The Sheik's Love Child (10 page)

Pulling on the dress, she turned and looked at her reflection in the dressing room mirror, stunned by how the designer had created something that cinched in her waist, while at the same time, creating a silhouette that enhanced every feminine aspect of her figure. And it was extremely comfortable.

Stepping out of the dressing room, she reached behind her and tried to find the zipper. “Alea, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think I can wear something this….” She couldn’t think of an adjective before she heard Kalil’s amused voice behind her.

“Alluring?” he suggested.

Dani spun around to face him and had to gasp at how handsome he looked. He was dressed in dress slacks with a button down, white shirt open at the collar. She could see a small amount of his chest and her mouth went dry, her fingers itched to touch his skin.

Without her being aware of it, Alea left the two of them alone. “You look lovely,” he said softly, walking up to stand in front of her. “That dress makes you look very feminine.”

Dani finally broke eye contact with him and took a needed step back. Breathing in large gulps of air, she looked down at herself. “I don’t want you to get the wrong impression,” she said.

“What would be the wrong impression?”

“That I’m yours for the taking,” she replied.

“I would never assume that. All I’m hoping for is a nice, relaxing dinner with you. Is that too much?”

“No,” she replied, feeling silly.

“Good,” he smiled and Dani’s heart skipped a beat. “Then let’s eat,” he said and took her hand in his warm one to guide her out of her room to the patio outside her door. She hadn’t realized it, but someone had set up dinner out on the wrought iron table. It was now covered in white linen, candles and silver covered dishes.

Kalil walked up to the table and seated her in one of the cushioned chairs. “Would you like some wine?” he asked.

“That would be nice,” she said, needing anything to quench her thirst.

He poured her a delicious, crisp red wine, then poured another glass for himself. “To a peaceful night?” he suggested, raising his glass towards hers.

“Perfect,” she said and smiled tentatively towards him. “What’s the occasion?”

“None really. I’ve just had a busy day and was looking forward to a relaxing dinner with you. Did you have other plans?”

“You know I didn’t,” she said, glaring at him. “What on earth would I do besides try and convince you that this is all so unnecessary?”

“Perhaps learn more Arabic?” he suggested.

“I did ask Alea for some other phrases,” she said.

“What are they?”

Dani repeated her colors which Alea had taught her as they were choosing dresses earlier in the evening.

Kalil laughed at her pronunciation but she could tell that he was impressed. “I’ll have a tutor come to the palace tomorrow. Perhaps that would help as well. I’m glad you like your assistant though.”

“She’s wonderful. Where did you find her?”

“I have a great staff who continue to find other useful people to help run the country. What would you do if you were queen?”

“That’s an interesting question. What would you suggest? I could just spend my day changing clothes and appearing at various places.”

“That’s one idea.”

“Well, with all the clothes that keep appearing, I was wondering if that was the plan.”

“Do you not like clothes? I thought all women loved to have new outfits.”

“I wasn’t much into fashion,” he admitted. “I was actually the girl who wore jeans all the time in school and tried to keep up with the boys.”

“I’m guessing that was in elementary school. What about when you were in high school?”

“Well, by that time, I was more interested in school than boys. And by the time I went to university, I guess I dated but there wasn’t anything serious. Mostly just friends.”

“Why is that?” he said once the servant left with the covers to their dishes.

“Why is what?” she asked, distracted by the heavenly smell of the roasted salmon and rice pilaf. There was also asparagus with a tangy lemon sauce and a lovely garnish that looked too lovely to even move from the side of the plate.

“I just don’t understand how a woman as lovely as you could possibly be untouched at the age of twenty six.”

Dani raised one eyebrow. “As for that, no man really interested me enough to take the plunge into the scary world of sex.”

“Until me,” he clarified.

Dani didn’t like the smug look on his face. “I guess so,” she said non-committally.

“Are you challenging me to prove that I interest you?” he laughed. “Not a good idea when you’re dressed in that outfit.”

Dani blushed and turned her attention to the salmon. “What were you like as a child?” she asked.

“Mean.”

Dani laughed instantly. “Really?”

“No. I guess I was just curious about everything. I loved science. I once caused a fire in the laboratory in the East wing. My father was pretty furious.”

“What did he do?”

He stopped and thought for a moment. “I believe I wasn’t allowed in the laboratory until I repaired the damage to the room. I also had to write a paper on why the explosion happened.”

“You repaired the equipment?”

“Why is that so hard to believe?”

“Because you’re a prince. I just can’t see any person of royal descent stooping to manual labor.”

“My father had all of us do several kinds of jobs as we were growing up. He said it was the only way we would understand what we’re asking of others. My sisters even groomed their own horses for most of their years. They loved it. If it were up to their husbands, they would saddle their horses now.”

“I’m not saying it isn’t a worthy experience. I just can’t see you getting your hands dirty and calloused.”

“Believe it. I’ve done it several times and they are the best experiences of my life. Our son will also do those things.”

Dani lowered her lashes at the mention of a child. Looking at him across the table, she could easily imagine having children with him. But those thoughts led to the future and she knew there wasn’t one with this man.

“Where did you go to school?”

“I went to Oxford for my undergraduate degree and to Harvard Business School in America later on.”

“Wow! So you’re one of those really educated people?”

“I’m not sure I’m more educated than anyone else.”

