Page 34 of Forbidden Passion
Myala grinned up at him. “You’re exactly right,” she chirped with an excited bounce to her step. “I can’t wait for Sheik Falk to see me in this dress. I’m sure that it is the exact right shade to prove to him that I would be a good partner. I can bring everyone’s attention right to him!”
They both laughed and Myala pulled away for a moment, checking her small clutch purse. After examining the contents,she nodded. “I’m ready,” she announced, taking her father’s arm just as the elevator door opened. They stepped in and the duo smiled with anticipation for tonight’s festivities.
“I think that tonight will be a turning point for you, my dear.”
Myala stared up at her father with a huge grin on her face. “I think so too,” she whispered excitedly.
Chapter 29
Ciara eyed her yellow dress, wondering why she’d chosen it for tonight’s dinner party. There would be only fifty people tonight, and Falk was one of them. She’d get to sit next to him and feel his comforting presence. And hopefully, after everyone left the palace, he would come back here with her and spend the night.
Shakily, she inhaled slowly. “You can do this!” Her reflection didn’t seem convinced.
Turning away from the mirror, she walked out of her bedroom and…right into the arms of Falk who was just about to enter.
“Falk!” she gasped, stepping back. She couldn’t stop her eyes from moving up and down over his broad shoulders, which were perfectly displayed in a tailored tuxedo. The differences in tonight’s suit and last nights were subtle, but she noticed. And Ciara appreciated those small details. Very much!
“You wore yellow,” he noticed, his voice low and husky again.
Ciara wanted to laugh off the color choice. She wanted to tell him that her maid had chosen the dress. Or maybe that it had been selected as soon as this week’s scheduled events were announced.
But those would be lies. She’d chosen this dress because he’d told her yellow was his favorite color.
Falk made a sexy, guttural sound and moved closer to her, wrapping his arm around her waist, but lightly, as if he knew he had to be careful not to wrinkle the delicate chiffon. “You look stunning, Ciara,” he told her, then softly kissed her lips. Itwasn’t as deep a kiss as she wanted. But the gentle caress didn’t mess up her lipstick.
“So do you,” she replied, sliding her fingers down the silk lapels of his tuxedo.
He let his eyes move slowly over her dress, or what he could see of her dress from his current angle. “If I didn’t like your brother so much, I’d steal you out of here and bring you back to my country.”
Shocking even herself, she inched closer, tilting her head back so that she could see him more clearly. “And what would you do with me there?” she whispered, wanting details. She wanted something that would get her through the next few tedious hours of socializing with their countries’ military officials. Tonight was just a small dinner, a more intimate gathering to introduce Maggie to the military leaders. Ciara just needed to get through tonight, then there would be only family and close friends celebrations for two nights, until the bigger birthday bash. After that, there was nothing else scheduled. Blissful peace and no guests in the palace.
The desire in his eyes flared and his arm tightened, pressing her against his chest. “I would show you my private suite and introduce you to my bed, where we would remain for the next several days.”
“Just days?” she asked, breathlessly.
She felt the evidence of his arousal against her stomach. “Maybe weeks. Depends on how long you could take my attentions.”
Ciara’s smile was slow, but intimately sexy. “Oh, I think I could take your attentions for quite a long time.”
He groaned, his fingers tightening around her bottom. “Ciara, don’t say things like that when I can’t follow through on the possibilities.”
She laughed, then went up on her toes to kiss him again. Unfortunately, it was still another light kiss, but she filled the brush of her lips against his with promise. “You’re still coming to me after tonight’s party, right?”
“If you want me to,” he replied.
She pulled back, tilting her head slightly. “Why the hesitation?”
He laughed abruptly, throwing his head back as he stared up at the ceiling for a moment. She tried to pull out of his arms, but he wouldn’t release her.
When he looked down at her again, he explained, “Ciara, now that you’ve told me about your past, I’ve realized my personality can trigger aspects of your trauma. I’m trying to keep myself under control, to not say things that might scare you, but it’s going to take practice. I have to think about my words carefully.”
She stared up at him, her heart melting at his admission. She wanted to throw her arms around him and hug him for such an amazing understanding. Instead, she blurted, “Will you marry me?”
Both of them were completely stunned. It took them several moments to fully grasp the meaning of her words. But when that understanding dawned, he grinned triumphantly. He lifted her into his arms and twirled her around, laughing that deep, sexy laugh that she had come to love so much.
“Yes!” he replied, carefully setting her down. He looked at her and Ciara realized that he was still trying to restrain himself.
“Hold on for just a moment,” she said and slipped out of his arms. She rushed back into her bedroom and grabbed a tissue, removing her lipstick. When she turned back, he was already there and he pulled her into his arms, crushing her against him as he kissed her. This wasn’t a light brush. This was a thorough ravishing of her mouth, a promise for later.