The Sheikh & the Princess Bride (16 page)

“I want you to marry me. Have my children. Be a part of me, a part of my country. I cannot survive without you.”

Tears burned in her eyes. She blinked them away. “I love you,
Jefri
. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“Then you’ll say yes?”

“Yes. For always.”

He plunged into her, claiming her with an intimate pleasure that swept her into another dimension.

Later, when they could both breathe easily, she snuggled close.

“I guess I never have to take this off now,” she said, holding up her wrist and admiring the bracelet.

“You will never have to worry,” he told her. “My people will love you as I do.

This will be your home. The palace and the skies.”

She rested her chin on his chest and looked at him. “So you’re not going to get all weird and tell me I have to give up flying?”

“Of course not. You belong with the clouds. The difference is now I will join you there.”

“I’ll still beat you in a dogfight. Don’t think marrying me is going to change that.”

He laughed. “I now have a lifetime to practice. Eventually I will win.”

“In your dreams.”

His smile faded. “You are my dream. My fantasy. For always.”

She sighed. “You’re really good at this.”

“I am very much in love.”

“Me, too. In fact—”

A faint scratching caught her attention. “Oh, give me a sec. Muffin needs to go out. I just have to open the suite door.”

Billie stood, slipped on
Jefri’s
shirt then walked out to the living room where she let out her dog. Then she hurried back to the bedroom.

“Where were we?” she asked as she slipped back under the covers.

Jefri
reached for her. “I believe we were here.”

Muffin trotted down the long corridors of the palace, ignoring all the cats she passed. At the large, carved doors she waited while the guard let her in, then she hurried over to the big sofa opposite the window.

“There you are,” the king said as he patted the cushion next to his. “Did you not see? I told you things would work out.”

Muffin jumped up next to the king. The white cat there shifted to make room, then began to groom Muffin’s face. The small dog sighed with pleasure.

“Only Murat is left,” the king said. “But not to worry. I have given the situation much thought and I have come up with an excellent plan. Would you like to hear it