Share
Chapter 40 Laid Bare His Own Secrets.
Related chapters
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 41 Pretend To Be Your Wife?
Several clucking women surrounded Amira and she was carried along with them to a tent, bemused by their interest, and more than a little hurt by the stony look she’d seen on Abdullah’s face as he’d turned away.So he regretted their kiss last night. Clearly, and she should regret it too; of course, she should. Kissing Abdullah was a terrible idea. Caring about him was even worse. The trouble was, she couldn’t regret it. She ached with longing for another kiss—and more. For him. She’d come to this desert tribe because she’d wanted to because she wanted to see the people who cared about Abdullah.As she cared about him. More, it seemed, than he wanted her to.Once in the tent, the women fluttered around her like colorful, chattering birds, touching her hair, her cheek, and the clothes she wore that were now grimed with dust and dirt. Amira didn’t understand anything they said, and it appeared none of them spoke either English or Greek, the two languages in which she was fluent. They all
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 42 One Incredible Night Only
And so Amira let herself be carried along once more by the women; she didn’t protest when they dressed her in a gown of silvery blue, lined her eyes with kohl, placed copper bangles on both arms and a veil of coins over her face. She understood they wanted to celebrate her recent marriage, just as the young bride was celebrating hers, and she didn’t resist.She wanted to celebrate it too.The sky was deep indigo and studded with millions of stars when the ceremony began. The entire tribe had assembled and Amira watched, enchanted, as the ceremony played out amidst a riot of color, music and dance. The women and men sat separately, and although she looked for him she could not find Abdullah amidst the men gathered under a tent. She wondered if he would even recognize her in the Bedouin dress, headscarf and veil, wondered what he would think of her like this.After the ceremony people circulated freely to enjoy food, music and dance. Several giggling women pushed Amira towards a group o
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 43 For Tonight Only
‘Not as many as you’re thinking, and none in the last year. I’ve been too busy with other things.’ And none like you. Untouched. Innocent. Amazing. He couldn’t believe he was seriously thinking about taking Amira up on her offer to make love to her.‘When I said it was dangerous, Amira, I didn’t mean an unplanned pregnancy. I was talking about the...the emotional risks.’She flinched and then recovered her composure. ‘I’m aware of the risk, Abdullah,’ she told him. ‘And I’m not under the illusion that this would be anything but one night. I’m not asking for more from you.’‘I know that.’‘Then what’s the problem?’ He just shook his head, both torn and tempted. Her smile turned flirtatious, even sultry. ‘I suppose I’ll just have to seduce you.’Surprise flared deep inside him, along with an almost unbearable arousal. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ he managed. He knew she wouldn’t have to do much and he would cave completely. He would take her in his arms and lose himself in her k
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 44 Pretend To Love Her?
‘What are you thinking about, Amira?’ Abdullah asked, his voice a quiet rumble in his chest.‘Nothing—’‘Not nothing,’ he interjected quietly. ‘You’ve gone all tense.’And she realized she had; she was lying stiff in his arms, her hand curled against his chest. Gently he reached up and flattened her fist, smoothing her fingers out before resting his hand on top of hers. ‘What were you thinking about?’ he asked again.She sighed. ‘Just...some memories.’‘The same memories that give you nightmares?’‘No. Different ones.’‘Not good ones, though.’‘No.’ She let out a little sigh. ‘Not particularly.’‘I’m sorry,’ he said after a moment, and somehow that felt like exactly the right thing to say.‘So am I. But I don’t want to think about bad memories tonight, Abdullah. I want to be happy. Just for tonight.’He squeezed her hand lightly. ‘I won’t stop you.’‘I know, but...’ She wanted more than his acquiescence; she wanted his participation. ‘Can we—can we pretend?’ she asked, her voice quaver
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 45 The Doubts?
