Sinfully His Read online

  It would be rude to walk away, but it would probably break another piece of my heart if I did it.

  Swallowing hard, I nodded and grudgingly reached up to accept his hand. Khalil’s fingers immediately tightened around mine, and then, to my surprise, he wasted no time in gathering me into his arms and enfolding me in his warmth.

  Around us I heard a number of surprised gasps and tried to push back from him, but the circle of his arms merely tightened to hold me in place. ‘Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?’ I asked in desperation, knowing that our close contact was certainly not normal in the Somoran culture, and wondering if it might give me a way to escape his proximity.

  ‘Traditionally, yes. But we are evolving, becoming more western in our views. Besides, I don’t care what anyone thinks other than you.’

  All I could think was that he smelt incredible, and the feel of his solid muscles under my fingertips made me want to grip on to him and never let go. ‘What about your fiancée, your potential in-laws – surely they will care?’ I asked, wondering bitterly if his wedding had already been arranged, and what his bride-to-be was like.

  Giving a shake of his head, Khalil narrowed his eyes. ‘There is no fiancée, no in-laws.’

  His tone was defiant, and I paused in my dancing and tried to interpret what his odd expression meant. ‘Not yet, perhaps, but soon there will be, won’t there?’

  ‘No.’ His answer was immediate. ‘When I marry, I want it to be for love, not convenience or social expectation.’ He raised a finger and smoothed some stray hairs from my face. Instinctively, I leaned my head into his touch. ‘I know what my family expects of me, and believe me, I have spent the time we’ve been apart working on a solution for our situation.’

  As far as I was aware there was no solution, so I just stayed silent. ‘I knew I couldn’t marry another woman, any other woman. It wouldn’t have been fair to her, or me, not knowing how much I love you.’

  Khalil paused, and I blinked up at him as I tried to absorb what he had just said. ‘You... you love me?’

  Khalil’s grip tightened around my waist, and then he grinned down at me and nodded. ‘Yes, little one, very much.’

  I felt like I was having an out of body experience. It was all so surreal that I didn’t even bother to tell him I also loved him. ‘But you’re the prince, you can’t love me...’

  Khalil threw his head back and laughed. ‘You think because I’m a prince that means I can’t love you?’ he asked, amusement curling his lips. Then he shrugged casually. ‘There is one problem with your logic, Sara, and it is the fact that I do. I love you more than you would ever believe.’

  I was still frozen to the spot, struggling to comprehend what he was saying. ‘But even if that’s true, Khalil, we had our week together, and now it’s over. You can’t be with me,’ I finally whispered, bleakness seeping into my tone. He loved me! But I was a schoolteacher and he was a prince. No matter how lovely his sentiment was, it all came down to the same thing as before – his parents would never allow a union between us.

  Khalil leaned in to me, so close I was immediately hit with the addictive scent of his skin. God I’d missed that smell. I’d never worked out what fragrance it was, but it was spicy and exotic, and I absolutely loved it. ‘You seem to be convinced I only ever wanted you for one week, Sara, but that was never the case.’

  I didn’t really know what to say to his husky declaration, so I raised my eyes to his and tried not to sway at the fierce determination I found there.

  ‘I feel such a connection to you, little one.’ He raised a hand and tucked a few stray hairs back behind my ear, and even though I’d promised myself I would be strong and stand my ground, I found myself swaying into his touch. A fond smile curved his lips and Khalil cupped my cheek, running his thumb gently across my skin until my eyes fluttered shut from the overwhelming emotions of the moment.

  ‘Look at me, Sara.’ His words were a soft flutter, but the command in them was unmissable, and I raised my eyelids in an automatic response.

  ‘Even on the first day we met, I felt it. I’d never met you before, and yet there was something deep inside me which recognised you as someone who would become important to me.’ He chuckled, and the sound was so lovely I felt my lips tweaking into a matching smile. ‘I’ve never been one to believe in soul mates or love at first sight, so this might sound ridiculous, but something happened to me on the beach when I met you. I knew right then that I had to get to know you... had to get closer to you.’

