Page 38 of Forty Days and One Knight
“Yes, it does, and I think it might be a good idea.” She paused. “But what about you, Darius? How do you feel about it? Is it something you are interested in? I do not want to impose on you any more than I have already.”
“You’re not imposing, sweetheart.” He sighed. “If you’d asked me weeks ago if I was interested in it, I would’ve said no. But after talking to Ian, I’ve been doing a little research on my own, and I think it really might help you. But it’s totally up to you. If you say no, then that’s the end of it. This is not something Ineedlike some of the other guys. But it might be something you can benefit from, and if you’re willing, then so am I.” He reached up and cupped her cheek. “I worry about you. You’re still having nightmares.” When she opened her mouth, he stopped her. “And don’t deny it. What I want to know is why haven’t you come to me for comfort? You have to know I’d do anything to help you, Princess.”
“I do know that, and I thank you, but I did disturb your sleep.”
“Princess, I sleep very lightly after all my years in the Navy. If you need me, please don’t shut me out. I’m one of the few people you can talk to, and I want to be here for you.”
She held his hand to her cheek and closed her eyes for a moment, wishing they had a real romantic relationship and not one based on a lie. Blinking, she focused on his soft green eyes. Something had changed between them within the last few moments, and she pulled back a bit to concentrate, seeing something she’d never seen with him before—his aura!
Multiple colors swirled around Darius, and Tahira zeroed in on each one and their meanings. Shades of green for healing and compassion; indigos for benevolence; and reds for passion and strength. Tahira’s breath hitched. His aura was just as beautiful as the man.
“Tahira, what’s wrong?”
His voice drew her back into focus. “I am sorry, Darius. As you say, I zoned out for a moment. Nothing is wrong. In fact, I think a lot of things are suddenly right. Yes, I would like for you help me explore this lifestyle, and I hope I can give you something back in return.”
Without hesitation or waiting for him to respond, she closed the distance between them and pressed her mouth to his. He stiffened for a split second before he took over the kiss, his hand going into her hair and holding her there. A groan escaped him as his tongue demanded entry to her mouth. She parted her lips for him, her arms going around his neck as she moved even closer. Whatever had just happened between them released a hunger she’d never experienced before. Up until now, their make-out session had been relatively tame. But now, she silently urged him to release whatever he’d been holding back from her.
His hands slid down her sides and grasped her hips. Tugging them, he pulled her closer until she was straddling his lap. She grew wet as she felt his erection pulsating against her sex. Once she was settled, his hands stroked the contours of her back. Taking his cue, she let her own hands roam over the sinewy muscles of his shoulders, upper back, and arms. As their lips melded together, his tongue dueled with hers, and his hand snaked around and cupped her breast, causing Tahira to moan in pleasure and need.
A clanging sound in the main club had Darius breaking the kiss. They were both panting heavily as he stared at her with lust-filled eyes, seconds before regret filled them. “I’m sorry, Tahira—”
“Hush, Darius. Please do not say that. I very much enjoyed what just happened between us, and I want it to happen again. It proves that what that bastard did to me has not made me afraid of intimacy with a man ... with you. I am a grown woman, with passion and desire filling me every time you touch me. He could not take that from me, and I will not let you or anyone else deny me what is rightfully mine. I may not be experienced with a man, but I know you will not hurt me, physically or emotionally.” She hesitated a moment. “But if you are having second thoughts and do not want me as much as I want you, then I will understand—”
He snorted. “Not want you?” He flexed his hips, grinding his manhood against her core. “Does this feel like I don’t want you, Princess? Does this feel like I don’t find you desirable? I like you very much, sweetheart, and I care for you just as much. Trust me when I say I would be honored to have you in my bed. But that’s your decision. I won’t push you in any way. If and when you would like to take things further, then just let me know. But under no circumstances do you come to me because you feel obligated because of the wedding or that you owe me for helping you out, understand? That is not what I want at all.”
She smiled and blinked away a few tears that tried to escape her watery eyes. “Yes, I understand.” She caressed his cheek, loving the feel of his evening stubble rasping against her palm. “You are a very noble man, Darius. And do not roll your eyes at me when I compliment you like that. I know Doms will not allow that, and I am making it a rule between us too. I will not roll my eyes at you if you do not roll your eyes at me.” He grinned at her demand. “I want you very much, Darius. I will always be grateful for what you are doing for me, but that is not part of my attraction to you. You make me feel more like a woman than anyone else has in my entire life. I feel the heat of your gaze from across a room. My heart speeds up and the rest of my body reacts just because it knows you are near. No man has ever done that to me before.”
