The Sheikh’s Mail-Order Bride: Halabi Sheikhs Book Three

by North, Leslie

  Midnight came and went, and the crowd began to thin. Jayne’s hands shook as Danny made one last round, catching each guest before they left. He’d come a touch undone, his hair hanging loose about his face, and it made her want to run her fingers through it. She’d have her goodnight, she was sure of it, but would it come with a kiss? With a walk in the gardens, under the stars?

  The last of the guests made his exit, and Danny bid his brothers goodnight. Jayne swallowed her nerves as he made his way back to her, loosening his tie as he came.

  “So, your first palace gala. What did you think?”

  “You’re an incredible dancer,” she said. “As for the rest, I hardly remember.”

  “Neither do I.” He closed the distance between them and took her hand in his. “These things are usually such a bore. Tonight, I was watching the clock hoping the night would last forever.”

  “And now that it’s over?” Jayne held her breath, hardly daring to hope.

  “I’m going to walk you back to your suite.” He set a slow pace through the cloisters, lingering where the moon’s rays crossed the flagstones. “It’s a beautiful night,” he said. “And you look—I’ve said it already, but you’re radiant.”

  Jayne opened her mouth, but no words came. This was the moment he’d kiss her, if he was going to.

  “Oh.” He turned away instead, looking back over his shoulder. “Is somebody there?”

  “I didn’t hear anything.” The words came too fast, too eager, and Jayne wanted to kick herself. “I mean, I don’t think so.”

  “Better safe than sorry.” Danny swept her up and danced her down the hall. Jayne laughed, high and nervous. He was closer than ever, his cheek hot against hers, his hand wandering lower till it settled on her hip.

  “And how safe is this?”

  “Oh, we’re in terrible danger.” They reached her door, and Danny leaned her against it. He bent close, and Jayne’s knees turned to jelly. “We should hide,” he said, lips grazing her throat. “Quick, before we’re caught.”

  “In here.” She fumbled with the doorknob, then it gave, and they half tumbled inside, catching each other before they could fall. Danny claimed her lips for a breathless moment, then pulled back, brows knit with concern.

  “Wait. Noah’s not going to—?”

  “He’s sleeping over with Graham.” Jayne stepped forward, emboldened, and caught Danny by his tie. “And I’ve been dying to do this all night.” She raked her fingers through his hair as she stole another kiss. Danny kissed back, lips fever hot, and she felt his arousal against her hip.

  “I’ve been wanting this since you got here,” he murmured. “And this...and this.” He nipped at her ear, then he unzipped her dress, sending it rustling to the floor. She stepped out of it and into his embrace. His jacket was rough against her skin, and she moaned at the sensation, then gasped as he spun her around. He swept her hair to one side and trailed kisses along her neck, all the way down her arm. He sucked at her fingertips, and she shivered, wanting more.

  “I want to taste you all over,” said Danny. It came out hoarse, and he cleared his throat. “I want to worship every part of you, every curve, every freckle.” He leaned in and kissed her shoulder, where a light spray of freckles dotted her skin. “Beautiful.”

  “Let me see you.” She tugged at his jacket, feeling exposed in her thin slip and underwear. He eased it off over his cast, and she made short work of his shirt and tie. He was toned underneath, firm and athletic, and she ran her palms down his torso, stopping when she came to a long scar down the middle of his abdomen. He flinched when she touched it, the breath hissing between his teeth.

  “Does that hurt?”

  “No. It’s just, no one’s touched it. It feels...new.”

  “What happened?”

  “Had my spleen out. I—” His words sputtered out as she knelt down to kiss him. She followed the line of his scar to his belt buckle, and he covered his mouth as she undid his pants, groaned deep in his throat as her kisses wandered lower. Jayne drank in his reactions, every hitch of his breath, every jerk of his hips, and she couldn’t get enough. She ran her tongue along the length of his cock, and he clenched his fist in her hair. She lapped at the head, and he whispered her name. She swallowed him as deep as she could, and his whole body went stiff. He was holding back, and she teased him more, eager to see him lose control.

