Free Sheikh’s Fiancée by Sophia Lynn, Jessica Brooke Page B

place.”
    They did a brief tour of the kitchen, which was dominated by the black marble island counter top. The sinks were brushed black, and the fitted appliances and shelving were illuminated so that you could find your way around in the dark if you had a craving for a midnight snack without having to turn all the lights on. A spacious and light breakfast room sat beyond, which overlooked the meticulously landscaped garden.
    They wandered out the pair of double glass doors into the garden, and Alice inhaled the thick, fragrant hot air laced with the sweet scent of frangipanis and other flowers. The sound of trickling water greeted her ears, coming from several different water features tucked around the grounds along with marble sculptures, and she noted these decorations marked discrete areas where a couple could sit and enjoy some privacy… and perhaps something more. There were various colored lights placed along various walkways to ensure no one got lost in the dark, while still leaving enough spaces in shadows for those who wished them.
    “This is like a dream,” Alice said as she stared up at an elegant water fountain carved from black marble. She sat down on a matching stone bench, and Karim joined her there. “I guess marrying me was worth it after all, wasn’t it?”
    “Alice.” Karim’s voice was gentle as his hands settled lightly on her shoulders. He turned her to face him, and Alice’s breath caught at the tenderness in his amber gaze. “I may have gained this beautiful estate, but I also gained you. And though I may have done this for my independence, you are still far more valuable than anything materialistic I could have.”
    Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, and she closed them as Karim kissed her, allowing the tiny drops to trickle down her cheeks. The day had started off with nerves and tension, but had ended so beautifully it was almost painful. She began to think that if this was how they were to start their marriage, with such poignant words and dazzling beauty, that perhaps there would be more good things in store that were worth waiting longer than a year for.
    But as Karim’s mouth moved over hers, those thoughts fell away, replaced by the carnal hunger that had been simmering away on the back burner for as long as she had known Karim. It came into full bloom right now, racing through her blood like wildfire, and she wrapped her arms around her new husband’s neck and drew him close, opening her mouth to him so that she could savor his dark, exotic flavor. The scarf that wrapped around her shoulder and across her midsection slipped away, baring her midriff to the hot night air, but then Karim pulled her even closer, pressing his hard body up against her bare skin.
    “I don’t want to wait anymore,” he growled into her mouth.
    “Then don’t,” she breathed. “Take me.”
    He slid his hands beneath her bottom, and Alice gasped as he swung her up into his arms. She clung to him tightly as he broke the kiss, leaning her head against his chest so she could listen to the thunder of his heartbeat, just as unsteady as hers. His muscles flexed beneath his clothing as he carried her into the house and up a wide staircase, where he then turned left down a hall lined with what she assumed were bedrooms.
    Alice lifted her head to feather kisses down Karim’s jaw and neck. She smiled as his breathing came faster and couldn’t help grin when he fumbled once, then twice for the handle of the door at the end of the hall. He finally got it free, then pushed it open to reveal a spacious master suite. Alice caught a glimpse of white quartz tile, dark cherry wood furnishings and red carpets as Karim laid her atop a king-sized four-poster bed, but then she forgot all about it as he tugged his sherwani off.
    Holy cow, she thought as she sat up on her elbows, gaping at him. The moonlight spilling through the windows traced over every single line and curve of muscle… and there was a lot of