The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 9)

by Cara Albany

  Aliyah pushed her foot down on the accelerator, and she felt herself sink back into the soft leather seats as the car picked up speed. She glanced urgently in the mirror expecting to see Shahid's car pick up speed and gain on her. But she didn't see any immediate reaction on his part. Was he just content to travel the same road as her, but do nothing to draw close or try stop her. Not that she would expect Shahid to do any such thing. She knew he wasn't the kind of man to resort to that kind of behavior. Maybe he was just making sure she got home safely.

  She drove on for a while, regularly checking in the mirror to see just how close he intended to get to her. It looked like he'd settled into a position a few hundred yards behind her car.

  Aliyah smiled as she thought of Shahid's determination, his undeniable tenacity in the face of her constant resistance. He wanted her. There was no doubting that. She knew that for sure. It was just like him to not let go, to keep on trying to break down the barrier between them. She had to acknowledge one thing.

  Shahid wasn't a man who gave up easily.

  Aliyah had never felt wanted like this in her entire life. His kisses had ignited passion inside her every time. His touch triggered a flame of desire that tempted and terrified her, all at the same time. What was it about Shahid that drew her to him like a moth to a flame?

  It was simple. He was the most incredible man she had ever known. And the fact that he was relentlessly pursuing her, wooing her, courting her was surely something to treasure. Wasn't it?

  She drove on for a while longer, her mind a riotous, confused cacophony of warring thoughts. She could still feel the remnants of the passion he'd ignited in her. Every nerve in her body tingled at the memory of his touch, the sensations he'd sparked in her body.

  What was she to do? He'd invited her to his palace. For lunch? Really? She knew that if she accepted the invitation, there would be only one outcome. Did she really want that?

  Even as she asked herself that question, she already knew the answer. She'd known the answer for a very long time.

  Every part of her being wanted to be with Shahid, wanted to surrender to him, wanted to submit to his ferocious, tender desire. Her breath caught in her chest at that thought, at the images it conjured up in her mind.

  Dare she give in to the yearnings tugging at her, pulling her relentlessly toward Shahid? If she gave herself completely to Shahid, she knew her life would be altered irrevocably.

  Up ahead she saw the crossroads she and Shahid had come to earlier in the week. On that occasion, she'd chosen the safe route, the one to the beach where the first real inklings of what was to come had been revealed. This time, there was only one road she was seriously considering.

  The one to the right, heading north to Shahid's palace.

  She slowed the car and glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing that Shahid had done likewise. She saw his face through the glass of his windscreen. He seemed to be patiently waiting. Did he guess what she was deliberating about? Of course, he did, she told herself. They'd been through this before, only this time it was so different.

  She slowed her car to a halt and gave herself one long moment to really consider whether this was the right thing to do. Shahid had slowed his car to a halt, and she almost expected him to draw up beside her, but he didn't, instead keeping a distance.

  Aliyah drew in a sharp breath, feeling the pulsing excitement coursing throughout her body at the prospect of what she was about to do.

  Then, with a sudden gesture, she brought the indicator down with a sharp movement of her hand. In the mirror, she saw Shahid smile as he saw the indicator of Aliyah's car begin to flash, telling him in no uncertain terms that she had made a decision to take the right-hand road.

  Aliyah pressed down on the accelerator and the car surged, leaving Shahid's car behind. She twisted the steering wheel and heard her tires squealing, almost as if in protest. Then she was heading north, faster than she'd anticipated at first. It almost felt like she was trying to beat Shahid to his own palace.

  Behind her, she heard the engine of Shahid's car roar and then he was following her up the road. His car was obviously quicker than hers, and in a moment his was alongside her, and he she saw him looking at her through his side window, a broad smile on his face.

  Aliyah knew there would be no competition if she decided to make a race out this, but that didn't stop her from quirking a brow at him and then slamming her foot down on the gas. Her car sped forward, momentarily leaving Shahid's behind.

  She'd always been so cautious in everything she did, always been the prim and proper daughter and sister. Right now, though, she'd never felt more alive. She felt exhilarated, filled with anticipation at what awaited her in the palace. She tried not to think of that too much. Instead, she leaned forward and pressed her foot down as hard as she could, sensing, out of the corner of her eye, the golden dunes rushing past in the afternoon sunlight.

  Then she heard a loud roar and Shahid was beside her again. She glanced across and saw the flash of his red sports car as it hurtled past her own more modest little vehicle. Shahid settled his car in front of her, and they were both still racing at top speed, even though it was clear that Shahid could have gone much faster if he wanted to. The way he'd tucked in ahead of her, it felt almost as if he was escorting her to his palace, ensuring she got there safely.

  Aliyah took the hint and lessened the pressure on her accelerator. She slowed and saw Shahid do the same.

  Aliyah gazed ahead at the road which stretched to the horizon. It wouldn't take long to get to the palace, perhaps a half hour. Plenty of time to calm herself, prepare herself for what was to come. If it was even possible to prepare for someone like Shahid, she told herself. She'd already made her mind up what would happen once she arrived there. It would finally be time to find out, once and for all, what it meant to give herself to the one man who had succeeded in conquering her heart.

