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| The Sheiks Of Kumar - Part One The Crown Prince By CJ |
| Chapter 9 “Now hand me that beige cable, Tara,” Edgar told Tara as she stood next to him in her living room, hovering over his work. It had been nearly two weeks since Nik had left and Tara was amazed at how lonely Villa Serena felt without his presence. It felt almost as empty as it did without her father. In fact, the loneliness had her so distracted, she barely heard Edgar’s order. “Which beige cable?” she asked. “They’re all beige.” The old man grumbled under his breath and reached for a cable. He plugged it into the back of her computer saying, “I don’t understand why you can’t do this yourself.” “I told you, I can work the software, but I’m clueless about hardware,” she defended. “It’s only plugging in cables,” Edgar argued. Tara laughed because Edgar’s grumpy attitude at its worst was at least company. Aside from Jenny, Tara saw no one. She was thinking about inviting Cynthia Moore and her children over for a swim, but she’d barely ventured to the house herself. It was large and empty now aside from the occasional visit from a gardener and a housekeeper and each time she went up there she felt homesick for a time when the estate was her own. “I know, but its been dismantled for three months now and I’m not sure I remember what cable goes where,” Tara said. The computer had been her father’s and she hadn’t felt the need to put it back together. It contained business documents that were obviously unnecessary now that their family fortune was gone and there had been no rush to reassemble the machine. Now, however, she had uses for it. One, Jenny needed it for a school project, and two, she wanted to email Nik. She had a question regarding an upcoming horse show she wanted to enter Mystic in and she knew that if she asked Jamaal, he’d only refuse. Nik, however, would certainly let her attend with the horse. “Then why doesn’t one of these sheik people put it together for you?” Edgar asked, though he was almost finished with the chore. “Nik’s out of town with most of his staff and Omar and Jamaal don’t strike me as the computer-geek types.” “Yeah, that Omar’s around for the muscle. Ain’t he?” Tara nodded. “He keeps on eye on things.” “And that Jamaal character, what’s his story? He’s about as friendly as a bull seeing red.” Tara shrugged, agreeing with Edgar’s assessment, but not wanting to comment that she agreed. Instead, she said simply, “He just comes from a very different culture. Don’t take anything he says or does personally.” “Heck, I won’t. He and I ignore each other just fine.” He pulled the mouse from out of the box and began to plug it into the back of the PC. “Yes, he and I have that one down too.” “But you don’t ignore the sheik, do you?” “Nik? Of course not. He’s a very nice man. Why would I want to ignore him?” Edgar laughed at her and pulled his wrinkled old hands out from behind the PC. “Heck, that’s all I’ve been hearing from half the women around these parts. Anyone who’s got a glimpse of him can’t seem to ignore him. And you’ve been so consumed lately, I’ll bet you haven’t even left this estate.” Tara blushed and moved to grab the keyboard from the storage box. So, people were starting to notice Nik and also notice that she had a certain interest? Well, she didn’t care. “And rumor has it, that Gabe Bryant’s livid. Everyone just assumed that after you lost Villa Serena, you’d marry Gabe. Heck, he was certain. But then this Armanjani sheik moves in and suddenly you can’t be bothered with anything but horses and sheiks,” Edgar finished. “Maybe the town needs to mind their own business,” Tara quipped. “All right. Have it your way,” he said in resignation and hooked up the keyboard. Five minutes later, the PC was booted up and running smoothly. “That should do it for you, missy,” Edgar said. “Give me a call if you need anything else.” “Thanks, Edgar, I will. Talk to you later,” Tara said, closing the door to the cottage as he left. ** Had she really been focused on nothing but horses and Nik, lately? Tara wondered as she kicked through the pool in the evening air a few days later. Edgar’s words stuck with her and she realized she’d never before been so focused on a man as she was Nik. Yet, he was her boss, the man she worked for. They lived on the same property and Jenny adored him. Of course Tara would be focused on him and the horses she’d hand picked to fill the Villa Serena stables. It was more than that, Tara admitted. Nik was a very special man. He treated her with such care and respect while tantalizing her with his sensuality. What woman could resist those charms? Certainly not her! So if she wanted to focus on him, as long as she didn’t neglect the important things in her life like