“I suppose you’re right. I just don’t want my baby to get her heart broken the way mine was.”
Ronnie was touched by her mom’s affectionate worry. They’d grown distant and impatient with each other in recent years: Ronnie exasperated that her mom rarely got out of bed, and her mom annoyed that Ronnie was too busy to hover about her bedside lamenting with her. A recent heart-trouble scare had made Ronnie realize how much her mom really meant to her. “I can handle it, Mom. You raised me to be tough on the inside. I honestly never thought I’d be crazy enough to fall in love, but I have and it’s wonderful.”
Her mom’s big, mournful eyes glittered with sudden tears. “I’d love to squeeze your hand now, sweetie, but I’m afraid these lovely ladies will never forgive me.” She smiled at the girls putting the finishing touches on their henna. “You enjoy this magical time. You deserve it. I feel bad that we didn’t celebrate Christmas properly when you were growing up.”
Ronnie sucked in a breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. Her mom had refused to make a big deal of celebrating the holiday since they “weren’t a real family” any more. Her early memories of stockings stuffed with presents and her dad pretending to be Santa had been replaced with memories of gift cards purchased by the maid. Her mom had steadfastly refused to fill their apartment with the scent of a real tree because, “it’s too depressing when it dies.”
They’d celebrated one way, though. “You did always play Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.”
“And Ella Fitzgerald’s.” Her mom beamed. “I brought them with me on my iPhone. We can listen to them later when we’re alone.”
Ronnie sighed. Her mom being here felt like the Christmas present she’d never dared hope for. “I’d love that.”
Their hands finished, they headed out into the garden, where lanterns lit the night and soft music filled the air. Ronnie introduced her mom to Sam and Osman, who took them to meet a friend of his who’d just arrived from France. Dressed in a dark suit and a rich burgundy and gold tie, the older man bowed low when introduced to Ronnie’s mom.
“Selena Wilmington.” He spoke with a French accent. “I saw you perform at the Café de Paris in London on September 23, 1988. It’s a night I shall never forget.”
Ronnie stared at her mom, whose smile spread across her face as he kissed her hand like a gallant knight. “I can’t believe you can even recognize me.”
“You’re even more radiant now than you were then.” He was a handsome man in his fifties, dapper and elegant.
“Nonsense! My daughter hasn’t even let me go to my room to freshen up yet.”
“You are fresh as the mistletoe my friend’s lovely new bride has garlanded the place with.” Ronnie’s mom burst out laughing. Ronnie cast a glance at Sam, who looked back in surprise. “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
“Why, I’d be delighted.”
Ronnie watched in amazement as her mom, who probably hadn’t danced in twenty years, took his hand and let him lead her to an open space where couples swayed to the soft music.
“Am I dreaming?” Ronnie clutched Sam’s arm. “Because I don’t want to wake up.”
“Something’s in the air.” Sam blinked. “Something big.”
Osman answered his phone, listened for a moment, then frowned. “I’ve got to go out for a while.”
“But where?” Distress wrinkled Sam’s smooth brow. “It’s the eve of our wedding! Can’t you forget about business at least until after our wedding night?”
Oman stroked her upper arm softly. “The power outage. Rifal has a report that it’s the result of deliberate sabotage. It’s important that I investigate personally.”
“Is it really?” Sam’s voice rose. “Isn’t that what all your staff are for? And where’s the famous Gibran who’s supposed to come and save the day?”
They’d been talking for some time about a famous security expert who was some kind of family relative. He was awaited with all the anticipation of the Second Coming, but had yet to make an appearance.
“He’ll be here when he’s ready. For now the responsibility to protect our people lies with me.” He spoke so tenderly that Ronnie’s heart ached for him. “You know how much that means to me.”
“I do,” said Sam softly. “It’s one of the many things I love about you.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kissed her on the lips and made a swift departure.
“Dammit. Things were going so well.” Sam’s eyes shone with tears.
