In Too Deep_ Husband Material & the Sheikh's Bargained Bride - Brenda Jackson [64]
“Do you believe me now, ya rohi?”
She tore out of his arms and stumbled back. “Believe you? You painted yourself blacker than I ever had! What will that mean for you in your kingdom? I can only assume the worst. You big fool!” Then she threw her arms around him and smothered him in kisses. Tears flowed faster as his mingled with hers. He’d just proved he was as far gone in love with her as she was with him, and feared losing her as much. “Oh, ya habibi,” she sobbed, “I might have been reluctant to believe you right away, but I would have eventually. You didn’t have to go to this extreme.”
He shook his head. “I did. I couldn’t let you doubt my love for you a moment longer. I couldn’t risk that you’d always feel some distrust. I had to agt’a ash’shak bel yaqeen—cleave doubt with certainty, once and forever.”
“You don’t have to,” she insisted. “I will never doubt you again. Please, tell that man to announce a retraction.”
“I won’t. It’s my punishment for letting myself be blinded to the truth, your truth. It’s my thanks to you for saving me from spending my life without you, and in misery.”
“If you want to thank me, you won’t punish yourself. I can’t bear seeing you suffer in any way. And what will your family, your father, think?”
“I couldn’t care less. I’ll take care of any fallout. The only thing that matters to me is what you think and feel, and that you give me the chance to prove my love to you.”
A fresh stream of tears, of delight and gratitude, poured down her cheeks. “More than this?”
He pressed her against his body that trembled with emotion. “I haven’t even started. I intend to do everything in my power, everything I can think of. And believe me, I can think of endless ways to prove my love.”
“I promise you the same.” She looked up at him, felt her heart quivering with adoration for this magnificent man, her man, for real, forever, even as a mischievous grin played on her lips. “Wanna bet I’ll think of more things than you can?”
“Hmm, sounds like we’ve got a challenge on our hands. I like that. You know me and challenges—I never lose.”
She melted back into his arms, sighing her bliss. “And I might just let you win….”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6017-1
IN TOO DEEP
Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
HUSBAND MATERIAL
Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Brenda Jackson is acknowledged as the author of “Husband Material.”
THE SHEIKH’S BARGAINED BRIDE
Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Olivia Gates is acknowledged as the author of “The Sheikh’s Bargained Bride.”
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Table of Contents
HUSBAND MATERIAL
Brenda Jackson
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
THE SHEIKH’S BARGAINED BRIDE
Olivia Gates
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter