Chapter 11
Libby couldn’t breathe. Her heart raced and her throat constricted as she swallowed back the tears threatening to fall. She had gotten turned around on her search to the kitchen to grab a snack before she had to get ready for the ball. Her nerves were twisted up and she figured tea or ginger ale with some type of cookie might settle her, but she had somehow ended up near the front of the palace rather than the rear where the kitchen was. Then she’d heard Amir’s voice and smiled, knowing he would show her the way and maybe kiss her senseless on their journey. But the words she heard had stopped her cold.
“I chose Libby because she was completely unsuitable. I knew the moment Mother got a look at her, she would have a fit at the long, flowing dresses and curly hair. The whole bohemian thing, I figured would be a disaster for a Sheikh’s wife.”
It had all been a bigger sham than even she had realized. Instead of the two of them being a team, deceiving the world about their relationship, she’d been duped as well. Amir had used her because she was unsuitable. Unworthy. She should have known but he’d made sure she didn’t by blinding her with lust. And I let him. She felt disgusted with herself and with Amir. He’d known all along what he was doing. Including taking the virginity I so eagerly offered up on a silver platter.
She was the fool here, not him. It wouldn’t be fair to punish him, but she couldn’t stay here. Couldn’t spend more time than necessary in his presence without wanting to yell and scream at him for hurting her this way. But a deal was a deal and if nothing else Libby was a woman of her word. One more night. She would make it through the ball tonight and then she would leave.
Back upstairs Libby decided to luxuriate in a long hot bath before getting ready for the ball. Malika had offered her use of the makeup artist and hair stylist and she was now glad she had passed on the generous offer. It was bad enough she would be stuck wearing a red dress that did nothing for her pale skin, short stature or feminine curves, she didn’t want a face full of gunk and a ten pounds of hairspray too. She added a handful of rose petals to the rose scented oil she’d placed in the water, undressed and slid down with a satisfied groan.
This was exactly what I needed. While the water did nothing to wash away her sorrow it did remove the stress kinks in her neck and the rose scent calmed her shaky nerves. Soon it was time to get ready and though she didn’t feel ready, she was determined to see her commitment through to the end. Tomorrow this will all be a memory, she reminded herself as she took in her reflection in the mirror. Her skin had gotten some color thanks to the time on the island and even the day of sightseeing in Sydney.
In the bedroom, she took a look at the red gown Amir had bought for tonight and groaned. The dress would make her look like a little girl with too many curves, but she had no choice. But she did have an idea, so she picked up the phone and asked one of the servants to bring her white flowers with the stems. Now I’m ready.
Two hours later, with some help from one of the servants, she had poured herself into the blood red gown with the jeweled sweetheart bodice and full princess skirt. “What do you think Lala?”
She noted the beautiful woman’s twisted lips and smiled. “It is beautiful, but it is too much dress for such a tiny woman.”
“My sentiments exactly. But we can’t change that at the moment. Are the flowers straight?” She’d made a crown of flowers to offset the stuffiness of the dress. And now that she no longer felt the need to please Amir, she didn’t have to worry about it.
“You look stunning Miss Libby.”
“Maybe I’ll leave this dress for you. I’ll bet you look like a model in it,” she said, noting the long shapely legs under the plain black dress all the female servants wore. Lala blushed, but said nothing. “I’ll pin a note to it just to be safe,” she said more to herself than the young woman beside her.
“Did you bring jewels,” she asked as she looked through the final bags Libby hadn’t bothered emptying.
“No. I’m not much on jewelry, but I think this dress is more than enough.” Plus, she’d chosen the flowers to avoid jewelry.
“But these ruby earrings are gorgeous!”
Eyes wide Libby frowned at the box. “That’s not mine.”
“Their placement would say otherwise,” she offered with a smile. “Try them on.”
The gems were magnificent, but the moment she put them on the last of her joy whooshed out of her. This woman was the woman Amir wanted. The one who wore fine clothes and precious gems effortlessly. He’s right. I am totally unsuitable. She shook her head at the reflection she hardly recognized. It’s a good thing none of this was real, she reminded herself, ignoring the other voice calling her a liar. Even if it had been real for her and even if she had fallen in love with him—which she would not confirm or deny to herself—it didn’t matter because none of it had been real.
