Stoically Tariq averted his eyes from the sight of her rose-tipped breasts bobbing in the water, the shadow between slender thighs that parted as he watched. Heat speared him.
‘Join me?’ Her voice was a throaty invitation, her fingers clinging to his. She knew as well as he did that he’d never once refused an invitation to get naked with her. On the contrary, he’d shocked her once or twice with the ways and places he’d chosen to sate the ever-present carnal desire they shared.
Tariq forced himself to stand tall, pulling his hand from hers. Samira’s smile vanished, her brow wrinkling.
‘Relax now.’ He couldn’t help himself and bent down to kiss her cheek, inhaling her sweetness. ‘It’s been a big day.’
Finally she nodded, disappointment tinging her expression. ‘Yes. It’s been a lot to take in.’
Tariq made himself step back. ‘Your maid will be waiting in the bedroom when you’re ready to get out. Just call and let her help you. Yes?’ He waited till she agreed, then turned and made himself walk, stiff-legged, out of the bathroom.
He ached all over. He wasn’t used to denying himself the pleasure of Samira’s body. He’d never known such temptation as watching her strip before him, knowing she carried his child.
He’d found pleasure with Jasmin. He’d been thrilled by her pregnancy. But he’d never experienced anything like this.
Tariq wiped his hand across his face and discovered he was sweating.
Samira was pregnant with his child.
He would do whatever it took to keep the pair of them safe. He would take no chances. Tariq closed his eyes, feeling deep in his gut that churning fear of failure he’d known only once before.
His imagination failed him at the idea of losing her as he’d lost Jasmin.
No! He wouldn’t let it happen again.
Not to Samira.
* * *
‘Are you sure there’s nothing bothering you, Samira?’ Over the long-distance connection her sister-in-law, Jacqui, sounded concerned.
‘No, no. I’m fine.’
‘Except?’
Samira heard Jacqui’s determination to get to the bottom of things. It was a trait that had made her a successful journalist before she’d taken to writing books.
‘Come on, you can talk to me. Something’s not right.’
Samira sighed and sat back in her favourite comfy chair, the one Tariq had transported all the way from Jazeer to her work room. Staring at the mountains bathed in shades of pink and gold by the dying sun, she reminded herself how lucky she was. The doctor had allayed the worst of her fears, assuring her there was no reason she shouldn’t carry this baby to term.
‘Everything is fine, truly. I don’t have any complaints.’ She paused, hearing Jacqui’s waiting silence. ‘It’s just that Tariq is...’ Again she hesitated. How could she admit her husband hadn’t been in her bed in the weeks since she’d broken the news about the baby? Or that she missed him so badly his absence marred her joy at this miracle pregnancy?
How far she’d come from the woman who’d blithely assumed she could have a paper marriage with Tariq. Once she’d experienced his love-making she’d been hooked. Yet it wasn’t just sex she missed, it was the intimacy. The pillow talk, the tenderness, the feeling of wellbeing and closeness that had no equal in her experience.
Was it anxiety about the pregnancy that made her so needy?
A huff of laughter came over the phone. ‘If you ask me Tariq is just like Asim—proud, assertive and overprotective. It’s a wonder to me that two such strong, opinionated men grew to be such good friends.’
‘They bonded when they were very young. You know our home life wasn’t easy.’ Now, that was an understatement! ‘And, from what Asim said, Tariq’s upbringing was tough. His uncle expected him to be a man from an early age. I don’t think there was time for fun, except when he visited us. He was too busy preparing for the demands of the sheikhdom.’
‘From what Asim said? Hasn’t Tariq told you about his past?’
Samira shrugged. ‘I’ve known him all my life, so I know the important things.’ Yet he’d surprised her. He was more complex, powerful and determined than she’d thought. ‘Tariq isn’t the sort of man to open up, seeking sympathy.’
‘That makes two of you.’ She paused. ‘Maybe that’s the problem. Perhaps you need to open up more to each other.’
Samira opened her mouth to protest, then stopped. ‘Is that what you and Asim did?’