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Chapter 408
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 409
She refused to stay here for another day, and Kate vowed to return the following morning as she stood at the nursery window, blinking back angry tears. She would not allow Ahsan to manipulate her and treat her as if she were worthless—particularly where Hazem was concerned.She screwed up her eyes against the brilliant glare of the sun and scanned the palace gardens. But only the peacocks that lived in the grounds were strutting along the paths, and there was no sign of a man or a small boy.She’d spent the previous night plagued by memories of her shameful response to Ahsan and worrying over his shocking statement that he would never let her take Hazem back to England. She'd eventually fallen into a restless sleep and awoken late as a result.The sun had already been streaming through the blinds when she’d hurried to the nursery, where Jamila, the nanny Ahsan had appointed, had explained that "His Royal Highness" had taken Prince Hazem for a camel ride in the desert.How dared he take
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 410
Kate’s face flamed. Admittedly, her dress left her shoulders exposed, but the hem of the skirt fell to her knees, and to her mind, that was perfectly respectable. Ahsan made her feel like a tart, and mortification made her voice sharp. "What do you suggest I wear?" A sack that covers me from head to foot? "Or do you expect me to dress in robes and a veil?" she snapped."My father is a liberal-minded man who would not expect you to wear clothes that are not part of your culture," Ahsan said tersely. "But out of respect for him, I expect you to dress and act with a little decorum—and to restrain your insolent tongue."On that parting shot, he strode out of the room and slammed the door behind him with such savagery that Kate was surprised that great cracks did not appear in the palace walls."What is Ahsan upset about?"Hazem turned his huge brown eyes on her, and his bottom lip quivered."He’s not cross with you, darling," Kate quickly reassured him. "He would never be angry with you, H
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 411
Taken aback by the question, Kate did not know how to answer. She could feel Ahsan’s dark eyes boring into her and knew what he was thinking—that she had callously married Farhan knowing that she would soon be a rich widow. It wasn’t true, of course, and as she thought of the man she had married a year ago, she suddenly relaxed and met the king’s gaze."Yes, I loved him," she said honestly. She had not been in love with Farhan, but he had been like a big brother to her. He’d been the only person apart from her foster parents who had been prepared to give her a chance and accept her for the woman she had become, rather than the unhappy and rebellious teenager she had once been.She had met him fresh from the humiliation of being sacked from her first job as nanny to the Fitzroy children, and Farhan had believed her when she explained that, far from flirting with Giles Fitzroy, she had hated his revolting sexual innuendoes and his suggestion that she could improve her career prospects b
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 412
Perhaps it was the knowledge that she was forbidden that made her even more alluring? Isn't it human nature to want the things you can't have the most?Living under the same roof as her threatened to be purgatory, he acknowledged grimly, even taking into account the vastness of the palace. Even worse, he had promised his father that he would cut back on his trips abroad so that he could spend more time attending to matters of state. It would be many years before Hazem could rule Qubbah, and King Kabir had already made it clear that, on his death, he expected Ahsan to rule until Hazem came of age.Ahsan loved his homeland, but he was going to miss his freedom. He had always enjoyed spending time at his homes in London, St. Tropez, and New York, and up until recently, he’d kept mistresses at all three locations. Out of respect for his father, he’d always kept his affairs discreet, and he certainly could not invite his lovers to the palace. But he had a healthy sex drive, and he could se
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 413
It would be easy to disappear without trace in the miles of corridors that wound through the vast palace, she decided some twenty minutes later, when she finally negotiated her way to the east wing."Will I find Prince Ahsan here?" she asked the hapless guard who had followed her from her side of the palace and who had looked increasingly unhappy when she had steadfastly refused to return to her suite.He did not reply, but she saw him exchange glances with the two guards standing at the end of the corridor. She was certain she would find Ahsan beyond the double doors."I’m here to see the prince," she told them, lifting her chin and glaring at them when they stared straight ahead, their faces impassive. "He is expecting me." The lie still earned no response, and with an angry toss of her head, she stepped forward—only to find her way instantly barred as the guards crossed their swords in front of the doors."It is not permitted for you to enter." One of the men finally spoke, and Kat
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 414
"And he is heir to the throne—a little fact that you forgot to mention at Ingledean when you persuaded me to bring him here," she said icily. I suppose you were too busy making up all that rubbish about your father being on his deathbed—so ill that he could not possibly fly to England to visit his grandson. "You lied to me." She rounded on him bitterly. You led me to believe that the King might only have a short time left and that he was desperate to see Hazem before he died. "But your father is no closer to death than I am," she snapped. "For a man of eighty, he looks as fit as a flea."She was so burned up with anger because Ahsan had manipulated her into doing his bidding that she missed the warning glint in his eyes. "You tricked me into bringing Hazem here, but you are not keeping him." It was his father’s wish that he should spend his childhood at Ingledean with me. "I know what Farhan wanted," she flung at him, pushing her tumbling flame-colored curls over her shoulder with an
