Isabella blinked as the door closed behind Dr. Hassan, still feeling dazed.
“This is amazing,” Feraz said, taking a seat on the wheeled stool beside Isabella that the doctor had vacated earlier. “Twins. One of each.” His deep voice brimmed with joy and reverence and Isabella couldn’t help crying harder. How she wished all this was real, that Feraz was her husband, that he loved her as Isabella not Roxanne, that they could celebrate the coming of two lives, not just one, as a real couple. A couple in love.
She stood and Feraz pushed to his feet as well, taking her into his arms and holding her like she was precious as gold while she sobbed into his chest.
“Please don’t cry, rohi.” He nuzzled his face into the top of her hair. “It will be fine. It will all be fine. I know this is hard because of what happened with your sister and her accident, but maybe this is Allah’s way of telling us that life goes on. Perhaps we can even call the baby Isabella, in her honor.”
And that just made Isabella cry all the more.
9
“Twins?” Jess exclaimed once Feraz had gotten Roxanne home and the whole family was settled in the palace movie theatre for a fun night in. “Allah be praised, that’s fantastic!”
She hugged his wife and Feraz couldn’t help feeling a deep sense of relief. Despite their past differences, it appeared that his family was gradually accepting Roxanne back into the fold. Even his mother seemed overjoyed by the news of not one, but two, impending grandchildren.
“Your father would have been so proud, my son,” Zuhra said, pulling Feraz in for a hug. “And I am so pleased for you.” She leaned back and glanced at Roxanne beside him before tugging her in for a hug as well. “Both of you. I trust all is well with mother and baby?”
Feraz took his wife’s hand and kissed it. “All is well. And getting better each day.”
He didn’t miss the shadows beneath Isabella’s eyes or the slight pallor to her complexion though. After the emotional rollercoaster ride they’d had, he imagined she had to be exhausted. He helped her into a cushy leather recliner then got them both drinks and popcorn before settling into the seat beside hers. Going out to regular venues wasn’t usually an option for the Nazrani family, given their status within the country, so his father had had this theatre built within the palace so his children could still see all the latest films. Of course, the rest of Djeva’s population had been less than thrilled to see their tax dollars go for one family’s private enjoyment, but now Feraz was infinitely grateful for his father’s thoughtfulness. Both he and his wife needed a break from all the stress of the day and watching the latest American superhero movie should be just the ticket.
To his own surprise, Feraz was actually liking this slower pace of life. Not that he still didn’t put in long hours, but since Roxanne had returned home with him, he found himself less inclined to sit all night behind his desk pushing endless papers around. Now, he wanted to spend time with her, hear about her day, wonder at all the changes taking place with her and their babies.
Twins. He couldn’t suppress his grin each time he thought of it.
Having a son had been wonderful.
Having a son and a daughter at the same time? Magnificent!
Feraz felt truly blessed and truly grateful for it all. He raised the armrest between their chairs and kicked his feet up, loving the way his wife automatically snuggled into his side now. It seemed he wasn’t the only one feeling more comfortable with their relationship these days. Perhaps all the problems of the past really had been caused by the distance between them. If only he’d brought his wife home sooner, maybe they could have prevented their marriage from turning rocky in the first place.
The film started and the lights dimmed, his family’s chatter dying away as the screen filled with action. Feraz couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt so relaxed and peaceful. He glanced down at Roxanne, only to find her fast asleep with her head on his shoulder. He couldn’t resist kissing the top of her head and tucking her tighter into his side, his heart swelling with affection.
He was tired too. Tired of fighting what he’d kept locked away for so long. Tired of denying the fact that in these few short days he’d come to remember the love he felt for his wife. It was different now than the fiery attraction they’d first shared at the beach all those years ago, but in many ways, it was better, deeper, stronger. Roxanne had proven her bravery and strength to him by agreeing to stay here and raise their children after they were born, at least for a while. And he owed her something in return. He owed her the honesty of his feelings.
He vowed to tell her tonight, after the movie.
