Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
T here was no sign of Zak when Soraiya awoke. She immediately wrapped herself in a robe and put her ear against the interconnecting door. Nothing. He was either fast asleep or had already gone out. She glanced at the clock. It was later than she’d imagined. Yep. He’d definitely started his day. And so should she.
They still had a palace full of guests, many of whom she hadn’t had a proper chance to talk to. Including her sister-in-law, Sarah, who’d arranged a second meeting before she and Kadar returned to the remote corner of Sirun in which they lived. Soraiya was determined to begin her marriage as she meant to continue. Making sure she did her duty as Queen and built relationships with her new family and all those people who were important to her new country, and her new husband. This she could handle. This was far more familiar ground.
“I hope you don’t mind my not attending tonight’s banquet,” said Sarah, struggling to comfortably accommodate her seven- month pregnant stomach as she sat down. She grimaced. “I think he’s playing soccer in there, with my bladder as his football. By the time evening comes, I’m beat. I wouldn’t be able to sit in one of those formal chairs all evening.”
Soraiya smiled sympathetically, and passed her a cushion which Sarah slipped behind the small of her back. “I don’t mind at all. I quite understand and appreciate your suggestion that we catch up before it. Besides, it’ll give us a chance to talk privately.”
Sarah grinned. “My thoughts exactly.” She sat back more comfortably now, her hands lightly cupping her stomach. “We women have to support each other, married to these macho brothers.”
Soraiya looked down, surprised at such plain speaking, and poured a glass of tea for them both. She’d collected herself as she reached over and placed the glass on the table beside Sarah, and smiled. “Like sisters,” she said. “I don’t have a sister and always wanted one.”
“Me, too,” Sarah said, with an answering warm smile. “I hope we can be good friends and allies even though we’ll be living at opposite ends of the country. Still, we’re only a short helicopter ride away if we need each other.”
As lovely as Sarah was, Soraiya couldn’t imagine an instance when she’d need Sarah. She’d grown up to be self-sufficient and resilient and knew this world and its customs.
Sarah reached out and placed her hand over Soraiya’s. Judging from Sarah’s expression, she must have divined Soraiya’s thoughts—no doubt because she’d never been able to dissemble. Whatever she was thinking could be read on her face and was, more often than not, spoken out loud.
“You have the advantage of me, Soraiya. You were born in a neighboring country and understand the culture and ways implicitly. My family was from here, but I was raised in England. Sometimes I just don’t get things, so I guess what I’m saying is I could really use a friend.”
Soraiya was touched. “And I would be honored to be that friend.”
She appreciated Sarah’s tact and sensitivity. She knew she was really saying that if Soraiya needed a friend, Sarah would be there for her. Except she’d stated it the other way around in case Soraiya took offence. Somehow, Soraiya doubted if she would ever take offence at anything Sarah said or did because she knew she had a kind heart. The sort of heart she could trust.
As at their first meeting, Soraiya felt moved and a little choked-up by Sarah’s warmth and kindness. She hadn’t expected it. In fact, she’d felt a little frosty at the thought of meeting the woman who’d stolen her fiancé away. She was daunted at meeting someone who could inspire such love in a man that he would abdicate his crown for her.
“Good.” Sarah squeezed Soraiya’s hand and sat back and took a sip of her tea. She sighed, and put the glass back on the table. “I have to say I think things are looking up for the al-Hadar brothers. How can they not succeed in creating a more peaceful and prosperous country with the force of us two women behind them?”
Sarah laughed and Soraiya couldn’t help joining her. Her warmth and humor were infectious.
“Anyway,” said Sarah, “let me give you the low down on who’s going tonight, and what to expect.”
The morning passed happily in Sarah’s company, and Soraiya learned a lot from her modest but informative sister-in-law. But, too soon, they had to part so Soraiya could meet her other obligations.