Jenny and Mystic, then she was committing no crime. She wanted to chastise herself for spending her entire swim thinking about Nik. But the fact that he’d immediately answered her email saying that showing Mystic was a wonderful idea had put him right back to the front of her mind. He’d been excited about the horse show and said he hoped he would be back to attend. The show wasn’t for another two weeks, so that told Tara that Nik’s meetings in Kumar could very likely last longer than he had first expected. As it was, two weeks and three days had already passed and as Tara looked at the large house, its windows dark before her, she wondered if he’d ever return. A light suddenly flicked on in the kitchen and Tara’s heart jumped. Could Nik be home? She pulled herself out of the pool and grabbed her towel. As she moved toward the large glass doors off the kitchen her hope was immediately deflated. Coming out of the doors was Omar, his large frame nearly filling the space. Tara gave a short start and jumped back. “I am sorry, Ms. Malone. I did not mean to scare you,” the large man apologized. “No bother, Omar. I just thought you might be Nik.” He shook his head and said, “Sheik Nikash has not yet informed me of his return. But not to worry. These meetings often last longer than scheduled.” His head swiveled around the pool area and he added, “I just came up to check the house for the night.” A coyote howled in the distance and Tara noticed that night had descended. Had she been in the pool that long dreaming about Nik? “You should not stay out here alone. Nikash would be very displeased,” Omar said. “Its safe enough, Omar,” Tara argued. “Besides, my only other options for my Friday evening are sitting alone watching Seinfeld reruns.” He frowned at her and Tara clarified, “Television. I didn’t want to watch old television shows.” He nodded and his face pulled a broad grin. It was one of the only smiles he’d shown her for he almost always wore his serious expression. “Ah, television. I like American television. Much more entertaining than television in Kumar or Europe.” He gave her a conspiratorial wink and said with much enthusiasm, “Baywatch.” Tara laughed wondering what such a program told foreigners about America and said, “Yes, Baywatch is something else.” “If you do not like television, then please feel free to stay and watch Nikash’s collection of movies.” He motioned for her to follow and said, “Come.” Tara grabbed her robe, well, actually it was Nik’s robe for she had yet to return it, and followed Omar through the kitchen with its red Mexican pavers and dark ceramic tile to a den. It had been their entertainment room when they’d lived here and Nik was using it for the same purpose. Speakers were built into the ceilings and an immense entertainment center lined the far wall. The carpeting was plush and light in color and blended well with the cream colored leather couch. The right side of the room was lined with cabinets and Omar opened a few of the doors and said, “See, lots of movies. We have been collecting them for many years now. Nikash likes American movies much more than American television.” Tara looked over the vast number of video and DVD titles in the cabinets and wondered how she would ever find one to watch with such a selection. “Alphabetized,” Omar said, as if reading her mind. “A, B, C, D…easy to find.” “Sure, if you know what you’re looking for,” she drawled. He smiled and announced, “Then I will chose one for you.” Tara agreed for she had little other options on how to spend her Friday night and Omar chose from one of the many titles and showed her how the TV/VCR/DVD system worked. She thanked him and assured him she’d lock up the house when she was through. Then he left and she was all alone in the house. All alone in Villa Serena. It wouldn’t be so difficult, she reasoned, to be alone in the house. Just because she hadn’t been alone in Villa Serena since she lost the place didn’t mean she couldn’t do it now. With that resolve, she padded down the hall to a guest bathroom and took a quick shower, wrapping her wet swimsuit in her damp pool towel. Then she dried off, found a comb and blow dryer to take the tangles out of her hair, and wrapped herself in the warm, dry terrycloth robe. Relaxed and refreshed, Tara returned to the den, dimmed the lights and began the classic drama from the 1950’s Omar had selected. ** She dreamed that Villa Serena was hers again and that she was asleep in her old room with Jenny tucked away down the hall and her father alive and well in his master suite. The dream was so realistic, in fact, that when she opened her eyes in the nearly dark room and heard sounds coming from the floor above her, she was positive it was nearly real. Of course, she wasn’t asleep in her room, merely