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 415
Ahsan’s dark head swooped, and his mouth sought hers with unerring precision. When her senses reacted to the sensual heat of his body and the subtle musk of his cologne, she twisted her head and braced her hands against his chest, despair sweeping through her.She could not let him kiss her—not again, no way, never!"You’re mistaken," she muttered. "I don’t feel anything for you—and the only reason I didn’t sleep last night is because I’m desperate to take Hazem and leave here.""Liar," Ahsan drawled lazily. One hand cupped her chin and forced her head up, while the other anchored in her hair to hold her fast. "You assure me you want to leave, but your body tells a different story." He trailed his eyes down her body to the visible peaks of her nipples straining beneath her blouse and gave a satisfied smile.She looked so prim and proper in the high-necked blouse and long skirt she’d worn for her meeting with the King, but her demure appearance only inflamed his hunger for her. He knew
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 416
"Oh, I will please you, Kate," he said softly, but it sounded more like a threat than a promise, and she twisted her head wildly and bucked her hips—until she realized that her actions were having a profound effect on his already aroused body. "Don’t stop," he mocked, when she ceased the frantic movements that had brought her pelvis into direct contact with the solid ridge of his throbbing manhood. "But you’re wearing too many clothes."With deft movements that proclaimed his expertise in the art of undressing a woman, he one-handedly unfastened the row of tiny buttons that ran from Kate’s throat to her waist and pushed the edges of her blouse apart to reveal small breasts cupped by a gossamer-fine bra. Her nipples were clearly visible beneath the sheer fabric, and he brushed his thumb gently across one peak and then the other, until she was desperate for him to caress her naked flesh.His gaze locked with hers as he unhooked the clasp at the front of her bra and bared her breasts. Wi
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 440
He moved suddenly, turned to her, and gripped her arms; she glimpsed the desperation in his eyes as he dragged her against his chest. "I will do whatever it takes to win you back, Kalila." "You are my wife, the love of my life, and I won’t let you go." His warm breath fanning the curls that framed her face, he pressed his lips to her temple, his eyes briefly closing as if in pain."I have told my father to name his brother Sulim as the interim ruler of Qubbah in the event of his dying before Hazem comes of age." Kate stared at him, shocked beyond words. "But... but why?" she finally stumbled.I thought that you were to rule until Hazem was older. "You are the King’s only son, and it is your duty." Ahsan shook his head. "My first duty is to my wife, and my father agrees." Even if he did not, I would still be here for you."Don't you understand, Kalila?" he asked urgently. "You are more important to me than Qubbah, my father, everything." You, me, and Hazem are a family, and the only thin
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 439
The still silence in the garden that followed his astounding statement was broken by the piercingly sweet song of a blackbird. Kate licked her suddenly dry lips, her heart beating so fast she was sure it would explode. "I don’t understand.""It’s quite simple." He sounded impatient and stared at her haughtily. But to her amazement, streaks of dull color highlighted his cheekbones, and his eyes veered from hers as if he were afraid to meet her gaze. "I love you, Kate."Her rebuttal was fierce and immediate. "No, you don’t.""I should have known you would want to argue about it, Kalila." A little of his tension left him, and his smile stole her breath."You don’t love me," she said again. It was probably some cruel trick, and she had more sense than to be fooled. "You married me for Hazem." You love Farrah. Malika said so.Malika said a lot of things, most of them untrue. Ahsan’s voice was suddenly harsh."But not the things she said about me," Kate said thickly. "My mother was a prosti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 438
The blue sky was dotted with cotton wool clouds, and the warm breeze carried a scent of lavender and old-fashioned roses. There was no place on earth more beautiful than Ingledean on a spring day, Kate mused—except an oasis in the middle of the desert, where palm trees provided shade from the scorching sun and an azure pool glinted beneath a cloudless sky.She had been home for a month—although Ingledean no longer felt like home without Hazem. The image of his huge brown eyes and impish smile caused the familiar agonizing pain in her chest, and she bit down hard on her lip, tasted blood, and cursed the tears that slid unchecked down her face. She couldn’t cry forever. Somehow she was going to have to find the strength to move on, pick up the threads of her life, or maybe make a new one, far away from Ingledean and all its memories. But since she had left Qubbah, a terrible lassitude had settled on her, and she could not plan anything when the only two people she loved were far away on
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 437
