The Last Prince of Dahaar(82)

                He clasped her cheeks, his long fingers greedy in the way they moved over her. His gaze shone with everything Zohra wanted to see in it when he looked at her—his pain, his honor and his love. It was all she ever wanted. “I am in love with you, Zohra. You were right. I let guilt pollute everything I felt for you, everything I found with you. But no more, ya habibati. You and I and our happiness together, I will allow nothing to mar it. Will you still have me, Zohra, knowing what lies ahead for us?”

                Zohra kissed him, melting into his embrace, joy flooding every inch of her. His hunger matched hers, as his mouth moved over her lips as if he would never get enough. “There was no turning back for me from the moment you kissed me, the moment you came to my defense, the moment you said my honor was your honor. I will always love you, Ayaan.”

                She tucked her face into his shoulder, she clutched his shirt in her fingers, striving to fight the depth of emotion that overpowered her. The love she felt for him had already been fierce, but now that he had accepted it, now that he had admitted what she and their happiness meant to him, it flew through her with an incredible force.

                She would allow no one to add to his burden, not even the brother who meant everything to Ayaan. She would allow no one to steal even an ounce of happiness from him.

                “You can’t give up on him, can you? I am sure he knows that, too. And whatever you have to do for him, for Dahaar, I will be right by your side.”

                His fingers moved over her cheeks, his gaze glittered with a happiness that stole her breath. “I am never going to stop loving you, Zohra, will never forget what you brought into my life.”

                “And what you brought into mine, Ayaan. Never forget that either.”

                He nodded, kissed her again and picked her up. “There is one problem, ya habibati. I still don’t think you should be sleeping beside me at night. I don’t want to ever wake up and learn that I hurt you even a little. I couldn’t bear it.”

                Breathing through the happiness that constricted her chest, Zohra nuzzled into his neck. “I have the best idea about how to take care of that, Ayaan.”

                Gold fire lit up his eyes.

                “How about we cuff you every night before you sleep? That way, I won’t get hurt and you are...”

                Ayaan laughed, the naughty glint in his wife’s eyes sending a thrill running through him. The guilt, the pain, they would all forever be a part of him, but as long as he had Zohra by his side, he would tackle them. Because he also had a taste of utter joy. “Your wish is my command, Princess.”