in the den. Sleepily she admonished herself for falling asleep on the couch and pushed to her feet. Then she heard it again—the sound of footsteps on the floor overhead. Her fuzzy mind began to sort through what was a dream and what was reality and she realized that she was no longer a resident of Villa Serena, merely of the stable cottage. And the den she’d fallen asleep in was not hers but Nik’s. Then, what was that sound from upstairs? Tara listened again and a chill traveled down her spine. Prickles crept up her neck and for the first time since she could remember she was frightened inside the walls of Villa Serena. The vines had always frightened her at night, but this house had always been so friendly. Yet there was something or someone upstairs and in the middle of the night, it didn’t sound friendly. Cautiously Tara walked through the living room and up the stairs. She’d checked the front door on her way and found it locked. As she padded down the hallway, the faint noises could still be heard. She was positive she would see either something as unexplainable as the spirit of her father or something as simple as Omar. But she was prepared if it was anything in between, just the same. She stopped in front of the master suite door. It was slightly ajar and for a long moment it was quiet inside the room. She held her breath, trying to strain her ears to pick up any sound, but all she heard was her own blood rushing through her veins. Slowly she placed a hand on the door and eased it open. She no sooner took one step across the threshold than she felt a large hand grab her arm and toss her flat on her back on the bed. A male voice shouted loudly at her and she couldn’t determine the words or the language. When she was finally able to focus her eyes on her attacker, she let out a shaky breath. “Nik?” she asked, peering into the dim light. “Tara…what, you…what are you doing here?” Nik asked in a harsher tone than she had ever heard him use before. Catching her breath, but still lying on her back, Tara said, “I fell asleep downstairs. Nik, what are you doing home?” Immediately he dropped on the bed beside her and she smelled a clean, spicy scent emanate off his skin. His bare skin aside from the towel wrapped around his waist. She took a moment to look over the defined musculature of his torso and the patch of dark hair on his chest that trailed down beneath his towel. He was magnificent and she suddenly realized she was lying on the bed next to him with nothing under her robe but her own bare skin. Taking in Tara’s beautiful face that he’d felt lost without, Nik explained, “The meetings are over, but I have some more business in Kumar. I just wanted to come home to check on things. I was coming to see you in the morning. I had no idea you were here, you startled me. I am sorry I overreacted and scared you. Are you hurt?” She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I was…uh, Omar let me watch a movie,” Tara explained, still shocked over Nik’s appearance as well as the near attack. Nik touched Tara’s face, not sure if she were real or imagined. He couldn’t seem to drink in enough of her to quench his thirst. For two weeks in the desert municipality of Kumar, he’d been dying for her. And now, here she was, lying on his bed and gazing at him with more heat than she’d ever showered upon his face before. “And Jenny?” he asked, concerned. “Where is she?” “At Rachel’s house for a sleepover.” Nik nodded and laid his head on the bed, gazing intently at Tara. So much had happened in the time he’d been away that he didn’t quite know where to begin in telling her of his trip. There was much she had to know, but perhaps later. Right now he just wanted to touch her, kiss her and even make love to her. Though he was worn from travel, one look at Tara and he felt nothing but desire. “How have you been, my love?” he asked quietly. “I’ve been okay.” He continued to caress her cheek as he said, “You look so beautiful. I missed you.” “I missed you,” she said back. “I wanted so much to call you, but I thought it best not to. I figured you’d contact me if you needed anything.” “I contacted you, didn’t I?” she asked with a teasing grin for her email message had been short and devoid of any personal information. “Yes, you did,” he returned dryly. “But let’s not talk of email right now.” His eyes moved from her face for the first time since she’d startled him and they raked across her. The robe had parted slightly and he caught sight of a bare thigh and shoulder. He ran his finger over her smooth skin, drawing a line from her shoulder, down her torso and stopping at the belt in the robe. He hesitated and looked at her eyes for permission. Her eyes, however, were searching his chest, along with her fingers, so he proceeded and