Emerald St. Clair's POV

Three days had passed since I arrived here in Saqr. So far those three days had been uneventful events Al-Farsi was busy throughout the day while I spent my time wandering around the capital with Naima I requested for her to be my companion because she was the only person inside the palace that I could trust.

But let's not forget the two discreet bodyguards who were following us at the insistence of the overprotective king. He said he would be at ease if he knew that while I was not inside the palace I would be still safe.

I sighed deeply. I knew he was only doing this to show me that life here in Saqr as his wife would not be a prison as I anticipated. He was letting me do this as I pleased even though he doesn't like the idea of me wandering around without him by my side.

Now I was resting in my room reading some book I bought the other day to kill time. I am not still comfortable sleeping in the queen's quarter I feel like I am the subject of the palace gossip they were probably thinking that I have no right staying in this room. It should be the official bride of the king.

I was startled when the adjacent door suddenly flung open. I was quite surprised to see Al-Farsi early this afternoon. Usually, I only see him at night when we're going to dine and spend hours talking before calling a night.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, staring at him while I reclined on the headboard of my bed.

"Pack." He said simply, closing the door behind him. "We're leaving."

I raised an eyebrow in his direction, closing the book I had been reading. "Are we going back to New York now?"

"Not yet." He permitted himself to smile slightly.

I frowned at him. I don't think I like the way he smiles. "So where are we going?"

"To the desert for a few days."

My eyes widened in his direction. "Desert? As in, in the middle of the desert?"

"Yes." He answered, walking towards the bed. "I want to get away from the palace even for a few days only. I want to show you what it's like to live in the desert."

I got intrigued by the idea. "Okay. I will just call Naima so she can also have time to pack her things."

I was about to leave the bed when he gripped my wrist. "No." He shook his head, his eyes glowed while looking at me. "I want some alone time with you without hindrance. Your maid will not accompany you on this trip. Only me, habibti."

I let out a nervous laugh. "I don't think that's a good idea. A desert getaway alone with you will only surely fuel the gossip fire between us."

He started playing with my fingertips. "They will not dare breathe a bad word in your name if they don't want to face my wrath, my love."

"But why so sudden?" I asked searching for his face. "Aren't you busy with state affairs?"

His face broke into a smug grin. "I am currently free from work. I manage to finish my work for the rest of the week so we can have this trip."

Oh, that's the reason why he's so busy since we arrived.

Al-Farsi's smile was so infectious that I found myself also smiling. He was like a kid who was very much excited about this trip. "All right. I will just arrange for my things."

"Great!" He said enthusiastically as he helped me slide off the bed. He watched me search for the clothes that I would need for my sudden trip with him.

I looked over my shoulder when I noticed that he was watching me stuff my things in my luggage with tentative eyes. "Aren't you going to pack yourself?"

"All done." He announced proudly. "Before I even told you about my plan I already have my things ready."

"Oh, you're very much excited, are you?" I commented focusing my attention back on my luggage.

My breath was caught he suddenly stood behind me and hugged me from behind. He showered my neck with little kisses. "I miss you."

I bit my lower lip as I fought back the temptation. Apart from a goodnight kiss after our nightly dinner he never made advancement on me since we arrived here.

If I have to be honest with myself, I must admit that I miss his touch.

"Khalil..." I don't know if I am reprimanding him or encouraging him more.

He tightened his hold around my waist. "God knows how much I miss touching you, my love. It drove me crazy spending time with you but holding back my desire. But I am on my limit. I need to have you."

My heart pounded crazily on my chest. I turned around to face him. I could see the yearning in his eyes. Instead of answering him, I tiptoed and kissed him.

He froze for a moment because this was probably the first time I initiated the kiss usually it was him but it didn't take long before he finally recovered from his shock and deeper the kiss.

A moan escaped me when he sneaked his tongue inside my mouth. He grabbed a handful of my hair and slightly tilted my head backward to get better access to my mouth. He kissed me hungrily like a starving man.

