The Sheikh's Pregnant Bride (The Jawhara Sheikhs 1)

The thought of this beauty taking the subway was appalling to Kamal. The subway was full of dangers and miscreants this time of night. “No. My driver will see that you arrive home safely.”

Erin laughed, “Kam, I know you’re not from around here, but the subway’s perfectly safe. I take it all the time.”

“Humor me in this. I will feel much better if you let me see you home.”

She watched him for a minute and then gave in, “Okay. I’ll let you drive me home. Besides, I’ve never been in a limo before. It’ll be an adventure.”

Chapter 4

The ride to her condo had taken on a life of its own. Kam had instructed his driver in Arabic, so she had only assumed that the address she had provided him had been relayed. When she saw the various monuments come into view, she realized that they were taking a sightseeing trip first.

Erin smiled, as she never tired of seeing America’s history so aptly displayed around the city. Seeing it through the eyes of a newcomer was always exciting. When she turned towards Kam to see how he was enjoying the sights, she found his intent gaze focused on her.

“Don’t you want to see the monuments?” she asked, blushing at being the object of his attention.

“I believe I would rather look at you.”

Erin’s blush deepened. She watched him for several minutes and felt her desire to be kissed by him rise to the surface once again. She let her eyes take a leisurely inventory of his person, liking very much what she saw. She looked at his strong face with his dark, mysterious eyes. He was unlike anyone she had ever known.

Kamal let her look her fill, used to being the object of scrutiny. In his position as Sheikh of Jawhara, he was used to attention from both the media and his countrymen. As an unmarried man, who ruled one of the richest countries in the Middle East, he was no stranger to female attention either. At the age of thirty-one, he knew his advisors were anxious for him to choose a bride, but he would not be hurried.

Having gained his title at the young age of twenty, he had spent the last ten years learning to be the best ruler possible and honor his late father’s memory. The late Sheikh had died of a heart attack at the age of fifty-nine, leaving Kamal and Khalil to pick up the pieces. Negotiations with the west had only just begun, and Kamal had quickly focused his attention on making those a lucrative proposition for his country.

Jawhara was now the wealthiest country in the world. Success had not come without its problems; however, Kamal had welcomed the problems as they arose with a tenacity that had earned him the respect and trust of his people.

“So tell me, what do you do?” Kamal asked her, truly interested in learning more about the woman who had captured his attention.

“I’m a pro bono lawyer for a non-profit organization here in D.C.”

“Pro bono?”

Erin blushed as she nodded, “Yes. It basically means that the people who utilize my services do so without the ability to pay. That’s what the non-profit foundation helps cover.”

“A lawyer?” Kamal asked, wondering why Americans were so willing to let their women perform jobs that belonged to the men. In Jawhara, women were nurturers and the duties they performed did not involve their interaction with dishonorable men.

Erin smiled, “Yes. Although, I don’t actually spend much time in a courtroom. Most of my day is spent filling out paperwork and filing documents with the courts.”

“And this fulfills you?” Kamal asked, trying to understand what drove this beautiful young woman to place herself in such danger.

“Fulfilling?” Erin asked, having not stopped to consider that in many years. “I don’t know if I would go that far, but it’s nice knowing that I can help others.”

Kamal nodded, understanding the need to help those in need.

“So, what about you? What do you do for a living?”

Kamal looked at her and let his eyes wander down to her mouth. Thoughts of answering her question fled as he imagined what she would taste like. Leaning closer, he inhaled her unique fragrance, wondering how much of it was artificial and how much of it was her. Scooting closer to her, he lifted a hand and let it trail down her temple and around her neck to tangle in her hair.

Lowering his head at the same time, he gently placed his lips upon hers, taking small sips from her lips.

Erin allowed him to pull her slightly closer, and let her lips return his caress. She breathed in his essence and closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his hand in her hair. The nape of her neck had always been a trigger spot for her; a fact that Steven had never discovered.

Kamal lifted his head, murmuring to her softly, “Come back to my rooms with me?”

Erin heard his request, but instantly shook her head, “No. I couldn’t possibly. We just met.” She struggled to maintain some sense of decorum, but knew that with very little pressure from Kam, she would fold.

“Then ask me to join

you,” Kamal suggested, seeing that his driver was just pulling up in front of the address Erin had provided him.