by Leslie North
“My point is worth considering,” said Issam defensively.
“Not now,” Zafir commanded. Then he turned back to Hannah. “We’re ahead of ourselves on many counts. All of us—” He shot a look at Issam and Rami. “—are anxious to get to know you. Tell us, what was your career in the States?”
Hannah cleared her throat, trying to will away the nervousness. “It—well, it wasn’t much of a career, but I was an assistant in a law firm.”
Zafir nodded. “Noble. The legal profession is an admirable one.”
She laughed, containing herself at the last moment. “I—no, I wasn’t a lawyer. Only an assistant. But I’m very good at bringing coffee. Does anyone want anything?”
There was a moment of loaded silence, and then Adira laughed, a belly laugh that was infectious. Even Issam couldn’t keep a small smile from his face.
“Oh, Hannah,” Adira said through her laugher. “Your days of bringing coffee are over. Welcome home.”
13
“What do you think of this one?” Daya held another length of sumptuous fabric up in front of Hannah. Her head was already swimming from the piles of fabrics stacked around the room, delivered early that morning by a prestigious fashion house in the city. The plan was, Hannah gathered, to design a dress for her. She hadn’t imagined the process being so…involved.
“It has its charms,” said Adira, coming up alongside her mother and cocking her head at the same angle. “But I don’t think it’s the one.”
“How do you know what you’re looking for?” Hannah asked.
Both women laughed gently. “It’ll make you…” Daya searched for the word. “…glow. It will make you radiant.”
Hannah glanced at the mirror. Her face had gone pink from the heat, despite the palace’s top-notch air conditioning, and she felt vaguely sweaty despite wearing the lightest sundress imaginable. Being pregnant would do that for a person. So would being plunged into the deep end with your new in-laws. “I feel plenty radiant already.”
“And you are,” Adira said, taking her by the hand. “Absolutely lovely. Do you need a break?”
Hannah didn’t want to seem rude, but her feet ached, her back felt tight, and though planning was her first love, there wasn’t actually much of it for her to do. Adira and Daya had thrown themselves into organizing the details of the wedding. Hannah’s part was mostly to stand there like a paper doll. It was, she admitted, quite the undertaking. Kyril had mentioned that his family was already planning a ceremony, but their new circumstances necessitated an upheaval in the regular program. For one thing, the wedding had to be moved sooner. A lot sooner.
“I think I do.” Hannah headed for a sofa at the far end of the space. She sank onto it gratefully. It faced two enormous windows overlooking the palace gardens, and her gaze traced the trajectory of birds in flight. Then, the luxe, smooth surface of the sofa welcoming her tired body, she closed her eyes.
It was hard to be without Kyril. She hadn’t thought it would be, at the beginning of all this. Part of her had imagined that she would go it alone in the pregnancy and perhaps even become a single mother. She’d set off on that first cruise across the ocean with as much determination as anyone. And now, barely a week after they arrived at the palace, it made her skin tingle to be away from him.
Maybe it was the pregnancy that made her miss him so much, but after the intensity of their time together, she felt his absence keenly. He was just so busy. She hadn’t realized—how could she have realized?—how safe and secure he made her feel until he was sequestered in meetings with advisors all day.
On the other hand…
Hannah opened her eyes and looked out over the gardens again. The birds out there—they weren’t caged. They flew where they pleased. If she were alone, she’d be able to do what she wanted, too. Wander the markets. Wander the world. She missed the freedom she had when her husband wasn’t the one in charge of running the country.
Especially the freedom to see the movies. Oh, the movies. She had missed the Oscars for the first time in years. She had always made a point of seeing all the movies before the awards ceremony, and this year, with all her travel plans, she hadn’t had the time.
But the ring on her finger reminded her that she was Kyril’s wife. This was the price she’d pay for a lifetime of security. There would be new rules when it came to her time. She simply had to adjust.
“How about a drink?” Adira had abandoned Daya to the mountains of fabrics and come to the sofa, sitting beside Hannah and offering her a cool glass of water infused with mint and cucumber.
“I’d love it.” Hannah took her glass and sipped. It was delicious and refreshing.
“You look a little sad, Hannah.” Adira studied her. “Are you feeling tired? Do you need to call it a day?”
Hannah laughed. “I am a little tired. But I was sulking about something stupid just then.”
“Tell me,” Adira demanded, eyes sparkling. “Is Kyril spending too much time away? I’ll get him right now.”
“No, it’s not that.” She bit her lip. It did sound silly. “I usually watch all the Oscar-nominated films before the awards ceremony. I didn’t get to see them this year…not in time, anyway. Do you have those movies here?”
“Are you kidding?” Adira laughed. “Of course. Why haven’t you seen the movies?”
“Time,” Hannah admitted. “I planned to see them this past winter, only…I ran out of time. I'd love to catch up, but the wedding planning—”
Adira waved her off. “Don’t think of the planning. I have the perfect solution. Not all the films come to Al-Dashalid, but we could easily go to Europe. Have a movie tour. Some of the films are playing again, now that they’re Oscar winners. It would be so much fun. Say you’ll go!”