untied the knot in the belt, pushing the robe off the side of her body. Keeping their course, his fingers traveled over her hip, thigh and leg then retraced their route. “Then what shall we talk of?” Tara asked. “How about we don’t talk right now?” he suggested with a low voice, his hand skimming her shoulder and aching to reach further to the pink nipple her arm was barely hiding. “How about we just welcome each other home?” “But I didn’t go anywhere,” Tara said teasingly, knowing all he had to do was touch her one more time and she’d do anything he wanted. With a smile, Nik kissed her lips for a moment then said, “Lets pretend you did.” Tara nodded and felt him immediately tug her against his hard body. And it was hard in every way. His masculine lines were taut and smooth and he held her for a long while as though his life depended on it. She nuzzled his neck and the freshly showered scent of his skin filled her nose. Her fingers traced the lines of his chin beneath his goatee. She looked him over and realized it was the first time she’d taken in the view of his naked torso. Everything about him was masculine and sexy, drawing her in to his world and causing her to easily relent to her desires. But it was easy to relent to Nik. She was secure in his arms and felt no hesitation in loving him. His hold on her loosened and he gazed at her for a brief, heated moment, before he kissed her lips. At first, he was utterly tender, barely allowing her lips to feel the touch of his. But as the kiss progressed, so did its intensity. Soon, he was making love to her mouth, stroking her tongue with his and igniting fires in her gut with each sensual movement of his lips upon hers. It wasn’t long before Tara was moaning softly, ready to beg him to take her. But Nik was not a fast lover. He was going to explore each and every facet of Tara’s sensuality before he pleasured her fully. Slowly, he trailed his lips down her neck, touching his tongue to her throat to taste the sweet flavor of her skin. She trembled from the stimulation of the sensitive area and closed her eyes, focusing on nothing but the feel of Nik’s lips on her body. Then he moved to her chest. Those supple mounds of flesh were topped with pink nipples already peaked with anticipation. Nik savored them for a long while, hearing Tara’s moans increase with each passing minute. She was enjoying his lovemaking and that brought his own desire to the boiling point. Yet, he wasn’t ready to move on. There was only one first time with a new lover and he wanted to remember every sweet part of the experience. Especially with Tara. For if he had it his way, she would be the last lover he would ever take. This was the beginning of their life together, as far as he was concerned, and it was going to count. She was now nearly begging him. Tara couldn’t remember the last time she’d begged a man for anything, especially for sex. Though her loves had been few and it had been several years since she’d made such an adventure in bed, she was amazed by the intense response of her body to Nik. She was hot and shivering all at the same time and was helpless to halt the moans of desire that were escaping her throat. Nik knew how to touch her like no one else and he was dragging out each and every caress and kiss till she was ready to erupt. “Please,” she said breathlessly. “Please, Nik.” Leaving her breast, Nik pressed his lips to hers to halt her words and said, “Hush. All in good time, darling. I have waited for you forever, and I am not going to rush a single movement.” His dark eyes were intense and Tara was taken back by the emotion showing in his expression. This meant more to him than just the physical. And it meant more to Tara than that as well. But something in his gaze told her he was taking this experience with much seriousness and that revelation only caused her to care about him more. When she nodded at his words, Nik smiled at her for a brief moment, then returned to her breast. Tenderly, he trailed his mouth to her firm stomach and watched it quiver from his touch. He heard Tara giggle from the tickle upon her abdomen and he smiled at her giddiness. When his lips touched her pelvis, however, her giggles halted. Gently, his fingers stroked the patch of hair at the juncture of her legs and Tara gasped. Though the sensation was light, it was disarming and she was again ready to beg for release. He stroked her with more pressure and an intense, white hot flash of pleasure ripped through her. Her entire body shivered for a moment and Nik’s lips moved to the inside of her thigh while his fingers continued to touch her very intimately. If she had been ready for Nik before, it was nothing compared to her readiness now. She wanted, needed him to fill her and if he continued to touch her