Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Shaun and Leeza settled into their rooms, then waited until the house went dark and silent before sneaking into Saskia’s room where they received a warm reception.
Saskia sat cross-legged on the bed with her sister, Shaun across from them in a chair, a knit blanket draped over her legs.
Ayaan, who had also made her way to Saskia’s room, lounged on the rug between them, a pillow beneath her head.
“It’s really quite beautiful here, once you’re out of the wilderness,” Shaun said, gazing out at the stars shining brightly through Saskia’s balcony doors. A band aid on her cheek just below her eye was the only remaining indication of her dangerous trek.
“We’re only missing one thing,” Leeza sighed, hugging a pillow to her stomach. Her gaze met Saskia’s, a mischievous smile creasing her lips as they both said at the same time, “Cocktails.”
Saskia laughed. “Yeah, about that…” She hadn’t planned the moment, but just as she spoke Shola came bustling through the door, her arms laden with wine bottles. Nikka followed behind with a tray of wineglasses and snacks.
Shola set the bottles down one at a time on the table, before turning a heated glare on Saskia. “This is not in my job description.”
“It’s punishment for not being on top of things when these three infiltrated the house,” Saskia said, knowing exactly how to get under Shola’s skin.
Ayaan rolled onto her front, watching the exchange with interest. “She was sharp enough to catch me.”
Shola’s gaze flickered to Ayaan, then quickly away.
“Doesn’t count. Radik was able to sneak up on both of us.
” Her glare switched to Saskia. “I’m not responsible for Marifiya’s defenses.
I sleep when you sleep so I can be an effective bodyguard when you’re awake and on the move. We’ve discussed this.”
“That sounds like a lot of words to say, ‘sleeping on the job’,” Leeza said, driving the knife a little deeper.
“I’m Nikka.” Nikka placed her tray on the table next to the wine bottles. “In case anyone was wondering.”
Shola’s hostile gaze slipped from woman to woman. “I’ll leave you to your pajama party.”
“No, stay. Both of you,” Saskia said, softening her tone. “We’re teasing. Have a drink with us.” Her amused gaze went down Shola’s body, taking in the baggy sweatpants and sleeveless shirt. “You’re already in your pajamas, so you’ll fit right in.”
“Count me in!” Nikka sang cheerfully.
“I don’t think so,” Shola said coolly, reaching for the door.
“What if I order you to stay?” Saskia almost regretted the words when Shola swung around to stare at her with an expression so frightening, Leeza edged closer to Saskia. “I mean, what do you know about these women, really? Shaun could have a rifle under her blanket. I might need a bodyguard.”
“Oh god,” Shaun squeaked, looking between them. “I don’t have a weapon, promise.”
Shola looked like she was going to explode, but finally said, “I hate you,” grabbed a bottle of wine and plopped herself on the floor next to the door, as far from the others as she could get.
“Yay, all my besties in one room!” Saskia pushed off the bed and went to hand out the wine, one to each of them.
“I don’t like red wine,” Nikka said, curling her lip at her bottle.
Saskia swapped it with hers, which was a chilled white. She’d instructed Shola to bring whatever she could find.
“Mine has a cork,” Leeza said mournfully, cradling the bottle against her body like it was a baby she would die to protect.
A corkscrew landed on the rug at her feet and she cast a grateful look toward Shola as she picked it up. “I know you hate us, but you have no idea how much this means to me. I am forever in your debt.”
Shola almost smiled and Saskia knew they would soon have her in their clutches.
“I think I’ll have to pass on the wine,” Shaun said regretfully. “I don’t think my chlorine tablets worked quite right. I haven’t been feeling well all day.”
“I can call the doctor back,” Saskia said anxiously, hoping it wasn’t anything serious.
“I’ll be fine, it’s a minor stomachache.” Shaun smiled reassuringly, but her eyes stayed on her lap.
They drank and talked for hours, until Shaun excused herself to go to bed and all the wine had been drunk. Leeza and Nikka were passed out in Saskia’s bed while Ayaan and Shola had made their way back to their own rooms, arm-in-arm, singing a song in Arabic as they left.
Saskia sat on the end of her bed, tired but not ready to sleep yet.
She bit her lip as she stared at the door separating her room from Radik’s. She shouldn’t go to him, not tonight, and definitely not drunk. That would be stupid. Right?
But she’d just spent the past few hours talking about him, explaining her love for him while the others listened avidly, Ayaan occasionally making gagging sounds when Saskia strayed too close to ‘sexy’ subjects.
As she’d talked to them, her love for him became sharper, clearer.
It was no longer a confusing mess in her head, but something that made sense. And now she wanted him more than ever.
