There he was, Jaffri wiggling delightedly in his arms.
“I told you she’d get here soon,” Talal whispered to Jaffri, moving forward to greet her.
Kate couldn’t stop the laughter as she rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t gone that long,” she told them. She reached eagerly for Jaffri, and gasped when she felt Talal brush hot fingers over her breast.
Thankfully, Jaffri wiggled again, distracting her from the heat that was quickly spreading out through her body.
The rest of the evening was peaceful. She played with her son, fed him, and changed his diaper. Closer to his bedtime, when Jaffri was cranky, Kate walked and walked him. There was always a point during each evening when Jaffri was just…cranky. He didn’t want to be put down, wasn’t hungry, didn’t need a new diaper. So she walked with him.
When Talal walked in and offered to take over, she couldn’t believe how nice he was. “Don’t you have meetings?” she asked.
He gently tossed Jaffri into the air, squealing in delight, thrilled with the new height.
“I canceled my meetings tonight.”
Kate blinked in surprise. “Why?”
“Because your guards told me that you were at your wits end with this guy,” he told her, pressing a gentle kiss to Jaffri’s temple. “Because you looked exhausted when you left here this morning. And one of your guards casually informed me that he thought he heard you groaning in your dressing room at the end of the day.” His eyes shifted as the servants came in with dinner, setting it on the table with a beautiful bouquet of exotic flowers. “And you’re hungry.”
Joan arrived just at that moment. “Would you like me to take Jaffri for his bath tonight?”
Kate hesitated. Bath time was one of her favorite points in the day. But Talal was right. She was exhausted. She could curl up in a ball somewhere, maybe read a book and…
“No, I’ll do it,” she decided, thinking she was being a bad mother for wanting a bit more time alone. She’d had all day alone. She could handle giving her son a bath.
“Yes,” Talal contradicted. “Ms. Childress is exhausted and hasn’t eaten today.” With that, he plucked Jaffri out of Kate’s arms and handed him to Joan, adding another kiss to his son’s curls in transition.
Joan quickly left the area, her attention causing Jaffri to giggle a few more times before the door closed behind her.
Silence.
And in that silence, the tension ramped up to eleven. He was such a tall, strong man and now she was alone with him.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she sighed, falling back on anger and resentment instead of admitting that she was nervous about being alone with him.
“Yes, I did. You need a break.” He took her hand and led her over to the table. “Sit,” he ordered as he pulled out her chair. The gesture would be more gentlemanly if he hadn’t been ordering her around like a dog.
“You’re…”
“Please,” he interrupted, with a wince. He came around to stand in front of her again. “I apologize,” he began as he took her hand and led her around the table. “I am nervous about being alone with you finally.”
Kate’s startled eyes looked up at him, stunned that he would say such a thing. But when she looked into his eyes, she knew that he wasn’t nervous. Not one little bit. He was just saying that to allay her fears.
“You’ve never been nervous about anything in your life,” she grumbled, but sat down in the chair anyway because she was starving.
For the man or food?
If she were being perfectly honest with herself, she’d say both, but since she was overwhelmed right now, she settled on the food. “This smells delicious,” she told him, taking the linen napkin and spreading it over her lap.
For the next hour, the servants brought in one course after another. Initially, Kate tried to maintain her reserve, but Talal pulled out all the stops with his charm. He had her laughing within minutes of sitting down and was completely relaxed by the time dessert was served, a beautiful little cake decorated with pretty flowers.
“This is lovely!” she gasped when the servant brought it out along with cognac, already warmed and in a crystal glass.
Talal took the knife and served her a piece, giving her more of the frosting flowers.
“Oh, this isn’t going to be good for my waistline,” she admitted, but took a bite of the cake anyway. For one night, she was going to ignore her nutrition rules and simply enjoy the evening. She was so tired of being on guard, always aware of everything. It felt good to just…relax.
“Come,” he said, standing up and taking her hand along with the slice of cake. “We’ll have dessert in the living room.”
She didn’t argue with him, instead slipping off her shoes and following him. As she walked, she took a sip of the amazing cognac, pausing a moment as the heat stole through her. “This is wonderful,” she told him as she sat down on the couch. He waited until she’d tucked her feet underneath her, and sat down next to her.
Warning bells sounded in Kate’s mind, but she was too focused on getting another bite of that amazing cake to worry too much about anything. Well, the two glasses of wine during dinner plus the cognac were probably helping.
She finished half of the slice of cake, then put the rest onto the coffee table, groaning at how full she felt. “That was incredible!” she sighed, leaning back against the sofa cushions.
When she felt his hands on her shoulders, she flinched.
“You’re very tense, Kate. Why is that?”
She moaned as he found a knot in her shoulders and got to work. “Oh, yes!” she gasped.
“Why are you so tense?”
“Because you’re touching me. Because I fall asleep every night on this sofa but wake up in your bed every morning and I…” she stopped, thankfully not too far gone to keep from admitting how much she wanted to roll over and have him make love to her.
“You sleep better in a bed.”
She laughed, her head falling forward. “Is that your only motivation?”
