"Tell me, Angelica. What happened between the two of you while I was gone?"
Chapter Twelve
Angelica froze, her heart hammering in her chest. Did Dhiya suspect that Kadin and Angelica had made love? Could she somehow read it in Angelica's face? Or Kadin's?
"I think you should ask Kadin that," Angelica responded.
"I did, but he won't tell me." Dhiya's eyes narrowed. "What do you know of Kadin and my relationship?"
"I know he loves you very much."
"Anything else?"
"No. I assume you aren't married, because he didn't refer to you as his wife."
"Married? No, we aren't."
Angelica's stomach clenched. She didn't know what the woman was driving at, but if she suspected that Kadin had made love to Angelica, she could be in real trouble. If Dhiya insisted on a harsh punishment, and if she thought Angelica was a threat she probably would, then Kadin would have no choice but to carry it out.
Dhiya stood up and headed for the door. "I need to have a word with my … with Kadin. Wait here."
Kadin waited impatiently for Dhiya to finish with Angelica. When he saw her leave the room, he strode toward the door.
"Kadin, wait." Dhiya grasped his elbow.
"Not now, Dhiya. I must speak with Angelica."
"I need to have a word with you first."
He tugged his elbow free and sent her a stern glare. "I told you not now. This is important."
"Same old Kadin, I see," she grumbled as he strode past her.
The sight of Angelica sitting on the settee, looking lost and lonely, crumpled his heart. What must she think of him? He had blamed her for what turned out to be Dhiya's misdeed. Angelica had claimed her innocence and he had called her a liar.
He sat down across from her.
"Angelica, I wish to add my apology to Dhiya's. I am sorry I did not believe you."
She nodded, but said nothing.
"I accused you of doing wrong to my family, but it seems we have wronged you." His back stiffened as he prepared himself for his next words. "And me. I have taken something from you that I cannot return like I can your belongings."
He held out a velvet bag in which were her clothing and passport. She accepted it, placing it demurely on her lap, not meeting his gaze.
"I cannot give you back your innocence, something that should have been given to your husband alone. I have blackened your honor and my own. The only way I can make amends is by asking you to marry me."
"What?" Her eyes widened and she stared at him in absolute horror.
His heart compressed, but still he sank to his knees and took her hand.
"Angelica, will you marry me?"
She tugged her hand free and leaped to her feet. "No. I just want to go home."
Her abrupt refusal hurt. He knew she didn't love him, but he loved her and he believed, in time, she would grow to love him back. He could not leave it like this.
"Angelica, please consider my proposal. I will do everything in my power to make you happy."
Her chest rose and fell with emotion. "Even give up … " She waved her hand rapidly toward the door. "You know … " Her hand waved faster. "Her."
Her? Was she referring to Naja? Angelica seemed to enjoy having the other woman in their bed, but maybe jealousy had reared its head in the light of day.
"If you ask it, there will be only you in my bed."
"You'd give her up?" she asked in clear disbelief.
"I'll give up all of them."
"There are more?"
"Angelica, you met three of them that first night. The dancers."
She sank onto the settee, her cheeks blanching.
"I'm sorry, Kadin," she said flatly. "I know you're trying to do the right thing, but I can't marry you."
She sucked in a deep breath and it looked like she fought back tears. His heart ached with wanting to draw her into his arms and comfort her, but he knew she would refuse it he tried.
"Please, may I go back to my room?" she asked.
"Of course."
Twenty minutes later, Kadin burst through Angelica's door and stormed toward her. He dropped to one knee on the bed and scooped her into his arms then dragged her against his body, his lips capturing hers. His tongue mastered hers as he plundered her mouth, her breasts crushed against his rock-wall of a chest, his hands tangling in her hair. Finally, his mouth parted from hers. He kissed her temples, along her jaw-line, then took her mouth again. When he freed her a second time, she gasped for air.
"Tell me you love me," he demanded.
"No."
She knew she should say more, be more adamant, but how could she think with him so close? With every breath of air, her breasts crushed against him. Her nipples spiked and her breathing accelerated.
She pushed at his solid chest, but to no avail. She struggled in his embrace, until he climbed over her, pinning her between his thighs and settling his weight on her hips. She beat her fists against his chest until he captured her wrists and pinned them over her head, then swooped in for another kiss. The delicate play of his lips on hers left her breathless.
He kissed her again and again until the fight drained from her. He nuzzled her neck, then his lips danced down her chest. Holding her wrists pinned with one hand, he unfastened the buttons of her gown and pushed aside the fabric, baring one breast. Her traitorous nipple spiked upward, as though reaching for him. He took it in his mouth and bathed it with his tongue, then dabbed on the tip until she thought she would weep with the pleasure.
"Please stop."
His fingers trailed down her stomach as his lips found her other nipple.
"No," she whimpered.
Her lips opened to say the safety word, but she couldn't utter it, her body betraying her with its overwhelming need for him.
He chuckled.
"That's all right, my love. Utter all the protests you want. I know how it embellishes the experience."
She nearly protested at his arrogance, but he sucked her nipple deep in his mouth at the same time as his fingers stroked over her clitoris. Her resolve scattered. Her entire universe was his touch and the pleasure it brought.
He kissed down her belly and eased her legs apart as his fingers slipped inside her. Her body welcomed him. His tongue dabbed at her clit. Her fingers curled in his hair as he tortured her with his exquisitely talented tongue.
"Oh, yes, Kadin." Pleasure quivered through her core then blossomed outward. Her fingers tightened in his hair. She moaned. "I'm so close."
He swirled and spiraled. A familiar heat washed through her and her body tensed. Heightening pleasure curled through her.
"Oh, God, I'm coming. ..." The words trailed off in a long wail as ecstasy exploded through every cell in her body.
He kissed her temple.
"Tell me you love me," he murmured.
"No, I-"
He stroked his hand along her throat, then grasped her chin and kissed her again, his tongue coaxing hers in a sensual dance. Liquid pleasure oozed through her. He gazed down at her, his face mere inches from hers, his eyes simmering embers.
"Now tell me the truth."
She wanted to. Desperately. She longed to declare her deep and undying love, but she couldn't. He wanted to marry her to right a wrong, not because he loved her. If she admitted her love, he would insist on her marrying him.
He watched her carefully. She couldn't hide the play of emotions across her face. She was too weak from the emotional turmoil. And his proximity.
She couldn't lie to him. But she couldn't tell him the truth.
He brushed his lips on hers in a delicate caress.
"You don't have to answer. I can see it in your eyes."
She shook her head.
"It doesn't matter. I won't marry you," she insisted.
"Angelica, I love you." The tenderness in his eyes almost made her believe it was true, but she was sure he was only saying it to convince her to marry him.
Tears pushed at her eyes, but she blinked them back. She had longed to hear those words from him, but not like this.
"You love Dhiya," she said.
To her total surprise, he chuckled.
"Yes, I do, but that has nothing to do with us."
A thought tumbled through her brain. Oh, God. He wanted her to be part of a harem. Why hadn't she realized that before? Would Dhiya accept that?
Of course, she would. It was part of her culture. And she had the advantage, because she would be the main wife. That was clear.
"Is my love for Dhiya the only reason you refuse to marry me?"
"I can't be one of many wives."
He cupped her face with one hand and smiled, a joyful light dancing through his eyes.
"I will take only one wife, Angelica. You."
"But … aren't you going to marry Dhiya?"
He shook his head. "I don't know about your country, but here a man does not marry his sister."
Silence hung between them as Angelica tried to comprehend his words.
"Dhiya is my sister." He spoke each word with clear precision.
"Sister?"
"Yes." He watched her expression carefully.