His Reluctant Bride (4 page)

The day just seemed to get worse for Katie once the ceremony was over for although she had foolishly thought that tying herself to Tariq for life would be the hardest part of her day it paled in comparison to being confronted by the darkly forbidding man at her side. He appeared to think that because she was now his wife it meant they were permanently joined at the hip.

It was customary after a Darlayan ceremony for the guests to be seated on cushions around small tables while the bride and groom took the time to visit each table and accept congratulations from each guest before seating themselves on two chairs that placed them above their guests and effectively on a pedestal. 

All the time they spent visiting each of their guests Tariq kept his arm firmly anchored around her slim waist and every time she tried to put a little space between them his arm would tighten and pull her even closer against him. Even when they reached their table he waited several minutes before finally releasing her and he made sure to take her hand that held his mark and raised it to his lips in what to everyone else must have appeared to be a tender gesture but which Katie knew was a proclamation of ownership. It irked unbearably that she had no choice but to suffer his attentions and she silently cursed him.

As soon as they were seated their servers bought out the first of seven courses all comprised of traditional Darlayan foods. The first course was a colourful salad that comprised of the usual suspects plus some peppers that were specific to Darlaya.

Tariq frowned at his wife as she simply picked at the salad, her features seemed paler than normal and she appeared to have lost weight in the last two weeks. Thinking back to their last conversation he wondered if she had purposefully starved herself and anger stirred inside at the thought, even more so when the second course of Darlayan Boar arrived and she simply pushed it around her plate with not a single morsel crossing her lips.

"Eat!" he whispered close to her ear and Katie turned her fiery gaze on him.

"We've already done this," she reminded him and he narrowed his eyes on her pale features before he offered her a sample of his own meal and she had no choice but to graciously accept it while all eyes were on them.

"And we will keep doing it until you eat something. You are too thin," he commented while Katie glared at him though the smile never wavered from her face. She could play pretend with the best of them.

"I am not too thin," she hissed shifting nervously as his dark gaze raked her from head to toe.

"I disagree, you have lost weight in the last two weeks," he accused and Katie sighed.

"The last two weeks have been stressful," she said in defence as she took a small mouthful of her food beneath his watchful eyes.

"You need to be fit and healthy for when you carry our child," he said quietly and she turned stunned eyes on him unable to completely hide her shock.

"I will not be carrying any child of yours," she informed him warily and Tariq leaned closer his eyes flashing furiously.

"Let's get one thing straight my stubborn little wife, you only get to maintain your independence because I allow it but I will only be pushed so far," Tariq warned her in an undertone making Katie realise that no matter how much she fought against him Tariq would always win. 

"If you think I will just meekly follow your every order then you are mistaken," she hissed at him stunned when instead of arguing his point Tariq lowered his dark head and captured her lips in a tender kiss.

"You have known this moment would come," he reminded her and Katie glared at him as she pushed her plate aside unable to stomach another bite.

"It doesn't mean I have to accept it," she said furiously and his eyes narrowed on her flushed face.

"I can be very persuasive" he told her as he pulled away and Katie turned deliberately away from him as the third course was deposited before her along with a glass of champagne. This course consisted of Darlayan fish that resembled oysters and were given specifically with the intention of being an aphrodisiac.

All this did was remind Katie of what was to come once their reception was over and sickness suddenly threatened. Ignoring the meal altogether she instead turned her intention to the champagne and drank it in one go needing the sweet release of tension it provided.

The evening dragged by slowly, with each minute feeling like an hour of hell for Katie who just wanted it all to be over. The meal seemed to go on for hours and thankfully it meant plenty of refills of her glass until Tariq had a quiet word with their server who all of a sudden stopped refilling her glass and avoided her steady gaze.

"You've had enough!" Tariq announced when she tried to summon a different server and she turned on him with blazing eyes.

"You have no right!" she declared vehemently trying to keep her voice low even as she longed to rage at him.

"I have every right," he corrected and her glare intensified.

"Because I'm your wife? Just because you put your bloody mark on me does not mean you own me!" she hissed and Tariq's eyes narrowed furiously.

"No, but it does mean I can make sure you do not drink yourself in to a coma," he replied firmly with anger glinting in his eyes and Katie turned deliberately away to present a smile to their guests as she acted the part or blushing bride aware that the man at her side was also acting his part as he took hold of her hand and entwined their fingers.

"Must you?" she hissed and he sent her a smile.

"Not long now and we can finally be alone," he said changing the subject completely and making Katie suddenly panic at the thought of being alone with him now that they were actually married.

Once the meal was over everyone moved through to the next room where a late reception was being held for everyone who had not been invited to the ceremony and live music was provided by one of the biggest bands in Darlaya.

