Defying the Sheikh

by Michelle Hughes

  As their tongues danced together intimately she felt an unfamiliar ache move through her body and moaned softly. Her hands lifted to his thick hair and tangled within, holding him closer to her. As he pulled away she wanted to cry out in disappointment.

  His hand caressed her cheek softly as he glanced deeply into her eyes. With purpose he dropped his hand. "I have some work to do." He stood quickly before he could give in to the temptation that her eyes were offering. Armon had lost control with his beautiful wife last night, he would not allow it again. He would overwhelm her senses little by little, he decided, until she gave over to him completely he vowed. In haste, he hurried out of their cabin.

  Michaela could only stare after him as he left her, her emotions completely confused. She told herself that she was glad he was gone, even as her body craved more than the kiss he had shared. She busied herself with making their bed and straightening the cabin, willing to do anything other than think about his kiss. It took little time and she forced herself to reach for the book discarded on the table. She had to restart the same page many times, as her thoughts were distracted.

  Armon walked down to the cargo area of the ship and found the crate that belonged to his sister. His hands roamed over the silken fabrics, and he could imagine them caressing the silkiness of Michaela's skin. Reminding himself that he was acting like an untrained boy, instead of the man he fought to control his thoughts. Lifting the heavy crate, instead of calling forth one of the many servants, he walked it above deck enjoying the physical activity.

  "Your Highness, have I earned your scorn," a masculine voice entreated as he made it topside.

  Glancing down at his most trusted servant his eyes grew puzzled. "Why would you ask such, Jahad," sitting the crate down, his arm raised to wipe the sweat from his brow.

  Lowering his eyes in respect, he spoke humbly. "You have not called on me to assist you." He enjoyed serving his Grace and was distraught at the thought that he had angered him in some way.

  Armon fought back a smile, knowing Jahad would not understand his humor. "Rest assured your service is impeccable, Jahad, I only wished to release some of the tediousness of being aboard ship."

  Jahad breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Shall I attempt to find some entertainment for you, your Highness?" He could not recall his Grace ever finding the voyages boring in the past. He wondered if his new bride was not to his satisfaction.

  "Please do not trouble yourself, I just long for our homeland." In truth he longed for the beautiful woman that waited in his cabin, and needed to distract himself. His servant was not to be privy to such information, his personal affairs were his own.

  Giving a nod of understanding he smiled. "I to have missed the Palace," to walk in those halls again and see his sons, filled his own soul with longing.

  "Walk with me, we shall speak with the Captain concerning our course," Armon commanded and walked ahead, knowing he would follow.

  The Captain glanced up as Armon arrived and waved him up to the stern. "I fear a storm is brewing," his hand pointed off to the east and his brows were lifted in concern.

  Armon had been so lost in his own thoughts that he had paid little heed to the weather pattern. His eyes glanced over the horizon feeling a sense of unease. The sky was beginning to darken, and streaks of lightning ripped through the clouds several miles away. "Should we change our course," Armon questioned his eyes riveted on the scenery.

  "We would never outrun the winds, but there is an island a few knots to the South, it might serve well to consider that option." The ship was sturdy, but these storms could prove to be violent and he would prefer being docked until the severity could be established.

  "This decision I will leave in your hands Captain, just choose your course." Armon knew that Delbert knew these waters much better than him, and trusted his opinion.

  "I would be more content to find ourselves shelter until we know just how powerful she will blow in." He was not one to take risks, especially not with the Sheikh on board.

  "How may I assist you?" Armon questioned, he had been trained to lead and would not be rendered helpless here.

  "I would like to chart our course quickly, it would be of great service if you could rally the men." Normally he would not dare request such from his Grace, but he knew of his skill and would need all hands to assure their quick arrival on the Isle.

  With a quick nod of his head Armon moved toward the crew, demanding their attention. "We are preparing to land and need all hands on deck," his voice was stern as he fell into his normal position of power. The ship became a bustle of movement as the trained seamen prepared to fight Mother Nature.

  The waves were already beginning to increase and the gentle roll was replaced with a choppy treading upon the waters. Armon knew instinctively that this was not going to be a small storm, and assisted where he could to anchor down anything that might prove hazardous when the winds increased.

  Michaela lost her balance as she walked across the floor and was forced to grab on to the table for support. She had not been above deck since arriving on the ship, and felt a tremor of fear move through her at the thought of a storm. She had survived a horrible storm with her father on his ship before his passing and it still filled her nights with terror. Forcing her way to the cabin door, she managed to open it and walk outside. The wind nearly blew her down and she struggled to find her footing. Fear filled her emerald gaze as she was forced to grab hold of rope dangling above her head for balance. "Armon," her voice cried out in fear, needing the comfort of his presence.

  Armon glanced down from his post and his heart lurched at the site of his wife and the situation she had placed herself in. "Return to your cabin at once Michaela!" He shouted to be heard above the wind as it continued to escalate in force. The storm had come upon them quickly and it seemed to only grow in intensity.

  She found that her feet would not obey as fear moved through her body. Holding on to the rope with all her strength, she felt frozen to her core. Her eyes managed to glance up as her husband arrived at her side, and still she was unable to move.

