Walking into Jaffri’s nursery, he put a hand to his son’s tummy, watching him sleep for a long moment. He’d missed so much, but the relief that Kate wouldn’t take Jaffri away helped. But even the knowledge that he’d get to see his son grow up, teach him everything he’d need to know in order to rule the country…something wasn’t right.
And damn it, he didn’t understand what was wrong!
Chapter 11
Kate put everything she had into the movie. For eight hours a day, she buried herself in the character. Because of her intense focus, her need to be completely in the moment, filming went faster than expected. All the other actors were right there with her and she sighed with relief on the last day of filming. There would be a big bash at the palace with the entire cast and crew to celebrate.
“Forgive me for intruding,” Joan began hesitantly as both of them sat on the floor with Jaffri. He had an orange stuffed elephant in one hand and was bashing it against the floor, then staring at it trying to figure out what it was and why it wasn’t a pancake.
“What’s wrong?” Kate asked, still trying to figure out what she would do with her days once the film crew left. The party was in two days and they only had clean up issues to handle now. Talal was pushing her to choose a date for their wedding but…she couldn’t do it. Kate didn’t seem to be able to do anything other than dive into her character and…and make love with Talal.
“Well, it just seems as if something isn’t right. I know,” she cringed. “None of my business. But while we were in Wyoming, you seemed so content. And now…”
“She’s right,” a deep voice interrupted.
Kate and Joan both turned and watched as Talal entered the nursery. He looked magnificent in a tailored suit paired with a red silk tie and snowy white shirt. But Kate knew that the man looked shockingly good in just about anything and everything. Or nothing at all.
Joan immediately stood up. “I’ll take Jaffri and…”
“Thank you,” Talal told her.
Kate stood as well, wanting Joan to stay. Or Jaffri. Anything to give her a buffer against Talal’s powerful presence. It had been this way from the beginning. He’d walked into her life and he’d overwhelmed her. The emotional roller coaster that happened whenever he was around made her head spin.
“I thought you had a meeting with your council this morning?”
He looked down at her, not touching her in any way. Even that was strange. From the moment she’d stepped into the palace, Talal had not stopped touching her.
“I did. It finished early.”
She stepped back, sad once again. “And you came here to be with Jaffri.” She turned, thinking to get Joan to bring him back. “I’m sorry. I know that you have limited time with him and I…”
“Kate, stop,” he commanded, then took her hand and led her over to a small, padded bench seat. “What’s going on?” he asked gently.
Kate blinked, fighting back the tears that sprang up at his gentler than usual tone. “Nothing is wrong, Talal. We’re settling in. Jaffri and Joan have a regular routine now. The palace doctor has pronounced Jaffri to be one of the healthiest babies he’s seen in a while. He’s adjusting and doesn’t even seem to mind that he’s getting a few more teeth.”
“I’m not talking about Jaffri. Anyone with eyes can see that he’s healthy and happy. Just as anyone who looks at you can see that you’re miserable.”
“I’m fine,” she countered, staring down at her fingers as they clutched her knees.
“You’re not fine.”
She blinked again, looking out the window. “I will be fine,” she promised.
Talal didn’t like the sound of that. “Kate, you can’t go on like this.”
He watched as she lifted her chin. “Like what?” and he felt relief at the spark of anger in her lovely eyes.
“Like you’re constantly about to burst into tears. Is life here in Altair so bad?”
“No. I’ll….”
He squeezed her fingers, stopping whatever she’d been about to say. “Kate, if you tell me one more time that you’ll be fine, then I’m going to….” He paused when her eyebrows lifted, as if she was waiting for whatever threat he might issue. With a sigh, he stood up, rubbing a frustrated hand over the back of his neck. “Kate, I want you to be more than fine. I want you to be happy.”
Kate stood as well and he had to fight the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her. The only time she seemed to light up lately was when he touched her, which was why he made love to her every night, needing that small verification that she wasn’t completely lost to him.
“I doubt that you can give me what I need, Talal. So, we’ll have to settle for what we have.” After making that resounding statement, she turned and walked out of the door to the nursery.
Talal stood there, stunned. It seemed as if he was watching her walk away too often lately. With grim determination, he followed her through the doorway.
“Tell me what you need!” he roared, furious that she wouldn’t even let him try to make her happy!
Kate froze, as did several of the servants in the elaborate hallway. She turned and stared up at him, waiting for the servants to disappear, which is what they always did whenever Talal was around. She’d found it odd at first, but Joan assured her that it was a sign of respect and not of fear.
Staring up at his rough, handsome features, her heart broke for what could never be. “I want you to love me, Talal. That’s all I ever wanted.” She came closer but didn’t touch him even though she ached to feel his heat and the strength of his arms around her. “From the first moment I saw you, I knew that you were different, Talal. You were larger than life in ways I didn’t understand. And I fell in love with you.”
He stared at her and she wanted to punch him or scream or…anything! Gone was the helpless sadness of moments ago. The anger she felt now was liberating.