“I also prefer sleeping with you in my arms.”
She laughed again. “I’m not sure if your honesty is good or bad.”
“Why would it be bad?”
“Because you’re trying to seduce me.”
“Not lately, Kate. The past few nights, I’ve only been trying to show you that you can trust me, that I will be here for you.”
She felt her muscles begin to tense with his words, but once again, his fingers loosened the muscles. “That’s not fair,” she told him.
His lips were warm against her neck. “I’m not playing fair, Kate. I’m playing to win. I want you. And your only reservations against being with me are that you don’t trust me.”
“Right. You left me.”
“Your argument is no longer valid.” And with that, he went on full assault. She had no power to resist him. Not when he touched her like that.
“My argument is still valid, Talal,” she whispered, but he took the cognac out of her hands, setting it onto the coffee table next to the leftover cake.
“You’re afraid.” His hands continued to work their magic, but now, his hands were against her skin. How had he slipped his hands underneath her shirt so easily? The man was diabolical! But the way he was touching her felt too good. She didn’t really want him to stop, if she were honest with herself.
Of course, for the past several days, she hadn’t been very honest. With herself or with him. “I’m not afraid,” she argued. Another lie. A horrible lie!
He nipped at her earlobe, causing her to gasp as desire, red hot and fast, zipped through her body, ending between her legs and she shifted, trying to control that desire.
“You’re afraid of me and what I might do next.”
She certainly hoped that she knew what he might do next. At this point, she was counting on him doing what she hoped he might do next. Every feminine part of her wanted Talal to make love to her.
“I’m afraid you’ll stop,” she
whispered.
He paused for a long moment and Kate’s heart pounded in her chest, hardly daring to look at him, fearful of the look in his eyes with that admission.
Without another word, he stood up with her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He didn’t hesitate once the door was closed. He kissed her even as he lowered her onto the bed, following her down. His hips pressed between her knees and she opened her legs to make room for him. With a sigh of relief, she opened her arms as well, pulling him against her body.
Lifting her hips up to his, she pressed herself more fully against him, reveling in how good it felt to be with him again. She’d never wanted this from any other man and, feeling him like this now, she wanted to melt with relief that she was finally back in his arms.
None of their problems had been solved, but this…yes, this she could have. At least for tonight.
“Do you want this?” he asked, his hands slid up her waist, cupping her breasts.
“Yes!” she gasped, arching into his hands. She wanted more, wanted to crawl on top of him. In fact…she shoved his shoulders, rolling them over until she was straddling him. Looking down at his chest, she fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
“No!” she gasped when he reached to help her. “I want to do this myself,” she told him. Slowly, her fingers worked the buttons, revealing the tanned skin covering all of those fascinating muscles. Unfortunately, Kate only worked four, maybe five of the buttons free before her fascination with his chest overcame her. Letting her fingers slide over the newly revealed skin, she explored, enjoying the sensation of his heat under her fingertips.
That wasn’t enough for Talal so he ripped his shirt open, sat up, pulled his shirt off, then grabbed her so that she didn’t fall backwards. When he stretched back out on the mattress, he grabbed her hands and placed them back on his chest. “Continue,” he growled.
Kate laughed softly, but obeyed, amazed by the broad expanse of muscles. “You’re so powerful, Talal,” she whispered, before leaning forward to kiss his shoulder, then making her way lower. With each kiss, she listened to his breathing to see if he liked what she was doing. Remembering all the ways he’d shown her to please him the last time they were together, she used every trick she could think of, and some she’d read about in the books she’d read over the past year and a half. There’d been too many long, cold, lonely nights in Wyoming and she’d had to fill the time somehow.
Her tongue flicked over his flat male nipple and she loved the sound he made. So she did it over and over again. He started to pull away from her, but she pushed his hands away.
“No, Talal! You started this, now I get to do what I want.” She glared at him, but that wouldn’t have stopped him. She suspected that it was the way her hips wiggled, pressing against his erection, but Kate didn’t care what the reason, she wanted to keep going.
When he didn’t take over, she continued, moving lower and lower. As her fingers wrapped around his erection, she was fascinated. Such a strange part of his anatomy, Kate thought as she let her fingers explore. And yet, this part of him gave her so much pleasure. This was what filled her up every time, the part of him that made her feel whole and alive. It was truly a miraculous thing.
“Kate!” he growled when she simply continued to gently explore his erection. She glanced up and found him glaring at her. She should probably move on to something else, but Kate only smiled, stroking him with her thumb, running along the veins and just under the top. Then moving over and around. She continued that pattern. Over and over again, watching his facial features tighten.
She heard his groan only moments before he dropped his head back against the bed. But Kate realized that she liked the feedback and wanted more. So she wrapped her mouth around him, tasting him and….
With a roar, he grabbed her. A fraction of a second later, she was flat on her back and he was ripping her clothes off. Kate heard seams rip and gasped, horrified by the waste of such expensive clothes. But moments later, she was naked and so was he. Kate didn’t remember him being this out of control and would have laughed with delight, but she couldn’t catch her breath. He was ravenous and pushed deep into her body, slick with wanting and more than ready for the delicious thrill of having him fill her once more. Arching back, it took all of her concentration to relax her inner muscles at his delicious invasion.