He could marry her. The thought made everything in him rear up in shocked panic. Marriage had never been on his agenda. Yet ever since he’d seen that serving girl this morning, and realized the repercussions of his night with Amira, the thought had been rattling around in his brain like a coin in a box.He could marry her—marry the woman who was intended as the Sheikh of Jumeirah’s wife. It would help strengthen his claim, stabilize his throne, and it would give Amira what she wanted too.Why not?Because it’s dangerous. Because the emotional risks you warned her about apply to you too.Because you care about her already.Amira had spoken of a cold, convenient union , but would it be like that if he was her husband? Would he be able to keep himself from caring for, even loving, her?Did he even want to?His mind spun and seethed. He felt the clash of his own desires, the need to protect himself and the urge to be with her—care for her.And did Amira even care for him? Just what kin
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 46 I Won't Marry You Amira
SHE’D BEATEN HIM to it, Abdullah thought bemusedly, even as an elemental panic clawed at his insides. He’d been considering marriage to Amira as a solution to both of their problems since this morning. Yet looking at her now, seeing the hope and determination blazing in her eyes, everything in him resisted. There had to be another solution.Slowly he shook his head. ‘That’s impossible, Amira.’‘Why is it impossible?’ she demanded.‘Because I have no wish or reason to marry you, Amira.’ Better to be brutal. Nip it in the bud, if he could. ‘You may be desperate, but I am not.’She flinched, but only slightly. ‘Are you sure about that, Abdullah?’‘Quite sure. You asked for a wedding night, Amira, not a marriage.’‘Well, now I’m asking for a marriage.’‘And I’m telling you the answer is no.’ He rose from his chair, fought the panic that was crashing over him in tidal waves. ‘This discussion is over.’She raised her eyebrows, a small smile playing about her mouth. A mouth he’d kissed. Tast
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 47 Marriage Of Convenience
It had been worth a shot, Amira told herself as she walked back to her tent, escorted by the same men who guarded her. They didn’t speak and neither did she, because she knew she wouldn’t be able to manage a word. Her throat ached and she was afraid that if she so much as opened her mouth she’d burst into tears.Back in her tent she sat on her bed, blinking hard to contain all the pain and hurt she felt. Then suddenly, almost angrily, she wondered why she bothered. Why not have a good cry? Let it all out? No one was here to hear her or think her weak or stupid or far too feminine.She lay down on her bed, drew her knees up to her chest and swallowed hard. Crying—letting herself cry—was so hard. She’d kept everything in for so long because she’d had to. Men like Markos in Muscat were always looking for chinks in her armor, ways to weaken her authority. Shedding a single tear would have been just handing them ammunition. The only time she ever cried was when she had nightmares. In Abdu
DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 48 Doubts
‘Amira...Amira!’Amira felt hard hands on her shoulders drawing her up from her damp pillow and then cradling her against an even harder chest.Abdullah. For a second she let herself enjoy the feel of him. Then she remembered that she’d been bawling her eyes out and twisted out of his embrace.‘You should have knocked,’ she snapped, dashing the tears from her cheeks. She probably looked frightful, her face blotchy, her eyes red and swollen...She sniffed. And she has a running nose. Perfect.‘Knock?’ Abdullah repeated, one eyebrow raised in eloquent skepticism. ‘On the flap of a tent?’‘You know what I mean,’ she retorted. ‘You should have made your presence known.’Abdullah regarded her quietly for a moment. ‘You’re right,’ he finally said. ‘I should have. I’m sorry.’‘Well.’ She sniffed again, trying desperately for dignity. ‘Thank you.’‘Why were you crying, Amira?’She shook her head as if she could deny the overwhelming evidence of her tears. ‘It’s been a couple of very long days
Latest chapter
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 86 The Queen And Queen Of Sohar
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 85 The King Needs A Queen
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 84 He Needed An Heir
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 83 This Is About Justice
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 82 Hidden Feelings
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 81 Tonight Is Different
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 80 Omar's Cousin Khalid
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 79 Roller Coaster of Emotions
- DUBAI THE CITY OF DREAMS Chapter 78 There Is Only Eternity
