Bound by the Sheik's Ring Read online

  Take it slowly, she coached herself.

  The guards stopped in front of a corner office where a man in a suit and tie glanced up from his computer. When he realized who was standing in his doorway, he leapt to his feet, nervously straightening his tie.

  “Your Highness!” he gasped. “Um…we…uh weren’t expecting you.”

  Sada smiled cheerfully, moving into his office. “I’m so sorry to show up unannounced,” she started off, pressing her hands onto the front of her dress. “But I have several questions for your hiring expertise.”

  He nodded, his Adam’s apple bouncing nervously as he gulped. “Ms. Lotz tells me who to hire. She interviews everyone first, then selects the appropriate candidates for the household side of the palace.”

  Sada was thoroughly sick of hearing about Ms. Lotz. “Yes, well, from now on, I will select the candidates myself, if you don’t mind.”

  The man shifted his weight uneasily. Sada knew that she was messing up the normal routines. Normally, she might go along with things for a while, but Ms. Lotz’s smug and condescending behavior had offended Sada, so it was time to do things her own way.

  “Of course, Your Highness,” he replied and grabbed his notebook. “Why don’t we sit down and discuss the personnel you’d like to hire?”

  Thirty minutes later, the human resources director smiled, much more relaxed now. “I think we have several candidates that will meet your requirements. I can send you resumes by the end of today, if that’s convenient.”

  Sada smiled in return as she stood up and extended her hand. “That would be perfect,” she agreed. “Thank you so much for your time and, once again, I apologize for unexpectedly interrupting your day.”

  The man shook his head, dismissing her suggestion that she’d interrupted anything. “I’ll focus on finding someone who can be your chief of staff first. That will give you more time to focus on your priorities.”

  Sada smiled gratefully at the man. “That’s probably the highest priority. I’m sure I’ll need others on my staff as well, but I don’t know who they will be at the moment.”

  “Your chief of staff will have some suggestions,” he replied with another friendly smile.

  Her guards were standing at attention outside of the office. She was startled, not used to being guarded so closely. “I’m sorry, gentlemen,” she announced, trying to hide her surprised expression. “It’s going to take me a while to get used to your presence. So I apologize in advance if my activities inconvenience you.”

  She shrugged off their confused expressions, telling herself that she should just get used to it.

  “Okay, what’s next?” she asked. Unfortunately, none of them had any suggestions. “Would it be possible to take a tour of the city?”

  One of them immediately began muttering into a headset. Then they nodded in unison.

  The rest of the afternoon, Sada was driven through the streets of the capital city, marveling at all of the businesses. Ditara was a thriving and beautiful country, she thought. Unfortunately, her guards discouraged her from getting out of the vehicle, wanting to avoid any possible security issues.

  “Just for a few more days,” the lead guard explained.

  “You’re right,” she sighed, thinking about how much her life had changed in the past week. “We should head back to the palace.” It wasn’t what she wanted, but she also knew she shouldn’t be out in the open. Not yet, anyway. If she had her way, the ominous threats against her and Zahir would go away and she could move about the country more easily. Until then, she respected her guards’ advice and they drove back to the palace.

  Chapter 8

  Three days later, Sada stood awkwardly next to the table set for two. She’d spent the day exploring the city, even stepping out to meet various individuals in the marketplace. She’d bought items from all over the market, choosing beautiful fabrics, hats, unique and interesting jewelry, spices, and other gifts for her friends, not to mention most of the furnishings decorating the table.

  Thinking of her friends from The London School for Ladies, she wondered when she’d get to see them again. She missed them so much, especially during moments such as this, when she felt alone and isolated. Sada wondered what her friends would say about her situation and smiled. Dana would laugh and give her a hug. That woman found something good in everything. The others would worry that she was selling herself short. And Ms. Dunworthy, the headmistress, would beam approvingly. But then, Ms. Dunworthy saw the good in all of her students.

  Although, they all knew how she felt about Zahir, especially Ms. Dunworthy, who had looked on knowingly whenever Sada had returned from an evening with Zahir. The woman had a mysterious air about her. Sada knew that there’d been a tragedy in her past, but Ms. Dunworthy never spoke about it. Everyone respected and admired Ms. Dunworthy. The headmistress expected great things from the students who attended The London School for Ladies. And everyone who attended wanted to live up to her extremely high standards.

  Including Sada. In fact, in this instance, she wondered what Ms. Dunworthy would do. As soon as she asked the question, Sada had her answer. Ms. Dunworthy knew and saw everything and would tell Sada to fight for Zahir’s affections and never let anyone or anything stand in one’s way to happiness.

  “You left the palace today!” An outraged voiced growled from behind her, distracting her from her thoughts.

  Sada swung around, surprised to hear Zahir’s voice, angry or not. She hadn’t seen him since their wedding night. He’d been working so hard that he’d barely slept at all. She knew that he came to bed each night, but he hadn’t made love to her since that first night. She missed him! One night in his arms hadn’t been enough!

  As always, her breath caught in her throat as she watched him approach. Goodness, he was magnificent! And her husband! She still couldn’t believe her luck. Was it luck? Or had some divine power intervened on her behalf, giving her what her heart desired most?

