by C. M. Steele
Amir stood tall like the leader he was and addressed my father. “Yes, sir. I asked your daughter to marry me, and well, we were supposed to get married next week.”
“Supposed to, like the engagement’s off or just postponed.”
“Postponed, we didn’t have any time to plan or anything. We didn’t even get to tell you or anything.”
“How about we go out to dinner and we talk about it?” my father said. I knew he was concerned. Khaleel wasn’t a western world and, like a lot of parents, he worried about my future. Money and power were nothing to him when it came to me. He could give me their wealth, but he wanted me to have a love they had.
“I want to check on Michael before we do anything.”
“I do, too, love,” Amir agreed.
He grabbed my hand and led the way out of the room. Hassan was outside the door, looking like he was having a heated conversation with Sansa. They both straightened up and acted as though she wasn’t going to jump up and bite his face or he wasn’t going to spank her ass. Either way, I saw the tension a mile away. They were pissed at each other. Amir walked past them and said to his sister, “Stop being a pain in the ass.”
“You…another manly jerk.” She stormed away, only to have Rahimi follow after her.
Amir gave a courtesy knock before walking in the room. Their parents were still there. “Mother, father, you need to get some rest.”
“I’ve been telling them the same thing,” Michael complained with a raspy voice.
“I’m glad to see you awake, Michael,” Amir said, taking a seat on the edge of Michael’s bed.
“Me, too.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Holden, it’s good to see you two again. And since the two lovebirds forgot their manners, let me introduce you to my parents Marie and Amir Askari. Mother, father, this is Minx and Eric Holden, Mina’s parents.”
I was blushing; completely mortified because nothing was going according to plan. Damn it, I seemed to be in a constant state of embarrassment since I met Amir. “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you. We love your movies.”
“Yes, she loves anything you direct. It’s always action packed.”
“And you know dad isn’t complaining about that,” Michael said with a chuckle that just wasn’t his usual. I couldn’t wait for him to be out of the hospital. This was killing me. He was my best friend for the past year and I loved him. It’s like getting a double whammy because I could easily picture it being Amir lying there and awful thoughts fill my head.
“What’s the matter, Mina?” Michael asked, catching my sadness before I could mask it. Amir turned around toward me immediately, worried and upset.
“I’m fine. It’s just terrible to see you lying there.”
“Yeah, you’re ruining her wedding plans,” Sansa said as she walked into the room with a large cup of ice. It’s that perfect hospital ice that is so good to crunch on. I was tempted to steal his cup.
“Yes, so far my favorite person of the day,” he said to her.
“This isn’t for you,” she joked.
“Hand it over, Sansa,” he said with a growl. She teased him a bit more before handing it over. I shook my head at them; it was so playful even though Michael wasn’t his usual vibrant spirit yet and could barely move.
“So, about them wedding plans? Next week, I think I overheard?” Michael asked.
“That was the plan initially, but things have changed.”
“What has changed?”
“You being in here, dork.”
“Mom! She called me a penis!” Michael complained from his bed like a whiny little boy.
“Well, you can be a dick, but that wasn’t how I meant it.”
“Sansa,” her mother scolded. I bit back my need to laugh by tucking my lips inward.
“Sorry, but he started it.”
“Your brother is hurt, leave him alone.” Michael, like a sibling would, stuck his tongue out at her.
“No more ice for you.” She grabbed the cup from the wheeled tray.
“That’s cold,” he said, lowering his eyelids and scowling at her.
“No, it won’t be.” She smiled at him and I was doing my best not to laugh at the two, but it was so hard. That’s the Michael I remember, but I have a new status to uphold.
“Kids, we have company,” Amir reminded them, tilting his head toward my parents.
“Stick in the mud,” they both called him simultaneously.
“Minxy, aren’t cha glad we only had one,” my dad joked.
There was a knock on the door and it was the doctor and two nurses. “Whoa, this place has gotten really crowded. But, I’m sorry, you are all going to have to say goodnight. It’s time for him to get his rest.”
“Oh wow, I didn’t realize how late it was,” I said, looking at my pretty watch I got for Christmas.
“Okay, are you ready to go to dinner?” Amir asked me, giving my hand a squeeze before checking out my watch.
“Hey, don’t talk about food in front of me. I don’t get a bland meal until tomorrow,” Michael griped from the bed.
“Oh…my…gosh. I can’t wait to get my hands on a juicy steak…mmm,” Sansa moaned out and added a belly rub for effect.
“Brat.”
“Have a goodnight, Michael.” She ran up to him and gave him a hug. Sibling fighting aside, she was worried about him. I think it feels good for her to tease him. We all said our goodnights before walking out into the night to grab a bite to eat.
It was a bit of a big group, so we went to this Chinese restaurant where they had seating for us all. It was hard for my dad to ask the questions I knew he wanted to, but Amir’s love for me was clear throughout dinner. There wasn’t anyone that could love me as much as he did. With their family there, he got to see how the Askari’s were. Yes, they came from a stricter culture, but as they say, they were Americanized. At the end of the night, as we all headed to our hotel rooms, my father pulled us aside to say, “Your love for her is as clear as day. Just make sure it always stays that way. A happy wife equals a very happy life and one that doesn’t get you strung up by your balls from an angry father.” He smiled then gave me a hug and whispered, “Love you, sweetheart. I’m serious. Be happy.”
