Chapter 5
“This place is spectacular,” she whispered, awestruck at the sight of Mallorca as they approached the largest of the Balearic Islands from the air. In contrast to Jovanbar, the island was a rich collage of greens and blues, with small patches of vibrant flowers giving a truly tropical flair. Shala was entranced by the beauty of Spain from the air and she was eager to see up close, to touch that kind of beauty and absorb it.
“This is a great place to holiday. It’s tropical, the food is light and delicious and there are so many resorts that there’s always a party to be had.” Zadir had enjoyed more than a few lost weekends on this beautiful island.
“Seems like the perfect place for your American style Spring Break.” Shala wished she’d had the chance to let go and have fun like that. Her strict upbringing meant she’d gone to university close to home and was, therefore, unable to let loose as many of her classmates had. Most of her time was spent studying so her people skills weren’t the best unless it had to do with her job. It was an ironic twist that never failed to amuse her.
Zadir smiled. “I can’t deny it. The Americans definitely know how to have reckless fun.” And he’d lapped it all up and took it to the next level. And that was why he was out on the road, trying to convince his father that he was ready to take over the family business.
“You know, I was surprised that you weren’t looking at any other resorts on one of these islands.”
“We own enough of the resorts here. But since we can’t rely on oil like many of our neighbors, securing Sun Energy Makers for a song will set us up for the future of energy.” Her smile knocked the breath out of him.
“Exactly. You should hear my father bemoan our lack of oil without any regard for the fact that it is finite.” She shook her head, remembering the tense arguments they had about it.
“My father would never have a conversation like that with me, it’s more of a Rashid conversation even though he’s not the one in charge of the company.” The helicopter he commissioned to take them to Cabo Blanco had just touched down and they waited for it to come to a full stop.
Shala heard the tight tone in his voice and she realized there was a lot of animosity between the royal twins. “Tell me about it. There’s something special about the first born. Us seconds will never get it, even if it is different for you.”
“Because I’m a royal?”
She shook her head. “No, because you’re a twin. I’m the second born by a couple years but for you, it’s just minutes that deprive you of it.”
He muttered a string of curses. “Damn you’re observant.” He shook his head, almost amused by his own reaction.
She nodded with a sad smile. “It’s the one benefit of being invisible your entire life.” She held up a hand to stop his attempts to convince her otherwise. He would fail, she knew, but he was the one person she’d always wanted to notice her but never had.
“Not like you have that problem anymore.”
“True, but now people just notice me for the wrong reasons.”
Zadir shook his head and twined a lock of hair around one finger. “If that’s true it’s only because you don’t let anyone close enough to like you for the right reasons.”
Had she been doing that? She didn’t think it was true. The men she met as an adult were interested in her because of her father’s business or her curves. Either way they weren’t interested in her. So maybe she had built up armor around her and protected that armor with a ten-foot tall brick wall. “I’ve found that men who want more than sex are willing to work a little harder.” At least she hoped they were.
“So how am I doing?”
She looked up at that naughty grin of his, the one that told a girl that he already knew all her secrets down to the style and color of her lingerie. “Better than expected.”
Zadir leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Then I’m way ahead of the class.”
* * *
“You really planned all this?” She couldn’t believe it even now, halfway through dinner, that Zadir had gone through all this trouble for her.
Zadir nodded, a proud and predatory gaze in his eyes. “I did. While you got settled, made phone calls and freshened up, I was busy making my own calls to get the table set up, the food cooked and delivered.” He couldn’t remember a time when he’d done more than spend a bit of cash to make a woman happy. He didn’t need to be thoughtful because he was good looking and rich. But with Shala he wanted to go through the effort. Wanted to show that she was worth the effort.
Her brow crinkled and her nose scrunched up in confusion. “But…why?”
He looked at her and saw total confusion written on her beautiful face. If it were any other woman he would think she was fishing for compliments but he sensed Shala really wanted to know. “I like you.”
“Just that simple?”
He smiled and gave a careless shrug. “You are..... sexy, I love the way your mind processes information and your laugh makes me hard. I like you.” He hoped that was enough, he wasn’t good at being sincere.
Her honey brown eyes held his for a long, charged moment, then one side of her mouth kicked up into a smile. “Thanks, Zadir. I like you too,” she added shyly.
