They linked fingers as they walked back to Sharif's bike. They were close in every way. Her hand felt good in his. She felt good with this man. She felt safe. She felt warm inside. She felt complete.
EPILOGUE
'THERE'S JUST ONE thing missing,' Britt commented wistfully as her sister helped her to dress on her wedding day in her beautiful apartment at the citadel in Kareshi.
'Tyr,' Leila guessed as she lifted the cloud of cobweb-fine silk chiffon that would be attached to the sparkling diadem that would crown Britt's flowing golden hair.
'Have you heard anything? Has Sharif said anything to you about Tyr?' Eva demanded, her sharp tone mellowed somewhat by the hairpins she was holding in her mouth. 'After all, Tyr is a major player in the consortium now.'
'Nothing,' Britt admitted, turning to check her back view in the mirror. 'Sharif shares everything with me, but he won't share that. He says Tyr will return in his own good time, and that Tyr will explain his absence then, and that we must never think the worst of him, because Tyr is doing some wonderful work-'
'Righting wrongs everywhere but here,' Eva remarked.
'You know he's already done that-fighting with Sharif to free Kareshi. And I trust Sharif,' Britt said firmly. 'If he says Tyr will explain himself when he feels the time is right, then he will. And if Sharif has given his word to Tyr that he won't say anything, then he won't-not even to me.'
'So, I suppose we have to be satisfied with that,' Eva commented, standing back to admire her handiwork. 'And I must say those diamonds are fabulous.'
'I'm glad they distracted you,' Britt teased.
'Well, they would, wouldn't they?' Eva conceded. 'And this veil...'
'Eva, I do believe you're looking wistful,' Britt remarked with amusement as her sister reached for Britt's dress. 'Are you picturing yourself on your own wedding day?'
Eva sniffed. 'Don't be so ridiculous. There isn't a man alive I could be interested in.' Eva chose not to notice the look her sisters exchanged. 'Now, let's get this dress on you,' she said. 'The way Sharif runs you ragged with all those projects he's got you involved in, it will probably drop straight off you again.'
As Leila sighed even Eva was forced to give a pleased and surprised hum. 'Well... Who knew you could look so girlie?' she said with approval, standing back.
'Only a sister,' Britt muttered, throwing Eva a teasing fierce look while Leila tut-tutted at their exchange.
'Eva!' Leila complained where her two sisters settled down for a verbal sparring match. 'You can't get into a fight with Britt on her wedding day.'
'More's the pity,' Eva muttered, advancing with the veil.
'The dress fits like a dream,' Leila reassured Britt.
'Stand still, will you?' Eva ordered Britt. 'How am I supposed to fix this tiara to your head?'
'With a hammer and nails, in your present mood?' Britt suggested, exchanging a grin with Leila.
But Eva was right in one thing-the past six months had been hectic. She had overseen so many exciting new schemes, as well as flying back to Skavanga to manage the ongoing work there. And as if that wasn't enough, she had insisted on having a hand in the organisation of her wedding at the citadel. Some people never knew when to relax the reins, Sharif had told her, with the type of smile that could distract her for quite a while. She wouldn't have it any other way, Britt reflected. Life had never been so rich, and when the baby came...
Tracing the outline of her stomach beneath the fairytale gown, she knew she would keep on working until Sharif tied her to the bed. Actually-
'Man alert,' Leila warned before Britt had chance to progress this delicious thought.
'Don't worry, I won't let him in,' Leila assured her.
'Stand back, I'll handle this,' Eva instructed her younger sister. Marching to the door, her red hair flying, Eva swung it open. 'Yes?'
There was silence for a moment and Britt turned to see who could possibly silence her combative middle sister.
'Ladies, please excuse me, but the bridegroom has asked me to deliver this gift to his beautiful bride.'
The voice was rich, dark chocolate, and even Britt could see that the man himself was just as tempting. Eva was still staring at him transfixed as Leila stepped forward to take the ruby red velvet box he was holding out.