Why was she hesitating? She knew what she wanted and nothing short of Leeza with a knife, blocking her from the door could stop her. She glanced at her sister who was snoring softly, her arm flung over Nikka’s legs.
Saskia made her way noiselessly to the door connecting her room to Radik’s. She tried the handle and discovered it was unlocked.
As she crept through, a masculine voice reached out to her. “I thought you women would not stop the party.” His tone was amused so she closed the door and moved toward him, finding him next to the open patio door.
“We kept you awake,” she said regretfully, hoping her words weren’t too slurred.
“No,” he said quickly. “I could have gone elsewhere if I’d wanted to sleep.” He took her arms gently and rubbed her skin, warming her. “I liked hearing you laugh. It’s why I stayed here, listening.”
She blushed and asked him shyly, “Could you hear what we said?”
“No, just the murmur of voices and the occasional bout of laughter.”
She pressed her hand to his chest. “Thank you.”
“Thank you?” he questioned. “I’ve done nothing to deserve your gratitude.”
“You have. You let them stay and you don’t seem angry that they came here. I know you respect your sister’s ability to take care of herself, so you have to know how deadly she and Leeza are as a team, and yet you allowed them into your home as honoured guests.”
His expression serious, he said, “For you I have done this. It goes against instinct to allow combatants who do not belong to me to be so near to what it mine, but for you, I will allow it.”
She went up on her toes to kiss his jaw, trailing her lips down his neck, her hands creeping inside his shirt. “I want you,” she breathed against him, revelling in the shiver that wracked his body.
He pressed his hand over hers stopping her exploration of his chest. “You’ve been drinking.” His voice was husky, his body heat ratcheting up, pulling her to him like a magnet.
“Why does it matter?” She might normally be embarrassed by her boldness, but the alcohol in her system ensured her courage.
He took firmer hold of her hand as it crept down his belly toward the waistband of his pants. “It matters, Saskia. I will always honour you.”
“But what if I’m asking you to dishonour me?”
A shadow passed over his face. “Not even you, who I will do almost anything for, can ask this of me.”
She made a face. “It’s just sex, Radik. It doesn’t have to be so complicated. If you don’t want it, just say so.”
Before she had time to blink, she found herself on her back on the bed, his heavy body pressing into hers. He pulled her hands over her head and stared down at her with such intensity it sent a shiver through her.
“I want you more than I have ever wanted anything. I want you more than the power I have amassed. I want you enough that I am willing to bring down dynasties to keep you with me. You are the air that I breathe, the water I sip to stay alive, the food my heart and soul crave to eat for all eternity. I want you with such a ferocity, it pains me.” He pressed his hard cock against her hip.
“But I will not take what I have claimed until your head and heart are clear.” He brushed the hair off her forehead and leaned down to kiss her.
“Please call me by given name. It’s much more pleasant coming from these lips. ”
It took her a moment to find her voice. “You should have become a poet, Muhammed.”
He touched her lips as though to capture the sound of his name. “Mercenary work paid more.”
She smiled at him and he smiled back.
She had come to his room looking for sex, and while a part of her mourned that it wasn’t going to happen, she felt more secure in her relationship with Radik than ever before.
“Can I stay here tonight?” He hesitated, but she knew she had him. “Please, Muhammed.”
“Yes, you can stay, but all clothes must stay on. You have severely tested my self-control and I must rest if I am to face your cousin tomorrow.”
“Really?” she purred, sliding her hand up his chest. “How far do I need to push before you break?”
He took her hand, kissed her knuckles and rolled to lay beside her, placing her hand over his heart as she snuggled into his side. “I never break.”
“We’ll see about that,” she whispered, allowing the alcohol and the heat of his body to lull her. “You think you’re so big and strong… I’ll find out how to make you crack.”
She felt his lips move against the top of her head. “You already have, my angel.”
“Good…” The word came out on a sigh as she drifted into sleep.
When she woke, it was still dark in the room and Radik was no longer next to her, keeping her warm.
Blinking, she pushed herself up onto an elbow. “Muhammed?”
“I’m here.” He approached the bed and from the moonlight coming through the window, she could tell he was dressed in his full military gear.
She sat up quickly. “They’re here, aren’t they?”
“Not quite, but I will go out to meet them as they make their approach.”
“Promise you won’t hurt them.”
He cupped the side of her face and she tilted her head into his palm. “As harming them would also harm you, this is an easy promise for me to make. You have my word that no one on my side will harm your family.”
She breathed easier, then added, “Make sure they don’t shoot at you or anyone else on our side either.”
She saw his teeth flash in the darkness and knew he was smiling. “Our side,” he repeated, tenderness in his voice. “I will do my best to keep everyone from harm.”
“Thank you,” she said, pulling him down for a kiss, then snuggling into the blankets as he slipped noiselessly from the room.