like he was now, she’d explode at any moment. “Nik,” she said quietly. He didn’t pay her any attention as he now kissed her hip. “Nikash,” she said with more force. His eyes rose to meet hers and she smiled at him and indicated for him to come to her. He crawled up the bed to her, stopping briefly at her chest, then rested on an elbow while he gazed down at her face. “I just thought it was time to move a little quicker,” Tara told him as her fingers hooked around his towel. She pulled at the tuck in his waist and the material easily unwound. Tossing the towel to the side, Tara gazed at Nik’s incredible naked body. Every inch of him said power and she wanted to repay him all the pleasure he’d afforded her and explore his sensitive areas. But he would have none of that. He captured her hands as they roamed aimlessly across his chest and said, “Not now. Right now, I am making love to you. Next time, it’s your turn.” Tara laughed, loving how this man could be sensual and serious, yet light and humorous all at once. And though they were both naked and he was touching every part of her body, she didn’t feel once ounce of discomfort. Everything felt natural, as though they’d loved each other for centuries. Nik kissed her for another long moment, then slowly moved his weight upon her. The feel of his bare chest pressing against hers was heavenly and she eagerly parted her legs. Nik, however, didn’t enter her right away. He took another moment or two to kiss her neck, to touch her breast. Though his arousal was throbbing almost painfully now for Tara, he forced patience. He loved this woman and she was going to regret none of this experience. He would see that she was pleasured in every way. “Nik, please,” Tara again begged. “I want you so bad. Quit torturing me.” Her hands looped around his neck and she pulled him tightly against her, holding him securely. Quietly, he whispered something to her and she was pretty positive it was Arabic. She, of course, understood none of it, and she assumed he was telling her he would stop the torment for he began to slowly push inside of her. When Nik had begun the final stage of their lovemaking, he’d told her how much he loved her. The warm, velvety feel of her made him insane and it wasn’t until he was finally inside of her and trusting with much care, that he realized he’d told her in his native tongue. It was just as well she hadn’t understood, he reasoned, for such a declaration she was not ready for. He was positive of that for though she was letting him physically love her, there was still a guardedness to her eyes. And until she told him all that lay within, he would not burden her with his love. Their movements had begun as slow and careful, but as the passion built, they moved with abandon. Tara clung to Nik and moved her hips in a carnal rhythm as his own body thrust above her. The tensions in her body rose and rose until Tara felt nothing but Nik, nothing but his movement and she exploded with rapture. Moments later, she heard him groan quietly and his body shiver from his own release. Then ever so gently, he extracted himself from her body, rolled to his side and pulled her against him. It was several minutes before Tara’s breathing calmed. She heard the beat of Nik’s heart and it too was rapid. Their lovemaking had been a definite exertion, but one that left her energized, not exhausted. Nik kissed Tara’s forehead then moved a hand to the necklace around her neck. He toyed with the charm and asked, “Have you ever taken this off?” Tara shook her head and tilted her head back so she could see the man holding her. “No. Never. And I never will,” she answered. “Good. Because now I am even more convinced of the legend. It will protect you,” Nik said determinedly. Now that their lovemaking was over and their passions had been satisfied for the moment, thoughts of his trip to Kumar reentered his mind. “It’s brought me good luck anyhow,” Tara said with a smile. “It brought you back tonight.” “Yes, back in time to love you,” Nik returned as his hand moved from her necklace and glided down her torso. “Did you enjoy it?” “Enjoy is putting it mildly,” Tara answered. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind doing it again very soon.” Nik kissed her head and sighed against her hair. Her lustrous locks smelled faintly of citrus and he realized now that he had loved her, going back to Kumar for his family business was going to be more difficult than leaving her two weeks ago had been. “I would have you in my bed every night if I could, Tara,” Nik told her. