Wild Desert Princess

by Deering, Debbie

  At last Chia felt safe in her husband’s arms. She rested quietly and finally slept.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Malek shifted slightly, careful not to disturb Amanda. She had clung to him throughout the night, her tears soaking his chest. His heart ached for her pain. For it was his pain as well. He had hurt her almost irrevocably and had compounded his error by forcing her passion.

  For long hours into the night they had talked and for the first time in a long time he had actually listened to her words.

  It had been so long since they had actually disagreed, he had ignored all her protests and fallen back into the arrogance he had thought he had put behind him long ago. He had damned near lost the true love of his life and the love of his only child.

  Thank heavens Jahan and Chia had worked through their problems. His baby meant the world to him and he feared for her health.

  Amanda stirred and opened one red-rimmed eye, staring at the broad expanse of Malek’s hair roughened chest. “Good morning,” she mumbled, watching warily to see if they had truly worked out their problems. She could not imagine her life without Malek.

  “Morning, ‘Manda. Are you feeling better, sweetheart?” Concern etched lines in Malek’s face.

  “I glad we’ve talked. For so long I was afraid we could not even do that.”

  Malek pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “I love you, Amanda. I pray I will never fall into that same trap again.”

  “Thank God, Malek. I wasn’t sure how I would survive without you in my life,” she admitted with amazing candor.

  “It would never have happened, love. No matter where you went, I would have followed you. And then I would have charmed you until you forgave me.” He flashed her a cocky grin and winced when she dug her nails into his belly.

  “What if your infamous charm had not succeeded?” she teased.

  “They I would have gone down on my knees and begged you until you would have taken pity on me,” he told her only half teasing. For her knew he would have indeed gone down on his knees in order to bring her back into his life.

  “That might have been worth it just to see you on your knees at my feet.” She couldn’t resist one last jibe and convulsed with laughter as he tickled her ribs.

  Malek took advantage of her softened form and proceeded to show his wife just how much he loved her and how much he had missed her in his bed.

  Across town Anya was fighting her resolve to keep Jamal at arm’s length. She had not forgotten or forgiven his terse order over her wet clothing. She waited for him to apologize and realized he had forgotten the whole incident.

  “Damn it, Anya. Why are you acting like this? I thought there was a connection between us. What has happened to put this distance between us?” Jamal was frustrated. He wanted Anya with a passion he had never felt for any other woman. He wanted her to be his wife not just a fling.

  “You don’t even remember how we parted. The words that flew out of your mouth when you saw my wet clothing that day.” Hurt darkened Anya’s eyes and she struggled not to let him see how she ached for what might have been.

  Chagrined, Jamal saw beneath the cold mask to the woman he had hurt. “I’m sorry. I became lost in the negotiations.” He was unsure how to make things right. Then he remembered the hard thrust of her nipples beneath her thin shirt.

  Anya shook her head sadly and moved a step away from his enticing male presence. His scent intoxicated her. She felt her will power falter. “I went through one relationship where I was of secondary importance. I will not place myself in a similar situation.”

  Anya gasped as Jamal stepped nearer and crowded her against her living room wall. Using his larger body, he teased her senses. “This is nothing like your engagement, Anya. He was a jerk. He wanted to control every aspect of your life. “Jamal boldly pressed his hotly aroused body into her sleek curves, groaning at the intense excitement she roused in him.

  “And you do not? Please! Jamal, you ordered me to cover myself in case another man saw me. That sounds pretty damned controlling to me.” She snarled and stepped under his arm before she jumped on him and seduced him.

  “Not as you mean, Anya. I was jealous. I did not wish another man to gaze upon your charms, not when I wish the sole right to your delicious curves.” Seeing the panicked look in her eyes, he stopped and waited.

  “I would not deliberately show my body to other men, Jamal. It is not my style. How could you be jealous? We have no understanding between us. You barely know me.” She forced herself to say the words, although she’d known the first time she had seen his darkly handsome face that he was the man for her.

