A Whisper of Disgrace(30)

The look in his eyes was so irresistible and the yearning inside her so strong that Rosa went straight into his arms.

‘I think it’s time that I undressed you,’ he said unsteadily. ‘Don’t you?’

‘Yes,’ she answered, with shy assent.

First he removed the ruby-and-diamond tiara and put it down on a nearby table and then he unclipped her veil with dextrous fingers and let it slither to the ground.

She closed her eyes as he lowered his head to kiss her and she honestly thought she might pass out with the sheer pleasure of that kiss. She was aware of the powerful scent of the roses and the way his hands were moving over her body, caressing her curves as if he was determined to explore every inch of her. She scarcely noticed him sliding down the long zip of her dress until it had pooled in a circle of lace around her ankles and she was left standing in nothing but her underwear. The cool air rushed onto her skin as he dragged his mouth away to study her and she should have felt nervous, but the expression in his gaze was making her feel anything but nervous. This felt right, she thought exultantly. Like what she had been created for.

‘You look …’ But Kulal’s voice trailed off because, once again, the sight of her had taken his breath away. Her breasts were spilling out of a low-cut white bra and the matching high-cut panties were digging slightly into the soft curve of her hips. He’d never seen a woman who looked so fleshy before and it took a moment before he could compose himself enough to speak again. ‘Exquisite,’ he finished raggedly. ‘The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.’

Rosa reached her hand up to touch his face, his words filling her with confidence as she reminded herself of the woman he had been attracted to—the one who had danced so provocatively on that podium. She had not been shy. So she began to tug at the white silken headdress as if undressing a man was something she did every day of the week. ‘Why are you wearing this?’ she asked as she removed the whole contraption, including the woven golden headband. ‘I’ve only ever seen you in a suit before.’

He took the headdress from her and threw it on top of the tiara. ‘Because usually I prefer to blend in. I find that people are much more accommodating when they think you’re just like them.’

‘But you’re not?’

He laughed. ‘Of course I’m not. I am like few other men—for how can I be? I was born in a palace and reared as a son of the desert. People always see me as a playboy and I can act that role to perfection. But in my heart I am a sheikh.’ There was a pause as he looked at her. ‘And for once I wanted to look like one.’

‘Why?’

There was a pause as Kulal considered her question but the truth was he didn’t know what had motivated him to reach for his thawb this morning, instead of a sleek designer suit. He frowned as he forced himself to remember that this was all for show. That the symbolism of the ceremony meant nothing. ‘For the press, of course.’ He traced his finger over the centre of her cushioned lips. ‘It will make a great picture in tomorrow’s papers.’

Rosa nodded but she could feel a sinking sensation of disappointment. So he had been playing up for the cameras all along. Was that the reason for the kiss on the steps of the embassy, the one which had felt so electric—because it provided a great photo opportunity, rather than because he’d been longing to kiss her as she had him?

But this was what she had signed up for, wasn’t it? An expedient marriage which they could both walk away from.

‘It will make a fantastic picture,’ she agreed, stepping out of the discarded dress and staring up at him, her heart now beating very fast. She was just going to have to forget about her feelings and be the woman he thought she was. That woman would have listened to nothing but the desire which was rising up inside her, making her want to rip off his silken robe and feel his skin beneath her fingertips. And maybe he’d read her mind, for he kicked off his shoes before suddenly peeling the garment from his body in one swift movement, and Rosa gasped when she realised that he was completely naked underneath.

Kulal smiled, for her gasp pleased him—though it was certainly not the first time he had been greeted with such a reaction when a woman saw his body for the first time. He reached down to touch the hard ridge of his erection as he met her startled eyes and gave a lazy smile. ‘Worth waiting for?’

Rosa swallowed down a mixture of excitement and fear because she’d never actually seen a naked man before, but she mustn’t beat herself up about it. She reminded herself that generations of women had started their wedding night in a similar state of ignorance. It might be old-fashioned, but it certainly wasn’t a crime.