Everything she had been feeling, that connection and the pounding in her heart when he was near, was fake. False. Manufactured. Her reactions, her supposed love was based on lies. So no, she wasn’t in love with him.
Liar.
Libby turned with a half smile for Lala. “I guess I’m ready then.”
* * *
“Your Libby is looking beautiful tonight.”
Amir looked at his mother and nodded his agreement. “She is,” he said, but he he’d also noticed she was acting strange. She smiled and charmed every single person he introduced her to but the smile didn’t reach her eyes and her laugh rang a little too loud though he was sure no one else noticed. They were all transfixed by the pretty American with the flowers in her hair.
“Have you spoken to her yet?”
“I haven’t had the chance. She spent nearly the entire day in her rooms preparing for tonight.”
Malika frowned. “But I saw her earlier…never mind. She probably had trouble navigating the palace.”
“I will talk to her in the morning. Tonight she will likely be exhausted.” At least he hoped that was all this odd behavior was about.
“I spoke to your father earlier Amir. Do not wait too long,” she warned and walked away to join his father.
Amir sighed at her words. Both his parents thought she needed to know how he felt and he agreed. Though now he wondered if it would be welcome information. There were times he thought maybe she felt what he felt, but tonight things were different. Yet when he spotted her across the room smiling with one of his great uncles he was drawn to her. She was beautiful.
“Do you mind Uncle, if I steal Libby for a dance?”
“If you don’t then I will Amir,” he said with a laugh, brushing a kiss to Libby’s hand before leaving them alone.
He held out a hand to her which she accepted with a barely there smile. “You look breathtaking this evening Libby.”
“Thank you Amir,” she answered stiffly.
“Is something wrong?”
Big blue eyes turned up at him, completely devoid of emotion. “No, why?”
“You’re acting strangely Libby. I hardly recognize you.”
Her lips pursed. “Isn’t that the point?”
“What? Of course not, I like you just the way you are.”
She scoffed in disbelief, but she said nothing, pasting on a smile so all the onlookers didn’t get a whiff of gossip. “Perfectly unsuitable,” she said so low he wasn’t sure he heard her right.
“We should talk Libby. I wanted to wait until tomorrow, but I see my parents were right and I shouldn’t.” He grabbed her hand and though she resisted, he was much stronger and finally she began walking behind him.
“There’s nothing to talk about Amir. I’d rather stay here and finish the evening.”
He heard her words, but he ignored them, pulling her down a long hall and up a long staircase that lead to the hall where his rooms were. “You’re so wrong Libby. There’s so much to say.”
“No, there isn’t.” Her blue eyes were hurt now and he didn’t understand it.
“Libby tell me what’s wrong. Please.” His heart raced and his stomach dropped at the realization that something was terribly wrong and he didn’t know what it was.
Reaching behind her, Libby tugged on the zipper until the dress fell into a puddle at her feet. “Nothing’s wrong Amir. In fact, this is just as you wanted it, right?”
He knew she spoke because her lush red lips were moving, but he couldn’t tear his eyes from the lingerie she wore that shot straight to his cock. Amir didn’t know exactly what it was only that it had an all lace bodice that pushed her breasts up and garter belts. Fucking garter belts! White lace top stockings and lace panties there barely covered a thing.
“I don’t want to talk Amir.” She sat on his bed and pushed back before leaning on her elbows so her body was on display.
His mouth watered and Amir couldn’t remember exactly what they were supposed to be talking about. He couldn’t remember anything other than what he wanted to do to her body. “Hell Libby, you look good enough to eat.”
She laughed and the sound was husky but hollow. “That is a fantastic place to start.” Her legs fell open suggestively but she was still covered. Too covered.
Amir tugged on her leg to remedy that. Pulling her close he kept her shoes on, sliding his hands up her legs and gripping the side of those lacy panties that had quickly become his favorite thing. To remove. One tug and they ripped. “Now that’s better,” he growled at the sight of her pulsing glistening wet center. Next he unhooked the clasps down the front of her until her pale, freckled breasts were free. Kissing his way down her body, he took one quick taste and forgot everything else as her hips bucked and his tongue sank deep into her.
