Page 11 of Seduced By the Sheikh

After an afternoon of semi-formal meetings where she and Zak accepted congratulations and presents from leading members of the community, tribes, and interest groups, Soraiya longed for peace and quiet. Unfortunately there wasn’t time for any, and the afternoon of festivities led into the evening dinner. If she’d had any doubts as to Sarah’s decision not to attend the evening of feasting, music and entertainment, they were wiped out early on. As beautiful as it all was, Soraiya knew nobody and the stress was beginning to tell. The hour had grown late and she was tired and had let her guard down a little.

“And your wife, Her Royal Highness,” said the sheikh of a small neighboring country. “We look forward to receiving you both when you visit to discuss matters of mutual interest between our two lands.”

Zak frowned—the first of the evening—and Soraiya wondered what had been said which he disliked so much. She soon found out. He turned away, ignoring the man, but the man didn’t take the hint.

“It’ll be like old times,” the sheikh reminisced. “When Her Royal Highness Sheikha Alishaba accompanied your father, the king. She was indeed an accomplished negotiator.” He smiled at the memory.

“My wife will not be engaging in business matters,” said Zak with a frosty finality which the older man appeared not to notice, because he turned to Soraiya with a warm smile.

“But you are experienced in such matters, so I understand. Are you not?”

“I am,” Soraiya said. “I have worked with my father on many such missions before.” She stole a glance at Zak who was looking away from her into the mid distance. She couldn’t interpret his expression. She hardly knew him, so decided to answer the sheikh. Surely it would be rude not to? “And I look forward to visiting you as soon as it can be arranged,” she said, pleased with her tactful diplomacy.

Zak looked at her coldly. “For social events, of course, but not for business. Never for business.”

Soraiya flushed with embarrassment. Why would Zak insist on that proviso to her statement? Perhaps she’d misheard. She didn’t want any misunderstandings to come between them. She knew how damaging they could be, not only in relationships, but in politics. Both of which encompassed her marriage. Now wasn’t a time to broach the subject. But later, when they were alone, she’d talk to him about it. This was their future, and it was important for him to understand the role she intended to play in their marriage.

Now,” Zak continued, as if he hadn’t just humiliated her by correcting her publicly. “I think it’s time to conclude this evening’s entertainment.”

Arm-in-arm they walked through the banqueting hall, saying their farewells to people, until at last they were free. She heaved a sigh of relief as they walked through the gardens towards their rooms.

“You did well,” said Zak at last, breaking a long silence.

She glanced, suddenly hoping she’d misinterpreted his comment. “Thank you,” she said as they stopped outside their rooms. “I wonder if we could have a few moments to talk.”

“About what?”

She shrugged. She wasn’t used to not speaking her mind but was suddenly scared that her husband, this man about whom she knew so little, wouldn’t welcome what she had to say. “Just something I wanted to understand. Something I wanted to make sure we both agreed on.”

“We can talk tomorrow,” he said in a way which brooked no contradiction. The conversation was at an end.

She nodded, her heart plummeting again. Apart from wanting to clarify his earlier comment, she’d hoped for more of the intimacy she’d experienced the previous night. She hoped he wasn’t simply going to return to his room alone. Standing so close to him brought back memories of the way he’d touched her, and their kiss… She licked her lips but his expression didn’t change. She blinked. He didn’t want a repeat performance. She’d displeased him in some way.

“Right. I guess I’ll get an early night, then.” She opened the door to her bedroom, but before she could step inside, he reached out and tugged her to him. And she had no intention of resisting. She wasn’t used to such feelings of desire and her soul was needy for love.

“Tomorrow we will talk,” he repeated. “But tonight, I have other things on my mind.”

Before she knew it, he was inside her room, and the door was firmly closed behind him.

She could have stopped him if she’d wanted to but even while her mind was telling her they needed to talk first, her body was yielding to his touch. A shiver ran through her as he caressed her cheek, and she lifted her face to his. She wanted what he’d given her yesterday. She needed it.

She needed the way he looked at her and the way his fingers swept down her cheek and pressed against her mouth. She needed the way her lips pressed against his fingers kissing them with a pent-up desire which completely gave her away. She needed all of it like a woman lost in a desert for too long for whom nothing else mattered except water.

He kissed her then but didn’t immediately seek her tongue with his. And she needed this too it seemed because it was her tongue which pushed into his mouth, making his breath catch with desire.

Too soon, he pulled away and gently took off her evening dress, placing an arousing, erotic kiss on her shoulders and upper arm, and on each newly revealed patch of skin as her dress fell to her feet. She caught her breath as he kissed her neck again.

There was no artificial light in the room—only that of the moon through the curtains, its bright light softened and transformed into something magical. It must have been magic because of the next thing she did. Last night he hadn’t seen her completely naked but now she wanted him to. So she unfastened her bra. It hung in front of her and he removed it, caressing her breasts as he did so.

He pulled down her panties and stepped away to look at her. His throat convulsed and his eyes darkened. Never before had she been looked at like this. She’d imagined it a thousand times, wondering how she would react. And now she knew. She didn’t retreat but basked in the attention because it felt so right, and it only made her want more.

“You look so beautiful… exquisite. Last night, I touched you. Tonight I will taste you.”

He reached out and with the tip of his finger he touched her chest before trailing down over her breast, around her nipple, brushing it with the soft pad of his finger, reigniting that now familiar tugging sensation of desire. She gasped and pushed out her breasts, wanting more.

He smiled and bridged the gap between them and did exactly what she’d been wanting him to do. With infinite care, he caressed and kissed her breasts, taking time to judge her reaction and discover what she liked. It seemed to her she liked it all.

Just as she thought she would orgasm from his touch on her breasts alone, he took hold of her hand and led her to the bed. It didn’t take a genius to realize he wanted her on it. And she was only too happy to oblige. She had no idea what was about to happen. But, if last night was anything to go by, she knew she wouldn’t be disappointed. She sat awkwardly on the bed, not quite knowing what he wanted her to do.

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