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

  After her lunch and a nap, she wandered throughout the palace once again. Coming to a staircase that went up, she climbed it, going up until she reached a parapet that looked out over the entire city. The sun was beginning to go down, and she was amazed to see that beyond the city walls, there was nothing but a vast desert.

  When she turned to the other direction, she could just make out what appeared to be white peaks sticking up along the sand. She heard the door to the rooftop open and looked over her shoulder to see Talib standing there. Pointing in the direction she had been looking, she asked him, “What is over there?”

  Talib joined her, “A refugee camp.”

  “Refugees? From where?” Erin’s curiosity was piqued.

  “From the neighboring country. Civil war broke out several weeks ago and many of the citizens fled into Jawhara. The Sheik is trying to negotiate their safe return now that the new government had won the war and the people are becoming more settled.”

  “Is that where Kamal is now?”

  “You should not refer to him in such a familiar way,” Talib corrected her with a frown.

  “He said it was okay unless we were in public. So, is that where he is?”

  Talib looked at her before answering, “He is meeting with the new government. Hopefully, when he returns, the people will be free to return to their homes.”

  Erin looked at the tops of the tents in the distance, “How far away are they?”

  “Five miles or so.”

  “Who’s caring for them? Are there children out there?”

  “They care for themselves. The people of Jawhara have provided them with some assistance, however, we did not ask for them to come here.”

  “But, they are in need?” Erin asked, the humanitarian in her pushing to the front.

  “I do not believe so.”

  “But you don’t know?” Erin pushed.

  Talib sighed, “I have not been out there. So, no, I do not have firsthand knowledge of the living conditions.”

  Erin looked at the refugee camp one more time, “I wish to go there tomorrow. I will be ready to go by 9 o’clock.”

  Talib shook his head, “Absolutely not. No way. The Sheik would have my head.”

  “You said yourself that I am not a prisoner of the palace. That is where I wish to go and I want you to take me there tomorrow so that I can see for myself the living conditions.”

  “It is impossible. His Majesty would never allow it.”

  “Ask him.”

  “No. I already know the answer.”

  Erin stared him down, sure that he was correct in his estimation that Kamal would not give his blessing to such an adventure. “Fine. I will wait until Kamal returns and ask him to take me.”

  Talib was relieved and nodded his head in agreement.

  Chapter 16

  Erin had no intention of waiting for Kamal to return and take her to see the refugee camp. Early the next morning, she left the palace and located the driver lounging nearby with a cup of coffee.

  “I need you to drive me to the refugee camp.”

  When the driver looked skeptical, she continued, “I wish to see for myself that the people are being cared for.”

  “Where is Talib?”

  “He is occupied elsewhere. You will accompany me instead.”

  The driver still looked skeptical, but when Erin approached the back door and waited for him to open it, he did so. After seating himself in the driver’s seat, he asked her one more time, “Are you sure this is okay?”

  “Absolutely. Hurry up, I want to be back in the palace before the heat becomes unbearable. I find that the heat makes my morning sickness much worse.” Erin hated playing that card, but she was determined to see the refugee camp for herself and needed the driver to head that direction before Talib became aware of her actions. He would surely come after her and tell Kamal.

  The driver left the palace and headed towards the camp. Parking a discreet distance away, he opened her door and helped her from the vehicle. Erin looked around the camp, noticing that there was an abundance of children at each tent. Instead of playing and being rambunctious however, they were silent and watched her warily.

  Erin slowly walked through the tents, the driver staying close beside her and muttering to himself the entire time. She smiled at the few people who actually met her gaze, but it was one sided. No one returned her smile, nor did they appear to be interested in her presence.

  After several minutes, she stopped and questioned the driver, “What is wrong with these people?”

  “They have been displaced from their homes. The Jawharan Minstry of Defense has declared that they are not welcome in the city so they must remain in the refugee camp. Their supplies are beginning to run low and the only water they have is what is trucked in on a daily basis.”

  Erin was horrified. “Why would Kamal allow this?”

  The driver narrowed his gaze at her, “Who?”

  “His Majesty,” Erin replied, waving her hand as if his title meant nothing. “Why would he allow these people to be treated this way?”

  The driver paused before answering, “I do not believe His Majesty had visited the camp.”

  Erin stopped and looked at him, “What?! Why would he not want to see for himself that the people were being cared for?”

  The driver shrugged, “I cannot say. I believe he trusts the Minister of Defense to do his job.”

  Erin shook her head, “Take me back to the palace. Something must be done, this is entirely unacceptable.”

  Turning on her heel, she opened the car door for herself and sat down. She couldn’t believe that Kamal was okay with the people being treated in such a way. She had seen camels in the town being treated better yesterday.

  The driver returned her to the palace and Erin was just going back up the grand staircase when she spied Talib coming from her rooms. Adopting an air of authority, she walked past him, “Follow me.”

  Talib was taken aback at the command in her voice, but did as he was told.

  After entering her rooms, she paced away some of her anger before coming up with a plan. “Talib, are there water trucks in the city?”

  Talib nodded, “Yes. Why do you ask?”