  Her whole life, she’d felt this odd sensation whenever he was close by but now that he was her husband, she didn’t have to pretend the feeling was something else. She could claim it. Savor the sensation.

  It was hard to believe she was even married, but every time she remembered that she was married to Zahir, she still felt a shiver of awe and excitement!

  “Zahir,” she whispered, feeling her body sizzle as he came closer.

  “Sada, you can’t leave the palace!”

  She blinked, startled by the harshness of his words. She was lost in her silly fantasies of him taking her into his arms and making love to her. Meanwhile, he was angry with her.

  “Why not?” she asked warily, trying to be cooperative.

  “Because it is too dangerous,” he responded flatly.

  He stopped about a foot from her and she wanted to reach out, touch him, soothe his temper. But something held her back. The angry look in his eyes? Or maybe the way he was standing in front of her, with his hands fisted on his hips. Whatever it was, she didn’t like it.

  “But nothing happened to me,” she assured him.

  “Only because my enemies weren’t ready for your visit to the market earlier today,” he argued. Moving closer, but not touching her, he glared down at her. “Don’t leave the palace again. Not until we can get security protocols in place to protect you.”

  She sighed, knowing that he was right. “Fine. I won’t leave the palace without giving my security team enough notice to make sure that the areas I visit are safe. Is that good enough?”

  Zahir ached to hold her. For years, he’d fought his need. He’d felt guilty for lusting after his best friend’s little sister. Now, he was dealing with the guilt of having made love to her. Even as he looked down at her, his body wanted to pull her closer. He wanted to kiss her, talk to her, and make love to her until they couldn’t move.

  But he didn’t do any of those things. She stood in front of him looking…strange. Did she regret their wedding? After only seventy-two hours, was she wondering
if she’d made a colossal mistake? During that first night, he’d been blown away by her passion. But where was that passion now? She stood stiffly in front of him, staring up at him as if…as if something was wrong. Damn it! He wanted her life to be perfect and happy and yet, only three days into their marriage, she was wary.

  Part of his anger was that she hadn’t come to see him after that first morning. The long hours and tedious meetings had kept him away from her bed and company far more than he wished. But she hadn’t even come by his office to say hello. Not once! He’d been craving just a word from her. A look that might indicate that she was just as blown away as he was from their night together.

  She didn’t look blown away at the moment. She didn’t even look like she wanted him to touch her again.

  Hell. Had he made the worst mistake of his life? Had he married a woman who didn’t want him?

  But that night…! She’d wanted him on their wedding night! She’d been just as ravenous as he’d been.

  “Do you regret marrying me?” he blurted, then wanted to punch something. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out like an insecure schoolboy needing reassurance.

  She stepped closer. He could smell the subtle perfume that he always associated with Sada. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Because you seem so stiff.”

  Those gorgeous eyes lowered, hidden behind long, dark lashes. “If I seem stiff, it’s only because you seem so angry, Zahir. I don’t know how to approach you.”

  With those words, the band around his chest relaxed and he pulled her into his arms. When she didn’t pull back, didn’t resist in any way, the band loosened further. “Sada,” he sighed. “We might know plenty about each other after all these years, but I don’t think we know enough about each other personally.”

  When she didn’t pull back, he tightened his arms, pulling her closer. With her like this, in his arms and smiling up at him, the world felt right once again. She felt so soft and perfect, fitting against him in ways that other women just hadn’t. It was as if her curves were in all of the right places for the hard planes of his own. As if she were made specifically for him.

  “Why did you leave the palace today?” he asked, not looking at her this time. He wanted to feel her reactions instead. Sure enough, as he placed a kiss on top of her head, he felt her shiver. It was slight, but there. Then she shifted against him, pressing still closer somehow.

  “I just wanted to explore the city a little. Besides, you were busy.”

  “I wasn’t too busy for you,” he promised.

  She pulled back, but he wouldn’t let her leave the circle of his arms. “I went to your office the other day. Everyone there seemed to be in a panic, rushing around, trying to get things in order.”

  “I know,” he sighed. “They are worried that there might be a civil war.”

  Her eyes widened. “Is that a possibility?”

  “No. Everything has been quiet since the wedding. The world accepted the transfer of power from my father to me with barely a murmur. There was some disquiet in the northern territories, but I dispatched someone to talk with them, to find out what their concerns are. I suspect they want more funding for their projects and are trying to get attention.”

  “Will that work?”

  “No. I don’t approve of people questioning my rule in order to gain an advantage. If they distrust me, then come out and say so. I can work with honesty. I won’t allow manipulations.”

  “But, isn’t that what most politics are about? Manipulating a group or faction to gain an advantage over another?”

  “That’s the perception. But real politics isn’t manipulation. It’s collaborating with various groups to make a positive difference in the world. It’s getting everyone together and getting them to agree on something. Everyone compromises and nobody loses everything. Everyone wins a little and loses a little.”

  Her arms tightened around his waist and he smiled, basking in her warmth.

  “That’s what my father always says. But the way you said it makes it sound nicer.”

  He laughed, then looked over her shoulder. “Looks like you’ve ordered dinner. Are you hungry?”

