Malik sighed. “Talk about lousy timing,” he said, his words muffled against her throat. “With the privacy glass in place Sandy has no idea what we’ve been doing, so he’ll be around to open the door in about five seconds.”
Liana squeaked as she scrambled off him. He helped her smooth her clothes back in place, then gave her a wolfish grin. “I can’t tell you when I’ve enjoyed a car ride more,” he said.
“Yeah, right,” she mumbled, suddenly feeling awkward about what they’d done. “I’m sure this sort of thing happens all the time.”
The passenger door opened, but Malik ignored it. Instead, he cupped her face and forced her to look at him. “I’ve never done anything like this before. Not with anyone else.”
His gaze was steady, and, for reasons that made no sense, she actually believed him. A smile tugged at her mouth. “Good.”
The walk to the camp was shorter than Liana had expected. The night was clear, and hundreds of stars illuminated their way. Bilal, the leader of the nomad tribe, had sent scouts to guide them. She and Malik found themselves surrounded by short, powerful-looking men in traditional robes and carrying torches.
When they crested a rise, she could see the camp sprawled out below them. Dozens of tents circled three sides of a huge fresh-water spring. There were children running about, and open cooking fires. Goats and camels were kept in makeshift pens on the far side of the camp. She felt as if she’d found her way onto a movie set.
“Are they remaking Lawrence of Arabia?” she asked Malik.
He grinned. “This is the real world, not Hollywood.”
Perhaps, but it felt very surreal to her.
As their arrival was noticed, the tribespeople gathered around them. Conversation flowed in an unfamiliar tongue. Liana found herself surrounded by women and was suddenly led away.
“You’ll be fine,” Malik called after her. Liana wasn’t so sure.
The women took her into a large tent where their high-pitched conversation and frequent laughter made her smile as well. Using mime to communicate, they had her remove her robe, then gasped in wonder at the sight of her blond hair. She was fawned and fussed over, then found herself agreeing to having henna applied to her hands and feet. Sweet tea was passed around, and children were brought in to be named and shown off by their proud mothers.
Liana accepted all the attention with good humor and found herself thinking that there were parts of Malik’s world that she liked very much. Then she wondered if the prince was being made welcome in the same way.
“What the hell is all this?” Malik demanded after Bilal had bowed and offered words of respect.
Bilal raised his hands, palm up. “Why is the lion of the desert unhappy? I have simply done as you requested.”
Malik paced the length of the tent, then spun back to face the other man. “I requested a welcoming ceremony.”
“At first, yes. But later I received a message from the palace asking for the change. Is it not so?”
“It is not,” Malik told him.
“But Your Highness, you must,” Bilal insisted. “Your most faithful people have seen it written in the stars. She is your destiny. The foreign woman might come from far away, but she has the desert in her heart.” Bilal, a normally wise and conservative man, spat and muttered a curse. “She is nothing like the evil one.”
“No argument there,” Malik said, knowing that Bilal would have his tongue ripped out before he actually spoke Iman’s name. “But I can’t agree to this other thing.”
Bilal shrugged. “Perhaps you don’t have a choice. Perhaps this is already written. There can be delay, but not escape.” The older man placed a strong hand on Malik’s shoulder. “Come, let us continue as we have begun.”
Malik stared at the man who had been a second father to him. He didn’t want to disappoint Bilal or his people, but he also knew this was wrong. He had no right to play with Liana’s life this way. Who had requested the change? Was it his father? Fatima?
He shook his head and decided it didn’t really matter. He had to call it all off. If he’d thought Liana was annoyed with him for keeping her at the palace against her will, he couldn’t imagine her reaction to this if he let them go through with it.
“We can’t do this,” he said firmly.
Bilal shook his head. “We must. I told you. It’s in the stars. She is the one.”
Malik started to tell him no. He had to. It was wrong to make any other decision. Except…If the truth were told, he wanted Liana to be the one. He wanted this. Knowing how she would react and the price he would pay later, he was still willing to risk it all. Which made him a fool and a liar. For, by not telling her the truth, he was going to make her hate him. But at least he would have had her as his own…if only for a short time.
This was the oddest dinner Liana had ever attended. She and Malik seemed to be the center of attention as dish after dish of food was brought to them. They each tasted from the same plate, then the food was taken away and another brought in its place.
She found it hard to concentrate on her surroundings. When she’d first entered the tent, she’d had an impression of a bigger space than she’d expected. Tapestries covered the walls, and there were thick rugs underfoot. She and Malik had been led to large cushions where they’d knelt together in front of a low table. Bilal, the leader of the tribe had spoken, then touched each of them on the head.
She leaned over to Malik as yet another plate was set before them. “So, welcoming really means feeding to these people?”
“We’re nearly done. After the sweets are brought to us, we’ll be allowed to go.”
Just then a pretty young woman set a tray of dates in front of them. She motioned for Liana to take one and bite into it, then hand the other half to Malik. Liana did so.
“It’s very different than I expected,” Liana said as Malik chewed. “I thought it would be more of a party.”
