His Reluctant Bride (11 page)

“You look amazing,” he offered and though she tried to deny it to herself Katie felt a warm glow at his words.

“It’s not too much?” she asked glancing down at all the exposed skin and waiting for that feeling of embarrassment to wash over her.

“It’s perfect,” Tariq said instead as he came closer and she was treated to the sight of him in a matching robe to her outfit that had her sucking in a breath at the sight.

It also made her wonder just why they were dressed like this. Most of the people in Darlaya thought wearing traditional dress was a chore that had to be endured only for special occasions and as far as she knew today wasn’t anything special.

She didn’t have time to ask as Tariq slid an arm around her slender waist and began leading her out the door. It was all Katie could do to hide the feelings he evoked just with his touch and she had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. Which was why she didn’t notice the crowd of people until they came to a stop and she glanced up only to have her mouth drop open at the sight of hundreds of people surrounding them.

“What are they all doing?” she whispered to Tariq after several minutes when they all continued to stare at them.

“Naturally they are curious about my bride. They wish to see the woman who has stolen their Sheikh’s heart,” he said with a laugh and Katie glanced at him in surprise before common sense prevailed.

“Shame Amber couldn’t make it then,” Katie suggested dryly and Tariq sent her a sharp glance but couldn’t answer for at that moment a young girl darted out from the crowd and approached them with a smile on her face as she came to a halt before them.

She was only young. Perhaps four or five with long dark curls that framed her small face and chocolate eyes that stared up at them in awe. She too was dressed in traditional Darlayan though hers was a pale pink version of the same outfit Katie wore.

It was only once she was before them that her nerve apparently deserted her and the girl silently stared up at Tariq in wonder before turning to Katie and moving closer. The crowd remained silent with all eyes on the little girl as she stepped closer to Katie and gestured for Katie to come closer.

“What is it little one?” Katie whispered as she dropped to her knees before the child not even glancing Tariq’s way to see if he approved of her actions.

“You’re the most beautiful princess I’ve ever seen,” the girl said and then blushed as though embarrassed by her admission. Then before Katie could respond she turned and fled back in to the crowd.

“It is an honour to have you both in our village,” said one of the women in the crowd as Katie got gracefully back to her feet, secretly proud that she did not stumble.

“It is an honour to be here,” Tariq replied and it was as though some hidden switch had been flipped as everyone began talking at once and swarmed forward to meet them.

Before Katie could even say a word she found herself separated from Tariq and in the midst of a circle of women who all seemed intrigued about the woman he had wed.

“Is he good to you?” asked one of the women and Katie stared at her in surprise for she had thought that all his people would immediately be on his side no matter how he treated her.

“He is a good man,” Katie offered knowing that was true even if his treatment of her did not suggest it.

“There is a difference between a good man and a good husband,” the woman replied as she frowned at Katie as though searching for some hidden pain.

“Just because he is royalty does not mean he is above reproach,” another woman added and Katie was surprised to see her for she looked younger than most of the women here.

“He does not beat me if that is what you are suggesting,” Katie informed the woman who smiled sadly at her.

“Violence is not the only way to punish us for our sins. But I am glad that you do not seem to be suffering at a man’s hand,” she offered and Katie was touched by how concerned they all seemed to be for her.

“You have eaten?” another of the women said and Katie shook her head as she realised she hadn’t eaten in a while.

“Ladies, we must find Catherine some food,” the younger woman instructed and just like that they disbanded to go in search of food.

It left Katie to find her husband who was crouched down talking to several children and she stayed there a moment watching him with them as he taught them how to play a game that had them all laughing and rolling in the sand.

“He will be a good father,” said a voice close by and Katie spun round to find a young man at her shoulder as he too observed Tariq and the children.

“I’m not so sure I would be a good mother,” Katie confessed as she turned back to watch the children and tried to imagine what it would be like if one of them were hers.

“Nonsense. I saw how you were with Larissa. You could have refused to even talk to her but instead you dropped to the sand and treated her like an equal. There are others who would not have,” he offered quietly and Katie gave a pensive frown as she thought of the pills the doctor had given her that were hidden in her purse.

Was she wrong to be deceiving Tariq and refusing to have his children?

Katie couldn't help the goofy grin on her face as she found herself being ushered to a large table hidden from view. It was already filled with most of the families from the village and she barely noticed being seated beside a handsome young man as she found herself smiling at the joy on the young children's faces as they danced and played.

“You like it here,” the young man commented and Katie finally tore her gaze away from the children to offer him a smile.

“It's peaceful here. And it feels so safe,” she replied letting the happy atmosphere wash over her.

“It's designed that way. I'm Jai by the way,” he said with a grin and Katie found herself grinning back.

It felt so freeing to be able to just be herself and have fun, rather than worrying that everyone was judging her and finding her wanting.

“Katie. So, what bought you to the village?” she asked curiously, immediately regretting it when she realised that it might be a completely personal question.

