Page 37 of The Sheik's Embrace

Tara knew she should pause and really consider the offer of marriage. But she couldn’t wait any longer.

“Yes!” she gasped. Then she laughed as she was enveloped by strong arms, Zayed peppering her neck with kisses as she closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

Chapter 27

Married. Tara turned and gazed up at Zayed. She was…married! Dear heaven, she was married to this wondrous man!

“Hello, wife!” he teased, obviously seeing the surprise in her green eyes. He lowered his head and kissed her. This time, it wasn’t just a brief kiss. This time, he slowly eased her into the kiss, taking his time for a more thorough caress. His strong arms held her securely against his hard body as he nipped and teased and kissed her until she was completely lost in the moment.

Only then did he lift his head and nod approvingly. “Say it,” he grumbled.

Tara wasn’t sure what he meant, but she beamed and said the only thing on her mind. “I love you.”

He growled, his eyes heating with desire. “Close enough.”

Tara laughed and he pulled her closer. Leaning her head against Zayed’s shoulder, she turned to her sister. Somehow, a white, silk dress had appeared, carried by a palace staff member. It wasn’t a wedding dress, but it was perfect. Tara wasn’t one to enjoy being in the spotlight, so this small, delightfully romantic wedding was exactly what she would have wanted. The speed with which it had taken place was truly a testament to the efficiency of the staff. They’d had mere hours to put together the flowers and someone to officiate the ceremony.

“Congratulations,” Kaia announced. Tara laughed, feeling giddy as her sister hugged her close. “If you ever need me, you know the code,” Kaia whispered in Tara’s ear.

Tara tightened her arms around her sister’s slender frame, then pulled back. “I know the code. And the same in return, big sis!”

Kaia wiped a tear from her cheek. The palace had found a lavender dress with a ruffled neckline and pretty, matching heels. Kaia had pulled a double strand of pearls and pearl stud earrings from a backpack which were the perfect match for the lavender ensemble. Kaia had never looked more lovely!

“Congratulations,” Sheik Abuzman said, bending to give Tara a gentle hug. “Now that you are here, I believe that Pitra and Bidar can have a much more productive and positive interchange of goods.”

Tara laughed when she heard Zayed growling behind her. “That’s very kind of you, Sheik Abuzman.”

“Please, call me Riaz.” He glanced over his shoulder at Kaia, then back at Tara with a mysterious look in those dark eyes. “I have a feeling that we will become very well acquainted with each other over the coming years.”

A split second later, she was pulled back into her new husband’s arms.

“She’s not a negotiating tool,” he snapped.

“Of course not,” Riaz replied. “However, her presence means that Pitra is in much more capable hands.” He winked at Tara. “And I like her. I’d like to see more of her.” He then looked at Zayed. “So that means we’re going to have to become friends.” He offered a teasing grin at Kaia who simply glared in return.

“Let’s eat!” Zayed announced, giving the other man a mock glare before he extended his elbow to his new wife. “Hopefully, it’s not poisoned.”

Riaz threw back his head, laughing at the taunt. Then he offered his arm to Kaia. Tara wasn’t so smitten with her new husband that she didn’t notice Kaia hesitate before accepting the proffered arm. The quartet moved into the small dining room where a beautiful dinner was laid out. The room had been decorated with pink roses and candles. As soon as they stepped into the room, a waiter arrived with sparkling glasses of champagne.

Zayed waited until everyone had a glass, then he lifted his and said, “To my new wife!”

Kaia and Riaz cheered, then delicately clinked glasses and sipped the delicious champagne.

Another waiter arrived bearing a tray with sumptuous appetizers. The man bowed low, offering the tray in one hand with a stack of napkins in the other.

“Oh!” Tara started, surprised at the awkwardness of the waiter’s movements. “Thank you.” Carefully, she selected one of the small bites, but she had no idea what it was. She suspected that the cracker had salmon and something else, but she wasn’t particularly hungry for food. After yesterday’s introduction to the delights of the bedroom, Tara wanted nothing more than to disappear with her new husband and explore more. In fact, she was looking forward to exploring this man and all of the sexual possibilities in detail!

She looked up at Zayed and nearly choked on the bite of…whatever. She could see desire equal to her own in his eyes.

Tara was just about to say something, anything, to ease the sexual tension that suddenly made her feel hot and constricted. But before she could speak, her arm was wrenched behind her. The pain in her shoulder was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

“What…?”

Then a knife was placed against her neck. She smelled the man before she recognized his voice.

“Stay back, or I’ll kill her!” Elijah announced. He pressed the knife against her neck and Tara felt a pinprick of pain. Obviously, he’d broken the skin, but she kept her features bland, unwilling to give this subhuman any indication that he’d hurt her.

“Tara!” Kaia gasped, dropping her glass of champagne to the floor. It shattered, but no one moved.

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