“You have black stuff on your face.” She frowned and reached out an elegant finger.
“Just ash. The fire was already out when I got there. I’m so damn frustrated that we couldn’t prevent it, though. I really hope Gibran can solve all our problems the way my brothers seem to assume.”
“You’re in a period of adjustment. Things are bound to be a little chaotic.” She wiped away something on his face with her thumb. His skin hummed and jumped at her touch, and he steeled himself against the emotion it provoked.
He couldn’t try to keep her here. He’d already brought her here against her will and kept her too long.
“It sounds crazy, but I’m actually thinking of turning down the commission.” To his surprise, her eyes sparkled as she said it.
Again he battled back the urge to hug her. Her safety was the most important thing. Her successful career was also vital. She’d already said she was married to it. He’d never forgive himself if he were somehow instrumental in ruining it. “It’s an important commission. The kind of building that will still be standing in a hundred years, maybe even five hundred years. Isn’t that exactly the sort of thing you said you wanted to work on?”
She blew out a breath. “I thought so. Now I’m wondering if I’ve had blinkers on the whole time.”
Just a day or two ago he would have leaped at the chance to agree and attempt to convince her that designing his house would be the most fulfilling architectural project she’d ever encounter. Something had changed since then. His feelings had deepened. He now, very slowly, was beginning to understand what love meant.
It meant putting the other person’s needs before your own.
“The plane is prepared and the pilot waiting. I can drive you to the airstrip if you’re ready to go.”
He watched her swallow. “I suppose it doesn’t make sense to keep him waiting.” The sparkle in her eyes dimmed, and she turned away quickly. She shoved a few papers in her bag and zipped it up. “I’m ready.” Her voice sounded quiet.
“Great.”
Heart breaking, he opened the door for her. Even threading his arm through hers seemed dangerous and best avoided. The touch of her skin might make his willpower evaporate. Once she left he could shout at the sky and vent his frustration on his understanding brothers. Until then he’d better keep everything safely bottled up inside.
Veronica was silent as they marched along the hallway. The colorful stone tile seemed an affront to his grim mood. She might think him cold and rude, but at least she wouldn’t be able to blame him for derailing her life.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Ronnie arranged her skirt to cover her knees as she settled into the passenger seat of the car. Zadir had changed completely since their nighttime tryst. Now he was cool, and silent, not even wanting to touch her, let along kiss her. Maybe he was preoccupied with royal business and was looking forward to clearing his decks and moving forward without distractions.
She hadn’t turned down the commission yet. She really had been about to make her apologies, but she could still take it. On the other hand, all the changes they proposed undermined her artistic vision and her enthusiasm for the project had waned dramatically.
“I’m so sorry that you got stuck here and had to miss the most important meeting of your life. Still, I’d imagine you’ll meet the president properly during the building process.”
“I suppose so.” How could they talk about some project in Chicago when the most powerful experience of her life had happened right here in Ubar? Still, Zadir would be a king. He probably wasn’t interested in pursuing a serious relationship with someone like her when there was pressure on him to marry. He’d choose someone like Zahaina, who’d appease the locals by being an Ubarite girl. He’d soon forget all about her.
Shame she’d never forget him.
Did he think she was dying to leave and resented him for bringing her here? She hoped she hadn’t created that impression, which was so far from the truth. “I know I didn’t get too far with the design for your house, what with everything that was going on. I do think it’s an intriguing project and I’d love to do more work on it.” She didn’t want him to think she resented him trying to force the project on her.
“I don’t want it to be a distraction. You have a lot on your plate.” He didn’t turn his gaze from the windshield.
“It wouldn’t be. It’s given me a lot to think about and would allow me to experiment with cutting edge technologies I’d like to try.”
“Still, it’s too far from your other work and really wouldn’t make sense for you.” His chiseled profile dared her to argue.
Apparently he’d changed his mind about wanting her to design his house. After all the trouble he went to—and all the money he spent—getting her here, that was pretty shocking.
And hurtful. It felt personal, like a rejection of her. “You’ve changed your mind very fast.”
He must have heard the catch in her voice because he turned to her and that blue gaze made her breath catch. “I’m only thinking about what’s best for you.”
What’s best for me is to be with you.
She’d never say that aloud. She’d known from the get-go that any relationship with Zadir would be no more than a fling. But somehow, since she’d been in Ubar, she’d allowed herself to dream that it could be more. She could almost swear that Zadir had real feelings for her. But why was he acting so cold?
“You have to agree that it’s dangerous here and that you have great responsibilities back home.” His expression was so serious, no trace of the humor that usually sparkled in his eyes and tugged at his mouth.
She exhaled slowly. “I suppose so.”
“Ubar is going to be a work in progress for some time, possibly years. Life here will be unpredictable. Even I don’t know who I can trust. You shouldn’t have to live like that.”