A deep rumble of laughter burst from his chest, surprising both of them. She joined in and he could tell the moment she remembered what he’d said about her laugh because she blushed until her entire face was pink. He laughed again, harder than the last time. “See? You really do make me laugh.”
She swatted at him playfully, trying to hide the smile crossing her face. Normally she would have assumed he was making fun of her, but she could relax enough around him to distinguish playfulness from intentional cruelty. “Glad I could entertain you.” She wasn’t mad. Not at all. Zadir had set quite a romantic scene, with a small candlelit table with a gauzy white tablecloth overlooking a private slice of beach just feet from the terrace. A bowl of fresh fruit looked more like art than food and the scent of slightly chargrilled fish made the night just about perfect. And Zadir, she sighed, he looked good enough to eat in a lightweight cotton shirt and pants, highlighting his bronze skin. Watching him smile at her with the gorgeous backdrop of the setting sun, splashing the sky with shades of pink, orange and cold, that was absolutely perfect.
“You entertain all of me, Shala.”
She shivered at the way her name sounded on his lips and took a long sip of wine to gather her thoughts. “I don’t know how to respond to that.”
Zadir’s laugh was low and seductive. “I already saw your response.” He laughed again when a flush rose up her body.
She stood and turned to the balcony, leaning forward to get a good look at the waves crashing below. She tensed briefly when Zadir’s arms wrapped around her waist, before relaxing into him. “Let’s go for a walk on the beach.” Her shoulders sagged in disappointment when he pulled back. Had she asked for too much? She turned slowly, trying to hide the disappointment she was sure reflected in her eyes. He sat back down and was, “Taking off your shoes?”
He looked at her strangely. “So I don’t get sand in my socks and shoes?”
“Right,” she said trying not to look too happy that he was taking her on a walk. A moonlit beach walk.
Zadir stood and grabbed the newly opened bottle of wine. “To ward off the chill,” he smiled and pulled her along with his other free hand.
Shala followed him down the steps and along a stoned paved path that ended where the sand began. The warmth of his strong hand made her body respond in all kinds of surprising ways. She tried to ignore her body’s response to him and simply enjoy the moment. Destroying the moment by asking for more than he was willing to give was not her idea of a good time. She would keep all of that buried so she was present enough to memorize every detail of this night. “This place is so gorgeous and so different from home. The colors are different and even the vibe is different.
“Vibe? I think you’ve been watching too much American television, Shala.”
She tilted her head defiantly, “I love American television and there’s no such thing as too much.” She stuck her tongue out at him and stole the bottle of wine, walking several feet away until her feet were in the warm water. She sought out his gaze as the moon spotlighted him for her and took a long sip from the bottle.
Zadir groaned when her tongue snaked out to get a stray deep red drop of wine. Fists and jaws clenched tightly, he fought for control and he’d gotten it. Until he spotted another stray drop at the corner of her mouth. “Shala,” he growled just seconds before cupping her face and angling her head until their mouths were fused together.
There was something different about the kiss but Shala couldn’t pinpoint it. The obvious answer was that the kiss was hotter and more intense than any of their other kisses. Her nipples were sensitive and stung a little from the pressure of their bodies pressed together tightly. She felt moisture gathering at the juncture of her thighs and her senses were all firing. All she could see or hear, taste or smell, was Zadir. He was where her universe started and ended in this moment. Nothing mattered but him, but them, as their mouths battled to seek and give pleasure. Eyes closed and bent over his arm, a loud groan escaped but Zadir swallowed it, making her body pull even tighter. She pushed at his chest until their mouths were two separate entities again. “Zadir,” she panted, then smiled as her fingers touched on her kiss swollen lips.
“Do I need to apologize?” He prepared for the sting of rejection, the pain of ignoring the built up passion.
Shala shook her head, still gasping for air. “If you do, I’ll punch you. Hard.”
He chuckled and leaned in again. “Good,” he said and took her mouth again in a softer but just as hot version of their earlier kiss. “Because the only thing I’m sorry about is that we’re not somewhere I can do what I really want to do.” He felt her shiver but Zadir also held his breath, hoping his words hadn’t offended her.