"We need to stop." He stated once he finally broke the kiss. "Let's continue this in the desert without disturbance.

I only managed to give him a short nod and packed my things in record time. He helped me zip my luggage. "Ready?"

"Yes," I answered. I was still a little breathless from our kiss. He took my hand and led me outside the bedroom.

He was walking a little too fast in the palace corridor for me to catch up. I was already half-walking, half-running so I could keep up with his stride.

"Falcon is already waiting for us outside."

I frowned at him. "Who?"

He turned around slightly and gave me a small smile. "You'll understand when we get there."

We were about to reach the palace grounds when we saw his vizier coming in our direction with his signature disapproving look in my direction.

"Sire," he said with concern in his voice. "You cannot leave just yet. Princess Amina is already traveling here as we speak to attend the ball for your upcoming coronation the day after tomorrow. I think it's rather rude if you are not here to welcome her."

I threw an accusing look at the man who arranged this trip. For some reason, I suddenly feel irritated so that princess is still in the picture?

He glowered at his vizier. "I am done with my work until the ball, Omar. I will have some time off in the desert to relax."

I couldn't miss the way he slid his gaze in my direction and then with our intertwined hands. "With Miss Emerald, sire?"

"Why? Do you have a problem with that?" Khalil asked with every inch of an autocratic king.

"No, sir..." he replied but his face told another story.

"Good," Al-Farsi said coldly. "Now get out of my way. You are wasting our time."

The old vizier reluctantly stepped aside. We only manage to walk a few steps when he speaks again. "What about the princess?"

I heard Al-Farsi take a deep sigh. I could almost feel that he was losing his patience with this elderly man. He stopped walking and stared at the man. "Why don't you entertain her then? Since you're the one who keeps on inviting her here."

He didn't bother to wait for the vizier to speak again and led me outside the palace.

"Sorry, about that," Khalil said remorsefully once we reached the courtyard. "Believe me, I don't wish to invite that woman here for the upcoming ball but Omar and the council insisted they said it would be disrespectful as if snubbing their country."

I exhaled a deep breath. "I understand. I know your people don't like me here. I can see the disdain on their faces. They are hoping that you marry that princess--"

He stopped the words coming out of my mouth with a kiss. "Please don't say it. They need to like you because they don't have a choice. You are my choice of bride."

My heart skipped a beat. Why does he have to be honest every time? My eyes widened when I saw the helicopter that was waiting for us.

"That's our ride?" I asked when one of the palace guards opened the door.

"Yeah. Meet Falcon." He stated with pride in his voice.

"Yours?"

He grinned at me. "Yes. I use it whenever I want to get away from the palace and my responsibilities even for a few days."

I was speechless at his words. I never thought that he could feel suffocated with his life sometimes. He helped me to get inside the helicopter he secured me with the strap tightening it around my body, his eyes held with unholy fire in their depth as he stared deep into my eyes. "Finally. All mine."

I tried to open my mouth but no words came out. All I was aware of was the roaring of the helicopter's engine.

Al-Farsi was holding my hands as we flew to our destination. It was only a ten-minute ride when I saw an oasis in the middle of the wasteland.

"Where are we?" I asked when the helicopter was preparing to land.

He smiled at me. "At the Royal Lodge."

When we finally landed safely on the helipad I unclasped my seatbelt and went off the helicopter.

Once outside I couldn't help but be amazed by my surroundings. What a beautiful house in the middle of the desert. I looked around surrounding the pool in the garden caught my attention.

"How many women did you bring here in the past?" I couldn't help but ask. This place feels like a bachelor's haven.

He blinked at me as if he was caught off guard by the question. His brows furrowed. "What are you talking about? You are the only woman I thought of bringing here." And then his face broke into a smirk. "Jealous?"

Before I had the chance to answer I saw the helicopter fly again. "Why has he left us here?"

"Don't worry," the arrogant king stated with a predatory smile on his handsome face. "He will pick us up in two days until then you are mine alone."

