“I believe you, kalby. And I felt the same way. I cultivated my playboy reputation in my youth, but not anymore. These days, when I share my body with someone, it’s because it means something.”

  “It does?”

  “Yes.” The car halted outside the hotel entrance and they stared at each other across the expanse of the limo’s back seat. It took all the self-control Amare possessed not to drag Bree into his lap and kiss her until they were both breathless with want. The driver came around and opened the door and Amare climbed out then held out his hand to help Bree from the car. As they approached the doors he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “You asked me before what hobi means?”

  A doorman pulled open the doors and they walked inside and headed for the ballroom once more. “Yes?”

  “It means “my love” in Arabic.” At the threshold to the auction, he hesitated and smiled down at her. “Yes, hobi, it does.”

  ***

  A waiter jostled her chair as he reached around to clear her empty dinner plates and Bree startled. Despite the delicious meal and her now full tummy, Bree’s mind had remained focused on Amare’s words as they’d entered the ballroom

  My love. He’d admitted to deeper feelings for her and if she was honest with herself, she felt far more than just like or lust for him too. She was far too wary to call it love just yet, but it certainly seemed to be heading in that direction.

  Amare had remained by her side the entire evening, always attentive, always watchful over her without being too possessive, just as she’d asked in the limo. Perhaps, things could work out between them after all. He’d excused himself briefly to speak with some work colleagues and now she watched him work his magic on his business associates—suave, charming, and devastatingly debonair. No wonder the Sharqi family was the wealthiest sheikdom in Al-Sarid. With Amare brokering their deals, the competition didn’t stand a chance.

  “Miss Van Ludhis?” a male voice said from behind her.

  Bree turned and saw a trio of men. “Yes?”

  The man in front smiled and bowed slightly. “May we join you?”

  “Um, sure.” She gestured toward the now vacant chairs at her table. Most of the other dinner guests were mingling or dancing to the orchestra the foundation had hired for the evening.

  “I’m Ron Harrelson, and these are my colleagues. My brother Stan, and my cousin Zach Waller.”

  “It’s nice to meet you all.” Amare returned and slipped into the seat beside her. “This is Sheikh Amare Sharqi.”

  He smiled and shook hands with each of the men then spoke to Ron. “You own Harrelson Pipeline?”

  “Yes. Rumor has it Nassir Adjalane’s causing problems for your family’s company.”

  “Perhaps.” Amare’s ambiguous answer neither confirmed of denied anything. “Why do you ask?”

  “I heard a crazy rumor that Nassir tried to make one of the portraits done by Ms. Van Ludhis’s father a stipulation of the contract. I thought it might’ve been the one for auction tonight, since it’s now been removed from the sale. I guess we’ll never find out the truth now, huh?”

  “Guess not.” Amare gave them a small Mona Lisa-esque smile and Bree’s admiration for his skills grew. She reminded herself never to play poker with the man.

  “Rumor also has it Nassir’s interrupting the operation of your Al-Sarid oil fields.”

  Amare met Ron’s gaze direct, his expression as cool as a cucumber though his arm around her shoulders tensed slightly. “There are many rumors swirling around tonight, it would seem.”

  Ron looked at his colleagues then leaned closer, his tone conspiratorial. “I only mention it because we may have a way to help you achieve your goals, and repay Nassir’s interference in kind.”

  Amare traced tiny patterns on Bree’s shoulder with his fingers, his smile widening. “I see. Gentlemen, I believe you have been misinformed. Nassir was simply acting in the best interest of his family, as were we. My family’s goals are well protected, I assure you.”

  Ron scowled. “But, you haven’t even heard what we’re offering.”

  “Nor will I. Gentlemen, I appreciate your offer, but Al-Sarid problems will be handled amongst those from Al-Sarid. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.” Amare stood and shook their hands and then remained standing until they were gone. Once he sat down again, Bree looked at him with new appreciation. “Well, that was impressive.”

  “You think so?” He smiled and leaned in closer to her.