  "Have you a death wish you little fool!" He spoke harshly as the thought of her being swept overboard filled his thoughts with panic. He regretted his words as soon as he said them, but he had no time to deal with his reaction. "Michaela get inside the cabin now," he gritted his teeth in frustration as she remained still. With a low growl he lifted her into his arms and attempted to carry her back to the room.

  She shook her head no, afraid if she let go of the rope she would find herself flying through the air. Keeping her death grip on the rope her body trembled violently. A sob escaped her lips as her eyes stared wildly at the building waves on the horizon.

  He understood immediately that she was terrified, and pried her hands from her hold. Walking as best he could among the howling wind, he finally made it to the cabin door and pushed it aside with one hand while holding her to his chest with his other arm. Her hands had snaked around his neck in a death grip.

  "Little one, you must listen to me," he entreated softly closing the door behind them, "you have to remain here until we have found shelter."

  She wrapped her arms even more tightly around his neck and shook her head in panic. Her face nuzzled against his neck needing the safety of his arms and refused to let him go.

  He was torn between her fear and the need to assist the crew, and knew that as much as he hated leaving her alone her safety was his priority. Prying her fingers from his neck he sat her down on her feet. Her soft cry of anguish spoke deeply to his heart. As her hands reached for him again he held her off with one hand. "You must trust me Michaela, I will keep you safe." He could see the wild fear burning in her eyes, and it nearly unmanned him. "Forgive me."

  Before she could stop him, he walked out of the cabin and locked the door behind him. Her fists pounded on the door and he felt like a barbarian for abandoning her, even knowing it was the only way he could truly keep her safe.

  For hour
s they braved the storm and the entire crew was physically exhausted. When they managed to pull into a cove in the island that offered some break from the damaging winds, Armon could only breathe a deep sigh of relief. The walls of the cove would protect the ship and finally they could rest at ease. Without a second thought he walked with purpose back to the cabin to offer his wife comfort.

  Michaela had curled up in the bed and cried until there were no tears left inside. She knew that this room would become her burial ground and she was mentally overwhelmed at the fear that left her broken. Hugging one of the large pillows, she wished only that she could meet her demise with more dignity.

  Armon opened the door and moved over to her with quickened steps. She was so distraught she had not even heard his entry. Lowering his large frame into the bed, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "Forgive me little one," he whispered the words gently into her hair. She remained still and he feared that the fright had been more than she was capable of handling. It distressed him to see his strong beautiful wife reduced to such means.

  "Michaela love, look at me," he beckoned softly. Lowering his hand to her chin he forced her eyes to his and saw the apprehension in her emerald gaze. "You are safe little one, the storm will pass us here." He attempted to soothe her, his tone remaining calm.

  Her lips trembled from the chill that filled her body and she barely registered the words he spoke. She was no longer alone, that was all that mattered, she thought to herself and instinctively pressed her body closer into his arms.

  Lifting her into his lap he held her as he would a child. His hands caressed her silken hair and moved down her arms attempting to warm her. Her skin was cool to the touch and he could only assume she was still in shock.

  She pressed her lips against the flesh of his neck, inhaling the masculine scent that was all him. She never wanted to be left alone again, her mind screamed. Without any thought, her arms wrapped around his neck holding him tightly to her.

  The feel of her lips made his body ache, and he fought for control. He knew she was not herself and only wanted to comfort her. As she nuzzled her face against his cheek, he was finding it hard to not respond. He needed to put space between them if he was going to do the honorable thing, attempting to pull out of her grip she refused to let go.

  "Please stay with me," she begged softly, not caring at the moment how deprived she sounded. "I need you," lowering her lips to his cheek she placed tender kisses there and down to his jaw until she found his own lips. Whatever it took to keep him with her, she cared less, she never wanted to feel such terror again.

  Refusing her would take the will of a man much stronger than he, he thought to himself as he returned her kiss. He was only human and she was offering a prize he could not well refuse. Tomorrow he would allow himself regret, tonight he ached to give in to her need for comfort. His tongue slid inside the soft recesses of her mouth and slowly danced with hers.

  He would not leave her, her mind filled with joy as she attempted to match the rhythm of his kiss. Her hands tangled in his thick hair as relief flooded through her body, she was no longer alone. The kiss was not enough, she needed, no demanded more. Arching her breasts against his wide chest, she ached for something she could not yet name. A soft moan escaped her lips in frustration.

  Lifting her from his lap he laid her back gently on the bed, his body moving beside her. As she reached up for him, he smiled down into her beautiful face and shook his head no. Confusion filled the emerald depths and his hand moved to caress the soft planes of her cheek with gentleness.

  Her hands moved to rest at her sides at his soft touch, and her eyes widened as his hand slowly traveled down her body to cup the fullness of her breast through the material of her robe. His long fingers grazed the peak of her mound lightly and her back arched off the bed at the strange pleasure it gave her.

