His Reluctant Bride (2 page)

"You were a virgin?" he questioned incredulously and Katie spared him a stricken look before she darted from the bed and in to the bathroom her thoughts in chaos.

How could she have let this happen? How could she have given in to him so easily? After years of hating him how could she be so weak that she would just let him seduce her without even putting up a fight? And now he knew that her lies about Gareth being her lover were just that. What was she going to do now?

"Habibta, open the door!" came the disembodied voice and Katie sank to the floor wrapping her arms around her knees.

"No, go away," she shouted and heard him bang his hand against the door.

"Open this door now! Or I will break it down," he instructed and when several minutes passed and she did not do what he said there came a loud banging and suddenly the door burst inwards and Tariq entered the room his stride determined as he came to stand over her in nothing but his underpants which was more than she was wearing.

"Get out!" Katie demanded furiously as she wrapped her arms further round herself and huddled as small as she could get. Moments earlier she had felt free and pleasured, now she just felt dirty and used. She felt ashamed that she could have been so easily seduced and stupid for not even fighting against his touch.

"It seems we have a lot to discuss Catherine, so get dressed and we will talk," he suggested firmly and Katie glared at him.

"We have discussed everything we need to!" she informed him firmly as she tried to act nonchalant about the whole thing but the sight of her huddled on her bathroom floor ruined the image she was trying to project.

"That was before I realised you were a virgin!" 

"So? What does that have to do with anything? Nothing has changed from before we slept together," she tried desperately to convince him but Tariq shook his dark head.

"You are wrong Aziz, everything has changed. I have taken the gift of your virginity and I must make amends. We will be married as soon as it can be arranged," he informed her and her eyes widened in horror as she abandoned her huddled state to jump to her feet forgetting the fact that she was completely naked.

"No!" she gasped out but Tariq again simply nodded as he reached out and pulled her towards him his head descending to claim another kiss.

"Yes!"

Now I suggest you have a shower, unless of course you would prefer to share?" he asked and at her furious look he shrugged then left her alone once more. 

Katie showered quickly unwilling to take too long for fear he would change his mind about sharing. Fortunately it passed without incident and she emerged to snag a towel about her before she tentatively entered the bedroom to find Tariq waiting for her. He watched her for a few moments in silence before he disappeared in to the bathroom and she released a breath that she hadn't been aware she was holding. 

While he showered she selected the first piece of clothing that came to hand which happened to be a simple cotton dress, perhaps not her first choice but she slipped it on and only moments after Tariq reappeared with a towel loosely knotted around his waist and his short dark hair still damp. He paused to watch her and she felt like prey under his watchful gaze.

Hurriedly she left the room and slipped on shoes then collected her bag with the intention of leaving before he could confront her again but she was too late and as she reached the door he appeared behind her his face grim.

"Just where do you think you're going?" he demanded and she spun round thrusting her chin out furiously.

"Since you clearly have no intention of leaving, I will!"

"I don't think so, Habibta. I told you that our betrothal stands and I mean it!" he explained calmly and Katie paled. He couldn't possibly expect her to go through with such a farce.

"And I told you that I have no intention of ever becoming your wife."

"So, you wish for your family to lose everything and for your parents to go to prison?" he asked and she frowned.

"What are you talking about?" she asked uncertainly and he gave a small grin as he obviously realised her had something over her.

"Did your parents never tell you what the betrothal contract states? Hmm, clearly not. Well, Catherine I will tell you. If for any reason one of us does not fulfil the terms then we must pay back a settled upon sum of money as well as anything spent during the course of the betrothal. And as you will be embarrassing both me and my country I am sure that I will be able to find a loophole that will ensure you and your parents pay for your duplicity through the legal system. It is completely up to you," he assured her and Katie stared at the man that she clearly had never known as he made threats against both her and her family. How could she marry this man? Yet how could she not? She may not like how selfish her parents were but that didn't mean that she didn't care what happened to them and if she had not fallen in to bed with Tariq she had no doubt he would have left them out of it. Clearly she had no choice in the matter and her shoulders slumped at the realisation.

"Fine."