  “Just like that...” He leaned back, supporting himself against the dresser. Jayne slid her hand between his legs, her own excitement mounting as his breathing quickened. At last, he pushed her away with a ragged moan.

  “Come here.” He took her by the hand and pulled her up for a kiss, his body hot against hers as he walked her back toward the bed. “This is too good to rush,” he said, and he laid her back against the pillows. He stroked her hair out of her face, and once again, she felt laid bare before him. His gaze was intense, those warm, dark eyes drinking her in. He ran his thumb over her lips, as though memorizing their shape.

  “What—?”

  “Shh.” He kissed her softly, once on each eyelid, then again on her mouth. Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but there was something about the way he touched her, something tender, something sweet, that made her eyes prick with tears. Here in his arms, she felt safe, but this wasn’t forever. Morning would come, and this would be just a memory.

  “Jayne?”

  “Make love to me,” she whispered. She needed him inside her, as close to hers as he could be. She needed to believe, if only for tonight, that wishes could come true.

  “Just a moment.” Danny retrieved his jacket and pulled a condom from the pocket. She took it from him and rolled it on, heat coursing through her as his cock throbbed in her hand. She cried out as he entered her, arched against him as he began to move. His hand came up to clasp hers, and she held on tight. She held her breath at first, then gasped for air, her head spinning as the sensations overwhelmed her.

  Danny made love with confidence, every thrust, every caress setting her body alight. This was nothing like she’d had before, not with her college boyfriend, not with the man she’d almost married. Danny took his time, exploring her body as he pleasured her. He smiled at her, encouraging, and she wrapped her legs around him. He moved faster, and she bucked up to meet him, helpless to stop herself.

  “I—mm, you’re perfect.” His grip tightened on her hand, and she knew he was close. Jayne closed her eyes and lost herself in the moment. A giddy wave swept over her, a blinding, toe-curling surge, and she heard herself call out his name. He thrust deep and rough, and her pleasure crested again, her whole body trembling as he murmured something in her ear. His words were drowned out by the pounding of her heart, but his meaning was clear enough.

  “Jayne.”

  “Danny.” She ran her hand down his back, and he sighed.

  “It’s like we fit together, the way you dance. The way you—” He rolled off her without letting go of her hand.

  Jayne shifted closer, letting her head rest against his. She could fall for him in a heartbeat, or maybe she already had. It wasn’t just chemistry, though they had that in spades. It was everything, from the way he’d stuck up for her with the lawyers to his easy bond with Noah, and now he was holding her hand like he never wanted to let go.

  “Danny?”

  He turned to her lazily, his hair falling in his face.

  She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. If he didn’t feel the same way—

  “Just wanted to look at me?”

  “Something like that.” She reached up and flipped the hair out of his eyes. “Stay the night?”

  “I’d love to wake up next to you.” He leaned in for a kiss, and one kiss turned to two, and Jayne pulled him on top of her.

  “But first, we’ll stay up a little longer.”

  * * *

  Jayne woke to birdsong and the sun streaming through the windows. She reached for Danny but found her phone on his pillo
w, a message alert hovering on the screen.

  She tapped on the message, and a video popped up, Danny in the dayroom with Noah on his knee.

  “You were sleeping so peacefully I couldn’t bear to wake you.” He ducked out of the way as Noah tried to feed him a strawberry. “As you can see, we’re about to have breakfast. You should come, if it’s still before ten.” The picture blinked out, and Jayne checked the time—quarter past nine. Earlier than she’d thought. She showered and dressed hurriedly, then made her way to the terrace.

  “Ah, Sleeping Beauty.” Danny beckoned her over, and she was surprised to see the whole family assembled, Bas and Fiona, Raina and Chadil, and the children playing nearby. Aunt Zenab’s face lit up at Jayne’s greeting.

  “Now we’re all here.” She pressed her hand to her chest. “It does my heart good to see all my boys happy. Especially you, Danny. I thought I might have to play matchmaker again.”

