Page 48 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

Chapter Seventeen

Aliyah awoke with the light of the full moon shining on her face. The curtains of the balcony doors were open, and through the windows she could see the silvery light illuminating the garden and the desert beyond.

She turned to look at the sleeping figure of Shahid. He looked so peaceful. Content.

He lay on his back with the blankets pushed down to his waist. His broad chest rose gently with every breath he took.

The past few hours had been the most astonishing of Aliyah's life. Pleasure beyond belief; love and connection that had transformed everything she thought about life. Shahid had been a sensitive, skillful lover, yet there had been times during their repeated love-making when she'd sensed the ferocity of his need, the barely restrained wildness she'd always knew he possessed. He'd driven her to extraordinary heights of ecstasy until she'd reached a point when she had become so exhausted, so sated that she'd thought she couldn't take any more. But then, somehow, he'd found a way to entice, tempt her once again, and their love-making had resumed, with a renewed hunger on both their parts.

Now she relished the peace and quiet after the delicious storm of passion into which they'd been swept. She wondered what time it was. She searched the bedroom for a clock but found none. She realized with a start that it could be later than she thought. Azim and Lucy's wedding was possibly only hours away.

Shahid drew in a deep breath and opened his eyes. He looked straight at Aliyah and reached out an arm.

He smiled broadly at her. "Hey there," he murmured sleepily.

Aliyah snuggled up to him and kissed him. "Hey there, yourself," she said smiling.

"How are you?" he asked quietly.

"I'm fine. You?"

Shahid grinned. "Never been better," he said and sighed contentedly.

Shahid shifted and wrapped his arms around Aliyah. She felt his naked body crushed against hers, felt the firmness of his desire again, sensed the sheer power of his body as it promised to claim her once again.

He dipped his head and kissed her, his lips tender and persuading. Not that she needed persuading anymore. Yet again desire stirred within her, and she wondered if they were about to make love again. Anticipation curled within her. Could she take any more pleasure? Of course she could, she snapped at herself. She wanted as much as she could get from this incredible man; this sensitive yet determined male who'd sought her, pursued her, and claimed her.

Because she realized that that was what had happened. He'd made his mind up that she was the only woman for him. He'd whispered those words to her in between their love-making. And he'd murmured so many other things, words that she'd never forget. Ever. Words that sounded true; words that made her soul sing.

Shahid's kiss ended and he gazed at her longingly. "I love you, Aliyah. You know that, don't you?"

Aliyah didn't hesitate; didn't doubt the sincerity of those words. She never would ever again.

Aliyah nodded. "Of course I do, Shahid."

She gazed into his dark eyes, now filled with burning emotion. The way he was gazing at her made her feel like the most desired woman in the world. As far as she was concerned nothing else existed except her and Shahid. During the past few hours the entire world had faded into nothingness; all that mattered was them and their love. Because that was what it was, she told herself. Love.

For a while they just lay in each others arms, content to share the moments, the feeling of just being together, feeling the heat of each others bodies.

After a while, she suddenly thought about the wedding she'd promised to attend. She looked up at Shahid. "What time is it?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know." He pulled her closer and smiled. "And I don't care."

She squinted at him and he opened a drawer on the bedside cabinet. He lifted an expensive looking watch out and peered at it. "Nearly midnight," he announced.

Aliyah gasped. "That late?"

"Stay a while longer," he murmured.

"No, Shahid," she insisted. "I have to go. I've got so much to do before the wedding."

Shahid's brows furrowed slightly. "Everything's fine Aliyah. There's plenty of time."

"There's never enough time when it comes to weddings," she said.

Aliyah pulled herself away from Shahid and sat up. He rose up and took her by the shoulders, starting to kiss her neck. She groaned and felt delicious tingles race through her body.

"I love it when you make that sound," he growled.

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