Desert Rogues Part 2 (14 page)

Surprise was on his side. She instantly softened against him, obviously unable to resist the passion between them. Her arms came around his neck, and her body nestled against his. He felt her full breasts press against his chest and her round belly pushing against him. Her body had changed in the past few weeks. Every day he could see the differences as her pregnancy progressed. He remembered touching her stomach that morning, as he had spoken with their child.

But instead of remembering the words, or the healthy movements of their son, he was suddenly able to recall the sweet smell of her skin and how soft and smooth she'd been.

He wanted her.

Cleo found herself getting lost in the feel of Sadik's mouth against her own. The man knew how to kiss. He focused all of his amazing laserlike attention on the act of making love, and he loved slowly and with a thoroughness that left her satisfied beyond measure.

Even the simple act of kissing took on more meaning when it was with him. He explored her lips with his, then licked the seam. Before she could part to admit him—or, more embarrassing, beg him to deepen the kiss—he nibbled on her sensitive lower lip. The tiny love bites made her shiver in anticipation.

His large hands moved up and down her back, as if rediscovering her. She felt more than a little awkward, what with being into her fifth month, but she wasn't embarrassed about him seeing her naked. Sadik had many flaws, but not worshiping her body wasn't one of them. If she had her way they would—

She pulled back and glared at him. “What exactly do you think you're doing?” she demanded.

“I was about to start kissing your neck,” he said calmly, as if discussing movie plans for after dinner. “Then I thought I would lick the inside of your ear and bite the lobe. After that I wanted to start undressing you.”

His words created a clear visual in her mind. One that made her swallow and fogged her head in such a way that it was difficult to remember why she was supposed to be upset.

Oh, yeah. “You are not going to distract me from my purpose,” she said with less force than she would have liked. But it was impossible to generate a whole lot of anger when her body was in the process of melting at the man's touch.

“What purpose is that?” he asked.

It took her a second to remember. “You're not going to seduce me into forgetting I want to get my college degree. It's wrong of you to attempt to deprive me of an education.”

He pulled her close against him. “I am not trying to distract you. I'm seducing you so we can consummate our relationship. It is long past time.”

“What about my—”

He silenced her with a kiss. “Later,” he murmured, his mouth settling on hers. “Later.”

Cleo had a brief thought that she would protest, but then Sadik began to follow the plan he'd outlined and she figured they could fight anytime. Right now it wouldn't be so very bad to give in to his insistent attentions.

He bent down and kissed from her collarbone to just below her jaw, then licked the inside of her ear. Instantly goose bumps popped out all over. She shivered and sighed. There were, she thought as her body began to heat up and prepare for the inevitable lovemaking to follow, compensations for being married to Sadik. The physical side of their marriage would always be pleasant.

But he would never love her.

The thought appeared from nowhere. Cleo firmly shoved it away. She wouldn't think about that right now. Because if she thought about how her husband would never care about her the way he'd cared about his late fiancée, the pain would chase away all her pleasure in the moment. She felt as if she'd been alone for so long. Sadik offered warmth and a safe haven. Was it so wrong to give in to that?

His hands moving from her back around toward her breasts was answer enough. She ached for him. She felt huge and ungainly, yet she knew none of that mattered to Sadik. For reasons that had never been clear, he would think she was gorgeous in burlap.

Even as his teeth closed on her earlobe, his hands cupped her breasts. Since the pregnancy, that part of her had grown exquisitely sensitive. Her nipples puckered in anticipation of his touch.

“Tell me,” he whispered, then sucked on her earlobe. “Tell me if I hurt you. I read that pregnancy can make a woman's breasts too painful to touch.”

Her breasts throbbed, but not in the way he meant. If he didn't touch her more intimately, she was going to die.

“I'm fine,” she managed to say. The need was so intense, she found it difficult to speak. “I stopped being that sensitive a few weeks ago.”

“So it is safe for me to—”

“Yes,” she said frantically, unable to keep herself from putting her hands on top of his and urging him to shift. His thumbs grazed her tight nipples, and she gasped as pleasure washed through her.

