The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(29)

We sat down on my bed, she and I, almost-bride and almost-groom.

“It’s strange to think that, other than my parents, you know me—the real me—better than anyone else. We’ve been through so much together,” she whispered.

I nodded. “We have. I feel like I’ve known you for months, years.”

“But you haven’t,” she gently reminded me.

I nodded once more. “If, after this, somehow, we could be something together, what would you want to do? What would you want to know about me?”

During our intense conversation, she had settled into me, fitting perfectly against my body. It felt comfortable, so right, both of us here. She didn’t notice, but I did. A wistful half-smile rose on her lips.

“God, what a question. I don’t know, maybe get a dog together? I want a dog someday.”

I sighed dramatically. “I’m a cat person. If you want a dog, I can’t be with you.”

As her face fell in horror, I couldn’t help cracking up.

“You brute!”

I kissed her cheek. “Yes, I am a dog, aren’t I?”

She couldn’t help but laugh as well.

“And…I don’t know, I’d like to do all the things I’ve always wanted to do. Already, you’ve made my life more like a dream, more exciting and wonderful than I ever thought it could be. So, I guess the rest would just be the icing on top. I’d want to go swimming with you, go to plays and movies, grow a garden, take cooking classes, travel the world. I’d want to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do, just with you.”

Now, her whole face was alive with her words, her dreams, as if they were happening as she spoke. Her happy eyes met mine.

“And you?”

I pressed her tighter to me in the circle of my arms.

“I’d just want to be with you. Every day, every night—just like this. Whatever we’d do, wherever we were, I’d want it to be just like this. Just us, being us. Not having to pretend or lie or do anything but exactly what we wanted to. And that would be okay too, you see—any hardship or tough time or decision would be bearable, because I’d be with you.

“As long as we didn’t have to take things faster or slower than we wanted to because of some outdated law, as long as I could love you as fully and honestly as I could, then, that, that my dear Lacie, would be enough.”

And then, all the words had been said, so all that was left to do was to prove how much I meant them. We fell back into the rhythm, and there was nothing to do but continue. My hands were clasping hers how they had that night a few days ago, picking up where they’d left off, while hers were clutching at my face as if trying to preserve this moment forever.

Her lips were smooth and soft, every connection of our skin sending bursts of hot fire pulsing through my every nerve. I slowly helped her out of her dress, and then we fell onto the bed and into each other’s arms, gently, slowly making love.





Chapter Twenty-One





Lacie




I awoke feeling warm, cozy, and content, strong arms wrapped around me. Turning around brought me face to face with Rashid. His eyes were closed, his face blissful. He looked as purely happy as I felt about what had happened. What exactly had happened?

As soon as my hand touched my bare thigh, I remembered—us, entwined in the blankets here, our bodies telling each other just how much we cared.

And it had been great. Better than great, it had been terrifying and sweet and powerful and the best night of my life except…I sat upright in the bed with a jolt.

The ceremony! The promise! What were we going to do now?

Now, Rashid’s face looked perturbed too, although he didn’t stir. No, his whole body was still set in a pose of blissful ignorance. When I got out of bed and padded onto the floor, however, he sat up.

“Lacie?”

“Good morning.”

“Where are you going?”

The answer came to me as easily as if it had always been there, though I hadn’t really known where I was headed when he’d asked.

“Just the bathroom.”

“Okay, but when you come back, I have a morning kiss for you.”

As I washed my hands, I paused. The girl in the mirror looked different from last night—almost the complete opposite, really. Happy, not upset. Relieved, not worried. As if she’d made the right choice, and she knew it.

Back in bed, Rashid wrapped me in his arms and covered me in kisses while I giggled. As soon as I stopped, though, reality set in.

“What is it?” Rashid asked, seeing my nervous face.

“The ceremony. The promise.”

Rashid’s expression darkened. “Ah, yes, of course.”

“Well…what are we going to do?”

He shrugged. “We’ll do all we can do—lie.”

“But, Rashid, do you really think that’s for the best?”

He wrapped me tighter in his arms, sighing.

“All I know is that, now, I’m more certain than ever that I want you as my wife, one day, and I’m determined that nothing will get in the way of that—certainly not some ridiculous archaic law that shouldn’t even exist in the first place. Besides, what difference does a day make, anyway?”

Despite his heartwarming words, I couldn’t help but shiver a little.