  “How many?”

  Talib shrugged, “I don’t know. At least a dozen. Maybe more.”

  “How about large delivery trucks? Are those also available?”

  “Yes. Ma’am, what is this all about?”

  “The conditions in the refugee camps are deplorable, and before you start lecturing me, I did listen to you yesterday, I just decided not to follow your advice.”

  Talib was afraid that she had done something like this when he had been informed that she was not in her rooms by the morning staff. Seeing that no harm had come to her, he relaxed slightly but then she told him her plans.

  “I want you to arrange for at least a dozen water trucks to take water out to the refugee camp. I want some sort of makeshift bathing facilities erected and containers provided so that the people can carry water back to their tents. I also want at least a dozen trucks loaded with food, everything from meat to produce. I want it delivered and distributed amongst the people.”

  Talib shook his head, “I cannot do that. His Majesty is the only one that could give those types of orders. Or the Ministry of Defense. You do not have the authority.”

  “Call him.” Erin crossed her arms over her chest and stared Talib down, daring him to refuse.

  Talib shook his head, but retrieved his phone. After speaking in Arabic, he handed her the phone and paced to the window.

  “Hello?”

  “What have you done now?” Kamal demanded. He was in the middle of negotiating the refugee’s safe return and didn’t have time for another of Erin’s arguments.

  “Kam, have you seen the refugee camps?”

  “No. Why? What has happened?”

  “Kam, they’re horrible. The people do not have enough water or food. The children are scared a
nd aren’t even playing….”

  “Are you telling me that Talib took you to the refugee camps?” Kamal asked in a quiet, but carefully controlled voice.

  “Of course not. I asked him to but he refused. I made the driver take me out there this morning.”

  Kamal cursed in Arabic on the other end of the phone line, “Why did you not listen to Talib?”

  “I wanted to see the camp. I ordered water and food to be taken out to the people, but Talib said I didn’t have that authority. Only you could order that those things be done.”

  “Why would I do that?” Kamal asked, planning to have a long discussion with his Minister of Defense upon his return. He had ordered that the refugees be well taken care of. Having his bride-to-be discover the opposite was nothing something he was willing to ignore.

  “Kam. Your Majesty, the people are hurting needlessly.”

  Kamal hated hearing the plea in her voice, “Shush. Do not worry yourself. It is not good for the baby or for you. I will see that it is taken care of.”

  “Really?” Erin smiled to herself and then at Talib. “You will order the water and food delivered to the people?”

  “Yes. Please hand the phone back to Talib. Oh, and Erin – do not disobey Talib again. I will be home tomorrow and you and I are going to have a long talk about how a Sheika should behave.”

  Erin was so pleased that the refugees were going to get help, she didn’t let his threats dampen her mood, “Thank you Kamal.”

  “We will have dinner together tomorrow. Get some rest.”

  Erin handed the phone back to Talib and listened as he spoke in Arabic to Kamal. Talib smiled at her after disconnecting the call, “You have done a good thing. Now, I have been instructed to ensure you do not leave the palace again until His Majesty returns. May I have your word that you will not disappear again?”

  Erin smiled at him, “Yes. I will stay in the palace until Kamal returns.” Seeing his frown, she corrected her statement, “I mean His Majesty. I promise.”

  Talib smiled at her, pleased to see that she was beginning to adapt to her new station. She was going to be a great Sheika.

  Chapter 17

  Kamal returned to the palace and was pleased to hear Talib’s report about the situation in the refugee camp. The water trucks and food deliveries had been well received and the early reports from the neighboring country were good. Within the week, the refugees would be allowed to return to their homes, and any damage suffered during the fighting would be recompensed.

  He was also pleased to see that his woman had honored his request and not caused any more mischief by leaving the palace grounds. He congratulated Talib on corralling his future wife, and even though he was concerned about her lack of attention to her own safety, he was pleased with the reception his countrymen had given her. When Talib informed him that she had been about to bow back to the people, he realized that in addition to a language tutor, she would also need training in proper etiquette.

  Entering his chambers, he spied her lying on their bed sound asleep. Walking towards the bed, he removed his shoes and then his outer clothing. He had requested dinner to be served in their sitting room two hours from now. He planned to use the next two hours to get to know his woman better.

  Climbing upon the bed, he wrapped himself around her body, bringing her back against his chest and placing a gentle kiss upon her hair. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he let the other settle on her ribs, just beneath the swell of her breast.

  Erin dreamt that Kam was holding her once again and snuggled back into his embrace. His unique smell filtered through her senses, awakening her desire as his hand made a leisurely path down her side and the other hand softly molded her breast.

  When his lips pressed behind her ear and then down to the sensitive spot where her neck and shoulder met, she moaned in response and tried to turn towards him.

  Kamal sucked gently on the skin at the base of her neck, hearing her moan and feeling his body harden even more. She was so responsive when she wasn’t trying to fight him. Feeling her turn towards him, he moved back and helped turn her to her back. Seeing that her eyes were still closed, he placed a gentle kiss upon each eyelid before letting his lips roam down the bridge of her nose to her lips.

