Christmas Bride for the Sheikh

by Carol Marinelli

  Flo had never been more into anyone. She tasted every delicious inch of him, and she could feel the fight in him not to thrust so she worked him faster with her hand.

  She could feel her own sex heavy and wet as Hazin lost his desperate fight and put his hands on either side of her head to control the movement. He cursed in Arabic and then he warned her.

  Flo knew it was coming.

  She had felt the tight swell of him, and the salty rush came with a shout and it was so primal that even as she slid him from her mouth she felt herself coming.

  She knelt back on her heels as the waves of her climax rocked her body. He looked down at her flushed face and right into her china-blue eyes as she swallowed.

  ‘Come here,’ Hazin groaned, and he hauled her up and held her against his body. Flo leant her head on his chest and breathed in the sexy scent of them, and for a moment his arms wrapped around her.

  He was breathless, but for the first time in months it felt as if he could breathe. ‘When I can,’ he said, ‘I will make things right by you.’

  ‘I enjoyed it too, Hazin. It wasn’t a favour.’

  That hadn’t been what he’d meant, but now was not the time to explain.

  He and Flo had to be on hold for now.

  Yet on the slow walk back through the caves to the palace they were holding hands. They came back through the wooden door to the stark old nursery.

  ‘You go out first,’ Hazin said, but not unkindly.

  They were both dishevelled and it would be awkward indeed if anyone saw them like this. It was not said dismissively either, for he smoothed her hair and straightened her robe and did what he could to make her not look as if she’d just had sex.

  ‘Good luck tomorrow,’ Flo said. ‘I mean that.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  He made her feel brave, because normally she put on a smile or made a little joke, but now she said what she felt she must. ‘Promise me one thing?’ she said, and he nodded. ‘Don’t leave this time without saying goodbye.’

  It had hurt.

  And he knew that.

  ‘I won’t.’

  That promise, at least, he could give.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  HAZIN FACED THE MORNING.

  He had slept, and he awoke in that damned bed to the sound of his breakfast being brought into the lounge.

  Usually he called down for it at his chosen time, but no doubt it had been sent to serve as a check that he was awake.

  Well, he was.

  He took his breakfast out on the balcony that looked out to the stunning city and, beyond, the ocean.

  Ilyas’s balcony faced the desert, but Hazin preferred this view. And on a day he had been dreading for such a long time, he actually smiled as he remembered how Petra had loved to sit out here.

  It was nice to remember her with a smile. He hadn’t been able to do that in all these years, but then the moment was broken when he heard a knock on his door. No doubt it was Ilyas to check he was on track for today.

  Or Mahmoud to cast his beady eyes over his speech.

  He could try, but Hazin had taken Flo’s advice and decided that he would speak from the heart. He knew all the formal parts that he had to say, and as for the rest he still did not know.

  But it was neither Mahmoud nor Ilyas, but Kumu.

  ‘I have that number for you.’

  Hazin blinked, He had not expected Kumu to be able to get the information he had asked for so soon.

  And certainly, if she had, he had not expected her to give it to him today.

  ‘Thank you,’ Hazin said. ‘And, Kumu—’

  ‘You don’t have to say,’ she interrupted with a smile. ‘I won’t say anything, I never would.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘If I can be any further help, please just ask.’ She gave a small bow but as she turned to go she remembered a request from the Crown Prince. ‘Ilyas has asked for a copy of the speech so it can be translated for his wife.’

  ‘Ilyas will not be getting a copy of my speech,’ Hazin said. ‘He is quite capable of telling his wife what is said.’ He watched a tiny smile play on Kumu’s mouth but he did not want her to get into trouble on his behalf. ‘If he gets annoyed, tell him to speak with me.’

  ‘Ilyas always speaks kindly to me,’ Kumu said.

  He didn’t know his brother. This was something Hazin knew, but he was constantly being surprised by the way Ilyas was changing things around the palace. And through those changes he was getting to know his brother.

  It was clear that Ilyas loved his wife, and the atmosphere in the palace was so much lighter than it used to be.

  Back when they had been boys, Hazin had said that he wished Ilyas was King.

  He had trusted him then and he still did.

  He always had.

  As Kumu turned to go, he called her back. ‘Kumu, wait there, please.’ He went through to the study and opened up a drawer, taking out two slim packages.

  ‘Please,’ he said when he returned, ‘take a seat.’

  It was most irregular for a prince to invite one of the staff to take a seat in their apartment and he could see her confusion but she did as she was told.

  ‘How old is Rami now?’ He asked after her daughter.

  ‘She is eleven.’

  ‘Petra was so excited when you brought her in to visit her. You made her days so much brighter with the pregnancy and the baby...’

  ‘I miss her so much,’ Kumu admitted.

  ‘I know, and so I have something for you.’ He handed her a package. When she opened it, she saw it was a beautifully bound book that Petra had loved to read and sometimes Kumu had read to her.

  Inside was a jewelled bookmark and he saw her fingers trace it.

  ‘This is too much.’