  A part of him wanted to keep talking to her. He wanted to hear about her adventures in the market and explain how terrified he’d been when he’d learned that she’d left the palace. He couldn’t lose her! For years, he’d quietly watched over Sada. Now she was his wife!

  His wife, his lover, and…hopefully, he could figure out how to get her to fall in love with him.

  The blush that stole up her throat to her cheeks at his question amused him. “That sounds like a better plan,” and bent to kiss her.

  He carried her into their bedroom, placing her on the bed. “Just tell me you won’t leave the palace. Not right now, Sada,” he said even as he slid his hands up underneath the prim dress she was wearing. “Tell me you’ll keep yourself safe.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I won’t be hurt,” she told him, pressing herself against him.

  Sada felt that perhaps it would be better if they talked about her plans, her ideas on helping him. But when his lips brushed her neck, the thought slipped away, banished into the same black hole every thought vanished into whenever Zahir was nearby.

  The idea of trying some of the things on him that he’d done to her that first night was too enticing to ignore. She wanted this. She needed this! After their one night and the boring days that followed, the long, lonely days when she’d wondered if he was okay, if he was sleeping and eating enough…she wanted to touch him, to be with him in the most intimate way possible.

  “Touch me, Zahir,” she whispered.

  “Where?” he asked, moving his lips down to her shoulder. “Show me how,” he encouraged.

  Sada loved the idea, though a shiver of apprehension went through her. “How?”

  “Like this.” He placed his hand in hers, then looked down into her blue eyes. “Guide my hands.”

  Licking her lips, she stared up at him. “Here.” she whispered placing his hand on her breast.

  “Yes,” he breathed, watching as she shifted his hand slightly. “How do you want me to touch you there?”

  Her eyes glowed with hunger at the encouraging look in his eyes, and she took his thumb. Remembering how he’d touched her that last time, the way his thumb had rubbed her nipple…so she moved his thumb the same way. Feeling the shock of his touch, she closed her eyes, her head tilting back slightly, enjoying the heat flaring to life deep inside of her and pooling low in her stomach. “I like it when you touch me like this,” she whispered.

  “I like it too,” he admitted, alternating between watching her face and their hands. “I like that you want me to do this to you.”

  “I love it,” she croaked.

  “And this?” he asked, gently closing his thumb and forefinger around the nipple, pinching it gently.

  When she gasped and slapped her hand over his, stopping the pressure, he laughed softly. “Admit it, you like that too, don’t you?”

  “Yes!” she said, her voice cracked with the intensity of lust shooting through her now. But even as she spoke, the sensation abated and she wanted to feel that again. “Please,” she said and lifted her hand from covering his, silently asking him to pinch that nipple again.

  “Like this?” he asked.

  Sada moaned. “Yes!” She shifted her fingers, pressing his thumb and forefinger more tightly around her nipple, but the pressure was so intense, so sharp, that her legs almost buckled underneath her. Thankfully, he had swift reflexes after years of military training and caught her, lifting her into his arms and carrying her the last two feet to the bed. Laying her down, he flipped her shoes off, then reached under her dress and froze.

  “Sada, are you wearing…are these stockings?” he demanded, his eyes widening in delight

  “Umm…yes. Are you…do you…?”

  “I love them!” His voice was thick with desire. “I want to see them!”

>   “I wore them on our wedding day as well,” she smiled as she reached behind her to pull the zipper of her dress.

  “I love lingerie, Sada. Love it! And to know that you have been walking around the palace this whole time wearing…” he trailed off as he tore her dress in his haste to get it off. He didn’t care. In fact, Sada wasn’t sure he was even aware of the material ripping. But she was and the sound increased the fire raging in her stomach until she couldn’t stand it. She sat up, grabbed his head and pulled him down for a deep, encompassing kiss.

  “Zahir!” she groaned, grabbing his hand and placing it on her breast. When she felt him pinch her nipple again, she whimpered but wouldn’t release his mouth, deepening the kiss further. “Don’t stop!” she begged, and shifted against him. “Please don’t stop!”

  “Not a chance,” he told her, his mouth moving to her neck once more. He pinned her wrists against the mattress. “I want to look at you.”

  She shifted against the bed, trying to get him to kiss her again. She needed his hands on her skin. She opened her eyes and saw him gazing down her body with heated eyes. He was still fully clothed, while she wore nothing but her underwear. And it felt incredible to be this vulnerable. Zahir took his time and, after a moment of embarrassment, his eyes felt more like a caress.

  “These have to go,” he reached down and ripped her silk panties off.

  Again, that sound made her mind spin with lust. “Zahir!” she gasped, arching up, trying to tempt him. But he held her wrists firmly. “Let me touch you, please!”

  “I can’t, honey. Not now that I’ve seen you like this. I need to…” he shifted, flicking the catch on the front closure of her bra. “I want you to always wear things like this, Sada. Always!” His mouth covered her nipple, his tongue flicking against the sensitive bud only moments before his teeth scraped against it. When she tried to pull away again, he only shifted his body so that his leg was between hers, his muscular thigh pressing higher, pressing against that nub.