She looked up into those green eyes the color of a dark, dense forest and just as dangerous. She knew there was no use pretending she didn’t want this, didn’t want him. She did. Her body wouldn’t allow her to lie about that. She wanted Zadir more than she’d ever wanted any man, and she wanted him to be the one to take her where no one had. If I do this, I can’t let my heart get more involved. She knew it was a pointless argument, she was still in love with him, only this time she was in love with who he really was. Not some fun party boy with a charming smile, but the intelligent and funny and sweet man who would do his family proud if given the chance. If I give him my body and my heart, how will I ever get over him? Because she knew there was no future for them. He wanted her. He liked her, sure, but he also lusted after her and that’s what was driving this. She couldn’t lie to herself about that. She was going to do this tonight, with the only man she had ever loved. And she would have to be okay when he walked away. Shala looked up at Zadir and saw his nervousness. A smile crept up the corners of her mouth. “Then maybe we should go find that somewhere so you can.”
Zadir searched her face, looking for any sign that she wasn’t sure. They’d finished off a bottle of wine earlier but he didn’t think she was drunk. He wanted her, more than he’d wanted a woman since Kerri. He saw his own desire reflected back in her golden gaze and the little pulse at the hollow of her throat said her heart was racing the same as his. She wanted this. He wanted it too, but could he really give her more than a good time? Zadir didn’t know, but when she licked her lips, he groaned and knew he would take this night with her. He had to.
She patted his biceps and squeezed, smiling. “I’m not drunk and I am sure that I want to do this with you. I want you.”
“I want you too,” he told her kissed her until she was breathless and desperately trying to unbutton his shirt.
All of a sudden she was airborne, landing on a hard shoulder with a small thud. “Oh!” She used the time it took him to get from the beach to the house, to roam the expanse of his back, his tight butt that she couldn’t help grabbing. “You know, your body is in excellent shape.” She cringed at the breathy sound of her voice.
His laugh vibrated through her body, making her shiver and making Zadir laugh even harder. “Thanks. I guess that’s the other good thing that came of that stupid accident.”
Eyes closed tight, Shala tried to ignore the words. When that didn’t work she tried to ignore the warm sensation that washed over her. Her hands slid up and down his butt and thighs, and then she was unceremoniously dumped on a bed. His bed. “Oh,” she squealed, but Zadir was on her and swallowing her scream before she could get her bearings about her. He was kissing her, first her mouth and then her neck and then the area between her breasts. She writhed against the steel encased denim as it pushed against her. One hand snaked up her leg, inside her thigh and she vibrated with need when his knuckles grazed her moist center. “Zadir,” she moaned.
Her moan had him even harder, knowing she was turned on and out of her mind with lust for him. He stared at her for a minute, taking in her beauty and her innate sensuality. “You are gorgeous, Shala.” He pulled the zipper at her side and gently pulled the dress off her body. Next was her thin strap of yellow lace. It was summer and bright like her. He tossed them aside and ran a finger through her folds, loving that swift intake of breath. He did it again and again until he felt her thighs tremble.
“Zadir,” she moaned again when he kissed his way up her body, stopping to love on her breasts while she reached for him. “Please.”
That breathy plea nearly undid him. He stood and removed his clothes, eyeing her darkly when she gasped at the sight of him.
“You’re beautiful.”
He heard the awe in her voice and did the only thing he could at the moment. He crawled up her body and kissed the hell out of her. “I need to taste you.”
Her eyes were hazy with lust. She nodded, “Okay.”
He gave her a satisfied smile and began to place open mouth kisses all over her body, while she moaned and cried out his name. How he maintained control, Zadir didn’t know. He only knew that he needed to keep hearing that sound and he needed to get his mouth on her. Now. One swipe of his tongue and she bucked her hips, screamed and pulled his hair.
“Zadir, no!”
He looked at her in confusion. “You said I could taste you.”
“Yeah but, never mind,” she sighed and fell back against the pillow.
He shrugged and got back to business, licking and sucking at her core until her legs squeezed him tight and she trembled and screamed his name.
Shala quickly got over her embarrassment when the feeling of his wet tongue against her most private parts, sent a jolt through her so powerful that her body had acted on its own. Up and down his tongue swiped, from her opening to her clit, over and over until her body shook with the force of her impending orgasm. “Zadir, Zadir,” she moaned over and over, his name the only thought in her mind. “Oh!” She screamed out when his tongue slid inside her body and her body felt as though it had been set on fire with tiny earthquakes. Her body moved on its own, absorbing the pleasure and riding the waves out. “Wow,” she whispered when she finally caught her breath and landed safely back on earth.
He laughed and kissed around the stiffened peak of her nipple. “You look so beautiful when you come, I almost couldn't stop tasting you. I would taste you forever just to see that look on your face.”
