The Sheikh's Stolen Bride-To-Be

Jalaal’s lips found the top of my head. He pressed them into my hair as he spoke, sending warm breath over my scalp. “I need someone like you around,” he mused. “Nobody else does such a good job of reminding me to be grateful.”

I snorted. “If you want help staying humble, that is a service I’d be happy to provide.”

“Come into the living room and help me stay humble there,” he replied. “I’ve got some bourbon you can make me appreciate.”

“I like the sound of that.”

The living room turned out to be the next room over, but it was light-years away from my version of normal. It was massive. I could probably have fit my whole apartment inside the space.

“Do you own the whole top floor of the building or something?” I gazed around in wonder, admiring the classic glass and ceramic accents and the wall-sized bookshelf on the back wall.

Jalaal brought over a glass of dark liquid and slipped it into my hand. “Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

I followed him to the couch and took a seat next to him. It seemed silly for us to sit so close together when there was so much room to spread out, but I felt like a magnet was pulling me closer and closer to him with every breath.

Jalaal glanced down at me, took a sip of his drink, and then spoke. “I own the whole building.”

I nearly dropped my glass.

“Are you serious?”

He nodded. “This, and a few properties along the West Coast.”

It was a good month if my bank account never dropped below zero. The kind of money it would take to purchase even just one building like this was beyond my cognition.

“Sounds like you need a lot of humbling,” I joked, but my throat had gone dry. I took a sip of bourbon and struggled not to cough.

Jalaal flashed his teeth. “Are you sure you’re up for the job?”

“Not even a little,” I said. “But I’ll give it the ol’ college try.”

I shouldn’t have felt as comfortable as I did. Jalaal was way out of my league, he was richer than Croesus, and he essentially had no business hanging out with me. But it didn’t matter. Something about his warm expression, or maybe the way his eyes crinkled just a little every time he looked at me, made me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

“What’s your first recommendation?” Jalaal asked.

I didn’t know where it came from. Maybe it was the drinks, or the tender way he looked at me. Maybe it was the lonely side of me calling out, begging for me to take something I wanted for once in my life.

Whatever it was, the words that came out of my mouth surprised both of us.

“Kiss me.”

Jalaal didn’t hesitate for a second. He pressed his mouth to mine and pulled me close, folding me into his arms.

I hadn’t had a kiss like that in a long, long time. Had I ever had one quite so good? I felt it all over my body, and each one of my nerves tingled with appreciation. His lips were as soft as feathers, but firm and demanding at the same time. I melted into him, all thoughts of the past and future obliterated like glass smashed with a hammer.

Jalaal’s heat enveloped me. I sighed and fell in further, urging him to consume me. A fire awoke in my belly and burned hotter than the sun. I needed him. And from the feel of his hand in my hair and his teeth on my lip, I knew he needed me too.

“Would you like to see the rest of my home?” Jalaal murmured. His voice was hoarse, desire snaking up his throat.

Decision time.

Who was I kidding? I’d made the decision the first time I clapped eyes on Jalaal. There was no going back now. And I loved it.

“Yes,” I whispered. “Let’s start with your bedroom.”

I felt him smile against my lips. “Good idea.”

SEVEN

I woke with the sun on my face and a smile on my lips. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept so peacefully. It could have been the luxurious bed, but I suspected my good sleep had more to do with the person I was sharing said bed with.

“Good morning,” Jalaal mumbled.

I lifted my head off his tawny chest and rested my chin on it instead. “Good morning.”