  Tasting her lips, he gently licked her bottom lip, urging her to open her mouth and allow him access to the dark recesses behind her teeth. When she willingly complied, he took complete advantage. Consuming her mouth, he mimicked with his tongue what he wanted to do with his body. Soon she was writhing on the bed against him, moaning in delight, and trying to get closer.

  Erin was on fire. She had dreamt of Kamal often since the night they spent together, but this dream was the best one yet. His hands were everywhere and his mouth was making love to her own. She wanted to crawl inside of him. She needed to be closer to him.

  Kamal finally let go of her mouth and pushed himself up so that he could remove her top. He needed to feel her body against his own once again.

  Erin felt the cool air wash across her hot skin, causing her nipples to tighten even further. Reaching for her bra straps, he tugged the bra off her as he smiled appreciatively at her breasts. They were perfect. When moist heat enveloped them moments later, she was shocked into awareness. Letting her gaze roam downward, she saw Kamal’s dark head at her breasts and felt his mouth and hands as they paid homage to her body. When he suckled her breast harder, pushing her nipple against the roof of his mouth, she moaned low in her throat.

  Arching her back to get closer, she brought her hands up and held his head in place. Kamal growled at her and nipped at her breast before raising his head and capturing her gaze. “Habibti, I hunger for you.”

  “I want you to. So much. Please make love to me, Kamal.” Erin needed him like she needed air to breathe.

  Kamal gave her a feral smile and nodded his head, “My pleasure.” Removing the rest of her clothing, he quickly shed his own pants and then climbed back atop the bed, pinning her body between his thighs and straddling her waist.

  He skimmed his hands down her body, learning her curves and bringing his hands together at the slight curve of her belly. Erin watched his face as he looked at her, loving the softness that invaded his expression as he watched her stomach. Soon her stomach would no longer be flat, and the evidence of their child would be visible to everyone.

  “Habibti, I have missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you as well.”

  Kamal proceeded to show her just how much he had missed her. His body had been ready since he had plucked her from the driveway and needed no further encouragement. Lowering his body against hers, he was pleased when she parted her thighs, making a place for him. He gently brought her desire back up to a point where she was writhing against him once again.

  He rained light kisses across her face as he worked his way down. Sliding one hand up her side, he gently cupped one breast as he leaned down to lick her nipple. At the feel of his tongue on her, Erin gasped as she arched her back towards him.

  Sitting back on his haunches, he carefully joined them, watching her eyes for signs that he was hurting her. When she wrapped her thighs around his hips he felt his control shatter and lowered himself atop her. At the feel of him entering her, Erin moaned as she grabbed the back of his head encouraging him to continue. Kamal chuckled at her eagerness.

  She was so tight, he felt as if his cock was encased in a velvet glove. Finding an easy rhythm, he began to thrust slowly in and out. Soon Erin was matching each thrust with one of her own encouraging him to go deeper and deeper inside her. Moaning into his mouth, Kamal groaned as he held her tighter, thrusting harder and faster. Breaking the kiss, he nuzzled her neck as she moaned his name. Kamal quickly took them both up the pinnacle of pleasure before flinging them both over the edge and taking her to the stars.

  Erin gave into the passion that Kamal released in her. She had wondered if the chemistry between them had been more fantasy than reality. As she came down from space, she
acknowledged that the reality of Kamal was much better than any fantasy she could dream up.

  Chapter 18

  Kamal removed his weight form her and pulled her against his side. Catching his breath, he spoke softly to her, “Habibti, we must speak about your actions while I was gone.”

  Erin stiffened against him, but feeling his hand run down her back, she relaxed and listened.

  “You belong to me. You are my responsibility, one I take very seriously. When you willingly put yourself in danger, it is a form of disrespect to me and to my position. Do you understand?”

  Erin struggled to remain silent. He thought he owned her? “Kam, you cannot own another person.” When he was silent, she continued, “I didn’t mean to disrespect you, but I’ve been an adult for a long time. I’m not used to asking someone else for permission to do things.”

  Kamal knew she was trying to work things out in her mind and kept silent.

  “I’m not used to having anyone else, besides Shira anyway, worry about me. My parents trust me to take care of myself.”

  “I trust you to take care of yourself, but there are certain protocols as my wife you must follow.”

  “I’m not your wife yet,” she reminded him.

  “Merely a technicality. One that could be rectified this evening.”

  “No,” Erin hurried to answer. “Really. Besides, my parents would be very disappointed if I got married and they weren’t given the opportunity to attend.”

  “Where are your parents? I will have them brought to Jawhara immediately.”

  Erin laughed, “I don’t know where they are. Dad and Mom are on a world-cruise and still have several weeks left. They are probably somewhere around Australia about now.”

  Kamal was disappointed to hear that bringing her parents her would not be a simple task, but that had never stopped him before. “Give me the name of the ship they are on and I will make sure they are contacted. Do you wish Shira to return for your wedding as well?”

  Erin looked up at him, “You’re not going to let this whole marriage thing drop are you?”