The next few hours passed quickly, and the movie was over before he knew it.
“What are your plans after this, brother?” Raheem called to Feraz from a few rows back. “Rehaj and I were going to head to the basketball court and shoot some hoops to work off all this junk we’ve eaten. Care to join us?”
Roxanne stirred at his side and sat up, rubbing her eyes. “What’s going on? Did I miss the movie?”
“Afraid so, rohi.” Feraz cupped her cheek and smiled. “But you needed your rest. Feeling better?”
“Yes.” She smiled, some of her color returning. “Much. Thanks.”
“Good.”
“What’s the matter brother?” Rehaj called, his tone taunting. “Afraid to get your butt whooped in front of your wife?”
Snickers rang out from the other family members and Feraz laughed. He’d played his share of basketball in college and could hold his own with the best of them. It wasn’t fear of losing that held him back, it was not wanting to leave the woman beside him.
“Oh, I’d like to see you play,” his wife said, the sparkle returning to her pretty green eyes. “I do love a man who owns the court.”
“Really?” Feraz gave her an odd look. Roxanne was surprising him again. Last time he’d seen her in the States, he’d had tickets to a Knicks game and offered to take her. She’d acted like he’d offered her a raging case of Ebola instead of a night out with the NBA. One more change that he welcomed, but those lingering questions still remained. Perhaps it would do him good to work out some energy and tension on the court, then later they could talk. At his wife’s nod, his grin widened. “Fine, brothers. But the only two who are returning to their spouses defeated will be you guys. Meet you outside in half an hour.”
The rest of his family took off while he helped Roxanne from her seat then slowly walked her back toward their private quarters.
“Hey,” she stopped him in the foyer between their suites with a hand on his arm. “I wanted to thank you for being so supportive through all this. I know things haven’t been easy between us in the past, but I want you to know that I really want to try to make this as easy as possible for our children’s sake.”
Feraz cupped her cheek again, unable to stop himself from touching her. Truthfully, he’d wanted to touch her like this again since he’d kissed her on the plane. His pulse thudded hard in his chest and heat spiraled outward through his extremities. He wanted her, more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. But he wouldn’t take her, not yet. Not until she came to him of her own free will. Yes, they were married, but he’d had enough of chasing after her when she didn’t want him in return. If he and Roxanne made love again, it would be because she wanted it as much as he did. He stroked his thumbs over her velvety skin, her high cheekbones. “Only for the children’s sake, rohi?”
She swallowed hard, inching closer to him, so that her heat and her sweet perfume surrounded him, driving the need within him higher. “I…I…”
Her pupils dilated and her lips parted and time seemed to slow as Roxanne leaned closer. Feraz’s mouth tingled, awaiting her kiss. So close, so…
“Oh, my apologies, sir.” Abdul’s knock on the door had them both separating fast. “Your brothers sent me to tell you they are ready on the basketball court at the north end of the palace.”
“Right. Thank you,” Feraz said, his voice
sounding tight to his own ears. He waited until his prim and proper secretary left, then glanced over at Roxanne who was obviously fighting back laughter. “You are my wife and yet I feel like a naughty schoolboy caught in the broom closet with a girl.”
Roxanne cracked up, giggling. “I know. How embarrassing.”
Her lilting laughter sparkled around him like diamonds and Feraz fell a little more under her spell. He slowly backed toward his side of the foyer and the door to his suite. “I’ll, uh, just change then. Meet you back here in ten minutes?”
“Sounds good,” Roxanne said, backing slowly toward her own door, as if loathe to lose sight of him. “Can’t wait.”
“Me neither.” Feraz smiled and raised his hand, even though he’d see her again shortly. Giddy anticipation welled inside him as they finally went into their separate suites and he headed for his bedroom. He’d not felt this excited for a woman since he’d met his wife two years ago. To have those feelings return now? Well, Feraz was going to take that as a sign that he was on the right path with his wife at long last.
