Page 35 of The Sheikh's Secret Family

“Let’s not wait at all,” Tariq suggested. Emelia smiled slightly as she stretched up on her toes, bringing their lips together again. The second kiss was softer than the first, which had been filled with all the emotion of six years apart. The second kiss was a kiss full of hope and possibility for their future.

When they pulled apart this time, Emelia bit her lip in a way that was so irresistible that Tariq almost kissed her again right then. Instead, he waited, knowing that she wanted to say something.

“I can trust you, right?” she asked, her voice low and vulnerable.

“Of course you can,” Tariq said, knowing right away that she must be talking about what had happened back in college. “I will never hurt you again, you or Owen.”

She nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

Tariq wished that he could just pull Emelia close and kiss her a hundred times and make her forget all her fears. But he also knew that her fears weren’t unfounded. He really had left without a word all those years ago. And he really was keeping her and Owen a secret, although it was for everyone’s benefit.

He would have to tell everyone about Emelia and Owen eventually, but that was a problem for another day. Right now, he just wanted this moment.

“Nothing to thank me for,” he said. “You and our son mean the world to me.”

“He is a wonderful little person,” Emelia said, a hint of her usually light-hearted personality creeping back into her voice.

“And you’re a wonderful big person,” Tariq added, brushing a quick kiss across her cheek.

“A wonderful big person who needs to go, though,” Emelia said regretfully. “It’s getting late and I promised Noora I’d meet her in the kitchens early tomorrow for another cooking lesson. I’m going to teach her how to make American pancakes this time.”

“It sounds like you and Noora are becoming good friends,” Tariq said.

Emelia nodded. “She’s been great. I see why Owen likes her so much. Right now, I’m regretting agreeing to get up early, though. I wish I could stay here with you.”

Tariq’s heart warmed at the words. “I wish that too, but you’re right. You should get some sleep, and so should I.”

“Maybe we could go in a minute,” Emelia suggested, smiling slyly.

“Good idea.” Tariq leaned in for one more kiss.

By the time they finally did walk back to the palace, it was later than either of them had intended. It was worth every second, though. Tariq dropped Emelia off outside her rooms with one more sweet kiss before heading towards his own rooms. His step was light, as was his heart. Emelia still cared for him. And those kisses had been every bit as magical as he’d remembered. Nothing could spoil Tariq’s mood this evening.

Except, perhaps, running into his mother in the hallway. Maryam was standing outside Tariq’s rooms, arms crossed, one eyebrow slightly raised. Tariq recognized immediately that she was not in a good mood.

“Hi, Ummah. What are you doing up so late?” Tariq asked. He immediately regretted it.

“Waiting outside of your rooms so that I have some hope of catching you,” Maryam said, folding her arms tighter still. “Son, we need to talk.”

Immediately, Tariq felt like a young boy being scolded for spilling tea all over his mother’s favorite rug. He tried to remind himself that he was a grown man, but he would probably never outgrow this feeling.

“Please, come inside.” He opened the door and let them both in to his rooms, leading them to the outer sitting room. He felt a stab of nerves — his mother had hardly been here since she had lived here with his father. “Do you need something to drink?”

“No, thank you.” Maryam leaned forward. “Habibi, I’m worried about you.”

Oh no. Her worry was even worse than her anger.

“What’s going on?” Tariq asked.

“You seem distracted,” Maryam said. Her voice was gentler now. “You’ve been slacking in your duties and you haven’t been making your usual appearances. People have been asking what’s going on with you and I’m starting to get worried.” She leaned forward, patting Tariq’s hand with her cool, soft one. “I understand that being a sheikh is hard. Goodness knows, your father had his moments when it all seemed like too much. But please, son, ask for help if you need it. I’m here for you.”

Tariq felt terrible. He’d thought he was doing a good job, or at least an okay one, of juggling his family and his work. But as it turned out, he wasn’t. Even his mother, who had justifiably taken a step back from the political side of things, knew about it.

“Thank you, Ummah, but honestly, nothing is wrong. I’ve just been a bit distracted.”

“Is there a girl?” Maryam asked, a slight twinkle breaking through the worry in her eyes.

Tariq shook his head, wishing that he could tell her the truth. He couldn’t, though. As much as any traditionalist, his mother would certainly panic if she knew he had a secret son and an American sweetheart. It would destroy their relationship.

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