Wild Desert Princess (12 page)

“The honor is mine, Isada. Your willingness to host our talks means a great deal to me. I thank you.” Jahan bowed as the leader left them at a large suite of rooms. Although they were deep into the mountains, the palace had every amenity.

“Till tonight.” The man nodded and left Jahan and the others.

“This place is amazing.” Jahan gazed around the large rooms with interest. Extremely cool, he liked the way it was set up. “Once our talks have concluded, I would like to bring Chia out here to see if she likes the way it is built.” If he ever found her. Right now he wasn’t sure about anything. He fought to control his frustration. Nothing would be allowed to distract him from his duty to his country.

“It is very deceptive. From the outside, you would never realize how comfortable and luxurious it is inside. ‘Manda w
ould love it,” Malek agreed quietly, his own thoughts lingering on his wife for a moment.

“I’m going to shower and grab some sleep.
I will see you in a couple of hours and we will go over our strategy for the meetings one more time. If we present a unified front, it might make it easier to reach an agreement.” Jahan grabbed some clean clothes and stepped into his room. Amazingly each room had its own bath.

It had been too long since he had visited the other tribe
s. He had no idea how modern some of their strongholds had become. The tiled bath was a work of art. It was truly a shame Chia wasn’t with him to share it. His body hardened with need. It had been so long since he had made love to her luscious curves, sank into her tight sheath. His penis throbbed and lengthened until he groaned in pain. He hadn’t had to masturbate so often since he was a randy teenager, fascinated with the opposite sex. He quickly stroked his cock, bringing himself to release. It couldn’t compare to being locked firmly inside Chia’s tight channel. It would take the edge off his lust and help keep his thoughts focused on the negotiations.

For long minutes, Jahan leaned against the tiled wall and let the hot, soothing water pound into his tensed muscles. He gradually relaxed and left the shower, toweling off and wrapped himself in one of the thick robes hanging on the back of the door. In minutes he had fallen on the bed and was sound asleep, his thoughts once more drawn to his wife.

Chapter Nineteen

Chia woke slowly, her body throbbing with frustration. She had been having the most incredible dream of Jahan making
love to her. Her breasts tingled and her nipples thrust painfully against the lace of her bra. Her hands moved up to cup the swollen tips. A sharp jolt of heat pooled in her woman’s core.

She squirmed, pulling her legs together, trying to ease the ache between her legs. An ache she feared only Jahan could entirely assuage. Sliding her hand down to her slick flesh, she rubbed the swollen nub. Tiny cries slipped out of her mouth as she brought herself to a quick release. Trembling she lay back against the pillows and forced herself not to cry. She felt horrid, her stomach was roiling and she felt like she was going to get sick again. Her energy level once so high had completely deserted her. She always felt so weak.

Jahan would have no trouble subduing her now. She didn’t feel like messing with it. Anya had told her the first trimester was usually the worst. God, she had a little less than two months to get through. She wasn’t she could do it.

Chia lay as still as possible on the bed, hoping if she didn’t move the nausea would fade away. Sweat popped out on her forehead and finally with a low groan, she staggered to
her feet and barely made it to the basin. They dry heaves left her shaking and weak. It took her most of her remaining energy to pull herself to her feet and clean up.

Thank goodness the servants had left her a ready supply of crackers and lemon-lime soda. By the time Anya arrived to check on her she was able to fool her into thinking she was fine, except for her morning sickness.
She truly hoped she could keep fooling her until Miri’s wedding. The next five months were looking awfully long.

She surprisingly missed Jahan’s bossiness. She didn’t appreciate it, but
in a strange way she missed it. Feeling a bit sorry for herself, she followed Anya out of the tent, finding Miri waiting for them at the large tent used for meals. Toast and milk were the only things she could keep down. She felt Anya’s sharp gaze on her and forced a smile. “I will be so glad when I’m able to eat something else,” she groused.

