The Man to Be Reckoned With (15 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

N
ATHAN
FOUND
HER
a month later on a beach in Ubud, Bali, in one of the villas RunAway owned, sitting on the deck that offered spectacular views of rolling hills and valleys. The villa was the utmost in privacy and comfort. It perched atop a valley overlooking a lush river gorge.

It had been his very own slice of paradise. When Jacob told him that a request had come in from his property manager that a woman named Riya
Ramirez
, who'd claimed to be his close friend, had wanted to use it, he had laughed for a full minute. The woman was relentless, stubborn, manipulative, and he loved her for all of it.

And yet, with the setting sun casting golden shadows on her striking face, it was loneliness that enveloped her now. And it clawed at his heart.

It had taken him three weeks to consolidate his worldwide holdings, to find and hire efficient managers where he needed, to fight the voice that whispered
no
every second of the day.

But there had also been one that kept counting the time down, telling him that he had wasted enough as it was. And he realized, if he had lived without fear, he had also lived without joy for too long.

Once he had decided, it had taken him a week to find her, and every minute of waiting to hear more had been excruciating. Until the stubborn woman herself had sent him a clue.

Did she love him that much? Would she have stopped at nothing until she got through to him? Could he always prove himself worthy of it?

Feeling a knot of anxiety, he clenched and unclenched his fingers.

She was dressed in a sleeveless, floral dress that rippled around her knees with the breeze.

“Riya?” he said, unable to say anything else past the emotion clogging his throat.

She was off the lounging chair and deck before he could blink. Standing before him with her hair flying in her face before he could draw another breath. Her chest falling and rising, her mouth pinched.

And the love in her eyes undid Nathan as nothing had ever done. “I love you, butterfly,” he said, and she swayed, a gasp falling from her lips. Threw herself into his arms like a gale of wind. Knocked the breath out of him, knocked him off his feet.

He buried his mouth in her neck, filling himself with the scent of her.

Her arms wound around him so tight that he laughed. Pulling her head back, she glared at him. “I'm never letting you go, ever. You even talk about leaving me again and I'll chain you to myself.” A shudder swept through her in direct contrast to the bravado in her words.

“I love you so much, Nate. I've missed you so much. Every day, every night, wherever I want, I thought about you. It hurt so much that I wanted it to stop for a while. It felt like—”

“Like you were missing an essential part of yourself?” he said, and she nodded.

He tasted her in a rough kiss, needing the fortification, needing tangible proof of her taste. She clung to him with just as much desperation.

“Do you know what you're signing up for, butterfly?” he said, when his desperation had blunted, when his heart beat normally again. When the shadow of a lifelong fear clasped him tight. “It would kill me much sooner to see—”

Her palm closed over his mouth and she shook her head. “I do feel fear, and sometimes I can't breathe thinking of this world without you. But I'd rather fight that fear every day than live another moment without you. I'll do it, Nate. I'll only ever try to be your strength. And all I ask is that you give me the chance. To love you, to be loved by you, for as long as possible, that's all I want.”

Clasping her hand in his, he dragged her to the edge of the deck and looked out into the valley and beyond. Turned her toward him and dropped onto his knees.

“I love you, Riya, with every breath in my body, with every beat of my faulty heart. I was so lonely before I met you. I thought I was protecting you by walking away. When you called me, when you so bravely put into words what you felt for me...to hear you say what I felt for you, to hear you tell me you chose to love me even as you were afraid, it made me realize I wasn't living, merely existing. You've taught me what it is to be brave, butterfly.”

Riya kissed him, tears stinging her cheeks. Running her hands over him greedily, she clung to him, fear and joy all bubbling inside her. Her biggest risk had paid off and her heart stuttered in her chest. “All I want is to be by your side for the rest of our lives.”

His eyes shining with unshed tears, he kissed her temple. “Will you be my wife, butterfly? Will you tie yourself to me, then?”

Riya nodded, the small doubt in his tone doing nothing to abate the intensity of her own love. He had come for her; he had shown her his heart. It didn't mean years of protecting himself from fear and hurt would be gone this very second. But she was strong enough for both of them. “Yes.”

He dragged her into the cradle of his arms, his lean frame shuddering. “That's the sweetest word I've ever heard, Riya.”

For the first time in his life, Nathan felt joy, and he felt complete. With the woman he loved with him, there was no place for fear.

Only love and utter happiness for the rest of his days.

EPILOGUE

One year later

H
IS
BREATH
HITCHING
in his throat, every inch of him thrumming with anticipation, Nathan turned around and froze.

With the blue sea and white sand as her background, Riya stilled beneath the arch that was decorated with sheer white lilies and cream-colored silk.

Her gaze met his, her mouth wreathed in a shy smile; she was waiting to see his reaction, he realized.

The red sheer silk sari she wore wound around her striking figure, baring her midriff, inviting his touch. When he had looked at the huge yard of the material and frowned a week ago, she had patiently and laughingly explained to him how it worked, and how much fun she was having with her aunt teaching her how to wear it.

And that she was learning it for him, she had said with a wink.

He was glad she did.

