He took a deep breath. “What I wanted was to avoid marrying the wrong woman. I knew that today as I walked up to the woman I thought was Fadiyah and all I could think was that a merciful God would put have you waiting to wed me. I have spent so long avoiding things I do not want. But today, for the first time in my life I realized exactly what I do want—and it is you by my side. Please, will you marry me?”
She bit her lower lip. And then wrapped her arms around his neck. “How about you ask me again in a few weeks—after my article on arranged marriages comes out. I want to make sure your father doesn’t decide I’m really, really bad for you and your family.” He frowned. “You are going to make me work for this, aren’t you?”
“Hey, what comes too easy is never appreciated. Besides, if we’re doing this for real, I want my sister here. And a few relatives. And some time to plan a proper wedding.”
Khalid smiled. He swept her up into his arms. “I have a much better idea—let us discuss this while we are in bed.”
14
Ahmed smoothed his robes and asked, “This time you are really getting married?”.
Khalid glanced at him. His palms had started to sweat and he paced in front of the doors that opened onto the gardens. Casey had wanted to wed in the gardens, and had said, “I’ve had enough of ballroom weddings.” Wetting his lips, Khalid nodded. “Hazim has his orders—if anyone tries to disrupt this wedding he is to have every palace guard stop the interruption. I am getting married.” He patted his brother’s back. “Now, lead the way please.”
With a grin, Ahmed headed into the gardens.
Khalid pulled in a breath, smoothed his keffiyeh and followed Ahmed. Casey waited for him, her sister Candace at her side and Fadiyah as well, both women in golden gowns. Fadiyah looked happily radiant and a diamond sparkled on her ring finger, but Khalid thought no woman could outshine Casey today.
She wore a deep, red gown with gold embroidery. However, instead of the traditional robes, she had had the dress done in a modern style, fitted close with long sleeves. In a nod to tradition, a gold scarf covered her head.
Khalid could see her hand shaking slightly—she was nervous, afraid something would happen or that Khalid would change his mind. Last night in bed she had confided her worries. He had done everything he could to sooth them, to use his mouth and his hands and his body to show her how much he loved her. Perhaps she would feel better once they were truly wed.
When he reached her side, Casey leaned close and whispered, “Do you think anyone’s going to stop this wedding, or is third time the charm?”
Khalid glanced down at her. “The entire Sharjah army could not stop me from making you my wife.”
The ceremony proceeded. Khalid kept glancing around, half afraid he had cursed the day by saying no one could stop Casey from becoming his wife. He spotted Hazim near the garden doors. Hazim gave a nod and a thumbs up.
And then suddenly it was done. Casey let out a long breath, Khalid’s father clapped him on his shoulder and said, “May she bring you as much trouble as you have brought me, and may your sons follow in your footsteps.”
Khalid could only grin. Ahmed was there to congratulate him, as was Zaid, who leaned close and said, “Someday I will pay you back for giving me the mother of all headaches.”
With a laugh, Khalid turned to the crowd. “To the feast!”
The music, food and dancing went on late into the night, but when it seemed that everyone was wrapped up in the entertainments, Khalid sought out Casey and pulled her to the side and under a lighted palm. “Come, let us leave now before we have to endure one more set of congratulations.”
“What about my sister?” she asked.
He looked around and saw Ahmed dancing with Candace, the two of them laughing. “Oh, I think there is no need to worry about her.” Wrapping his arms around her, he leaned in and kissed her, taking his time to explore every inch of her mouth. He would never tire of these kisses or the way she seemed to melt against him.
She gave a soft hum and pulled back. “Okay, what if I want to show off my new husband? It’s quite a coup, you know, getting the playboy Sheikh to settle down with me. Hmmm, maybe there’s a story in it.”
Tugging on her hand, he led her toward the front of the palace, saying, “I would rather give you another story, one where I get to enjoy my bride.”
“Typical tyrant,” Casey said. She stood with her back to the window of the penthouse suite in a luxury hotel. Khalid had spirited her away in a limo and now they had privacy as well as luxury. A private elevator had taken them to the top floor. Flowers decked the room, which had a sitting room as well as two bedrooms. Khalid had led her to the bedroom with the view and had said they would spend the next three days here.
“You really do love giving the orders,” Casey said, her head tipped to one side.
Khalid had stripped off his headscarf, outer robes and boots. He stood before her in a light shirt and the traditional baggy trousers of Sharjah. “Ah, but while I order the world, you are the one who orders my heart. What do you wish of me, wife?” He spread his hands wide.
She turned her back to him. “Care to help me out of my wedding dress?”
He came close, unzipped her gown and pressed a kiss to every inch he exposed. He slipped the dress off her shoulders. She shivered and said, “Do you think we could spend part of the year in New York? Maybe the summer months? Or the fall—it’s beautiful in New York in the fall.”
With a wordless answer, he turned her and kissed her. She could feel the world just melt away. In his arms, nothing else mattered. She was not just part of his world—she was part of him. He swept her up and carried her to the bed.
Laying her down, he said, “I have a surprise for you.”
She propped herself up on her elbows. She’d worn no stockings—only red, silk underwear. She’d left off a bra as well—the dress hadn’t really needed one. Khalid tugged off his shirt and she took a moment to admire the lines of his back—his muscles worked as he gathered up something and came back to her.