  It did sound quite farfetched, but the crazy thing was that I had felt it, too. The magnetic pull I’d felt to Khalil that day had been beyond a mere attraction to his good looks, but at the time I’d been woozy from my injury and unable to fully process what I was feeling.

  ‘I felt the same thing. Such a strong pull. It was like you were already familiar to me,’ I admitted quietly, and in response Khalil’s eyes flared with hope.

  He lowered his forehead and rested it against mine. The skin on skin connection raised the electricity between us and I shivered as it coursed around my body.

  ‘Yes. That’s exactly how I felt. The bond between us, it’s magnetic. I felt it then, and I still feel it. If anything, it’s only got stronger and more potent with the time we’ve spent together. I need you in my life, little one.’ He gave my waist a squeeze and then flashed me a lopsided smile. ‘And that’s exactly what I told my parents.’

  ‘You told them you loved me?’ I stuttered, wondering how the conversation had gone down.

  ‘I did. Well, my mother already knew. That day when you came to the Palace and she found you and me in the stables? After you left, she and I talked, and she said she could see it in my eyes that I loved you.’

  I swallowed hard, remembering the look of sympathy I’d seen on his mother’s face that day.

  ‘My father may appear to be the one with all the power on Somora,’ he went on, ‘but he relies a great deal on my mother’s guidance. I believe she may have been fighting our corner for us.’

  Wow. I thought she’d been holding him back to keep him away from me, but perhaps she had just wanted us to take things slowly and go about it in the correct way.

  ‘My family has spent much time modernising our country, doing all they can to bring the industry, culture and infrastructure forward so it can one day claim to be as modernised as America or England. As part of that, our traditions are also evolving. I’ve had several long talks with my parents since you left, and although our heritage is important to my father, he understands that I wish to be modern in my outlook – he knows I do not wish to follow the arranged marriage route. He and my mother were lucky enough to find true love from their partnership, but they have seen many dear friends and family members suffer from infidelity and heartache due to incompatible matches.’

  Khalil once again ran his fingertips across my cheek, and even though I knew there must be a crowd of people watching our intimate moment he didn’t seem in the least bothered.

  ‘I told him I was in love, Sara. A real life-changing type of love -’ Khalil paused and smiled down at me tenderly ‘- and I told him that I wished to formally date you. If you’d like that, of course?’

  Blinking up at him, I found myself vigorously nodding as all my dreams seemed to be coming true at once. ‘Yes! I’d love that, Khalil!’

  ‘That’s settled, then.’ Khalil’s grip tightened on my waist, and he matched my smile with an even bigger one of his own. ‘I would very much like to kiss you to seal the deal, but I fear that may be a step too far for some of the more traditional minds in the room. I’ll have to save that for when I see you next in private.’

  A sudden shyness overcame me, and my cheeks bloomed with heat as I nodded my understanding. ‘OK.’

  ‘I wonder if any of these people can see just how happy I am?’ Khalil murmured, passing his gaze around the room. ‘I suspect we will see our pictures in the papers tomorrow.’

  ‘Does it matter if we’re seen toget
her?’

  He shook his head. ‘Not really. We can announce our relationship formally at some point anyway. Until then, let them gossip about their inappropriate prince and his gorgeous British schoolteacher.’ When he looked down at me again, his eyes dropped to my lips and then Khalil let out a small rumbled growl. ‘I want to kiss you so badly, Sara.’ Sighing, he finally let go of me and took a small step back. ‘I think perhaps I should leave now, before I get carried away and really give the photographers something to picture.’

  I desperately didn’t want him to go, but I knew that our situation was delicate, given his position in society.

  ‘Can I see you tomorrow? I’ll cook for you at my house,’ he said, his eyes warm and full of hope.

  Butterflies ignited in my tummy and I grinned and nodded my head. ‘Yes, that sounds lovely.’

  ‘Perfect.’ He slid a hand into his pocket, pulled out a small card, and handed it to me. ‘My phone number. Text me your new address and I’ll send Omar to get you at five o’clock.’ Leaning in closer, he brushed his lips across my cheek in the briefest of touches. ‘Bring an overnight bag if you’d like to stay.’ And with that he flashed me a wink and disappeared into the crowd.

