Lying down, she realized that she was hungry. Talia had been going for so long today, she hadn’t taken time to grab a sandwich for dinner.
Unfortunately, the thought of getting up and walking to the food tent made her ache with weariness. She was too tired for food. Tomorrow she’d eat. Tomorrow would be a better day. A day when hopefully, someone could make sense of what had happened here.
Santos eyed the line of tents carefully, winding his way through the now-quiet shelter. He wore a hat to hide his face a bit, but he suspected that, if anyone saw him, he would still be recognized. And since neither he nor Gaelen or anyone on their investigating teams had been able to figure out what had happened here, or why, Santos knew that if anyone recognized him, he’d be in a dangerous situation.
But Talia was here! The same driving need to see her, to be with her that he’d experienced back in New York City was consuming him now! He had to hold her, touch her, talk to her, and just…be with her. After the chaos of the last few days, Santos knew that Talia would be like a calming breath of fresh hair.
Plus, he was worried about her. He’d kept an eye on her this afternoon whenever possible and had clearly seen her fatigue. She was pushing herself too hard and he hadn’t seen her eat anything. She wasn’t taking care of herself. He told himself that he just wanted answers, needed to know why she was here and when she would be getting out of this dangerous area. But deep down inside, he wanted to hold her.
He smiled, thinking she’d be furious if he told her that. She might be shy and cautious, tentative when one first met her, but he knew that she was fiercely independent. Her brothers might be overly protective, but Talia was more than able to take care of herself!
Not today though. Today, it seemed that she was taking care of everyone except herself!
He knew exactly which tent she was in and snuck around the corner of three others, listening carefully. He didn’t even have his security team with him, so he was extra careful. As the leader of Padar, Santos would do anything for his people, including putting himself in dangerous situations if it meant helping his people. But moving stealthily through the tents, heading towards Talia’s, was stupid and wasn’t helping anyone but himself.
Taking out his knife, he carefully sliced through one of the ropes at the bottom of the tent, and slid underneath, ignoring the dust. Inside the tent, he paused, letting his eyes adjust to the lack of moonlight. It was almost pitch black now, but a small glow came from her cell phone, which was being charged by a portable battery pack.
Still, he waited, letting himself absorb everything. He stood still, listening for any other movement. Any other sound.
Stillness. Only Talia’s soft breathing broke the silence.
He located Talia sleeping on the cot in the corner. This appeared to be a tent for her alone, but that could change if someone needed the extra space. And he’d seen the security around the village, knew that others were watching.
Cautiously placing a hand over her mouth, he gently shook her awake. But no matter how gentle he was, she still came awake with a jerk. There wasn’t a good way to wake someone up and not have them be scared if their mouth was covered. It was a natural reaction. He quickly pulled off his hat so she could see him.
Her eyes were wide with fright for a long moment, but he stilled, waiting the precious seconds for her to realize who he was.
“Santos!” she muttered behind his hand.
“Quiet,” he whispered, taking his hand away. He grabbed her boots, which had been placed up on a crate so that critters couldn’t get into them, which often happened when soldiers left their boots on the ground. It was common practice for soldiers to tap their boots upside down in the morning before putting them on. Otherwise, one might discover a scorpion had snuggled in for the night.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded in a furious whisper. “Don’t you know how dangerous this place is for you?”
Talia wasn’t sure if she was angry or happy to see him.
“It’s less dangerous if you’re quiet,” he teased with a wink, helping her to zip her boots on, then grabbed her jacket. The days were chilly, which meant that the nights were downright cold.
“You’re crazy, you know that? Coming into the village that…!”
“Talia, let’s discuss this in a moment, a bit further away from people who would be happy to lynch me.”
He took her hand and Talia wondered why she didn’t hesitate to follow him. She’d thought she knew this man back in New York, but it had taken an attack on her country to discover that he was the leader of not just another country, but her country’s enemy!
This was so complicated, she thought as she ducked under the tent wall and moved silently between the other tents, listening carefully to ensure that no one had woken up. She knew that there was a team of people watching the village, including her own security team. This was so dangerous! Why had he put himself into this situation?!
But instead of demanding answers, she hurried beside him. Trusting him. Good grief, she couldn’t believe how happy she was to see him, but also how terrified she was of him getting caught. Just thinking about that, she picked up her pace.
When they were finally safely away from the village, he led her through a row of trees. On the other side, she saw the big SUV and started to slip inside, but he stopped her, turning her around to face him. In an instant, she understood and threw herself into his arms, forgetting her questions as she kissed him, pressing herself against him in a desperate effort to reassure herself that he was safe and unharmed.
Her hands moved over his head and shoulders, caressing his chest and arms, moving along every part of him she could reach. But there were too many clothes hindering her. Tugging at the hem of his tee shirt, she slid her fingers up along his stomach, sighing with relief when she felt his warm skin lined with hard muscles.
One night. It felt like another lifetime that she’d been in his arms!
