Page 41 of Sheikh's Pregnant Fiancée

Unable to help herself, the corners of her mouth twitched upward. “The energy of the place?”

Looking away, he cleared his throat. “That’s something that you would think about, so I’m trying to be mindful of that.”

Aubrey sighed and joined him. “My grandmother said this was my grandfather’s prized greenhouse. He built it himself with stone columns and stone benches and wooden frames around the glass. They sold the grapes for income, but she said he grew some amazing things here during his time. There was a storm a few years after he died, and a massive oak came crashing down on it. She didn’t have the money to repair it, so it’s been like this for years.”

“Your own little ruin?”

“Something like that. Jarah, what are you really doing here?”

“My wife is here. Where else would I be?”

Stumped, she blinked. That was not the answer she had expected from him. “When I asked to leave, you didn’t say anything about wanting to come with me.”

“I changed my mind.”

“You have a whole kingdom you’re supposed to be running, remember?”

“I remember. I told my father that I was temporarily stepping down from my duties. Mikal is more than prepared to fill in, and if I permanently step down, then he can take my place. I’ll work remotely to help out with the businesses.”

He said it so casually, as if he were shifting around a few meetings rather than talking about giving up his crown. Aubrey could barely breathe. “What in the world are you talking about? Permanently step down? Why would you do that?”

“I can’t run Rihamel from here. I would ask that you allow me to build us a home on the property. There isn’t quite enough room for your grandmother, the two of us, and our son.”

Dizzy, she reached out to grab the stone wall, and Jarah was immediately by her side. “What’s wrong? Do we need to go in? Do we need to call the doctor?”

“No, I’m just trying to follow the conversation. Run Rihamel from here? Why would you think that would even be an option?”

A shadow crossed over his face, and he eased them both down until they were sitting on the steps. “My mother admitted that she told you living apart was an option. I know something happened in Hal Rabat. Something I didn’t stop and something you didn’t trust me enough to talk about. I was worried you would decide not to return. I was worried you even thought I might be okay with living separate lives. I am not.”

Emotions washed over her, and she closed her eyes. “Your mother did mention that. I had no intention of even considering the possibility. I’m sorry if I made you think that. I just needed to clear my head, but it was never going to be permanent. I had every intention of coming home to you.”

“Aubrey, you have no idea how I feel hearing that. I should have told you a long time ago that I love you. That I didn’t just marry you because you were pregnant. I want to know if we can make this marriage work. We skipped steps. Important steps. I want to court you and woo you. To tell you that I love you under the stars. I can’t start from the beginning, but I can start here. I can make you feel like a queen, like my queen.”

Tears pricked her eyes, and she put a hand on her belly. “If you’re saying that because of the kid…”

“I’m not. Aubrey, you enthralled me from the moment you left me waiting outside that restaurant. I bribed you to marry me because I saw you slipping away, after you learned the truth about who I am. I didn’t dare miss the opportunity to make you mine. I did it all wrong.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and she reached for him. “No, you’re right. Once I knew who you were, I didn’t want to have anything to do with you. And that would have been a mistake.”

“Aubrey…”

“I do love you, Jarah. I’m just worried that I’m not the right person to be your wife. Hal Rabat taught me…”

“No,” he said harshly, his face contorting in anger. “Whatever happened in Hal Rabat was not your fault and is not a reflection on you at all.”

With nothing else to say, she buried her head in his chest. He held her, and when she lifted her head, she took his hands. “You should definitely come inside. I think you’ll like the energy of the greenhouse.”

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