It was torture for Katie as she found herself once again firmly held to Tariq's side as they made their way around the room. It was even worse when he insisted they spend a while talking to her parents. Her mother couldn't stop talking about the wedding and how proud she was that her daughter had married royalty while her father barely even gave his daughter a glance as he discussed business and money with Tariq. By the time they moved away Katie had suffered enough and she pulled away furious when Tariq refused to release her.

"I need to use the restroom," she hissed and his eyes scanned her face as though searching for the lie and eventually he bent and kissed her briefly before releasing her.

"Don't be long," he offered and she glared at him before heading to the restrooms at a controlled pace as she resisted the urge to storm from the room.

It was so calming to just have a few moments alone to reflect and she wished she could stay in the large luxurious bathroom but unfortunately it was only a temporary reprieve and as a knock sounded at the door she sighed at the realisation she had to go back out and face her duties. Opening the door she froze with the smile fading from her lips at the sight of Amber stood there looking stunning in her evening dress that revealed a little too much flesh and matched the colour of Katie's dress.

"If it isn't the bride," Amber said with a little laugh as she pushed past Katie closing the door firmly behind her as she observed all the colour fading from Katie's face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Katie managed furiously and Amber gave a tinkling laugh.

"Well, isn't it obvious darling? Tariq invited me. Now, why do you think he would do that?" Amber asked with a laugh that made Katie's blood boil. 

"I have no idea, why would he do that?" she asked dryly and Amber cocked one hand on her hip exposing her leg even more as she accentuated her curves.

"Isn't it obvious Catherine? Some women were born to be loved and others were born just to fulfil a duty," Amber mocked and Katie blinked away sudden tears. How could Tariq have invited his mistress to their wedding? Did he have no shame?

"If he loves you then why did he just marry me?" Katie asked while Amber gave that tinkling laugh of hers again.

"Oh, honey. It's so cute that you think marriage will stop Tariq and I from being with each other. He only married you out of duty but believe me you will never be more than that to him," Amber said while Katie stared at her in shock. 

"I suggest you leave," Katie snapped ad Amber merely laughed again as she approached the large mirrors and began reapplying lipstick and fluffing her dark hair.

"I am here at Tar's request not yours," Amber informed her and Katie decided she'd heard enough as she turned and stormed from the rest room only slowing her footsteps when she remembered she was supposed to be acting a part. So, even though it killed her to put up a façade Katie reigned in her anger and pasted a smile on her face as she fought a headache that was steadily creeping up.

"Everything alright?" her lousy cheat of a husband asked as he appeared beside her and Katie turned her stormy gaze on him.

"Fine," she replied unwilling to cause a scene in front of their guests.

"Something happened?" he asked narrowing his eyes as he took in each fleeting expression.

"No, everything is fine," she replied still ignoring him.

"What's wrong?" he asked taking her chin between his fingers and tilting her face so she had no choice but to look at him.

"I told you, nothing," she snapped quietly and he sighed as he brushed his lips briefly against her own.

"You'll keep," he responded as he entwined his fingers with hers and tugged her towards the dance floor.

Dancing with Tariq was a sensual experience and Katie tried her best to remain immune but he was filled with such raw magnetism and power that it was impossible not to succumb. After the first dance Katie tried to pull away but Tariq would not allow it and his grip tightened as he twirled her round again and continued dancing with her.

It wasn't until Amber came in to view that Tariq finally allowed her to escape and Katie wasted no time in moving across the room to take a seat. She expected her husband to be right behind her but when she looked he was nowhere to be seen and neither was Amber. 

"It really was a lovely wedding, darling," her mother said as she came to beside her and Katie forced a smile to her face. It was almost second nature by now.

"Wasn't it?" she replied wondering just where her husband had disappeared to and then cursing him when she realised the obvious answer.

"It's such a shame about your posture though, otherwise the day would have been perfect," her mother said as she reached out to push her shoulders back making Katie roll her eyes in exasperation.

"I doubt whether my posture ruined the day," Katie replied and her mother laughed as she patted her arm.

"You might believe that, dear. But I guarantee that people will be talking about it for months," her mother said and Katie forced her smile to remain in place for she was used to her mother being critical about everything.

"I'm sure nobody even noticed," Katie replied while her mother sighed.

"Of course people noticed. That lovely girl Amber was just commenting on it not long ago and if she noticed I'm sure everyone else must have," her mother corrected and Katie gritted her teeth. How was it that Amber was taking over her wedding day?

"I have to mingle," Katie said in response as she got to her feet and moved away from her mother. She slowly made her way around the room stopping occasionally to talk to guests before she made her way back towards the rest rooms only to come to a halt as she heard voices coming from inside where the door was open slightly.

