by Cara Albany
"And your father?"
Khalid lifted a brow. "What about him?"
"Will he forgive Karim?"
"He already has," Khalid replied.
Belle tilted her head. She was momentarily lost for words. Eventually she asked: "Why?"
Khalid snuggled closer. "Because of you," he growled.
"Me?" Belle exclaimed.
Khalid nodded. "Because of your wisdom; your warm heart; your generosity of spirit."
Belle lifted her brows disbelievingly. "He said that about me?"
Khalid nodded. "He listened to what I told him about you. And he believed me, I guess. Trusted what I told him about you is true."
Belle laid a hand on Khalid's chest and smiled at him. "You are his son, after all."
"Every word I said is true, Belle. You are my beloved, my world, my life. I love you."
Belle felt her breath catch in her throat. She wanted to say something, but emotion had seized hold of her, was awakening something again. Something she had spent too long trying to deny.
Khalid leaned in closer, dipped his head and kissed Belle. It was like coming home after a long journey, after being deprived of something precious. The sense of belonging overwhelmed her as he kissed her tenderly, drawing her closer to him with every moment. She felt herself soften against him, eager to have more of what she'd tried to keep at bay.
Then he lifted his head and gazed down at her. "Habibti," he murmured. She knew that word. Knew it well. It sounded so exotic on his tongue. The sound of it made heat flame in her middle. He was her beloved and, right now, that was exactly how she felt. His beloved. Destined to become his fated lover. And more?
Belle settled her head against his chest. She could feel his heartbeat, fierce and urgent. The heat of his body was intoxicating, made her senses swirl. She felt the strength in the way he held her, knew that she was safe in his embrace. That she would be secure forever, if only she seized the moment, grasped hold of this chance which destiny had presented to her.
Doubt flickered treacherously in the corner of her being. She felt it there, like an unfaithful companion. It whispered to her that all of this was impossible, that none of it was real.
She listened for a few moments and then did what she should have done a long time ago.
Belle looked up into Khalid's dark eyes. "I love you Khalid. I want to be yours," she whispered. The sound of the words were like sweet music to her ears. She knew she'd wanted to say those words since the first time she'd seen him.
Khalid's eyes brightened instantly and color flushed his cheeks. For a moment, he looked stunned that she'd said that to him. His lips opened and she saw the corner of his mouth crease with a smile.
"Really?" he growled.
Belle smiled at him and nodded. "Really," she said, feeling as if she'd been reborn into a new world.
Khalid drew in a sharp breath and looked away from her for a few moments, as if gathering his composure. Then he looked down at her and his lips settled upon hers, the kiss tender again, but this time firmer, more insistent. Belle closed her eyes and sank into the pleasure of that kiss, savoring every all-consuming moment.
Then, he was looking down at her. He traced the back of his fingers down the side of her face. As he did so, she leaned gently against his hand, needing to feel his skin against her face. Just to know that his touch was real.
He smiled. "Belle. My true love. My eternal love," he murmured. Every word sent shivers down her spine.
He took the pendant in his hands, stretched out the gold chain and looped it around her neck, clasping it shut. He smiled with satisfaction at the sight of the jewel against her pale skin.
"Beautiful," he murmured.
She looked at him. "Me? Or this?" she asked taking the jewel in her fingers.
"You surpass the beauty of any jewel," he whispered, leaning closer. She inhaled his intoxicating scent as he pressed closer to her.
He kissed her forehead. She wanted to rest her head against his lips forever.
Khalid leaned back and suddenly eased downward, settling on his knees. He looked up at her as she lifted her hand to her mouth. What was he doing? She gasped and held back a smile as his dark gaze peered upwards, resolve clearly visible in his eyes. She knew what he was going to say. Of course she knew.
"Belle Summers. Will you grant upon me the greatest honor of all and become my wife?" he said firmly, but with a hint of uncertainty. As if he should have worried what her answer would be, she told herself.
Belle smiled down at the wonderful, gorgeous, sexy man on his knees. The man who had just proposed to her. The man who had turned her world upside down in the most amazing way imaginable.
He was gazing up at her, expectant and, she could see, more than a little impatient. What could she say to him?
Joy surged in her heart. There was only one thing she could say to him.
She nodded. "I will marry you, Khalid," she said softly.
Khalid took her hand and gently kissed the back of her fingers. His lips felt delicious against her skin. He rose up and embraced her, holding her close for what felt like an eternity. She'd never felt like this in her life. Wouldn't have believed such ecstasy was possible. But then, this was Khalid. He'd shown her a new way of living, a new way of being.
Then they kissed. And she wanted that kiss to go on forever. Knew it would end too soon. But she also knew there would be time. After all, they had forever together.