Dani rolled her eyes. “I don’t have a graduate degree nor did I go to either of the top schools in the world.”

“Everything is relative. I don’t think I would have the patience to teach small children like you do.”

“You’re used to people jumping at your orders immediately, correct?”

“Everyone jumps except for one small woman.”

“You mean me, correct?”

“Exactly.”

“What order would you have me follow? Besides taking a pregnancy test.”

“I would simply order you into bed so I could make love to you all night, just as we did three weeks ago.”

His simple words made Dani’s mouth drop open. She had assumed he’d say something like share meals with him or help him with some sort of project. She wasn’t used to a man wanting her sexually.

“Well,” she said, clearing her throat. “That’s direct enough, I guess.”

“Would you like me to beat around the bush more?”

Dani shook her head then realized he probably couldn’t see her very well in the candlelight. “No. Direct is good. At least I understand your perspective.”

“Was there any doubt about my perspective?”

“I wasn’t really sure if I was here simply as a potential baby carrier,” she admitted.

“Never doubt that I want you. I know the feelings are reciprocated. I don’t understand why you are denying those feelings though.”

“I think we should change the subject,” she said and stood up, taking the glass of water with her and ignoring the full glass of wine. She walked off the patio, aware that he was following her but giving her the space she needed right at the moment.

“What are your sisters like?” she asked.

Kalil followed her and they talked about their siblings, what it was like to grow up in the palace with servants versus living in a suburban neighborhood. Kalil was open about his life and many of his stories made her laugh. He was a wonderful story teller.

What she didn’t realize was that as they walked, they were moving deeper into the garden where the dim lights from the candles and the interior were moving farther off. They were still within the walls of the palace so that may have lulled her into a false sense of security. But suddenly Dani looked around her and found she was surrounded by glowing blossoms.

“Where are we?” she asked, amazed at the lovely blooms at her fingertips.

“It is called a moonlight garden,” he explained, pulling one large, white blossom off a bush. “The flowers are all white so they glow in the moonlight.”

“How lovely,” she said, smiling as she took the offered flower. “I didn’t know this was possible.”

“It probably is possible everywhere but has a greater impact here in the dryer temperatures. The humidity of your English weather wouldn’t be conducive to glowing in the moonlight. You need strong moon beams to see the blossoms.”

“I suppose so,” she said, turning to find herself in Kalil’s arms.

“We’re going to make love tonight, Danielle,” he said with absolute confidence.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” she said but heard the breathless quality of her voice.

“Why not?” he asked, staring at her mouth as his hands rested lightly on her waist, drawing her closer to his tall, muscular body.

Dani tried to think but he was just too handsome. She put her hands on his chest in an effort to put more space between them. But all she felt was muscles and heat. Instead of pushing him away, her fingers explored, almost against her will. She was just too curious of his body.

“We should go inside,” he said, his voice rough as he felt her fingers run along his arms.

“No, please. Just stay out here for a little while,” she said, her mind spinning but aware enough that the bed was inside whereas there wasn’t a bed here in the moonlight.

As his hands slid up her waist, his mouth descended towards hers. She tried to brace herself, wanting to taste him but not wanting to lose control once again. She got only half her wish. As his mouth covered hers, she whimpered with excitement as he pulled her closer, his hands unzipping the dress and sliding inside. The double assault on her mouth and her skin made her shiver and press her body against his, needing to feel more.

The night air surrounded her as the dress dropped to the ground. She stood against him in only black lace underwear and black heels. She felt his fingers push the pins out of her hair and reached down to slide her fingers against the ridges of his stomach, moving around to his back and up, reveling in the feel of his muscles moving as she touched new parts of his body.

He tilted her head, his mouth moving down her neck, then suddenly she was lifted up and his mouth closed over her nipple. Dani couldn’t believe the heat that poured through her and her legs wrapped around his waist, her body moving against him as he pulled, nibbled and bit against her tender flesh. “I can’t take much more,” she cried out but her hands pressed his head against her breast, not letting him stop.

With a curse, Kalil held her against him as he dropped to the ground. Within moments, he had positioned herself over him, torn off the lace barricade and unzipped his slacks. “Dani!” he growled out when he was finally inside her, holding her hips still as he savored the feeling of being inside her warmth once again. “Don’t move,” he said when he felt her wiggle slightly.

“Can’t stop,” she gasped when she moved only slightly against him. “Please, Kalil,” she cried out. “Help me.”

That was the only thing that could move him at that moment. Looking up at her, noting that her eyes were closed and her body was writhing against him impossibly made him harder, driving himself deeper inside her. He knew she felt it too when he heard her gasp of surprise. With a groan, he pulled her hips up, then down once again, showing her how to move, watching her face to see what she liked the most.

And when she cried out her release, he was quick to follow, her cries pulling him along.

It was a long time later that Dani looked around, her eyes coming open with great effort. She noticed that they were still in the garden, laying on the soft grass and she shook her head.

“What?” he asked, his hands sifting through her hair, down her back and along her arms.

“We’re in the garden,” she said, resting her chin on the middle of his chest.

Kalil looked around, not really surprised by their surroundings. “So we are.”

She sighed and started to pull away. “I thought if we kissed out here in the garden, it would be safe and I could get away with only a taste.”

He lifted her up, then followed. “You were incorrect in that assumption, obviously.”