Wild Desert Princess
Copyright 2014 Debbie Deering
Published by Debbie Deering at Amazon
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
About Debbie Deering
Also by Debbie Deering
Chapter One
God! She was magnificent! Jahan sat astride his ebony stallion, Cabal, and stared in rapt fascination at the auburn haired beauty racing by on her swift Arabian mare. She fired his blood. He wanted her. He would have her. He needed a mate and she would bare spirited sons.
Jahan watched her until she disappeared from sight and then turned to Cabal and made his way to his old friend’s home. Today he would remind her father of their betrothal pact and demand permission to wed her. Soon! He was very glad some of the old customs had not given way to the modern world’s changes. This was one custom he planned on taking full advantage of. An arranged marriage was still widely accepted even in the 21st century in his country of Arania. Chiandra had been promised to him since she was a mere infant. He looked forward to taming her to his touch.
His body refused to cool. His cock pressed painfully against his zipper. Chiandra had the look of her Irish mother--auburn hair, flashing emerald eyes, and lord her body. Fully curved, large breasts, a woman a man could love without worrying about crushing her beneath his weight when he rode her.
Well he remembered her sassy mouth when he’d asked her to marry him. He had wanted it to be her choice, but would claim her anyway. She laughed and told him no way. His male pride stung, he’d waited and watched her, his determination to tame her wild ways nearly an obsession. No matter she would not come to him pure. She would come to him and be his. He should have claimed her a few years earlier before she had a chance to take lovers.
Chia knew Jahan watched her ride nearly every day. She ignored him and the heat he brought to her traitorous body when his dark gaze lingered on her breasts. How she wished she was slender with small pert breasts. Attracted to Jahan, she none-the-less refused his suit. Jahan Khalil Zahan was a powerful ruler. She would be under no man’s thumb. He was much too arrogant to suit her, too used to having his way in everything. She had been raised in a family where her mother was independent and her father listened to her advice. She wanted that in her marriage.
But damn, the man was well made. Tall, handsome, wide shoulders, and from what she’d been able to see, his stomach was flat. Damn, she’d always had a thing for men with long ebony hair and dark eyes. Unfortunately, she’d seen the look of possession on his face and refused to wed for less than true love, the earth shattering, and mind blowing kind. The kind of love her parents still shared.
Heading deep into the desert, she forced images of his sexy body away from her thoughts. She would not succumb to her hormones. She just had a bad case of lust. A cold shower should take care of that.
Jahan found Chiandra’s mother, Amanda, and her father, Malek, enjoying a few quiet minutes over breakfast. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I want to set up a date with you to wed Chiandra.” Jahan growled with grim determination. His lust for her shoved away any manners he might have.
Malek sputtered over his coffee. “This is very sudden, Jahan. Why have you decided now?”
“I have seen her riding and she fires my blood.” He thought it prudent not to go into details about his state of constant arousal.
Amanda and Malek shared a look and decided to allow the match. Chandra was headstrong and wild, used to her own way. She needed a strong man and they’d seen the way her eyes were drawn to Jahan every time they were in the same room, the flush on her face. She had been drawn to him for years.
“Very well, come into my office and we will finalize the agreement,” Malek murmured and led the way.
Amanda was lost in thought when Chia burst into the dining room, wondering if they were doing the right thing. They’d promised Chia she would be able to choose her husband for love. There was no doubt Chia loved Jahan and had done so since she was very young. Amanda just hoped her daughter would remember that when she found out what they had done.
“Mother,” she smiled and grabbed a roll.
“Chia, your ride has brought a sparkle to your eyes.”
“It was wonderful,” she admitted, not telling her mother Jahan’s presence was partially responsible. If they had any idea she found him attractive, they’d pressure her into marriage with him. Chia poured a cup of coffee and sat down to enjoy a private moment with her mother. She wanted no man for her lord and master. Her marriage would be a partnership or she would not wed.
Jahan and Malek returned to the dining room within minutes. Chia eyed Jahan warily. “Father,” she greeted cautiously, ignoring Jahan.
Jahan frowned at her rudeness. “Do you have no words of welcome for your future husband,” he goaded.
Shocked, she turned wounded green eyes to her father. “Is it true?” she whispered brokenly. “You have given me to him?” Tears sparkled on her lashes. Tears she refused to shed in front of Jahan.
Malek hesitated for a moment, fearing he had made a serious mistake. “Yes,” he admitted softly, hating the betrayal in her eyes.
“How could you?” she murmured and jumped out of her chair, the force sending it crashing to the floor. She raced out of the room and up to her room. She had to think. What was she going to do? Jahan was too alpha for her, too utterly male. She would have no freedom married to him. He would break her spirit with his arrogant demands.
Jahan started after her, halting at the gentle touch on his arm. “Give her a little time alone, Jahan,” Amanda advised with a soft look of entreaty on her beautiful face.
