CHAPTER NINETEEN
Razim gazed at Paige's perfect features. The light from the dawn light cast a warm glow across her clear skin. Her eyes were closed, and he could feel her gentle breathing against his naked body.
It was done, he told himself.
Finally, after all the waiting, destiny had had its way.
He thought about the way they'd finished making love, barely a half hour ago. He smiled to himself.
Before the dawn.
Now they were together. And nothing would ever tear them apart again.
Razim had fallen asleep, alone, on this rug hours ago believing that all had been lost. He'd been determined to keep his promise and leave Paige alone inside the tent.
The long night had proven to be a torment as he'd tossed and turned, battling with his desire and trying to avoid the shame of breaking his promise to Paige.
But when he'd awakened and seen Paige standing there, looking like a mirage out of the desert, her body so tempting beneath the transparency of that gown, need had flared in him. It had been an unstoppable desire which had driven him to want her. He'd known that this had been his last chance. That he would never forgive himself if he didn't act upon his desires.
And, as he'd stood there watching Paige's own desire grow, as he'd seen the certainty in her eyes, Razim had been seized by a fearsome conviction that it was now or never.
He'd known the sun would be rising soon. If that happened, all would be lost.
Forever.
But, the miraculous had happened.
Paige had given herself to him.
Their desire had taken its course and now she was lying in his arms. Where she belonged. He inhaled the sweet scent of her body. Of their desire. It was an intoxicating aroma.
He barely dared move for fear of waking her. He wanted this moment to last forever. Holding his desert bride in his arms.
He wondered how she would react when she opened her eyes. Would she be indignant? Would she accuse him of taking advantage of her? Would she tell him that what they'd done couldn't possibly mean they would have to accept that they were now married.
Never to separate.
Right now, he didn't know. All he did know was that he had seen the pleasure she had taken from their union.
Their reunion.
Anxiety curled in his middle as he tried to anticipate her reaction upon waking.
Feeling a breeze from the desert, he drew her closer, savoring the sensation of her partially clothed curves against his body.
Paige shifted and opened her eyes. Razim's heart stopped a moment as he gazed into her eyes, searching for any hint of concern.
But he didn't see even the slightest suggestion of worry. All he saw was her beautiful blue eyes gazing at him with what looked suspiciously like affection.
"Hi," he said softly.
Paige didn't say anything in response. Her brows furrowed and he saw her gaze move upwards to the brightening dark blue sky. Awareness flickered into life in her eyes as she realized that the dawn had come minutes ago while she had been dozing.
For a moment, Razim told himself she would sit up and accuse him of tricking her. He was sure of it.
But she didn't.
Instead, she did something which shocked him. She pushed in closer to him and smiled. "I see a new day has begun," she said quietly.
Razim smiled at her and shifted some loose blonde hairs away from her forehead. He leaned in closer and kissed her soft skin. "Dawn has broken," he said, his voice low and thick with emotion. "It's a new day."
She crinkled her brows at him and smiled. "It sure is."
He gazed at her inquiringly, waiting for her demeanor to change now that she knew what had happened. Now that she understood what it would mean. But there was still no change in her, and that amazed him.
Had their union affected her so much? Did she really know what this all meant? Surely she hadn't forgotten.
Razim ran his hand down the length of her back. "You're not feeling cold, are you?"
She shook her head. "No." She tucked her head against his shoulder. "I'm quite comfortable where I am," she said. "Happy."
He drew in a deep breath and held her as closely as he could. For a few moments he debated with himself whether he should bring up the subject of what all this meant. However, he felt too good holding her close to want to do anything which would spoil the exquisite delight of the moment.
Eventually though, he couldn't contain himself any longer. He shifted his head and glanced down at Paige. She lifted her gaze up to him. For a moment he was sure she knew exactly what he was about to say. But, it didn't seem to bother her. Not in the slightest.
Encouraged by that, he spoke: "You do know what all this means, don't you?" he asked in a quiet voice.
She nodded. "I know, Razim."
He squinted at her. "And?"
Paige grinned at him. "It's taken me a long time to come back to you, Razim," she said. "And there were times when I thought I never would." She moved closer to him. "But, I'm here."
Emotion swelled up in him and he felt his throat tighten. For a few moments, he was lost for words. All he could do was gaze into her eyes.
Finally he managed to tell her what he knew he had to say. "We're man and wife again, Paige," he said slowly.
"I know that, Razim," she said. There was a curious expression on her features now. It was a mixture of peace and acceptance.
Astonishment coursed through his entire being. It was as if fate had handed him a final miracle.
Razim leaned his head in and kissed Paige's lips. When their lips parted, he looked into her eyes. "I love you, Paige," he breathed.
"And I love you, Razim," she murmured.
"I will do anything in my power to make you happy, Paige. I will move heaven and earth to ensure you are safe by my side," Razim felt his voice begin to crack with emotion. But he knew his declaration was important. He had to make sure she understood the depth of his feeling for her. "My world is yours. My heart belongs to you. And I will love you forever."
Paige smiled up at him. He saw moistness in her bright eyes. "And I will love you, Razim," she said. His heart leaped with joy. She continued, speaking quietly. "This was a battle we didn't need to fight. Don't you think?"
He nodded, saying nothing.
"And, I think, deep down, I've always known I belong with you," she added. "I just didn't want to admit to myself."
He kissed her again, deeply and passionately.
The kiss ended, he leaned his head back and frowned. "Why didn't we know the truth?'" he asked. "Before putting each other through all this torture."
She grinned. "But it was such a sweet torture, wasn't it?" she teased.
He laughed. "I suppose you're right." He peered into her eyes "You are sure, aren't you?"
"About what?" she asked.
"That you want to stay with me," he said.
Paige lifted a hand and stroked the side of his face. "I do, my love. My sheikh."
He smiled at her. "Because of the conditions of the original marriage, we're man and wife again," he said.
"That simple?" she asked.
He nodded. "No need for a wedding ceremony."
"So we can pick up where left off?"
He nodded. "As if none of this ever happened."
"I like the sound of that," she said.
He looked seriously at her. "Why did you change your mind?"
She shrugged. "You've no idea what I put myself through," she said. "There wasn't moment when I didn't drive myself crazy with doubts. They just wouldn't let me do something as stupid as walking away from you."
He kissed her and then leaned back, gazing into her eyes for a few long moments. "I'm glad you saw sense," he teased. "You know what you would've missed if you'd done that."
She quirked a brow at him. "Modest as usual," she joked.
"Some things will never change," he said. "You wouldn't me going all soft on you, would you?"
"You soft? " She frowned. "I don't think that's possible."
"Speaking of which," he said shifting closer to her.
Her eyes widened as he pressed his firmness against her. "I think it's time we went back inside the tent for a while," he said. "Don't you?"
"It is a bit cool out here," she agreed.
He stood and gazed down at her. His nakedness seemed to catch her attention even more now that the sun had come up. He saw her gaze drift down the length of his body. There was appreciation in that gaze, he told himself.
He straightened and extended a hand to her. She took his hand, stood and smiled at him.
Then they began to walk back to the tent. As he did so, Razim told himself that there would be no need for them to leave this place for quite a while.