She felt his hands on her bare skin as well, heard him growl and smiled, feeling better now that he was touching her again.
“In the vehicle,” he growled, but didn’t wait for her to follow his orders. He literally scooped her up with one arm and practically ripped off the door to the back seat of the SUV with his other arm, setting her down on the back seat.
“Talia, I need…”
She stopped his words by kissing him again. He tried to resist, but when she dug her nails into his shoulders, keeping him in place, he relented and took over the kiss, twisting their bodies so that he was sitting on the backseat and she was straddling his hips.
“Why are you here?” she asked breathlessly. The interior of the SUV was warmer than outside, but it was really Santos’ hands that were warming her up. He’d already stripped off her jacket and shirt. But it wasn’t enough. She needed to feel him, to touch him.
Frantically, she tugged at his tee shirt, almost sobbing when the material caught on something. He shifted, freeing the shirt and she pulled it off, tossing it onto the seat beside her. She didn’t –couldn’t– care about the guards or the villagers or her country or her brothers. All she cared about was Santos.
“Hurry!” she ordered, the sound coming out almost like a sob.
“Get your boots off!” he growled, struggling with her belt.
She twisted around and tugged at the zipper on her boots, kicking them off. He’d already gotten her cargo pants down past her hips and she leaned back on the seat so that he could pull them all the way off. He pulled her back up so that she was straddling his lap again and she couldn’t wait! His erection was there already and she sank down, closing her eyes as her body yielded to his, taking him into her heat.
“Damnit Talia!” he groaned, digging his fingers into her hips. “Slow, honey.”
“I can’t,” she protested, but his hands slowed her anyway, torturing her with his control. She sobbed, leaning forward to nibble his lower lip enticingly. Anything to get him moving faster. She was desperate, needing all
of him. Right. Now!
“Ah, love, I can’t…!”
Talia rolled her hips and he hissed as she took him into her body, his erection filling her up so completely that she paused. But it wasn’t enough and she moved, lifting up and then taking all of him into her once more. He groaned, so she did it again. And again. With her hands on his shoulders, she rode him, selfishly giving herself that mindless, all-encompassing pleasure. Vaguely, she felt his hands on her bottom, guiding her but she ignored his direction, moving for herself, unaware that she was taking him right along with her.
Their gasps mingled, their bodies tightened as the friction increased. It was a race now, a race to the finish and both were winning! When she felt herself reach that beautiful cliff, she tightened her inner muscles around him, wanting him with her as she dove over the edge. She held on to Santos, muffling her scream as she called out his name as wave after sensuous wave washed over her. She felt him slam into her body, heard his moans of pleasure, which enhanced her own and she sighed with happiness and contentment.
After the storm, there was a long silence. Her arms relaxed their desperate hold around his neck and she opened her eyes, beaming at him with a smile of absolute happiness.
He opened his eyes as well, sighing as his hands caressed her back, sliding up and down again before settling on her bottom. A week ago, Talia would have sworn that she wouldn’t like a man touching her bottom. But with Santos, his hands resting there felt…right.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen, love,” he said, his breathing slowing to normal as he once again leaned his head back, his hooded eyes watching her carefully.
She laughed, feeling powerful and mighty. “I don’t care,” and she leaned forward, touching her lips to his. With the movement, another frisson of pleasure sizzled up her body and she gasped slightly, looking at him with a sly smile. “That was really nice.”
He growled. “It was better than nice!” He swatted her bottom playfully.
Talia laughed, rolling her hips, and his hands tightened to hold her still.
“You’re a seductress, Talia. But you also distracted me. I have a few…” he stopped, his whole body stilling.
“What?” she gasped, seeing the startled look in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
He blinked, shaking his head. “Besides the obvious?”
She held her breath, not sure how to respond.
In the darkness, she could see the worry in his eyes. “Talia, I didn’t…I didn’t protect you.”
For a long moment, she didn’t move, not sure what he meant. “I’m fine. I just…” Then his words registered. Or maybe it wasn’t his words, but the fact that she felt a slickness she hadn’t felt before. Their bodies…the wetness and…!
“Oh no!” she gasped and pulled away, as if that would stop any repercussions from what they’d just done. “I didn’t…!”
Talia closed her legs, looking at him from the other side of the car. “No!”
“Yes,” he grumbled, then reached over to the console in the front seat, grabbing some napkins. “Here.” He handed several to her and then used the rest on himself, cleaning up as much as possible, then righting his clothes.
Talia was a too stunned to move quickly, but eventually, she cleaned up and dressed as well. The whole time, she tried to figure out the current date, the time of the month, then backtracked to her previous period. But she was so scared, her fingers trembled as she tried to pull on her pants and her mind wouldn’t work. She’d been so careless! What had she been thinking?!
Eventually, she was dressed again but Santos had to zip up her boots, his hands steadier than hers.
“Talia, look at me,” he ordered.
“I think I should just…” she trailed off, tears clouding her vision.
