Page 86 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

To touch her, to breathe in her scent.

To lose myself in her soft, warm flesh and hear her whisper begging for more.

We didn’t stay at our wedding reception longer than necessary to receive the guests’ congratulations. Then we stepped out onto the palace balcony to greet our people.

By protocol, the wedding celebration could last up to three days.

I hope the guests enjoy every moment of it. Outside the palace, long rows of tables overflow with food and drink so that the citizens of Rheadur may share in our happiness.

But now, I want her all to myself.

The only tense moment of the evening came when Arif approached to offer his greetings.

Adeela stiffened at my side. She looked anxious but not afraid. Not once did she lower her head to him, to his wives, or to her half-sisters. I was pleased she didn’t allow herself to be intimidated by the bastard’s arrogance or by those people who call themselves her family.

Her sisters didn’t hide their envy, but they were wise enough to treat her with the respect she deserved, even if I don’t doubt their courtesy was purely for show.

We still haven’t had an answer regarding the scorpion incident, but the investigators found nothing indicating Arif had been anywhere near the palace in the days following my mother-in-law’s arrival.

That can only mean he has one or more accomplices with unrestricted access to the private quarters. We just have to discover who.

Several fingerprints were found in Daisy’s suite, but it’ll take time to match them to anyone. In any case, Amin is arranging for every palace employee to be accounted for. Whoever tried to harm my mother-in-law has no idea how far I’ll go to find and punish them.

I push the worries to the back of my mind.

It feels like ever since I set foot back in Rheadur, I’ve done nothing but deal with one crisis after another.

Tonight will be different. Tonight it’s just me and her. Not the ruler of Rheadur and his wife but a man and a woman who crave each other beyond reason.

Despite what she said at the end of the ceremony—that she didn’t wish to linger either—she played her part, changing clothes a few times, and now she’s wearing the gown made by the European designer.

Adeela carries herself like a queen. It’s something you’re born with, not something you can learn.

As I watch her saying goodbye to our closest guests, including the American painter who came with her husband, I can barely contain my urge to go to her.

A surprise, she said.

I’ve never been a fan of surprises. Despite the life I’ve led, my world has always been one of plans and control. But tonight, I’ll set caution aside and accept whatever she’s planned for us.

Suddenly, she stops in the middle of the hall, as if waiting for me.

I stop hearing the guests’ chatter, the music, the smell of food in the air.

If someone asked, I couldn’t even tell them what day it is.

My focus is entirely on her.

In a silent agreement, we walk toward each other until we’re face-to-face.

Nothing else in the world matters more than the woman who, from this moment on, is a permanent part of my life.

One hour later

Out of control.

That’s what I feel as the four-wheel-drive takes me to the place my wife said I should meet her—out in the desert.

This isn’t how I imagined spending my wedding night, especially because Adeela insisted on going ahead of me. I only agreed because Amin was in the car with her.