The Sheikh's Pregnant Bride (The Jawhara Sheikhs Series Book 1) Read online

  “Great,” Erin muttered under her breath. Standing up from her seat, she stopped to allow the nausea to even out. She could already see that this trip was going to be dictated by the unborn child she carried and her unruly body.

  Following Talib to the awaiting limo, she tried to calm her racing heart and take in the scenery, but the nausea she was feeling was getting worse. “Talib…”

  “We will be at the palace momentarily.”

  Erin nodded, hoping she could hold on until she found a bathroom. It wouldn’t do to embarrass herself in front of the Sheik by throwing up all over his palace floor.

  “Here we are. “

  Talib opened the door of the limo, reaching back inside to pull her from the car. The humidity and overwhelming fragrances on the air caused her to cover her mouth with her hands. She wasn’t going to make it, she needed a bathroom. Now!

  Talib wasn’t paying attention to her as much as he was looking for his Sheik to arrive. When Erin pulled her arm from his hold and rushed towards the nearest bushes, he cursed himself for failing in his duty to see to her safety. She was sick, tired, and nervous.

  Seeing Kamal arrive, he stepped away from the young woman, currently being sick into the bushes, as the ruler of Jawhara started issuing demands to the waiting staff.

  Kamal waited until Erin had finished being sick before picking her up and carrying her up the palace steps. Calling once again for the doctor to attend him in his chambers, he climbed the grand staircase with his precious bundle cradled against his chest.

  Erin opened her eyes, mortified to find that Kamal was indeed carrying her into his palace. Looking at his expression, she cringed at the look of fury on his face as he continued to bark orders at those he passed. Closing her eyes, she tried to keep her tears at bay, only to feel them sliding down her cheeks and wetting the hair at her temples.

  Chapter 13

  Kamal saw the tears leaking from beneath her closed eyes and pulled her closer to himself, “Habibti, please do not cry. The doctor is on his way. Whatever is wrong, he will help. I promise.”

  Erin tried to shake her head, to explain that she wasn’t crying because she felt ill. It was everything else – the loneliness, the unplanned pregnancy, the confusion she felt at being so near to him once again. It was all too much for her body and mind to handle and as the darkness invaded her bleary vision, she gave into it, passing into oblivion.

  Kamal felt her body go lax and looked down at the beautiful woman he carried in his arms. Having her so near again was causing his body to harden in ways that were inappropriate given how sick she appeared to be. Mentally chastising himself for his body’s response to her nearness, he hurried his steps towards his chambers. Her breathing was slow and even, but it appeared that she had blacked out. Something was definitely not right.

  As he entered his chambers he was pleased to see the palace physician already in attendance. Erin stirred as he laid her upon his bed and he bent to remove her shoes.

  “Kam?”

  “Shush. The doctor is here and will soon know what is wrong with you.”

  “Your Majesty, may I examine her?” the physician requested.

  Kamal backed away from the bed, coming to stand at the foot of the bed. When the doctor helped Erin to a sitting position and proceeded to unbutton her shirt, she grasped the sides together and looked at Kam, blushing furiously.

  “Make him leave,” she implored the physician. She knew she was being ridiculous, after all, she and Kam had created a baby together. But having him see her like this was not setting well with her sense of modesty.

  Before the physician could answer, Kam spoke up, “Erin. You will allow the physician to examine you. I am not leaving so don’t even bother putting up a fight. That is my child you are carrying and I will be part of everything to do with his or her safety, as well as your own.”

  Erin looked at him as the extent of his dominating personality began to make itself known. He had been controlling before, but now he would be impossible. Too tired and sick to continue fighting him, she dropped her eyes and her hands.

  The physician eyed his ruler once before continuing to unbutton her top and then helped her lay back down. After a thorough examination, the physician packed his instruments back into his bag and gently pulled a sheet over the young woman lying in the bed. She had refused to meet his gaze during the exam, or look at the Sheik. She had answered his questions in a soft voice, in single words whenever possible.

  Gesturing for Kamal to follow him out of the room, he gave him his diagnosis, “Your Majesty. She is indeed pregnant, most likely only five or six weeks at this point. I have taken a blood sample and will have it analyzed. Hopefully the nausea she is suffering from will dissipate over the next several weeks. I will have the prescriptions her physician in the states ordered filled and delivered immediately.”

  “Is her condition normal?” Kamal asked, having never spent much time around pregnant females.

  “Well, she does seem to be suffering more than usual. It could be stress, however, I would like to monitor her closely for the next several weeks to see if her condition improves.”

  “Of course. Schedule weekly checkups with my secretary. Miss Malone will be staying in Jawhara.”

  The physician looked at his ruler and then asked, “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but this is your child?”

  “Yes. And before you ask, Miss Malone will be marrying me as soon as the ceremony can be arranged.”

  The physician nodded, smiling in response, “That is good. She is a strong young woman from what I can tell and will make an excellent bride for you.”

  Kamal nodded, “If there’s nothing else?”

  “No, Your Majesty. I will let you know the results of her blood work as soon as it becomes available.”

