Free The Sheikh & the Bride Who Said No by Susan Mallery

sentence say about my life?”
    “That at least there is one person on your side.”
    Little light spilled into the garden, but there was enough for him to see her beautiful features. Her wide eyes had darkened with pain and confusion. Her full lips trembled. It was as if the weight of the world pressed down upon her, and he ached for her.
    “Come,” he said, holding out his arms. “You’ll feel better.”
    “Maybe I don’t want to,” she said stubbornly, even as she moved forward and leaned against him.
    He wrapped his arms around her. She was slight, so delicate and yet so strong.
    She smelled of flowers and soap and of herself. That arousing fragrance he had never been able to forget.
    Wanting filled him, but something else, as well. Something that made this moment feel right.
    He felt her hands on his back, and she rested her forehead against his shoulder.
    “No one will help me,” she said. “I’ve been making phone calls for nearly two hours. Not my family—which isn’t a big surprise—nor any of my friends. I even called my congressman. Everyone thinks us getting married is a fine idea. They refused to believe that I’m being held against my will, and they all hinted for an invitation to the wedding.”
    “Then you may add them to the list.”
    She raised her head. Tears glittered in her eyes. “That’s not what I wanted to hear.”
    He knew what she wanted him to say, but he would not speak the words. To set her free…it would not happen.
    “You will enjoy being queen,” he said. “There is much power in the position.”
    “I’ve never been that interested in power.”
    “You’ve never had it before.”
    “Murat, you know this is wrong.”
    “Why? You are to marry me, Crown Prince Murat. It is not as if you’re being asked to wed a used-camel dealer.”
    She gave a half laugh, half sob and pushed away from him. The tears had trickled down her face. He wiped them away with his fingers.
    “Do not cry,” he murmured. “I offer you the world.”
    “I only want my freedom.”
    “To do what? To give shots to overweight dogs and cats? Here you can make a difference. Here you will be a part of history. Your children and grandchildren will rule this land.”
    “It’s not enough.”
    He growled low in his throat. Had she always been this stubborn? Was she trying to punish him for what had happened before? All right. Perhaps he could give a little on that point.
    “Why did you leave me?” he asked. “Before. Ten years ago. Why did you go?”
    Her shoulders slumped again, and the pain returned to her eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”
    “Yes, it does. I wish to know.”
    “You wouldn’t understand.”
    “Then explain it to me. I am very intelligent.”
    “Not about me.” She swallowed. “Murat, you have to let me go.”
    Instead of answering her statement, he stepped forward and kissed her. He caught her by surprise—he could tell by the sudden intake of air and the way she hesitated before responding. But instead of retreating, he settled his hand on her hip and the back of her neck and brushed his tongue against her lower lip.
    She parted instantly. As he swept inside he felt the heat flaring between them.
    Wanting poured through him, making it difficult to hold back when he wanted to rip off her clothing and claim her right there on the bench.
    Instead he continued to kiss her, moving slowly, retreating, pulling back until she was the one to grab him and deepen the embrace. When he finally straightened, she looked as aroused as he felt.
    “You see,” he said, “there is much between us. We will take the time to get to know each other better. That will make you comfortable with the thought of our marriage.”
    “Don’t bet on it,” she said, but her swollen mouth and passion-filled eyes betrayed her.
    Murat brushed her cheek with his fingers, then walked out of the harem. Victory was at hand. He would wear away Daphne’s defenses until she understood that their marriage was