  “Damn straight. Talk about being a smooth operator. Not to mention the fact you could’ve stuck it to Nassir ten-fold for the trick he tired to pull. But you took the high road instead. I’m proud of you.”

  “You are, huh?”

  “Yeah, I am.” She leaned forward to kiss his cheek but he turned at the last minute and their lips met instead. The same spark fired between them and after a few heated seconds she pulled away, her breath panting. “Wow.”

  “Wow, indeed.” He took her hand and licked his lips. “Perhaps we should call it a night.”

  He didn’t say it in so many words, but if they headed upstairs, they’d end up in bed together again. No doubt in her mind. The chemistry between them was too strong and honestly, she didn’t want to fight it anymore. In fact, she’d been dreaming of another night with him since the first one ended. “Yes, perhaps we should.”

  They quickly said their goodbyes to Amare’s brothers and Jack and his cousin, Jenna, whom she thanked again for dressing her so beautifully for the evening.

  “My pleasure,” Jenna said, her smile genuine and her gaze warm. “Maybe I’ll see you again, you know since Jack and Amare are friends.”

  “I’d like that.” Bree hugged her tight. She didn’t’ have many female friends and could use a girlfriend to share things with. Amare returned to her side and she waved as they left. “See you later.”

  “Have fun,” Jenna and Jack called as they left.

  Heat prickled Bree’s cheeks as they walked across the gilded lobby and headed for the elevators. Was it that obvious that she and Amare were leaving to have sex? She caught sight of her reflection in a nearby mirror and sighed. From her glowing face to the smile she couldn’t seem to shake, yeah, she guessed it was.

  “Come, hobi,” Amare drew her to him as the elevator arrived and they stepped aboard. “This evening is just for us.”

  Moments later, they arrived at his penthouse suite, complete with a large poster bed, a bathroom larger than her entire studio apartment with both a marble jetted bathtub and shower, and all her nerves multiplied. As she strolled through the room’s formal dining room, living room, and she wondered if all she remembered between them from their previous night together could have possibly been true. Could he have really made her feel so good and beautiful and brought her to such mind-blowing orgasms or had it all been a fantasy?

  “You’re very quiet,” Amare said as he came up behind her on the private balcony and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back into his muscled chest. “What are you thinking, azizity?”

  “I’m thinking this is all so much.” She leaned her head back against his shoulder as he nuzzled the side of her neck. “Everything feels like a dream.”

  Amare turned her in his arms to face him, his warm gaze dropping to her lips. “From now on, only the best will be good enough for you. Never again will you feel deprived. I want you to have everything you’ve ever imagined, everything you’ve never had.”

  “What about you?”

  “What about me?” He leaned closer and kissed his way across her cheek to nibble on her earlobe.

  “What do you want?”

  He chuckled, his breath hot and sexy against her skin. “I have everything I need right here.”

  “Really?” She leaned back to look into his eyes.

  “Really.” He smiled and pressed his hips against hers, allowing her to feel his full arousal. “Of course, I wouldn’t object to a bath. With you, of course.”

  “A bath sounds wonderful.” She traced her fingers down his chest and reveled in his answering shiver. “With you, of course.”

  “Good.” Amare set her away from him then swatted her playfully on the behind. “Why don’t you head on into the bathroom and get the water started?”

  Bree crossed her arms. “Remember that whole ‘bossy’ issue we talked about?”

  “Yes.” He winked at her. “I thought perhaps you’d enjoy taking charge tonight.”

  Put that way, she couldn’t argue. “I would.” She kicked off her shoes and headed back inside. “Don’t be long.”

  “I won’t, hobi.”

  She walked into the spacious bathroom and quickly shimmied out of her gown then wrapped one of the thick terry cloth robes she found hanging on the back of the door around herself before starting the water in the tub. So much had happened since that first day she’d walked into his palace in Al-Sarid. Not all of it good, but not all of it bad either. In fact, some of it, like now, was downright marvelous. She took a breath and shut off the water, turning when she heard movement behind her.