Suddenly, I got nervous about the whole thing and the way he stared at me with undisguised hunger. I took a step backward as he was starting to advance in my place. "Does that mean that there are no maids in this house?"

"Yes," he replied, stalking me like a lion conquering his prey. "I threw them away so we can have this place all by ourselves." He smiled at the thought. "So I can strip you naked in every corner of this house without worrying that someone might be spying on us."

I laughed nervously. "Funny thing that you say that. I believe the doctor told us not to have sex for at least two weeks. It's only been six days, Mister."

"The keyword is "at least", my darling love. The doctor didn't exactly say we have to complete the two weeks of no penetration." He retorted once he was standing in front of me. In one swift movement, he drew me closer to his body. I could feel the heat radiating on his body. "I am already at my limit. I can't take this pain in my lower belly since the last time I made you mine."

I bit my lower lip as the feeling of his proud remember that nearly made me invalid last time poking on my belly right now beneath his clothes.

"What if it's still painful like the last time?" I remember vividly how sore I was the following morning back in Aspen.

He seductively ran his hand on my ribcage. Every touch of his makes my body burn. "It will be better than the first time I took you, my love. I can assure you that it will not be painful anymore."

When he probably saw the hesitation in my face he ruthlessly added with a seductive voice. "I miss you, habibti. I miss being inside you. I miss the feeling of heaven in your arms."

I groaned, closing my eyes. He's not playing fair here and he was aware of it. He was slyly reminding me how good it was to repeatedly take possession of my body that night in Aspen.

"You will let me, right?" He queried in a low voice that made me shiver. "You will let me have you tonight. No more waiting..."

I knew when I was beaten. In my life, I was only doing reckless things when this man was a concern. Doing things that swore I would never do but this man was the only man who managed to melt the ice that surrounded my heart.

He was the only man I let take liberties with my body to take my virginity. The only man I introduce to my family.

"...Emerald, babe?"

And for once in my life, I consider the thought that he might be my match. "Oh, damn it to hell!" I exclaimed as I took his face in my hand and kissed him squarely.

I was aware that I was probably playing with fire but I could not help it. I can no longer deny what my body wants. Him.

Him alone.

He snaked his arms around my waist, answering my kisses with equal fervor. He lifted me off my feet as he started to walk inside the house. Somehow he managed to get on the second floor without falling on the stairs.

He opened the door on the far end of the hallway. He scooped me in his arms and then tossed me unceremoniously on the soft bed.

I let out a small squeal while trying to sit on the bed. Too late, before I had the chance he was already on top of me kissing me roughly. His hands travel to the front buttons of my white cotton dress. He was starting to unbutton my dress while still kissing me.

I gasped when he ripped my dress halfway the some of the buttons sent out flying in the air. I broke the kiss and stared at him in disbelief. "Do you need to do that?"

"It's on the way." He replied unapologetically.

I threw a dark look in his direction. "This is one of my favorite dresses!"

"I will buy you a new one." He said, removing all of his clothes in record time after that he unhooked my lace brasserie. The sight of his nakedness made my throat dry. He has such a beautiful body like those you usually see in underwear campaign ads on billboards and magazines.

He molded his palm on my breast making me feel the fire between my legs. He took one of my bosoms in my mouth and let his tongue play with it.

I arched my back at the impact of his mouth on my chest. I watched him as he did the same with the other one giving it much attention. "Oh, Khalil..."

He kissed his way down to my flat stomach, paying attention to my navel, and then I moaned in dismay when he ripped my lace underwear.

"Seriously?" I asked in annoyance as he tossed aside the torn underwear. "Do you need to do that? I will have nothing to wear by the time we need to go back to the palace."

"You excite me." He said without a hint of remorse on his face. "Don't worry, I will pay for it."

I wiped my face with my palm to ease my frustration. "It's not about the money, you moron! Can't you just remove it without ripping it? What's with this barbaric display?"