  “I don’t know why. I only know as soon as my eyes lit upon you, I felt as thought the other half of my soul had come home. I want to wed you, Anya. Will you at least consider it?”

  He pulled her into his arms, careful not to spook her.

  “I will think on it if we can date first. I wish to get to know the man I am considering for my husband.” In her heart she knew the decision was made. She would take the time to know him and prayed she was not making a mistake.

  “Thank you, love. It will be most difficult to go slowly when all I wish is to carry you up to the nearest bed and make you mine. I shall endeavor to restrain my passion and win your heart.” He sighed softly and allowed her to feel his erection before he moved away.

  Anya’s face flamed at his bold ways. Her body heated and moistened in preparation for his possession. Breathless she pressed a soft kiss over his firmly chiseled lips, stepping away. “You should leave now.”

  Jamal agreed ruefully. If he stayed, he would not guarantee that he would not try to make love to her. He didn’t want to ruin any progress if might have made. “I will see you in the morning, if I may pick you up and take you to the hospital.”

  A brilliant smile radiated from Anya’s lips. “Oh, yes, Jamal.” He had asked, not ordered, had not assumed. He had actually asked.

  Stunned by her glowing beauty, Jamal could only nod in bemused wonder as she urged him out the door. He had been aware of her dark serene beauty, but he had no idea how truly gorgeous she was when she was happy. He vowed then and there to do everything in his power to make her happy every day for the rest of their lives.

  In yet another part of the city, Miri was having her first fight with Ben. It was nearly tearing her apart. She had been so sure he was different that Jamal or Jahan. He had never shown her his arrogance or his temper. She found it hurt almost more than she could stand to realize she only knew one side of him.

  “What is wrong with you?” she demanded hotly, silently cursing her petite frame. She hated having to crane her neck to look up at him. It gave him a definite advantage.

  “You kept Chiandra’s location a secret from me. She was in the desert when I came to get Jamal wasn’t she?” Ben glared down at Miri’s defiant form. Lord, she was magnificent when she was mad. He felt his body grow hard and bit back a curse. It had been difficult beyond belief to deny himself the sweet possession of her body before the wedding.

  “I didn’t lie, I just omitted telling you. It was a matter of honor,” she told him fiercely and blanched as she revealed more than she wanted. She hadn’t told him of her near rape and didn’t want him to know. She still felt shame and feared she had done something to cause it. Turning, she hid her face from him, afraid he would see her guilt. She did not wish him to know what James Duvall had nearly done to her.

  Ben stepped nearer, his anger fading at Miri’s pained vulnerability. “What matter of honor, Miri? What is it you cannot tell me, your husband-to-be?” He turned her carefully, his heart aching at the tears sparkling like diamonds on her long lashes.

  “I can’t Ben. I’m so ashamed. Maybe we should call off the wedding. I am not fit to be your wife,” she sobbed, burying her face in his chest. She was afraid he would not want her if he knew what had happened.

  “Tell me, Miri,” he demanded firmly and settled into a chair with her curled up on
his lap.

  “I’m afraid,” she whimpered, tears coursing down her cheeks.

  “Of me, honey?” Ben ached for her, but he needed her to tell him, to trust him enough to share her burden with him.

  “No, of losing your love. You won’t want damaged goods when I tell you.” Miserable, Miri knew she had revealed too much and would have to tell him everything and take the chance that he would still love her.

  “Never happen, babe. I will love you forever.” He waited, his arms tightening around her as she told him of her innocent seeking of a friend at college and how Duvall had thought she was coming on to him.

  “What happened, Miri?”

  “After one of our football games, he caught me alone and tried to force me to have sex with him. I told him no and he wouldn’t listen. Damn it, I said no.”

  “Did he rape you Miri?” Jamal had told him the details, but he could see that Miri had kept it bottled up inside her for too long.

  “No, thank the Lord. I was trying to fight him off and he had torn my clothes. Ben I could feel him trying to press inside of me. Out of the night, Chia raced in and kicked him in…” Her face flamed. “In his privates and he let me go.”