"You agree to continue with our betrothal?" he asked and Katie hesitated then nodded her head slowly.

"It would seem I have no choice."

"We should be going," Tariq said out of the blue as he glanced at his expensive gold watch and Katie frowned at him suddenly wary. 

"Going where?" she demanded and he shrugged.

"To the wedding of course. My cousin will be devastated if we are not there and we are already pushed for time now," he reminded her and Katie shivered.

"I have no intention of going anywhere. I told you I would not attend the wedding and I meant it. Your cousin will not care whether I am there or not. I have work in the morning and I cannot just disappear on them," she told him firmly and Tariq's gaze clouded.

"You can and you will. We are attending the wedding together and then we will be announcing our engagement. If you had not tricked me in to your bed we would have more time but now we must be married as soon as possible," he assured her and Katie's mouth dropped open in shock.

"I tricked you? I was not the one who started it, nor was I the one who had every intention of the evening ending in bed"

"Enough! I do not care who did what, we are going to my cousin's wedding and that is the end of it. Now either you walk out to the car or I will carry you myself," Tariq warned her and when she stubbornly refused to move he simply picked her up and stormed out of the building with her thrown over his shoulder. 

"Put me down damn you!" she cursed but Tariq ignored her and deposited her firmly in his car before he moved round to the driver's side. He could be stubborn when he wanted to and he had no intention of letting Catherine go now after she had tricked him in to going against his own morals.

Katie awoke slowly her eyes feeling gritty and worn. She forced them open and winced at the bright sunlight before she turned her head and saw Tariq watching her. She sat bolt upright as memories from the night before assailed her and she glanced around the private plane her insides tied in knots.

"We land shortly so I would suggest you change in to the dress I have left for you," Tariq suggested and she glanced back at him realising as she did that he had already changed in to his traditional robes for his cousin's wedding.

She got unsteadily to her feet and headed in to his private bedroom at the back where a dress awaited her. It was a stunning midnight blue evening dress that was strapless and fell to her feet with a modest split up the side. She changed quickly then added the matching heels and swept her hair up in to a French twist that was secured with a matching fascinator and enhanced by the matching jewellery. It seemed Tariq had thought of everything, she mused, as she applied minimal makeup that emphasized her beauty.

Katie exited the room at the same time the pilot announced they would be landing and she had no choice but to sit herself beside Tariq who observed her silently his expression saying he approved. She ignored him and stared stubbornly ahead determined not to let his silent presence get to her. She may have to endure his company but she did not have to like it.

The second the plane landed Katie jumped to her feet wanting to put some space between her and Tariq. He followed close behind her as she went to exit the plane. She had taken only a few steps in to the sizzling heat when a flashbulb went off blinding her followed by several others and she gasped at the sight of the photographers taking pictures of her and Tariq. 

"Smile, Aziz!" he murmured in her ear and she forced a smile to her face even as she cursed the stubborn man behind her. She continued descending and then followed Tariq's lead to a waiting limo grateful when she slid in to its cool interior and away from the prying eyes of the press. She had become so accustomed to normal life that she had forgotten how intrusive they could be and how much it resembled living in a life-size fishbowl.

"We should arrive in time for the wedding," Tariq announced as he checked his watch and Katie chewed nervously at her lower lip as she realised that within minutes she would be surrounded by Tariq's family, all of whom would be expecting her to be the picture of happiness itself and right now she didn't feel like she could pull off the act.

They spent most of the ride in silence while Tariq busied himself with documents that she had not noticed before and Katie stared out at the passing scenery wishing that she was anywhere but here. It was almost an hour later when the car began to slow as it went through a quiet village and came to a halt before a quaint little chapel. Katie was so stunned at the sight of such an English place that she could only stare for a few moments.

"This is where your cousin is getting married?" she asked quietly unable to believe that any member of the royal family would allow such a wedding for Tariq most certainly would not.

"His bride is English and it was her deepest wish that she be married in a chapel," he confirmed and Katie let out a soft sigh as she wished that she could have had the same sort of respect with her intended. But there would be no English wedding for her and she was quite surprised that they had even managed to find a chapel on Darlaya where it's weddings were famous for their traditional dress and parties.