He must have sensed her body’s surprise because he stilled, allowing her time to adjust to his size. When she opened her eyes, she found him waiting for her.
“You ready?” he asked, his voice rough and sweat glistening on his forehead.
“Yes,” she whispered, shifting her hips slightly, needing that release that only he could give her. “Please, don’t stop.”
He shook his head as if he needed to clear it, then gathered her close as he began thrusting, pressing into her heat while watching to make sure he didn’t hurt her. “Tell me you’re okay,” he groaned, obviously trying to slow down so she could catch up with him.
She closed her eyes and arched into his next thrust with a moan. “I’m fine. But I’d be better if you moved harder!”
He laughed softly, but her inner muscles tightened around him. He muttered what she suspected was a curse, but he said it in Arabic, so she wasn’t completely sure. Thankfully, he followed her request.
It had been so long and her climax was almost instantaneous! She tried to slow it down, but it just feel too…perfect! Too amazing. Too quickly, she felt her body explode with the massive waves of pleasure. All she could do was hold onto Talal with the sure knowledge that he wouldn’t let her fall as her body continued to throb with pleasure.
Talal watched as Kate’s body arched into his. He wanted to enjoy the experience, but her body was so tight and so beautiful…and it had been too long. He couldn’t hold back as he joined her in a climax that shattered all expectations.
Breathing heavily, he collapsed against her, burying his nose into the silky softness of her throat. For a long time, he held her like that, enjoying the aftershocks of the experience as well as the sweet scent of her skin.
When he felt her breath against his skin, Talal knew that he needed to move. He was much bigger and she was so small and delicate. His weight would crush her. But when he tried to move, her arms tightened around his neck.
“Just another moment,” he heard her say, but the catch in her voice lifted his head.
The tears startled him. “Kate?” he groaned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she replied quickly, turning her head to hide the tears. But her long, dark lashes continued to sparkle with wetness.
For a moment, he wanted to demand an explanation. But her soft sniffles told him that she probably needed a moment to compose herself. He did too, he realized. So he pulled her close and cradled her, letting his hands explore the softness of her skin as he slowed his breathing.
But it wasn’t working. Touching Kate, holding her like this, it was too much. And he wanted so much more. This was just one night, but if the past year and a half had proven anything to him, he wanted everything. He wanted Kate by his side. And he wanted children. Her children! He resented his job that had taken him away from her too many times. He resented the responsibilities that had kept him from seeing this woman grow large with their son.
And yet, he knew that he couldn’t turn his back on those responsibilities. They were a part of who he was. He was raised to know that he would rule Altair.
The only viable alternative was to convince Kate that they could be happy here.
“Stay with me, Kate.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he mentally admonished himself. That wasn’t the way to convince her. She needed finesse and words of love. She needed….
“Okay.”
Talal froze. Had she just…?
He looked down at her, shock and…hope?
“Okay? You’ll stay?”
Kate stared up at Talal. She couldn’t deny it any longer. Even this, loving him the way she did,
she couldn’t push him away. She needed him. “Yes. I’ll stay.”
“And marry me?”
Oh, if only he’d tell her that he loved her! But…he wasn’t that kind of man. He wasn’t emotional. Talal had had to fight to protect his country. He was hard and controlled. He wouldn’t ever whisper those tender words to her. She’d have to take what he could give her and accept that it was enough.
“Yes. I’ll marry you.”
He pulled her closer, kissing her, completely unaware of the new wave of tears that poured from her eyes.
“You won’t regret it, Kate. I will make sure of it.”
Kate laughed, thinking he was very sweet. “I know,” she replied, lifting her hands and wiping away the tears.
“Why are you crying?”
Kate stood up and slipped his shirt on. The buttons…well, they weren’t there anymore. She didn’t remember…he’d done it. With a sad smile, she pulled the sides closed, needing to cover herself.
“Kate, talk to me,” he urged, taking her hands.
But she pulled away. “I need to shower.” She turned and headed towards the bathroom and could feel his curious eyes on her as she walked away.
He started to follow but she held up a hand. “Please. I just…I won’t leave. Jaffri needs you. Obviously,” her eyes strayed to the bed. Taking a deep breath, she wiped more tears from her eyes. “Well, obviously I need you too. But I need some time to think.”
Talal watched her as she disappeared into the bathroom. For a long moment, he just stood there wondering what the hell had gone wrong. He knew that she’d climaxed, so it wasn’t an issue with sex. In fact, the sex had been phenomenal! Just as amazing as he’d remembered.
Turning away with a muttered curse, he pulled on his slacks and…she had taken his shirt so he walked into his closet and grabbed another. He had no idea what was wrong. Kate had agreed to stay with him. That had been the ultimate goal, wasn’t it? He wanted her in his life and she’d agreed. Even better, she’d finally admitted that she needed him.
So why didn’t he feel more triumphant? Why did he feel as if his world was worse off than yesterday?
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