She became lost in the sensation of his fingers teasing and lightly squeezing. Fire shot through her, sailing through her midsection and settling between her legs. She was already wet. She could feel her slick readiness and the dull throbbing that signified her need for release.

Sadik wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He kissed her deeply, his tongue slipping into her mouth and touching hers. They stroked each other, invading, playing, dancing, needing. Cleo clung to him, wanting all that he could offer. He'd always had the ability to take her to the edge of sensual sanity. Tonight she needed to forget the real world and get lost in his passion.

She became vaguely aware that he was easing them toward the bedroom. Once they were inside, he closed the door and broke the kiss long enough to lead her to the bed. With the ease of a man confident in both his abilities and his reception, he moved behind her and unzipped her dress.

The garment slipped down her arms. She grabbed it at her waist, suddenly self-conscious about the changes in her body. She glanced at him over her shoulder.

“I'm getting pretty pregnant,” she said, hating that she could feel heat flaring on her cheeks.

He grinned. “I know. I have made you so.”

Then his smile faded. He circled around in front of her and took one of her hands in his. This allowed her to keep her dress over her belly
and
experience his hot kisses against her palm.

“You grow round with my seed,” he murmured against her skin. “I see the changes, and each day I am more in awe of your female beauty.”

He released her hand and knelt on the floor in front of her. After helping her slip out of her sandals, he gently tugged on the dress until she released it. The fabric pooled at her feet.

Cleo refused to give up her bikini briefs, but instead of wearing them up on her hips, she was forced to tuck them under her stomach. She felt stupid in her panties and bra with her big belly sticking out in front. But her husband did not seem to mind. He kissed her tight skin and licked her belly button. With gentle hands, he eased her onto the bed where he knelt between her legs. After helping her off with her bra, he slipped off her panties.

When she was naked, he began the slow, sexy dance specifically designed to drive her mad. He licked her breasts until she trembled with need. The talented tip of his tongue danced with her nipples, making her writhe on the bed. When her breathing came hot and fast, he moved lower. He stroked her stomach with his fingertips, tracing patterns that had no purpose but to make her his. Ever lower and lower, but not quite touching that one place that wept for his nearness.

He slipped away, moving off the bed where he removed his suit jacket, shoes, socks, tie and shirt. Clad only in his trousers and briefs, he returned to the bed. Annoyingly, he stayed at the end with her feet. But she knew better than to worry. He would begin his attentions soon enough. She would have her release, perhaps even several. Sadik believed in a job well-done.

He didn't disappoint her. He bent low and raised her leg slightly, so he could nibble on the inside of her ankle. From there he made his way to her knee. That innermost feminine part of her quivered in anticipation. She wanted him to touch her there, to take her to paradise and back.

“Do not question your beauty,” he said, his voice low and husky. Still holding her ankle, he brought her foot against his arousal. Her arch nestled against the hard ridge of his need. When she rubbed him, he briefly closed his eyes and groaned.

“That is for later,” he promised.

She smiled. “Have I confessed that I have a sexual fantasy about making you lose control?”

His eyes snapped open. A delicious expression of delight stole across his face. “Tell me the details of your fantasy.”

She shrugged, pretending indifference to the question. “It's nothing really. Just that we're together, making love.”

His dark eyes glittered. “Go on.”

She noticed that he'd released her foot and was moving between her legs.

“We're both naked,” she said, as his hand pressed against her waiting heat.

“And?”

“I start to touch you.”

As she said the words, he shifted so that two fingers pressed deep inside of her. At the same time his thumb found the knot of nerves designed solely for her pleasure. He moved in a slow, steady rhythm. She swallowed.

“What was I saying?” she asked.

“You were telling me about touching.”

If he was trying to provide positive reinforcement for discussing a fantasy, he was doing a darned good job, she thought, barely able to focus. He worked magic between her legs, moving in and out as he rubbed her with his thumb. The combined attentions made her tense in anticipation of her release. She could feel the pressure building and the—

“Cleo?”

“Huh? Oh, sorry.” She shook her head. “I'm, ah, touching you with my hand, then with my mouth.”

“I like it when you do that.”