"I thought there would be more people here," Katie commented as she glanced at the few people still milling around. For a royal wedding she had expected the streets to be jammed with people wanting a glimpse of the bride and groom but all was quiet.

"Rafe is part of the royal family but as he is not even close to being Sheikh, his wedding is more of a private affair," Tariq informed her as the driver opened her door and Katie sighed as she realised that would mean their wedding would be nothing like this one. 

Nerves assailed Katie again once they had entered the chapel and a sea of faces turned to face her all whispering and pointing. Holding her head high she followed Tariq to the front and did her best to ignore all the people staring at her.

It was unnerving to be the centre of attention at a wedding that wasn't even hers but she could understand that people would be curious about her considering that the only woman Tariq had been seen with recently was Amber. That thought brought all her anger back with a passion and Katie stiffened her spine as Tariq slid an arm around her slender waist pulling her closer against him.

"Um, Miss Bennett? The bride wants to see you," a small girl said as she came to a halt before them. She was young and looked only about fifteen with long dark hair that was styled in to an elaborate style that made her look older. She was wearing a deep red dress with an ivory sash that suggested she was one of the bridesmaids and she was nervous if the way she kept her head bowed was any indication. The whole time she had been stood there she hadn't been able to take her eyes of Tariq as though she expected him to object to her request but he merely released Katie who cast a glance at him before she followed the young girl back through the church to a back room that Katie hadn't noticed on her way in.

"Finally!" squealed a voice and suddenly Katie was dragged through the door to be embraced by a young woman that she assumed was the bride judging by the long ivory gown she wore.

"Hi," Katie said once she was released wondering why exactly she had been asked here.

"I am so glad you are here, I don't know what I would have done without you. I asked for one thing for my wedding day and he couldn't get that right. I mean the jewellery he got me is gorgeous but honestly isn't that just like a man not to listen?" the woman said in a rush and Katie frowned as she tried to follow.

"Um, why exactly did you want me?" she asked and the woman paused with a short laugh.

"Oh, sorry. I get carried away sometime. I'm Elise by the way since we've never met," Elise said and Katie smiled back at her.

"Katie," she offered back and Elise laughed again.

"I know who you are. Who doesn't know of our future Sheikha?" Elise said and Katie smiled back although she was suddenly embarrassed.

"You still haven't explained why I'm back here," she reminded the young woman who slapped her hand to her head.

"Damn, I got side-tracked again. Sorry, I do that sometimes. What did I want you for? Right, I need your bracelet!" Elise said with a short laugh as she suddenly remembered.

"My bracelet?" Katie asked uncertainly as she turned her slim wrist over to show the small blue sapphire that nestled on the end of the gold bracelet.

"It's tradition. You know something old, something new... Well I need something blue, and this is borrowed so it's even better. I asked Rafe for it but he thought the pearls spoke more about me, which is sweet but really doesn't help me with the tradition. You would think that someone would wear blue to a wedding but no, I was actually starting to panic until I saw you come in. I know it sounds stupid but my mom believes that tradition brings luck and I don't want to disappoint her. I want my marriage to be lucky." Elise said in a rush and Katie laughed as she removed the bracelet and handed it over. 

"I'm sure that your marriage will be perfect!"

"I really hope so. I'm the sort of girl that a man like Rafe would take a second look at and I just keep thinking that one day I'll wake up and realise it was all a dream. Too good to be true. You know?" Elise said with a sigh and Katie nodded slowly.

"That won't happen though. I know a lot of Darlayan men and believe me if he didn't love you then you wouldn't have gotten this amazing wedding or the beautiful jewellery. They don't do anything they don't want to do." Katie assured her and Elise offered a watery smile as the door opened and a man appeared in the entrance.

"Are you ready, sweetheart?"

"Yes! I am more than ready dad." Elise announced with a grin and Katie left them to it as she made her way back to her seat. She had a feeling that Elise was going to handle married life much better than she ever would and not just because she had a bubbly and bright personality but more because her husband would actually love and respect her not just treat her like his own personal toy.