She wanted to laugh. “I was the only black girl at a WASPy boarding school in rural Connecticut for six years. I brought strange and new into people’s cozy traditional environment and had to learn the hard way who I could trust and who I couldn’t. The experience made me stronger and there’s very little in the outside world that fazes me these days.”
He turned to her and frowned. “Your quiet strength is one of the many things that drew me to you.”
“But you don’t think I’m strong enough to live in Ubar?”
Oh, dear. Now she was revealing way too much about herself. She’d all but said that she wanted to move here. Why would any American woman in her right mind want to move to a remote, desert country that most people had never heard of?
Because the man she loved was here.
She blinked back sudden tears. She’d known all along that her heart was in grave danger around Zadir Al Kilanjar. Now she realized with painful finality that she’d fallen in love with him, and fallen hard.
Zadir was still speeding along the road to the airfield. She could see the plane standing there, surrounded by a phalanx of black sedans and two security vans. “I think you’re strong enough to live anywhere you choose to. You have a great future ahead of you. I’d never forgive myself if your future was ruined because I forced you off the successful and interesting life path you paved for yourself.”
He had a point. Maybe she’d temporarily taken leave of her senses and she’d soon be back in D.C., hugely relieved that she hadn’t thrown everything away to come live in Ubar.
Not that she was being invited, of course.
They pulled up next to the tarmac and guards rushed forward to open their doors. She willed herself not to let any more tears come and climbed out. Soon she’d be airborne and could cry all she wanted.
Stay strong! She’d held her tongue and kept her emotions in check through all kinds of agonizing situations before this. She’d managed to smile through her father’s last wedding to a woman barely older than herself. She’d survived her mother lamenting daily over her lack of charm and beauty. She could survive this, too.
She managed to put one foot in front of the other. She kept her eyes off Zadir, who walked beside her, and tried to keep her breathing steady as she approached the rolling steps up to the plane. She didn’t even have her bag as a distraction, because one of the men had retrieved it for her.
Would they say goodbye at the bottom of the steps, in front of everyone? She could keep her chin up. Hopefully her lip wouldn’t quiver or a tiny sob escape her throat. She was tough enough to handle this.
She glanced back at Zadir, whose stony expression made her chest ache. It was obviously a lot easier for him to be practical and sensible than it was for her.
“I probably shouldn’t even be on this plane. I’m clearly a target.” His eyes were narrowed and scanned the interior of the luxurious jet. “A chauffeur will pick you up at the other end and take you back to the hotel where the gala took place. The parking fees are taken care of.”
Parking fees? How could he think about those at a time like this? “I wish you were flying with me.” The truth felt safer than a cool lie. She didn’t want to say or do anything she’d regret later. And she didn’t want to regret not saying something important, either. “I know you had to drag me here, but I’ve truly loved my time here and your company.”
His expression was so strange, like he’d just been tasered. “I’ve enjoyed it, too. I’m grateful for your time.”
She swallowed. Wasn’t he going to say anything at all about the intimacies they’d shared? She couldn’t lie. It hurt. “Well, goodbye then.” Her voice cracked a little and she cursed it.
Zadir lifted his chin. “Goodbye.” He lowered his head, as if bowing slightly, and stepped backward toward the door.
Apparently there wasn’t going to be a goodbye kiss. This relationship was ending as suddenly and dramatically as it had started.
Suddenly he let out a string of curses. “Dammit, I can’t do this! I can’t just let you go, thinking that I don’t care about you. My head tells me it’s for the best, but my heart is breaking at the thought that you’ll go back to your life without me.”
Were those tears shining in his eyes? She stood rooted to the spot.
“I love you, Ronnie Baxter. I love you totally and completely and the prospect of losing you is ripping my heart right out of my chest. There’s nothing I want more in this world than for you to stay here with me. I’m trying to be selfless and consider your feelings and your future, but dammit, it’s hard and I’m failing!”
She blinked, tears now blurring her view of him. “What are you saying?
“I’m saying that I don’t want you to go and design some famous building and be too busy to answer your phone. I don’t want you living thousands of miles away.”
A tear rolled over his bold cheekbone. “I’m saying that I want you to marry me. I want you to be my wife.”
A tiny sob rose inside Ronnie, and she couldn’t stop it from coming out. He did care. And all along he’d wanted her as much as she wanted him. “Yes.”
“What?” He climbed to his feet, eyes wide with surprise. “You mean—”
“Yes, Zadir. Yes, I will marry you.” She could feel hot tears streaming down her own cheeks. “I know life will be difficult sometimes, and we’ll both have adjustments to make, but I also know that it will be worth it. I never thought I’d say this to anyone, but….” She drew in a shaky breath. “I love you, Zadir Al Kilanjar, and I don’t want to leave you.”
He blinked, as if he still couldn’t believe his ears. “Are you serious?”
“You know me well enough by now to know that I’m always pretty serious.” She felt a smile sneaking across her mouth. “But yes, I mean it.”
A huge grin broke across his face like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. “Then perhaps we should ask them to turn the engine off.”