  Kamal nodded and headed back into his bedroom.

  Erin was still lying in the bed, but had rolled to her side, facing away from the doorway. He approached her slowly, noticing that her shoulders were shaking with silent tears. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he placed a hand upon her shoulder only to have her shrug his touch off.

  Erin didn’t want to talk to Kam right now. Maybe never. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours, and she hadn’t had time to process any of it. When he gripped her shoulder again, turning her back to face him, she reluctantly let him. Looking up at him, she was surprised to see the look of concern on his face.

  “Habibti, I am so sorry the child is making you ill. The physician assures me that this too shall pass. I am so glad you are here, I have missed you.”

  Erin looked into his dark gaze, once again amazed at the physical response her body was having to his nearness. “Kam…,” she began, not sure what to say. He already knew about the baby.

  “Erin, everything will be fine. You’ll see. We will be married within the month, and then….”

  “What?!” Erin almost screamed, pushing herself up to sit in the bed. “Kam, you can’t just order people to marry! Especially me! We hardly know each other!”

  “That will soon be remedied, hence the month wait. We will get to know each other and then you will marry me, have my child, and become the perfect Sheika for my people.” Kam saw no problem with his declaration and was confused as to why she was upset.

  Erin shook her head, “I don’t know that I want to marry you. Just because I’m having your baby….”

  “…definitely means that you will be marrying me. The future ruler of Jawhara will not be born a bastard. That is non-negotiable. My child will also not be raised in another country. He will be raised by both of his parents, here in Jawhara.”

  Erin tried to think of a suitable response, but finding none, turned her back on him, “Go away! I’m tired and the physician did say I should get plenty of rest.”

  Kam looked at her back for a moment before rising to his feet, “Fine. I will leave now, but be warned. We will be getting married within the month. You will learn to be obedient and stop arguing
with my every decree. That might have worked somewhat while you were still in America, but here, you will obey me.”

  Erin shut her eyes, closing out his voice and his words. He wanted a biddable wife who would do what she was told. That was so not her! She was an intelligent, confident woman who wanted to help people. She might end up having to stay in Jawhara until the baby was born, but she was not going to become a lapdog. She had her own opinions and he would just have to deal with it!

  Chapter 14

  Erin slept through the night and well into the next day. Several times, she was awakened by the palace staff, urging her to eat or take her vitamins. The physician had requested a special diet for her, which seemed to be helping with the nausea. It wasn’t completely gone, but was definitely improved.

  After showering and donning the plush robe she found hanging on the back of the bathroom door, she exited and started looking around for her clothing. She had left them in a pile on the bathroom floor, but now they were missing. Had the palace staff taken them to launder them?

  Picking up the phone, she asked that Kam be found. Since he hadn’t given her time to pack her own clothing, he would just have to provide her with something to wear until she could go shopping.

  When the phone rang a few minutes later, she picked it up, “Hello?”

  “Erin, you are feeling better?”

  Choosing not to answer him, she asked a question of her own, “Kam, where are my clothes?”

  “I would assume the clothing you were wearing when you arrived has been taken to the laundry rooms. Is there a problem?”

  Erin huffed, “You could say that. I wasn’t given a chance to pack, or did you forget that fact?”

  Not liking her sarcastic tone of voice, he cautioned her, “Remember to whom you are speaking. Of course, I remember that you did not have time to pack. I still don’t see a problem.”

  Remember to whom she was speaking? Was he serious? “Kam, what am I supposed to wear?”

  “Look in the wardrobe, Erin. You will find a selection of clothing appropriate for our humid climate. If you require anything else, please let your attendants know. They will contact the seamstress and have it delivered.”

  Erin walked over to the wardrobe and stared at the gorgeous clothing hung up neatly. Everything seemed to have been provided, from business attire to formal wear. Pulling open the drawers, she saw a vast array of silk underwear and sleeping gowns. Shoes lined the racks on the opposite side and appeared to match the outfits hanging up.

  She looked through the clothing trying to find a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or more casual clothing and found nothing of the sort. Sighing, she returned to the phone, “Kam, the clothing looks very nice, but I’m really more comfortable in jeans and t-shirts. I don’t think I will require the formal clothing….”

  “As my future wife,” he interrupted her statement, “you will be expected to dress the part of a ruler. Jeans and t-shirts may have been appropriate back in America, but here you must dress the part.”

  Erin tried to digest this new information, “Can’t I even wear jeans when I’m not going anywhere?”

  “No. Remember, the palace staff will see you at all times. Their opinion of you will travel throughout the country. That is why you must always address me with respect. I don’t care if you use Kam, however, whenever we are in public, you will use my formal title.”

  Erin could tell that living in Jawhara was going to take a lot of getting used to. Getting used to being under Kamal’s need to control her was going to be almost impossible.

  “Erin? Do not worry so much. Everything will be fine. I must leave for a few days, however, Talib will be available should you need anything. I will also have a tutor chosen for you. It is imperative that you learn our language as quickly as possible. Very few of the palace staff speak English.”

