Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen by Carol Marinelli

Author:Carol Marinelli [Marinelli, Carol]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, General, Brides, Adult, Arranged Marriage, Fiction - Romance, Romance: Modern, Romance - General, Romance - Contemporary, Virgins, Mediterranean Region
ISBN: 9780373129089
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

SHE sat in the milky waters, her skin soft, soaking in the oils and fragrances, her black hair piled on her head, gazing out of the opened balcony doors to the dreamy ocean. Her maidens were laying out her dress, everything was in place, and yet she could not relax.

There had been numerous functions in her life, too many to count or remember, and she knew well the loneliness of sitting at elaborate meals with an aide at her side. Tonight, though, she would be with Xavian, tonight she would have her husband at her side—and yet still she felt lonely

He made her lonely.

He had made no attempt to apologise. It was not his place to say sorry, Xavian would no doubt remind her, if she pushed for an apology.

He had promised to provide—which he did.

He had promised to give her an heir—which he surely would…perhaps already had.

Her hand moved to her stomach and she wondered as to the miracle that might already be taking place.

She should be content, but she wasn’t.

Layla almost wished that Baja had been right—that their mating had been clinical, just another duty to perform—but it was so much more…and still she wanted more from him. Wanted not just an heir, but their child—wanted a husband not just in name.

And then he walked in, and her confused, troubled eyes turned to him, and she just lay there in the bath in silence as he dismissed her staff and closed the door.

Never had he looked more beautiful

Cleanshaven for the first time since the desert, he was dressed in black robes edged with gold. He looked powerful, commanding, and utterly breathtaking—but she was too proud and too angry to just demur.

‘You are not supposed to be here.’

‘It’s a stupid rule.’

‘For you, perhaps,’ Layla said, ‘but I rather like it. It is nice to have peace—nice to rest and prepare for such an occasion.’

‘It is stupid that we slept alone…’

‘There will be many nights together soon…’ Layla shrugged, the water rippling around her, and all Xavian wanted to do was climb in and to kiss her sulking mouth.

‘You did not miss me last night?’ Xavian said. ‘You did not lie awake thinking of me?’

‘Of course I did,’ Layla said. ‘I was so angry I lay awake wishing I could give you a piece of my mind, deliver the perfect retort to your crass words…It was, I will admit, rather frustrating.’

And even on this day, even as dread clutched his heart, as unknown fears took vivid shape, still she made him smile.

She was his match.

His dark eyes roamed her creamy shoulders, and if want could part waters then she would lie bare for his approval. He sat on the edge of the bath without a word, just watching her, and then he held out the gift for his Queen.

She had her choice of jewels, had worn so many beautiful pieces that jewellery sometimes bored her—but not this. The cascading necklace of emeralds and diamonds made her eyes widen because

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