Yet somehow, she now found herself the owner of several new outfits, two pairs of shoes, a purse, and a jeweled hairclip. The golden barrette was shaped like an elephant with jade eyes and a pattern of tiny diamonds on its side. She suspected it had cost a fortune. The high-end jewelry shop he’d pulled her into hadn’t displayed any prices. He’d simply pointed and paid.

“I… thank you,” she said breathlessly as the driver left the room, closing the door behind him. “You didn’t have to do all this, Volkan.”

He’d run roughshod over her protests while they were out shopping. As much as she’d wanted to summon anger, she’d been too enamoured with his enthusiasm. He was like a boy in a candy store when he was choosing gifts for her. And if she was being honest with herself, it felt good to own some things that were new and expensive. She rarely indulged herself, instead saving her money for things like rent, phone, and food.

Ignoring her comment, he glanced around with a frown. “This room is too small. Where are the others? Are they bigger?”

Yasmin stared at him. What was he going to do if they were? Force her roommates to change rooms with her? Yes, she realized, that was exactly what he would do. She was rapidly realizing that this man liked to have his own way.

“I like my room the way it is,” she said defensively.

And it was true. She loved her bedroom. In an apartment shared with four other people, her bedroom was the one place that was entirely hers. Her family had helped her decorate it when she moved in, painting the walls a light yellow colour and hanging pictures of her family and friends. Her bed was piled high with pink and yellow pillows and a thick flower-patterned bedspread. Her childhood dresser added another splash of colour to the room.

Volkan’s face softened when he caught sight of the yellow dresser and he ran a finger over one of the hand-painted daisies. “I don’t see a desk. Where do you study?”

Yasmin pointed at her bed. “I pile the pillows up and lean back. I also study in the University library.”

He grunted, then turned to look at her.

She stepped into his arms when he reached for her, as if she’d been doing it her whole life. It felt natural and she fit perfectly against him, her soft curves moulding to his hard body.

She lifted her face, and he took her lips in an exploratory kiss that sent little sizzles of pleasure through her. By the time he lifted his face from hers, she was in a daze.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me for the rest of the day?” he asked, his voice deepening.