“I know.” She caught her breath as he picked up speed. In and out, over and over, mimicking the act of love that would follow.

“So how do I lose control?” he asked.

“You make me stop,” she said, barely able to complete the sentence. “You grab me by the hair and pull my head back. Then you plunge into me.”

He didn't stop moving, but she saw the frown on his face. “Sadik, it's a fantasy.”

“I would never grab you by your hair.”

Despite the tension building inside of her, she smiled. “That's not the point.”

“Oh, I understand the point.”

He stopped touching her. She nearly cried out in protest, but before she could say a word, he reached for the fastenings on his trousers. He ripped open his belt and shoved down his clothing until his arousal sprang free. Something dark and animalistic entered his eyes.

“Your fantasy is that I can't wait,” he said, pressing against her opening. “That I find you so irresistible that I forget myself and say, to hell with convention.”

He slipped his fingers between them. As he began to fill her, he moved against her most sensitive place. The combination was unbearable.

“I can't wait,” he told her, holding her gaze. “I
will
have you now.”

She wasn't sure how much of this was about her fantasy and how much it was because having her talk about it turned him on. She found she didn't much care. She felt herself spiraling out of control. The combination of his fingers rubbing against her and his large erection filling her was more than she could stand. Pressure built until there was no way to stop the explosion.

The contractions began slowly. She arched her head back and cried out his name. The release raced through her, growing and building even as he thrust into her over and over again. The question of holding back had long been answered. It was impossible. Not while he was touching her. She felt herself opening—not just her body but her heart. When he claimed her as his, he claimed
all
of her, although she was determined never to let him know.

He shuddered and stilled. She felt him find his own way to paradise. What she didn't know was what she would do when he found his way back.

T
he next morning Cleo found more than a snack waiting for her on the dining-room table in the suite. There was a Bahanian driver's license, several credit cards in her name—all platinum, of course—a checkbook with an opening balance of $250,000 and a stack of cash. She didn't bother to count it.

This was, she supposed, another perk of having recently married into the royal family. The problem was, it felt an awful lot like a bribe.

It was because of last night, she thought, still not fully recovered from the intense intimacy she'd shared with Sadik. While they had always experienced passion, something else had occurred the previous evening. Did being married really make that much difference? She didn't want to think so. Her emotional connection with her husband had already gotten her into trouble, promising her the potential of a lifetime heartache. She didn't want to make things worse by bonding even more.

At least the surprise he'd left her gave her something else to think about. She collected the driver's license, one of the credit cards and half the cash, dropped the lot into her purse and headed out the door. Ten minutes later she entered Sadik's office with the intent of putting the man firmly in his place. She might have been stupid enough to hand over her heart, but she wasn't about to let him run her life. Not when his idea of the perfect wife was someone who was silent, obedient and fertile.

“Good morning,” he said, rising from his chair and coming around to greet her. He cupped her face and lightly kissed her mouth. Just the brush of his lips on hers was enough to get her all hot and bothered, although she didn't want to admit that to anyone—not even herself.

“How are you feeling?” he asked when he released her.

“Fine.” The man had seen her less than two hours before, when he'd delivered breakfast and spent forty minutes talking to her stomach. It was unlikely anything had changed.

When he motioned for her to take a seat, she shook her head. “I'd rather stay standing. It's easier to work up a good head of steam when I'm on my feet.”

Sadik looked genuinely confused. “Why would you want to be angry with me?”

She pulled out the wad of cash and slapped it on the desk.

“I do not understand,” he said as he frowned at her. “If you require more, you may cash a check from your account. When the balance drops below one hundred thousand dollars, an additional deposit will be made. My desire is that you want for nothing.”

“Which is a sentiment I applaud. But only in theory. You can't buy me, Sadik. However much money you leave on the table, I'm still going to apply to the university this morning, and you can't stop me.”

Storm clouds collected in his eyes. His dark eyebrows pulled together. “You are my wife.”

“Uh-huh, and if you didn't want stubborn, you shouldn't have married me.” She grabbed the cash and shoved it in her purse. “I don't know how much textbooks cost. I might need this.”