Her mouth froze in a shocked ‘o’. “Well if every time feels like that, I just might let you.” Her hand lay on his stomach, gaining her attention when he flinched at her touch. Her gaze traveled south and when it landed on that hard column of male flesh, her mouth watered. She sat up, looked at Zadir and then at his erection. Shala wrapped her hand around it and squeezed tight. “Sorry,” she muttered when he hissed out a breath.
“It’s fine. Feels good. Too good.”
“Okay enough,” he growled, pulling her up and on her back in one quick move. “I need you, Shala. Need you.”
She nodded and gave him a nervous smile, secretly bracing herself for the pain she heard was nearly unbearable. But Zadir’s kisses had drugged her until she was so boneless and relaxed she couldn’t prepare herself if she tried. “Now, please,” she begged, releasing a grunted “Ow,” when he slid into her in one long thrust.
Zadir froze when he’d felt himself plow through a barrier that shouldn’t be there. He looked down and saw the wariness on her gaze. Had he forced her into something she wasn’t ready for? Dammit, he cursed himself and began to pull away until a pair of tiny hands squeezed his ass, stopping his movement.
“Zadir look at me.” She cupped his face to make sure she had his attention. “I want this. Zadir, I want you. Okay?”
His smile mixed with relief and amazement. She always seemed to get it, to get him and that made him feel good. Really good. He watched her face, saw the disappointment when he began to pull out. He saw her war with herself to keep fighting him or let him go. She chose the latter and he chose that moment to push back into her. The high pitch scream made him harder. “You’re so tight. Wet.” His brain wasn’t capable of regular function as he pounded into her, and complete sentences were out of the question.
Shala caught the rhythm and rolled her hips against, loving the way she felt something new with each new thrust. Her body wanted what Zadir gave it, but it was enough. “More,” she begged as her hands roamed the muscles of his chest and arms. “You’re so hot,” she panted loving the way his body looked as it worked to bring them both pleasure.
He grunted at her words and increased his speed, deepened his thrusts. He was used to women saying things about the way he looked, but the way Shala said it felt different. She meant it, but he didn’t like the doubt he heard in her voice. “Shala, tell me you like it.”
“I can’t, because I love it. I need you, Zadir. More of you.”
He gave her what she wanted, until they were both sweaty and out of breath. He changed the angle, contorting her body so he could hit that spot again and again until her body tightened like a bow. He didn’t slow down or ease up. “Shala,” he groaned when he felt his own orgasm barreling forward. “Shala!” He screamed her name in her ear, shuddered several times and collapsed on top of her.
Shala wrapped her arms around him, letting her fingers dance across his muscles while he rode out his own pleasure. Her own core continued to pulse around him, begging for more of his brand of loving. “Zadir that was magnificent,” she whispered and curled her tongue around his ear lobe. A smile crossed her face when he shivered.
She had never felt so satisfied, so boneless in her entire life. She couldn’t move and her body ached so wonderfully, but she felt so good. Different, but good. Tears pricked at her eyes but she fought them back, refusing to let her emotions and expectations ruin this moment for her. She loved him, so what? Big deal. She knew he didn’t love her back and that this didn’t mean anything more to him than sex. But she also knew that she would give anything, would do anything to feel that way every single day for the rest of her life.
Too bad it won’t be with you.
* * *
Zadir lie in bed, frozen with fear in the aftermath of their lovemaking. He’d been with plenty of women, more than he should probably, and not once had he been affected the way Shala affected him. His orgasm had been powerful. Too powerful. He felt tears prick at his eyes and that was something he didn’t do, not ever.
And damn, she’d given him the gift of her virginity. That had given him a certain measure of male pride, to know that no man but him had ever been inside her sweet lush body. He also had to acknowledge that it was a big deal for her. But, how big? Did she expect a proposal and a promise of forever or was she in it for the physical release? He couldn’t be sure what her expectations were, but he knew that he liked Shala. He liked her more than he’d ever liked a woman, even Kerri, but he wasn’t sure he was ready for a wife and a family of his own. Eventually he wanted those things, but first he needed to get Alzari Holdings back.
That had to be his main focus until he was installed as the head of the company. He couldn’t let anyone, not even sweet and innocent Shala, distract him from his goals. Careful not to wake her, Zadir slid out of bed and covered her sleeping body. He needed to get away from Shala and her sweet scent, her curvy body and those understanding eyes. He couldn’t think straight when she was around, and more than ever he needed to think clearly.
