Their first day back in his homeland had been long and tiring for Samia. She would be relieved when he dismissed their attendants. He was looking forward to introducing his bride to their beautiful suite of rooms within the historic palace of Madlena.
He needn’t have worried. The moment they walked into their apartment she exclaimed with pleasure. Staring up at the elaborately painted ceiling with its billowing white clouds, clear blue skies and plump pink cherubs circling the heavens on sunlit wings, she turned full circle with her arms outstretched, fingertips reaching out like a bird in flight. ‘This is absolutely glorious,’ she breathed.
‘I’m glad you like it,’ he said warmly. He’d always loved the painted ceiling, and believed the artwork in the palace had inspired his brother’s love for design. ‘It has been compared to the work of Michelangelo,’ he explained, ‘and is praised the world over for its excellence.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ she mused, but then her face fell and she looked away.
‘Samia?’
‘You don’t have to keep up the pretence now we’re alone.’
‘The pretence?’ he queried, frowning. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Our deal,’ she explained. ‘I realise you’re going to be busy from now on, and I want to reassure you that you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’ll have plenty to occupy my time while I’m here.’
‘You certainly will,’ he agreed, bringing her into his arms. She was tired. He must make allowances. But he couldn’t wait another moment to feel her body close to his. Pressing her back against the heavy mahogany door, he kissed her hungrily, and after a moment of resistance, she kissed him back.
‘What’s wrong?’ he queried gently as he brushed her wild red hair from her face. Her hair could never be contained for long, and however carefully she had arranged it, the lustrous locks had a will of their own. Just like Samia, he thought warmly. ‘I realise this is all new and strange to you, but you will get used to it in time.’
‘I am not worthy.’
He knew she was trying to make a joke of it, but the shadows were back in her eyes. ‘Don’t say that, not even as a joke.’ Kissing her fears away was harder than he’d expected this time. So strong in so many ways, Samia was always ready to be hurt. It was as if she expected every rainbow to have a quagmire at the end of it instead of a pot of gold. Anger rose inside him as he thought again about her past, and he silently vowed that, whatever it took, he would make her whole again. ‘I can’t think of anyone worthier, or more fun and compassionate than you.’
‘That’s only because you don’t know me yet,’ she teased with a shrug.
‘And who do you think is taking the bigger chance in this relationship?’ he asked, dipping his head to stare her in the eyes. ‘Me or you?’
Her eyes searched his. ‘We both are,’ she said softly.
‘Then, let me reassure you...’
One kiss to soothe her, and another to arouse, and then he carried her across the room to the bed, by which time her arms were looped around his neck, and her legs had encircled his waist.
He couldn’t restrain himself and thrust hungrily against her plumply aroused body. She cried out with pleasure. Rotating his hips, he massaged the place that craved his attention most. That was the starting gun. Reaching for his belt buckle, she made short work of his zipper. Scraps of lace went flying, and moments later he took his beautiful bride thoroughly and completely in one ecstasy-provoking plunge.
Samia had no intention of holding on and came immediately. Shrieking his name, she bucked wildly in the grip of an orgasm so powerful he had to tighten his hold on her buttocks to keep her in place as the pleasure waves rolled on and on.
‘Good!’she exclaimed, collapsing against him.‘So good!’
He kissed her to soothe her down, until finally she smiled into his eyes and asked, ‘Now, can we go to bed?’
‘Whatever my princess desires.’
Having discovered the pleasures of sex, it seemed Samia couldn’t get enough, but this was more than sexual attraction for him, he reflected when she finally fell back on the bed groaning with contentment. This was trust and sharing, as he’d never known it before. A good sign for the future, he thought as Samia twined her legs around his and snuggled deep into his arms. ‘Can we sleep a little now?’ she said groggily.
‘Are you finally admitting I’ve exhausted you?’
Her steady breathing answered the question. Princess Samia was asleep.
Every lifelong relationship had to begin somewhere, he mused as he studied her sleeping face. She looked so innocent. Her moods had run the gamut since they’d met from exuberance to anxiety, on to doubt, and then to this sleeping contentment, which he mightily preferred. It made him feel good to raise her up any way he could. Samia deserved to be happy, and he was fiercely determined to make sure she was.
He had to ask himself, was this love? What was happening to him? He’d never felt such a wealth of feeling before, or such an overwhelming desire to remain close to someone, so he could protect and grow with them for the rest of his life. This so-called marriage of convenience was already so much more, he reflected as he rested back in bed.
It was the best night’s sleep she’d had in ages, but her mind remained made up. It was as though sleeping so soundly had finally reconnected the wires in her brain and she knew what she had to do. There was no going back now. Anxious not to wake Luca, who was sleeping soundly with one powerful arm thrown across his face, she crept out of bed and went to the dressing room where she dug out her old backpack and her mother’s walking boots, thoughtfully placed there with the rest of her things by Domenico, who had intuited how much they meant to her. She wouldn’t take anything she hadn’t arrived with, with the exception of her wedding ring, which refused point-blank to budge from her finger.
‘What are you doing?’
Shocked to be discovered acting furtively, she swung around to see Luca leaning against the door. ‘Leaving you.’