  Amare stood in the doorway in all his naked glory, his dark eyes bright with desire. “What are you grinning about now?”

  “Thinking about how much my life has changed.”

  He walked towards her, all pure male swagger. “Good thoughts I hope?”

  “Excellent thoughts.” Bree waited for him to touch her, but he didn’t. Just stood before her and waited. He’d said she was in charge for tonight, and apparently he meant it. She tilted her head. “Take off my robe.”

  “Yes, kalby.” He closed the small distance between them and skimmed his hands down her arms to the belt at her waist, gently pulling it free then pushing the material off her shoulders to leave her as bare as he was. “What else, kalby?”

  “Touch me.”

  “Here, kalby?” He traced his fingertips lightly over her naked skin, as if re-learning the spots on her body that made her moan in delight, or shiver with want. When his hands reached her breasts, he hesitated.

  “Yes, there.” She said, then gasped as he teased her erect nipples. Bree gripped his waist to steady her wobbly knees. No. The chemistry between them, this incredible awareness, had definitely not been all in her imagination. She arched hard into his hands as he kneaded her breast and stroked her nipples until they were rock-hard and straining against him.

  “What else, kalby?” His voice now sounded as aroused as she felt, his cock hard and pulsing against her stomach. She reached between them and took the length of him in her hand, stroking him from base to tip. “You’re playing with fire, kalby.”

  “Then burn me.”

  Amare growled low in his throat and swung her into his arms before climbing into the full, steaming bath with her. “Your wish is my command, kalby.”

  As he knelt before her in the large marble tub, kissing his way down her neck to her breasts, she ran her fingers through his thick dark hair and held him closer, urging him on. “Amare, please…”

  “Tell me, kalby. Tell me what you desire.” He stroked his fingers up her thighs, pushing them wider apart so he could stroke her slick folds. “Tell me.”

  “You. I need you inside me. Now.” She kissed him deeply as he thrust two then three fingers inside her tight walls, stretching her, preparing her for him. “Please.”

  “Of course, kalby.” He leaned back against the wall of the tub, the hard length of his cock jutting proudly before him. “Take me as you wish, hobi.”

  He didn’t have to ask her twice.

  Bree straddled his thighs and took him in her hand. “What about a condom?”

  “You are the only woman I have been with since the day you walked into my palace.”

  And she was on the pill and had just finished her monthly cycle a week prior. Chances were slim she would get pregnant and she wanted him so badly. One time. One time couldn’t hurt anything. Slowly, she lowered herself down onto his length, moaning at the feel of him sinking deep, so deep into her, deeper than any other man before.

  Once she’d taken all of him inside her, she stilled, enjoying the feel of their bodies joined together as she leaned against his chest and kissed him deeply. “You feel so amazing,” she whispered against his lips.

  “It is you, hobi, who is amazing. I knew it the first time I saw you, in my office.”

  “You did?” She moved on him and grinned at the way his breath hitched.

  “Yes, hobi, I did.”

  “Tell me,” she said, turning his words back on him. “Tell me what you thought when you saw me.”

  “I thought that you were a woman who would never take no for an answer. I thought you were a woman who would take charge of any situation and always care for others as well as herself.” He began to thrust his hips gently beneath her, groaning. “I thought if I could have this woman for my own, my life would never be the same again.”

  She nibbled along his jaw, loving the taste of him, the smell of him, the feel of him inside her. “Is that what you want? To have me for your own?”

  “More than all the oil in all the world, hobi.” He reached between them to stroke her swollen clitoris. Pressure built deep in her pelvis as her release loomed. “Would that make you happy, kalby? To be mine?”

  Bree didn’t know about forever yet, but right now, she was willing to give it a try. She ground against his talented fingers and came hard around him, her inner muscles fluttering and her breath panting against his cheek. “Yes, Amare. Yes.”