  Chadil blanched at that, but Danny just laughed. “Not this time, Auntie.” He shifted to make space for Jayne, and she was touched to see he’d already made her a plate. She was starving after their night together, and her eyes fluttered shut as she bit into a mango slice.

  “Oh. That’s so good.”

  “Bood.” Noah snatched the next slice, and laughter rose round the table.

  “He’s an adventurous eater,” said Raina. “Not like Halima. She knows what she likes, and she sticks to it. Stubborn already.”

  “Graham’s just hitting his grabby phase.” Fiona reached for him, hoisting him into her lap. “Everything I’m doing, he wants to try. Just this morning, I was reading, and he had to grab his own book. Upside-down, of course, but the effort’s what counts.”

  “He’ll be reading in no time,” said Bas. “Look at this.” He took a pen from his pocket and scribbled on his napkin. “What letter is this?”

  “A,” said Graham, and he waved his little arms. “A. A. A.”

  “Oh, yeah? What does this say?” Danny held up a monogrammed handkerchief, but Bas shook his head.

  “That’s an H. He only knows A through D. But he’s picking up more every day.”

  “Aits,” said Noah. He grabbed Danny’s hanky and studied the monogram. “Aits for Hali-ah?”

  Jayne’s brows shot up, and she turned to Fiona. “Did you teach him that?”

  “Wasn’t me. Raina?”

  Raina shook her head. “We were reading the alphabet book, but I didn’t think he was listening.” She chuckled. “They’re like sponges at that age. Can’t be too careful what you say.”

  “You hear that, Danny?” Chadil eyed him over his coffee cup. “Better watch your tongue.”

  “Me?” Danny’s fake outrage dissolved into laughter, and Jayne found herself laughing along. She’d longed for this kind of family, leading up to her wedding—half the reason she’d picked the man she had. He’d been one of five brothers, three of whom had children of their own. Their homes were always chaos, but a friendly chaos, toys on the stairs and chatter to the rafters, never a dull moment. She’d wanted that, and here it was, all her dreams in one place.

  Noah had crawled into Danny’s lap, and was eating off his plate. Jayne opened her mouth to rebuke him, but Danny didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he was chatting with the boy, listening intently as Noah rattled on.

  “How are you doing that?” Chadil leaned forward, frowning at the two. “I can’t make out a word he’s saying, he talks so fast, but you’re having a whole conversation.”

  “You just have to listen,” said Danny. “He skips a word here and there, but he gets the important ones. Don’t you, kiddo?”

  “Po’tant ones. Dadada.” Noah hugged Danny, and Jayne bit back a broken sound. This was everything she could’ve asked for, but it felt like a dream, one she could wake from at any moment. Danny had shared her bed, but he hadn’t shared his feelings, and neither had she.

  “He’s a smart kid.” Danny tickled him under the chin. “Yeah, you’re the smartest. I’m going to start coming to you for advice. What should I do today? What should I do?”

  Jayne held her breath. What would he do?

  10

  Jayne leaned against the fence, watching Edlyn on her horse. She was an excellent rider, and clearly loved the sport. It made Jayne want to join her, though she’d never ridden in her life, but Danny stood pensive at her side, watching his sister with narrowed eyes. She could see why he’d worry, but Edlyn seemed safe enough in her saddle, its back support holding her in place. Her horse was a responsive one, clever and lively and clearly in tune with its rider.

  The groom came up beside her, offering her horse a lick of sugar. “Will you be taking the trails, Princess?”

  “Not today.” She turned back toward the stables with a smile. “I just thought I’d let her stretch her legs.”

  Danny seemed to relax as Edlyn vanished inside. He let out a ragged breath and pushed back from the fence. “You should go in as well,” he said. “I think the girls are having a spa day. They’d love if you tagged along.”

  “Where are you going?” Jayne trotted after him, hurrying to keep up.

  “Thought I’d take a walk.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “It’s dusty out there, so...”

  “I don’t mind if you don’t.”

