His Defiant Desert Queen(73)

                “No.” He took off his robe, and tossed it onto a low chair in the corner. “I forgot something.”

                “You did?”

                “Yes. You.” He went to the gold lantern and turned off the light before returning to the bed. “Scoot over. And don’t worry. You can relax. You are safe. Nothing is happening tonight. I just want to sleep near my beautiful wife.”

                In bed, he drew her close to him, his arm loose around her waist, his hand resting on her hip.

                For a moment she couldn’t breathe. For a moment she waited, wondering if panic would hit. If she’d become nervous or uncomfortable.

                If she’d dislike being held by him, held close to him.

                None of those things happened.

                He felt good. He felt warm. She felt safe.

                * * *

                Jemma woke up alone.

                She told herself she didn’t mind. Told herself she was glad. She needed space. She liked her independence. But it’d felt good having Mikael near her last night. She’d slept deeply for a change and she woke rested, and anxious to see him.

                But Mikael didn’t put in an appearance that morning. Instead there was a purple bikini and delicate violet silk cover-up waiting for her, along with a note telling her that tonight she’d sleep in the Amethyst Chamber.

                Jemma changed into the pretty purple bikini and slipped the delicate silk cover up over her head, letting the light fabric settle against her tummy and thighs.

                Purple was a good color for her. It flattered her skin. She wondered if Mikael would have a gift made from amethyst gems for her tonight. A necklace, a ring, or possibly earrings. She didn’t want it, or need it, but it gave her something to think about, rather than her emotions.

                She missed Mikael.

                She didn’t want to be alone.

                But she had breakfast outside and then paced the courtyard, swimming when she grew too hot.

                Lunch came and went, with her again eating by herself inside one of the air conditioned pavilions, needing the shade.

                It was a long day waiting. She grew restless and angry. She peeled off the filmy violet cover up and swam again, and then stretched facedown on a lounge chair, the high desert temperature drying her purple suit almost instantly.

                She buried her face in the crook of her arm, telling herself to relax, and calm down. She was getting herself worked up over nothing. Mikael would join her when he could. He’d be there as soon as he could manage it. There was no reason to feel so desperate, or lonely...

                And then he was there.

                Just like that.

                His shadow stretched over her lounge chair, blocking the sun, and she turned over onto her back and looked up at him.

                He gazed down at her with dark, smoky eyes. He was dressed in his robes. She suspected he’d had business earlier. But she didn’t ask and he didn’t tell her.

                She raised a hand to shield her eyes and she let her gaze wander over him, up over his chest, to his neck, his hard jaw, the chiseled cheek and then to his eyes. He had ridiculously beautiful eyes. She’d kill for his lashes. It would save her a fortune in eyeliner and mascara.