“They still are, Sam.” Ronnie squeezed her arm. “He’ll be back soon. And maybe the lights will even come back on first.” She saw a couple moving toward the dance floor, and her blood ran cold. “Oh no. My dad and his new wife.”
“I thought you were thrilled that they’d arrived.”
“I am. But my mom has no idea he’s here.”
5
Ronnie braced herself for the inevitable fireworks. “I’d better go intercept. I probably should have warned both of them, but I didn’t dare.” She drew in a deep breath and marched toward the dance floor.
Her dad, arms around his nubile young wife, was just noticing her mom in the semi-darkness. She watched his lips part.
Ronnie’s mom—much to Ronnie’s continued surprise—was swaying to the beat with Osman’s friend. She realized that she should have paid closer attention to his name. Solomon? She couldn’t remember the first name at all.
She hurried to her father. “Uh, Dad. Would you like to go meet Osman’s brothers?” Already her nerves were failing.
“Is that your mother?” He continued staring at her.
She gulped. “Yes. I didn’t tell you she’d be here because I thought it might keep you from coming. It means the world to me that you’re here to give me away.” She almost felt like he might turn and run right now. And she couldn’t really blame him when she recalled some of the scenes her mom had caused over the years.
“I’d never miss your wedding.” Her dad had stopped dancing. “You’re the only daughter I have.”
So far. She dismissed the selfish thought. “So, you’re not mad?”
“Not at all. But I suppose we’d better get the meet and greet over with.” Her dad looked curiously at her mom’s elegant companion. “Who is she dancing with?”
“A friend of Osman’s.” Her partner hadn’t taken his eyes off her. He looked rapt, and weirdly enough she was gleaming with good spirits, too. “Perhaps we should wait until the music stops.” She didn’t want to break the spell. She hadn’t seen her mom look this happy in years.
Her dad lifted a brow. “You’re afraid of her. Let’s get this over with.” He walked up to her and tapped her on the arm. She turned, but instead of the pantomime expression of distress and horror that Ronnie had anticipated, she smiled. “Oh, hello Victor. This is Tislat Suleiman, an old friend from my singing days.”
Her dance partner shook her dad’s hand and Ronnie’s mom continued to glow like a star on opening night as her dad introduced Anushka. They didn’t shake hands—which would have made Ronnie very nervous—but simply nodded their greetings politely, then went back to dancing.
Ronnie pinched herself. It hurt, which meant this was really happening. Zadir moved up beside her and whispered in her ear. “See? I told you everything would work out fine.”
“I’m nervous that it’s the calm before the storm.” This didn’t feel right.
“Just relax and enjoy it.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Dance with me.” Already his hand was on her waist and he tugged her into the middle of the floor.
“What? Right now?” There were still guests from the States that she hadn’t greeted yet.
“Yes, right now.” His blue gaze dared her to defy him, and his arms around her waist added to the challenge.
“Don’t you have things to do?” Desire flared inside her as her body bumped against his. The music had slowed to a romantic, jazzy number.
“The o
nly thing I need to do right now is dance with my beautiful wife.”
“Almost-wife,” she corrected.
“Same thing.” His slow smile was contagious—she felt it creep across her mouth as her arms rose around his neck. “All I know is that you’re mine.”
“Not yet. I could change my mind before tomorrow morning,” she teased. It was infuriating how Zadir was always so sure of himself. He never seemed to seriously consider that they wouldn’t end up together, just because that’s what he wanted.
“Then I’d better make sure you think of nothing all night but how much you want to marry me.” He twirled her around, dipping her slightly, which made her gasp.
“Shouldn’t we spend the night apart? It’s tradition.”
“Perish the thought.” He stepped forward, pushing her thigh back with his. Arousal sizzled through her. How did he always have this effect on her? Common sense flew out the window when she was around Zadir. “Some traditions are worth keeping. Others are foolish habits that are best discarded.”
