The limousines were waiting by the elevator doorway but when Talal led her over, encouraging her to get into the back seat, she put her foot down. “No. There’s no car seat installed.”
“We don’t need a car seat,” he told her and started to nudge her into the dark interior.
Kate was firm. “If you don’t have a car seat, my son is not getting in that car,” she announced, then turned to the guard holding her purse. “The car seat is my rental car, and the keys are in that purse.”
The man looked to Talal. Talal nodded and the guard hurried off. That only irritated Kate further. “If you want my cooperation in this, then you’re going to tell your men that I’m not to be ignored!”
He laughed, then kissed the end of her nose. “You’re beautiful when you’re angry,” he told her.
She bristled, her body practically vibrating with anger. “And you’re a pompous, patronizing ass!”
He threw back his head, laughing at her jibe. “I missed that acidic tongue of yours. No one has ever stood up to me like you do, Kate.”
“Get used to it and stop talking down to me. I’m not one of your bimbos and I’m definitely not a flighty, air headed child. A woman has to be intelligent and strong to make it in Hollywood so don’t underestimate me.”
He smiled, still amused but he didn’t patronize her again. “I won’t. I promise.”
She eyed him skeptically, but stepped back. The guard was hurrying across the parking garage, Jaffri’s car seat in his arms. Quickly, he moved into the back of the limousine and started to install it, but Kate halted his progress. “It needs to be in the center of the seat,” she instructed. The man quickly unlatched the seatbelt and installed it in the center.
“Trying to keep some distance between us?” he asked, still looking amused, but he didn’t contradict her order.
Looking up at Talal, fighting to not roll her eyes, she explained, “Car seats are in the middle so there’s a protective bubble around the baby. It further protects the child from any impacts.”
His amusement vanished and he nodded jerkily, conceding the validity of her point. “Okay, so you’re not just trying to get away from me.” He lowered his head. “Good, because it wouldn’t work anyway.”
She rolled her eyes, unable to restrain herself this time. “We’re not back together, Talal. I’m not sleeping with you.”
Since the guard was finished installing the car seat and had backed away, Kate ducked into the vehicle and examined his work. When she checked that the seat was properly installed, she nodded her head, and reached for Jaffri. She hefted the complaining tot into his seat and tickled him as she normally did in order to get his arms and legs strapped in. He really hated being strapped into his car seat, and would scream his fury at the insult. Normally, she had toys for him, things dangling from the strap of the car seat, but she accepted that this was the best she was going to get for him and she’d just have to entertain him on the ride over to the palace.
“Okay, he’s in,” she announced and then Talal sat down on the opposite side of the car seat.
As the vehicle drove away, Kate was painfully aware of being alone with Talal. Not just now, but she was taking her son, her sweet, infant son, to a place where she might never get him out again.
“Am I going to lose my son?” she blurted, fighting back the tears and rising panic.
“What are you talking about, honey?” Talal asked gently, watching her tickle Jaffri’s feet and tummy as he yelped and wiggled joyfully. “Talk to me. Don’t hold back on what you’re worrying about.”
She tickled Jaffri’ neck and ears, smiling sadly when he giggled and crinkled up his adorable ski-jump nose. “When he enters the palace gates, he’ll be your son, Talal. You have all the power. I can say something, but your guards protect you, they listen to you. As far as this world is concerned,” she stopped and took a deep breath, “Jaffri is the next heir to the throne of Altair, isn’t he?”
“Yes. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be his mother.”
She smiled sadly, thinking back to all of the shoulda-coulda-woulda scenarios that might have protected her son from this life. And protected her heart against losing her son. “You have all the control. You can take Jaffri from me and there’s not a thing I can do about it.”
“Except that you are his mother,” he replied harshly. “What kind of a monster do you think I am, Kate?”
She shook her head, focusing on Jaffri. “I think you are a ruler of a very powerful country and, as such, you have more power than I do.”
He sighed and shook his head. “Kate, you have a great deal to learn about me.”
Finally, she looked up at him. “Yes, but you’re not going to allow me to know you. You didn’t before. You wouldn’t even tell me that you were…that you’re…” she couldn’t finish the sentence.
He took her hand, forcing her eyes up. “Kate, let’s figure this out together, okay?”
She didn’t believe him, but she nodded to placate him. “Fine. One step at a time.”
In the meantime, she would figure out how to deal with her mistakes. She couldn’t lose her son. But nor could she lose herself with Talal again. She’d done that once and it had nearly destroyed her. She was stronger now. Smarter too. She could keep her feelings safe. No falling in love. No falling in lust. No sleeping with the man even though he looked even better now than he had eighteen months ago.
“It’s going to be okay. You won’t lose Jaffri.”
“Promise?” she whispered, feeling the panic rise up in her throat.
“I promise,” he assured her.
She still didn’t believe him, but at least he understood her fears. Well, maybe not understood, but at least she’d spoken aloud about what was on her mind.
The limousine pulled up outside the palace. Not the doors where she’d entered the previous night, but a different set. Something occurred to her. “Talal, my nanny went out tonight. She’ll come back to the hotel and will be worried. Can you make sure someone brings her here?”