“That comes later,” he said, avoiding her gaze. “But we aren’t expected to stay for it.”
That didn’t make sense. Weren’t guests supposed to be made welcome? “Because we’re outsiders?”
“Something like that.” Malik shifted on the cushion. “Bilal’s people are gracious, and they’ve offered us the use of a tent for the night. Or we can have Sandy drive us back to the palace.” Finally his dark gaze settled on her face. Fire leapt between them. “It’s up to you.”
Liana swallowed and was suddenly grateful her meal had been measured in single mouthfuls. A knot settled in her stomach and her thighs trembled. She glanced up at the people milling around, watching them, smiling encouragingly. She didn’t know all that much about El Bahar and even less about their nomadic tribes, but she wasn’t afraid. In fact, she’d felt very much at home with all the women earlier, even if she hadn’t been able to speak their language.
But that’s not what Malik was asking. He was, instead, asking her where she wanted to spend the night. At home alone…or with him. A shiver of anticipation rippled through her, but she held back and told herself to be sensible.
“Bethany—” she began.
“—is with my grandmother, probably staying up late and hearing wonderful stories about the harem. I doubt she’ll worry.”
Liana knew he was right. Bethany was staying with Fatima and didn’t expect her mother to pick her up until close to lunchtime tomorrow. Which meant she wasn’t going to know where Liana spent the night.
She looked at Malik. “What do you want to do?”
“I think you know that.”
She nodded. She did know. He had told her everything with his passionate kisses.
It had been so very long for her, she thought, as physical longing swept through her. While it was probably a mistake for her first affair since her divorce seven years ago to be with a royal sheik, she knew if she told him no she would regret it for the rest of her life.
She offered him a shaky smile and held out her hand. “I’ve never spent the night in a tent. Is it f
un?”
Chapter 8
Liana’s courage lasted right up until they left the large tent and entered a smaller one on the far side of camp. Once again there were tapestries on the walls and dozens of thick rugs underfoot, but instead of cushions and low tables and people, there was only a bed. A really big bed, obviously designed for much more than sleeping.
“Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God,” she murmured under her breath, coming to a stop just inside the entrance. “I don’t think I can do this.” She turned to Malik and stared at him. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been with a man?” She was shaking all over and her voice carried a distinct tremor with the words.
“How long?”
“Years. Not since Chuck and I split up. I’ve been busy. I’ve been distracted. I think my sexual side has been on hold or something. But I haven’t minded very much. Occasionally I’d wish for a man in my life, but then I’d go out on a couple of dates and it was never very exciting, so I would give up until the next time I felt that way. Bethany keeps me busy, and I suppose I always thought I would get involved again when she was older.”
“We’re only going to be in the desert for one night,” Malik told her. “Is that going to make her old enough?”
“You’re laughing at me,” she protested, although she wasn’t really upset.
Malik took her hand and led her over to the bed. Once there he urged her to sit down, then settled next to her. He removed her veil and headcovering, then his own headdress.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said, even as he cupped her face in his hands. “I would very much like to make love with you tonight, but I’m not going to force you or even try to persuade you. It’s completely your decision. Sandy is still in camp and it would be easy for him to drive us back to the palace tonight. You could stay in one of the guest rooms or return to your own place.”
She glared at him. “If you’re going to be logical, I refuse to have this conversation with you.” How was she supposed to explain the conflicting emotions whirling inside herself?
“It’s not that I don’t want to be with you,” she said, hoping she sounded a little less confused than she felt. “It’s just…this is so strange. I mean, look at you.”
“Hard to do without a mirror.”
She made a face. “The thing is, you’re not just a guy I met and to whom I’m attracted. You’re a prince. That puts you way out of my league. I feel like I’m some backwater hick who doesn’t know how to play these games. What if you hate the way I make love?”
Malik stared at her. His hand dropped to his side. “You’re nervous.”
“Of course I’m nervous,” she moaned. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I haven’t made love with anyone in more than two years. Despite what you think about me, I don’t date models and actresses. I’m very careful about who I let into my life and into my bed. If anyone should be worried about embarrassing himself with a poor performance, it’s me.”
Two years? As in he didn’t have a mail-order bimbo of the month flown in to entertain him? “Really?”
He touched her face again. “Of course. I want you, Liana. I have from the first moment I saw you. Everything you accused me of is true. I did take you from the airport, using my position and power to keep you against your will. I wasn’t, as you put it, playing with the hired help, but I was making your life difficult. It was wrong and I apologize, because you deserve my respect. But none of that changes the fact that I wanted you then, and I still want you.”
Liana couldn’t breathe anymore. She’d only ever been with one other man, and while Chuck had wanted her, it had been his eighteen-year-old hormones talking. Chuck had been little more than a boy, while Malik was very much a man.
“You’re one of the most powerful men in the world,” she said slowly. “You could have any woman you want.”
“I want you.”
Wow. Talk about a great line. She didn’t even care if he meant it.