“Very well, but I wish to be wed by the end of the week,” he stated implacably.
“I will go now and talk with her so that we can begin the arrangements.” she agreed, hoping Chia was listening and would take advantage of the time she was given and run. She had no liking for the hurt they had caused Chia. She had not been in favor of the match, but had bowed to Malek’s wishes.
Chia heard her mother’s words and raced to her room, hurriedly packing a few necessary items. Then she crept out of the house and down to the stables. Lady, her favorite mare, whinnied softly in greeting. Chia had to hurry. She only had at most a couple of hours before “he” would demand to see her. Tears stung her eyes as she quickly saddled and led her horse away from the stables. She had her water and her emergency supplies in her saddle bag. It didn’t pay to get caught unprepared in the desert.
In minutes she was racing across the desert, her long red hair flying behind her. If she could get a decent head start she might be able to hide from Jahan long enough that his pride would demand he break the contract. Not far to the east, she had friends who would help her flee if she could get to them before Jahan found her.
She trembled at the images of his tall, handsome body burned in her mind. It was no s
ecret that she was sexually attracted to him. God, who wouldn’t be? He was the kind of man women had fantasies about. Romance hero sexy! She squirmed uncomfortably in the saddle. Slowing her pace, she patted Lady. She had to take it easy or they would not make it in the heat of the day. The desert could be deadly for the careless. She headed for the small oasis between her father’s estate and her friend’s home. Surely an hour was enough of a head start. For a moment guilt pulled at her for the shame her father would suffer at her disappearance. Ruthlessly, she pushed it away. Self-righteous anger filled her at his betrayal in giving her to Jahan. She didn’t want a man who’d had so many women in his life. Never would she be one of many. There were no doubts in her mind that he’d go back to his womanizing ways once he wed and bed her and she was carrying his heir.
She refused to dwell on the dull ache in her chest at the thought of him with other women.
The sun was nearly at mid sky when she stopped at the oasis. Her skin felt hot and dry. Lady was heated, but not unbearably so. She walked her in the shade to help cool her before she gave her some water. The water was too inviting, Chia dunked her face in the cool water. Like a fool she’d forgotten her hat. Her fair skin was burned, she prayed she wouldn’t get those blasted blisters. Once as a child she’d gotten badly burned and sun poisoning. She’d been ill for nearly a week. Her nanny had been fired on the spot for flirting with a young man at the beach instead of watching her fair-skinned charge.
Resting beneath the shade, she slowly drank her fill of water. Her lids stated to droop and she fell asleep.
Chapter Two
Jahan kept his patience for an hour as he visited with Malek. A niggling sense of unease began in the pit of his stomach. With a certainty he suddenly realized Chia had not returned because she’d fled. Abruptly, he raced up the winding marble staircase, yelling over his shoulder at Malek. “Which room is hers?”
Startled, Malek stared at the irate man and croaked, “The one at the far left.”
Jahan burst through the door, his sweeping gaze noting the scattered clothing. He spun and nearly ran Amanda down. “She’s gone!” Tiny flames flared in the obsidian darkness of his fierce gaze.
Amanda frowned and stepped into the room, not allowing him to see the tiny smile of pride on her lips at her daughter’s bravery. Her own marriage to Malek had been a true love match. He was also a very arrogant male used to having his own way. They’d finally managed to work out a method quite satisfactory for the both of them and she wanted Jahan and Chia to do the same. If they started the marriage totally on his terms, Chia would chafe and grow resentful and they would never attain the total joy Amanda was sure they could find together.
“I’m sure she’ll return soon. She probably just needed to be alone for a while to get used to the idea. Amanda hoped God would forgive her for the little white lie, for she knew full well Chia had no intention of returning anytime soon. While she’d left the men talking, she’d seen Chia race away, her bags loaded with supplies.
Jahan stared coldly down at Amanda, noting the same stubborn tilt to her chin as Chiandra wore each time she spoke with him. “Where did she run to Amanda?”
Amanda bristled at the arrogance in Jahan’s voice. She cast Malek a cool glare. “Your rudeness will get you nowhere, Jahan. I think I was too hasty in agreeing to a marriage between the two of you.”
Jahan flushed under her censure, his mouth thinned into a hard line of determination. “It’s done! She belongs to me now!”
Malek frowned at the younger man, seeing himself twenty five years ago. “Use caution, Jahan,” he warned softly. “You will drive her away if you are not careful.”
“She will come to my hand like my falcon does,” he boasted. “She needs just a bit of taming.”
Amanda was furious. She shook off Malek’s restraining arm and slapped Jahan across the face. “You will never have her love. All you will have is her hatred!”
“But I will have her” He spun on his heel and raced down the stairs. “Don’t expect us back anytime soon. I shall keep her in the desert with me until she accepts that she is mine. Do not interfere!” he warned.