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave again tomorrow.” Tara’s mind had been so shocked by finding Nik at home earlier that she’d failed to hear his words about further business in Kumar. Now that he was again speaking of leaving, her heart sank. “Again? Why?” she asked. “I…there are some important…matters at home,” Nik tried to explain without alarming her with the news that was weighing upon his chest. “I must return to Kumar.” “More oil business?” she inquired. “No, family business. I am sorry, but I must return.” Nik’s voice sounded almost urgent and Tara pushed herself up with an arm. Looking down at Nik as he rolled to his back, his eyes no longer passionate, but anxious, Tara questioned, “Serious family business?” He nodded. “If it was serious, why did you come back here at all?” Tara asked. He reached up and clasped a hand around the back of her neck. Pulling her on top of him, he said, “To make sure that you and Jenny and my new home was as it should be. After all, I told you I would only be gone two weeks and I wanted to keep my word.” Warmed by his words and actions, Tara kissed his mouth and said, “You flew half way around the world just to check on us and to keep your word? I’m amazed, Nik.” She straddled him, feeling his body begin to heat with expectation and added, “In fact, I am so in awe of what you did, I think you need to be rewarded.” So Tara took the next hour to explore his body and discover where each of his sensitive areas lay. She kissed him, caressed him and remained atop him, loving him the way he had loved her. And when they both finally exploded for the second time that night with passion, Tara lay atop Nik’s chest, listening to his strong heart beat with life. “I could love you all night,” Tara whispered. “You almost have. It’s already 4:00 in the morning,” Nik said back. “Then our time is almost gone,” Tara said with disappointment. “Must you really fly back to Kumar today?” “I must. It is very important.” “What is it? What’s happened?” Nik shook his head and kissed Tara’s cheek. “It is nothing for you to worry about.” She didn’t press him, for though he looked anxious, his manner was reassuringly calm. “Will you be gone long?” she asked hesitantly. Nik paused, then said, “I am not sure.” When Tara lifted her head from his chest to stare at his face with concern, Nik slid out from beneath her, reached for the white robe lying next to him and covered her. Then he pulled a pillow from the bed and arranged it so they were lying facing each other. “Why aren’t you sure?” Tara asked, realizing that his sudden need to rearrange their positions had to do with something he was keeping from her and not their comfort. “Because, I’m not,” he said evasively. Then he reached out and touched her face. “You could come back with me. You and Jenny.” Nik knew already what her answer would be, but he was going to at least give her the option. Though she was in no danger, there was a possibility his family was, and that was why he needed to return home as quickly as possible. The OPEC meetings that had been held in Kumar this year had been interrupted by numerous bomb threats and strikes. That, however, was normal whether the meetings were held in Jordan, Kumar or Kuwait. What wasn’t normal, were the threats that his family had received at their home in Kumar. The people of their municipality had always been supportive and not once had the safety of the Armanjani family been threatened in their homeland. This recent bout of possible terrorism had Nik on edge and it had prompted him to fly home to check on Villa Serena. It also required him to return to Kumar to ensure the safety of his family until his brother and the authorities could track the source of the threats. “To Kumar? Really?” Tara asked, aghast. Nik nodded. Flattered by the offer, Tara said, “I would if it were just me, but Jenny’s in school right now.” “Taj would tutor her,” Nik added. “I’m sure she would learn a lot, but Jenny’s just starting to feel like she fits in at her new school. Taking her on an extended vacation to the Middle East wouldn’t be a good idea right now. I’m sorry” Nik smiled at her and said, “I already knew what your answer would be, darling. I just wanted to ask so that you would have the option. Perhaps another time?” Tara grinned at him and touched his handsome face. “Definitely. And in the meantime, I’ll be waiting here at Villa Serena for your return.” “I will be looking forward to my return, Tara, if it is anything like this return.” “No, it will be better.” Nik allowed his eyes to roam over her beautiful, radiant face. He loved her more now than he had at the start of their evening. “It is already perfect,” he told her. “Then we’ll make it more perfect,” Tara insisted. Nik was positive the only thing that would make loving her more perfect would be if she loved him in return. Though he saw many endearing emotions in her eyes, he did not yet see love. But he was positive he would one day, for he was a man who would give up on