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But as he worked that spot inside her that he knew would make her shatter, the pleasure slammed into her… And as her body plunged over that high, wide ledge, for better or worse, her heart followed.

Much later, as they sat in bed together, he fed her the cold tagine with his fingers, then licked away the juices from her chin.

She giggled, her heart lighter than it had been for a long time.

But then he cradled her cheek and her spirits sobered. His eyes had lost the boyish twinkle she had become so attached to in the past week.

‘I must return to Kholadi in four days’ time—the tribe is setting up a new encampment and I need to be there. For a month, maybe longer.’

She nodded, suddenly bereft that this blissful time together would have to end sooner than planned.

‘I don’t want to leave you behind. I wish to take you with me as my princess, Kasia.’

Her heart expanded even as her head cried it was still too soon for such a leap. She had no guarantee her feelings were returned, or would ever be returned, and her love for him was still so new.

But when he asked: ‘Will you marry me?’ she was powerless to resist the matching hope in his gaze.

She didn’t want to be without him for a whole month. He was the father of her child. How could it be wrong to give their love this chance?

So she said the only thing she could. ‘Yes, I will.’

CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE WHIRLWIND OF activity over the next few days was so overwhelming, Kasia had no time at all to revisit any fears she had about her decision to accept Raif’s proposal.

They agreed her PhD would have to be put on hold until after the baby was born, but Raif was eager to fund additional research while they were in Kholadi as her work could be of great benefit to his people… Their people.

As he finished the last of his business in Manhattan, Kasia spent her time reading as much as she could about the Kholadi. She didn’t want to be as ignorant as she had been about their lifestyle when she’d first spent the night with Raif. A licence was arranged at City Hall two days before their departure and they were married the next day on the roof terrace of the Gramercy apartment with his assistant and the building’s supervisor, who Kasia had made friends with, in attendance as witnesses.

She made a tearful call to Cat that evening to confess all, and her friend had been thrilled at the news. Although she did chastise Kasia for keeping her affair with Raif a secret for so long.

‘I cannot believe you’re pregnant and married and I didn’t even get to be maid of honour. You’re also going to have some serious explaining to do to my daughter, who has been dreaming about being your bridesmaid since she was about two. And my husband, who would have wanted to give you away and have a completely inappropriate conversation with your new husband about his responsibilities!’

The memory of the conversation still made Kasia smile. How silly she had been to wait to tell Cat everything until after the marriage had taken place. Her wobble over whether Cat and Zane would give the marriage their blessing was even more ridiculous. They were her friends, so why wouldn’t they be overjoyed for her?

Because they know he’s not in love with you.

She pushed the niggling doubt aside.

That was her insecurity talking. Cat had only asked her if she was in love with Raif, so she hadn’t had to lie. And maybe Raif wasn’t in love with her yet. But less than a day after their marriage he was already giving a very good impression of an over-protective husband, insisting they stop off in London en route to Narabia to see a Harley Street specialist about her continuing nausea.

She’d tried to explain to him that it was perfectly normal to be sick and tired. In fact, it was practically a cliché, and she’d also pointed out there were a network of state-of-the-art maternity clinics in Narabia where she could get all the antenatal care she needed. But he had refused to be swayed.

So here she was, sitting in the elegant Georgian office of one of London’s best obstetricians with her husband, having been whisked from Heathrow in a chauffeur-driven limo and given a series of blood tests by the practice’s nurse.

‘So, Mrs Khan…’ Ms Siddiqui, the consultant, smiled at Kasia, her expression both kind and fiercely competent.

Mrs Khan.

‘I’ve reviewed the notes sent from your GP in Cambridge and your blood tests. Everything looks good, although you are a little anaemic, so I would suggest we increase your iron. I understand from my conversation with your husband that your morning sickness has been quite pronounced and you’re often exhausted?’

Aware of Raif’s eyes on her, Kasia replied, ‘I’m sure it’s nothing out of the ordin—’

‘Kasia, you are violently ill every morning—surely this is not normal, Doctor?’ Raif interrupted her, his concern palpable.

‘Every pregnancy is different, Mr Khan,’ the obstetrician r

eplied in a soothing but also firm tone. Kasia’s tension eased. While it was wonderful to have Raif worry about her, she really didn’t want him to worry quite so much. ‘But let’s do an ultrasound to check everything and put everyone’s mind at rest,’ she finished.

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