“That sounds wonderful.” Hannah couldn’t believe the relief that swelled in her chest. A trip to Europe? “Cannes would be so perfect. I’m sure they’ll have showings of most of the films that were nominated, and we could take the train…”
It was exactly what she’d planned to do, only better.
There was a commotion at the door, and Adira perked up. “Look who’s here. Kyril!” She was on her feet in an instant and dashed to meet her brother. Hannah twisted to watch. Kyril listened, his face falling into a frown. Hannah got up slowly from the sofa and went to meet him. Her heart sank.
“A movie tour?” He raised his eyebrows at Hannah. “I know how much you’d like that. But we have to set up house here before we travel again.”
“Set up house?” This was news to Hannah. There hadn’t been any mention of a house until this moment. He'd always said the palace was their home.
“You’ll see, darling.” Kyril drew her to him and pressed a kiss to her temple. “We’ll have plenty of time to watch those movies later.”
* * *
She couldn’t help it.
Hannah scrolled through her phone, comparing hotels in Cannes. Despite everything, she still wanted to plan the trip. She let her chin fall into her hand and looked down at the screen. Cannes was fun. Setting up house? That was ridiculous.
“Surprise,” Kyril said from behind her, and she whirled on her seat.
“I didn’t hear you come in.”
He carried something shiny and menu-like with him. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“Surprise me with what?” Her heart beat faster at the sight of him. They’d been apart most of the day, and Hannah couldn’t wait to spend time with him. Any time at all.
“Your own personal movie tour.” Kyril wrapped his arms around her, placing the menu on the dressing table. “I have all the movies waiting in the palace's private theater. You choose the order, the snacks—I’ll have them make a second dinner, if you want.”
Hannah was struck by an intense craving. “Popcorn? Is there a popcorn machine?”
“Anything for you.”
She flipped through the menu. “You got all the movies?”
“Every single one.” Kyril laughed. �
��And that’s not a complete list of snacks. If there’s anything not listed that your heart desires, I’ll have someone go into the city and find it.”
Within half an hour, they were nestled on a plush sofa in an empty theater, cool and dark, and Hannah leaned her head against his shoulder, cradling a big tub of popcorn against her belly.
Maybe this would work. As one movie went by, then part of another, she felt herself relaxing, felt herself settle.
“It’s a lot, this wedding,” she whispered.
“Is it?” Kyril shifted in his seat. “I thought you’d like the planning.”
“I’m not planning anything. I’m just…standing there, waiting for your mother and sister to make decisions. It’s exhausting.” Beating at the center of Hannah was a need for more control…or more freedom. “They’re so kind,” she added in a rush. “So kind. But—”
“I’ll talk to them.” Kyril slipped his arm around her shoulders. “But there are certain requirements for a royal wedding. Some of those things aren’t up for debate.”
“I know, but it would be nice to get a word in edgewise once a day.”
Kyril laughed. “I understand completely. I lived in this household all my life, so I know what it’s like to be steamrolled. I’ll talk to them.”
Then he lifted the popcorn from her arms, turned her face to his, and kissed her.
Deeply.
She felt a low moan rise in the back of her throat and jerked upright. “Kyril, we’re at the movies!”
“We’re in a private theater. Nobody else is here. I’ve given instructions that we’re not to be disturbed,” he murmured into her ear, and she melted at the smooth, deep sound of his voice. “Let me in.”
His hands worked their way down between her legs, lifting her dress, and he kissed her again as his fingers met her slick folds.
She moaned into his mouth, spreading her legs to give him easier access. Despite all her frustrations, this felt like heaven. A dirty, delicious heaven. Kyril swept the pads of his fingers across her clit, then dove deeper, pressing two fingers into her.
Hannah bit her lip as her muscles clenched around those fingers. He was an expert, twisting them inside of her in ways that made her shake and shudder against the seat. He pressed his thumb neatly against her clit and that—that alone—was enough to send her careening into an intense burst of pleasure. The slurp as he withdrew his fingers from her body almost distracted her from his smug smile. Almost.
Knowing she could bring him equal satisfaction, she slid out of her chair and sank to her knees in front of him. "Hannah, what are you doing?"
"Returning the favor."
She reached for his belt buckle, then the button and zipper of his pants. It didn’t take much urging to get him to raise his hips enough to push his trousers and briefs out of her way. Even from this position, she felt powerful as she pulled his cock free. Pushing his legs farther apart, she gripped his erection and slowly wrapped her lips around the crown. To her delight, he groaned and sank one hand into her hair, holding her still before releasing the pressure enough that she could sink down his shaft as far as she could go without gagging before coming back up. What started out slow and languid quickly sped up as Kyril controlled her head movements, forcing her to move her head faster and faster.
His legs quivered, and she knew he was close. Kyril tugged at her hair. “Baby, you don’t have to—“ A groan swallowed his words as she increased the pressure of her mouth. He pulsed his release, and she swallowed down every drop before smugly licking her lips.
Hannah missed most of that movie.
14
“I brought you something.”
Hannah looked up from her book and beamed at him from behind her huge sunglasses. She looked lovely, in a red-and-white polka dotted swimsuit with a boat neckline and cap sleeves, out at the royal pool by the gardens. He’d insisted that she take a day off from wedding planning and had a hushed discussion with his mother and sister.