  Erin tried not to be alarmed that Kam was leaving her alone in his palace, where the people didn’t even speak her language, but couldn’t stop the shiver of apprehension that his words triggered. “When will you be back?”

  “Will you miss me, habibti?” Kamal inquired, pleased at the wistful note he heard in her voice.

  “Not hardly. I just wanted to know how long you were going to be gone,” Erin said. With Kamal out of the palace for several days, maybe she would be able to find her own space and gain her confidence back.

  Kamal laughed, “I will be back before you know it. Rest, eat and get over your jet lag. When I return I will introduce you to my countrymen and we will work on getting to know each other before our wedding.”

  “Kam, I already told you there’s not going to be….”

  “Enough. Maybe you should also spend the next few days coming to grips with the fact that you are carrying the next ruler of Jawhara. You will be my bride.” Kamal knew he was pushing her, but the sooner she accepted her place in his life, the better.

  Erin shut her mouth, determined not to respond and upset either of them further. She had no intention of being forced to marry Kam, but there would be plenty of time once he returned to make her point. “Goodbye Kamal. Have a safe trip.”

  Kamal heard her disconnect the line and sat there for several moments. What he wanted to do was return to his chambers and make sure his woman not only knew her place in his life, but in his bed. His body had been reluctant to accept the fact that it would have to wait to acquaint itself once again with her delectable body.

  He had intended to spend the afternoon with Erin, getting to know her better, and making sure that the chemistry between them was fanned into an ever present need she could no longer deny. Unfortunately, the growing refugee situation in the north had escalated to a point where his country’s infrastructure was being threatened. The new government of the neighboring country was willing to meet and discuss the safe return of its citizens. Kamal knew that his needs must come second to his country’s, but that didn’t mean he had to be happy about it.

  Three days would see the end to the civil war refugee situation and then he could concentrate fully no his future bride.

  Chapter 15

  Erin dressed in the most casual pair of pants she could find and a lightweight top. Donning a pair of flat sandals, she left her room. Heading towards what she hoped was the stairway; she was surprised to find herself virtually alone in this part of the palace. She remembered glimpses of a grand staircase, which led directly outside and was anxious to explore the new country she was to live in.

  She located the stairway and passed several maids as she headed towards the front doors. Nodding and smiling at them, she said a soft “Hello” as she passed, but they only smiled at her and continued working. She briefly looked around for Talib, but when she didn’t locate him, she wandered down the cobblestone driveway.

  She could see the town located at the bottom of the hill and was anxious to see the people who put their trust and faith in Kam. She drew many a stare as she walked amongst the buildings. Most people stopped whatever they were doing and watched her approach them. As she would go past them, she noticed that they would bow to her. Was this how the people of Jawhara greeted one another?

  Deciding that she would return the bow to the very next person she met, she turned the corner and stopped to stare. The city streets were filled with vendors, selling everything from local produce and meat, to clothing, baskets, and other items. The vibrant colors and exotic smells enticed her to wander down the street.

  She continued to draw the stares of the people, but was so caught up in taking in everything she was oblivious to the fact that a small group of children had begun to follow her. When she reached the end of the street, she turned to look back and was stunned to find a group of children, ranging in age from five to twelve, standing right behind her.

  They all started talking to her at once when she turned and she found herself laughing as she tried to tell them she couldn’t understand what they were saying. When the littlest girl gestured to her, she bent her knees, wondering what the little gir
l wanted. She found out soon enough when a small hand reached up to touch her hair. The other children grew silent and watched in awe as the little girl fingered a red curl. Erin smiled at her and then at the other children. Evidently, her hair coloring was unique and the children had been curious about her.

  Hearing her name called, she looked at the top of the street to see Talib striding towards her in a hurry. The townspeople moved out of his way quickly and the children, seeing his approach, scurried away like mice.

  “Hello, Talib,” Erin said with a smile.

  “Come. You should not be here.”

  “Why not?” Erin queried, bending her head to the side.

  “You must not leave the palace.”

  Erin stood up straight and narrowed her eyes at him, “I didn’t realize that I was a prisoner.”

  “You are not a prisoner. You must not leave the palace without an escort. It is not safe.”

  Erin looked around at the townspeople who were trying not to watch her interaction with the bodyguard. “I don’t think any of these people would harm me.”

  “Come,” Talib said, taking her arm above the elbow and propelling her back to the top of the street. The limo awaited her and he quickly ushered her inside, saying nothing.

  The ride back to the palace was accomplished quickly and silently. Erin felt her anger rising the closer they came to the palace and she pressed her lips together in an effort to stop the tirade that was threatening to spew forth. It wasn’t Talib who needed to hear her anger. It was Kamal!

  Talib ushered her from the vehicle with a stern warning, “Do not leave the palace grounds again without me.” After issuing that dictate, he turned on his heel and disappeared, leaving her standing in front of the palace steps.

  Erin re-entered the palace and made her way back to her room. A meal was brought to her only moments later and she picked at her food, still trying to understand why Kam had basically made her a prisoner of his palace.