nothing, especially on Tara. He chuckled at her insistence and stood from the bed. The morning hour had already broken and there was no reason to sleep now. He had twenty hours of flying ahead of him and he could rest then. Slipping into a pair of blue plaid boxers, Nik said, “The only thing that would make tonight more perfect is breakfast.” He handed her a baggy white T-shirt. “Come. I have not eaten all day. I will fix us something.” Tara donned the T-shirt and slipped into the robe. Now that she no longer had the warmth of Nik’s body, she found the morning air of the house chilly. Tying the thick white robe tightly about her waist, Tara took Nik’s hand and followed him down the stairs. The house was eerily quiet in the dawning morning and the early sky was just barely turning gray. Tara spent the next half hour on Nik’s lap, as they sat at the kitchen table, talking, laughing and eating a breakfast they’d thrown together from the tidbits left in the refrigerator and pantry. Tara was giddy and drunk with love as she giggled at everything Nik said. She popped a grape into his mouth and he asked, “Aren’t you supposed to peal them first?” “That’s right, I am feeding a sheik, aren’t I?” At her words, Nik’s mood suddenly shifted. He was no longer as light as she. A darkness settled upon his face and his eyes darkened with that distance he sometimes displayed. “Sometimes I wish I weren’t a sheik. I wish I were just a man,” he said gravely. “Is that why you moved to America? Because here you’re no different than any other person?” Tara inquired. He nodded. “I have felt more at home in this country sometimes than I do my own. Granted, I have not spent much time in my own country these past few years, always traveling throughout Europe and the Middle East. But now I am settled. Now I feel like I have found a place to live.” Sighing and standing, Tara agreed, “Villa Serena can do that to a person.” Indeed, Villa Serena was the only home she’d known and the only place she wanted to live. Nik grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. Raising his eyes to meet hers, he declared, “It is more than this house that makes me feel at home. You are home to me, Tara. And I have never felt that before I met you.” Tara felt an odd sense of peace and serenity pass over her as Nik spoke. Perhaps now was the time to tell him about Villa Serena. He would certainly understand, especially after what he’d just declared to her. But was it right? Was it right to tell him knowing that with his generous and kind heart he’d only feel guilty for having bought her heritage? And his mind was obviously contemplating some bad news from Kumar and she didn’t want to burden him further. “What is it?” he then questioned. “What is it that’s running through your mind, my love?” Not only could Tara not burden him, she also couldn’t hide much from him. He read her too well at times and she scrambled to find an answer to his question. “Nothing’s wrong,” Tara insisted. Nik gently tugged her back onto his lap and he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Yes, there is something on your mind. Is it what I said about how I feel about you?” Tara shrugged. His feelings were growing more intense, but she was beginning to feel the same, slowly. Though she had vowed to hate him the day he came to Villa Serena, she was finding that she was learning to love him. “I’m flattered by all that you tell me, Nik, and about how you feel about me,” Tara admitted. “Flattered?” he asked with mock disappointment. “Is that all?” Tara smiled. “When you return and make love to me again like you did tonight, then I’ll be more than flattered.” “I am a man of my word,” Nik professed. “I will feel the same for you when I return as I feel for you now.” “Like you’ve come home?” she inquired. “Yes, like I have come home,” he reiterated. “Have many women made you feel that way?” Tara questioned, suddenly curious over his experience. After all, he was a man of the world. Perhaps she paled in comparison to his other loves. “None,” he admitted. “Really?” Tara asked with surprise. “Why do you sound so surprised? Have many men made you feel at home? Made you feel comfortable and needed?” Tara shook her head. “None. Only you, Nik. But I figured you’d had many loves in your life. I just assumed I had a lot of past competition to surpass.” Nik gave a small chuckle and confessed, “Though I have not lived the life of a monk, I have been very selective. And as for past competition, Tara, you have none. I have desired no other woman the way I desire you and I have not been as close of friends with another as I am with you. You are quite dear to my heart, darling. Please remember that while I am away.” Tara felt tears well up at the corners of her eyes. No one had ever professed to