Anya relaxed and grinned. “Shouldn’t be too much longer and then you will probably have really weird cravings.”

“Great! I can’t wait.”

Miri sat down beside her, her plate piled high with eggs, toast and pastries.

“It’s just not fair,” Chia grumbled.

“What’s not fair?” Miri asked around a mouthful of food.

“How you can eat like a horse and still stay so tiny.”

“I’d love to have your curves,” she giggled and stared pointedly at Chia’s large bust line.

“And I would love to be able to eat anything I want and not have to worry about it jumping on my butt.”

“I bet Jahan likes your butt,” she teased, her honey brown eyes twinkling.

Chia felt her cheeks heat as she recalled quite vividly just how much Jahan had like her full ass. Her breath caught in her throat as her body softened with lust.

“Thought so,” Miri gloated triumphantly.

“Well, I wouldn’t act so smug. We both saw how your eyes sparkled and your face flushed after Ben’s visit. I’d say he quite likes your tiny little body just the way it is.” Chia couldn’t help but tease, loving the way Miri’s cheeks flamed.

Anya watched both her friends with amusement. “You both are love sick and both of your men love you just the way you are.”

Chia shared a look with Miri and winked. “Jamal seems to be quite taken with you. What do you think of him, Anya?”

Anya’s face flamed hot. “He is very handsome,” she muttered.

“What about his body?” Miri insisted wickedly.

“It appears to be very well put together,” Anya said primly.

“Oh come now, Anya. You know he is a stud muffin. Just like Jahan and Ben,” Chia teased mercilessly.”

“Well yes, I would say that describes him quite well.”

Chia and Miri convulsed with laughter and soon Anya joined in.

“They are all three extraordinarily good looking.” Chia’s gaze became fixed and her voice husked with emotion.

Miri watched her friends and drew in a deep breath. “Okay, ladies. Enough drooling. Let’s go exploring.”

Chia bit back a groa
n all she wanted to do was crawl into her bed and sleep for a month. Forcing a smile, she asked, “Where to today?”

Anya bit her lip. She wanted to be near Chia. She didn’t like her pallor, yet she needed to check on the nomads in the camp. Some of the children needed medical attention and she didn’t want to take a chance on them leaving before she had a chance to look at them. “If we are only gone for a few hours this morning, I can come with you.”

“That’s great. We won’t go far. There are some ruins a few miles west we can look at.” Miri jumped up and scurried away to grab the cooler of water and snacks.

Chia shook her head and stared after her friend. “I just don’t know how she can have so much energy in the heat.”

“I know. She makes me tired just watching her. Are you sure you are up to this, Chia? You look a little pale.” Anya said quietly.

“I’ll be fine, Anya.” Chia assured her with a tiny shrug of her shoulders. “When we return, I will sleep.”

“Very well, but I want you to tell me if it gets to be too much for you.” Anya feared for Chia’s health. For the moment she would allow her to do what she wanted. Emotionally she was not ready to return home and deal with Jahan or her parents. The stress could very well cause her to lose her child.

“How can I help but be fine with my two friends watching out for me so well.” She caught Anya’s hand and squeezed it gently.

“Then let us begin this excursion.” Anya stood and helped Chia to her feet.

Chia sighed and grabbe
d a hat and her sunglasses. At least Miri’s Jeep had an excellent air conditioner. Perhaps the ruins would have some shade and she could curl up and take a nap while Miri and Anya explored.

“Come on you two. The morning is going to be gone before we ever
get started.” Miri ushered them out and saw Chia settled in the back with a pile of soft pillows. “Sleep, Chia. You will feel better by the time we get there.” Miri kept it hidden but she was very worried about Chia. If she had to call Jahan, she didn’t think Chia would ever forgive her betrayal.

“Thanks, Miri. I think I will do just that. Wake me when we get there.” Chia crawled into the backseat and grabbed a pillow. She would only rest her eyes for a few minutes, she vowed.

