Wild Desert Princess (16 page)

“Of me, honey?” Ben ached for her, but he needed her to tell him, to trust him enough to share her burden with him.

“No, of losing your love. You won’t want damaged goods when I tell you.” Miserable, Miri knew she had revealed too much and would have to tell him everything and take the chance that he would still love her.

“Never happen, babe. I will love you forever.” He waited, his arms tightening around her as she told him of her innocent seeking of a friend at college and how Duvall had thought she was coming on to him.

“What happened, Miri?”

“After one of our football games, he caught me alone and tried to force me to have sex with him. I told him no and he wouldn’t listen. Damn it, I said no.”

“Did he rape you Miri?” Jamal had told him the details, but he could see that Miri had kept it bottled up inside her for too long.

“No, thank the Lord. I was trying to fight him off and he had torn my clothes. Ben I could feel him trying to press inside of me. Out of the night, Chia raced in and kicked him in…” Her face flamed. “In his privates and he let me go.”

“Chia kicked him?” Ben felt a new respect for the fiery princess and owed her a debt he could never repay.

“Yes, while he was rolling on the ground in pain, he tried to say I had asked for it. Chia kicked him again and told him if he tried to ruin my reputation, she’d come back with a rusty knife and saw off that pitiful piece of flesh he called his manhood.”

Ben had to bite his lip to keep the laughter from spewing out that was lodged in his throat. No wonder Jahan was having a difficult time with his bride. She was fearless. “Did he just lay there?”

“I think she scared him nearly to death. His face turned a kind of chalky white and he started to shake. When she wrapped her arm around me and led me away, he didn’t move.”

“She was very brave. I am indebted to her.” He tenderly stroked her arms, hoping to ease her tenseness.

“As do I. Can you understand now why I could not tell you she was there? I could not betray her, Ben. I just couldn’t.”

“I know and I am glad you have such a good friend. I just wish you could have shared this with me. Miri I want you to trust me enough to share any burden with me.” Ben cupped his hands around her small face and tilted her lips to his. “Promise,” he enticed and sipped at the succulent corner of her mouth.

Miri shifted slightly and whispered, “I promise as long as you will share with me.” Her heart was finally free of the terrible burden she had carried for so long.

Chapter
Twenty-Four

Jahan lay awake and watched as Chia slept. He didn’t wa
nt her know just how worried he was about her. She was terribly thin. The hollows in her cheeks and the dark circles under her eyes was alarming. With the negotiations successfully ended, he could devote a large share of his time to her welfare. He should have taken better care of her. He should never have put her second to anything in his life. She was everything to him and she carried his children.

Chia woke slowly, her body more relaxed than it had been for months. She felt Jahan’s comforting warmth at her side and smiled. Already, she felt much better. Her stomach rumbled and she flushed with embarrassment. Opening her eyes just a sliver, she found
Jahan’s face creased with a big grin.

“Good morning, baby,” he said and bent his head in a sweet kiss.

“Good morning, Jahan,” she echoed when he released her.

They glanced at the door as Dr. Khan stepped through the door, a huge smile on his face. “Well, it appears you’ve had a restful night. If you feel like it Chia, you can get up and shower and the
n dress. We’ll keep the IV in for today and if things go well, you can go home in the morning.” He moved swiftly and shoved Jahan from the room. “Go home and clean up, Jahan. We will run a few tests this morning and by lunch time Chia will be ready for visitors again.”

Jahan slid from the bed and grinned ruefully at his rumpled clothing.
“Do you mind if I leave for a little while?” His gaze caught Chia’s. If she needed him, he would stay and have a change of clothing brought to the hospital.

“It’s okay. Go. I will be fine.” She assured him, eyeing his less-than-pristine appearance
. She had never seen him so disheveled, not even during their month in the desert.

“Take good care of her doctor.” Stepping forward, he held Chia tightly for a moment and then turned and left.

Chia sighed softly, her eyes locked on the door until Dr. Khan began his examination.

“You appear to be much better, Princess. Have all the problems been resolved between you two.”

“I think so, we talked for a good part of the night, bringing out all of misunderstandings so far. All I know is I feel so much better and I’m starving.” She beamed at him.

“Then I will send in a nurse to help you and she can give you
scrubs until someone brings you a change of clothing.”

“
Thank you, doctor. You have been wonderful through all of this mess. I don’t know how I’d have managed without you and Anya.”

“Chiandra, please, no thanks are necessary. You are my patient. I just did what I could for your health and well-being. Now enough. Let’s get you ready for those tests.
” He briskly bustled about, a slight flush on his face.

Chia realized she had embarrassed him and held her words. He was a great doctor and a friend. Sh
e would never forget his help. A tendril of excitement curled in her stomach. If things went well, she would be able to go home soon. She now knew her home was with Jahan, no matter where he was.

The nurse found Ch
ia day dreaming, a bemused look on her face. She cleared her throat gently and chuckled at Chia’s start of surprise.

By the time
Chia had showered, dressed and eaten a good breakfast, she was feeling a little bit tired. Dr. Khan came back and they ran a few tests. Then he ordered his patient to take a nap until Jahan returned.

She noticed a few guards
. This time she felt safe instead of a prisoner. After her near miss with the Aldinin fanatics, she understood Jahan’s fears for her safety had been a reality. She didn’t think she would ever take her safety for granted again. When she had been attacked, she had been terrified. She had seen the blood lust on his face, the sheer determination to kill her. She shuddered at how near she had come to death. Thank God for Jahan’s determination to protect her in spite of herself.