  “Chia kicked him?” Ben felt a new respect for the fiery princess and owed her a debt he could never repay.

  “Yes, while he was rolling on the ground in pain, he tried to say I had asked for it. Chia kicked him again and told him if he tried to ruin my reputation, she’d come back with a rusty knife and saw off that pitiful piece of flesh he called his manhood.”

  Ben had to bite his lip to keep the laughter from spewing out that was lodged in his throat. No wonder Jahan was having a difficult time with his bride. She was fearless. “Did he just lay there?”

  “I think she scared him nearly to death. His face turned a kind of chalky white and he started to shake. When she wrapped her arm around me and led me away, he didn’t move.”

  “She was very brave. I am indebted to her.” He tenderly stroked her arms, hoping to ease her tenseness.

  “As do I. Can you understand now why I could not tell you she was there? I could not betray her, Ben. I just couldn’t.”

  “I know and I am glad you have such a good friend. I just wish you could have shared this with me. Miri I want you to trust me enough to share any burden with me.” Ben cupped his hands around her small face and tilted her lips to his. “Promise,” he enticed and sipped at the succulent corner of her mouth.

  Miri shifted slightly and whispered, “I promise as long as you will share with me.” Her heart was finally free of the terrible burden she had carried for so long.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jahan lay awake and watched as Chia slept. He didn’t want her know just how worried he was about her. She was terribly thin. The hollows in her cheeks and the dark circles under her eyes was alarming. With the negotiations successfully ended, he could devote a large share of his time to her welfare. He should have taken better care of her. He should never have put her second to anything in his life. She was everything to him and she carried his children.

  Chia woke slowly, her body more relaxed than it had been for months. She felt Jahan’s comforting warmth at her side and smiled. Already, she felt much better. Her stomach rumbled and she flushed with embarrassment. Opening her eyes just a sliver, she found Jahan’s face creased with a big grin.

  “Good morning, baby,” he said and bent his head in a sweet kiss.

  “Good morning, Jahan,” she echoed when he released her.

  They glanced at the door as Dr. Khan stepped through the door, a huge smile on his face. “Well, it appears you’ve had a restful night. If you feel like it Chia, you can get up and shower and then dress. We’ll keep the IV in for today and if things go well, you can go home in the morning.” He moved swiftly and shoved Jahan from the room. “Go home and clean up, Jahan. We will run a few tests this morning and by lunch time Chia will be ready for visitors again.”

  Jahan slid from the bed and grinned ruefully at his rumpled clothing. “Do you mind if I leave for a little while?” His gaze caught Chia’s. If she needed him, he would stay and have a change of clothing brought to the hospital.

  “It’s okay. Go. I will be fine.” She assured him, eyeing his less-than-pristine appearance. She had never seen him so disheveled, not even during their month in the desert.

  “Take good care of her doctor.” Stepping forward, he held Chia tightly for a moment and then turned and left.

  Chia sighed softly, her eyes locked on the door until Dr. Khan began his examination.

  “You appear to be much better, Princess. Have all the problems been resolved between you two.”

  “I think so, we talked for a good part of the night, bringing out all of misunderstandings so far. All I know is I feel so much better and I’m starving.” She beamed at him.

  “Then I will send in a nurse to help you and she can give you scrubs until someone brings you a change of clothing.”

  “Thank you, doctor. You have been wonderful through all of this mess. I don’t know how I’d have managed without you and Anya.”

  “Chiandra, please, no thanks are necessary. You are my patient. I just did what I could for your health and well-being. Now enough. Let’s get you ready for those tests.” He briskly bustled about, a slight flush on his face.

  Chia realized she had embarrassed him and held her words. He was a great doctor and a friend. She would never forget his help. A tendril of excitement curled in her stomach. If things went well, she would be able to go home soon. She now knew her home was with Jahan, no matter where he was.