“Give her some choices.” Daya had looked concerned. “Anything. Small things. Just…bring her in with the planning.”
“We will, Kyril, but there’s not much leeway—”
He’d groaned out loud. “I know.” Then he’d embraced his mother and gone off to find a different solution. He’d been wracking his brain all through his morning workout, pushing himself to the limit. It was Kyril’s way of staying in top shape in case he ever needed to defend his loved ones, but it wasn’t helping.
Until he passed by one of the guest bedrooms five minutes later.
That was it.
“What did you bring me?” Hannah started to turn toward him.
“Stay where you are.” He loved the line of her belly under the swimsuit and the way she’d pulled back her hair underneath the wide sunhat she wore. There could never be too much protection from the sun. Speaking of the sun, Kyril ached to sweep her up in his arms and take her to a dark bedroom, right this moment.
If he didn’t have six meetings scheduled after this…
“I brought you these.” Kyril tipped the stack of ten magazines he carried into Hannah’s hands.
“What’s this?”
“Baby magazines,” he said. “Well…magazines with nursery items.”
Hannah laughed. “For me?”
“For you and the baby.” He took a seat next to her on the pool chair. “I thought you’d enjoy planning the nursery. There’s not much to be done about the wedding, but this can be all yours.”
Hannah set all of them but one on the table next to her chair and opened it with a certain reverence. The glossy pages gleamed in the sunlight. “Oh, I love this,” she said softly, her fingertip running over a photo of gauzy curtains printed with little flowers. “It would be gorgeous.”
“For a girl,” Kyril pointed out.
Her mouth curved in a smile. “I suppose we’ll have to keep it more neutral, until we find out.” They still didn’t know the gender of their child, and the excitement sometimes kept Kyril awake. A daughter or a son? Either way, he knew it would be, like Hannah, a love of his life.
“Whatever you want.” He kissed her full on the lips, mindless of who might be watching, and then forced himself to stand. “I have an absurd number of meetings. Tell me over dinner what you’d like, and I’ll get you whatever you need.”
Hannah was already absorbed in the next page of that first magazine.
Kyril went inside and paused at the window, watching her hat tilt as she focused on the page. “Hameen.” He beckoned to Hannah’s personal security leader, who he’d long ago instructed to remain at a respectful distance so she’d feel like she had a bit of breathing room. “Take her a drink soon, would you? And move that umbrella over—I don’t want her skin to burn.”
* * *
Hannah was waiting for him when he stepped out of the shower, excitement plain on her face. She rose up on the balls of her feet, and her maternity sundress danced around her knees. “Finally.”
“Finally? I’d expected a little more adoration than that.”
She came toward him and slid a gentle hand over his arm, down to his wrist, and over his knuckles. “I adore you.”
Kyril tried to stop the stirrings below his waist, since she clearly had something else on her mind. “What has you so excited?”
“I have some things to show you.” Hannah disappeared as soon as he stepped into the combination walk-in closet and dressing room. While he dressed, Kyril could hear the soft thwap of magazine pages being arranged and rearranged. Had she already made a decision? Leave it to her.
When he emerged from the closet, she had multiple magazines spread out on the bed, flipped open to pages she’d marked by neatly folding the corners. Clearly, Hannah had spent the entire afternoon with these magazines. It would have taken at least that long to go through them all.
“I’ve narrowed it down to two options.” He breathed her in, the sunny scent of her clouding his mind. Pay attention—this wasn’t the time to get distra
cted. “I love this gray and white theme.” Hannah motioned to one magazine. “I’d change things to add in elements of this, here and here.” She tilted her head, considering. “But there’s something to be said for the blue. It’s so relaxing. A few things I’d change, but—” She looked up at him then, eyes wide and hopeful. “What do you think?”
Kyril stifled a laugh. “About the nursery?” He peered at the magazines. “Honestly, Darling, the man isn’t usually involved in decisions like this.”
Hannah nodded. “I thought you might say that.” She seemed to stiffen, brace herself. “But I want us to do this together. Okay? It’s important to me that we do this together.”
Kyril could not deny her anything. “Of course.” But first, he had to kiss her, had to feel her lips yielding to his. “I’ll be happy to help.”
Hannah relaxed into his arms, eyelids fluttering shut. “Maybe you could…help me with something else first.”
"Oh? More magazines to look at?" He couldn't help teasing her.
Shaking her head, she placed her hands on his chest for a teasing moment before sliding one down to cup his erection through his pants.
"I was thinking more about this." She squeezed his cock gently in her hand, and Kyril groaned.
How could he ever deny her?
* * *
“It’s simply not safe enough. Four out of five stars? The thing could collapse.”
Hannah sighed at him. “That’s not what that means. Mostly it just means that people didn’t like the colors.”
They were huddled together on the bed, the magazines spread over their laps, Kyril doing his best not to get drawn in by her creamy skin and delectable mouth for the third time that night. This was important work. The safety of his child depended on it. Their baby had to have the best crib, and the white one Hannah had chosen was not the highest rated. He’d researched it, his phone held tightly in his hand.