* * *
“Go for it!” Isabella yelled from the sidelines as Feraz rushed passed his two brothers for an impressive slam dunk. She loved the game. She’d played for her team in high school and they’d gone all the way to the state championships. Plus, it felt good to be up and around and active again. Her energy was finally rebounding after the jet lag and shock of finding out she was carrying not one, but two babies inside her. No wonder her uterus felt like a trampoline these days. She whooped and hollered as Feraz scored another three points then plunked back down on her seat between Jess and Cala. Their mother, Zuhra, had stayed back inside the palace, claiming she was too busy getting ready for her grandchildren to spend time playing games outside.
Isabella had been beyond shocked to have the woman hug her back in the theater. Shocked and grateful. She hadn’t realized how much she missed being in Zuhra’s good graces until she hadn’t been. Isabella knew going into this that relations between Roxanne and her mother-in-law were strained, at best, but that hadn’t stopped Isabella from forming a strong friendship with the woman. They had a lot in common. They were both strong and caring and loved to read. And they both had sacrificed much to keep their families together. When she’d first met Zuhra on her first trip to Djeva when Roxanne and Feraz had gotten together, they’d formed an instant bond of skepticism over the budding relationship. They’d continued to write each other periodically over the past two years as well, mostly exchanging intel about Feraz and Roxanne and their goings-on. Isabella had loved those letters, loved getting a peek inside a life of luxury and loving family that she never thought she’d get to experience herself. But now, here she was, right smack in the middle of it all and loving every minute of it.
Feraz scored another basket and his sisters cheered enthusiastically while his brothers’ wives booed and laughed. Feraz gave Isabella a wink and a grin and her heart flipped with joy.
In truth, she was loving every minute with him too.
Loving him, period.
The realization sent her tummy nosediving and her spirits soaring.
Despite all the reasons why she shouldn’t, all the reasons it was such a very bad idea, all the reasons why it could never, ever work, Isabella had fallen head over heels in love with Feraz.
If she was honest with herself, she’d always loved him, from the first moment she’d seen him walking toward them on the beach two years ago, but she’d never let herself acknowledge it because her sister had first dibs. Now, though, there was nothing standing in the way of her feelings.
Nothing except a lie.
A lie so awful it could destroy everything.
Isabella exhaled slowly and gripped the edge of her seat, her head spinning. She should tell Feraz what was going on right away and try to explain why she’d done what she’d done, why she’d deceived him. Her stomach clenched. No. She couldn’t do that. Not yet. If he knew the truth he’d never forgive her, and she’d lose all the progress she’d made for her children, all the money for her mother’s treatment. She’d lose him, before she’d ever really even had him.
“What was that you said again, Raheem?” Feraz joked as he and the other two men walked over to the sidelines, their game over. “Who’s embarrassed in front of his wife now, eh?”
Raheem chuckled and gave him a dismissive wave, pulling his wife in for a deep kiss. Rehaj did the same with Ani. Isabella stared up at Feraz, torn between wanting to run away and wanting to leap into his arms and lick the salty sweat from his skin. Heaven help her, but the man was gorgeous. Even more so slicked with sweat and muscles glistening. He chugged half a bottle of water down then held out his hand to help her to her feet. Except, once she was standing, Feraz didn’t let her go, instead tugging her into him and capturing her lips with his.
Caught unawares, Isabella gasped and Feraz took advantage, sweeping his tongue into her mouth, his lips cool from the ice water. She shivered against him, awareness and desire like a riptide in her blood, threatening to pull her under. He groaned low and she was lost. Lost to sensation and lost in him. She would tell him the truth, she would. Just not now. Not until the time was right.
Feraz pulled back at last and blinked down at her, his dark eyes filled with passionate heat. “If my wife wishes, I believe we shall head back to our rooms now. I have need of a shower.”
His sisters all tittered and chattered amongst themselves, no doubt gossiping about their wanton brother and his wife. Isabella’s cheeks felt like they were on fire, along with the rest of her body, but when she hazarded a look around at the rest of the family, no one seemed to notice or care. They were all breaking off into their own little groups and heading off to their own business. Isabella slipped her arm around Feraz’s waist and let him lead her back into the air-conditioned glory of the palace.
