AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Estelle ducked her head, looking more embarrassed than pleased. “It’s what I’m here for. I don’t expect praise for something I’m trained to do.”
“Youshouldexpect praise,” Arabelle said softly. “I’ll make sure Mahindar knows what a blessing you’ve been, too.”
Estelle flushed and backed away. “Enjoy your meal, Your Highness. I’ll return in an hour to clean up. I can escort you to the cinema then, if it pleases you.”
Arabelle nodded. “I would love that. In fact, why don’t you join me?”
The other woman looked shocked. “Watch a movie with you?”
“Of course! It might be fun.”
Estelle bit her bottom lip, then relented with an bright, glittery smile. “Sure, I’d like that.”
Arabelle glanced at the pool and its lush surround of greenery, where solar lights were beginning to light up and chase back the late afternoon shadows. It was so peaceful on the balcony overlooking this private corner of paradise. It would be even better to share it with her husband.
She frowned. Was she actually missing her husband? She shook of the thought and ate some of her dinner. The meat pie was delectable; it’s crust light and flaky, the meaty filling delicious with a faint hit of chili. But something felt…off. Not the food. Just the general vibe.
She pushed her plate of food aside and instead took a swig of red wine. She was being sensitive, and rightly so. She’d heard nothing from her husband or her parents and she was getting more worried every day that went by. She had faith that her husband would be victorious in the end, but how many innocent people might die in the meantime? And how long would he be stuck over there?
Her cell phone abruptly rang and she froze in disbelief, before she pushed her chair back so fast it rocked over and crashed onto the tiles. She ran inside and snatched up her phone.
“Hello?”
Her cell crackled and spat noises into her ear. Then, “Arabelle, it’s me, Mahindar.”
“Thank God! I’ve been so worried. What’s happening over there?”
“I can’t talk long. Just letting you know we’ve gained control of the borders, with negotiations appearing to be successful.”
She clasped her phone harder, almost snapping it. Who else but Mahindar could have handled things so expediently? “And my parents?”
“They’re safe. I’ve placed extra security around their palace in case things go south. But I have every reason to believe the worst is behind us.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For…everything.”
“You’re my wife, my sheikha; I’d move mountains for you.” He exhaled softly, and she could hear the muted sounds of machinery and other voices in the background. “I’m about to board a helicopter to take me home. All going well I’ll see you in three or four hours.”
“You’re really coming home,” she repeated, all the tension from the last handful of days leeching out of her. “I was starting to think I’d never see you again.”
“Nice to know you’ve been missing me,” he teased, though even with the crackling of the phone she sensed his undercurrent of seriousness.
“I never said that,” she hedged.
“You didn’t have to.” The phone snarled something high pitched in her ear before he added, “I can’t wait to see you. Knowing you’ve been sleeping in my bed and I haven’t been there making love to you morning and night…it’s been torture.”
A shiver of need shot down her spine to her toes. “No prizes for guessing what you want when you get here,” she murmured huskily.
He chuckled darkly. “Wait for me in something sexy…or better yet, nothing at all.” He cleared his throat, his voice a little harder to hear. “I’m so hard I’m ready to explode.”
She giggled, her breasts growing heavy and everything within clenching. “Then you better hurry up and get home.”
“Oh, I intend to, Princess.” The phone crackled and spat again, and his voice changed timbre as he added, “I think I’m about to lose reception. But just so you know, your parents should have full phone coverage in the next few days. They’re working on fixing—“
She clutched at her phone as his voice cut out completely. Though she knew he was gone she couldn’t help but ask, “Mahindar, are you there? Talk to me.” All she wanted now was to keep hearing his voice and to hold onto the news he was coming home.
When she finally put the cell phone down and turned around, she was surprised to see Estelle behind her.“Shit.Estelle, you frightened me.”
Estelle didn’t apologize, just watched her with shining eyes. “His Highness is coming home?”
