Page 47 of Seduced By the Sheikh

“Yes, it most definitely is,” he said, closing the door behind him.

“Has Sarah had the baby?”

“No. Well, not that I know of.”

“And they’re all well?”

“Yes, yes,” he said dismissively. “Of course they are. That’s not what I’ve come here to say.”

She walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. She didn’t think she’d ever seen him more agitated, less in control.

“Whatever is the matter?” she asked, her brow creasing in concern.

“I’ve been talking with my mother,” he said.

“Ah, so have I. I think she’s changed.”

“So she says.”

“You don’t believe her?”

“I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

“I know it’s come out of the blue.”

“It sure has. I had no idea,” he said.

And she could see he was genuinely shocked. “I’m sure when you consider everything, you’ll see it makes sense.” With Soraiya’s own mother passed away, she’d always hoped that Zak would reconcile with his. Life was too short for feuds in families.

“What do you mean ‘makes sense’?” He looked confused.

She shrugged. “Without forgiveness, there is no love.”

“Then if that’s what’s missing, I ask your forgiveness.”

It was Soraiya’s turn to be confused. “What for?”

“I don’t know,” he said, “but if that’s what’s stopping you from realizing how much I love you, then I’ll ask your forgiveness. Soraiya, look, I’ll say anything that’s required to make you understand what I feel for you.” He muttered an expletive she’d never heard him use before. “You must know I adore the ground you walk on. I’d do anything for you. I expect I probably haven’t said it enough?—”

“Zak! You haven’t said it at all!”

“But,” he continued in a rush, not noticing her interruption, so intent was he to tell her what he wanted to say. “You have to believe me, from the bottom of my heart, whether I say it or not, I always feel it.” He pulled her into his arms. “Always.” He took hold of her hand and placed it on his heart. “Here, where you can feel it beating. My heart beats for you, and it always will.” He drew back and searched her face, his own expression wretched with doubt. “You have to believe me, because I don’t know what else I can say to describe how much you mean to me.”

She huffed out a laugh which was full of relief. She could hardly believe what he’d said, and replayed the words in her head as the laughter continued to spill from her lips.

“For pity’s sake, Soraiya, tell me you’re not laughing at my love? Tell me you believe me?”

It was the halting tone of his words, twisted up at the end with an unmistakable, unusual insecurity, which stopped her laughter.

“Zak. I believe you and I’m laughing because if I didn’t, I’d cry.”

He shook his head in confusion, still not reassured. “You’re going to have to spell it out to me, Soraiya.”

“You know I love you. I’ve told you before, but I stopped telling you when I thought you didn’t love me. But my love is still there, as steady as your beating heart.” She withdrew her hand from his chest and put them on his shoulders. “My darling husband, all I’ve ever wanted was your love.”

“And you have it,” he murmured as his lips met hers in a kiss which not only stopped her laughter but also her tears.

EPILOGUE

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