The Sultan's Harem Bride

‘Samira thought you wouldn’t agree if you heard our plans. Your press office has been adamant she remain out of the public eye. She was sure you’d take their advice again.’

Asim frowned. ‘That’s only ever been for her protection. When she first came back she was in no state to face anyone.’

‘But she’s better now. She’s stronger than you think.’

‘You believe I’m over-protective?’

Jacqui shrugged, surprised at how easy it was to talk about Samira instead of what lay between them. ‘Isn’t that what older brothers do?’ She’d been almost wistful, hearing Samira talk about how Asim tried to shelter her.

Jacqui had never known that sort of protectiveness. You learned resilience early when you were unwanted. ‘And your media advisor was all for keeping Samira isolated.’

‘Samira said you disagreed.’

Jacqui shrugged. ‘He could have reassessed the situation when Samira felt better.’

‘So you came up with tonight’s scenario.’

‘Samira and I did together. As I said, she’s stronger than you think.’

He nodded. ‘She is. Between you, you’ve turned the secret of her isolation on its head. The press think she’s spent her time working on what will be a stunning formal fashion collection. They’re slavering for more. That sort of interest could be a springboard to a successful career.’

Jacqui smiled, relieved that he could see the positives in what they’d done. ‘She’s talented enough to do it too.’

‘I can’t thank you enough, Jacqueline.’ His voice dipped to a low note that never failed to do funny things to her insides. ‘You’ve been a true friend to Samira and my grandmother. You’ve given them both something they needed at a very difficult time in their lives.’

His intensity made her skin prickle and she rubbed her hands up and down her arms.

‘It was only—’

Asim raised his hand. ‘It wasn’t only anything. When you arrived here I expected trouble and instead you’ve done my family considerable service. A service that deserved far more than my distrust.’ He drew a slow breath. ‘If there’s anything I can do to make amends, you must tell me. We owe you so much. I owe you.’

Words trembled on her tongue. Hungry, eager words that would reveal how much she wanted from him.

Jacqui firmed her lips rather than blurt them out. She hugged her knees. She’d experienced so much with Asim, more than she’d ever expected, and still she wanted more. The depth of her neediness scared her. Was there no end to it?

Better to keep her distance. After all, though he’d apologised, he’d made no move to close the gap between them. Wasn’t it safer that way?

Yet she couldn’t staunch the slow bleed of hope and happiness. She wanted to be held and caressed and treasured.

The realisation almost stopped the air in her lungs. She’d begun to want too much.

‘There’s nothing I need,’ she said briskly. ‘Except to finish my research.’ Turning from his searching gaze, she looked towards the rising sun, a glimmer on the horizon. ‘I plan to visit the Asada oasis before I leave Jazeer. It used to be a favourite with the royal harem ladies and I want to take photos.’

The idea of leaving was like a physical blow. Her time in the palace had passed too quickly. She’d lived from day to day, not daring to think ahead, throwing herself into her project and immersing herself in the wonder that was her affair with Asim. Each day had been a revelation to a woman who’d thought never to smile again.

But her time was up. Regret shivered down her backbone.

Even if Asim’s distrust hadn’t shattered her illusory peace, the realisation of her vulnerability to him would have.

‘We can do better than that. I’ll take you to the oasis and you can stay in the royal pavilion there. It’s rarely used, but I guarantee you’ll love the old rooms.’ His tender smile made Jacqui’s stomach dip. She almost cried out at the sense of loss engulfing her.

It was one thing to know their affair was over. It was another to find the courage to move on. She couldn’t seem to switch off her feelings.

‘Thank you, but I couldn’t impose.’

‘Don’t treat me like a stranger, Jacqueline.’ His smile died, his voice turning harsh.

Why she fidgeted under his gaze, she didn’t know. He was the one who’d been at fault, not her.

But he was trying to make amends, wasn’t he?

The trouble was she wanted more than access to royal buildings from Asim. Much more.

She wanted his arms around her in the night when she woke from a nightmare. She wanted that gleam in his eyes as they made small talk at some official reception, promising delicious intimacies to come. She even wanted to debate politics with him! Spending a tranquil hour chatting with Asim at the end of the day had become one of her greatest pleasures.