“Okay?” he asked as they stood in the foyer once more. “You look a bit flushed.”
“Oh, yeah. I’m fine, I…” Her voice trailed off as her gaze ran over him once more—all tall, lean muscle and sexy as sin. She wasn’t ready to leave him yet, so she stalled. “I had a good time this afternoon. You’re a good basketball player.”
He tilted his head, gaze narrowed. “Thank you. Since when did you become a fan?”
Damn. She’d gotten so caught up in the fun and the game she’d forgotten Roxanne’s aversion to all things sports. Well, except Formula One racing, but that’s because most of the drivers were gorgeous and rich. She gave a little shrug. “Like I said, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands with the pregnancy. Not much on TV sometimes except sports. What else do you play?”
“Some soccer, also a bit of rugby, though I’m not very good.” He smiled again, slow and sensual. “I’ve got some old pictures from college in albums in my rooms, if you’d like to take a look. I need to shower, but you’re welcome to wait in my sitting area, if you like.”
She nodded, not trusting her voice, since now all she could picture was him naked and wet with water and soap suds sluicing down his body. Isabella bit back a moan and walked over to his side of the foyer. “Are you sure you won’t mind?”
“Having you in my suite?” His words were polite enough, but the look in his dark eyes was downright wicked. “Nothing would please me more, rohi.”
Feraz opened the door to his suite, then gestured for her to precede him inside. She did, finding his rooms the mirror opposite of hers, the interior decorated in shades of darker browns than her own beige and gold furnishings, but otherwise the same. He led her over to the sitting area, stripping off his sweat-soaked tank top on the way. She damned near tripped over her own feet. Yep, he was lethally beautiful. No doubt about it. Tanned and toned and that line of dark hair leading down the middle of his taut abs to disappear beneath the waistband of his gym shorts. She said a silent prayer for strength and forced her eyes away from temptation.
“The albums are over there in the bookshelves along the wall.” Feraz pointed to them
then turned away, heading for the bathroom. Before Isabella could look away, he tugged his shorts down as well, leaving him totally naked and totally unashamed. He glanced back at her over his shoulder, his small, confident grin making her insides quiver with lust. “Be out in a minute.”
Isabella stood for a long moment after he’d gone, just staring at the closed bathroom door as the sound of the shower running filled the room. Why in the world her sister would ever leave such a fine specimen of manhood behind, Isabella would never know. But one thing was certain, while she was here, while she was still his wife, and while things were still good and right and perfect between them, Isabella would take what she wanted for once in her life.
She would have Feraz in her bed.
Because he was already in her heart.
10
Ten minutes later when Feraz came out of the bathroom, Isabella was ready, having stripped off her clothes and climbed into his bed. Except when he walked out wearing nothing but a damp towel around his hips and a grin, her confidence evaporated along with her ability to speak.
He was magnificent, six-foot-plus of gorgeous male, and she felt bloated and lumpy and decidedly unattractive. Isabella resisted the urge to pull the covers over her head and hide when he strolled slowly toward her, that towel of his slipping precariously lower with each step.
“I see you have made yourself more than comfortable, rohi. I was hoping that you would.” He took a seat on the edge of the mattress, close enough for her to feel the heat of his bare skin and see the sheen of moisture left over from his shower. He smelled of soap and a hint of his woodsy cologne and though he wasn’t touching her at all yet, she felt utterly possessed by him. The heat in his dark eyes made her feel beautiful and wanted and treasured beyond belief.
At last he took her hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss her palm, then her inner wrist, slowly working his way up her arm to her elbow. “I have missed this between us. I have missed you so very much, rohi. I did not realize it until you were back with me. Over the last few days, I feel our connection has returned, and strengthened. Is it safe for you?”
The Sheikh’s Pregnant Fake Wife: Sheikh’s Meddling Sisters Book Three Page 8