I laughed all the way up to our hotel room. “What’s so funny? The fact that your father threatened me?”
“Nothing. It’s just he’s normally so easy going. He never gave any of my dates a hard time when they came to pick me up.”
“Dates?”
“Please, Amir, don’t be jealous. My two dates were for school dances, but it was high school and one of the few times I attended.”
“Sorry, I’m very territorial with you. And I can’t stand the idea of someone getting to hold you close for even one song,” he finished in a whisper with his lips on my neck.
“Charmer,” I countered.
“No, madly in love with the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Chapter 13
Amir
I got her in the room and pulled out my cell phone. I laid it on the table next to the bed. She slipped off her coat, looking perfect even after such a long day. Then the music started to play. She turned around with an opened mouth that stretched into a perfect smile.
"I want my dance," I said, pulling her into my arms and starting to sway back and forth. She pressed her head to my chest, humming the words along with Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud.
“Marry me, Mina,” I whispered. She looked up at me and gave me that loving look that shined in her bright green eyes, parting her lips.
“A hundred times over, Amir,” she replied. I lowered my head and met her lips for a kiss. It was a slow burn, which is what I wanted tonight. We danced and shared several kisses as the song played in a loop. “Love me, Amir,” she moaned, her hands pressed on my chest.
I took her by the hand and led her to the bed, standing with her back to me, I slowly slid down the zipper. As her skin was revealed to me, I kissed each inch. The zipper ended just a
bove her ass, so I straightened up as she let the dress fall to the floor. I felt a thousand emotions run through me as I trailed kisses down her neck to her shoulders. “Mine,” I whispered against her heated skin.
She turned in my arms and reached for my jacket and pushed it off. Leisurely, she tugged on my tie before pulling me closer and biting my lip. I growled against her mouth, feeling hungry and teased to the brink. The slow burn was turning into a raging blaze inside. Her breasts were barely covered with a sexy, pink, lace bra. I knew she wore it for me, but I wanted to tear it to shreds and get to the gorgeous present in stunning wrapping.
She reached for my shirt and took her time undoing each button. It was like a pleasurable torment that I wanted over. She pushed the shirt off my arms and ran her hands under my undershirt. I closed my eyes and absorbed her sweet touch. My cock was throbbing in my pants, stretching them out along with my patience.
I reached for my belt and pulled it off fast as fuck, making her giggle. “You won’t be laughing in a moment, sweetheart. Look what you did to me,” I growled, grabbing my cock through my pants. Her eyes focused on my hard on that visibly tented my clothes.
“You look like you need some relief.” I reached for her pussy, cupping her sex, and she felt like she needed relief, too; her pussy was soaked and the guttural moan that she unleashed was music to my ears. She worked my pants off, kneeling in front of me, taking off my shoes in the process. I loved the way she ran her breasts against my legs as she stood back up. When she got to my cock, she grabbed it and licked the glistening tip before smacking her breasts against my sack and dick. A bit of my pre-come graced her cleavage. I lifted her up to her feet and spread the small amount on her chest. It was like I was marking her as mine, something primal in me struck and I wanted to watch my come coat her body, not just buried in her sweet pussy.
I reached around and undid her bra, taking a sniff of it before tossing it with the rest of her clothes. I felt like a man full hard up on need for her. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to get inside of her. I laid her down on the bed, then took hold of her panties and tore them from her little hips. I stared at her, running my hand up and down my cock, stroking it as I thought about how fucking lucky I am to find her and getting to make her mine forever. Climbing the bed, I pushed her thighs apart and slowly slid into her depths and dropped to my elbows to kiss her pretty mouth that made a circle as she felt me stretch her wide.
Mina
I looked up at my love as he filled me all the way. Every part of my body wanted to tell him to fuck me fast and hard, but I knew he wanted to go slow, which feels incredible, too. His strong body covered me and sent desire running through me. I wanted more, so I wrapped my legs around his hips and pressed on his ass.
I moaned as his thickness thrusted deeper and deeper in me. It was so wonderful to feel him dominate my soul. My pussy pulsed every time he pulled back and made me want to trap him inside me until I screamed.
“Amir, harder,” I chanted, sobbing with aching need. He looked down at me, training his eyes on me and with a look of determination as he thrusted hard. Fucking me like a man gone wild, his balls slapped my ass as his thick length worked my core.
“Is that what you want, my love? Fuck Mina, you’re going to make me come. You better be ready to take it all. I want you to come with me. You hear me?” He pinched my nipple before bending and sucking it into his mouth.
I splintered into pieces, coming and bucking my body off the mattress. Amir let a roar rip through his chest before emptying all of his come in me. I wanted more. I refused to let him pull out of me. When he realized what I was doing, he smiled and rolled us so that I was on top of him.
“Sorry, my queen. I’m tired and I don’t want to crush you.”