feeling so deeply for her and no one had ever spoken so eloquently to her either. Losing Villa Serena didn’t feel half as devastating now that Nik had told her such warm words. Friendship and desire were a difficult combination to come by and Tara thought that maybe she’d hang onto this man for a long, long while. Not wanting to sit on this man’s lap and cry after the night of desire they’d shared, Tara pressed her lips to his and kissed him deeply. He returned her kiss as his hand tenderly touched her cheek, wiping away the tears that had stubbornly escaped. She would have remained at that kitchen table all morning kissing him if a deep voice had not interrupted them. “Sheik Nikash, are you all right?” Omar’s voice sounded from the entrance to the kitchen. Tara, stunned by the interruption, jumped off Nik’s lap and tied her robe tightly about her. Nik remained seated, shirtless and calm, and said evenly, “I was doing all right until you interrupted me, Omar. What is the trouble?” “Rafee called from Kumar. He said he could not reach you on your phone and that you had not yet phoned him with your return flight information,” Omar announced. “He wanted me to check the house.” “And I am here,” Nik said. “Yes, I see that now. I am sorry for this disruption.” Omar’s eyes flitted to Tara for a moment but he showed little surprise. “But he was quite insistent I check on you. As you can well imagine with the thre…” Nik stood abruptly and interrupted Omar’s words. He did not want Tara hearing of the trouble in Kumar until he was back at Villa Serena to stay. He would not drop in for a twelve-hour tryst, tell her of bad news, then leave. It would only cause her unnecessary worry. “Enough, Omar,” Nik said firmly. “I am aware of the family business in Kumar and of my brother’s concerns.” “Then you must also know that he want me to return to Kumar with you today,” Omar said. “No,” Nik refused, “you will stay here.” “But, Sheik Nikash…” Omar began. “No,” Nik repeated with a slightly raised voice, “you will stay here.” Then he added in his native tongue, “You will remain here and keep watch over Tara and Jenny. Their lives are worth more than mine.” Though Tara did not understand what Nik had just uttered to his assistant, she did see Omar’s eyes again flash to her. They widened with surprise then before he again looked at his boss and nodded. “Very well, Nikash,” Omar agreed, speaking back in Arabic. “I will do as you wish. But remember that both Rafee and Devesh are not happy with your abrupt departure from Kumar. They do not yet know the source of the threat or for whom the threat was meant. Traveling alone is foolish.” “Then I am a fool,” Nik said with some emotion. He was tired and worried. But mostly, the thought of leaving Tara behind ripped at his heart. “But do not, for a moment, take your eyes off this woman. For I will be nothing if she is lost.” Omar bowed his head in acknowledgment then said in English, “Please call me when you are ready to return to the airport. I will drive you.” The large man left and Nik kept his back to Tara for a long moment. “Nik?” Tara asked, hesitantly. “Is everything all right?” Without looking at her, Nik said, “I will ask one more time, Tara. Come to Kumar with me.” His statement was not a request it was almost an order. Tara wished he’d turn to look at her so she could read his face and try to understand what had just transpired between him and his assistant. She knew they’d discussed her, but in regards to what, she had no idea. And now, he was almost ordering her overseas with him. Something wasn’t right and Tara wanted to know what was happening. “Why? What is going on?” she asked for the third time that night. He shook his head but didn’t answer. He turned to face her and his face held the burden of stress. She rarely saw Nik in such a state and she wondered if their night together was part of the cause. “Omar was displeased with you, why?” Tara inquired. “He talked with my brother. That often leaves him displeased with me. But no matter. I want to know if you will come to Kumar.” He was pursuing that subject fervently and all Tara could do was shake her head and say gently, “Nik, you know I can’t right now.” He nodded and his face slackened. He held a hand out to her and said, “I understand. I’m just being selfish thinking about being away from you again. We have a few hours left. Let’s not waste it worrying about nothing that is important. Let me hold you now before I leave.” Tara smiled, put her hand in his and followed him back to bed. For the remainder of the morning, she laid in his arms, wishing that he could stay, but knowing he’d be gone soon enough just like everything else she’d cherished in her life. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Crown Prince - Chapter 10 |