* *
Malik’s face softened. ‘I like hearing you say that.’
‘Say what?’
‘Our son. Not yours. Not mine. Ours.’
His gaze held hers and Gracie’s heart started to beat hard again. Yes, Sam was theirs. She felt their shared responsibility, their partnership, more than ever now—for better or for worse. And she knew in that moment she would marry him—that she would fall into this adventure because it was the one she wanted. He was the one she wanted. She loved him, and she dared to hope that one day he might learn to love her back.
‘Tonight,’ Malik promised, his voice rough with longing, and Gracie nodded.
‘Tonight.’
‘What were you doing?’ Sam demanded as Gracie emerged from behind the waterfall, her heart still skittering around from her encounter with Malik.
‘There’s a little cave back there,’ Gracie said, and thankfully her voice sounded normal. ‘Malik showed it to me. You should see it.’
‘A cave? Cool!’ Sam dived under the water and Gracie sank onto the ledge of the pool. She needed a moment to recover. Her whole body was trembling with the aftershocks of Malik’s sure touch. She felt as if she might dissolve, trickle right into the pool in a puddle of need. She couldn’t wait for nightfall.
From behind the waterfall she could hear Sam’s excited shout and the low rumble of Malik’s response. A few minutes later they emerged, dripping wet and grinning. Gracie didn’t think she’d ever tire of the sight of Malik in swimming trunks. His chest was a thing of glorious beauty, perfectly sculpted muscles tapering to narrow hips and powerful thighs. Malik caught her look and gave her an admonishing look back.
‘Keep looking at me like that and I will embarrass myself and you,’ he muttered as he passed by her, and Gracie couldn’t keep from grinning.
A greedy sense of expectation had her practically dancing on her tiptoes all evening, as the three of them ate dinner in one of the palace’s more intimate dining rooms. Every secret, sliding look, every brush of Malik’s fingers had her whole body tingling in yearning response.
The mood of anticipation continued as she tucked Sam into bed and then retired to her sumptuous bedroom down the hall. There was no harem in this remote palace, just a lovely room, the double bed on its own dais, the windows overlooking the stunning alpine vista.
Gracie took a bath and then slipped into the one semi-sexy nightgown that she owned, a simple white silk sheath with lace straps. She’d bought it on a whim and never worn it—now she laughed at herself for bringing it to Alazar at all. Had she known this would happen? Had she hoped?
And here she was, still hoping. It was ten o’clock at night and Malik still hadn’t come. Should she go find him? Dared she?
As she was summoning up the courage to do just that, a soft knock sounded on the door. Gracie stilled, anchored to the floor. Another soft knock, and then she flew to the door and opened it.
Malik stood there, looking devastatingly sexy in an off-white linen shirt open at the throat and a pair of loose trousers. His hair was slightly rumpled as if he’d run his hands through it and his mouth curved in a smile of deep appreciation, his eyes lightening to silver as his gaze flicked over Gracie.
Suddenly she felt conscious of how little she was wearing. The cream silk was thin, and he could probably see just about everything, including her body’s immediate response to his presence.
‘I was hoping you’d come,’ she said huskily, and his eyes flashed fire.
‘I was hoping you’d say that.’
Wordlessly her heart seeming to fling itself against her ribs, she stepped aside. Malik came into the room and shut the door behind him.
‘You’re sure?’ he asked quietly, his gaze steady on her, and Gracie let out a laugh that was half wild.
‘Am I sure? I’ve been wearing grooves in the floor, pacing, wondering if I should go and find you.’
‘That answers my question, then,’ Malik murmured, and then he came towards her. ‘We’ll have our wedding night a little early.’ He paused. ‘Assuming you have made a decision...?’
‘Was there any decision to make?’
‘You asked me to give you time, Gracie.’
‘I know.’ She swallowed hard, excitement and trepidation surging within her. She felt as if she were on the edge of a precipice, about to take that nerve-jangling step into the utter unknown. ‘I don’t need any more time, Malik. I’ve made my decision.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I will marry you.’
‘Then you have made me very happy.’ The words ended on a shudder as Malik slid his hands from her shoulders to her waist. His palms fitted perfectly, his fingers splayed over her hips. Gently he drew her towards him.
‘We are going to have a good life together, Gracie,’ he whispered, and brushed a kiss across her lips.
Gracie let out a breathy laugh. ‘I don’t know why I feel so nervous.’
He brushed a tendril of hair away from her face, his fingers skimming her cheek. ‘There’s no need to be nervous.’
‘I know. But...’ She hesitated, then continued with a flush, ‘it’s been a long time for me.’
‘And me, too.’
Somehow she didn’t think Malik had been celibate for ten years. ‘I mean, a really long time.’
His gentle smile morphed into a frown of puzzlement. ‘Do you mean...?’
Gracie nodded. ‘You’ve been my only lover, Malik.’ Before he could say anything, she rushed on, ‘I know I haven’t been yours. I’m not asking...’
‘There haven’t been that many. A handful of meaningless exchanges,’ Malik murmured. ‘And trust me, no one has come close to you, Gracie.’
‘Okay,’ she mumbled. Her face felt fiery. He took her fingers and kissed them.
‘But I don’t want to talk about any of that,’ he said, and with a little smile he nibbled on the tips of her fingers. ‘In fact, I’m not sure I want to talk at all.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ If they talked any more, she might really put her foot in it. She might, caught up in the moment, admit she was falling in love with him, and she couldn’t bear to see the appalled look in Malik’s eyes when he heard that revelation. No, she’d keep that particular news to herself, at least for now, and hope that one day he might want to hear those words.
Malik drew her to him again and kissed her softly, like a question. Gracie answered by parting her lips, letting his tongue sweep inside. The second kiss was deeper, seeming to plunge right inside her. And then she stopped counting because the kisses were merging into one another, melting her insides.
Malik backed her towards the bed, laughing softly as he gently tipped her onto it and then came to lie down next to her.
‘Do
