Page 40 of Defenders of Jawhara

Shira shook her head at him. “That is so backward. Don’t your women want to get an education, and do something with their lives besides bear children?”

Kale nodded. “Yes. And many of them do just that. But the majority of our women are content to become wives and raise children. We are a country steeped in tradition. Speaking of which, there is one catch I must tell you about.”

“Catch?”

“Well, according to custom, Kamal must marry first. But don’t worry. I do believe your cousin is pushing him beyond his abilities to continue watching over her from afar. I would not be surprised to see her visiting Jawhara in the next several weeks.”

Shira smiled. “She never said, but I knew something happened between the two of them that night. She was mopey for days after he left. That whole incident with the bodyguard was over the top as well. I’m just thankful he was at her office when that guy went after her.”

“Enough about my brother and his love life. I believe I have a fiancée I haven’t properly kissed all day. Come here.”

Several hours later, Shira lay in Kale’s arms in his large bed, thinking of the future they would have together. Everything was happening so quickly, and she knew she should be angry that everyone seemed to be making decisions for her, but she was just so happy, she couldn’t find it in her to be upset. She had expressed a desire to return to the States to pack some of her belongings, and Kale had promised to make the arrangements the next day.

She bit back a laugh—not wanting to disturb a sleeping Kale—at the thought of her strong-minded cousin butting heads with the ruler of Jawhara. Erin wasn’t one to tolerate someone orchestrating her life without her input, and she got the impression that Kamal didn’t take no for an answer. She chuckled then, stilling when Kale shifted in his sleep. Yep, they were both in trouble, and she looked forward to seeing the sparks fly.

12

KALE

Kale watched Shira as she spoke to her cousin on the phone a week later. Shira had been calling Erin daily, hoping to hear more strength in her voice, but concerned at the end of each call that Erin was only pretending to feel better.

At the worried look on her face, Kale strode across the room, wrapping her in his arms as she finished her call. “Still not feeling well?”

Shira shook her head. “She says she’s fine, but I can hear it in her voice. Something’s not quite right. I really wanted to tell her about our engagement, but it doesn’t seem right to tell her something like that when she’s feeling so crappy.”

“Is she still going to work?” Kale asked, leaning his chin atop her head.

“Yes. Maybe she’s just having trouble with one of her cases. Sometimes when the case is really difficult, it gets to her.”

“Well, how would you like to check in on her personally?”

Shira looked up at him. “We’re going back to the States?”

“Tomorrow. I have some business to take care of and thought we would spend six weeks or so letting you pack up your belongings, deal with any in-house matters you might have with work, and have some time to spend with your friends. When are your aunt and uncle due home from their world cruise?”

“Sometime in the next two months. I think. The last time I spoke with them, they’d talked about renting a sailboat in Australia to head over to Bora Bora or possibly Tahiti. They are really enjoying their trip.”

“Does a cruise sound like fun to you? Perhaps once everything is settled, we could take a cruise around the Mediterranean.”

Shira turned in his arms, kissing him. “I hate to say it, but the two times I spent any time on a boat, I got horribly seasick. I’m most definitely happiest on land.”

Kale kissed her back. “Then we shall remain on land.”

Nodding, Shira shivered. “Good idea, and thank you. I’ve been so concerned about Erin. When we arrive, if she’s still sick, I’ll make her go to the doctor. She can be stubborn, but I’m not only stubborn, but I can be mean, too.”

Kale lifted her into his arms, heading for their bedchamber. “I suspect you only pretend to be mean. You’re much too caring and you know it.” He nudged the door closed with his shoulder and crossed the room, shifting her in his grip so he had a hand free to explore. Unsatisfied, he set her down so he could use both hands to get what he wanted.

“Yeah, you’re right, but don’t tell my cousin that. When she was a teen, I have to admit that I enjoyed causing her trouble, especially around boys.” Shira laughed, quickly turning her laughter into moans of pleasure as Kale removed her clothing and then his own.

Kissing her face, Kale chuckled. “Now that I believe. Enough talk of your cousin. I need you now.”

Lifting her up, he went to place her on the bed, but Shira had other ideas. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Gripping his shoulders, she kissed him tenderly at first, but soon enough, the kiss deepened and they were both moaning.

Turning, Kale fell back on the bed bringing Shira down on top of him. She straddled him, hugging her legs against his sides as she continued to kiss him. He put his hands to the sides of her head, stilling her, and kissed her back with all the passion he was feeling for the woman who had captured his heart.

Shira broke the kiss for a breath, then moved to sprinkle kisses across his cheeks, then his nose, before giving him a mischievous grin. He should have suspected she was up to something as she nibbled down his chin. then his neck. Her fingers danced lightly across his chest before stopping to play with his nipples. He gasped at the sensations she was creating. She blazed a hot trail down his torso, worshiping his body as she went and making him feel as though he was on fire.

Scooting down, she settled between his legs blowing warm air on his now-painful erection. Shifting up onto his elbows, he watched her grip his cock, squeezing the shaft. When she pressed her lips to the head, he groaned loudly, flopping back onto the bed. Her hot mouth enveloped him, and he gripped the sheet beneath him to keep from taking over.

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