Page 46 of Unknown Royal Baby

The sound came again, louder this time.

Avril slumped against him. ‘Maryam.’

For a second he lay there, storing up every wonderful sensation, so much better than his broken memories of them together. Then, with a supreme effort, he rose from the bed and walked stiffly towards the cries.

A nightlight was on, giving the nursery a cosy glow. The baby looked up from the cot with a trembling chin, and tear-washed eyes. Before she could cry again he lifted her, rocking her gently. She didn’t want to settle, instead mouthing the fine cotton of his robe.

‘Sorry, little one. I can’t help with that.’

But he could make sure she was changed and dry before taking her to Avril. When he returned to the bedroom with Maryam, Avril had changed into a cotton robe, sitting back against the pillows and smothering a tremendous yawn. She looked flushed and lovely though her gaze skated from his. Was she shy about what they’d done? Did she regret it?

Then she lifted her gaze from their daughter to him and her smile made something in his chest tumble.

‘Thank you, Isam. I should have expected this.’

‘What about the nanny?’

‘I’ve told her I’d do the nights myself.’ She shrugged. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have insisted. It would be nice to get more rest, but she’s been working all hours and deserved a break. Besides, I prefer my privacy. We close the door to her quarters at night.’

Isam nodded. He hadn’t given any thought to their privacy as he’d set about seducing Avril. He’d been too caught up in his need for her.

That was a first. He couldn’t remember any time when he’d been so lacking in caution.

Except when you got your PA pregnant.

What was it about Avril that made him forget everything else?

No time now to ponder. He carried the baby to Avril where she sat propped against the pillows.

Despite the colour in her cheeks and the glitter in her eyes, he registered the shadows of fatigue beneath those eyes. She covered her mouth as another yawn escaped.

It struck him how much had changed for Avril in a short time. She was a new mother in a foreign country where she didn’t know the language or customs. She’d been brilliant tonight at the reception, but it must have been an enormous strain.

Isam had been working all hours, managing his royal responsibilities and dealing with crises that he believed were of Hafiz’s making. As a result he’d barely focused on how daunting this was for her.

That had to change.

‘It might be better if I leave you to finish up then get some rest.’

Her eyes rounded and she stopped in the act of opening her robe for the baby to feed.

‘You’re leaving?’

He caught her hand and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her palm. He tasted honey-sweet woman and the salt tang of sex. A shudder of hunger ripped through him. One taste of her was nowhere near enough.

He swallowed, his voice rough. ‘I want to stay. But if I do I’ll be tempted to make love to you all night. I suspect you need your sleep now more than you need sex.’

‘But you didn’t...’

‘Don’t worry about me.’ He hauled in a deep breath. ‘Ever since we met again we’ve been working tomyschedule, driven bymyimperatives as King. Let me do this for you, Avril. Feed Maryam then rest. You look like you can barely keep your eyes open. Perhaps we can breakfast together.’

This time when Avril smiled, her pleasure had nothing to do with sexual desire, yet he basked in its warmth. It was the first real smile she’d bestowed on him since his accident. It felt like a rich gift.

Simply at the suggestion they share a meal.

You already knew she was unlike other lovers.

Yet that didn’t explain his elation at her unguarded smile.

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