In less than an hour, she was expected to attend the lavish dinner organized in honor of King Kabir’s recovery and his return as supreme ruler of Qubbah. And somehow she was going to have to do so without revealing that she was breaking up inside, which Kate acknowledged despairingly as she stared in the mirror at her paper-white face and red-rimmed eyes.When she first returned to the palace after her explosive confrontation with Malika, she locked herself in her dressing room and recalled, in stunned disbelief, everything the young Arab woman had told her. Could it be true? Had Ahsan always intended to divorce her once he’d gained custody of Hazem and marry his beautiful advisor?She did not know how long she’d sat there, but eventually her maid had knocked on the door and reminded her that it was time to prepare for the banquet. She should have made the excuse that she was ill—no one who saw her pallor would fail to believe her. But the steely backbone of pride that had seen her th
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 436
Despite the warmth of the early-evening sunshine, Kate shivered. "You’re talking nonsense," she said firmly, striving to sound confident despite the sudden lurch of her heart. She was perfectly aware of why Ahsan had married her, but he had given no hint that he wanted a divorce. Ahsan told me he was never engaged to you. She lifted her chin and glared at Malika, trying to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach."He wasn’t," Malika agreed, looking surprised. "I was engaged to Farhan; Ahsan was engaged to Farrah."The world seemed to tilt alarmingly for a few seconds, and Kate actually gripped the edge of the wall for support. Ahsan and Farrah! It couldn’t possibly be true, could it? "Jamila told me that Ahsan was in love with his fiancée," she said faintly. "She doesn’t know why the marriage didn’t take place."Malika gave a careless shrug. ‘Jamila knows. Everyone at the palace knows that Ahsan adored Farrah and that she eloped with his brother on the eve of their wedding.
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 435
He was suddenly aware that the children had finished their dance and everyone was waiting for his response. Kate had turned her head to him, frowning at his inattention, and he quickly clapped his hands in applause. Once the dancers had filed out of the marquee, his personal assistant Zaid appeared at his side and informed him that a group of local potters had brought their best work for his gracious inspection. Stifling a sigh, he led the royal party out into the blazing sunshine.The garden party continued all afternoon, and Ahsan was not in the best of moods when he strode back to the palace. He suddenly realized that he was too far ahead and slowed his pace, waiting for Kate to catch up with him. He frowned when he noted how pale she looked beneath her wide-brimmed hat. She made no attempt to speed up, and the dejected droop of her shoulders fueled his impatience."I appreciate that an afternoon spent admiring traditional crafts and customs is not likely to top your list of exciti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 434
Her feet briefly touched the floor, and he spun her around, tugged her zip down her spine, and removed her dress before she had time to catch her breath. Her bra went the same way before he lifted her again and threw her onto the bed as if she were a rag doll, his eyes glittering with a mixture of anger and sexual hunger that made Kate’s stomach dip."At night, I’m happy to give you all the attention you could possibly want," he growled, his shoes, trousers, and shirt hitting the floor with barely controlled savagery until he stood in his silk boxers. "This is the only bed you’ll ever sleep in." The boxers joined the rest of his clothes, revealing his powerful, unashamedly aroused body in all its glory. "But I wouldn’t bank on sleeping for many hours yet."Kate stared up at him, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she struggled to control the wild excitement that was pounding through her veins. She was conscious that she was wearing nothing but a pair of tiny lace pants and the pric
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 433
Clearly embarrassed, Aaliyah determinedly changed the subject to Hazem and how fast he was growing. But although Kate smiled and made token conversation, her mind was whirling. If Malika’s family had expected her to marry Ahsan, was she the woman he had been engaged to years ago—the woman Jamila had said he had loved? But, if so, why had they not married? It didn’t make sense, and she brooded miserably as she stared at Ahsan. He was smiling at Malika and clearly enjoying her company. Perhaps they had argued and broken off their engagement. Was he now regretting his lost chance to marry a beautiful, clever Arab girl who would have made him the perfect wife?From that moment on, the party became a blur of faces and stilted conversation with people she had never met before. She was sure they viewed her as an oddity, with her pale skin and vivid hair—and her glaring lack of sophistication. But until his father had recovered, Ahsan was king, and one of her wifely duties outside of the bedr
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 432
As Ahsan had predicted, his team of advisors was waiting for him when they arrived back at the palace. Even on the journey across the desert, he’d had his mobile phone clamped to his ear, and Kate had sat silently beside him, lost in her thoughts. The honeymoon was over, and he had made it abundantly clear that he now saw her role as his wife as a walk-on part—or perhaps a lie-down part, she thought bitterly. But what had she expected? She had married him for Hazem, and he had married her for sex, and they had each gotten what they wanted.At least she had Hazem, she told herself later that evening, when she tucked the toddler into bed. She had missed him desperately, and his evident delight that she was back was a comforting balm to her raw emotions. She was Ahsan’s wife, a member of the Royal Family of Qubbah, and no one could ever take him away from her now.But as she prepared for the state banquet, her insecurities returned, and she felt sick with nerves. She had been horrified w
