The Last Prince of Dahaar Page 17
“I want to live with you, I want to laugh with you, I want to snatch any happiness I find with you. If you don’t leave tonight, there is no turning back, ya habibati. I will never ever let you go again, not even if you beg me.”
He clasped her cheeks, his long fingers greedy in the way they moved over her. His gaze shone with everything Zohra wanted to see in it when he looked at her—his pain, his honor and his love. It was all she ever wanted. “I am in love with you, Zohra. You were right. I let guilt pollute everything I felt for you, everything I found with you. But no more, ya habibati. You and I and our happiness together, I will allow nothing to mar it. Will you still have me, Zohra, knowing what lies ahead for us?”
Zohra kissed him, melting into his embrace, joy flooding every inch of her. His hunger matched hers, as his mouth moved over her lips as if he would never get enough. “There was no turning back for me from the moment you kissed me, the moment you came to my defense, the moment you said my honor was your honor. I will always love you, Ayaan.”
She tucked her face into his shoulder, she clutched his shirt in her fingers, striving to fight the depth of emotion that overpowered her. The love she felt for him had already been fierce, but now that he had accepted it, now that he had admitted what she and their happiness meant to him, it flew through her with an incredible force.
She would allow no one to add to his burden, not even the brother who meant everything to Ayaan. She would allow no one to steal even an ounce of happiness from him.
“You can’t give up on him, can you? I am sure he knows that, too. And whatever you have to do for him, for Dahaar, I will be right by your side.”
His fingers moved over her cheeks, his gaze glittered with a happiness that stole her breath. “I am never going to stop loving you, Zohra, will never forget what you brought into my life.”
“And what you brought into mine, Ayaan. Never forget that either.”
He nodded, kissed her again and picked her up. “There is one problem, ya habibati. I still don’t think you should be sleeping beside me at night. I don’t want to ever wake up and learn that I hurt you even a little. I couldn’t bear it.”
Breathing through the happiness that constricted her chest, Zohra nuzzled into his neck. “I have the best idea about how to take care of that, Ayaan.”
Gold fire lit up his eyes.
“How about we cuff you every night before you sleep? That way, I won’t get hurt and you are...”
Ayaan laughed, the naughty glint in his wife’s eyes sending a thrill running through him. The guilt, the pain, they would all forever be a part of him, but as long as he had Zohra by his side, he would tackle them. Because he also had a taste of utter joy. “Your wish is my command, Princess.”
* * * * *
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Harlequin Presents welcomes you to the world of The Chatsfield, synonymous with style, spectacle...and scandal!
Read on for an exclusive extract from Lucy Monroe’s stunning story SHEIKH’S SCANDAL
The first in an exciting new 8-book series: THE CHATSFIELD.
* * *
THE GUEST ELEVATORS at The Chatsfield Hotel London were spacious by any definition, but the confined area felt small to Aaliyah Amari.
‘You’re not very western in your outlook,’ she said, trying to ignore the unfamiliar desires and emotions roiling through her.
‘I am the heart of Zeena Sahra, should my people and their ways not be the center of mine?’
She didn’t like how much his answer touched her. To cover her reaction she waved her hand between the two of them and said, ‘This isn’t the way of Zeena Sahra.’
‘You are so sure?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
He laughed, the honest sound of genuine amusement more compelling than even the uninterrupted regard of the extremely handsome man.
‘You are not like other women.’
‘You’re the emir.’
‘You are saying other women are awed by me.’
She gave him a wry look and said dryly, ‘You’re not conceited at all, are you?’
‘Is it conceit to recognize the truth?’
She shook her head. Even arrogant, she found this man irresistible and had the terrible suspicion he knew it, too.
Unsure how she got there, she felt the wall of the elevator at her back. Sayed’s body was so close his outer robes brushed her. Her breath came out on a shocked gasp.
He brushed her lower lip with his fingertip. ‘Your mouth is luscious.’
‘This is a bad idea.’
‘Is it?’ he asked, his head dipping towards hers.
‘Yes. I’m not part of the amenities.’
‘I know.’ His tone rang with sincerity.
‘I don’t do elevator romps,’ she clarified, just in case he didn’t get it.
Something flared in his dark gaze and Sayed stepped back, shaking his head. ‘I apologize, Miss Amari. I do not know what came over me.’
‘I’m sure you’re used to women falling all over you,’ she offered by way of an explanation.
He frowned. ‘Is that meant to be a sop to my ego or a slam against it?’
‘Neither?’
He shook his head again, as if trying to clear it.
She wondered if it worked.
She would be grateful for a technique that brought back her own usual way of thinking, unobscured by this unwelcome and unfamiliar desire.
* * *
Step into the gilded world of the Chatsfields!
Where secrets and scandals lurk behind every door...
Reserve your room in May 2014!
Copyright © 2014 by Lilles Slawik
ISBN-13: 9781460328828
THE LAST PRINCE OF DAHAAR
Copyright © 2014 by Tara Pammi
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