His fingertips pressed gently into the area right above her behind. They strayed a little lower and her skin sizzled through her thin evening gown. He whirled them through the crowd as excitement flashed over her. She’d thought her life was pretty exciting before she met him—she was busy with architecture clients, travel and new commissions—but Zadir had swept her into a whole other world.
He kissed her, his lips meeting hers exactly at the moment that the saxophone launched into a haunting solo. He hugged her to him and she could almost feel their hearts beating against each other. For once she was wearing such high heels that she could look him right in the eye. “You’re a very persistent man, Zadir Al Kilanjar.”
“I know what I want.” A smile flashed in his blue eyes, though his expression was serious. “And I want you in bed, right now.”
She tried to ignore the surge of heat that rose through her. “That would be rude. We’re the hosts.”
“Our guests will be fine without us.” His low voice crept into her ear as he dipped her again, then pulled her even closer. “I, however, am developing a…situation…that only you can fix.”
She could feel it beneath the sash of his robe, jutting against her belly. A giggle rose inside her. “So you are. That is a problem.”
“With only one solution.”
“A cold shower.”
“Or some hot loving.” He spoke so low that no one but her could hear him. His breath, hot on her cheek, excited her, and his rich masculine scent tormented her senses.
“Let’s go.” Suddenly she couldn’t wait either. She glanced back toward her mother—still happily dancing—and her father—fussing over Anushka—then fixed her eyes on the door. If they could just make it out of here without being waylaid, they could be alone behind closed doors in less than two minutes.
“Why do you have to be so beautiful?” Zadir’s rough voice in her ear made her smile.
“Me? Have you noticed all the gorgeous women here tonight?”
“I’m only interested in one woman.” He led her by the hand across the dance floor, under a row of palms, and back toward the main hallway that led toward the bedrooms. “The others are irrelevant to me.”
Ronnie faltered as one of the staff started toward them with a questioning look on his face. He looked like he was about to ask whether to open another crate of champagne or bake another batch of pastries.
But the urgency of their movements and the intent look on their faces must have scared him off, as he stepped aside and hurried off in another direction. “Narrow escape,” she whispered.
“Thank heaven. I can’t wait.” His voice was gruff with urgency. “I need to get that gorgeous dress off your gorgeous body before I lose my mind.”
They almost ran along the hallway, her heels clicking on the mosaic-tiled floor. Desire heated her skin and quickened her breathing. Light from the flickering torches along the wall cast tall shadows around them.
“I hope nobody saw us sneak off.” She glanced back. Music followed them, growing fainter, as they hurried for their room.
“I don’t care what they saw.” Zadir’s eyes flashed. “A man should be able to make love to his own wife.”
“Almost-wife.” They were close now, and excitement built like butterflies inside her.
Zadir pulled open the door to their room and they rushed in, slamming it behind them. Within seconds they were on the bed, clawing at each other’s clothes. Zadir’s traditional robe was off in a flash, pulled over his head to reveal his hard stomach and powerful chest.
The delicate buttons down the back of Ronnie’s sleek designer dress took a little more work, but soon she was naked, with reflected light from the brazier dancing over her skin.
They climbed onto the mattress, kneeling in front of each other. Ronnie’s skin tingled as excitement and anticipation crackled between them.
Still…. “What if this is bad luck?” This much happiness made Ronnie nervous. She wasn’t used to it.
“I’ll take my chances.” Zadir’s low voice rumbled against her skin as he placed a line of gentle kisses down her face and neck, between her breasts, and over her very sensitive belly. She had to struggle not to laugh as he blew into her belly button. Already her insides were quivering.
“You’re such a tease.”
“I can’t help myself,” he breathed. His tongue slipped between her thighs and she bucked slightly as it found its sensitive target. “Driving you wild is too much fun.”
Fingers fisted in his hair, she gave herself over to sensation as he pleasured her with the tip of his tongue. Soon, wet and ready, she couldn’t take any more. “Stop, please!” She wanted him inside her.