After an afternoon of semi-formal meetings where she and Zak accepted congratulations and presents from leading members of the community, tribes, and interest groups, Soraiya longed for peace and quiet. Unfortunately there wasn’t time for any, and the afternoon of festivities led into the evening dinner. If she’d had any doubts as to Sarah’s decision not to attend the evening of feasting, music and entertainment, they were wiped out early on. As beautiful as it all was, Soraiya knew nobody and the stress was beginning to tell. The hour had grown late and she was tired and had let her guard down a little.
“And your wife, Her Royal Highness,” said the sheikh of a small neighboring country. “We look forward to receiving you both when you visit to discuss matters of mutual interest between our two lands.”
Zak frowned—the first of the evening—and Soraiya wondered what had been said which he disliked so much. She soon found out. He turned away, ignoring the man, but the man didn’t take the hint.
“It’ll be like old times,” the sheikh reminisced. “When Her Royal Highness Sheikha Alishaba accompanied your father, the king. She was indeed an accomplished negotiator.” He smiled at the memory.
“My wife will not be engaging in business matters,” said Zak with a frosty finality which the older man appeared not to notice, because he turned to Soraiya with a warm smile.
“But you are experienced in such matters, so I understand. Are you not?”
“I am,” Soraiya said. “I have worked with my father on many such missions before.” She stole a glance at Zak who was looking away from her into the mid distance. She couldn’t interpret his expression. She hardly knew him, so decided to answer the sheikh. Surely it would be rude not to? “And I look forward to visiting you as soon as it can be arranged,” she said, pleased with her tactful diplomacy.
Zak looked at her coldly. “For social events, of course, but not for business. Never for business.”
Soraiya flushed with embarrassment. Why would Zak insist on that proviso to her statement? Perhaps she’d misheard. She didn’t want any misunderstandings to come between them. She knew how damaging they could be, not only in relationships, but in politics. Both of which encompassed her marriage. Now wasn’t a time to broach the subject. But later, when they were alone, she’d talk to him about it. This was their future, and it was important for him to understand the role she intended to play in their marriage.
Now,” Zak continued, as if he hadn’t just humiliated her by correcting her publicly. “I think it’s time to conclude this evening’s entertainment.”
Arm-in-arm they walked through the banqueting hall, saying their farewells to people, until at last they were free. She heaved a sigh of relief as they walked through the gardens towards their rooms.
“You did well,” said Zak at last, breaking a long silence.
She glanced, suddenly hoping she’d misinterpreted his comment. “Thank you,” she said as they stopped outside their rooms. “I wonder if we could have a few moments to talk.”
“About what?”
She shrugged. She wasn’t used to not speaking her mind but was suddenly scared that her husband, this man about whom she knew so little, wouldn’t welcome what she had to say. “Just something I wanted to understand. Something I wanted to make sure we both agreed on.”
“We can talk tomorrow,” he said in a way which brooked no contradiction. The conversation was at an end.
She nodded, her heart plummeting again. Apart from wanting to clarify his earlier comment, she’d hoped for more of the intimacy she’d experienced the previous night. She hoped he wasn’t simply going to return to his room alone. Standing so close to him brought back memories of the way he’d touched her, and their kiss… She licked her lips but his expression didn’t change. She blinked. He didn’t want a repeat performance. She’d displeased him in some way.
“Right. I guess I’ll get an early night, then.” She opened the door to her bedroom, but before she could step inside, he reached out and tugged her to him. And she had no intention of resisting. She wasn’t used to such feelings of desire and her soul was needy for love.
“Tomorrow we will talk,” he repeated. “But tonight, I have other things on my mind.”
Before she knew it, he was inside her room, and the door was firmly closed behind him.
She could have stopped him if she’d wanted to but even while her mind was telling her they needed to talk first, her body was yielding to his touch. A shiver ran through her as he caressed her cheek, and she lifted her face to his. She wanted what he’d given her yesterday. She needed it.
She needed the way he looked at her and the way his fingers swept down her cheek and pressed against her mouth. She needed the way her lips pressed against his fingers kissing them with a pent-up desire which completely gave her away. She needed all of it like a woman lost in a desert for too long for whom nothing else mattered except water.
He kissed her then but didn’t immediately seek her tongue with his. And she needed this too it seemed because it was her tongue which pushed into his mouth, making his breath catch with desire.
