The Sheikh's Desert Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 8)

by Albany,Cara

  The boat rocked gently and she held onto the railing. She gazed up at the huge full moon and felt the air cool her body through the gown.

  Azim gazed down at the gown. "You look stunning in that, you know that, don't you?"

  Lucy felt color flush her face. "Ella let me borrow it. In fact, she said, if it fits, I can keep it. But, I can't do that." Lucy tugged gently at the gown. "Have you seen the label on this? I can't imagine how much it cost."

  "I'm sure she meant what she said," Azim said evenly.

  "It was a pretty good idea you had," Lucy said.

  "What?"

  "Coming down to the coast, instead of trekking the longer way across the desert," she said.

  "It seemed like the best thing to do." He lifted his glass and gazed around the wide deck. "Seems like I was right."

  "Do you have one of these?" she asked.

  He lifted his brows and gave her a look. "Do you know how much this cost? And how long you have to wait before you take delivery?"

  Lucy shook her head. "I couldn't even begin to take a guess."

  "In any case, I'm way too busy on land to have one of these. Although, I have been tempted, I have to admit."

  Lucy sipped her champagne and peered at him. She was sure that, if he really wanted, he could afford to buy one of the yachts. Although they'd never talked about money, after they'd first met, Lucy had quickly surmised that Azim was extremely wealthy. It was just that he didn't like to make a big show of it.

  "I can't imagine you anywhere else except in the desert, or a boardroom," she said.

  Azim raised a brow. "Really? That's the way you think of me?"

  "It's all I know," she explained.

  Azim leaned closer and gazed into Lucy's eyes. "You know there's so much more to me than just those two things." His voice dropped to a vibrant growl. "I'd have thought the way we were back at the encampment would have shown you that," he added.

  Why did he have to look at her like that? Didn't he know how that gaze affected her? Threw her right off balance? Of course he knew, she told herself. Since they'd reunited he'd been playing her, toying with her in every conceivable way. And hadn't she just loved every minute? Hadn't she just wanted it to continue forever?

  Of course she had, she admitted to herself.

  Lucy cleared her throat. "When's dinner?" she asked desperate to shift the conversation to something else.

  Azim seemed to quickly snap out of whatever state he had gotten himself into.

  "You hungry already?"

  She squinted at him. "Don't you remember the diet we existed on over the last few days?"

  Azim nodded, conceding her point. She was looking forward to seeing what the chef down below had prepared.

  "I'll go and tell them we're ready," Azim said placing his glass down. "Don't go away," he added with a sly grin.

  Lucy glanced at the waves tumbling past the yacht. "As if I'd leave you," she joked.

  Azim's brows furrowed. "There's no chance of that, Lucy," he said. His eyes darkened, purpose filling the dark pools. "As far as I'm concerned, you're not going anywhere anytime soon," he said.

  She felt her heart quicken and she twisted away from him, determined he wouldn't see how his words had affected her.

  Lucy heard his footsteps as he made his way to the front of the yacht. She gripped the handrail and stared down at the waves rippling away from the yacht. Further away from the yacht, the sea was calm. Nothing like her insides which were churning, nerves unsettled. She drew in a deep breath and lifted her head, gazing up at the moon.

  What was she going to do? She should have insisted they stay on land, that all four of them have the polite evening meal she'd anticipated. But, now she was here, with Azim and there was nowhere to go to escape him or her feelings. Even if she didn't want to escape, the impulses that had driven her two years before still tugged at her, still tormented her.

  What had he meant by that last remark? What was he planning? Whatever it was, she was determined to get through the next hours with as much dignity as she could summon up. And if he did do as she thought he might, she'd just have to tell him the truth. No matter what it would do them both.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Lucy hadn't been hungry, after all, Azim reflected as he gazed across at her, watching the way she was idly moving her food across her plate. Or maybe, there was something else interfering with her appetite. Maybe this whole trip had been a bad idea.