“Me, too, but I don’t want you to leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere, but if you keep squeezing my dick with your pretty pussy walls, I’m going to have you ride me until you come hard on me.”
“You make that sound like a threat.” I arched my brows and started grinding my hips in a circle, letting my clit rub across his base. I was panting already and my Amir laid there with his eyes closed and a wicked smile on his face. I was going to use him until I passed out.
Chapter 14
Amir
I walked into the hospital room with a huge surprise. My brother was sitting up and talking to Sansa like nothing happened to him. “What’s going on?” I looked at my parents because something was going on. Even though he was sitting up, there was something secret and sad going on.
“Nothing, Amir,” he said, but I knew there was something he wasn’t telling me.
“Tell me right now,” I demanded.
Michael paused for a moment, taking a harsh breath. “Amir, I’m paralyzed.” I saw the resignation in his eyes and I wanted to go back after Borg. Handing him over to the police seemed wrong now. He deserved to be paralyzed. He deserved to live a life losing everything he wanted.
“What? You can’t be.” I couldn’t wrap my head around it. The misery my brother was feeling was hidden in that small smile on his face, but I knew better. He had that look when he felt defeated.
“Yes, I am. It’s possible that it’s temporary, but it may be permanent.” I didn’t know what to say or even how to feel. His hopes and dreams were gone. I ran my hand across my mouth, trying to take in what I learned. I’d left Mina with her parents this morning, but I wanted her right now. I needed my sweet balm that could calm the hurt and anger in me.
“Is there anything we can do?”
“I’m not going to give up, Amir. I will get a physical therapist after I have the surgery.”
“What type of surgery?” I thought they operated on him and everything was all clear. They hadn’t said anything about the possible paralysis before.
“There’s a buildup of fluid around my spine. It needs to be drained and the damage evaluated.”
“So when is the surgery?”
“After the wedding. I don’t want you two to continue waiting.” Was he out of his mind? I couldn’t wait to marry her, but I didn’t want him to postpone his surgery.
“But how are you supposed to be there.”
“I called Mina while you were working last night. She agreed, that if you were willing, that you have the ceremony in the room. It won’t be the one she deserves or the one you want to give her, but I know that you’ll do a special one in Khaleel.” I let the jealousy go because it wasn’t a sexual friendship. She wasn’t going to leave me for him, but as her future husband I should be the person she makes major plans with or to even share my brother’s pain with me.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I want to see you two be happy.” I saw the honesty in that statement.
“When is the surgery supposed to be scheduled?” I asked, running my hands through my hair.
“In two days. I thought you could get married tomorrow.”
“Give me a minute.” I raised my hand, then I stepped out of the room because I needed to talk to Mina first. I dialed her number and she picked up on the first ring.
“Amir,” she answered, her tone came off as nervous. That bothered me, but I let it slide. I just needed to hear her voice.
“So you talked to Michael?” I couldn’t shake the jealous indignation from my voice.
“Please don’t tell me you’re jealous about it,” she complained.
I got a bit defensive about it. After all that I had to deal with how hard was it for her to see that I wasn’t that comfortable with their relationship. Hell, the first time we met in person they were both half naked. “No, I thought my woman or my brother wouldn’t still keep secrets from me.”
“I wanted you to be able to sleep last night. You were so stressed out that I was worried.”
“I know you worry about me, Mina, and I haven’t told you, but you’re my calming rock and with you by my side everything is better,” I admitted, having kept those feelings to myself.
&n
bsp; “You’re my rock, too,” she said and shocked me because the sound didn’t come from my phone. She was standing in front of me. I grasped her waist and pulled her into my arms, crashing my mouth on hers. “So I take it you still want to marry me.”
“Of course, there’s no way I’d let you get away from me. Don’t test me either because I’d tie you to the bed,” I warned her in a hushed whisper. I looked behind her, but all I saw was Rahimi.
“Where are your parents?” I hated that she wasn’t with more than just one of my guards. Even though Borg was in jail, I still didn’t feel like we were out of the woods yet.
“They went to do some last-minute shopping for the wedding.”
“Yes, we have to get to it, if we’re getting married tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait,” she squealed. I kissed her again because she was so adorable.
Mina
It’s my wedding day. Not the way I expected it to be, but it’s what it is. I wanted to be presented to his people like I was supposed to be, but it really didn’t matter to me as long as I belonged to Amir.
My mother and mother-in-law stepped into the bedroom where I was getting ready and it was a shock as they carried in a large dress bag. “OMG. What is this?”
“I know how you talked about not being sure what to wear, but we found something that was like a crossover between the two cultures.” I opened the bag and gasped as I stared at a long white flowing dress that was beaded beautifully. I hurriedly got dressed and then stood in the full-length mirror. It was stunning on me. “You make a beautiful bride,” my mother said, looking at me with tears in her eyes.
Mrs. Askari fought back her tears as well, then said, “We thought a veil that represented both would be nice, so we got this one here but if you don’t like it, then we have this one.”
I couldn’t stop smiling as I looked at the veil. “Oh no, I love this one.” It was a type of tiara that rested on my forehead and followed by a beaded veil. It was perfect. I hoped Amir would like it on me.