He stiffened. “I told you last night, I forbid you to attend the university.”

“And I told you, this is about what
I
want. I'm willing to follow the rules and be a good wife. I'll have your children and support your career and attend social functions, but I won't be dictated to. Nothing about my furthering my education is going to threaten our relationship.”

“What about when we have children? You will need time to be a good mother.”

She rolled her eyes. “All over the world there are single moms doing a darned good job. They are employed, supporting their family, going back to school when able and having something resembling a life. I think that I can manage to raise a couple of kids while living in the palace and surrounded by hot-and-cold-running servants. And, golly-gee, there just might be a couple of hours left over in the day for me to attend a class or two.”

He didn't looked convinced. “There are other considerations.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Actually, there aren't. I wasn't asking your permission, Sadik. I thought you'd figured that out last night. You can't buy me off and you can't change my mind. I have the feeling that I'm going to spend a lot of my life having to give in on other issues, but this one isn't negotiable. I suggest you get over it.”

With that she turned on her heel and stalked from the room. The man was thick as a post and just as unmovable. But she refused to be the one to give in on this issue. It was too important to her. Not only did she want to get a college degree, but she had something to prove to both Sadik and herself. They both needed to learn that she meant what she said.

She headed for the front of the palace where her driver was already waiting. Sadik would have a heart attack if he knew that this morning she even planned to take the wheel. Driving around town was the only way she was going to become familiar with her new hometown. If the heavens opened because a royal princess actually dared to have a life, then they were all going to have to get used to a little rain.

 

Sadik found it impossible to concentrate after Cleo left. He muttered something about difficult women, then went in search of his father. The man had been married several times. Obviously Hassan knew how to control women far better than his son.

“She cannot be reasoned with,” he complained when he was shown into his father's private office. “She defies me at every turn. She is headstrong. I do not know how to bend her to my will.”

His father leaned back in his large chair and motioned for Sadik to be seated on the opposite side of the desk. “If you insist a woman bend too far, you will break her spirit.”

Privately Sadik thought that might improve the situation. “She is planning on attending the university. I do not understand why being my wife and the mother of my children is not enough for her.”

“Have you considered that bettering herself is a far more productive way for her to spend her day than shopping? If she has interests, she'll be happy in Bahania.”

“She will have our son to care for. That is interest enough.”

His father shook his head. “It is not so simple, my son. I wish it were. Women can be complex creatures.” He turned and stared out the window, at the formal gardens flourishing in the mild, fall temperatures.

“I do not want complex. I want obedient.”

Hassan returned his attention to Sadik and smiled. “Then you should not have married Cleo.”

“That's what she said.”

“She is wise.”

Not the words Sadik had been looking for. “Then you agree with her decision to attend the university. You do not think I should forbid it.” No point in saying he'd already tried.

“You must do as you see best in your marriage,” his father said. “However, Cleo will not be dictated to without reason. She has already given in to you on the matter of getting married.”

“She had no choice.” Sadik was still bitter that Cleo had not been honored by his proposal.

“Exactly. Let her have a choice this time. Be wise, my son. Do not listen to your head as much as your heart.”

“My heart has nothing to do with this.”

The king shook his head. “The choice in that is yours, but I fear you will regret holding her back. How much of your concern about Cleo is that she will not have time to raise your children and how much of it is your fear that she will have a life away from you? One that she may come to enjoy more?”

Sadik ignored the questions, mostly because he didn't like them. He was a royal prince of Bahania—he feared nothing.

His father's phone rang. Sadik nodded and left. But he did not feel better for having spoken of his troubles. Uneasiness dogged him. Things with Cleo were not as he thought they would be. She was not grateful that he had married her, nor was she willing to do as he requested, no matter how reasonable the demand. She spoke of the university, and before their marriage she had even spoken of love.

He knew she wanted to take possession of his heart. That he could not allow. The price of love was loss. Losing Kamra had upset his world for many weeks, and although he refused to admit it to anyone but himself, Kamra had mattered far less than Cleo. He did not want to consider the destruction that would follow if his wife were to disappear from his life. He could not allow himself to be shattered that way, so he would not allow her to matter.