The silk draped over her left shoulder and hung behind her, hiding and showcasing her beautiful body. Her long hair flew in the breeze, but it was the glittering expression in her eyes that arrested him.

He couldn't breathe when he remembered her tears when they'd learned that her father had passed away a few years before they'd tracked him down. He had held her all night, her pain as much as his. And the smile in her eyes, when he'd told her about the aunt his PI had located... the only blood relative of her father still alive.

All his wealth and power, he had truly appreciated it that day. For it had brought such happiness to the woman he loved.

He mouthed,
I love you
and tears shimmered in her gaze as she walked toward him.

* * *

Her heart racing as if toward some invisible goal, Riya rubbed her fingers over her face. She blew out a breath, a shadow of fear marring her perfect day.

Beneath the cliff on top of which the villa sat, the sea was dark blue, the horizon where the sky met the sea not visible. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.

The wedding on the beach had been her dream come true. Robert, Jackie and her aunt, and the staff from the estate, Riya had never felt more loved or cherished.

And in between all of it was the man she loved.

It had taken all these months for Nathan to believe that she truly wanted this—that she wouldn't change her mind, that she would never stop loving him, that she would never let herself be driven by fear.

And now the truth she had realized just this morning.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she battled both excitement and fear.

She turned when the door of the main bedroom in the villa closed with a soft thud.

Nathan stood leaning against the door, and the raw heat in his eyes instantly sent an answering tremble through her. She wondered if she was betraying herself, if the small thing she had learned this morning was written on her face.

“I don't want you to wear a sari again.”

“What?” She ran her hands over the silky folds, distracted by his expression. “You don't like it?”

“As your husband, I command you not to wear it in public,” he added with a possessive glint in his eye, and she laughed.

“I've been waiting to say that since I saw you walking down toward me.”

He caught the edge that trailed over her shoulder with one hand and tugged hard. And the silky soft material came undone around her and ripped at her waist.

He tugged until Riya was caught in his arms.

“You look utterly gorgeous and scandalously sexy in it. And I don't want any other man but me to see that.”

He buried his mouth in the curve of her neck, his hands settling around her bare midriff. “Nate, wait, I want to—”

“It's all I've been wanting to do since I saw you, Riya. Please don't deny me.”

Forgetting her own words, she pushed into him and sank her fingers in his hair.

As he whispered words that made her core pulse with spiraling need, his long fingers climbing up her midriff toward her breasts encased snugly in the blouse.

He groaned and pulled the hooks that held it together with a strong tug and Riya gasped as she heard the blouse rip at the hooks. With impatient fingers, he pushed the cups of her bra down.

She shuddered as his abrasive palms covered her breasts, the aching, tight nipples rasping against the roughness. Rubbing her buttocks against his hard body, Riya loosened the petticoat and let it pool at her feet.

His palms moved over her waist and then her thighs. When he picked her up and placed her on an exquisitely crafted sofa table, she laughed and gave herself over to the dark passion lighting up his eyes.

Their lovemaking was swift, desperate, coated with the awareness that they were now joined in the holiest of bonds, exalted by the promises they had made to each other. Sweat cooling on her forehead, she leaned her head against his chest, the superfast rhythm of his heart comforting under her palms.

She kissed the taut skin of his pectorals, breathing in the musky scent of him.

“You always do that,” he said, his words a gravelly rasp against her senses.

Looking up, she smiled, her arms still around him. “What do you mean?”

He pushed sweaty tendrils of hair that stuck to her forehead. “Check my heart. Every time after we make love, you put your face to my chest as though you want to—”

Shaking her head, she put her fingers over his mouth. “I'm sorry, I didn't even realize that I did that. I didn't mean to make you feel—”

He laughed and swallowed the rest of her words in a sizzling kiss. “These last few months have been the happiest of my life. Every day, I can't imagine this is my life. I can't believe that I walked away from this. If you hadn't fought for me, for our love...” He sighed against her mouth, a shudder racking through him. “I love you, Riya. I love that you'll forever be mine and I yours.”

An ache rose in Riya's throat at his words. Her gorgeous, powerful man never let a day pass without telling her how much he loved her, without showing her how precious she was to him. But they were both still so new to this. He was only now getting used to having her around after living alone for so long.

Underneath that easy humor, there was still a self-sufficiency that wouldn't leave so easily. But he made an effort for her and Riya was so glad for it.

Hiding her face in his chest, Riya gathered the courage to say the words. “Nathan, I have to tell you something.”

“What is it, butterfly?”

“I realized yesterday that...I...we've been traveling so much and I lost track of...”

He lifted her chin, his gaze curious. “What's bothering you?”

“I took a pregnancy test this morning, and it's... I'm pregnant, Nate.”

Shock flitted in his eyes, cycled to concern. “I don't know what to say.”

Riya felt the happiness of her day pop.

“Riya, I know this isn't what we had planned. I mean, we didn't really even plan anything, did we? But, my little butterfly, that's how you came into my life, didn't you?” He tugged her toward him and hugged her so tight that Riya thought she would break under the avalanche of his love. Yet when he spoke, there was a restraint in his voice. “I know it's scary when we're so new to each other. I know that having a child is a huge thing, but, Riya—”

Riya pushed at his shoulders and studied his gaze. He was holding back his reaction for her. She pulled his hands to her stomach and spoke past the raw ache in her throat.