Malek stepped forward, his voice hard. “Do not harm her, Jahan. I would hate to bring our country to the brink of war.”
Jahan stopped his head long flight down the stairs, turning to face his old friend. “You would do this?”
“If you harm my daughter, I will have no choice.”
Gritting his teeth, he vowed, “She will not be harmed.”
Malek sighed with relief, his arm snaking out to clasp Amanda around the waist.
Furious at Malek and Jahan, she jerked away. “I was worried all those years ago when you agreed to this arranged marriage, but you assured me it would be fine. Now he is going to hunt her down like an animal.”
Malek stared down into her turbulent emerald eyes and say how angry she was. “He said he won’t harm her, ‘Manda.”
“He’s going to keep her out there until he breaks her spirit, Malek. She’ll fight him and he’ll use his physical strength to subdue her, probably force himself on her.” Tears sparkled in her eyes as she spun from him and stomped away.
Malek wanted to follow her and comfort her. From past experience knew he’d best give her some time alone to work through the anger. Damn! She hadn’t been this angry since they were first married. He hoped Jahan would not harm Chia. He’d meant what he said about a war between their territories.
Chapter Three
Jahan threw his saddle on Cabal, not bothering to wait on the groom. Once he was on his way, and Cabal was easily racing across the hot desert sands, he pulled out his cell phone and contacted David, his right hand man. He had a good idea where she’d run too. She must have thought the small oasis was a secret. If she wasn’t there, he’d broaden the search.
Rage at her temerity in daring to run from him warred with pride at her fiery spirit. She would not come willingly to his bed. His cock hardened in anticipation of conquering her rounded flesh. A generous lover, he would make sure she received pleasure from their union. Knowing she was no virgin, he would not have to be as gentle with her the first time they came together. He wasn’t sure his control would allow him to be gentle. He needed his fiery mate beneath him.
David would set up the tents and furnish everything they needed for a comfortable, prolonged stay. And stay they would until she accepted him as her rightful mate. He’d allowed her freedom for a year too long and now she would come to him no longer a virgin. Unbeknownst to her parents, he’d had her watched as she’d finished her last year at university. Her wild ways and easy familiarity with men led the P. I. to state in his report that he couldn’t say for sure but was practically positive she had been intimate with at least one young man. Jahan had been livid, cursing himself that he’d been a fool to give her so much time.
Jahan spotted his people at work as he rode over the last hill and found Chia sound asleep and Lady munching contently on the lush grass. For a few moments he watched her as she slept, a frown pulling his face into harsh lines as he saw the reddened skin of her fair face. The little fool had run out without her hat. He approached her carefully, his attention focused on the slight movement of her full breasts pressed so lushly against the thin material of her white shirt. Belatedly, he noticed her eyes narrowed into slits of rage as her leg swept out and knocked his feet out from under him. He landed on his ass with a startled grunt and scrambled to catch her as she lurched to her feet. He grabbed her by the shoulder and spun around only to jump back as her dagger sliced a thin line across his forearm.
Satisfaction glittered in her cat’s eyes before he roughly tackled her and covered her thrashing form with his heavier weight. “Be still!” he commanded.
“Let me go!” she growled, her hands flying up to rake at his face.
Jahan’s patience ran out and he grabbed her hands mere seconds before her nails would have found his eyes. “Hellion!”
“Bastard!” Chia squirmed use
lessly against the large body squishing her into the ground. She could barely breathe.
Jahan caught her wrists in one large hand and bound her with his scarf. She put up a good battle, but soon he had her hands and feet tied. Cursing, he left her panting on the ground and washed the blood from his cut. He was lucky it was just a shallow cut, but it stung like the very dickens. He ripped off his shirt and made a make shift bandage.
Chia stared at the glistening skin of his hard muscles chest. He was magnificent, if only he wasn’t such a jackass, she might let herself dream they could be together.
Jahan felt her hot gaze on his chest and turned to her, his left brow arching. “Do you like what you see, wild cat?”
“You wish,” she spat and deliberately ran her eyes over his body, lingering at the swelling bulge at his groin.
“Well, you know how to incite a man’s passions. How many men did you have, Chia?” Anger at her brazenness caused him to jerk her roughly to her feet and toss her over Cabal’s back. He vaulted up behind her and led Lady over the hill, pleased to see David and the men had finished and were long gone. Idly, he caressed the lush roundness of her full bottom.
Chia squirmed and tried to angle her head to bite his thigh. She screamed as his hand came down hard on her ass.
“Behave,” he warned, halting Cabal with a flourish and lifting her to the ground with barely restrained anger. He left her on the ground as he cared for the horses. Bending, he lifted her and carried her into the large tent.
Chia’s eyes widened at the large bed in the corner. “My father will kill you if you dishonor me.”
“You have no honor and your father knows I will claim you here.” Jahan informed her silkily, his voice harsh with latent passion as he released her from her bonds.
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