Page 10 of Seduced By the Sheikh

With the pressure of first his fingers and then the lick of his tongue, she felt as if something deep inside of her was being wound up, ratcheting up the tension, making her sex wetter and her breathing become more ragged. Then he lifted her onto the bed with ease and turned his attention to her other breast. She couldn’t help herself now and her breathing emerged in short pants. Suddenly she felt him stroke the crotch of her panties which were damp with desire and she felt his finger focus on one place, caressing it in such a way that sent her over the edge of something she hadn’t known existed.

She cried out as the orgasm consumed her. She lifted her hips to him, falling back on the bed, not caring that she had nothing to hide her naked breasts. He suckled her other breast, while he played with her through her knickers and she called out his name, lost in wonder at the post-orgasmic ripples which continued inside of her.

Still fully dressed, he knelt over her and kissed her deeply and she felt the stirrings of desire begin again. So this was what she’d heard so much about and hadn’t believed. That a man could move her so completely simply by his touch had seemed incomprehensible to her—until now.

“That was…” she said before trailing away as she didn’t know the words to describe what exactly it was.

“Beautiful,” he said, kissing her again. Then he stood up and pulled back the bedclothes. “And I suggest you get some sleep. We will have a lot to do in the morning.”

“Where are you going?” she asked, propping herself up on her elbows, no longer self-conscious of her naked breasts. He turned and smiled. “To my room.”

“But aren’t we…” She trailed off, again running out of words.

He raised his eyebrow. “Having carnal relations? We just did.”

She frowned. “But that won’t make a baby.”

“No, but it might make you less terrified when I next approach you.”

As he left the room, and she heard him enter an adjoining bedroom, she brought the covers over her and lay back, her mind racing.

So this, she thought, was what all his other women had enjoyed from him. And she had no doubt that there was more where that came from. It wasn’t the techniques she’d read about, or not so much. No, the magic he’d created had come from his consideration and thoughtfulness for her. He was thinking about her, not himself. And what an aphrodisiac selflessness turned out to be.

CHAPTER 5

There was no sign of Zak when Soraiya awoke. She immediately wrapped herself in a robe and put her ear against the interconnecting door. Nothing. He was either fast asleep or had already gone out. She glanced at the clock. It was later than she’d imagined. Yep. He’d definitely started his day. And so should she.

They still had a palace full of guests, many of whom she hadn’t had a proper chance to talk to. Including her sister-in-law, Sarah, who’d arranged a second meeting before she and Kadar returned to the remote corner of Sirun in which they lived. Soraiya was determined to begin her marriage as she meant to continue. Making sure she did her duty as Queen and built relationships with her new family and all those people who were important to her new country, and her new husband. This she could handle. This was far more familiar ground.

“I hope you don’t mind my not attending tonight’s banquet,” said Sarah, struggling to comfortably accommodate her seven-month pregnant stomach as she sat down. She grimaced. “I think he’s playing soccer in there, with my bladder as his football. By the time evening comes, I’m beat. I wouldn’t be able to sit in one of those formal chairs all evening.”

Soraiya smiled sympathetically, and passed her a cushion which Sarah slipped behind the small of her back. “I don’t mind at all. I quite understand and appreciate your suggestion that we catch up before it. Besides, it’ll give us a chance to talk privately.”

Sarah grinned. “My thoughts exactly.” She sat back more comfortably now, her hands lightly cupping her stomach. “We women have to support each other, married to these macho brothers.”

Soraiya looked down, surprised at such plain speaking, and poured a glass of tea for them both. She’d collected herself as she reached over and placed the glass on the table beside Sarah, and smiled. “Like sisters,” she said. “I don’t have a sister and always wanted one.”

“Me, too,” Sarah said, with an answering warm smile. “I hope we can be good friends and allies even though we’ll be living at opposite ends of the country. Still, we’re only a short helicopter ride away if we need each other.”

As lovely as Sarah was, Soraiya couldn’t imagine an instance when she’d need Sarah. She’d grown up to be self-sufficient and resilient and knew this world and its customs.

Sarah reached out and placed her hand over Soraiya’s. Judging from Sarah’s expression, she must have divined Soraiya’s thoughts—no doubt because she’d never been able to dissemble. Whatever she was thinking could be read on her face and was, more often than not, spoken out loud.

“You have the advantage of me, Soraiya. You were born in a neighboring country and understand the culture and ways implicitly. My family was from here, but I was raised in England. Sometimes I just don’t get things, so I guess what I’m saying is I could really use a friend.”

Soraiya was touched. “And I would be honored to be that friend.”

She appreciated Sarah’s tact and sensitivity. She knew she was really saying that if Soraiya needed a friend, Sarah would be there for her. Except she’d stated it the other way around in case Soraiya took offence. Somehow, Soraiya doubted if she would ever take offence at anything Sarah said or did because she knew she had a kind heart. The sort of heart she could trust.

As at their first meeting, Soraiya felt moved and a little choked-up by Sarah’s warmth and kindness. She hadn’t expected it. In fact, she’d felt a little frosty at the thought of meeting the woman who’d stolen her fiancé away. She was daunted at meeting someone who could inspire such love in a man that he would abdicate his crown for her.

“Good.” Sarah squeezed Soraiya’s hand and sat back and took a sip of her tea. She sighed, and put the glass back on the table. “I have to say I think things are looking up for the al-Hadar brothers. How can they not succeed in creating a more peaceful and prosperous country with the force of us two women behind them?”

Sarah laughed and Soraiya couldn’t help joining her. Her warmth and humor were infectious.

“Anyway,” said Sarah, “let me give you the low down on who’s going tonight, and what to expect.”

The morning passed happily in Sarah’s company, and Soraiya learned a lot from her modest but informative sister-in-law. But, too soon, they had to part so Soraiya could meet her other obligations.

---