  From the start of the meal she'd seemed preoccupied. Every attempt he'd made at casual conversation had failed. He'd never seen her like this, as if she wasn't really here with him, as if she might even want to be somewhere else. Anywhere except by his side.

  The yacht was moored a short distance from shore, and Azim could still see the lights of the palace on the top of the cliffs. It was the only light for miles. That and the soft glow of the yacht's lights out here on the flat, calm sea. The moonlight cast a silver glow across everything.

  He sighed and wondered why such a romantic setting, such a special situation, could have possibly failed to put Lucy at ease. He desperately wanted to say the words he'd been rehearsing in his mind all evening. But, every time he came close, his throat tightened and his heart started to hammer at a crazy speed.

  They finished eating as much of the meal as they both wanted and made their way to a long couch which was positioned so they could both sit beside each other and gaze at the moon, the sea and the coastline. It was intended to be romantic, but right now, as Azim walked beside Lucy, it felt anything but romantic.

  They sat down side by side setting their drinks down on the table in front of them.

  "I notice you didn't eat much," Azim said quietly.

  "Maybe its the movement of the yacht and the sea, but I didn't feel like eating much. Sorry," Lucy said.

  Azim shook his head. "Nothing to be sorry about. Just means you're going to be hungry during the night."

  The instant he said those words he knew he shouldn't have said them. Lucy's brows furrowed. What had he been thinking, saying that? He'd given her the completely wrong idea. This whole trip wasn't about enticing Lucy into bed for one final night before she left him forever. And those words had just created that distinct impression. He was sure of it. He could see the way she'd reacted.

  Lucy lifted her glass and drained it. "Can I have another?" she asked wide-eyed.

  Azim took the glass from her and shook his head. "Maybe later. Champagne and moonlight are a potent mixture." He said placing the glass down next to his own.

  "What do you mean?"

  Azim rested his hand on Lucy's shoulder and gazed at her hair. "Your hair really catches the moonlight," he said slowly. He reached up and loosened it, watching how it tumbled around her neck. He ran his fingers through the softness of her hair, savoring the delicate feel. He dipped his head and brought her hair to his face, inhaling the sweet scent. It smelled like roses.

  Azim heard Lucy sigh. He lifted his gaze and saw that she was looking at him, moistening eyes brimful of emotion.

  He slipped a hand around her shoulders, resting his fingers against the soft skin of her neck. His other hand settled on her leg. He felt the softness of the gown, felt the firmness of her flesh beneath it. Touching her like that triggered his own desire.

  Azim heard a small sob escape from Lucy, and he glanced quickly at her, seeing that she had thrust her head back and was gazing up at the moon. He could see her long neck, see how hard she was working to control her emotion.

  Was this what he wanted? Feeling as if he'd misjudged her, Azim sat back, no longer touching her at all. She seemed to notice that immediately, because she lowered her head and gazed at him. There was passion in those eyes, he told himself. Such strong passionate feeling. Was that passion just for him? Or was it a passionate determination to put an end to the madness which was turning both of their worlds upside down?

  Unless he was mistaken, she looked like she wanted to say something to Azim. He felt a chi
ll of anxiety slide up his spine. What was she going to say to him?

  Azim gazed, in wonder, down the length of her exquisitely proportioned body. The way she looked in that gown made something forceful shift inside him. Dangerous thoughts filled his mind.

  Running his gaze across her curves made heat flare in his middle. He felt his muscles firm, felt his breath become shorter. He became aware that he was reaching a point when he doubted he could control his desire for Lucy. The breeze wafted her scent to him and need heightened.

  Azim submitted suddenly to everything that was building inside. He leaned forward and cupped a hand beneath Lucy's exquisite jaw, savoring the smoothness of her skin.