He stepped through the sliding doors, sucking in a lungful of salty ocean air, and decided to walk down to the beach. The warm breeze cooled his still overheated body and the sand sank between his toes. So far this trip had been more successful than he could have ever anticipated. If things went alright with the Sun Energy people, his father would have no choice but to give Alzari Holdings back to him. The chime of his phone interrupted Zadir’s thoughts. “Yeah?”
“Zadir? It’s Rashid.”
He rolled his eyes. “What can I do for you, Rashid?” He felt a pang of guilt at the sigh his brother released.
“I was calling for two reasons. First to congratulate you on The Crown Jewel. I knew you could do it, but the price you paid was unreal! Impressive.”
Zadir was so shocked he had to take a seat in the sand. Rashid had never offered so much praise, and worst of all, it sounded sincere. “Uh, thank you.”
Rashid chuckled. “Don’t sound so surprised, Zadir. If you listened you’d hear a lot more. Anyway the other reason I’m calling is because I’d like you to come home next week for a special family dinner.”
“Aww, Rashid, anything but that.”
“It’s important, Zadir, please. I really want you here and so does Sabrina. Only for two days.”
He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Okay yes, I’ll be home next week.”
“Thanks baby brother!”
“Seven minutes, Rashid.” He disconnected the call to the sound of his brother laughing. His uptight, always business brother, laughing. At him, no less. Will wonders never cease? He turned his back to the water and walked back to the bungalow. He grabbed a pillow and a sheet, took one last longing look at Shala and went to the sofa.
* * *
The next morning dawned earlier than Zadir was prepared for as he unfolded his big body from the child-size sofa. He groaned and stretched his body, looking around the room with barely awake eyes. The sun was already shining bright, making the water sparkle like diamonds. He smiled. What a great way to wake up. As much as he loved Jovanbar, his favorite view was the beautiful greenish-blue ocean.
The bungalow was silent as he crept to his room in hopes of grabbing a shower without disturbing Shala. He didn’t have to worry about that since his bed was empty and her frantically discarded clothing was nowhere to be found. Zadir knew he shouldn’t feel disappointed over that fact, but he did. What did you expect after you abandoned her in your bed, dumbass? Disgusted with the entire situation, he closed himself into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower.
When he emerged from his bedroom twenty minutes later, the common rooms were still free of Shala’s presence. He couldn’t help but wonder where Shala had disappeared to. Was she still asleep? Did she decide to have breakfast at the hotel? Then he heard it, the sound of her phone ringing. It stopped abruptly, so he knew she was still here, yet she decided to stay in her room. “Good,” he muttered to himself. He needed to focus on Sun Energy and how he would convince them to sell it to him rather than another solar company. He wouldn’t be able to focus with Shala at his side, so he quickly sucked down his coffee and slipped out of the bungalow while she talked on the phone. He felt a pang of unease at his actions, especially after the night they shared. The gift she’d given him.
But he needed to maintain his focus. That had always been his problem in the past. He was easily distracted, by girls and parties, impromptu vacations, nightclubs and anything shiny and fun. It was why his baby sister ran the company while he had to prove himself. Given all of her hard work to help him, he felt guilty for leaving without a word, but right now she was the distraction. Shala was the reason his head wasn’t in the game and he knew she would understand.
He hoped she would.
But as the driver stopped in front of Sun Energy Makers, all thoughts of Shala fled. At least they mostly did. There were times, when he chatted with the important figureheads, that he wished for her research or a small encouraging smile. But he’d left her behind for a reason, so he got down to the business of charming them and selling them.
“Your Highness, we are worried that your interest in SEM has nothing to do with our product. Thousands of islanders rely on us for their employment.” Their spokesperson was a young Spanish man with good looks and a friendly demeanor called Fernando.
Zadir sat tall and relaxed into the people across the table from him with a smile. “First, please call me Zadir. I am a businessman first. Now, I understand your concern but you have no reason to worry. I am interested in SEM because of what it produces. It’s no secret Jovanbar doesn’t have endless oil reserves, and my plan is to look to the future, which we are standing in. Solar and wind energy are the future and since I’m not bound to oil, my future is now.” His words seemed to appease the small group gathered today. “Nothing will change except I will have one or two of my people here to oversee operations. So you see, nearly all of the jobs are safe.”