“Please, Nate. Will you be honest with me about this?”

He nodded and clasped her cheek. “It's the perfect gift you could have given me today. You'll have me every step of the way. You—”

And that was when Riya understood. And she laughed and hugged him tight, kissed his face. Looked into his beautiful blue gaze.

“Nathan, you and I made this. We created this with our love. Can you imagine anything more beautiful or wonderful in this world? It's true I'm afraid, I'm nowhere near ready or equipped to be a mom, but if you're with me, I can do anything. Tell me you want this just as much as I do. Tell me you want this baby.”

Tears pooled in his beautiful blue gaze and he kissed her again. Now it was he who trembled and Riya hugged him hard to herself. “I do want this, Riya. I'll always want anything you bring into my life, butterfly.”

* * * * *

Read on for an extract from CLAIMED BY THE SHEIKH by Rachael Thomas.

PROLOGUE

T
HIS
WAS
THE
MOMENT
Amber had been looking forward to. Her wedding day. Her new husband, Prince Kazim Al Amed of Barazbin, was powerful and, despite her nerves, Amber wanted their first night together to be perfect. He might be the man her father had chosen for her to marry, but she'd given her heart to him the moment they'd first met. His reputation preceded him and she intended to hide her virginal innocence by playing the role of seductress to perfection.

As soon as they'd left the wedding feast things had changed, had gone wrong. His warm smile had disappeared and he stood in their suite, anger clouding his handsome face.

‘I have no wish for this marriage.' He almost had to force the word ‘marriage' out. ‘There is no need to change your life.'

‘Change my life?' How could he so calmly say that? Of course her life would change, but she held her chin high, kept her strength, not wanting to appear weak to a man so strong.

‘Like you, I have married out of duty and respect for my family.' His eyes, as black as obsidian, fixed on hers and a sizzle of something indefinable raced down her spine. She clenched her fingers tightly beneath the silk of her
abaya
.

He picked up her hand; the warmth of his fingers around hers made her heart race and for a moment she saw confusion in his eyes.

‘We have done our duty. Now you will return to your family.'

* * *

Kazim breathed a sigh of relief, thankful his bride was a level-headed woman not prone to hysteria. It must be the Western influence she'd had in her life. The same influence that had corrupted her. Rumours of her secret assignations with men in hotel rooms whilst at boarding school had only just reached his ears. She was not the innocent bride he had been expecting. He had done his duty, married the woman his father had selected. He would do no more.

‘So what must I do?' She looked panicked for a moment and he wondered if his assumptions had been premature.

‘Whatever it was you were doing before you arrived here. You will, of course, have my full financial support.' As far as he was concerned, after what he'd just learnt he had every right to send his new wife home and then one day call into question her suitability.

‘So I just go back to my life?'

‘There is one problem.' He hesitated. ‘It will be expected for the marriage to be consummated.'

‘That's easily sorted.' She jumped up impetuously and tugged at her
abaya
, pulling the long lengths of silk. ‘We can make it look as if it has.'

Kazim couldn't believe what he was hearing and seeing. As each piece of silk was removed and tossed aside lust thudded through his veins. This woman was his wife, an innocent virgin, but she was performing some kind of striptease. What had she learnt in England?

With each movement she became bolder, seducing him with her curves, her sexy pout. Anger mixed with disbelief was making a heady cocktail. This woman was no innocent. But still he watched as lust thundered in his blood.

The silk ripped as her movements became faster and she gasped, her face full of genuine shock. Then she smiled. The smile of a woman who knew how to tease a man. ‘That will make it look all the more real.'

Then the last piece of silk slipped to the floor, leaving her almost naked, and their eyes met. She stood and looked at him, as if daring him to resist her now. He was hardly able to, but taking her now was out of the question. His rage was so strong he knew what could happen and he couldn't risk that.

‘Put some clothes on,' he growled, hardly able to contain the anger he felt. In just a few minutes she'd proved herself completely unsuitable as his bride.

A short while later she emerged from the bathroom, her lush body covered by the soft towelling robe. She sat on the bed, her rich coffee eyes meeting his in challenge. ‘The bed will need to look as if we've slept together in it.'

‘What?'

She calmly sat there, her breasts rising and falling with each breath, making it harder than ever to resist the call of his lust.

‘The bed,' she said coldly. ‘If you want this marriage to look as if it has been consummated, it needs to be a mess.'

* * *

Amber watched the man she'd married toss the sheets into disarray and self-preservation kicked in. She wasn't about to be sent home a disgraced bride, one who was still a virgin. It had to look as if the marriage had been consummated. She couldn't face her parents otherwise.

If her husband could be as cold and calculating about the marriage they'd entered into out of duty, then so could she. The deal struck by their fathers would be honoured, as long as it looked as if they'd spent the night in the same bed.

Just a few more hours and she could leave. Go as far away as she could. Maybe go places and do things her position as her father's only daughter and Princess of Quarazmir had never enabled her to do.

Copyright © 2015 by Rachael Thomas