by Cara Albany
Mia found herself unable to move. She was transfixed by the sheer hypnotic power of Rafiq's gaze, the vital force of his closeness. Mia tried to hide her doubts, sought to disguise the sudden, visceral effect he was having on her. She felt something weaken inside her, and a familiar need rose to the surface, a desire so powerful if caused her body to lean toward Rafiq.
Then he swept her in his arms and his lips crashed down upon hers, a punishing kiss that allowed no negotiation, no rebuttal. She sank into his embrace, feeling the earth move beneath her, feeling the tightness of his grasp as a welcoming return to something she had tried to deny, but was now determined not to lose.
His lips were hungry, and his tongue a probing, ravenous presence that set every one of her nerves aflame. She gasped and he released her, gazing deep into her eyes, searching for a sign. She felt that he was trying to find doubt, trying to be sure that he could proceed.
But, with what?
"Habibti," he murmured against her lips. "You are my beloved, my true love," he whispered.
Her heart raced to a thundering beat. Life coursed through her in this moment and she knew what she said next would determine her destiny.
Their destiny.
Mia drew in a sharp breath. She felt his hard body against hers, and savored the protective firmness of it, the all-consuming masculinity.
Rafiq gazed into her eyes and there was such love there that she was momentarily taken aback by the sheer intensity of it.
"These past few days have been hell on earth for me, Mia," Rafiq declared.
Mia smiled. "And for me, too, Rafiq."
"Really?" he asked stroking her hair gently.
Mia nodded. "Really?"
Rafiq smiled leaned his head forward planting a gentle kiss on Mia's forehead. The gentle touch of his lips on her skin made her tingle even more. His scent was overwhelming and she laid her head against his shoulder.
Rafiq held her like that for a few moments and then shifted, peering down at her face. "I love you, Mia," he said suddenly.
Mia gasped, her eyes widening. Time seemed to stand still. Could it be true? Could this astonishing man actually love her? Faint tendrils of doubt twitched in her mind, trying to seize the moment, attempting to snatch her happiness away from her, but with an emphatic snap she thrust them to the abyss where they belonged.
Mia gazed up into Rafiq's eyes. He was waiting for her to say the words. She could see that.
"And, I love you, Rafiq," she whispered, almost disbelieving that she could utter such words at all. But she had said them and she saw just how much they had meant to Rafiq. His eyes lit up and his mouth opened into a broad, ecstatic smile. The color of his face changed, the flush of excitement suddenly transforming his entire appearance.
Then, he kissed her one more time and this time there was such tenderness, such love that it completely took her breath away.
Rafiq moved his head back and gazed into Mia's eyes. "I will always love you, Mia. Forever. I promise that I will do whatever it takes to make every day of the rest of our life together filled with happiness and joy."
"What are you saying, Rafiq," Mia asked softly.
"I am asking you to become my wife, Mia."
She gasped and peered into his eyes. Was he being serious? Of course he was being serious, she admonished herself. She could see the sincerity in his gaze, could hear it in the softly spoken words. He was completely in earnest and she was so very happy to confirm that.
"Your wife?" Mia asked one last time.
Rafiq nodded. A trace of worry appeared in those dark eyes. Mia couldn't wait any longer to give him her reply. Any further delay would be cruel to him and to her, because there was only one thing she wanted to say to him.
"I'll marry you, Rafiq," she announced, excitement making her voice crack.
Rafiq's face lit up and he smiled even more broadly than before. Then his head dipped and he kissed her. Mia wrapped her arms around his neck and stretched up on her toes, eager to taste him, desperate to draw him as close as possible to her.
Mia lost herself in him, gave herself over completely to the truth that had found her at last. Her sheikh had finally found her, finally overcome everything to make her his, and now they had only a bright and beautiful future to look forward to, safe in each others arm every night.
THE END
ALSO AVAILABLE
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?
Each novel in the series is a complete standalone story with a happy ending and no cliffhangers.
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?
Each novel in the series is a complete standalone story with a happy ending and no cliffhangers.
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?
Each novel in the series is a complete standalone story with a happy ending and no cliffhangers.
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading The Sheikh's Reunion Bride. I hope you enjoyed it.There will be further volumes of Sheikh romances over the coming months . If you would like to know when future books are available please sign up for my new release email newsletter.
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Also, if you would like to leave a review of the book, positive or otherwise, on Amazon I would be very grateful.
I can be contacted by email at [email protected].
Cara
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names
, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
The Sheikh's Reunion Bride © 2016 Cara Albany