EPILOGUE
TWO MONTHS LATER
The wedding was over and Belle was standing on the palace lawn alongside her two sisters. Her wedding day nerves had well and truly disappeared, replaced by the sheer joy of being Khalid's bride. Now, of course she was the sheikh's wife. Forever.
There were around two hundred guests gathered on the lawn. A huge white tent had been erected. Inside there, only hours before, she had recited her vows to Khalid. It had been the most wonderful moment of her life when she had heard him speak those words of devotion, promises that would never be broken.
They had danced and laughed and celebrated this wonderful day, and now they were all out on the lawn, the tensions of the day melting away beneath the glorious afternoon sun.
Life couldn't get any better than this, Belle told herself. However, as if in answer to her secret thought, fate supplied her with a surprise. Although given how things had developed over the last few weeks among her family members, Belle knew she shouldn't be surprised to see the four men laughing together over by the entrance to the large white tent.
"I never would have believed it," Erin said and sipped some of her champagne. "Look at them."
Belle gazed over at the men.
Khalid, Karim, Rashid and Abdullah were standing together. Although she couldn't hear what they were saying, she could tell they were having a good time together. There were smiles all round, and at one point she saw Karim throw his head back, laugh loudly, and then pat Khalid quite forcefully on the back. Khalid took it in good humor. Karim and Khalid had sorted out their differences. It had helped a whole lot that both men were going to be family from now on. That always helped, Belle told herself.
Truly, her family had healed.
Nicole snorted. "How long will it last, though?" she asked.
Belle frowned at Nicole. "You are still such a cynic," she chided.
"I'm a realist," Nicole replied. "You know what men can be like."
"Those aren't just ordinary men, my dear sister," Erin said sharply. "Three of them are our husbands."
"Our sheikh husbands," Belle added in a decisive voice.
There was a long silence while the Summers sisters let that thought sink in.
It was left up to Belle to break the silence. "How did that happen?" she asked to no-one in particular.
Both of her sisters stared at her and then at each other.
"I mean, it wasn't that long ago when we were just three Americans in Qazhar," Belle continued.
"We're still going to be," Nicole re
sponded. She sipped her own glass of champagne. "Aren't we?" she asked looking from Belle to Erin.
Everyone smiled. Sometimes the truth was obvious. And wonderful.
"I'm not complaining," Erin said smiling with satisfaction.
"Me neither," Nicole added.
Belle extended her glass. "To us," she proposed. "The Summers sisters and their gorgeous, amazing Qazhar husbands."
She smiled at Erin and Nicole, both of whom smiled right back at her.
Then the glasses clinked and they drank to their future happiness.
THE END
Also Available.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE QAZHAR SHEIKHS SERIES OF NOVELS
Book 1 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series. Three brothers and their search for love
THE SHEIKH'S FORBIDDEN BRIDE
A Second Chance For The Sheikh To Claim His Lost Love
Feisty and determined, Chloe Stirling had once loved and lost Sheikh Zayed Al Kharif. But that is all in the past now.
Or, is it?
Chloe's work brings her to Zayed's kingdom where she must find a way to resist a former lover who will not be denied.
Zayed is an untamed Sheikh determined not to waste this chance to possess the only woman he has ever loved. Forced to abandon her once before, he's not about to make the same mistake again. He will use everything he can to win her back, even if Chloe is determined to deny him a second chance.
Can Zayed seize his second chance at love, and overcome the barriers to finding a happy ever after with a woman who is now so close to becoming the love of his life?
Book 2 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series
THE SHEIKH'S PRETEND BRIDE
Enemies in public. Lovers in private.
Feisty Ella Brant never thought that the sheikh she had come to expose and publicly shame would become more than an enemy. He would become her lover.
Sheikh Raz Al Kharif has been happy for every woman to believe that he's a man who can't be tamed. Life has been too good to allow any woman to bring him to his knees and marry.
But, Ella isn't just any woman. She's not just another pretend future wife.
The spirited American woman has made it her mission to teach Raz a very important lesson. Can she do it while keeping the sheikh at bay?
Can Raz break down the barriers between himself and the amazing woman who is driving him to distraction? And, can he stop her from turning his world upside down?
Book 3 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series.
The Sheikh's Rebellious Bride
REUNION WITH THE SHEIKH FOR A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE.
Independent business woman, Zoe Smith never thought she'd have to ask her former lover Sheikh Tariq Al Kharif to honor the promise he'd made to her years before. But, when her world is turned upside down she has no choice but to demand that the Sheikh keep his word.
Even if it means entering into a marriage of convenience.
Sheikh Tariq can still remember the passion he once felt for the feisty American. Now she's back in his kingdom and she has a dangerous proposal. When he rejects it, the woman who never took no for an answer gives him little choice but to accept a temporary arranged marriage.