  “Then you shall come home with me and we will start a new life. Together.” He thrust into her harder, faster, deeper, his fingers continuing to stroke her clit as he laid her back against the tub wall and took charge of their lovemaking. “Say you will come home with me and be mine, hobi.”

  “I will,” she moaned in his ear as her second climax built. “I’m yours.”

  He gave one last hard thrust into her and came hard, his eyes closed as he murmured against her throat over and over, “Ana bahebik, Bree. Ana bahebik.”

  Later, once the water had cooled and they’d snuggled their fill with the other, Amare drained the tub and they both dried off and wrapped their robes around themselves then headed for bed hand-in-hand.

  Once they were cuddled beneath the covers, Bree spoke to him over her shoulder as he spooned her from behind. “Did you mean it when you asked me to come home with you?”

  “Of course, hobi.” He kissed her shoulder then rested his chin atop it. “Did you mean it when you said you would?”

  She thought about it again. There was really nothing holding her here any longer. Nothing but her father’s paintings, but she now had a plan for those too. “Yes. Yes, I’ll come home with you, but there’s something I need to do first.”

  Chapter 12

  Six months later…

  The palace was abuzz as people ran to and fro, making the final adjusts before the guests arrived. Amare rushed into the room at the end of the third floor hall only to find Bree doing exactly what he’d told her not to. Again.

  He walked up behind her and carefully wrapped his arms around her waist as she teetered on the ladder before him. “Be careful, kalby. You should not be doing this, I have told you before. Why do you continue to defy me?”

  Bree swiveled to face him and let him take her weight in his arms as he carried her to a nearby loveseat and settled her on his lap. Her ever-growing belly bulged between them. Yeah, that one time had turned out to be the only time they’d needed. “You, mister, are not the boss of me, remember?”

  He playful nipped at her finger and grinned. “Not yet. But after today, I will be your husband.”

  “True.” She leaned up and kissed him, then pushed from his arms. “Which reminds me. You had better start getting ready.”

  “As should you,” he stood and took her hands, still finding it hard to believe that the gorgeous, intelligent, vexing woman before him had agreed to be his wife. Yes, she’d fought him at first, despite the pregnancy, but after spending six blissful, infuriating, and completely intoxicating months together, they were well and truly a couple now. She knew him better than anyone, as he did her. “You’re nervous, aren’t you, kalby?”

  “Maybe a little.” She rubbed a hand over her belly and wrinkled her nose up at him. “It’s a big step.”

  “Not as big as bringing this new life into the world.” He bent and placed a kiss on her tummy. She was carrying his child and she’d never looked more beautiful to him. “Our child.”

  They held hands as they left the newly decorated nursery and walked toward their private suite of rooms.

  “Are you sure you want to marry me?” she asked, looking up at him warily.

  “Are you sure you want to marry me?” he countered right back.

  “Can’t be any worse than living without you.” She turned and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face into his chest. She’d just returned from an extended stay in the States, helping to get her father’s new exhibit set up at the Getty Museum in California. It had been the hardest thirty days of his life. Even harder than when he’d disappointed his father. “I missed you so much, Amare.”

  “I missed you too, hobi.” He kissed the top of her head and sighed. “In the future, perhaps it would be best if we traveled together.”

  “I agree.”

  Sahir, his business assistant came down the hall toward them and Amare took a deep breath. Even on his wedding day, it seemed that business could not wait.

  “Sir?” he bowed slightly. “Your brothers are waiting to help you dress.”

  He nodded and pulled back from Bree. “You’ll be okay getting ready?”

  “Yep.” She smiled up and him and winked. “Been taking care of myself for a long time, remember?”

  “And now, that will be my job.” He kissed her once more then departed with Sahir, calling to her over his shoulder. “See you soon, hobi.”

  Three hours later the wedding was over. It had gone beautifully. Amare and Bree exchanged traditional American vows, and Bree was amazed at how many people were actually in attendance. Not only had Amare’s brothers sat in the front row, along with George, but Nassir had joined them as well, solidifying the hard-won treaty between their families at last.