by Kaylea Cross
The weeks without him while she’d waited for him to finish up his deployment had dragged by, even though she’d been swamped and in the midst of applying for a transfer to D.C. She’d buried herself in work to keep busy, helping to unravel the network Nasar had created, including arresting Colonel Shah.
Nasar was still in the CIA facility awaiting trial, but word had trickled through the grapevine that his young son had received a transplant in Mexico and was doing well. David had told her Nasar had broken down and sobbed like a baby when he heard the news. Jaliya was glad he’d been informed about his little boy, and no matter what the courts decided when he finally went to trial, the harshest sentence of all would be to live the rest of his life without ever seeing him again. She was sure Nasar thought it was worth it, though.
Zaid’s breathing was deep and even, each rise and fall of his ribs shifting the muscles in his back.
And he’s all mine.
Setting one hip on the plush mattress, she woke him by gently running her fingers through his hair, adding pressure as she moved to his nape before dragging them down the length of his spine in the way she’d learned he loved. Zaid let out a sleepy, sexy rumble in response and opened his eyes.
The slow smile he gave her as he turned onto his side sent a wave of arousal through her. If frenzied sex with Zaid had been good back in that Kabul hotel room, lazy, sensual sex here where they had hours of uninterrupted privacy was unbelievable.
They’d already made love twice since the ceremony out in the gardens of this gorgeous hotel, and she was eager to do it again—but she didn’t want to spend their entire first day as husband and wife holed up in their room. Besides, the anticipation would only make it better later on when they finally made it back here.
“There’s my sexy bride,” he murmured, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his lips for a lingering kiss that made her heart beat faster.
“Here I am,” she whispered, bending to kiss him softly before sitting up again. It was the middle of the afternoon and she was itching to go out and explore the Cotswolds with him. It had been years since she’d been here with her family on summer vacation, and she’d been dying to come back. “I went down and got us some tea. Well, scones and biscuits and tea, plus coffee for you.” She wrinkled her nose. Vile stuff.
“You’re an angel,” he said, reclining on one elbow. “What time is it?”
“It’s nearly four.”
His eyes flew wide as he jerked upright. “What?”
At his panicked expression, she blinked. “Three forty-two, to be precise. Why, what’s the matter?”
“No,” he breathed, and jumped off the bed like it was made of hot coals, shooting past her to the bathroom.
“Zaid, what’s wrong?” she called, trailing after him, totally confused. “We don’t have reservations or anything.”
“I made us an appointment.”
Huh? She frowned. “An appointment for what?”
“You’ll see. Just give me five minutes to shower. Go put a dress on and do your hair.”
The order made her scowl. “What? Why?”
“Trust me. You’ll thank me later.”
“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that,” she muttered, annoyed, but did as he said. She’d planned for them to wander around the village of Upper Slaughter and then Bourton-on-the-Water for a leisurely dinner and a romantic stroll afterward. The weather was still chilly, but it was crazy gorgeous here, and not packed with tourists at this time of year.
By the time he came out of the bathroom a few minutes later and changed into a dress shirt and slacks, she was ready too. “Where are we going?” she demanded as he took her hand and towed her toward the door.
“Patience,” he chided, pausing to check his hair in the mirror.
He never did that. Was he nervous or something? Where was he taking her?
She’d half made up her mind that she was going to hate whatever he had planned when they reached the lobby. “I wanted to take you to a couple of my favorite villages,” she protested.
“Yeah, sure, in a bit. Hey, what’s that over there?” he asked, pointing.
She followed his finger toward the front doors of the posh hotel and gasped, both hands flying up to her mouth at the sight of her parents and sisters smiling at her. “Oh my God,” she cried, and ran over.
Four pairs of arms engulfed her amidst the familiar and delighted ring of her family’s laughter. Jaliya hugged them all, gobsmacked by the sight of them. “What are you all doing here?” she demanded, stepping back to wipe her cheeks.
Her father smiled down at her, his short beard impeccably trimmed as always, and nodded over her shoulder. “We got an invitation from him.”
Jaliya turned to stare at Zaid. “I don’t believe it. How did you…”
Smiling, he crossed over to wrap an arm around her shoulders. “Even though you told me otherwise, I was pretty sure it bothered you on some level not to have your family here for this. So I asked them to fly here and meet us the day after the deed was done. Hope that’s okay,” he added in a whisper.
She shook her head at him. “Just when I thought I couldn’t love you more,” she said, her voice catching on the last word. He was so sweet to her.
His arm tightened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Even though I wear the pants in this relationship?”
She leaned her head back to narrow her eyes at him in mock warning. “Watch it, mister.”
“Don’t make her cry,” one of her sisters laughed, and stepped in front of Zaid. “Hi. I’m Shayda. Nice to meet you finally.”
Zaid shook her hand. “Likewise.”
Jaliya’s heart was full to overflowing as she introduced him to the others, ending with her father. She held her breath as she watched them shake hands, aware of the way her father was scrutinizing Zaid. But then he gave a warm smile and clapped Zaid on the shoulder once. “Welcome to the family, son.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Oh, damn, now she really was going to cry.
Her other sister pressed a tissue into her hand. “Here.”
“I’m not crying,” she insisted.