  I could feel eyes on me from every direction, and so decided it might be a good time to head home before I got accosted by people asking me awkward questions.

  Glancing around, I looked for Sam, trying not to catch anyone else’s eye in the process. I found her by a side table; she was staring at me with her mouth hanging open, but I tried to ignore her obvious interest as I shrugged into my jacket. ‘I’m going to head off, are you staying?’

  Sam blew a dismissive raspberry and shook her head. ‘Hell, no. I’m coming with you to find out the gossip. What the heck was going on just then?’

  ‘Nothing.’ I tried to sound innocent and nonchalant, but from the expression on Sam’s face she clearly wasn’t having any of it.

  ‘Please, I wasn’t born yesterday! Don’t take this the wrong way, I mean you’re superhot and everything, but there must be eighty women here tonight and the prince singled you out!’ She poked me before briefly flapping her hands in excitement, and then linking arms with me as we started to make our way towards the exit. ‘The way he placed his forehead on yours? I mean, that’s quite a statement, Sara! He must have seen you and taken a liking to you!’

  I hummed a noncommittal reply as we wound our way through the crowd to the exit, but just before we reached it,

  Sam stopped and gripped my arm. ‘Hang on...’ She frowned as if deep in thought, and then her eyes widened. ‘He knew your name...’ Squinting, she seemed to be thinking back over the events leading up to my dance with Khalil. As if coming to a satisfactory conclusion, she nodded. ‘He did. He definitely said, “Can I have a moment alone with Miss Masters?” How does he know you?’

  I couldn’t hold back my excitement any longer and a smile broke on my lips. ‘I’ll tell you all about it once we’re outside. Come on.’

  We made our way through the reception area and then out of the doors and into the warm night. I had been planning on filling Sam in when we got home, but clearly, she wasn’t keen on waiting. ‘I think I know!’ she squeaked in excitement. ‘The romance you said you couldn’t get over – it was with the prince, wasn’t it?’

  My cheeks filled with heat, and I nodded. ‘Yeah. Although I didn’t know he was the prince when we met.’ ‘Oh my God! Sara! The way he was staring at you was superhot! I want all the details!’

  Laughing, I slid into the car and began my story, starting right at the beginning when I’d met Khalil on the beach. I left out some of the more passionate details of our time together, but by the time I’d finished with my tale, my friend was well and truly satisfied with her search for gossip and I was grinning from ear to ear, like the besotted woman I was.

  Chapter Seven

  Sam was practically beside herself with excitement by the time five o’clock rolled around the following day. ‘Romanced by the prince! God, it’s so exciting! Do you think you’ll stay with him all weekend?’

  Blushing, I shrugged as casually as possible, but I couldn’t deny that on the inside I was just as excited as she was. ‘I’m not sure. I guess I’ll see how it plays out.’

  Sam opened her mouth to speak – probably to bombard me with yet more questions – but was interrupted by a firm knock on the door.

  My heart accelerated with excitement, and Sam let out a squeak before hugging me tight and then standing to the side, watching with wide eyes as I crossed the room.

  ‘It won’t be him, Sam. Omar is picking me up.’ Sam’s shoulders dropped with visible disappointment, but she continued to watch the door with interest anyway.

  ‘Hey, Omar. How’s things?’ I asked cheerily as I opened it and found the big guy waiting for me.

  Omar grunted something unintelligible, but I saw the trace of a smile on his lips as he picked my bag up and jerked his head towards the waiting car. I think beneath his fierce exterior he was actually a bit of a softy, or perhaps he was just relived that I’d opened the door this time and not caused him to have a wasted journey. Waving at Sam, I grabbed my handbag and followed him out.

  The drive to Khalil’s house was longer than that to the palace, and the roads became quieter and steeper as we left the city and started to head up into the winding hills. I enjoyed the ride and let the scenery distract me from my nerves about seeing Khalil again.