 

As he did every morning Sadik appeared promptly at seven forty-five. He carried a tray into the bedroom and set it carefully on the nightstand. He bent low and kissed Cleo on the mouth, then handed her the disgusting, purple protein drink he insisted she have each morning.

While she concentrated on sipping without gagging, he drew back the covers and pulled up her nightgown. He placed both his hands on her stomach and addressed her growing belly.

“Good morning, my son,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with affection. “Today we will discuss the ways of the desert. The desert is like a magnificent woman who will not be tamed. Treat her with respect and she will serve you all your days. Ignore her or underestimate her and she will destroy you.”

Cleo couldn't help smiling. “You underestimate me all the time and I have yet to destroy you. Although I do think about slapping some sense into you from time to time.”

Sadik ignored her, although she saw the corners of his mouth twitch slightly.

“Your aunt, Princess Sabrina, was once foolish enough to go out in the desert by herself,” he continued. “She was trapped by a sandstorm and nearly died. You, my son, will never behave in such a manner. You and the desert will be one.”

Cleo choked down her protein drink and let Sadik's words wash over her. She didn't understand this morning ritual of his—mostly because she was sure their unborn child couldn't understand anything that was being said. But she enjoyed the time with her husband. When he was like this, so kind and gentle, touching her, caring about her and the baby, she believed they might have a chance at making their marriage work.

Unfortunately, more times than not, Prince Sadik was stubborn and uncooperative.

She finished her drink about the same time he finished his “desert” lecture. Sadik rose and sat on the side of the bed.

“What are your plans for the day?” he asked.

“I'm meeting with my tutor.”

His expression tightened. “You are too intelligent to require a tutor.”

She didn't know whether to laugh or scream. On the one hand he hated that she insisted on starting at the university; on the other, he was insulted that she would need help getting up to speed.

“Sadik, while I appreciate the vote of confidence, the reality is that I was never much of a model student. I barely made it through some of my high school courses. The university can't refuse me—I'm married to you. So to avoid embarrassment for everyone, I'm brushing up on a few subjects.”

Her husband's gaze suddenly narrowed. “Who is your tutor and where will you be studying?”

For a second her foolish heart took flight. Sadik's jealousy gave her reason to hope. But before she could read too much into the question, she reminded herself that he had made it clear he wasn't about to fall in love with her. So being jealous was a knee-jerk response, not one that meant anything.

“A woman,” she said with a sigh. “Don't get your panties all in a bunch. Even I know better than to hire a male tutor.”

“That is as it should be.” He rose and kissed her again, then touched her cheek. “I count the hours until I see you later today.”

She watched him leave. A part of her wished those words were true. He said them each morning, but they were simply a ritual without meaning. Like their marriage, she thought sadly, not knowing how to make things different. No matter how intensely she and Sadik made love, no matter how often, she couldn't seem to touch more than his body. She wanted to believe there was a way to reach his heart, but so far she had no bright ideas. Maybe it was time for some expert advice.

 

Cleo had never flown in a helicopter before. She tried to stay calm and not think about the insanity of trusting her life to a giant flying bug. Rather than give in to her fear, she stared down at the endless stretch of desert. Somewhere in the sandy beige of the Bahanian wilderness sat a secret city hidden for over a thousand years.

The City of Thieves acted as a home base for thousands of wandering nomads. The residents had originally made their fortunes by stealing from desert travelers. Eventually they had realized it was far easier to offer protection to the merchants on the Silk Road than to take from them. Now the nomads protected the vast oil fields belonging to Bahania and neighboring El Bahar.

Cleo had read up on the City of Thieves, at least on the legends about the place. The city didn't officially exist. In a way it was like Camelot—without the English accents.

Cleo smiled at her feeble joke, all the while trying not to feel apprehensive. Zara had returned from her honeymoon the previous day. As much as she wanted to deal with Zara over the phone, it didn't seem fair. Not after all they'd been to each other. Her foster sister would want an explanation, and Cleo was going to give it to her. Maybe in defining all that had happened between Sadik and herself, she would come to understand it more clearly.