“My sister,” he answered and Katie's eyes widened for it certainly hadn't been the answer she'd expected.

“Your sister?” she repeated when he didn't immediately continue.

“Yeah, she was in an abusive relationship,” he told her and Katie glanced around to see if she could see anyone who looked familiar to the young man.

“So, she came here and you came with her,” Katie guessed thinking what a nice guy he was that he would just drop everything to come here with her.

“Not exactly. She died,” he said and Katie looked back at him genuinely shocked.

“She died?”

“Yeah, the bastard killed her. He went too far one day. The first time I knew about the abuse was when they told me she was dead. We used to be close and I didn't even know what he'd been doing to her,” he said with regret and Katie reached out sympathetically to touch his arm.

“You couldn't have known,” she offered and he smiled sadly at her.

“Yeah, well I wasn't about to let him get away with doing the same thing to their kids,” he informed her and Katie's eyes widened once again.

“Kids?”

“Yeah, three daughters. He wanted to take them away. I couldn't let that happen. So I begged Tariq for help and he bought us here,” he said making Katie think even better of him. She didn't know any man who would give up everything to raise their sister's children.

“Do you ever regret it?” Katie asked curiously and he actually looked shocked.

“Not for a moment. I couldn't save my sister but I am going to save her children. Those girls are growing up so fast and I can see that they're happy here. They feel safe and I feel better knowing that they are safe,” he told her and Katie smiled again.

“Wow. I really didn't expect that. But you're right. It must be amazing to live somewhere that children can actually enjoy themselves without parents constantly worrying about who they might run in to,” Katie said with a thoughtful expression.

“The worry doesn't vanish. We still all worry that one day we'll be found. I worry every day that the girls' dad is going to turn up and take them,” he confided and Katie frowned. Things might not be great at the moment but she didn't know how she would cope with being that scared all the time. She may not want to be married to Tariq but she wasn't scared of him and she felt really sorry for all the women here who felt that way.

“I hadn't thought of that,” she said quietly and he smiled at her.

“Well, Tariq must love you. He wouldn't have bought you here otherwise,” Jai offered and Katie frowned as she reached out to select some of the gorgeous food that had been laid out. More likely Tariq thought that bringing her here would keep her out of trouble and away from any gossip surrounding him and Amber.

“How do you survive out here with no shops?” she asked trying to change the subject and Jai smiled at her as though he knew what she was doing.

“We take turns going in to Darlaya for supplies and anyone can go but we just stay together and make sure that we're all protected,” he revealed and Katie grinned back at him. She hadn't felt so relaxed in weeks and it felt so good to be talking to someone who didn't snap at her every five minutes or treat her like she was a nuisance.

It was a genuinely enjoyable meal and Katie was actually disappointed when Tariq announced that it was time they retired for the night. It didn't help that she had noticed his mood steadily darkening each time she spoke to anyone and by the time they reached their room Katie was exhausted and Tariq's mood was foul.

“You don't have to look so miserable,” Katie commented once they were alone and was stunned when he spun her round to face him.

“And you don't have to flirt with every man you meet,” he informed her harshly making Katie wince at the accusation.

“I was not flirting!” she denied vehemently and he arched a brow in disbelief.

“Do not think for a second that I have forgotten what happened last night. You don't get off that easily,” he warned and Katie glared at him.

“There's nothing to forget because nothing happened,” she responded as she made to turn and walk away only to be bought to an abrupt halt when his hand caught her arm forcing her to stay where she was.

“Only because I stopped you,” he all but growled and Katie shrugged not really caring how he felt about the incident considering that he had been cheating on her since the moment they married. She refused to feel guilty for something she hadn't even done.

“Think what you like,” she said realising too late how petulant she sounded.

“Believe me, my sweet wife. I will,” Tariq replied as fury danced in his gaze.

“I don't know why you went to the trouble of bringing me here if you can't stand me,” Katie said as she regarded him warily.

“You are my wife,” he replied acting as though those four little words should answer everything.

“Only until I can escape this farce of a marriage,” she informed him before snatching her arm from his grip and storming in to the bathroom where she began to remove her clothes wishing that she could discard him as easily.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?” Tariq demanded from behind her and Katie spun around in shock at his sudden appearance behind her as she tried desperately to cover her naked body from him.

“Get out!” she flung at him, beyond furious when instead of leaving he came closer with his eyes roving leisurely down her body as though he had every right.

Damn the man! Even though she hated him beyond words she still couldn't help her body's reaction to him and she hated that more than anything.

“I said...”

“I heard you,” he replied still making no move to leave and his gaze became heated as he surveyed her.

“Please,” she begged although she wasn't certain of exactly what she was begging for.

“Please what?” Tariq asked as he moved even closer placing his large hands around her slender waist and pulling her hard against him so she had no choice but to stare up in to his dark features.

“Please, Tariq,”

“What is it you want, Catherine? This?” he asked before capturing her mouth in a kiss that took her on a sensually evocative journey.