  Hazin had considered that, for he knew they must struggle to send their child to Zayrinia’s best school. As he had wrapped the gift he had thought about Petra, for she had tried to give Kumu a necklace once and she had declined. ‘She could never sell it,’ Petra had later explained to Hazin, ‘so that would make it a burden.’

  He hadn’t understood then, but he tried to now.

  ‘I want you to have something that Petra loved and that is the bookmark. I would also like you to have this.’

  She opened the envelope he gave her and tears fell from her eyes as she read that Rami had been offered a full scholarship at the prestigious Zayrinia school.

  ‘How did you know?’

  ‘Because I thought of Petra and this is what she would want for you.’

  It was a nice start to the day he had dreaded. When Kumu had left he looked down at the number she had brought him.

  He was about to put it off when he thought of his own words...

  I thought of Petra and this is what she would want for you.

  Hazin made the call.

  * * *

  Flo made her way to the grand entrance hall to say goodbye to Maggie as they left for the ceremony.

  Well, mainly to say goodbye to Maggie, but also in the hope of a glimpse of Hazin.

  He wasn’t there.

  In fact, few of the staff were, for Ilyas had insisted that all who wanted to could attend the ceremony, and so most were there.

  Yes, times were changing indeed.

  ‘Hopefully, if Hazin does make it, he’ll appear sober this time,’ Ilyas said to Maggie, and headed off to find out what the hell was keeping his brother.

  Maggie rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t know what Hazin is playing at. He won’t let anyone see his speech and he’s been holed up in his apartment all morning, receiving guests.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘I don’t know. I just know that I’ll be really glad when
today’s over.’

  ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’

  ‘You keep telling me I’m not made of glass.’ Maggie laughed and then she realised what was going on. ‘You weren’t asking to come to the ceremony for me, were you?’

  ‘No,’ Flo admitted.

  ‘Flo...’ Maggie’s face worried. ‘I love Hazin, I really do. He has always been an utter gentleman to me but—’

  ‘I already know his reputation,’ Flo cut in. ‘Maggie, don’t worry. I went into this with my eyes wide open. Or at least I thought I did.’ Flo hadn’t expected to find love.

  ‘When you say you “went into this...”’ Maggie closed her eyes. ‘I’m too late with my warning, aren’t I?’

  ‘You were too late three months ago.’

  ‘Oh, my God,’ Maggie said, and she sort of laughed and groaned at the same time, but she was clearly concerned for her friend. ‘I don’t want you to get hurt.’

  ‘I’ve a feeling it’s a bit late for that, too,’ Flo said. ‘And the only person I’ll have to blame is myself.’

  She didn’t even pretend that she wouldn’t hurt when they ended. And end they surely must. Flo just hoped this time he would keep his word and say goodbye.

  But it was Hazin who was hurting today, Flo was certain.

  ‘I just wanted to be a friendly face in the crowd.’

  ‘Liar,’ Maggie said. ‘You just want to hear it for yourself.’

  ‘True, though I’ll have no idea what’s being said.’

  ‘Well, given my due date is so close, I think I might need my midwife to accompany me after all...’ And then she stopped speaking and looked up. Flo followed her gaze.

  Hazin looked regal. Together and composed.

  He wore a silver robe and over that a black bisht that was trimmed in silver. His keffiyeh was elaborately wrapped and tied with a thick silver cord.

  The King came out then and barked something at him but Hazin did not answer, just made his way slowly down the steps.

  He did not look at the portrait and he did not look at Flo, he just made his way through the open doors to the first of the waiting cars.

  ‘Can Flo travel with me?’ Maggie asked Kumu.

  ‘Flo will come with me,’ Kumu said. ‘I shall take care of her and should you need her, just give me a discreet wave.’

  Maggie looked at Flo. ‘I’m sorry, I tried...’

  ‘I was hardly going to come in the car with you.’ Flo smiled. ‘And Kumu’s right, if you need anything just let me know. I’m glad I’m here for you today.’

  The official cars were waiting to move off, and Kumu took her to another that was, of course, not part of the procession. In fact, she and Kumu left first so they could be there before the Royals arrived.

  They drove through streets lined with people all waiting to glimpse not just Hazin but the Crown Prince they held out so much hope for and also his very pregnant bride, who they were desperate for news of.

  As they headed towards the hospital, a huge crowd of people began cheering and Flo could not quite believe the turnout.

  ‘Princess Petra was very popular,’ Kumu explained. ‘When she and Hazin married she came down and met with the people. It was as if a breath of fresh air had breezed into the palace, for the Royals had always kept themselves separate until then. Unfortunately, that breath of fresh air did not last.’

  Flo was surprised at how much Kumu was telling her, but guessed she must be feeling sad today and perhaps needed to share.

  Kumu turned then and smiled. ‘Now that Maggie is here, things are different again,’ she said. ‘Now the people see Ilyas smiling. Do you remember the cheers on their wedding day?’

  ‘I do.’ Flo laughed. ‘I was standing right at the back of the ballroom and I still had to put my hands up to my ears.’