Miri waited until they were well on their way and she was sure Chia was sound asleep. “Anya, I am worried about her. She is so pale and she can’t keep anything down.” She bit her lip and peered at Chia through the rear view mirror.

“So am I, Miri. She’s so much weaker and tired than she should be. I’m afraid if she doesn’t improve soon, she will have to go back to the city so Dr. Khan can monitor her.”

“I truly hope not. At least until she feels she can deal with Jahan. Losing her friendship after all she’s done for me is not something I wish to contemplate.”

“Perhaps Jahan has changed his views and will be more willing to accept Chia the way she is.” Anya turned and watched Chia as she slept, seeing clearly the dark circles under her long auburn lashes.

“Humph. He is an arrogant man. I doubt he’s even had time to worry about it with all the negotiations in the mountains. I know Chia misses him. Sometimes I can see the longing in her eyes or hear the sadness in her voice.”

“She misses him and she could really use his support now. She’s having a rough start to her pregnancy and could use someone to help shoulder some of the stress. I hope if I ever marry, my husband is there for me.”

Miri’s face tightened with determination. “One thing for sure. Ben will be by my side or we won’t be having more than one child.”

“You are very sure of that. What if he feels differently?” Anya well remembered her fiancés decree. When they were married she would stop being a doctor and would stay at home and have the children. He didn’t plan on curtailing any of his business or his
trips overseas. Giving birth was a woman’s role in life. What a pompous ass! For the first time in months she didn’t feel the agonizing pain from thinking about him. In fact she felt an overwhelming sense of relief that she was free to enjoy Jamal’s attentions.

“Anya don’t judge all men by that idiot you were engaged to. I swear I think that man was a throw back or something. Not all men are so bad. Trust me.”

“I’m not so sure, Miri. Just look at the way Jahan has treated Chia, and even Jamal tried to tell me what I could or couldn’t wear. I think it is one of those man things.”

Anya looked unconvinced and
Miri stifled a giggle. “I would like to explore Ben’s man thing,” she joked, trying to lighten the tense mood in the Jeep.

Miri burst out laughing before she could stop herself. Worried, she glanced in the back and frowned when Chia didn’t move.

“Mm, Jamal, too,” Anya murmured softly.

Chapter
Twenty

Chia came awake with a start as the Jeep swerved and bounced over the narrow track. “What’s wrong?” She peered at the group of men chasing them on horseback and gasped. “Who are they?”

Anya turned a frightened look to her, her eyes wide in her pale face. “They are from the fanatics who want Prince Jahan to fail. “Hang on, Chia,” she warned.

Miri pressed down on the gas and the Jeep shot forward. “We are almost back to the camp. Call my father, Anya.”

Anya quickly called Miri’s father and informed him of their predicament. “He said to keep coming, his men are on the way.”

“Good. These men
dare much to accost us so on our own land.” Miri bit her lip in concentration, determined to elude their pursuers until her father could send help. 

Suddenly the loud thrum of helicopter rotors could be heard. Chia thought she heard the sound of gunfire
and cringed. Jahan would never forgive her if she got shot. A hysterical giggle bubbled in her throat. She had to swallow to hold it in.

In minutes Miri pulled up in front of their camp and ushered Chia away. Her father was waiting and led the women to his jet.  “You must go to the city.  It is not safe for you here,” he told them, his leathery face creased with worry.

“Be safe my daughter,” he urged and crushed Miri to his chest for a brief moment before he shut them in the interior of the plane and hurried away. 

“What about your mother?” Chia asked as they took to the air, her stomach clenching with cramps. 

“She will not leave his side and he no longer battles with her over at,” Miri said, tears in her eyes.  

“Don’t worry, Miri, they will be fine. Your father has more than enough men. Soon they will have these others captured.” Anya reassured her friend.  

“Well, I guess I’m going home whether I’m ready to or not,” Chia whispered.