He took a deep breath. Instead of answering he just lifted my legs upward until I was straddling his shoulder with a wicked grin on his face, he watched my reaction as he took my very essence in his mouth again.

The only difference from the last time was that I am watching him now while he eats me like a savory dessert.

I bit the back of my hand to prevent myself from making such noise. I closed my eyes as little cries wanted to escape my throat.

"That's enough, please..." I begged. I cannot take it anymore. "I want you inside me now!"

He finally let down my legs, he positioned himself between my parted legs. He was about to enter me when I stopped him at the last moment.

"Wait!"

Al-Farsi frowned at me questioningly. "What?"

"Condom." I managed to say even though my brain was already clouded with needs. The demand for him to take me now hard and fast.

"You're not serious, right?"

"I am," I responded seriously. "No rubber. No entry. You are one sneaky bastard who is trying to get me pregnant from the start."

He looked at me for a moment with irritation in his eyes. After a staring face-off, he exhaled a loud sigh. I prevented myself from smiling with triumph when I saw him pull out something in his wallet.

He ripped the foil with his teeth while still watching me with an exasperating stare. "Put it."

I blinked in surprise, looking at the rubber in his hand. "What?"

This devious man's lips curved with a cunning smile. "You want to use a condom? Fine, let's use one but you have to put it yourself."

I scowled at him but he just merely raised an eyebrow in my direction as if challenging me.

"If you can't do it then no rubber for us."

"Okay, fine. Give me that." He placed the rubber in my waiting palm. I sat up on the bed preparing myself for the task. I swallowed hard while staring at his erection.

Do I have to do it? A more important question is how should I do it.

"All you need to do is slide it down until it reaches the base." He stated as if reading my mind.

I looked at him searching in his face. I could see the way he was smiling wickedly. My eyes narrowed in his direction. He was enjoying this whole thing, was he? This bastard was well aware that I had never done such a thing before. If he thought I couldn't do it he was highly mistaken.

I slipped the protection to his manhood and I was amazed at how it slid smoothly to his length. I ran my hands a few more times in his shaft out of curiosity.

The gesture earned a groan from him. "Oh, yes...like that."

"You like it?"

"Yes." He replied, closing his eyes as if savoring the feeling. "But tighten your hold a little bit...yes like that, habibti."

I played with his arousal a bit more. If I thought it would not get any harder than it already is. I was highly mistaken.

"That's enough or I will not last."

I carefully lay on the bed waiting for him to make me his once again. He positioned himself at my center. The head of his shaft was teasing my feminine core drives me crazy.

"On the second thought." I heard him saying. "I don't like this position for today." He smirked down at me. "Kneel on the bed, my love turn around and support your body with your hands and knees."

I stared at him questioningly but did as he instructed. I kneeled on the bed facing the headboard. "Like this?"

"Yes, like that." He commented with satisfaction.

I turned my head to see that he was kneeling between my parted legs. I had a feeling about what he was about to do and I was right in one swift movement he entered me from behind.

A small cry escaped me when I felt his arousal slide deep, deep inside me.

"Are you okay?" He inquired concernedly as he settled his length inside me.

"Y-Yeah..."

"God. You're so fucking tight..." he breathed, gripping each side of my waist. "I want to stay forever inside you. This is pure heaven."

"Khalil..." I gripped the bed sheets tightly as if they were my lifeline. He started to move inside me each thrust was pure bliss. But I want more. "Harder." I gasped when he slapped my butt cheeks.

He obliged taking me roughly, he was rocking my body just like how he was rocking my mind and heart.

I felt that I was about to reach my climax. "Khalil... I think I'm coming."

"Me too." I could see the sweat forming on his forehead and body. He was biting his lips as if preventing himself from climaxing before I reached mine.

It didn't take long before I reached pure bliss. I felt his body shudder to find his release inside me.

He leaned forward to whisper something in my ear. He was still breathless from our lovemaking. "Condom or not you are still mine. I will make you my wife one way other the other. I promise you that."