“I want it all! I want you to love me! I want to give you all of the love inside of me. I want to show you in so many ways that I love you! And all you want is my body!” she exploded, stomping her foot before turning around. She wasn’t going to stand here and watch him look at her as if she’d grown a second head! She was…
“What the hell are you doing?” she screeched when she found herself tossed over his shoulder. Looking around, she had no idea where they were going, only that he was…he swatted her bottom!
“You did NOT just do that!” she yelled and reached down, trying to smack him. But her effort was completely ineffective and that just riled her temper more. “Put me down, you stupid jerk!”
Through the red haze of fury, she looked around and realized that they were in their apartment. In his bedroom! When he set her down, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and glared up at him. “Seriously? You want sex now?”
“No,” he growled, moving closer. She stepped back, not wanting to be caught in his arms. But he was faster and his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her against him. “I want all of you, Kate. I don’t just want sex. I don’t just want Jaffri. I want everything!”
She huffed a bit, so furious that she could barely think. “You don’t get all of me!” she told him in a low, furious voice. “You can…”
“I love you, Kate! And you just told me that you love me. So yes! We’re going to work this out! You’re not going to live your life being ‘fine’ in my presence.”
She wanted to pull out of his arms, but he was stronger than she was. “You can’t just bully me, Talal! You can’t just…”
He silenced her with a kiss. A deep, passionate kiss. Kate was unable to stop herself from melting into him.
When he finally lifted his head, she was quiet again. But the anger was gone. That fortifying anger deserted her under his skilled prowess.
“I wish you’d stop doing that,” she whispered, stepping out of his arms.
“I can’t, Kate. I can’t stop touching you. I can’t stop making love to you.”
She turned her back and walked a
way, wrapping her arms around her as if to shield herself from further pain.
“I can’t stop because I love you and that’s the only way I know to show you.”
Huh? She froze. The words echoed over and over in her mind. When they continued to not make sense, she turned to face him. “What do you mean?”
He sighed and moved so that he was once again standing in front of her. “Kate, I never learned to talk about feelings. Telling you what I’m feeling just isn’t…hell, I can’t do it. So, I touch you, to show my feelings.”
She blinked, trying to understand. “When you touch me you’re…?”
“I’m telling you that…” he stopped, his frustration clear as he searched for words. “I’m telling you that I know you’re here. That I enjoy your presence. That I want to touch you, to connect with you!” he blurted, throwing his hands in the air with exasperation. “I’m telling you that I love you, damn it!”
The knot in her stomach and the band around her chest…dissolved with his words. “You love me?”
“Hell yes! I never would have repeatedly abandoned my responsibilities the last time we were together, Kate, if I didn’t feel this way about you!”
That warmth spread, easing the ache in her heart. “You love me?” she repeated eagerly, needing to hear the words.
“Yes! Isn’t that what I’ve been saying?”
She realized that he had been telling her the whole time, in his own way. Every time he’d walked by her, touching her, making love to her in the evenings, carrying her to bed when she fell asleep on the couch. “You love me!” she laughed. “I thought it was a power play, that you just wanted to drive me nuts!”
He pulled her into his arms. “Well, that too,” he admitted.
She laughed again, hugging him closer. “Talal! Why didn’t you tell me this a long time ago?”
He sighed, his cheek resting against the top of her head. “I thought you understood, Kate. I thought I was telling you how I felt every time I touched you.”
She laughed, tearing up again as happiness made her head spin. “I didn’t understand.”
“I love you, Kate. Every time I pull you into my arms, touch you, make love to you, that’s my way of telling you, showing you that I love you.”
She laughed again. “I guess I need to learn to speak ‘Talal’, huh?” she teased.
“Kate, until today, you never admitted how you felt about me. So I think we both need to learn to speak the other’s language.”
She smiled up at him. “I guess you’re right.” She reached up and pulled his head lower, lifting her face up to kiss him. It was the first time she’d initiated physical contact between them, much less affection, since coming back to Altair. It felt incredibly good, she thought. Good to show him how she felt about him. Good to release all of those demons that told her to hold herself back so she wouldn’t get hurt again. Good to feel him touching her, and it felt amazing to translate his touches into his language. When he kissed her now, she understood and…she could feel the love in his kiss now. She understood and…his kiss was even more powerful with that understanding!
When he lifted his head, she realized that he’d already started undressing her. Not that she minded! “You know,” she murmured as her fingers slipped between the buttons of his pristine dress shirt, “I get that you show your feelings towards me through touches, but every once in a while, it would be nice to hear the words.”
He pushed her dress down, letting it pool around her feet. “I love you, Kate. I love your smile, your eyes,” he kissed her bare shoulder. “I love the way you laugh. I think you’re beautiful in ways that the rest of the world can’t even understand.” He tossed her bra off behind him. “I love the way you hold things in until you’re ready to burst.” His jacket fell to the floor. His tie was whipped away. “I love the way you hold your breath moments before you’re about to climax in my arms.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t think…” she couldn’t finish that statement since he cupped her breasts, his thumbs caressing her already taut nipples.