  I was excited, but I was also nervous because this was suddenly all very real – we were going official. I could hardly believe it. I had never in a million years believed that his parents would agree to it, and yet here I was arriving at the gates to his mountain house.

  As the car drew to a halt at the front door, I saw that Khalil was already waiting for me on the steps, grinning just as broadly as I was. He opened the car door for me, and immediately pulled me from the seat and into his arms. Omar was still lingering in the background, so we didn’t kiss, but he held me tightly in his arms. As soon as Omar had placed my bags on the step, Khalil told him he could take the rest of the day off.

  I heard the gates close, and then leaned back in the circle of his arms to look around. Trees surrounded us on one side, and to my right I caught glimpses of a valley dropping off towards the city in the distance. It was so beautiful up here, cooler and serene, and simply perfect. Although that may have had quite a bit to do with the man currently rocking me in his embrace.

  ‘It’s so good to have you here. Let me show you around.’ Khalil placed a brief kiss on the top of my head and then took my hand and led me towards the front door.

  From the outside his house looked to be almost as grand as the palace, but as soon as we set foot inside, I could see and feel his influence on the place. The décor was colourful and relaxed, and almost bohemian in its style. The walls were all white, but adorned with numerous wooden carvings, colourful tapestries, and photographs showing Khalil in various places around the world. The furniture was comfortable looking, made for enjoyment and not just to look good or impress people, and the floors were pale marble tiles covered in rugs of dark red, blue, and orange. I absolutely loved it.

  As I followed behind him in awed silence, he led me out of two double doors onto a terrace. ‘This is the reason I live up here.’ He stepped to the side and I sucked in a shocked breath at the view spread out before me. I’d seen a glimpse of it from the driveway when I’d arrived, but from back here it was incredible. Down a few steps in front of us was a swimming pool surrounded by wooden decking and beautiful green gardens, but beyond that the mountains opened up and the valley dropped down, and seemed to wind all the way to the glittering sea in the distance. It felt like we could see for miles. Given how high up we were, we probably could.

  ‘It’s stunning,’ I mumbled, aware how much of an understatement that was. ‘All of it. Your house, this view... wow.’

  Khalil moved behind me and slid his arms around my waist to cuddle me back against his ches
t. ‘I’m glad you like it.’ He rotated me in his embrace, lowered his head, and kissed me. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. His kiss started out chaste, but almost as soon as his skin touched mine, my body came alive with longing and my lips opened on a moan.

  ‘I’ve missed you so much, Sara,’ he whispered, before taking advantage of my parted lips and pressing his tongue inside to explore my mouth. We kissed for several moments, both getting hotter and needier with our hands clutching and hips grinding until the warm summer air was filled with the sounds of our accelerated breathing.

  Out tongues moved together, and he slid one of his hands into my hair to hold me close. Already my whole body was alive with hot, tingling sensations, and such a deep yearning had built in my belly from my increased excitement that I was finding it difficult to stay still. I’d missed spending time with Khalil while we’d been apart, but I had also really missed this side of things, too. It would seem I had gone from being a virgin to a sex maniac since meeting this man.

  Leaning back to watch my excitement with apparent pleasure, Khalil grinned at me before he moved his free hand from my hair to my shoulder. He took a second to caress the sensitive skin around the strap of my dress, sending a shiver of delight though my body. Drawing in a contented breath, he kissed me again, but after a second or two at my mouth his lips followed his fingers, trailing down my neck to my shoulder and leaving my skin hot and tingling from his attention.

  He looped his fingers under the dress strap, and then, just as he was about to flick it from my shoulders, he glanced up at me, seeming to seek my permission first. ‘Is this OK?’

  Smiling, I reached around to my side and silently undid the zip holding my dress together before nodding. The fabric of the dress loosened, meaning he would very quickly discover I was braless underneath it. ‘This is more than OK.’

  Khalil acknowledged my consent with a warm smile, and then, with a deft flick of his thumbs, he pushed the straps of my dress down so that it fell from my shoulders and pooled at my waist. Pulling in a sharp breath, he looked greedily at my breasts before he raised his face and leaned in to kiss me. ‘No underwear, hmm? I approve.’