When she woke again Jahan w
as sitting in a chair at her side. Her parents were standing at the food of the bed watching her. She was elated to see Jahan. She knew it would take her some time to regain her relationship with her parents, especially her father. Her mother had tried to fight it and he had overruled her.

Seeing that she was awake,
Malek moved to her side, his arm firmly curved around Amanda’s waist. “Chia, we are so glad you are feeling better. Your mother and I realize we have hurt you very deeply. We just wanted to tell you how sorry we were. We should have discussed our reasons for betrothing you to Jahan all those years ago. If we had, so many of these problems and misunderstandings might have been avoided.”

Chia felt tears sting her eyes and Jahan’s hand clasp hers. “I need time. It is going to take me a little time to forgive you. I’m not sure I will ever be able to forget. You lied to me.”

“It’s okay, baby. You take all the time you need. Just remember your father and I love you.” Amanda sniffed and patted Chia’s shoulder. It would take some time, but Amanda knew eventually Chia would forgive them. She was far too generous of spirit to lock them out of her life forever.

Malek
leaned forward and brushed a gentle kiss over her forehead. “We will leave you and Jahan alone for now and see you later this evening.” He led Amanda away, their hearts lighter with hope.

“I’m proud of you honey. I know you are hurt by their silence and yet you didn’t completely lock then completely out of your life.
”

Chia caught his concerned gaze with hers and smiled slightly. “They are still my parents and I love them. Promise me
, Jahan, that we will not do this to our children. I want them to be free to choose their mates. To wed for no other reason than love.”

“You have my word. Our children shall marry where their hearts dictate.” Jahan could not believe the change in her. Her face was glowing with happiness. Some of the circles were starting to fade beneath her beautiful eyes. She still wore the IV. Dr. Khan had assured him it would be removed in the morning before she went home.

Chia sighed with relief. She had been prepared to fight with him if necessary on this. Her babies would not go through the turmoil she had suffered.

“Chia,” he murmured softly, drawing her attention to the sensuous curve of his lips.

“Mm.” She blinked, breaking her musing.

“Trust, remember. Our children will be loved and protected by the both of us. The decisions concerning their welfare will be made together.” Idly, he stroked the smooth skin of her hand.

“I spoke with Dr. Khan today. He said as long as we are careful, and I feel no discomfort, we may resume the physical side of our marriage.” Still somewhat shy with her very masculine husband, Chia felt her face flame.

“Wonderful,” Jahan said, his body already responding to the image of his sexy wife taking him deep inside her hot moist pussy.

“Yes,” she gasped, her arousal swift from the heated look he gave her.

“It has been so long since I have held you in my arms. Tonight is going to be one of the longest of my life.” He groaned as his cock throbbed and pressed painfully against his trousers.

“I’ve missed you too. My bed has been so lonely without you. Are you going to stay here tonight?” She hoped he would. She did not want to be separated from him ever again.

“Of course I will be here.” He stood slowly and helped her from the bed. “Let’s go for a short walk. I need to stretch my legs. He led her carefully down the hallway, nodding in acknowledgement of the guards. He had doubled the number after the interrogation of the thwarted assassin. The insane determination of the
Aldinin to keep their country primitive and barbaric was astonishing.

They had vowed to bring Jahan and his government down by any means necessary. He had no choice but to give the order to start hunting them and bringing them in. They would get a trial. They were fortunate he was such a liberated ruler. Fifty years ago, hell twenty-five years ago they would have been hunted down, tortured and summarily executed. At least now they would have the opportunity to defend their actions. It was far more than he presently thought they deserved. As the leader of his country he had to treat everyone fairly. There could be no hint of corruption during his leadership.

He also did not want to do anything to make his children ashamed of him. Doing things for his country and having his family was very important to him.

Slowly, Jahan led Chia along the hallway. She was still a bit wobbly. Her strength seemed to be returning if the grip on his arm was any indication. His attention locked completely on Chia and he didn’t notice the man walking towards hi
m until her was nearly upon them and lunging towards Chia with a long lethal looking knife.

“Guards!” he yelled and pushed Chia behind him, barely turning back in time to throw his arm up to block the downward thrust of the knife. He wrestled with the man until the
guard could pull him away. Jahan was shaken. The attack had been directed at Chia, not him.

He move
d in front of the assailant, his face set in lines of barely restrained fury. “Why go after my wife? Why not me?” Jahan stared at the other man’s eyes, alarmed at the light of nearly insane fanaticism burning there.

“We kill her, we kill your evil spawn. Then we will deal with you. You are a traitor to the old ways.”

“You are mad. I warn you. If you seek to harm my woman, I will hunt all of you down,” Jahan snarled furiously.

“We will be victorious. Or way is right.”

The absolute surety in his voice rocked Jahan. He had not realized how much of a threat the Aldinin’s were.

“You shall no
t succeed. If you refuse to halt your present course, you will surely be destroyed. This I promise you.”

Seeing no change in the man’s expression, Jahan motioned for the guards to take him away. He spun to Chia, grateful Dr. Khan had come to her and pushed her into a wheel chair. She looked shaken, but unharmed.

“They are truly insane. How do they justify murdering innocents?”

“They think anything they do is justified if it keeps things the same. They cannot handle change and actually do not want to even try.” Jahan paced the narrow confines of the hospital hallway, his agitation growing. He would allow no one to harm his family and ruin the progress of his country. It was time to move forward.

“Can you stop them?” Chia’s emerald eyes watched with concern as he paced. She’d seen Jahan in many moods, but she had never seen him so shaken.

“Absolutely! Don’t worry, baby. I won’t let then near you again.” He moved in front of her and knelt, hold
ing her tenderly in his arms.