Fernando stood and gave a sharp look to the others, who quickly vanished. “I think we should tour the facility, yes?”
Zadir agreed and spent the next two hours learning how solar panels were made, new solar technology and speaking with his future employees. “I like Rafael,” he said as they returned to the conference room. “He seems like a straightforward, capable guy.” He admired hard work and intelligence and based on his input, Rafael had it in abundance.
“He is the best floor manager we’ve ever had. He’s organized, always thinking about ways to improve productivity without overworking the employees and he’s dedicated to his job.” Fernando clapped his hands once. “So, shall we talk about finalizing this deal?”
Zadir gave his best satisfied smile and it stayed glued to his face the entire ride back to the bungalow. The contracts were in the hands of the lawyers now, but soon Sun Energy Makers would join the Alzari Holdings family. He couldn’t wait to tell Shala and his father, but her reaction would give him more satisfaction.
He was still smiling when he opened the door and entered the bungalow. “Shala! I have great news,” he walked into the living room and found it empty. “Where are you, we need to celebrate!” He checked her room and his, the pool area and the beach. Empty.
Shala wasn’t there.
* * *
Shala was angry. She was pissed off and she wanted to scream. It was her own stupid fault for letting her hormones and her feelings get the better of her. She should have kept her clothes on and her legs closed and she wouldn’t feel like a discarded article of clothing. That was the primary source of her aggravation and anger. She’d woken up in the middle of the night and reached across the bed to find it not only empty, but cold. A quick trip to the kitchenette for water and she was surprised to find Zadir asleep on the couch. He hadn’t just fallen asleep, as evidenced by the pillow and sheet. She’d known right then what was happening. Zadir had gotten what he wanted and he was done.
Well, she was done too. She’d marched back to his room, grabbed her clothes and went to her room where she washed away all traces of his scent. She got rid of every trace of him, except for the aches in her muscles, and fell into a fitful sleep.
When the pesky sun decided that her closed eyes were the perfect spot to shine, she got up and got dressed for their meeting with Sun Energy Makers. Refusing to have any type of conversation with Zadir, Shala stayed in her room and took a series of calls from the office with an eye on the clock. She’d caught up with her boss and sent the Sheikh a report on their newest acquisitions. Thirty minutes before the meeting she finally exited her bedroom only to find Zadir had already left.
Without her.
She shrugged it off and changed into a sundress with canvas shoes and a large brimmed hat. I guess all that time I spent alone in childhood would finally come in handy, she thought as she set about sightseeing on the island. It was a beautiful place, so full of vibrant colors and kind people. She’d eaten lunch at a seafood restaurant where she was befriended by an American couple on vacation, and then strolled through the street market and purchased several trinkets and mementos.
She hadn’t minded the alone time, only resented the reason behind it. By the time she’d finished walking around, her skin was a toasty brown color and she was feeling sun fatigue, and decided to head back to the bungalow. Her wish for Zadir to be anywhere but the bungalow went unanswered. He sat on the sofa, flipping channels.
“Shala, where have you been? I’ve been worried.”
“I was out.” She looked at him and she could admit, to herself at least, that he looked worried. It didn’t matter, not anymore. She was done caring about his feelings, caring about him. She needed to keep it professional because she liked her job, but his actions spoke volumes about what he really thought or felt about her.
“Out where?”
“On the island. Why are you asking so many questions?”
“I came back and you weren’t here.”
She shrugged and brushed past him. “I had the day off and decided to see the sights.”
“Oh. Okay.” Zadir followed her to her suite. “We closed the Sun Energy Makers deal! Now it’s up to the lawyers.”
Her heart ached at the bright smile on his face, seeking approval for a job well done. She wouldn’t disappoint. He was the boss, after all. “Congratulations, Zadir. The Sheikh will be pleased.” She took off her shoes and sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to speak or leave.
“Let’s go celebrate!” He stepped inside her room and grabbed her hand, pulling her off the bed and into his arms.
Shala closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, slowly letting it go. She shouldn’t feel so good, so at home in his arms. But she did, god help her, she did. She took a few seconds to savor the warmth before she pulled back. “No thanks, Zadir. I’ve had a long day and the sun tired me out. I’m going to relax around here. You go…have fun.” She gently pushed him out of her room and gave him a sad look before she closed the door on him. And let the tears fall.