"I understand that I can't meet you for a few weeks but I'll be waiting," Amber purred seductively and Katie held her breath praying that she wasn't talking to who she thought she was.

"I'll call you," Tariq said and Katie stared at the partly open door in horror as she realised just what she was hearing.

"I'll be sure to wear something appropriate for the occasion," Amber said in a breathless voice that left Katie in no doubt as to what sort of outfit would be appropriate for the occasion they had in mind.

"I would expect nothing less from a professional like you," Tariq confirmed with a laugh and Katie backed away slowly for she had heard enough. 

Before she could move far though the door swung open and Amber exited the rest room with her hair mussed and her lipstick smudged. She was readjusting her dress when she bumped in to Katie and she paused with a little gasp as she pursed her lips.

"Oops, I hope you didn't hear any of that," Amber said in a falsely sympathetic voice before she flounced off with a satisfied smile on her face. 

Katie hesitated then followed her back in to the party. It was a few minutes before Tariq finally joined her and she turned a mutinous glare on him.

"Sorry, I had to make a business call," Tariq apologised as he reached her and Katie slowly nodded.

"A business call? You mean to set up some business meetings?" she asked with a raised brow and he smiled down at her.

"Exactly, but it's nothing you need concern yourself with," he informed her as he bent his head intending to kiss her lips but Katie turned her head at the last minute so he grazed her cheek and he narrowed his eyes on her tense expression.

"Everyone seems to have enjoyed the wedding. It looks like our performance in this charade was exceptional," Katie told him coolly and Tariq frowned at her bitter tone.

"It was hardly a performance or a charade," he denied and she turned to him with a questioning glance.

"Wasn't it? It seems more like we've acted the parts," she suggested and he sighed as he decided he'd had enough of her accusations.

"We're leaving," he said suddenly as he placed an arm around her waist and began leading her to where their parents sat chatting.

"What? But this is our reception," she told him and he shrugged.

"And we have seen enough of it. Nobody expects us to stay here all night, Catherine," he explained and she gaped at him.

"But it's still early," she said.

"It is past ten and soon enough for us to make our getaway," he replied as they finally reached their parents and he explained to them all that it was time he whisked his bride on their honeymoon. 

Every word he said made him sound more and more like the caring husband rather than the cheating jerk he really was and it infuriated Katie who hated that everyone was expecting her to simply go off and enjoy a long honeymoon playing the perfect wife to her new husband when all she wanted to do was be as far away from him as possible. 

With that thought came another and soon she was plotting in her head how she could achieve her freedom because she had no intention of meekly following her husband and acting like the perfect wife while he was off sleeping around with his mistress.

"Ready?" Tariq asked after what felt like hours and Katie offered him a tight smile as he scooped her up in to his arms and carried her out amid cheers from their guests. 

A limo was waiting for them and Tariq deposited her in the back before sliding in himself and Katie watched as the lights got smaller until eventually all was darkness and she was finally alone with Tariq.

They were driving for about twenty minutes until the limo pulled up outside an exclusive hotel close to the airport and Tariq helped her out of the car. He led her straight through to the private lift and took her to the penthouse suite which was huge ad offered complete comfort. 

"It's been a long day," Tariq acknowledged once they entered the suite and Katie turned to him with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Exhausting," she agreed and he stepped closer staring in to her eyes like he could see the truth lurking in their depths.

"Would you like to shower first?" he offered and Katie took a deep breath.

"Thank you," she said and he gave her a suggestive look.

"We could always share," he offered and she shook her head.

"No, we couldn't!" she refused automatically as she moved past him in to the bathroom and slowly removed her wedding outfit as distaste crossed her face. She showered quickly glad to feel the stresses of the day fade away with the water.

She was as quick as she could be and emerged twenty minutes later with a towel wrapped around her slim curves. Sparing her husband a glance she crossed to the case he had opened for her and selected an outfit from it. She had gotten used to finding new clothes in her rooms for he had not allowed her to pack anything from home.

"I won't be long," Tariq offered and Katie gave a non-committal shrug as she quickly pulled on fresh underwear and added a pair of white linen trousers paired with a black shirt. Pulling on shoes quickly she spared a glance at the bathroom before carefully moving out of the suite and back to the lift. It was surprisingly easy to escape the hotel. They were expecting people to break in not out. It was also easy enough to run to the airport which was barely five minutes away and surprisingly she managed to catch the first plane out of there though the whole time it was waiting to depart she was afraid that Tariq would find her and drag her off the plane. But amazingly the plane departed without incident and Katie spent the whole journey sitting tensely waiting for the moment when the plane would turn back around, only it never came and she safely landed in Paris unable to believe that she was actually free!