"Everything alright?" Tariq asked as she took her seat and she sent him an icy glare as her answer.

"Everything's fine!" she eventually gritted out when he kept his gaze trained carefully on her features.

"You seem upset," he informed her and she gaped at him in disbelief.

"Of course I'm upset. You dragged me here without even the decency to let me say goodbye to my friends and you're making me in to this person that I'll never be!" she ground out furiously and he sighed.

"I know you feel like that now, but this has been arranged for years. You will be my wife and you will be happy here," he informed her calmly and her eyes flashed furiously at him.

"You may be able to force me to be your wife but I will never be happy. And I will make sure that you regret the day you ever met me!" she hissed at him. There was a subtle change in his dark gaze and before she had time to guess his intention Tariq's dark head lowered and he captured her lips with his own in a kiss designed to punish. She didn't even have time to put her guard up and she doubted it would of worked if she had. Instead she fell headlong in to the kiss as her whole body came alive just from the touch of his lips. Then suddenly he released her and she came back to reality with a bump that had her despising herself for her weakness even though already she felt empty without his touch.

"Is that your way of making me regret the day I met you?" he asked calmly and Katie opened her mouth to retaliate only for it to close as the wedding march started up and everyone turned to watch Elise float down the aisle.

She was beautiful and there was one person giving a happy sigh as she came past them. She even sent Katie a wink and a grin as she walked past on the way to her handsome groom who couldn't look away from her.

Half an hour later Elise was officially married and both her and Rafe looked like they were enjoying every minute of it. Katie wanted to cry every time they exchanged a loving look or kiss for it was the one thing she would never have. Even watching them ride away in the horse drawn carriage as they had confetti thrown over them made her long for a real wedding for herself and not just the Darlayan version.

"Ready?" Tariq asked and she wondered why he even bothered because if her answer was no she had no doubt he would make her go anyway. She had no idea where the reception was being held but she had no doubt that it would be an extravagant affair.

She was right! 

When the car stopped outside the hotel Katie had been unable to believe how many people had turned up. Unlike the church where it had been a relatively small affair the reception had hundreds of people milling around waiting to go in. 

The night seemed to fly by for Katie as there was always something going on and Elise made sure that she was included in everything. Tariq barely left her side and the one time he did and saw her talking to a man he was furious and let it be known. So here they were at the end of the night, attached at the hip but barely speaking as they waved off Elise and Rafe who were heading off to their honeymoon. As soon as they were out of sight Katie breathed a sigh of relief. Today had been the longest day of her life and at least soon it would be over and she wouldn't have to perform for an audience any more.

Or at least that's what she thought until the moment her father unexpectedly called for quiet and then announced in front of the whole party which included press that his daughter was now officially engaged to be married.

"What the hell?" she muttered only for Tariq to kiss her so she couldn't say anything more and she felt herself blush when he pulled away.

Cheers erupted around them at the kiss and the room burst in to conversation as everyone came over to offer their congratulations making Katie panic as she saw how happy everyone else was when all she wanted was to curl in to a ball and vanish.

Two hours later and Tariq finally allowed her to make an escape. It had been the most hellish two hours of her life and she had been forced to keep a fixed smile on her face as people talked about what a great couple they made and how they had been waiting so long for Tariq to settle down. The whole thing made Katie's blood boil and she was just glad that her own parents hadn't been there or she may not have been able to cope.

"How dare you!" Katie spat at him the second they were alone and Tariq turned his unreadable gaze on her as he waited for the car to be bought round.

"How dare I what, cara?" he asked calmly and she glared at him furiously wondering who the hell he thought he was to take over her life like this.

"How dare you announce our engagement like it's set!" she told him and he shrugged unconcerned.

"But it is set, Catherine. We are engaged and this time next month we will be married!" he assured her and she gaped at him.

"No! We are not engaged and we are not going to be married. I don't even have a ring," she informed him as an excuse and he gave a frown as he helped her in to the car that had just arrived.

"Yes, cara. We are engaged, we will be married. And you know the traditions of Dalaya are not like England. I gave you your engagement present," he informed her and Katie gasped as she glanced down at the anklet she wore and horror rose within her.