Page 33 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

“Hi, Soraya. It’s Amir.”

She didn’t say anything, and the silence dragged out. He waited. And waited. Finally, she spoke. “Hi, Amir. What’s going on?”

“I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me this Saturday. I was thinking we could go to dinner at that new American restaurant downtown and then go to Balmah Garden for the light show they do with the fountains and drones.”

“Amir, that sounds wonderful.” Soraya sounded like she was trying not to laugh. Or maybe cry. “Thank you forasking. It took you long enough to figure out that was what I wanted.”

“I hope I don’t have to ask to hold your hand.”

“No. I will be happy to hold your hand whenever you want.”

“Soraya, will you do me the honor of being my first ever real girlfriend?”

She did laugh, now, hysterically. And he basked in the glow that could only come from pleasing someone you loved.

15

Sara, Soraya, Keira, Kaleena, Aaliyah, and Alex were out for a girls’ day. They were having lunch and catching up. It was Alex’s last day before she returned to London. Soraya was overjoyed with her new relationship and her brother’s blessing and couldn’t stop talking.

“Why so happy?” Alex asked her. This was the most any of them had gotten out of her in the past few weeks. Soraya acted as if she didn’t know what they were talking about.

“She is in love with Amir,” Sara said. Soraya laughed but didn’t deny it. Malik had apologized to Amir for punching him but said he’d do it again if he hurt his sister. Amir had assured him it was not going to happen. He really cared for her, and nothing was going to break them apart. Soraya was happy her brother was letting them be.

Sara’s family had returned to London. She was going to miss them, but she liked her new life here. She was perfectly happy. Her parents and Tariq’s parents actually got along, and now they were all family.

Soraya told the girls about Amir and Kalil at the wedding. Sara didn’t know that Amir was that jealous. He was as possessive as his brother after all. The waiter brought a tray of seafood. Sara had been so hungry, but lately, she was not eating properly. Just as she was about to eat the prawns, her stomach started churning. She decided not to eat them and had some hummus instead. That was even worse. She got up and ran to the toilet.

“Are you okay, Sara?” Alex banged on the toilet door. Sara came out and washed her mouth and face. The other girls had followed to see if she was okay.

“I just threw up,” Sara said.

“Pregnant again,” Keira teased. Sara rolled her eyes.

After lunch, they went to the shopping mall. Sara linked arms with Soraya as they window shopped. Keira and Alex had wandered off. Aaliyah and Kaleena were buying cinema tickets. When they all regrouped, Alex handed Sara a bag with a pregnancy test inside.

“Come on, humor us,” Alex said. Sara thought it was ridiculous. She knew her own body, but they all ganged up on her. She figured it was easier to give in than to resist. Five minutes later, she walked out of the bathroom and stood there staring at them.

“What’s wrong?” Soraya asked.

“I’m pregnant,” Sara said. The girls gasped. Sara could not believe it. She smiled and touched her belly. Tariq was going to be so happy. The girls hugged her.

“Already pregnant again,” Alex teased. “If I was married to Tariq, I’d have five babies by now!”

That night, when Sara told Tariq, he hugged her so hard, her feet came off the floor.

* * *

Soraya was wearing khaki trousers, a long-sleeve blue shirt, and black boots. She tied her hair back and went outside to meet Amir. They were going horseback riding together. This time, he hadn’t needed to abduct her. He walked up behind her and smacked her bottom. Soraya jumped and turned around. Amir was standing there smirking.

“I couldn’t help it,” he said. Soraya shook her head. He always found ways to make her speechless. He helped her up on the horse. This time, he sat behind her and pulled her close to his body.

“Amir!” Soraya admonished.

“So you don’t fall off,” he whispered against her head.

She turned to look at him and narrowed her gaze. He pressed a small kiss to her lips.

“I told you I would claim you,” Amir said.

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