Page 53 of At the Sheikh's Command
“Oh, Nora,” he said. “Can you ever forgive me for my selfishness? For my arrogance and stupidity?”
She nodded again. “Only if you forgive me also formyselfishness,myarrogance, andmystupidity.”
He smiled and kissed her gently. It wasn’t a kiss of seduction, more one of farewell, and her phone ringing interrupted it. They both looked at it but didn’t move.
“My taxi. It’s waiting.”
“Before you go, I have one last thing to give you.” He reached into his pocket and drew out a sparkling necklace.
Her eyes widened at the sight of such brilliance. “So you took some of your brother’s advice?”
“Yes. It seemed apt in this case.” He held the diamond necklace up to the light. “It may not be the diamond you sought, but it’s the one you found. Something to remember us by, or something to keep us together? You decide.”
She stared at the necklace in awe. The diamonds glinted in the light as she held it up against her chest. Darrius had truly outdone himself with this gift, and it wasn’t just because of the diamonds, but for what they represented. It wasn’t just a random assortment of gems, but a carefully crafted, heart-shaped design. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the true meaning behind the necklace. Darrius was offering her his heart, his love, and his commitment. And she knew without a doubt that she would accept it.
“Darrius, I…” Tears sprang into her eyes, making the diamonds swirl. She looked up into his eyes, which also swam with tears of emotion.
“I love you, Nora, with all my heart. And all I want you to do is follow your own heart. Tell me quickly, please. Put me out of my misery. Will you stay? Will you remain in Sifra and marry me?”
She nodded as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, and yes!” She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly as she cried tears of joy. “I love you so much.”
Darrius pulled away slightly, taking her face in his hands and looking into her eyes. “I would do anything for you, my love. You are the most important thing in my life, and I promise I’ll spend the rest of my days making you happy.”
She grinned. “And you know what’ll make me happy?”
“Please God, not chasing an elusive diamond?”
She burst out laughing and shook her head. “No, I’ll leave that to Janey, my Oxford colleague. She has her own theory about its whereabouts. She’s keen to investigate.”
“Good. I’ll make sure she’ll receive the support of my brothers. So, tell me, what will make you happy?”
“You. And a child.” She blinked at the unbidden memory. “Our child. A sibling for our lost child. To create a family such as I never had.”
“Just one? I had imagined more. Many more.”
She laughed, but his lips robbed the laughter from her. His hands slid down her body, and they both forgot about the ringing phone, the world outside, and began to create the future they both wanted.
EPILOGUE
Sheikh Amare bin Hashim Al Sifra looked around the room. His restless gaze settling momentarily on his eldest brother—Darrius—with his beautiful new wife. They looked ecstatic—lost in each other’s eyes. He didn’t get it, thank God. He never intended to be lost in anyone. He’d nearly been lost once, half a world away, where he’d forgotten himself for a short while. But he’d soon found himself again and come to his senses. Which was just as well, as the woman in question had dropped him as soon as she’d got what she’d wanted from him. Never again.
Suddenly, his shoulder was firmly clasped. “Checking out your next conquest?” asked the newly crowned King of Sifra, Zaire.
He gave a dismissive grunt. “I’m wondering how quickly I can get out of here and return to Paris.”
“Ah, about that,” said Zaire.
Amare didn’t like his older brother’s tone of voice. He narrowed his eyes. “About what, exactly?”
“Returning to Paris. I’d appreciate it if you delayed your return for a while.”
“I have meetings lined up.”
“Delegate them. I need you here.”
“Why? What’s here for me?”
“Darrius has specifically asked if you’ll give his lovely wife’s colleague all the help she needs to pursue her theory about the Bahr Al Noor.”