  Chapter Sixteen

  They arrived at the palace together and drew their cars to a halt in front of the steps that led up to the entrance.

  It seemed somehow fitting that they should pull their cars to a halt at the same moment, Aliyah told herself. This was no longer a race. There was no contest anymore, no need to battle with other. As far as she was concerned, they both knew what they needed, what each of them wanted from the other. She watched Shahid get out of his car and stride over to her vehicle. He'd discarded his jacket and was dressed just in his white shirt and pants. He'd loosened the top buttons of his shirt, and she could see the tempting curls of his dark chest hair.

  Shahid halted by the side of the car and gazed at Aliyah. There was a hungry, eager look on his face. She opened the door and accepted his outstretched hand. She eased herself out of the car, and before she knew what had happened, Shahid had dragged her into his arms, crushed her against him, his lips crashing down upon hers. The kiss was ravenous, yet tender. She lifted herself up on her tiptoes, feeling completely enveloped in him, sensing the sheer strength of his desire in the way he held her.

  She felt the firmness of his desire pressing against her through the fabric of his pants, realizing the effect all of this was having on him. She felt heat ignite in her own body, tracing a warm path. Every nerve tingled with life. She lifted her head, opening her mouth, welcoming the teasing movements of his tongue. He tasted wonderful, and she inhaled his musky scents, drowning deliriously in the reality of being possessed by him.

  His sheer presence dominated every part of her awareness; his touch; his taste; his scent. She'd never felt like this before. She felt something shift within her, and realized that a barrier had been breached by his commanding, insistent action. A line had been crossed by them both. There was no going back.

  Aliyah snaked her fingers through his hair and felt him react by holding her even more closely, his kiss becoming all-consuming, almost savage in its intensity. She didn't care if anyone could see them. All she could feel was Shahid and the hot sun beating down upon them.

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sp; Finally, their lips parted and Shahid gazed at her in wonder. There was full understanding in that look, she told herself. Nothing needed to be said. They both knew what was coming next.

  "Aliyah," he gasped. "I don't know what to say."

  She stroked the side of his face tenderly and shook her head. "Shahid," she breathed. "I don't know why it took so long for me to come to you. But, I'm glad now."

  Shahid smiled tenderly and kissed her again, this time with a softness that contrasted with the previous passion.

  Their lips parted and he took her hand, led her up the stairs and into the palace hallway. They paused at the foot of the wide stairs that would lead them up to the upper floor. Where his bedroom was, she realized.

  He glanced at her and there was a brief moment when it seemed they exchanged one more final, unspoken question. They didn't need to say anything, she realized. There was only one place she wanted to be, right now. And that was in Shahid's bed.

  She gazed at him, willing him to understand what she wanted, even though she still struggled to find the words that would capture how she felt at this moment.

  Then he started to lead her up the staircase, and she felt a new wave surge over her, anticipation mingling with uncertainty. But she followed him, in spite of the treacherous emotions that tempted her to call the whole thing off.

  Moments later they were at the door to what she assumed was Shahid's bedroom. He opened the door and she followed him into the room. It was a suite, tastefully furnished, elegantly designed. But, all she could see as she walked into the room were the open doors through which she could see the large bed that awaited them both.

  Shahid closed the door and kissed Aliyah, as if it testing her for one last confirmation that she wanted to be here with him. She gave herself over completely to his tender caresses, swept up in him even more intensely, sensing that his need had grown.

  Their lips parted and he gazed, lovingly at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and barely contained desire. He wanted her. She could see that in his eyes. No. It was more than that, she told herself. He didn't just want her. He needed her; had to claim her; possess her. The feral, determined look triggered pulsing need in her, triggered heat at her core. She drew in a deep, calming breath in a desperate attempt to control her quivering nerves. She'd never felt more alive, never known a man could make her feel like this.

  Then Shahid led her into the bedroom, all the while never taking his eyes off her, as if he worshiped her, idolized her.

  The sight of the bed made her hesitate slightly, but then all thoughts of delay were swept away by Shahid as he kissed her again. His hands traced a line down her sides, to her hips and then across her back.

  Then he started to unbutton the back of her dress. The dress slipped from her body with his expert touch. She felt the fabric tumbling to the floor around her feet. She shifted it away and slipped off her flat shoes. All she was wearing now were her bra and panties. The instinct to clasp her hands across herself tried to seize hold of her, but she resisted it, pushing the impulse away.

  Shahid gazed down at her body and she saw the appreciation on his features. He kissed her once more. This time being crushed against him felt even more intense, her bare skin pressing against the fabric of his clothes.

  Then their lips parted and she watched as Shahid took a step back and looked at Aliyah, his eyes narrowing, his brows furrowing. There was an untamed quality in that gaze which had been missing moments before, as if seeing Aliyah almost naked had made something shift in Shahid.

  He started to unbutton his white shirt. As she watched the buttons loosen one by one, she felt a sudden tightness in her throat. She was sure desire was written all across her face as her gaze traced a line down Shahid's amazing torso. He pulled the shirt apart revealing tight muscles, a broad powerful chest matted with hair across which she could imagine tracing her fingers.

