The Sheikh's Stolen Bride-To-Be(24)

"Perfect. Please, right this way."



Mehdi led the way as Steph laced her arm with her mother's and caught  her up on everything that had been going on since she and Jerry had left  El Farah. Elora listened with rapt attention, holding her daughter  close.



They sat at the table, which was set with plates of seafood and fruits  and vegetables that were perfectly chilled to compensate for the sunny  weather. Mehdi popped a bottle of champagne and Steph held four flutes  as he filled them. She then handed them out, and Mehdi raised his glass.         

     



 



"To family, to life, and to love!"



He was met with smiles as they all lifted their flutes and said, "Cheers!"



Jerry's blue eyes were wide as he gazed at the beauty around them. "This place is incredible."



After a sip, Mehdi sat down and reached for Steph's hand under the table.



"This is where I fell in love with your daughter," he said.



Elora tilted her head in confusion. "You've been here before?"



Steph laughed. "Yes, Mom. This is where Mehdi brought me when I was ‘kidnapped.'"



"Ah, yes. That I do remember," Elora said with a pointed stare at Mehdi.



"And I cannot apologize enough for your worries, Mrs. O'Hanlon. I'll certainly do my best to make it up to you."



"You better," Elora said, though there was a small twinkle in her eye.



They enjoyed a leisurely lunch, after which the four of them took a dip  in the warm waters. Mehdi pointed to the secluded island and told them  of the algae that glowed within the caves.



"Perhaps another time I will have the energy to swim that far. As it is,  these old bones would like nothing more than a peaceful day on the  beach," Elora said, glancing wistfully back at the cabana.



"Would you like some company, Mother?" Steph asked.



Elora nodded, heading back in that direction. "I would, thank you."



The two women made their way back to the cabana, and Mehdi spent some  time chatting with Jerry out in the water. As Steph settled into a comfy  chair, basking in the sun, she stared out at her handsome boyfriend,  grateful for the changes in her life over the past few months. It was  better than she could have ever dreamed.



"How is Vermont?" Steph asked, and Elora shrugged.



"Cold, as usual. We got several feet of snow the other day, and all I  could think about was getting out here to enjoy the beach. Of course,  flying in Mehdi's private jet was wonderful, too."



"He flew you out in the jet?" Steph asked, surprised.



Elora nodded, taking a sip of iced tea. "He did, and I have to say that I  quite approve of this relationship. How are things going with you two?"



Steph smiled, thinking about all of the wonderful adventures they'd had so far. "Amazing," she said, sighing.



"You should get married so you can secure him and your future," Elora said, and Steph laughed.



"Mom, I have my own fashion line coming out, and many of my designs have  already gained traction in the right circles. I'm making a good living  for myself, doing exactly what I want to do."



Elora smiled at her daughter and reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.



"I'm so proud of you, Stephanie. I love you very much, you know."



"I know, Mom. I love you, too."



Steph watched as Mehdi and Jerry made their way in from the water. Mehdi  looked happy and relaxed, while Jerry's expression was unreadable. But  Steph thought nothing of it as they rejoined the group and spent the  rest of the afternoon chatting, laughing, and enjoying the stunning  waters.



As the sun began to set, Mehdi pulled Steph aside.



"Could I speak with you for a moment?" he asked.



Steph nodded, following him as he took her hand and led her a short distance from the cabana.



"I was speaking with your father earlier," Mehdi said, and Steph nodded.



"Yes, I saw. I'm so glad you got to spend some time together. Did you have an interesting conversation?"



Mehdi nodded, and Steph noticed that his hand had gone a little clammy  in hers, which was strange, because Mehdi's hands were never like that.  Was he nervous or something?



"I did, actually. It was a very important conversation to have."



Steph looked up at him, noticing the tiny, almost imperceptible beads of  sweat on his upper brow. She was about to ask him what was wrong when  Mehdi stopped walking and bent down on one knee, producing a small  jewelry box from his pocket.



"I asked him if I could have his permission to marry you, and I am happy  to say that he gave his blessing. Now that I have it, Steph, I can ask  you if you would be willing to make me the happiest man on earth by  becoming my wife."         

     



 



Steph looked from the glittering ring to Mehdi and back again before her eyes landed on his and she beamed.



"Of course I'll marry you!" she said, laughing even as she cried.



His face broke out in a beatific smile as he stood and hugged her tight,  kissing her silly before he placed the ring on her finger.



Steph looked out at the sunset and laughed, brushing more joyful tears  from her cheeks. "How many sunset beaches have we met on now?"



Mehdi kissed her again, letting his hand linger at the base of her neck  as he stared adoringly into her eyes. "I think we deserve a whole  lifetime of them. Don't you agree?"



Steph stared up adoringly into her fiancé's eyes, knowing in a moment  they could turn around and celebrate with her parents. It couldn't have  been a more perfect proposal.



"I do," she said.



And with that, they turned back to see Steph's parents smiling behind  them, and the happy family came together to celebrate the non-arranged  marriage of their only daughter.





The End



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And now, as promised, are the first few chapters of my previous novel, Single Mom And The Sheikh. Enjoy!





ONE





Sam was already half asleep by the time I asked which bedtime story he  wanted me to read. He didn't want to fall asleep. I could tell because  his little eyelids drooped, their long lashes brushing against his  cheeks, but he steadfastly refused to acknowledge the fact that he  wouldn't be able to stay awake for the whole story.



"Tell me about the adventure you're going on, Mommy." His delicate hand clasped mine. "Are there going to be dragons?"



I chuckled. "No, Sammy. No dragons."



"What about wild animals?" He blinked wearily. "Like lions, or bears?"



The thought of leaving him tugged at my heart. I didn't want to go. He  thought I was going on some sort of crazy adventure, but really I would  just be drinking out of an inappropriate straw with a few girls from  college-all the while wishing I was at home with this little guy.



"I don't think I'll see any lions or bears," I said, "but who knows?  It's a pretty crazy place. It's out in the middle of the desert, where  almost nothing can grow."



"Why does Auntie Sarah want to go there?" Sam asked. "It doesn't sound very fun."



I reached forward and brushed a stray blond curl off his forehead. I  hoped his hair would darken as he got older; the contrast of my raven  hair to Sam's golden locks always reminded me of his absent father.



I smiled down at my son and pushed those thoughts to the back of my  head. There were always going to be things that reminded me of Sam's  father. It was no use getting upset over them.



"Many years ago, a bunch of people looked at the desert and decided they  wanted to build something fun," I explained. "So they built a huge  playground, for grown-ups. Each year, it gets bigger and bigger, and now  it takes up so much space that I probably won't even see any sand."



Sam's eyes widened. "A playground?"



"A playground for grown-ups," I reminded him. "There isn't much there for little boys to do. You'd get bored."



I could tell he wanted to ask more, but his eyelids were drooping  heavily now. I took him in: his small button nose, those pink cheeks,  his delicate, curving lips. God, I was going to miss him so much.



"Mommy," he breathed, "do you really have to go?"



Pinpricks of tears stung my eyes. I didn't want to go. What was there for me in Las Vegas?



"I do, honey. But I'll bring you back something, okay? Would you like that?"



"I'd like it more if you stayed here," he replied, his voice muddled by sleep.



Of all the things Sam could have inherited from his father, the ability  to inspire guilt like a pro was probably one of the better things.         

     



 



"I'd like that too, pumpkin, but sometimes Mummy has to do things even  when she doesn't want to." I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his  cheek. "You sleep tight, Sammy. I love you."