“Okay, but I have to warn you. I’ve had a child. That means my body isn’t perfect. And, well, I kind of never lost the last twenty pounds from my pregnancy, so if you’re imagining someone from a magazine, this is not going to work.”
“Is that a yes?”
She found herself staring at his throat and ignoring the flush on her cheeks. “Yes,” she whispered.
He wrapped one arm around her and lowered her onto her back. “Good. Because I haven’t been imagining being with someone from a magazine. I’ve been imagining being with you.”
And then he kissed her.
She should have been prepared for the impact of his lips against hers—after all, they’d kissed before, and she remembered that each time she’d be left gasping and aroused. But even with the warning of her past reactions, she still found herself falling into the middle of a powerful current and being swept away by the fire that flared inside her at the first touch of his mouth.
It was heaven. It was ten kinds of magic and she never wanted him to stop. Malik brushed back and forth, as if discovering her again. It was the same, and yet it was so very different. For one thing, she was on her back on a soft romantic bed in a tent in the middle of the desert. If she had the strength or will to open her eyes, she would see the tapestries and rugs and pillows. For another thing, Malik was pressed against her in the most delicious way. His body snuggled close to hers, one of his legs resting between hers.
She brought up her arms and wrapped them around him, holding him close even as he angled his head and touched his tongue to her lower lip.
A shiver rippled through her. The flames spread until every part of her was on fire. She found herself opening to him, welcoming him, savoring the tremors and the heat and the glorious melting as her body prepared to be with him. After so many years of denying her sensual side, she found that part of her was wonderfully awake and hungry for satisfaction.
Need swelled throughout her body. She had to be with Malik the way she had to breathe to stay alive. Closer, she thought, stroking his tongue with hers, then closing her lips around him and sucking. Closer and harder and faster and just plain more of everything.
He broke their kiss with a harsh gasp of breath, then rested one hand against her cheek. Laughter lurked in his dark eyes and pulled at the corners of his damp mouth. “If you’re so passionate, I won’t be able to control myself.” He touched a fingertip to her mouth. “That was an observation, not a criticism. I can feel the desire inside you and it creates a very physical response. But I don’t want to shock you by ripping off your clothes and simply having my way with you.”
She knew what he meant. The first time they made love it should be slow and tender and romantic. Lengthy, gentle touches, hours spent in discovery. She was sure that was what every other woman on the planet would want. But Malik had made her think about things she’d nearly forgotten. And the need he’d awakened could not be denied.
Even now she felt herself readying for him. Between her legs, the dampness grew. Her breasts were tight, swollen and aching with the need to be touched. Liana knew in her head that she would be completely fine if she and Malik didn’t make love right now, but in her heart, she thought she might very well die.
She slipped her fingers through his thick, dark hair and drew him back to her. “I don’t shock so easily,” she murmured just before she plunged her tongue into his mouth.
Malik held still for all of a heartbeat as her words sunk in, then he growled low in his throat and began to touch her.
His hands were everywhere. Her face, her shoulders, her hips, her thighs. He tugged at the folds of her blue silk dress, working it loose until he could unwrap it in the front and expose her to his gaze. Even as his tongue brushed against hers, his fingers searched for and found the tight points of her aroused nipples. He teased her, stroking and gently tugging, sending ribbons of need through her body to settle into the feminine core.
He reached behind her and unfastened her bra, then pulled it off and tossed it to
the ground. Shifting slightly, he lowered his head to her breasts and kissed every inch of sensitized flesh. Liana found herself half rising off the bed as waves of sensation washed over her. She wanted…she needed…. She’d never been so desperately aroused in her life.
When his lips closed over her right nipple, she let out a moan that started in her belly. The pleasure was so intense. His fingers matched the movements on her other breast, forcing her to cup his head and hold him in place. It was too wonderful, too perfect. If he kept doing this, she would surely die.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.
“Never,” he promised, the word lingering on her skin.
He flicked the folds of the dress open and reached down to slide his fingers under her panties. As his hand moved over her stomach she thought briefly of stretch marks and those pesky twenty pounds. But before she could figure out what to do, his fingers were in her damp curls and searching for the center of her being. And then she didn’t care what she looked like because it felt too good to matter.
He explored her with the sensitivity and thoroughness of a man on a very important assignment. First he gently slipped into the protective folds of skin and found the place that would bring them both the ultimate release. He eased inside, first one finger, then two, moving in and out, making her writhe beneath him.
“So wet,” he murmured, still teasing her breast. “So hot and ready.”
He moved slightly, shifting so that he could kiss her mouth again. As he did so, his fingers found the tiny spot that was the center of her being. He brushed over it, making her jump. He circled the place, moving lightly around until he settled into a rhythm that made her gasp and plead and wrap her arms around him. Her hips began to pulse; her thighs trembled. She felt both hot and cold, and it was all too much.
He stopped suddenly and pulled off her panties. Then he slipped out of his robes. Underneath he wore a simple linen shirt and slacks. Soon he was out of those as well, and when his briefs hit the floor, she saw him in all his naked glory.
The Sheik's Secret Bride Page 10