  Shahid seemed to know the effect he was having on her because he grinned wolfishly at her. Then the shirt was tossed to the floor and he started to unbutton his pants, slowly easing them down his hips, revealing white boxers. Inside those boxer shorts she could see all the evidence she needed of his desire. She felt herself weaken for a moment, and she placed a hand across her belly, sensing the heat and the nerves that had been ignited by the sight of an almost naked Shahid.

  Finally, he cast aside his pants, and they stood face to face, almost completely exposed to one another.

  Shahid came to her and swept her into his arms, crashing his lips down onto hers, devouring her with even more ferocity than before. Aliyah felt the heat of his skin against hers, felt the insistent pressure of him against her bare flesh. She surrendered to every sensation he sparked in her body.

  Then he drew her slowly toward the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hands on her hips. He looked up at her, and she couldn't prevent herself from looking down at him and running her hands through his hair. The impulse to kiss him overwhelmed her, and she leaned down quickly and kissed him.

  Their lips parted, and she watched as he reached around and unclipped her bra, tugging it away and dropping it to the floor. He watched wide-eyed as her breasts were revealed to him. In a moment his head dipped, and his lips were on the nipple of one of her breasts.

  She gasped as she felt his lips laving her nipple sending waves of pleasure rippling through her body. She pulled his head closer to her, needing more of the exquisite sensation, wanting as much of it as she could have.

  He seemed to almost feed upon her flesh, driving sensation through her body. He moved his head across and began to suckle her other breast, once again sending shivers of delight coursing through her body.

  She felt his hands reach down and tug on her panties, easing them across her hips. The thought that, in mere moments, she would be utterly naked in front of him made pleasure explode within her. Every nerve in her body quivered uncontrollably as she felt him guide her panties down past her thighs. His head drifted lower, and he kissed her bare belly. Then she felt her panties lowered all the way to her feet, and she flicked them away quickly, impatience taking over.

  Aliyah knew he was looking at her now, knew that she was completely open to him, in a way that she had never been to anyone.

  But, she trusted him now. That much was clear. She wanted him to see her naked, because it was clear from his reaction to her, that he needed to explore every part of her body.

  She felt his tongue trace a line across her belly; felt his warm breath against her skin. His hands settled on her hips again, and he lifted his mouth to one of her breasts, once again suckling on her nipple. Sensation flooded her, consuming her.

  Then he stood quickly, facing her and gazing into her eyes with such love that it made her throat tighten suddenly with an uncontrollable surge of emotion.

  "Aliyah, I love you," he growled.

  The words sent her world spinning, banished all thought from her mind. She gazed at him in wonder and gasped. She'd never seen such burning sincerity in anyone's eyes before.

  As Shahid kissed her forehead, she tried desperately to force herself to think, to find what she could say in response to that. In the end, there was only one thing she could say. When his head eased away, and he looked at her again, she spoke, her voice cracking with emotion.

  "I love you, Shahid," she whispered.

  His eyes widened, and she asked herself if he really had been so surprised at her saying those words to him. But, she'd said them, and it was too late to take the words back. Even if she had any desire to that, which she knew in the depths of her soul she didn't.

  Shahid kissed her again and turned her around, holding on to her, then guiding her gently down onto her back on the bed.

  As she lay on the bed looking up at him, now so wonderfully exposed to him, she felt heat flame at her core. She watched as Shahid hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his shorts. He gazed at her, almost as if he was trying to make sure she was watching him, almost as if he was trying t
o ensure she was enjoying the sight of him finally revealing himself.

  Then he slid the shorts down across his hips, stooping down the length of his legs, and discarded them. He stood erect in front of her, and she savored the full glory of him, the sight of his fullness. She swallowed involuntarily at the sight of his arousal. His eyes became dark with desire, and his gaze drifted down the length of her naked body. There was visible pleasure on his features, obvious hunger.

  She saw an instant reaction in him as he looked at her, a movement that was instinctive and uncontrolled. She could see that his body was responding to hers as much as she was to him.

  Shahid came down onto the bed next to her, sliding easily alongside her, settling against her. Aliyah reached across and sought out yet another long, soul-touching kiss. Shahid's lips took her to new heights of pleasure.

  He shifted as he kissed her, his warm naked body moving across her. Her body ignited with instant need as she felt his weight upon her, felt the hardness of him press against her soft middle. Just like her, his skin was already damp with a thin sheen of sweat, the heat of their passion real and physical.

  Their eyes met and exchanged a wordless devotion that neither of them could deny. Aliyah kissed him and opened her legs, feeling him position himself near her core. The anticipation was driving her crazy, but still, he wasn't finished tormenting her.

  His head dipped, and he laved her nipples, sending spasms of delight to her core, igniting desperate need that made her squirm impatiently. She raked her nails down his back and felt his body jerk, a brief appreciative convulsion shaking him. He looked at her and smiled. She gazed at him, trying to communicate her longing, eager that he be in absolutely no doubt just how she felt. Surely he must know what he was putting her through, she told herself. This was unbearable, a passionate trial she wasn't sure she could endure any longer.

  She wanted their closeness to be complete, the total intimacy she craved so much.