Too soon, he pulled away and gently took off her evening dress, placing an arousing, erotic kiss on her shoulders and upper arm, and on each newly revealed patch of skin as her dress fell to her feet. She caught her breath as he kissed her neck again.
There was no artificial light in the room—only that of the moon through the curtains, its bright light softened and transformed into something magical. It must have been magic because of the next thing she did. Last night he hadn’t seen her completely naked but now she wanted him to. So she unfastened her bra. It hung in front of her and he removed it, caressing her breasts as he did so.
He pulled down her panties and stepped away to look at her. His throat convulsed and his eyes darkened. Never before had she been looked at like this. She’d imagined it a thousand times, wondering how she would react. And now she knew. She didn’t retreat but basked in the attention because it felt so right, and it only made her want more.
“You look so beautiful… exquisite. Last night, I touched you. Tonight I will taste you.”
He reached out and with the tip of his finger he touched her chest before trailing down over her breast, around her nipple, brushing it with the soft pad of his finger, reigniting that now familiar tugging sensation of desire. She gasped and pushed out her breasts, wanting more.
He smiled and bridged the gap between them and did exactly what she’d been wanting him to do. With infinite care, he caressed and kissed her breasts, taking time to judge her reaction and discover what she liked. It seemed to her she liked it all.
Just as she thought she would orgasm from his touch on her breasts alone, he took hold of her hand and led her to the bed. It didn’t take a genius to realize he wanted her on it. And she was only too happy to oblige. She had no idea what was about to happen. But, if last night was anything to go by, she knew she wouldn’t be disappointed. She sat awkwardly on the bed, not quite knowing what he wanted her to do.
“Lay down,” he growled. She did as he instructed.
Still fully dressed he knelt on the bed in front of her and, with one hand either side of her kissed her thoroughly so she shed the last of her inhibitions and, when he pushed her legs apart, she had no thoughts of resisting.
He smoothed his hands around her thighs as he dropped kisses on her neck, her chest, her belly and then lower. She gasped as she suddenly realized what his intention was. She reached down to urge him away. It didn’t seem right. But then his tongue made contact with a part of her which shattered all thoughts of resistance.
She cried out as he went further, caressing her most intimate parts with his lips and tongue and then his fingers, too. He played her body as if it were an instrument and he was drawing out of her melodies she didn’t know were there. The melodies began as long, drawn-out notes but soon quickened, swirling into an insistent beat which took her closer to the place she wanted to be, until she was balanced on the edge of something into which she knew instinctively she wanted to fall.
Then she cried out and her hips bucked as she found her fingers were thrust through his hair, holding him there, needing every second of sensation he could give her as she plunged into a convulsing orgasm which shocked her by its intensity.
She lay back with a gasp and released her grip of his head. He looked up with a smile.
“I thought you would taste good.”
She laughed and, suddenly embarrassed, rolled her head to one side. He lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms. Nestled against his chest, his fragrance mingled with that of the jasmine and gardenia which drifted in through the open windows, and with the moonlight streaming across the floor, Soraiya thought she’d never felt so right. Held by a man whose heart she knew to be good and kind, but who was still a stranger to her in so many ways. But he wouldn’t be for long, she thought as she slipped into a lethargy she could not resist. Too soon, she drifted into a dreamless sleep.
Zak looked down at her long eyelashes which curled like two crescents below her lids. She looked more delicate in sleep than she did during the day when the strength of her personality overshadowed her physical features. Or nearly did.
But the truth was, she was more delicate—much sweeter and more naive than he’d imagined she’d be with a father like hers. Far sweeter than he deserved. But, as charming as she was, there was no way he would permit her to work as his mother had. That had led to disaster and he would never allow history to repeat itself.
He’d find other ways for her to pass her time. Things like this—pleasure, seduction. And, he thought, as he shifted uncomfortably, next time she would willingly accept him. He certainly didn’t think he could take another evening of such intense frustration. He gently pulled away from her and rose. She was breathtaking. He would let her sleep. For now.