The Sheik's Sensuous Trap (25 page)

“I don’t consider you a joke.  In fact, I’ll take that admission of love and top it.  I don’t know how, but you got under my skin Alea.”

Alea laughed sardonically.  “You want me to solve some border problems.”

“No,” he challenged.  “Yes, initially, that was my solution.  There are many problems in this country and I want to resolve them and move on to create a better life for everyone.  But when I got to know you, the real you and not the image everyone has of you, I was completely trapped.”

Alea was holding her breath as he spoke and was afraid to let it out for fear that she might have misunderstood due to lack of oxygen.  But necessity won out and she had to exhale and inhale again.  And still, he continued to look down at her.  It wasn’t a dream. 

“Are you telling me what I think you’re saying?”

Rashid smiled.  “If you think I’m telling you I’m in love with you, then yes.  We’re on the same wave length.”

Alea had to laugh at his phrasing.  But in the end, she simply threw her arms around his neck.  “
It
i
s
n’t possible,” she said, her face muffled in his neck.

“Why don’t you think
it’s
possible?”

“Because this is a political marriage.”

“That’s what I tried to convince myself of for the past several weeks.  But it didn’t work.  It was you I wanted.  Not the political solution.”

Alea laughed
and cried at the same time
.  “I know you’re lying but don’t stop.”

He pulled away and looked down into her face.  “It’s true.  There were several occasions that I should have simply walked away and let your father call you home for the announcement.  But something held me back.  I wanted to win you over, any way I could.  I wanted you.  Believe me, other political solutions can be found.  But when I f
ound you, I kne
w
you were
the only
one
I really wanted.”

Alea started crying in earnest now and Rashid picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. 

“Is that admission so awful for you to hear?” he asked, holding her on his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. 

“No.  It’s wonderful,” she sobbed, hiccupping as she tried to stop the flow of tears.  “I love you too!” she said.

“It’s about time you let me know,” he growled and bent down to kiss her softly.