“Sure you’re not.”
“So,” her father said, turning to the rest of them. “I understand we’re all going to dinner together in Bourton?”
“I can’t wait, it’s been years since I’ve been back here,” her mother exclaimed, sidling up to Zaid to slide an arm around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder. “You both look so happy.”
Jaliya smiled through her tears up at Zaid as he laced his fingers through hers. “I’m so happy.”
Her mother and sisters chatted with Zaid as they walked toward the road that led to the village of Upper Slaughter, and her father lingered behind to speak to her alone. Jaliya braced herself for a lecture or at least a few sharp-edged questions.
“You always did like bucking tradition and going your own way,” he began in a wry tone.
She didn’t argue, because it was true.
“Does he go to mosque regularly?”
“Daaaad,” she groaned. “I already told you all this. He’s like me.” She’d told him over the phone. Her preferred method of communication with him when they had to talk about something contentious. Which was pretty often, throughout their history.
He grunted and kept walking, staying a handful of strides behind the others. “You know I don’t approve of the way you went about this.”
“I know.” He would rather have met Zaid in person first, grant his permission and then wait for the religious ceremony performed by an imam. She and Zaid hadn’t wanted any of that.
“But I can’t say I disapprove of your choice.”
Jaliya glanced up at him in surprise. “You mean that?”
He smiled. “I do. I like him. And it’s obvious you both love each other dearly.”
“We do.”
Another nod, and he shifted his gaze to the others. “Then I’m happy for you. And I’m proud of you.�
�
“You are?” she whispered.
He nodded, frowning at her. “We might not see eye to eye on a lot of things, Jaliya, but I love you, and all I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy. And I believe you’ll be happy with Zaid. He’s as strong as you are.”
The I love you did it, piercing her heart like a razor-sharp blade. They were the words she’d longed to hear her whole life, and he’d just casually thrown them into the middle of the two most loving sentences he’d ever said to her.
She started to cry. Right there in the middle of the beautiful village path in the early spring sunshine, she stopped and covered her face with her hands as the tears began to flow. All her life she’d secretly longed for her father’s approval, and when she’d least expected to receive it, he went and did this.
Her father gave a gruff laugh and curled an arm around her, patting her back awkwardly. “Are you so surprised?” he asked.
Nodding, she fought to get a grip on herself. Couldn’t.
“Jaliya?”
She hurriedly wiped her face and put on a shaky smile for Zaid, who was hurrying toward her, his face full of concern. “I’m okay.”
“You sure?” he drew her to him, casting a suspicious look at her father, who raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.
“I gave my blessing, that’s all. I promise. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.” Tossing her a final grin, he strode over to Jaliya’s mother and sisters, who were all watching them.
Overwhelmed, Jaliya leaned into her husband’s embrace and watched her father walk back to her family, so full of joy she thought she might burst. It was too much. “I never dreamed I’d hear those words from him, let alone to my face.”
“So it’s okay that I invited them here? I went back and forth about it a couple of times, then decided to go for it.”
She leaned back to look into his eyes, her love for him filling her entire body with warmth. “It’s perfect. The most perfect wedding gift I could ever imagine.”
He smiled and kissed her tenderly on the lips, a heated promise of what awaited her when they got back to their room later. “Good, because there’s one more gift coming, as my parents are flying in tomorrow.” He grinned down at her, raised his eyebrows. “Surprise.”
Laughing, she leaned her head on his solid shoulder, wrapped an arm around his waist. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
Zaid slid an arm across her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. Together they followed her family down the winding path lined with cherry trees full of fluffy pink blossoms, ready to spend a magical evening celebrating the first night of their lives together with the people she loved—and the people who loved her—the most.
—The End—
Thank you for reading STAND FAST. I really hope you enjoyed it and that you’ll consider leaving a review at one of your favorite online retailers. It’s a great way to help other readers discover new books.
If you liked STAND FAST and would like to read more, turn the page for a list of my other books. And if you don’t want to miss any future releases, please join my newsletter. Direct link: http://kayleacross.com/v2/newsletter/
Complete Booklist
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
DEA FAST Series
Falling Fast
Fast Kill
Stand Fast
Colebrook Siblings Trilogy
Brody’s Vow
Wyatt’s Stand
Easton’s Claim
Hostage Rescue Team Series
Marked
Targeted
Hunted
Disavowed
Avenged
Exposed
Seized
Wanted
Betrayed
Reclaimed
Titanium Security Series
Ignited
Singed
Burned
Extinguished
Rekindled
Blindsided: A Titanium Christmas novella
Bagram Special Ops Series
Deadly Descent
Tactical Strike
Lethal Pursuit
Danger Close
Collateral Damage
Never Surrender (a MacKenzie Family novella)
Suspense Series
Out of Her League
Cover of Darkness
No Turning Back
Relentless
Absolution
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Empowered Series
Darkest Caress
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
The Vacant Chair
EROTIC ROMANCE (writing as Callie Croix)
Deacon’s Touch
Dillon’s Claim
No Holds Barred
Touch Me
Let Me In
Covert Seduction
About the Author
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
You can visit Kaylea at www.kayleacross.com. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please join her newsletter. Direct link: http://kayleacross.com/v2/newsletter/