Santos noticed the tears. “Talia, don’t!” he said, his voice gruff as he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. He stroked her back like he would a kitten. “It’s going to be okay, love.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I don’t think that it’s the right time of the month but…this was my fault. I was the one who jumped you.”
Santos heard her words and couldn’t stop the bark of laughter. “I don’t think so, honey,” he said, pulling her closer against him. “I was an equally active participant. But let’s not add to our worries. I think there are enough already.”
She pulled air into her lungs and closed her eyes, trying to calm her panic. “You’re right. I just…” she shook her head. When she opened her eyes, she turned to him. “What are you doing here?” she asked, suddenly remembering that his presence here was dangerous. “Are you crazy? You shouldn’t be here!”
He chuckled softly, pulling her close again. “I know. I needed to see you though.”
She leaned her head against his hard shoulder. “Santos, I just…” Her head jerked upright. “You’re the ruler of Padar! You didn’t tell me that when we were in New York!”
He rubbed a hand against her back, soothing her again. “I know. I’m sorry, but it isn’t something I normally announce to the world.”
She stiffened in his arms, hurt by his words. “I didn’t think that you considered me to be part of the general population.”
“You’re not,” he told her softly, caressing her cheek. “And yes, once we got to know one another, I should have told you, Talia. I’m sorry that I didn’t. But after we started talking and…other things,” he smiled slightly, “the subject didn’t really come up.”
She conceded that point, but she was still miffed. That’s when she noticed the skyline. “It’s almost dawn,” she gasped, stiffening as that panic reared it’s ugly head once more. “I have to get back. And you have to get out of here!” She shifted around, pulling the latch on the car. “Please, Santos, go!”
And with that, she jumped out of the SUV before he could stop her and ran for the village. She made it to the trees before he stopped her.
“Talia!” he growled.
She swung around, prepared to urge him once again to get away, but he covered her mouth with his. Stunned, she reacted on instinct, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back, unaware of the tears slipping through her lashes.
A moment later, she pulled away. “Please, go!” she urged and hurried away, back through the trees.
Talia raced to the tent, desperate to get there before the sun peeked over the horizon. Dawn was a busy time of the day around here. If she wasn’t in her tent, people would worry. Her security team would launch a search and…her throat closed in panic at the thought. What if someone had come looking for her last night? What if someone had gone into her tent, just to check on her?
She picked up her pace, watching carefully. It was still dark, but not as inky black as before. When she reached the edge of the line of tents, she slowed her pace, coming to a walk and acting as if she’d just been out for an early morning stroll. She knew that, if spotted, her bodyguards would be furious, but she couldn’t think about that right now.
With a quick, hopefully non-suspicious glance to the right and left to make sure no one was watching, she ducked back under the hem of the tent.
She’d just breathed a sigh of relief when someone called out from the “door” of her tent.
“Yes?” she answered, smoothing a hand down over her jacket to make sure everything was in place. Goodness, she needed a shower! She felt sticky, sweaty, and gross.
“I’m sorry to wake you so early, Your Highness,” Rachel apologized as she stepped into the tent, “But the additional supplies you ordered yesterday arrived early. Where do you want them set up?”
And so it began, Talia thought with resignation and a fair bit of relief. She gave instructions for the newest supplies, then hurried to the bathing tent for a quick shower. Afterward, she dove into the chaos of trying to put a village back together.
Chapter 11
“Tarin!” Talia yelled as soon as she spotted him, then threw herself into her big brother’s arms for a hug
. “Oh, it’s so good to see you!” she gushed.
Tarin laughed, lifting her into his arms and swinging her around like a ragdoll, her feet flying out behind her. “You’re such a brat,” he teased. He set her down and froze, his laughing features tightening into anger. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.
Talia’s eyes widened. “Wrong?” She looked pointedly around before looking back at him. “Um…this village has no power, we’re feeding about five hundred people, trying to move the rubble, figure out why Padar attacked us, keeping the restless, angry people from going after Padar with sticks and pitchforks, figuring out how to…”
He lifted his hands in the air, palms out. “Okay, okay. I get it.” He threw his arm around her shoulders and, because he was more than a foot taller than her, she felt small and annoyed.
It occurred to her that Santos was just as tall, but she only felt protected when he was close. But maybe the way he touched her was different. Okay, that was stupid, she thought with a mental chuckle. Of course the way Santos touched her was different. First of all, he never threw his arm around her shoulders. If he pulled her close, he put his arm around her waist and she loved tucking herself against him.
As Tarin discussed the inspections he and his team had just finished, ensuring the bridges and roads were safe, they walked around the village. Talia tried to listen, but her thoughts still circled around Santos’ presence earlier this morning. Had he gotten away safely? Was he back in Padar? How had he known she was here? Why had he come to her last night?
And all of those questions were really just a guise to cover up the real issue. Was she pregnant? Every time the question popped into her mind, she had to stop her hand from fluttering to her stomach, protecting the possible child.
The Sheik's Scandal (The Raminar Family Book 3) Page 7