Page 139 of Bred By the Sheikh

Not the full midnight display yet, but enough color flashed beyond the windows to wash the sitting room glass blue, red, and gold in quick succession.

I kicked off my heels near the sitting room.

Tariq glanced down at them.

“Leave them. Someone can deal with them later.”

“That was the plan.”

We crossed toward the wall of windows together.

Dubai glittered below us, but tonight the lights kept changing as bursts of color opened over different parts of the city.

The residence was quiet behind us.

Goblin was safely elsewhere with Farah and the staff. The hotel celebration continued several floors below. For once, no phone rang.

Tariq came behind me.

His arms circled my waist, then he cupped my belly.

The baby shifted beneath his touch.

He went still.

I laid my fingers over his hand.

Another movement came a moment later.

He kissed my temple.

“I felt that.”

I stayed where I was and leaned back against his chest.

The first distant countdown began somewhere below us.

Ten.

Another group joined it.

Nine.

I turned in Tariq’s arms.

Eight.

He kept his hand on my stomach.

Seven.

I slid an arm around the back of his neck.

Six.

The diamond on my finger caught a burst of white light.

Five.