From just inside the door to the main club, Harper appeared, cutting off anything Darius may have said. The woman grinned, knowingly, when she saw them. “Are you ready to go back? I’m getting hungry.”
Placing one last kiss on Darius’s lips, Tahira climbed off his lap, stood, and held out her hand. As he took it, hope and love filled her heart. She’d discovered several things in the past few minutes. The most important one was she’d found her soul mate. Now she just had to wait until he realized it too.
31
“Would you stop fidgeting, Barrie?”
Darius’s sister glared at him from across the opulent, private elevator in the Knoxville hotel where King Rajeemh and Queen Azhar were staying for the night. It was an hour away from Brookford. While the royal couple had wanted to make their visit longer, it hadn’t been possible—they were heading to New York for a session at the UN tomorrow. But maybe that was a good thing since Barrie looked like she was going to faint at any moment.
Levi and Barrie had arrived a short time ago, and Darius and Amar had taken the elevator down to meet them and escort them back upstairs to the thirty-sixth-floor penthouses. There was a full dining room in the suite where Tahira’s parents would host supper for them, as well as Prince Raj and Princess Kainda who were sharing the second three-bedroom penthouse with Darius and Tahira. The king and queen were keeping the dinner low-key, with family members only, so members of their loyal entourage would not be attending. They’d wanted Darius’s siblings to feel relaxed and not overwhelmed. Only a few staff members would be on hand to assist with the meal and anything else that was needed.
Of course, there were bodyguards strategically placed all over the hotel and the buildings around it. Tahira’s royal guards had accompanied her and Darius on the private jet they’d taken from Tampa to Knoxville, while Amar led the others protecting the rest of her family. An advance security team had arrived earlier in the week to ensure their safety, going over the floor plans of the building and noting any possible issues that could arise. Until the royal entourage had walked into the lobby this morning, no one at the hotel, with the exception of the manager and the security staff, had been aware of who’d reserved the two penthouses and the entire floor below them. And those people had only found out when the team had arrived to fill them in. The Knoxville police department and local FBI, however, had been aware of the royal family’s visit for several days and had worked with the security team. As far as Darius could tell, Amar’s men had everything under control.
The press had swarmed in not long after word of the King and Queen’s visit had been leaked—that had been expected—but by then the couple had been safely ensconced in their suite. An underground parking garage would ensure their departure tomorrow would go just as smoothly.
“I’m nervous, all right?” Barrie responded with a growl, as she fiddled with the neckline of her black and ivory dress for the hundredth time in the past five minutes. “Do I look okay? Maybe I should have worn the blue dress. Are these shoes too high? I don’t want to be taller than anyone. It would be offensive if I looked down on them, right?”
“You look great, and they put their pants on the same way we all do, sis. Just remember to address them as ‘Your Highness,’ unless they say otherwise. And I’m sure your height will not be a problem.” Hell, she was only five-foot-four without her three-inch heels.
“I forget; do I curtsey? What if I do something wrong? Oh my God, I’ll be mortified. My palms are sweating, and I forgot to bring tissues.” Instead of wiping them on her dress, she used the back of Levi’s suit jacket.
Darius and Amar chuckled as Levi rolled his eyes and said, “You read the protocols more times than I did, and you don’t remember any of this? No, you don’t need to curtsey in the private setting, but you do bow when you’re first introduced. And don’t hold out your hand until they do. Now chill. You’ll be fine.”
When the doors opened, an amused Amar led them out to the small foyer that served both penthouses. Four heavily-armed guards had been expecting them, and one of them opened the door to the left of the elevator. The siblings followed the head of security into the spacious living room of the suite, before he disappeared into one of the extra rooms. The royal family stood to greet them, and Darius did the honors. “Your Royal Majesties, may I introduce my brother and sister, Levi and Barbara Knight.” Gesturing to the patriarch first, he continued. “Levi, Barrie, this is His Royal Highness King Rajeemh, Her Royal Highness Queen Azhar, His Royal Highness, Prince Raj, Her Royal Highness Princess Kainda, and this ... this is my fiancée, Her Royal Highness, Princess Tahira.”
Without hesitation, a smiling King Rajeemh stepped forward and held his hand out to Levi, who shook it and bowed slightly at the waist. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.” Barrie was flustered and blushing when the man turned to her, but she didn’t make any of the faux pas she’d been afraid of. “It is an honor to welcome Darius’s family into our own.”
As if on cue, the rest of the royal family welcomed them, with Tahira giving Levi and then Barrie a hug. “I am so happy to finally meet you, Levi. Barbara.”
“Thank you, Princess Tahira,” Barrie responded, clearly still trying to get her bearings. “Please call me Barrie. I haven’t gone by Barbara since I was an infant and Levi couldn’t pronounce my name.”