  Lucy lifted a hand and, for a moment, he was sure she was going to place it firmly on his chest, halting his advance. But, as quickly as the hand was raised, her eyes met his and her hand was lowered slowly. Her mouth had opened slightly in preparation for what he was sure she had been about to say. Silent now, her lips called him with their promise of softness and pleasure.

  He dipped his head, hungrily claiming her mouth. He heard her moan, and her chin lifted opening herself up to him. Electric sensation jolted through Azim's body as he kissed Lucy. His tongue probed, searching and teasing. He felt her hands seize his shoulders, and he was sure there was hunger in the way she took hold of him.

  Azim drew her closer, pulling gently on her shoulder. He delighted in the feel of her body as she pressed against him. His lips continued to possess her. His need to show her just how much she meant to him was fierce and urgent.

  He loved the taste of her lips, the feel of her skin, her scent that intoxicated him like never before.

  Her breathing had become quicker, almost as fast as his own.

  Then, as suddenly as she'd submitted to him, he felt her pull away from him, tearing her mouth away from his. He heard her emit a defiant groan, and watched as she leapt to her feet and strode away from him.

  His heart sank as he watched her clasp her hands tightly and start to pace the deck. She had her back to him, but he knew she was upset, knew that she was preparing to say something to him.

  "What's wrong, Lucy?" Azim asked. He stood and started to take a few steps toward Lucy. She whirled and when he saw the look on her face, he froze on the spot.

  "Please, Azim," she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion. "Just, give me a little space. For a moment. Can you do that?"

  "Of course," he replied from his position a few feet away from her. He felt the yacht undulating gently and steadied himself against the side of a table.

  Lucy paced back and forth, and he could see that she was considering her next words carefully.

  This was the moment he'd dreaded, he told himself. She was going to lay it all on the line; tell him just what she thought of his attempts to win her back.

  If she thought he was going to quit now, she was utterly and completely wrong.

  Azim drew in a deep breath and took in the wondrous sight of the woman he loved, the woman he wanted by his side for the rest of his life. He knew with utter certainty that he wouldn't be denied.

  However, in spite of his resolve, he understood that for one more moment, he would have to let fate tease them both one last time.

  ****

  Lucy wrung her hands and searched her mind frantically for the next words she was going to say to Azim. She glanced across at him. He was standing gazing at her. There was a curious mixture of concern and determination in that gaze. She could tell he was desperate to say something. Was he desperate to ask her something? That thought sent a surge of worry tumbling through her.

  As she glanced at him a few times, she thought he'd never looked more handsome. He was unbelievably sexy. There was no denying that simple fact. She'd never seen a man as gorgeous as Azim. Never.

  And, after what they'd put each other through these past days, she knew there would probably never be a man she could love like she loved Azim.

  She turned away from him and gazed up at the moon. She sighed and clutched the railing.

  Then she turned and faced him. "What are we doing to each other, Azim?" she demanded.

  She saw his brows furrow and he took a step closer. "What do you mean, Lucy?"

  She waved a hand. "Everything. This. All the things that have happened to us. Why are we doing it?"

  "I think the answer to that is pretty obvious, don't you?"

  "No. I don't." She gripped the railing behind her back. "Why don't you explain it all to me, Azim," she said defiantly.

  Azim took another two steps forward. Now he was within touching distance. She narrowed her eyes and he halted. He still hadn't answered her, and she didn't want him coming any closer until he had.

  "What's there to explain?" he said in a low voice. "I love you, Lucy. You know that, don't you?"

  Azim took one more step closer and then paused. "I love you. Completely and utterly," he said in a low growl.

  His words hit her like a hammer-blow. She groaned and rolled her eyes, feeling suddenly short of breath. "After what I did, you can still say that to me?"

  Azim shook his head. "You got away from me once," he murmured. "I'm not going to lose you again."

  Azim's gaze became even and steady. She felt her heart pounding. Why did he have to look at her like that? She drew in a deep breath and swallowed. This wasn't going according to her plan. Not at all, she told herself.

