Page 56 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

Their lips parted and he gazed deep into her eyes. "Aliyah. Will you do me the honor of agreeing to become my wife?" His voice quivered and she sensed just how much this moment meant to him.

What could she say to that? Doubt left her in an instant, banished by emotions that were more real than anything she'd ever felt. There was only one thing she wanted to say, one thing that she'd ever wanted to say to Shahid.

Aliyah gazed into Shahid's eyes and saw the desperation there. Did he really think she'd say no?

Aliyah traced a hand down the side of his gloriously handsome features. She smiled at him. "Of course I'll marry you, Shahid."

His eyes lit with joy, and then his lips crashed down upon hers in a soul-igniting kiss. She allowed herself to be taken to a place of utter contentment and bliss as she sank into his arms, happy to feel his arms around her, holding her, protecting her, claiming her.

Their lips parted, and she looked up into his eyes. "I love you, Shahid," she whispered above the sound of the breeze from the sea.

"And I love you, Aliyah. I will always love you and do everything in my power to make you happy."

Aliyah smiled at him. It wasn't necessary to say anything else. Fate had brought them together, and destiny would keep them safe.

She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him again. Then they looked out upon the shimmering sea and she recalled how different things had been such a short time ago. She belonged to Shahid now. Really, when she thought about it, she had always belonged to him. Although now they had changed from being just friends to the closest of lovers.

After a while, Shahid looked at her. "I think we've got a wedding to go to," he said.

Aliyah smiled at him. "Which one are you talking about?"

He laughed. "I think the matchmaker just had a marriage arranged for her," he said cheekily.

"We'll have plenty of time to organize our own wedding," she said.

Shahid drew her closer. "Just make sure I don't have to wait too long," he said.

Aliyah traced her hand down the side of his face. "I don't intend to make you wait, at all. Not any more."

And then they started to make their way back to the helicopter that would lift them up into a new and very bright future.

THE END

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