Page 20 of At the Sheikh's Pleasure
“Rosana,” he said, his breath soft against her cheek, “you can’t put the world to rights by yourself.You’ve done nothing wrong.You’ve only had wrong donetoyou.”
It was the last straw, and all she craved was his warmth and understanding to press deep inside her soul.She wanted connection and, without a further thought, she rolled onto her tiptoes and pressed her mouth against his.She held it there for one long moment, absorbing every sensation of the kiss—his sensuous, manly fragrance, the softness of those lips which appeared so hard, and, the whisper of a sigh which escaped his mouth before his lips opened, moving over hers with a sensitivity which snatched at her heart.It wasn’t any thought which made her open her mouth and touch his tongue with her own, but a deep-seated need, an imperative which would not be stopped.And she didn’t want it stopped when the intimacy deepened and his hands slid around her waist, his fingers splaying over her curves, as if his need for her was equally strong.
It was only when he stepped closer to her and she felt the press of his body against hers and his erection push into her stomach that she was finally roused from the sensuous state in which her thinking brain played no part.She pulled away, suddenly horrified.What the hell had she done?
She stepped away, but the step became a stumble and a chair fell over with a clang, further rousing her from her fugue state.She pressed her fingers against her lips as if shocked by the sensation which still lingered there.
He didn’t move, simply reached out for her, as if he wanted her back in his arms again, but daren’t try.
“I’m sorry,” he said, dropping his hands to his sides.“I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
She shook her head, knowing that he hadn’t instigated it.She gulped, but no words came.
“You’re upset,” he continued.“I understand that, and I apologize.I got carried away.”
She shook her head.“That’s not why I’m upset.I’m upset because I meant that to happen.”
Without a further word, she turned away and rushed into the darkness of the open doors, towards her room.She didn’t dare remain a moment longer with him because she couldn’t be with him and not want him.And she had no future with this man, this king, this enemy of her nation.
Zaire watched her leave,the taste of her on his tongue, confusion reeling through his brain.He’d accomplished what he’d set out to do.He’d helped her to relax, and drop the barriers which she’d re-erected after their ride into the desert when she’d opened up to him in such an enchanting way.No doubt she’d regretted it.She probably imagined it had made her vulnerable when her defenses had dropped, and all signs of arrogance had vanished.Maybe it had.Because in their place was a woman who he wanted to know better.A lot better.
The passion he’d sensed when they’d first met was there in her eyes and in the shape and swell and taste of her lips.It was there in her soul.
He’d spoken truly when he’d said he still loved Galila.He did.And that would never leave.But it didn’t stop him from wanting to steal another kiss from this enigmatic woman with pain in her heart and passion on her lips.
Chapter9
The next morning, Rosana didn’t hesitate.She rose early, showered, and breakfasted with her usual precision and sense of purpose.Her disciplined adherence to routine and work had served her well every day for the past eight years.Until now.
She dressed with care, selecting more formal clothes than the previous day, and strode out to meet the king.She refused to allow herself to think about the kiss.There was no point.She’d made a big mistake and the best way forward was simply to not think about it, not be tempted again, do what she needed to do, and get out of Sifra as soon as she could.It was that simple.She could work with simple.
King Zaire pacedfrom one side of his office to the next while he waited for Rosana to arrive.He’d spent a sleepless night thinking about the kiss and the feelings it had awakened in him.He’d originally cleared his workload, intending to toy with her, even seduce her, imagining how such a relationship would destroy Rosana’s father’s credibility with his new allies—the Faud Federation.If the Federation believed Rosana’s father had become an ally to Sifra, it would destroy the flow of economic support they were providing for his country—the Kingdom of Harran.It would isolate and weaken Harran and increase Sifra’s power.It had all been very tempting.
He stopped pacing suddenly and looked out at the bustling palace out of his window.But now?The thought of using her in any way whatsoever was abhorrent to him.
He felt her pain.In fact, it devastated him.And he wanted nothing more than to eradicate it, to make that passionate woman he saw yesterday blossom into the woman she could be.
He picked up a photo of Galila.
“What would you think of all of this, my love?”he asked, his thumb caressing the framed photograph.“Would you feel betrayed?”
Silence filled the air, suddenly broken by the sound of his assistants working outside his room, their voices becoming increasingly agitated.Then Rosana’s voice, calm, dignified but quite clear and imperious, rose above them.He sighed and replaced the frame, his eyes lingering on the hopeful, shy grace of the woman in the photo—the woman who’d died too soon.She was leaning over her pet dog, patting it because something had spooked it.She’d been like that.Kind.The kindest person he’d known.Which, to be honest, wasn’t hard when the only people he could compare her to were his family.
And then the thought came to him.He closed his eyes as Rosana’s voice rose louder still, as his assistants tried to delay her because she was early.He smiled to himself.Galila would have been kind to him, and to Rosana.She’d always seen through people’s exterior, to their soul.And she would have liked Rosana’s soul.He was sure of it.And maybe, just maybe, she’d meant it when she’d told him she wanted him to be happy.After all, that was what she’d told him as she’d lain dying in the hospital—a long lingering illness which she faced with a courage which he didn’t possess.She’d told him to be happy.And he’d let her down so far because he hadn’t been.He’d simply been living, day by day, forcing himself through a reality which felt less real than his dreams and memories.But that kiss had changed everything.
He brushed off a speck of dust from the photo, and went and opened the door.All eyes were on him.Two harried assistants and an aloof, business-like Rosana.His smile faded.He saw instantly that she regretted the kiss.
“Sheikha Rosana,” he said formally, addressing her as he could see she wished to be addressed.Her entire attitude shouted formality.“You’re early.”
She lifted her chin and looked even more regal, if that were possible.He could hardly believe that only a few hours previously his lips had been pressed to hers, and, even more unbelievably, she’d instigated it.
“I am on time, Your Highness.”She stepped aside with a raised brow.“Shall we proceed to the throne room?”
“If you wish,” he murmured, and the doors were opened for them and she swept through, leaving him with no option but to follow her.It didn’t annoy him, rather it amused him.But it also reinforced the fact that it would not be easy to break down those barriers once more.But, he thought, this time he knew it would be worth it.
“I trust you slept well,” he said, opening a further door for her.
She glanced at him, her face flushing slightly before her lips tightened and she nodded and walked through.He sighed.This was going to be harder than he imagined.