  Danny said nothing, so she fell in beside him. He kept up a brisk pace, out the side gate and past the oasis, up into the hills. The sounds of the city fell away as they ventured higher, the soft hum of traffic giving way to the cries of seabirds. The trail narrowed and the vegetation thinned out, and Jayne hugged the hillside, not wanting to look down.

  Danny stayed quiet as the breeze picked up. Jayne’s breath came quicker, partly from exertion, partly from the altitude. The slope was still gentle, not much of a fall, but she could see where the drop became sheer farther on.

  “Just up ahead.” Danny stopped in his tracks.

  “What?”

  “Where we’re going.” He started forward again, slower this time. “Up there. Those flame trees. I can’t see them without—”

  “What’s the matter?”

  Danny didn’t answer. He picked his way past the trees, where the slope turned sharp. He strode to the edge and stood looking down, arms crossed over his chest.

  “It was here Edlyn fell,” he said. “Today’s the anniversary. I come every year, up where Bas found her. I—” He swallowed audibly. “We were all out here looking, but Bas was the one who looked down. I must’ve walked past her ten times.”

  “You couldn’t have known.” Jayne edged closer, but the gorge yawned beneath her. Her head spun with vertigo, and she backed away. “What happened?”

  “She stole Bas’s horse and came riding up here.” He laughed, thin and shaky. “He thinks it’s his fault, since he left the stall unlatched. And Chadil was distracting him, so he blames himself too. But I’m the one—she’s my twin. She was down there all alone, and I didn’t feel anything. I swear I used to know when she even stubbed her toe, but the one time it mattered...” He made a hissing sound. “Nothing. Not a twinge.”

  Jayne forced herself forward, one step at a time. She wanted to say something, but everything that leapt to mind felt wrong. She could tell him it wasn’t his fault—of course it wasn’t—but no doubt he’d heard it all before. He felt what he felt, and who was she to tell him he was wrong?

  “I didn’t even hear her crying. That’s how Bas found her, hearing her crying.” He leaned closer to the edge. Jayne’s stomach turned over, and she pinched herself hard. Her fear had no place here, no right to interfere.

  “I keep thinking, if I’d been with her...”

  Jayne closed the distance between them and slid her arms around his waist. A tiny rock broke loose and rattled down the slope. It seemed to fall forever, and Jayne shuddered all over. The path felt crumbly underfoot. She buried her face in Danny’s back and held on tight.

  He stiffened at first, then his hand came up to clasp both of hers. Jayne tried to still her tremb
ling, but she could feel herself falling, feel the earth giving way. A low whimper escaped her, and Danny turned around.

  “Let’s get you back from the edge.” He took a step forward, nudging her along. Jayne kept her eyes closed as he guided her back.

  “Look at me.” He tilted her chin up, but still, she couldn’t look.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, soft and reassuring. “You faced your worst fear, just to make me feel better.”

  “I made it all about me.” She tried a laugh. It came out as half a sob. “Look at me. I can’t even—”

  “I needed the distraction. I was wallowing, living in the past.” He kissed her again, on the lips this time. “But you’re right in front of me, and you need me right now. Open your eyes.”

  She did, and the tension drained out of her all at once. Danny was there, holding her firmly in place. His hair formed a curtain, shielding the cliff from her sight. His eyes were serene, and Jayne lost herself in them.

  “Take one more step back,” he said. She did, and her heel brushed the grass. Danny laid her down carefully, sliding his jacket under her head. “There, see? Nothing but earth underneath you, safe as your bed.”

  Jayne turned her head to the side. He was right. The slope was gentle here, all wildflowers and sun-warmed grass. There was nowhere to fall, no danger, just nature. “It’s actually kind of beautiful, when I’m not looking down.”

  “It is,” agreed Danny. He leaned in for another kiss, and Jayne gasped. The heat of his breath, the roughness of his lips, the weight of his body on hers, everything felt heightened by her recent brush with death. She stroked his hair off his face and inhaled the scent of his shampoo, nipped at his neck and tasted the tang of his sweat. He made a sound, a sort of strangled sigh, and electricity crackled through her body.