Page 39 of Hiding in the Sheik's Arms

Khal couldn’t wait any longer, even though the party was still going strong. He’d waited over a year for this day. Every damn moment in Tasha’s presence had been painful, waiting for her to notice him. Now that she had, and now that he’d had a small taste of Tasha, he needed more. He needed to make up for all of those nights he’d thought about her. Waiting for her to realize he was a man.

Now that she’d bloomed, now that he’d had her in his arms, he wanted all of her. He didn’t want to share her attention with anyone!

The food was delicious, if basic, and the whole administrative staff, housekeeping personnel, and a steady stream of palace guards came to offer congratulations. Khal knew most of the staff were excited to have the afternoon off and the palace guards rotated in to grab food. But the glowing smile on Tasha’s face as she laughed with everyone made it all worthwhile. It had been so long in coming, that smile. The sparkle of happiness in her eyes was more beautiful than anything he’d ever seen.

Now he got to watch her mingle with the palace staff, her true personality finally shining through and his wife was breathtaking!

He'd come up with the plan earlier this morning. He’d wanted to marry Tasha for a while, but Nathan King’s request for a meeting with Khal only solidified the need to put his plan into motion sooner rather than later.

He leaned against the wall, watching as practically every damn employee came to hug his new wife. She laughed and nodded at whatever they were saying to her, and Khalunderstood that she wasn’t just important to him, but to everyone. Tasha interacted with every department in the palace, so everyone knew and obviously liked her.

He couldn’t have chosen a better wife, Khal thought as he sipped the disgusting champagne.

Joran and Raj moved to his side, both of them drinking something more appealing than the bubbly crap that everyone else seemed to enjoy.

“Here,” Raj said, taking the champagne flute from him, replacing it with a glass of scotch. “That stuff will kill you.”

Khal snorted, but accepted the scotch with appreciation.

“If you’re waiting for the right moment to take your wife away from the craziness, it was an hour ago,” Joran said.

Khal tilted his head slightly. “She’s having a good time.”

In that exact moment, Tasha looked over at him. He saw the desire in her eyes, and the joy.

“Now’s the time,” he declared, shoving the untouched glass at his brother. He wasn’t sure who took it, but was relieved that he was unencumbered as he walked over to his wife.

Chapter 35

“What’s the rush?” Tasha gasped, hurrying to keep up with Khal’s longer stride.

“The rush,” he said, even as he bent down and lifted her into his arms, “is that I need to be alone with you.”

Tasha wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling a giddy rush of happiness at his eagerness. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely so,” he agreed archly, shouldering his way through the door to their bedroom.

Tasha laughed at his determination, and couldn’t deny the effect it had on her body. As soon as he set her down on the floor, she backed up slightly, unaware of the sexy smile on her face or the glimmer of desire shining from her chocolate eyes.

“So, if I were to…,” she slipped her sweater over her head, holding it out with her fingertips, still backing up, “…take this off and drop it here, what would you do?”

“I would demand that you take your bra off as well.” He followed her, watching her every move.

“Oh, so,” she dropped the sweater to the floor and backed up a few more steps, her fingers sliding against the waistband of her slacks, “you don’t want me to take off my pants?”

“The bra, Tash,” he ordered.

Chapter 36

She’d known for a while that he was a breast man, Tasha thought, her smile widening.

She pushed her slacks down, still walking backwards. She didn’t dare bend down to take them off. No way! He would definitely take advantage of her vulnerable position.

When she turned back around, her mouth went dry as she looked at his bare chest. How had he gotten the buttons undone so quickly?

Still, she kept backing up, her eyes moving to his hands as he quickly undid his belt, then shoved his slacks and boxers down, taking his socks and shoes with them. He didn’t bother hanging them up. Khal just walked forward, gloriously naked.

“You haven’t gotten rid of that bra, Tash,” he warned, his voice low and grumbly. Just like a bear, she thought. Her bear. Her giant, strong, powerful, sexy, amazing grizzly bear!

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