One year of marriage. No intimacy allowed.
Now that they're back together, sharing a palace and a bed, can they both resist their reawakened attraction? Can the sheikh overcome the resistance of his rebellious bride?
Book 4 in the Qazhar Sheikhs series
The Sheikhs Reunion Bride
UNREQUITED LOVE FOR A POWERFUL, UNTAMED SHEIKH.
Smart and professional, Mia Watson never believed she'd be reunited with the handsome sheikh who once mercilessly played with her emotions during a summer she would never forget.
Her older brother's best friend, Sheikh Rafiq, left an indelible memory on Mia, and she is determined to move on with her life.
Sheikh Rafiq Al Kharif, cousin to the recently married Al Kharif brothers, has a problem. He has recently avoided an unwanted arranged marriage and is in no hurry to fall into that trap any time soon. However, when a crisis looms he must rely on a beautiful, feisty woman he once drove to distraction. And she hasn't forgiven him.
He was captivated before by her innocence. Now she's captured his heart again.
But when he gets the chance to sweep her off her feet, he finds she's far less willing than before. That isn't about to stop him. Once she's in his palace, Rafiq is sure that Mia won't be able to resist him, even if she's still pretending to be the innocent.
THE SHEIKH'S SECOND CHANCE BRIDE
Book 5 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series. Three sheikhs and their search for love
The Sheikh turned her world upside down and then walked out on her.
Fiercely independent, Lana Huntly will do anything for her best friend, Mia. Especially now that Mia is getting married to her own beloved Sheikh, Rafiq Al Kharif. But, in order to attend the wedding, Lana must do something she never thought she'd do again.
Set eyes on Sheikh Malik, brother to the groom.
Malik Al Kharif. The untameable sheikh of Qazhar.
Wild and uncontrollable, Sheikh Malik is under pressure to settle down, accept marriage and responsibility. The last thing he expected was to get a second chance to show his feisty American just how much she means to him.
But, has Malik underestimated the spirited woman who seems determined to torment him once again?
Lana's going to prove that Malik hasn't changed one bit. Once bitten, twice shy.
But, Malik has other plans. It's his last chance to show Lana that he is every inch the powerful sheikh with a wicked reputation.
They belong together and he won't stop until he has made her his. Forever.
The Sheikhs Baby Secret (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 6)
Book 6 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series
Surprise baby for the dangerous sheikh and his lost love.
Determined to survive, Beth simply assumed that Sheikh Tazim Al Kharif had abandoned her after a passionate encounter in Paris that left her with a surprise baby to love and care for.
But now he's back in her life and wants to finish what he started. He's here to claim her as his bride. Especially when he learns about their surprise baby.
Now that he knows he has a son and heir, Sheikh Tazim will do whatever it takes to convince Beth that she belongs to him. But dark shadows from Tazim's dangerous past threaten their future.
A wedding in Qazhar seems like the only solution, but can Beth trust and forgive?
Can Tazim convince Beth that they can claim a future of love and family?
Is it possible for Beth to love the sheikh who is determined to finally make her his bride?
THE SHEIKH'S HESITANT BRIDE (QAZHAR SHEIKS BOOK 7)
First Love With An Untamed Sheikh
Independent and ambitious, Rachel has turned her back on the disappointments of love in favor of career and success. No man required. But, Sheikh Zarif is no ordinary man, and when he demands Rachel's personal attention, she finds herself swept up in his world.
Damaged but defiant, Sheikh Zarif has come to London to rid himself of his past. He never expected to find an innocent who would restore his faith in love. But, when he tries to claim Rachel, the beautiful woman who's made him doubt his decision to never again open his heart, Zarif finds that getting what he wants doesn't always come easily.
Can the powerful Sheikh heal his wounded soul and claim the woman who has restored his faith in love?
Can Rachel resist the temptations of the Sheikh who has awakened her forbidden desires?
THE SHEIKH'S DESERT BRIDE
QAZHAR SHEIKHS BOOK 8
Reunited In The Desert For A Last Chance At Love With Her Determined Sheikh
Taken prisoner in the mountains of Qazhar, the last person feisty American, Lucy Hunt expects to be her rescuer is the sheikh she nearly married.
But they're together again, and she's in his arms. She's got no choice but to submit to his protection as they brave the dangers of the
desert together.
But, she soon realizes there's nothing more dangerous than a passionate, determined sheikh.
Once before, Sheikh Azim almost claimed Lucy as his bride. He came tantalisingly close to making her his forever. Then she was gone.
But fate has dealt him one last chance and he isn't going to let the woman he almost made his wife get away, again.