  Who was she kidding?

  This was going exactly to plan. Azim's plan. She knew now what he intended to do. Was certain about it, because she could see it in his eyes. The determination, the will, the strength of a sheikh who would not be denied.

  As if determined to torment her, he spoke again: "I want you to be mine. Forever. I love you."

  Lucy gasped as she heard his words.

  Love. He'd told her he loved her, and when he'd said that everything had seemed to shift beneath her feet. And it was nothing to do with the fact that they were on a yacht, swaying on a dark sea.

  When he'd uttered those words, she'd felt something sing within her, felt a sudden release of tension, as if the worries of the past days had been swept away by his forceful declaration.

  "I don't know what to say, Azim," she murmured.

  "Say what's in your heart, Lucy."

  She sighed, releasing the handrail. Looking at him she opened her mouth, preparing to say the most momentous words she'd ever say.

  Just as she was about to do so, everything lurched beneath her and she staggered back, her thighs colliding with the rail. In a moment she felt herself tumble backwards and she threw her arms out, reaching for Azim. She saw his eyes widen, saw him reach for her and knew what was happening. She heard the harsh slap of a wave against the side of the yacht and knew instantly that she was about to tumble backwards into the water.

  Lucy yelled and felt her body sway, and she braced herself for the inevitable fall into the cold water.

  Then, she felt arms around her, felt the tight grip of strong limbs envelope her torso. And then she was being lifted away from the railing and scooped up into Azim's arms. As he swept her back into the middle of the deck, Azim held tightly onto her, and all she could think to do was wrap her arms around his wide shoulders.

  He halted and she felt him hold her body close to his. He didn't even try to let her down. His gaze was filled with relief. "Are you okay?" he breathed.

  She sighed with exasperation. "Of course I am," she blurted out. "You didn't think I was going to throw myself into the sea, did you?"

  He grinned at her. "I told you I wasn't going to let you get away from me again."

  Finally he let her down onto her feet and she kept her arms curled across the back of his shoulders. He gazed down at her, and she could see the love in his eyes, looking at her with sheer adoration. She pressed herself against him, enjoying the feel of his powerful body.

  She raised her head up to him, demanding a kiss. Azim grinned and leaned his head down. His kiss was tender and soft and all too brief
, she told herself.

  "How did I get so lucky to have someone like you fall in love with me?" she asked him.

  "Exactly what I was thinking," he replied quirking a brow.

  "Really?" she challenged. "Are you sure about that?" she added with a sly grin.

  "Completely sure," he said. "You do, don't you?"

  Lucy gazed into his eyes and ran the back of her fingers down the side of his face. "Of course, I love you, Azim. Haven't I always?"

  He kissed her again and she stretched herself up onto her toes, reaching her mouth up to his, wanting the kiss to last forever.

  His lips parted from hers and he gazed into her eyes. She saw a flicker of hesitation in those eyes, but she already knew what he was going to ask her next.

  "We have a wedding to attend, you know that, don't you?"

  She frowned at him. Why was he changing the subject like that? She hadn't expected him to suddenly start talking about Zarif and Rachel's wedding.

  She pouted her lips at him, but he just smiled. "You understand what I'm saying?"

  Lucy squinted. "Of course. Zarif and Rachel."

  Azim shook his head. "That's not what I'm saying, at all."

  And then it hit her. What he was really asking her, and she gazed at him, seeing the resolve firm on his features.

  Azim sank gently to his knees, taking hold of Lucy's hand. He looked up at her. In spite of herself she raised her other hand to her mouth in a vain attempt to contain the sob that leapt to her throat.

  "Lucy. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" was all he said, but to Lucy they were the most wonderful words she'd ever heard.

  His eyes were wide with expectation as she struggled to control the wave of emotion that crashed over her.

  What was she going to say? There was only one thing she wanted to say. Only one thing she had ever wanted to say to Azim.