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Did he mean it?
‘But what about Isla de Sinnebar?’ she said, turning serious.
‘All the more reason for me to do what is right. And this is right, Lucy.’
Razi spoke with such confidence that when he started whispering to her in his own language in a way that soothed and convinced and seduced all at the same time it took all she’d got to root out her last doubt. ‘So I won’t be locked away in some love nest?’
‘That’s a colourful picture,’ he murmured, backing her slowly across the room. ‘Locking you in the kitchen, I could understand…’
They shared a look that told Lucy the mistakes of the past would never be repeated, and then they embraced, fiercely and passionately until they sank to the floor where they stood. This time Razi’s lovemaking was slow and tender. He used all his skill to draw out her pleasure, and all the while he told her how much he loved her. By the time he released her they had moved far beyond hurt and confusion to a new ease and confidence that bound them together in a way that words never could.
They showered together—which took quite a lot of time. Fortunately, they dressed much faster, and then Razi drove Lucy back to the building site that would soon be his new palace, and, incredibly, their family home. Knowing they would live together in such a beautiful place was almost more than Lucy could take in and she made Razi tell her it was so over and over again.
It was as if she was seeing the half-finished building through completely new eyes, she realised when he finally convinced her. Had she noticed how seamlessly the sandstone structure blended into the desert landscape? Or how the purple mountains surrounding it provided a majestic frame? The colours seemed more vivid than ever—the golden sand and turquoise ocean, the green of the parkland being carefully cultivated in front of the lagoon where one day soon their children would play. This truly was the place where reality and fantasy met.
‘You have no idea how much I love you—or how amazing you look,’ Razi observed with a grin as they linked fingers.
They had both chosen to wear traditional robes for this visit to their new home. Razi’s robe was heavy blue silk with a matching flowing headpiece and a gold agal, while Lucy’s robe was softer sky-blue chiffon trimmed with silver embroidery, and she had to admit she felt a lot cooler than she would have done in western clothes.
‘Are you happy?’ Razi demanded, bringing her round to face him.
‘I can’t begin to tell you.’
‘Then I’ll have to find a way,’ he said as he drew her into the shadows where her pale skin wouldn’t burn.
As he caressed her face she caught hold of his hand and brought it to her cheek. ‘I love you,’ she whispered, still finding it incredible that she could say that, and that this strong, dark prince of the desert had told her that he loved her in return.
‘You’re so much more than I deserve,’ he said, and when she looked at him in surprise he shook his head. ‘Why can’t you believe how special you are?’
‘Because I’m nothing special?’ Lucy announced in her usual blunt way.
‘Nothing special?’ Throwing back his head, Razi laughed. ‘I think you’re looking for compliments,’ he accused as the desert wind whipped his hair into a tangle.
Before she had chance to deny this, he added, ‘You’re brave and determined and strong—not to mention capable and talented.’
‘Go on—I can’t get enough of this now. Though you are starting to make me sound a like a trick pony.’
Razi narrowed his eyes. ‘I was about to add—and sexier than any woman has any right to be.’
‘That’s much better,’ Lucy approved, sharing Razi’s smile.
‘I love you, Lucy Tennant,’ he stated frankly. ‘And I want to share my life with you.’
‘No ifs, buts, or maybes?’ she said wryly.
‘No doubts ever. And if I have to spend the rest of my life convincing you, then I’ll sign up now. You’re the only woman I want. You’re the only mother I could ever want for my children.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I know you’ll fight with everything you’ve got for them, and for me, and for all the people of the Isla de Sinnebar when they call you their Queen.’
‘Their Queen?’ Lucy echoed incredulously.
‘Why so surprised?’ Razi demanded with a nonchalant shrug. ‘Haven’t you realised yet that I’ll stop at nothing to keep a good chef?’
EPILOGUE
THE women came for her at dawn. Lucy had spent the night in the tented city amongst her people, guarded by the royal security troops. But she longed for Razi. She longed for the last of the barriers keeping them apart to be removed. And, yes, she longed to step beyond the silken veil. The women Razi had sent to prepare her for their Sheikh would help her do that. Clothed in colourful robes like so many jewelled butterflies, they clustered round her, kohl-lined eyes smiling with excitement.