He pressed his lips together slightly. “She’s safe,” Kate assured him.
“For tonight, yes, she can come to the palace. But she’ll have to stay in the guest area. She won’t be allowed into the residence until a thorough background check is completed.”
Kate had no qualms about Joan’s past so she nodded. “That’s fine. The employment agency that recommended Joan did a background check already and everything was good.”
He stepped out, and offered her a hand. “We’ll see,” was all he would promise. His security team’s vetting process was a bit more stringent than an employment agency’s. He’d just have his guards watch the nanny carefully until they’d done a full investigation on the woman.
“This way,” he said, taking a sleepy, grumpy Jaffri out of her arms. When he started to fuss about the change, she put a hand to his back. Jaffri slumped against Talal’s shoulder, but kept his sleepy eyes on Kate during the walk down the hallway.
“I had my guards bring all of his clothes and toys along with us. They should already be here.”
She was stunned by his thoughtfulness. “Thank you,” she whispered, unable to put more force behind the words because of the intense emotions zinging through her right now. Not to mention exhaustion, fear, anxiety, confusion…her emotions had run the gamut today.
Kate breathed a sigh of relief that they were finally alone, then she looked around at her surroundings. This wasn’t just a room. This was a suite. No, suite wasn’t quite correct either. This was a palatial apartment. There was a large sitting area with wide sofas and deep chairs, lots of pillows and enormous windows. Beyond that was a dining room bigger than her entire kitchen. She didn’t see a kitchen, but she supposed that one must be around here somewhere. Although maybe not. She glanced up at Talal and almost laughed out loud at the image of him doing any cooking. No, she couldn’t see him cooking. He was an important man with an enormous amount responsibility. He probably had a whole k
itchen staff ready and willing to make whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. Goodness, wouldn’t it be nice to not have to figure out what might be for dinner every night? How wonderful, to have someone else do all of the cooking. And cleaning! Wow, that would be lovely!
She watched Talal show Jaffri around. The boy seemed to be enthralled, not only with his new surroundings, but also with the big man carrying him. The two were chatting about something. She was fairly sure that Talal couldn’t interpret Jaffri’s baby gurgles yet, but it didn’t matter. They looked…right together.
That familiar pang hit her as she watched. She noticed countless small things about her son that reminded her of Talal. They tilted their heads the same way. Their earlobes were the same shape. Jaffri roared with laughter, just like Talal, only much smaller.
With a wistful sigh, she rubbed her forehead and explored the apartment herself. She peeked behind doors until she found a crib, already fitted with his sheets and covered with the toys she’d brought from home along with a beautiful, hand carved rocking chair and a fully stocked changing table. Now where had the palace staff gotten them so quickly?
Glancing at her watch, she realized that Jaffri’s bedtime was quickly approaching. If she didn’t put him down soon, he’d get cranky. He needed a bath first and she usually nursed him right before she put him down in his crib.
“He needs his bath,” she told Talal when the pair came in from the elaborately decorated courtyard.
“Are you ready for a bath?” Talal asked his son. The two of them looked at each other, then Jaffri broke out into a sloppy grin. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Talal led the way into a beautiful bathroom. “We’ll have to renovate the bathroom,” he commented. “But for now, how about if we give him a bath in here?”
Kate was too tired to argue, but she had no idea how he was going to accomplish that. There was a deep tub that looked like a small pool and a shower that was three times the size of her own. Was that a waterfall? She wasn’t sure, and it was entirely possible that her eyes were playing tricks on her.
“Why don’t you go lie down? I promise not to drown him,” he teased.
She shook her head, not revealing that she needed to nurse Jaffri before he fell asleep. Admitting something like that seemed too intimate somehow. “That’s okay. I’ll sleep better if I know that he’s down for the night. He has a routine,” she explained.
Talal set Jaffri down on several folded towels meant to create a cushion that had been set up on the marble countertop and proceeded to strip off his son’s clothes. When Jaffri was completely naked, Talal started on his own clothes.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, shocked as more and more tanned skin was revealed to her hungry eyes. It had been a long time since she’d seen a naked man! And Talal was more than just a man. He was…goodness, he looked amazing!
“I’m going to give our son a bath, Kate,” he teased. “Are you going to watch?”
She hurried out of the bathroom, aware of her cheeks turning a bright pink. He laughed and Kate wanted to punch him, but she didn’t want to teach Jaffri that he could punch anyone. Goodness, being a role model was difficult sometimes.
For the next thirty minutes, she paced around the suite, wondering what was going on in there. There was a lot of splashing and laughter from both of them and she had to fight the temptation to spy.
When she heard Talal stepping out of the bath, it took every ounce of willpower to not head towards the bathroom door for just a small peek. She remembered Talal’s physique all too well!
When they appeared in the doorway, Kate’s breath caught in her throat. Talal was wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist, his chest still damp from the bath. Jaffri was cradled in Talal’s arms, a clean, pink fist in his mouth as he fought to stay awake. They’d clearly had a good time, but now it was story and milk time, then bed. Jaffri knew the routine and it helped him to settle down for the night, even though he was in a strange place. She took him, carrying him into the nursery to feed him. As she nursed Jaffri, she stared down at him, amazed. And scared.