“What is it sweetheart?” His blue eyes gleamed with mischief.
Make love to me now! She still wasn’t quite uninhibited enough to demand it. “I want….” How could you put it politely?
“You want what, my love?” He cocked his head, as if curious. A dimple appeared in his left cheek. He rose and sucked first one nipple, then the next, until they stood on end, gleaming and sizzling with arousal.
Then he waited. All two hundred pounds of solid muscle, kneeling just a few superheated inches from her desperately aroused body, hard as rock ledge and with more self control than she could stand. She watched his chest rise and fall. Saw that dimple deepen.
Frustration and passion flashed through her. She drew in a shaky breath, barely able to stay upright. “I want—I need—” Words failed her and she pushed him roughly back onto the bed. His head sank into the pillows and she knew the grin on his face should infuriate her but instead it just excited her more. She climbed over him and took him inside her with a shiver of deep relief.
“Ah,” he murmured. “Now I see exactly what you want.”
“Stop talking,” she commanded softly. She couldn’t stop the smile crossing her mouth. She leaned forward to kiss him and her nipples brushed his chest. She started to move, deepening the connection between them and letting all her inhibitions melt away as pleasure rose through her.
Zadir’s hands roamed over her body, and she could hear his low moans of pleasure as she guided them further into a private world of passion. Soon, he was on top, burying himself deep in her and kissing her like she was the only source of sustenance on earth.
When they finally climaxed it was so intense and explosive that she couldn’t remember where they were, or why. She had no idea how long they’d been here and didn’t care.
“Feeling better now, my love?”
“You’re cruel.” She ran a thumb over his sensual mouth.
“It’s too much fun to tease you. You made me set up an entire charity auction just to go on a single date with you, remember?”
“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” Her chest still heaved with the aftereffects of their lovemaking.
“You wanted to walk away and forget all about that night we shared in the desert.”
“I w
as an idiot.” She bit her lip. It was hard to believe that she’d been so afraid of the passion that had flared between them that she hoped to simply avoid him. “And I almost threw away our whole future.”
“Lucky thing I don’t take no for an answer.” His eyes twinkled.
“It is.” She sighed and rested her head on his chest. “I thought my life was so great traveling around designing buildings here and there. Now I’m creating a whole city here in Ubar. It’s not something I could even have dared to dream of.”
“Here in Ubar we believe in destiny. Ubar is your destiny, I am your destiny. You just needed a little time to accept it.” He stroked her cheek gently with his broad thumb.
“I’m the luckiest woman alive.” It wasn’t easy to admit it. Habitually shy and reserved, she used to keep her feelings to herself. Here in Ubar she could feel herself opening up like a flower blooming in a long-awaited rain. “I love you Zadir Al Kilanjar.”
“I love you more.” One dark brow lifted slightly.
“You’re so competitive.”
“So are you.” Already his hands slid up and down her body, sparking trails of arousal.
“Don’t you think we should get back to our guests?” Her belly quivered, wanting him inside her again.
He buried his face in her neck and inhaled her scent. “Definitely not.”
6
A knock on the door in the dead of night made Sam sit up in her bed with a start. “Osman?”
“It is Rifal, madam.” One of her husband’s men.
Panic flared in her chest. Why would he disturb her at night? Was something horribly wrong? “What is it?”
“There’s been a shooting.” His voice traveled through the door and hit her straight in the heart like a bullet. Terror spiked through her as she flew out of bed and tugged the door open. “Is my husband okay?” All her silly fussing over the Christmas decorations and the wedding meant nothing if she didn’t have Osman to share them with.
“Yes, your majesty—” The words that followed were a blur as she sagged with relief. It was hard to act with the dignity of a queen at moments like this. “And he said to go ahead with the ceremony even though he won’t be back until mid morning.”
Desert Kings Boxed Set: The Complete Series Books 1-6 Page 43
