “You disappeared on me.”

He sighs. “Yes, I had urgent matters to attend to at my country estate.”

“I trust they’re resolved to your satisfaction.”

“Not everything, but I made a start at least.”

His tone is cold and flat, much like all the other times we have spoken on the phone recently and his cool gaze resting on me now sends sharp tingles down my nape, scaring me.

“What’s wrong, Damien?” I ask, unable to live in suspense any more.

He narrows his eyes at me. “I don’t quite follow what you’re asking me.”

“Well, then let me clarify. We had sex and it was great and ever since then you’re different.”

“It’s not like I’ve been twiddling my thumbs. I’ve been plain busy, Aaliya.”

His frigid response chills me to the bones. But I soldier on, “There’s this distance between us that has sprung up and I...I don’t know what to make of it. The last week, you vanished and then you’ve hardly been in touch. Everything seems different.”

“You just can’t take a hint, can you?”

Hearing his condescending tone makes my insides quake and I’m almost certain the direction in which this conversation is headed. But my pitiful heart yet refuses to acknowledge it.

“I deserve some honesty, Damien,’ I press forth because I need to be absolutely sure.

Damien exhales. “Okay, you want honesty then let me be clear. You and I shared an incredible night together. It was...something else, no doubt. But now that we’re back here in London, I’m afraid I can’t continue seeing you. Not in that way.”

“Why? Why are you ending this between us when it has barely begun?”

“Fine,” he snaps. “I can’t be with you because I am a Duke and I can’t date a woman of color like you. My family, my friends, my peers, everyone I know will be affronted if you’re seen with me. I have responsibilities to my title now; I can’t afford to be frivolous.”

The words rattling off his mouth shoot at me like a bunch of bullets, each one inflicting a wound worse than the previous.

“Since when did you become such a racist?”