An hour later, Jaffri was sound asleep in his crib with an enchanted Talal gazing dreamily at his son.
Meanwhile, Kate curled up on the couch, watching through the open doorway, too worn out to do anything more. Talal glanced over to see Kate on the sofa, her hands curled up under her head as she faded off to sleep. Seeing her here, in his home, made something unfurl inside of him. She looked so right being here and he realized how much he’d missed her over the past eighteen months.
He missed her smiles, her passion, and he especially missed the feeling of her in his arms. Every time he’d left her during that month, he’d been gritting his teeth, counting minutes until he could get back to her, to hold her and just revel in the warmth of her love. And yes, he’d known that she loved him.
But seeing her now, he realized how unfair he’d been eighteen months ago. He should have trusted her, should have explained his absences. She was a strong woman with a sense of fairness that ran deep. That trait, combined with her beauty and her gentle nature, her smiles and the way she made everything seem easier, should have told him what he now knew; she was his ideal mate.
Thankfully, fate had given him another chance. He wasn’t going to mess things up this time.
He tenderly gathered her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He smiled when she sighed and cuddled into his arms. Even murmuring his name in her sleep, almost as if she dreamed of him.
He’d already pulled the sheets back. Now he laid her down and pulled her shoes and socks off. He thought about removing the rest of her clothes, but he didn’t want to wake her up and he also didn’t think he could be in the bed with her naked and not make love to her. She was exhausted and, as much as his body ached to feel her, to fill her up and make her climax around his erection, she needed sleep more. His own desires would have to wait until she was a bit more rested. And conscious, he thought with a chuckle.
He stripped his own clothes off and slipped into the bed behind her, pulling her into his arms. The moment before he fell asleep, he thought that this was very nice. He could definitely get used to this.
Chapter 9
Kate woke up feeling better than she had in a long, long time, although something was different. Very different.
Opening her eyes, she looked around, surprised to find that it was still dark outside.
Wait, it wasn’t dark outside, but the room was dark. It was too dark! The hotel curtains were good, but not that good!
Jerking awake, she leaped out of bed, but strong arms stopped her forward momentum, causing her to hit the floor with a thump. Looking wildly around, she was still trying to understand where she was and how she’d gotten…onto the floor…when strong hands lifted her up.
“Talal!” she gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck to steady herself. “Where’s Jaffri?” she demanded, disoriented and trying to get control of her panic. “Where am I?” The last thing she remembered was falling asleep on the sofa in the beautiful living room area.
“It’s okay,” he assured her in a soothing voice. “He’s fine. He’s in the next room, safe and sound and being guarded by my security team.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, still holding her. “Relax,” he soothed. “Nothing is wrong.”
Still, she struggled to get out of his arms, away from his intoxicating heat and strength. Goodness, he smelled delicious!
“Where’s Jaffri?” she demanded again.
“He’s right next door. He’s fine,” he repeated. “What’s really wrong?”
It was dark, but as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she realized that she could see shapes. And the light under the doorway. “I need to go to him.”
Talal tightened his arms around her when she tried to slip off of his lap. “He’s still sleeping.”
“What time is it?”
He shifted and she looked behind her to see the red lights of a bedside clock. “It’s almost five o’cl
ock in the morning. What time does he normally wake up?”
She relaxed…as much as she could while sitting like this. He was pretty much naked and…oh, no, he was completely naked. Kate remembered that he preferred to sleep in the nude. And he’d always insisted that she sleep naked as well. The last time they’d been together, she hadn’t minded, but now…now she needed him to put some clothes on.
“Don’t you have a robe?” she asked.
“Yes. But I thought it was more important to get my fiancée off of the floor.”
She could see his logic, but... “Well, you can now. I won’t stop you.”
He stroked her back, soothing her nerves. Or trying to. It wasn’t working. In fact, it was actually having the opposite effect. “What if I like you exactly like this?”
She tried again to slip off his lap, but he nuzzled her neck, nibbling on that sensitive spot that always made her knees go weak. “Stop,” she whispered weakly. Kate made a feeble, pathetic attempt to pull away.
“Stop what?” he asked innocently and moved to another spot. “Stop this?” he nipped her earlobe.
Kate closed her eyes, trying to fight the insidious desire that seemed to sap her common sense. “I don’t want this,” she told him.
His arms immediately loosened and Kate knew that she could slide away from him easily. “You can leave anytime you want, Kate. You know that. I’ve never forced myself on you.”
She shook her head, dislodging his teeth, but he only moved to a different spot and a shiver ran through her. “You’re cheating,” she told him, but again, there was no strength to her words.
He chuckled and the sound was amazing. She actually moaned as another streak of desire hit her, low and powerful, deep in her belly. It had been so long since she’d been touched!
“I know I’m cheating,” he admitted. “I’m going to cheat until I get what I want.”
His words were the impetus she needed to pull out of his arms. Thankfully, he allowed it, watching as she stepped backwards. “Talal, we’re not going to have sex.”
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