“Shut up, Kate, and let me tell you how much I love you.” He lifted her into his arms and laid her back against their bed. “By the time I’m finished with you, there will be absolutely no doubt in your mind how I feel about you, Kate.” And with that, he proceeded to kiss every inch of her body, spreading her legs and exploring more. When his finger slid inside of her body, she was already wet and aching.
“Talal, you have to stop!” she gasped, sitting up and trying to push him away from her.
He grabbed her hands and pushed her back down as he kissed her. “No, Kate,” he admonished in between kisses. “You aren’t sure about my feelings.” He lightly pinched her nipples, smiling when she groaned in response. “I need you to be sure.”
“I’m sure!” she begged, trying to close her legs because he was heading right back to that nub and she was so desperate for release. “I’m sure! So sure!”
“Not positive though,” and he took her hands, holding them away from his goal. When he took that nub in his mouth, his tongue flicking against the swollen, tender nerves, she screamed, her climax overwhelming her. Instead of pushing him away, she grabbed hold of him, holding him close, pressing her body against his mouth.
When her body slumped against the mattress, he moved higher, kissing his way up her body. She opened her eyes slightly, watching him.
“Do you believe me now?” he asked.
“Yes,” she sighed, trying to lift her hand to touch him, to show him how much she loved him. But there was no energy in her arms. Every muscle in her body was limp.
“I want more children, Kate. Would you consider having more?” He looked down at her breasts. “I’d like to see your body change as our children grown inside of you.”
The reverence in his voice made her heart ache. “Yes. I’d love to have more children.”
He grinned as he wrapped her legs around his waist. She wasn’t sure when he’d discarded the rest of his clothes, but at this point, she didn’t care. “A little girl?”
He laughed as he pushed into her core. “No. Sons. I want more sons, Kate.”
“Daughters,” she argued, arching into him. “I want little girls.”
“Sons,” he told her, his tone implying that it was a command.
She laughed. But when he started moving inside of her again, Kate gave in to the sensations. And to his love. “I love you!” she cried moments before her body exploded once again.
A long time later, curled up against his side, she smiled with happiness. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” he told her, kissing her again.
Kate finally understood. And she knew that she was going to thoroughly enjoy learning his language of love.
Epilogue
“No!” three year old Jaffri announced, glaring up at his father.
“It might be a girl,” Talal warned, moving the razor from his neck to his jawline. Jaffri did the same, even though his “razor” didn’t include a blade. The little man wanted to do anything his father did, even to the point of shaving.
“I think I’d quite enjoy a daughter. You might like a sister.”
Jaffri’s eyes narrowed and he stopped mimicking his father, even though he looked like a smaller version of the sheik. “Brother!” he commanded, sounding exactly like his father.
Kate chuckled as she waddled into the bathroom. “Sounds like our son has his mind made up already.” She leaned against Talal as she wiped a bit of shaving cream off Jaffri’s forehead.
“He might need to live with disappointment if this little person is a girl.”
Kate smiled up at him. “I haven’t had to,” she whispered.
In response, he lowered his head to kiss her, but since he hadn’t wiped the remaining shaving cream off of his face, Kate pulled back. “No!” she screeched when his arm tightened around her not-so-slim waist.
Kate heard Jaffri giggle in the background as she “endured”
Talal’s messy kiss.
“My turn!” Jaffri announced and stood up eagerly on the marble counter of the bathroom.
Kate burst out laughing, but since Talal’s strong arm was around her, she had no choice but to accept the equally messy kiss from her adorable son. “Thank you!” she beamed, trying to wipe the shaving cream off of her face. “Your kisses are the best part of my day!”
Jaffri laughed, and pressed his hands to Kate’s tummy. “Brother,” he announced with the unerring confidence of a toddler.
“You think so?”
“Yes!” he replied, snuggling up against her, even though his father was holding him.
Talal shrugged. “You’ve heard the shaman speak!”
They laughed, even though Jaffri didn’t understand what was going on.
Two weeks later, Kate stared down at her newborn’s face. “You know Jaffri is going to be unbearable now.”
Talal laughed. “Why? Because he demanded a brother and you gave him one?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, I think he was strutting a bit this morning.”
Kate laughed, and gazed down at her adorable hours-old son. “I don’t mind another son,” she told him. “I got to choose Jaffri’s name. You should choose this little man’s name.”
Talal stared down at the infant in his wife’s arms. “I think Tavon would be a good name for him.”
Kate smiled. “Tavon it is. I wonder if Jaffri will approve.”
Talal leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Kate’s forehead. Kate took it for the message intended – an announcement of his love for her.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
Excerpt to The Desert Prince’s Bride
Book 2, The Sheiks of Altair
Release Date: September 14, 2018
(Small note – I set the release date for “Her Secret” earlier than the final book of The Lottery Winners Series – so if you’d like to read Tony and Julia’s story – Seduced – then click HERE. Seduced comes out August 17, 2018. If you want to go directly to the next book in the Sheiks of Altair series, read below – and enjoy!)
Her Secret Page 17