  His tongued trailed across her exposed collarbone lightly and his fingers lightly grasped the soft peak of her breast, pleased as it tightened under his touch. Lowering the neckline of her robe, he easily lifted her silken mound above the material and his mouth lowered to suckle the rosy bud. Her soft cry of pleasure enflamed him, but he refused to be hurried. His tongue laved over the hardened peak again then suckled deeply.

  Her hands moved to his head and she pulled him tightly against her breast, overwhelmed as the white pangs of pleasure moved lower in her body. She arched her back, needing more even as she was unsure of what more there was to offer.

  His hand moved down, gathering the folds of her robe and pulling them upward, exposing her knees and then lifting it to her thighs where the fullness of the garment refused to move higher. Frustrated at the barrier, he fought for control and lifted her to her knees with as much restraint as he had left to give. Raising the voluminous garment over her head, he could only smile as she lifted her hands to allow him easier access.

  One arm covered her breasts, the other her sex as she felt the coolness of the air on her bare flesh and her eyes lowered in embarrassment. Nibbling her lower lip nervously, she found herself uncertain and wishing for the cloak of darkness. The candlelight was dim, but still her body was visible to him.

  He wanted to allow his eyes the privilege of roaming over her incredible form, but sensed her unease and sought to calm her first. With gentleness he laid her back on the bed once more, and his hands reached for hers and rested upon them. "I wish to see you little one," he spoke soothingly, "would you deny me?"

  Her heart raced frantically at his request and she fought her own discomfiture and shook her head no. Her eyes moved to his and her breathing came in soft pants. She would deny him nothing at that moment, she thought as his own gaze filled with tenderness.

  With unhurried movements he removed her hands and allowed his eyes to trail over her beautiful curves. She was pure perfection he thought, from her full breasts, to the soft curve of her hips and the firm shape of her legs. When his eyes fell upon the soft red downy curls between her well-formed thighs, his shaft twitched in need.

  With more restraint than he felt, his mouth found her breast again and suckled deeply as his other hand gently cupped the weight off the other, allowing his fingers once again to graze over the rosy nub. He allowed himself a few moments of worshipping her before moving off the bed to stand.

  She gazed up at him in confusion for a few moments until he pulled his own robe over his head. Her eyes took in the strength of his wide chest, the skin smooth and bronzed. His arms were muscled but not overly and she found herself smiling at how pleasing he was to look upon. Allowing her gaze to lower, she noted the rippled muscles of his abdomen and then her sight was hindered by the long pants he wore. Her eyes moved back to his beautiful face and she flushed at the smile he gave.

  His large hands moved to the waistband of his pants and slowly inched them down his muscled thighs. He wore nothing else underneath and stepped out of them casually before returning his gaze to hers. "Does my body please you little one?"

  Her eyes widened at the sight of his large manhood, and a shiver of apprehension moved through her. She understood instinctively what would happen with them now, and bit her lip nervously and glanced away from him. Nibbling on her lip, she was unsure if she had the courage to move forward.

  He immediately understood her unease and moved back into the bed with her, pulling her into his arms. "Michaela, you have my word that you will find pleasure in our union." His hand once again moved to her chin, pulling her eyes to his. The fear that filled her gaze did not belong on her beautiful face and he vowed that never again would he allow her to feel that in his arms.

  Wanting her to feel at ease again with him, he turned over on his back and placed his arms under his head. He knew from their short time together that she was a very curious woman, and could only hope that by giving her the reins she would feel more comforted. His body burned with the desire to possess her, but he would not move at all until she came to him of her own accord.

  She looked at him
quizzically, unsure of what he wished from her. Turning over on her side she allowed her eyes to gaze over his well sculpted form. After several long minutes her hand moved to the wide expanse of his chest, tracing the contours gingerly. His body was so uniquely different from hers and her fingers longed to know him better. She lifted her eyes to his and was encouraged by the small smile on his face.

  Returning her attention to his body, her fingers lightly circled the small nubs of his breast, marveling at the texture. She wondered if he would find pleasure as she had if her lips touched him there, but was not brave enough to try. Instead her fingers moved down across the rippled muscles of his abdomen, smiling as the flesh tensed beneath her touch. "You are beautiful," she whispered in awe.

  He chuckled softly at her words, his shaft twitching again at the restraint he was forcing upon himself. He bit back a groan as her eyes moved downward and tried to remain still. It was a battle that he could not hope to win for much longer.

  Her hands ached to explore the part of his body that was so different from her own, the size and width of him was intimidating but also intriguing. Hesitantly she allowed her hand to trail downward and her fingers lightly moved over the silken steel. She pulled her hand away quickly as he flinched.

  "You have not harmed me little one, my body enjoys your touch there," he kept his words calm, even as he felt he would come undone at her untrained hands.

  Encouraged by his words, she lowered her hand again this time encircling the huge width of him in curiosity. Squeezing lightly, she was amazed at how his body could be so ridged yet as smooth as silk at the same time.

  He could no longer remain still, her touch was overwhelming even in her inexperience. His hand covered hers and he tutored her in the movements that pleased him until he was forced to pull away or find his release. The disappointment in her eyes at his stopping her exploration nearly finished him right then.