  It was so sad that Petra had died, and maybe Flo was torturing herself by going today, but it would be torture too, to stay away.

  Once they had arrived, Kumu went to greet the Royal cars and Flo stood with the caterers and maids and security and the many people who were there to ensure that things went seamlessly.

  The Royals would be seated on a covered platform. There was a lectern and beside that a beautiful image of Petra, and the platform was dressed in gorgeous desert blooms. There were rugs on their seats for the air was cool. That had actually been Flo’s suggestion to Kumu and it had nothing to do with the weather, more the very pregnant princess and those waters breaking on a very public stage!

  She watched as Maggie took her place on the platform and she smiled as she saw that Maggie was the first to cover herself with a rug. And Ilyas, because he loved her and did not want her to stand out, did the same.

  But not the Queen.

  There wasn’t an empathetic bone in her body, Flo thought, but then ate her own words because the Queen did the same then too.

  Hazin did not.

  He sat absolutely still, like a statue.

  There were moments, though, when she felt closer to him than she ever had to anyone. She could tell him things, reveal things and be entirely herself.

  They had moments of absolute connection.

  Now was not one of those moments, for he looked so alone up there on the platform. Not sad, or lonely, just separate from the people who surrounded him.

  He did stand and smile as three more people came to the stage, presumably Petra’s parents and brother. They all sat beside him and then the crowd hushed as the ceremony began.

  It was all very formal. There was a band that played for ever, and a whole lot of speeches, and then the band played again.

  And then Petra’s brother made a speech and Flo watched as his mother dabbed at her eyes.

  Not the Queen. She remained remote and untouched.

  And then Flo held her breath as Hazin came to the lectern and the crowd hushed immediately. You could have heard a pin drop as everyone listened intently as their long-absent Prince, for the first time in a decade, made a speech.

  He spoke in Arabic, so of course Flo had no idea what was said, but his voice was clear and only a couple of times did it become husky with emotion.

  Flo stood, her teeth working her bottom lip, watching his pale features, the only real sign of how difficult this was for him. And then she straightened her features to appear more impassive as Kumu came and stood by her side.

  ‘He just thanked all the medical staff and he said that this new facility is much deserved and needed.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘And now he says that Petra’s family draws a lot of comfort from this new facility.’

  Flo nodded.

  ‘Hazin says now how kind Petra was. He says he would like to reiterate that, for...’ Kumu hesitated. ‘She truly was.’

  Kumu was crying, Flo realised.

  ‘Now Hazin says that it has taken him a long time, but he understands that seeds of kindness were planted in him and that this is how she remains with him. For now, when he is angry, he tries to think of Petra, and what she would do. Hazin says that it is never too late to change...’

  Flo watched as he turned briefly and looked back at the people behind him, and she wondered if he had looked directly at his parents as he spoke on.

  ‘He says,’ Kumu continued, ‘that we can all learn from her. And even today he tries to follow her wise words. He hopes that today she smiles on all of us.’ Kumu choked and then added, ‘And him.’

  The crowd applauded and then it built and built to a cheer. Flo could see how much the people loved him.

  And so did she.

  He had made the dreaded speech without notes and she knew that every word had come from his heart. Flo felt her heart twist with misplaced jealousy, for her rival was a ghost.

  As the crowd’s
applause faded, he turned and guided Petra’s mother to cut the ribbon and officially declare the facility open.

  He was very patient with her, Flo thought, and watched as he steadied the emotional woman’s arm with his hand as she cut the ribbon.

  Hazin might have a scandalous reputation but, Flo knew, he really was a very nice man.

  And she was more than a little in love with him.

  Flo felt nothing like she had this time last year.

  Then it had been about dressing up and going out and all the stupid superficial things.

  With Hazin it was all the little things that mattered.

  Finally it was over, yet perhaps not for Hazin. Flo watched as he mingled with the guests and duly made small talk as waiters milled around.

  A sad garden party really, Flo thought.

  Even Flo was not ignored. In fact, just before it was time to leave, Hazin made his way over to her. She decided to take a lesson from Perfect Petra and be...

  Kind.

  ‘Well done,’ she said.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘It seemed to go very well.’

  ‘I think so.’

  She didn’t know what to say, for there was a stretch of awkward silence so Flo filled it.

  ‘I know that you must miss her so much.’

  ‘Please...’ He took a breath for he could not deal with it today. It had to be later. Hazin’s eyes shuttered as he braced himself to get through the rest of this most difficult day. ‘Not now, Flo!’

  His words came out too harshly, Hazin knew, and yet there was no chance to rectify things with the world watching.

  And so he walked away.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  IT WAS KUMU who brought Flo’s breakfast in the next morning and it took more than a moment for Flo to register that it was Christmas Eve.

  Not that it felt like it here in the desert kingdom.

  ‘How did you sleep?’ Kumu enquired as she placed the breakfast tray on Flo’s lap.

  ‘Very well,’ Flo lied, and then asked a question. ‘Kumu, have there been any deliveries for me?’

  ‘If there were they would have been sent straight to your room. Is there anything you need that I can get for you?’