“Yes, Amir.” Finally, her voice was back to normal, that sweet passionate sound that made him want to devour her.
And that’s exactly what he did. Devour her for long, endless minutes while she writhed and bucked and screamed his name. For as long as he lived Amir knew he would never forget the sounds she made. They weren’t practiced for his gratification, Libby simply gave her all in the bedroom as much as she did in life. He loved it.
I love her.
That thought should have scared him, but it didn’t. Instead, it made him hotter, hungrier, and the minute she exploded in his mouth, he slowed his ministrations before jumping up and stripping down. “I’ll never get enough of tasting you Libby.”
She groaned with a sleepy eyed expression and reached for him. “As good as that sounds I need to feel you moving inside me.”
“Libby,” he groaned. The way she spoke was enough to turn him on and get him halfway to orgasm. “I can’t wait, love.”
She sat up and on her elbows with a glint in her eyes. “Who’s asking you to?”
Good point. He knelt on the bed, palming her thighs so she was completely revealed to him. Wet and glistening he dipped his tongue for a quick taste, but his cock wanted in on the action. Rearing up, his gaze connected with hers as he sank into her damp heat, groaning at the hot grip, at the connection. At the rightness of being like this with her. “Ah, Libby. You wreck me.”
She said nothing, he noticed, but the way she threw herself into their lovemaking humbled him. Drove him out of his damn mind the way her hips rolled in sync with his, the way her nails raked down his back. He couldn’t stand the distance between them, the distance seemed eager to put between them and he pressed their bodies together fully, kissing her hungrily. He poured it all into that kiss and she took it, moaning and holding him close as her body began to pulse. “Amir, please.”
The kiss changed, deepened and turned into something else. Something more emotional. Tender. She cried out as her orgasm shot out of her like a rocket, vibrating as it worked it’s way out. Two, he smiled and increased the pace, the depth of his own strokes until he found release with her name on his lips.
All night they made love. She gave it all and he happily accepted it until the last time. Libby sat astride him, his cock buried deep. Head thrown back as her hips moved faster and faster until they shouted simultaneous pleasure. She bent to kiss him and it was soft and gentle, and it felt suspiciously like an ending. Like goodbye.
He wanted to say something, but her hips continued to move as her mouth devoured his and he felt powerless to do anything other than feel. Finally the kiss ended and Amir opened his mouth to speak, but sleep quickly claimed him.
When he woke hours later Libby wasn’t beside him and he wasn’t surprised. Whatever had caused her mood yesterday hadn’t likely passed and last night he’d let her distract him but this morning he wouldn’t. Couldn’t. Amir didn’t wait until he was decent, he slipped on pajama pants and walked down the hall to her rooms. He knocked and waited.
And waited.
Finally the door opened to reveal, “Lala? Where is Libby?”
She gasped and bowed. “She is gone, Sheikh.”
“Gone where,” he asked, but the ball of lead settling in his gut told him exactly where.
“Home was all she said. But,” she turned and handed him an envelope, “she asked that I make sure you get this.”
He accepted it, but he felt numb as reality settled in. He’d been about to tell her that he loved her, wanted their arrangement to become real and she’d fled. “Thank you Lala.” Back in his room, he sat on the bed and looked at her whimsical loopy handwriting on the envelope and opened it.
The ring he’d bought her fell out first and his body suddenly felt as cold as the platinum and diamonds in his hand. He unfolded the paper and felt everything in him freeze as he read.
Amir,
I heard what you said the day of the ball. How you chose me because I was unsuitable and you never expected your family to like me. You promised not to humiliate me, but that was your plan all along, wasn’t it? I guess the joke was on me the entire time. Even though I now know it was all fake, I fell in love with you somewhere along the way.
I’ve held up my end of our agreement Amir so it’s time to say goodbye. Good luck Amir, I know you’ll be a great leader.
That was it. She didn’t sign it, just left it at that. “Dammit!”
He couldn’t believe it. She’d heard his conversation with his father, but clearly she had only heard a portion of it or else she would still be here. With him where she belonged. He stood and scanned the room and he knew he would go to her.
I’m coming for you Libby.