She laughed, half sobbing at the same time as relief poured through her. “I think that would be a very good idea.”
Later that night they lay in Zadir’s bed with their arms wrapped around each other. His heart was so full of joy that he couldn’t fall asleep. “How long do you think it will take to build our house?”
Ronnie’s gorgeous eyes opened. “Our house. It sounds so strange when you say that.”
“It’s true, though. You are now officially your own client.”
“I don’t know how long it’ll take. I hope I don’t drive myself crazy with my endless demands.” She smiled. “Or drive you crazy.”
“You already drive me crazy.” He kissed her cheek gently. “That’s why I couldn’t let you slip back into your old life and forget all about me.”
She kissed him back and his lips sizzled under hers. “I have to go back to visit my mom and make sure she’s taking care of herself, but I’m coming right back here. I’m glad you’re so persistent and determined. Because it took me a while to see sense.”
“Is it too early to talk about our wedding?” A tiny spike of apprehension surprised him. Although she’d agreed to be his wife, he still didn’t want to scare her by rushing things.
“Perhaps we can do a joint ceremony with Osman and Sam? I know they’re already married by Ubarite custom, but Sam wants to host a celebration where she invites her family from the States.”
“That sounds perfect. Now all we need is to find a bride for Amahd.” His hard-working younger brother rarely took time to relax, let alone to look for a wife.
Ronnie nuzzled against him. “He’ll find her in time. Probably when he least expects it. Like during a plane crash.” She peeked at him, humor glittering in her eyes.
“I hope not! But in Ubar we believe each individual has a certain destiny, so I suppose he must wait for his to become apparent. If it took a plane crash for me to find and embrace mine, it was well worth it. I love you, Veronica.”
“I love you, too, Zadir. And I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.”
Children, he wanted to ask about children. He could already imagine them tugging on the hem of his robe or begging him to carry them on his shoulders. He and Ronnie would be firm but not too strict, and they’d make sure to enjoy every day with their kids, not send them off to boarding schools to get them out of their hair.
But that was a subject for another day. Ronnie was now asleep, her sweet breath warming his cheek. He smiled, still too happy to drift off to dreamland but content to lie here living the dream he’d chased to the far side of the world and brought back home to stay.
THE END
DESERT KINGS
A Christmas Wedding
By Jennifer Lewis
In A Christmas Wedding, Sam Al Kilanjar attempts to negotiate her first holiday season in a country with different customs, a big fat Ubarite wedding and the arrival of her drama-loving family, all without losing her mind-or her new husband, who is called away to deal with a crisis on the eve of their wedding. Veronica Baxter is excited about her wedding to Zadir Al Kilanjar, but worries that her estranged parents will ruin everything. Can they find Christmas miracles among the madness and enjoy the weddings they've dreamed of?
1
A Christmas celebration in the desert had seemed like such a good idea at the time. “Sweetheart, don’t touch that!” Samantha swooped forward to grab a big hand-blown glass ornament from her niece’s tiny hands. “It’s very fragile. Not safe.”
Little Parsia’s lip quivered.
“I’m sorry, honey. It’s not for playing with. It’s just supposed to look pretty.” What was she thinking? In New York she’d just bought a tiny tree for her apartment and cut out some paper snowflakes to hang on it. For her first Christmas here in the palace she’d gone a bit nuts. “Check this out. It’s called tinsel.” She pressed a glittery snake into t
he confused girl’s arms.
Parsia looked doubtful. “It’s prickly.”
Sam placed the glass globe, hanging from a menacingly sharp hook, high out of the child’s reach on a branch of decorative holly.
“I don’t remember Christmas being this dangerous when I was a kid,” she said to her sister-in-law Aliyah, whose two sweet daughters were at least half the reason she’d gone so over the top with decorations and festivities. “Next year will be smoother, I promise.”
“It’s all very…exciting.” Aliyah smiled sweetly. She was so shy it was hard to have a conversation with her. Sam’s halting grasp of the local language didn’t help. “I think it’s a lovely holiday.”
“A lot of countries celebrate Christmas these days.” Was Sam trying to reassure Aliyah or herself? “You see decorations even in places like Tokyo and Dubai.”
When she’d realized they didn’t celebrate Christmas here in Ubar, she’d decided to go large. Osman had liked the idea of combining their wedding with the seasonal celebration. She’d convinced herself that ordering decorations from all over the world would be fun and festive and make all their guests feel at home.
Right now it was the day before their Christmas Eve wedding, people were arriving from the airport and everything seemed on the brink of imploding. The mistletoe she’d ordered from Austria was invading all the trees in the garden, unexpected butterflies were everywhere— fluttering through the hallways of the palace, in people’s hair and on their plates.
Tinsel and ribbon were a fire hazard with all the open torches that lit the palace at night, and now the blown-glass ornaments she’d ordered from Italy were threatening the safety of Aliyah’s children.
Desert Kings Boxed Set: The Complete Series Books 1-6 Page 40