“Yes,” she whispered when he lifted his head and just like that fireworks began to explode between them and had her tearing his robe off in an effort to get closer to him.

“What about this?” he continued as he ran his hand gently over her curves to cup her breast and began a slow torture that had her gasping in pleasure.

“Yes,” she repeated on a sigh that turned in to a squeak as she found herself being lifted in to his strong arms and carried through to their room where he deposited her gently on to the bed.

Without taking his eyes off her he slowly removed his clothes and Katie's mouth went dry at the sight of him. Heat flooded her as he moved closer and her body tingled when his eyes roved leisurely over her before moving back to her face as he stalked forward like a predator after his prey.

Caging her with his arms he moved her further back on the bed and Katie couldn't have torn her gaze away from him even if she'd wanted to. Mesmerised she watched as his head slowly descended to capture her lips in a possessive kiss that thrilled her as much as it scared her that she could feel this way.

His mouth moved away from her lips and scorched a trail down her fevered body while she writhed beneath his touch, her fingers clutching desperately at the sheets as she fought for control. It was a battle she was doomed to lose and as his lips touched the generous slope of her breast and teased the rosy, swollen nipple she gave herself up to the sensations he was causing.

Unwilling to be a silent partner Katie ran her fingers gently down his chest over the taut muscles and lower until she found her ultimate goal and her fingers closed around her prize making him suck in a shocked breath as his heated eyes met hers.

“Tease,” he accused as his breath hissed out from between his teeth making her give a smug smile at the realisation she affected him as much as he did her.

“Is this what you want?” she asked echoing his earlier words even as she rolled him on to his back and began to stroke her fingers down his length watching in smug silence as his breathing quickened.

“Catherine,” he growled and she took no heed of his warning as she instead placed her lips against the hard planes of his stomach and trailed them lower.

“What about this?” she asked as she placed a warm kiss where her hands had been and with a sudden move that took her by surprise Tariq revered there positions so she was once again at his mercy. Before she could utter a protest he entered her in one quick thrust and Katie's breath caught as her muscles adjusted to accept his invasion and her eyes widened as he began to slowly move making her give small gasps of pleasure even as she lifted her hips to meet him. As the hot, fierce thrusts grew stronger Katie couldn't help her wild responses and she threw her head back as a bubble of complete ecstasy grew within her. It gave her some satisfaction to realise that he was right there with her and she stared up in to his heated gaze as they both began to lose control.

“You are mine Catherine. Say my name,” he urged and Katie was helpless to resist him.

“Tariq,” she cried as the bubble burst and complete pleasure washed over her making the world shatter around her though she was aware of him climaxing seconds later with her name on his lips and a smug smile on his face.

When she finally came back down to earth Katie was too exhausted to move and her limbs felt like lead. She didn't even glance at her husband as he levered himself off her to collapse beside her though she noticed he was breathing heavily. It was nice to just lay there in silence for a moment as they each collected their thoughts and tried to come back to their senses.

“I'm glad to see you realise who you belong to,” Tariq finally said and Katie froze as the meaning of his words sank in an instant before she shot from the bed as though fired from a cannon.

“I belong to no man,” she informed him haughtily before she turned and stormed to the bathroom reminding herself how much she hated him all over again.

Slamming the door she turned to glare at it as she wondered why she had let herself fall back in to bed with him all other again. Did she have no self-respect? No self-control?

“Damn him!” she cursed furiously as she turned deliberately away and instead concentrated on showering and washing his scent from her skin wishing she could wash away the feel of his possession as easily.

Once she stepped from the shower she felt marginally better although she was still furious. How dared he take her to bed just to punish her and prove that she meant little more to him than anything else he owned? And how dare he think that he had the right to claim ownership of her?

Cursing again at the realisation she hadn't bought any clothes in with her she instead secured a towel firmly around her slender body and with one last deep breath finally decided it was time to leave her sanctuary.

Opening the door she held her head high and left the bathroom without so much as a glance at the bed or her husband who was lounging back against the pillows watching her through narrowed eyes. Ignoring him completely she strode from the room in to the lounge where a hand-crafted sofa lay looking extremely inviting to her weary bod. With a sigh of relief she collapsed upon it and tugged the sofa's covering blanket across her before closing her eyes firmly against the day and attempting sleep.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?”

At the sound of Tariq's deep voice Katie's eyes opened and she lifted her head back to find him standing beside her completely naked and with an expression of incredulous fury.

“Trying to sleep,” she informed him pointedly as she closed her tired eyes against his steely ones.

“You are not sleeping in here,” he ground out and Katie shifted in to a comfier position.

“Yes. I am,” she told him without opening his eyes and heard the furious hiss of his breath.

“Catherine. If you do not get in to that bed right now I will not be responsible for my actions,” he gritted out and she ignored him completely still with her eyes shut against his imposing frame.

“I have no intention of getting in to any bed that has you in it,” she finally said and knew from his frustrated breath that she had angered him.