  The nurse found Chia day dreaming, a bemused look on her face. She cleared her throat gently and chuckled at Chia’s start of surprise.

  By the time Chia had showered, dressed and eaten a good breakfast, she was feeling a little bit tired. Dr. Khan came back and they ran a few tests. Then he ordered his patient to take a nap until Jahan returned.

  She noticed a few guards. This time she felt safe instead of a prisoner. After her near miss with the Aldinin fanatics, she understood Jahan’s fears for her safety had been a reality. She didn’t think she would ever take her safety for granted again. When she had been attacked, she had been terrified. She had seen the blood lust on his face, the sheer determination to kill her. She shuddered at how near she had come to death. Thank God for Jahan’s determination to protect her in spite of herself.

  When she woke again Jahan was sitting in a chair at her side. Her parents were standing at the food of the bed watching her. She was elated to see Jahan. She knew it would take her some time to regain her relationship with her parents, especially her father. Her mother had tried to fight it and he had overruled her.

  Seeing that she was awake, Malek moved to her side, his arm firmly curved around Amanda’s waist. “Chia, we are so glad you are feeling better. Your mother and I realize we have hurt you very deeply. We just wanted to tell you how sorry we were. We should have discussed our reasons for betrothing you to Jahan all those years ago. If we had, so many of these problems and misunderstandings might have been avoided.”

  Chia felt tears sting her eyes and Jahan’s hand clasp hers. “I need time. It is going to take me a little time to forgive you. I’m not sure I will ever be able to forget. You lied to me.”

  “It’s okay, baby. You take all the time you need. Just remember your father and I love you.” Amanda sniffed and patted Chia’s shoulder. It would take some time, but Amanda knew eventually Chia would forgive them. She was far too generous of spirit to lock them out of her life forever.

  Malek leaned forward and brushed a gentle kiss over her forehead. “We will leave you and Jahan alone for now and see you later this evening.” He led Amanda away, their hearts lighter with hope.

  “I’m proud of you honey. I know you are hurt by their silence and yet you didn’t completely lock then completely out of your life.”

  Chia caught his concerned gaze with hers and smiled slightly. “They
are still my parents and I love them. Promise me, Jahan, that we will not do this to our children. I want them to be free to choose their mates. To wed for no other reason than love.”

  “You have my word. Our children shall marry where their hearts dictate.” Jahan could not believe the change in her. Her face was glowing with happiness. Some of the circles were starting to fade beneath her beautiful eyes. She still wore the IV. Dr. Khan had assured him it would be removed in the morning before she went home.

  Chia sighed with relief. She had been prepared to fight with him if necessary on this. Her babies would not go through the turmoil she had suffered.

  “Chia,” he murmured softly, drawing her attention to the sensuous curve of his lips.

  “Mm.” She blinked, breaking her musing.

  “Trust, remember. Our children will be loved and protected by the both of us. The decisions concerning their welfare will be made together.” Idly, he stroked the smooth skin of her hand.

  “I spoke with Dr. Khan today. He said as long as we are careful, and I feel no discomfort, we may resume the physical side of our marriage.” Still somewhat shy with her very masculine husband, Chia felt her face flame.

  “Wonderful,” Jahan said, his body already responding to the image of his sexy wife taking him deep inside her hot moist pussy.

  “Yes,” she gasped, her arousal swift from the heated look he gave her.

  “It has been so long since I have held you in my arms. Tonight is going to be one of the longest of my life.” He groaned as his cock throbbed and pressed painfully against his trousers.

  “I’ve missed you too. My bed has been so lonely without you. Are you going to stay here tonight?” She hoped he would. She did not want to be separated from him ever again.

  “Of course I will be here.” He stood slowly and helped her from the bed. “Let’s go for a short walk. I need to stretch my legs. He led her carefully down the hallway, nodding in acknowledgement of the guards. He had doubled the number after the interrogation of the thwarted assassin. The insane determination of the Aldinin to keep their country primitive and barbaric was astonishing.