The Sheikh's Bartered Bride

They spoke their vows, he in a firm steady voice, she almost in a whisper. Then he was sliding a white gold band to accompany the large ruby in a Bedouin setting he had given her after she agreed to marry him. The right had belonged to his mother.

The pastor gave Hakim permission to kiss his bride and everything around them faded to nothing as he reached out to unhook her veil and expose her face. He did it slowly, wanting to savor the moment of unveiling. Then he lowered his head until their lips barely brushed.

He liked this particular Western wedding custom. Her mouth parted slightly and he pulled her to him for a kiss that staked his claim on the beautiful woman before him for all the wedding guests to see.

When Hakim lifted his head, he knew his sense of satisfaction and accomplishment radiated off of him.

He had fulfilled his duty and had for a wife a woman who would satisfy his passions.

He was content.

“What are you thinking about, Catherine?”

Catherine turned from the window whose only view as a night-darkened sky and smiled at Hakim. “Nothing.”

She’d been thinking about the night ahead, but could not have said so to save her life.

He’d been in the cockpit with the pilot for takeoff which had given her some much needed moments to herself. Ever since he had informed here there was a bedroom on the plane, with the implication they would make use of it, she had been vacillating between fear and anticipation.

She wasn’t sure which one she was feeling now. “Tell me, will you insist on overseeing the landing as well?” she asked to avoid the probing look in his dark as night eyes.

He shrugged broad shoulders. “Probably.”

“Your uncle’s pilots must love flying you.”

He flashed her a smile. “They have made no complaints in the past, but then I had been content to remain the cabin for takeoffs and landings.”

“So, what’s so special about this flight?”

“You need to ask? My wife is on the plane. I must always see to her safety.”

Emotion caught in her throat and she had to take a deep breath before speaking. Sometimes she forgot he didn’t love her and basked in the feeling his naturally protective nature caused. “Your wife is a lucky woman to be so well looked after.”

His hand cupped her cheek and anticipation overwhelmed fear in the space of a heartbeat.

“I am hoping she thinks this is so.”

“She does.” Involuntarily her head turned and her lips kissed the center of his palm. The scent of his skin and the warmth of it against her lips tantalized her senses. “I do.”

He leaned across her and unbuckled her seat belt. Taking her hand, he pulled gently until she stood. “Come little kitten, we have a bed that awaits our pleasure.”

Was it just her, or did his speech become more eastern when his passion was engaged?

She nodded, her throat too tight to speak. It was time.

It occurred to her that she should have gone to the bedroom earlier, so she could greet him in the sensuous white satin nightgown Felicity had given her to wear tonight, but that was not to be. Catherine wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Part of her was a bundle of nerves at the thought of parading herself in front of him in something so revealing. Another part of her did not wish to miss out on any of the traditional aspects of her wedding night.

Which was a silly response probably, so she said nothing.

He led her into the small bedroom at the back of the plane and she stopped, stock still, unable to believe her eyes. The bed was the first thing to arrest her interest. It was covered with quilted silks and tasseled pillows. There were flowers everywhere, all white and red. A silver ice bucket with a bottle of champagne stood beside the bed and red silk scarves covered the wall-mounted lights, giving a warm but subdued glow to the room.

“It is to your liking?”

Her eyes misted over. “Oh, yes. It’s just beautiful.” She turned to face him.

Heat radiated from his eyes. “I am glad to have pleased you. For today you have given me great delight.”

“You liked the dress.” She smiled. She’d known he would.

His hands settled on the shoulders of her bright blue suit jacket. “I loved the dress, but right now I would like very much to see you without even this most charming outfit you chose for traveling in.”

She looked down at the suit and then back at Hakim. “You want me to take it off?” somehow she had pictured him doing that for her.

“You have something else you would like to change into?” he sounded like he wouldn’t mind seeing that nightgown Felicity bought her after all.

She looked around the small room uncertainly. Did he expect her to disrobe in front of him?