‘I can see you’re very busy,’ the handsome Italian said, taking the hint, his dark eyes flashing with amusement. ‘I hope to spend more time with you later.’
‘Was he looking at me when he said that?’ Eva demanded huffily, her cheeks an attractive shade of pink, Britt thought, as Eva closed the door behind the count with a flourish.
‘There’s no need to sound so peeved,’ Leila pointed out. ‘He’s hot. And he’s polite.’
‘I do like a man who’s polite in the bedroom,’ Britt commented tongue in cheek.
‘Wow, wow, wow,’ Leila whispered as Britt opened the lid of the velvet box. ‘And there’s a note,’ she added as the three Skavanga sisters stared awestruck at the blue-white diamond heart hanging from a finely worked platinum chain; the diamond flashing fire in all the colours of the rainbow.
Britt read the note while her sisters read over her shoulder: I hope you enjoy wearing the first polished diamond to come from the Skavanga mine. It’s as flawless as you are. Sharif.
‘Cheese-ee,’ Eva commented. ‘And he doesn’t know you very well.’
Britt shook her head as the three sisters laughed.
When she walked down the red-carpeted steps towards him, the congregation in the grand ceremonial hall faded away, and there was only Britt— Beautiful Britt. His bride. But she was so much more than that and they were so much more together than they were apart.
‘You look beautiful,’ he murmured as her flame-haired sister and the young one, Leila, peeled away.
Now there were just the two of them he didn’t dare to look at her or he’d carry her away and to hell with everyone. It took all he’d got to repeat the vows patiently and clearly when all the time his arms ached to hold her. Britt’s darkening eyes said she felt the same, and as she held his gaze to tease him she knew how that would test him.
His control was definitely being severely tested, but that was one of the things he loved about Britt. She challenged him on every front and always had.
And long may it continue, he thought, teasing her back by staring fixedly ahead.
Sharif in heavy black silk robes perfumed with Sandalwood and edged with gold was a heady sight.
And he was her husband...
Her husband, Britt reflected, feeling a volcanic excitement rising inside her. Could she contain her lust? Sharif was refusing to look at her and it was only when they were declared man and wife that he finally turned.
Now she knew why he’d refused to look at her. The fire in his eyes was enough to melt her bones. How was she going to stand this? How was she going to sit through the wedding breakfast?
The food was delicious, but even that wasn’t enough of a distraction. The setting was unparalleled, but nothing could take her mind off the main event. Candles flickered in golden sconces, casting a mellow glow over the jewel-coloured hangings, making golden plates and goblets flash as if they were on fire, while crystal glasses twinkled like fireflies dancing through the night. It was a voluptuous feast, prepared by world-renowned chefs, but she wondered if it would ever end, and was surprised when Sharif stood up.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he began in the deep husky voice Sharif could use to seduce to command. ‘The evening is young, and I urge you to enjoy everything to the full. Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate this happiest of days, but now I must beg you to excuse us—’
She still didn’t quite understand until Sharif whistled up his horse and held out his hand to her. His black stallion galloped into the hall. As coup de théâtre went, she had to admit this one was unparalleled. As their guests gasped the stallion skidded to a halt within inches of its master, and the next thing she knew Sharif was lifting her onto the saddle and holding her safely in front of him.
She gasped as the stallion reared, his silken mane flowing like liquid black diamonds, as his flashing ebony hooves clawed imperiously at the air.
The instant he touched down again, Sharif gave a command in the harsh tongue of Kareshi, and the horse took them galloping out of the hall into a starlit night, and a future that was sure to fulfil all their desires.