'Thank you very much,' Britt said politely, taking another look at the man and then at Eva. Which one would blink first? she wondered.
'It is my pleasure,' he said, switching his attention back to Britt. 'Count Roman Quisvada at your service...'
He bowed? He bowed. 'And this is my sister, Leila,' she said, remembering her manners. 'And Eva...' Who, of course, had to tip her stubborn little chin and glance meaningfully from the count to the door.
'I can see you're very busy,' the handsome Italian said, taking the hint, his dark eyes flashing with amusement. 'I hope to spend more time with you later.'
'Was he looking at me when he said that?' Eva demanded huffily, her cheeks an attractive shade of pink, Britt thought, as Eva closed the door behind the count with a flourish.
'There's no need to sound so peeved,' Leila pointed out. 'He's hot. And he's polite.'
'I do like a man who's polite in the bedroom,' Britt commented tongue in cheek.
'Wow, wow, wow,' Leila whispered as Britt opened the lid of the velvet box. 'And there's a note,' she added as the three Skavanga sisters stared awestruck at the blue-white diamond heart hanging from a finely worked platinum chain; the diamond flashing fire in all the colours of the rainbow.
Britt read the note while her sisters read over her shoulder: I hope you enjoy wearing the first polished diamond to come from the Skavanga mine. It's as flawless as you are. Sharif.
'Cheese-ee,' Eva commented. 'And he doesn't know you very well.'
Britt shook her head as the three sisters laughed.
When she walked down the red-carpeted steps towards him, the congregation in the grand ceremonial hall faded away, and there was only Britt- Beautiful Britt. His bride. But she was so much more than that and they were so much more together than they were apart.
'You look beautiful,' he murmured as her flame-haired sister and the young one, Leila, peeled away.
Now there were just the two of them he didn't dare to look at her or he'd carry her away and to hell with everyone. It took all he'd got to repeat the vows patiently and clearly when all the time his arms ached to hold her. Britt's darkening eyes said she felt the same, and as she held his gaze to tease him she knew how that would test him.
His control was definitely being severely tested, but that was one of the things he loved about Britt. She challenged him on every front and always had.
And long may it continue, he thought, teasing her back by staring fixedly ahead.
Sharif in heavy black silk robes perfumed with Sandalwood and edged with gold was a heady sight.
And he was her husband...
Her husband, Britt reflected, feeling a volcanic excitement rising inside her. Could she contain her lust? Sharif was refusing to look at her and it was only when they were declared man and wife that he finally turned.
Now she knew why he'd refused to look at her. The fire in his eyes was enough to melt her bones. How was she going to stand this? How was she going to sit through the wedding breakfast?
The food was delicious, but even that wasn't enough of a distraction. The setting was unparalleled, but nothing could take her mind off the main event. Candles flickered in golden sconces, casting a mellow glow over the jewel-coloured hangings, making golden plates and goblets flash as if they were on fire, while crystal glasses twinkled like fireflies dancing through the night. It was a voluptuous feast, prepared by world-renowned chefs, but she wondered if it would ever end, and was surprised when Sharif stood up.
'Ladies and gentlemen,' he began in the deep husky voice Sharif could use to seduce to command. 'The evening is young, and I urge you to enjoy everything to the full. Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate this happiest of days, but now I must beg you to excuse us-'
She still didn't quite understand until Sharif whistled up his horse and held out his hand to her. His black stallion galloped into the hall. As coup de théâtre went, she had to admit this one was unparalleled. As their guests gasped the stallion skidded to a halt within inches of its master, and the next thing she knew Sharif was lifting her onto the saddle and holding her safely in front of him.
She gasped as the stallion reared, his silken mane flowing like liquid black diamonds, as his flashing ebony hooves clawed imperiously at the air.
The instant he touched down again, Sharif gave a command in the harsh tongue of Kareshi, and the horse took them galloping out of the hall into a starlit night, and a future that was sure to fulfil all their desires.