Expecting the Sheikh's Baby Read online

  All sounds gave way to Ash saying her name over and over as he continued to move inside her. After one long, deep thrust, Karen gave in to another floor-tilting release and Ash went taut against her with his own.

  After a time, he pulled away, moved in front of her, leaned back against the wall and took her into his arms. She relished the feel of their damp, bare skin touching at every point, relished the strong beat of his heart against her cheek, the way he leisurely slid his fingertips up and down her spine. The way he took all her weight, a solid cushion against the wall that couldn’t be too comfortable on his own back. Yet he continued to hold her as if that didn’t matter, as if her comfort was all that mattered. As if she was all that mattered.

  The sky had turned a mix of muted grays and pinks, and a few stars appeared on the horizon along with a sprinkling of lights around the harbor. The air had grown considerably colder, but Karen didn’t care. As far as she was concerned, they could stay like this all night.

  When Ash tensed, Karen glanced up to find he looked troubled. “What’s wrong?”

  He smoothed a hand through her hair. “I was much too rough in light of your condition.”

  She kissed his chin and gave him a reassuring smile. “I guarantee I bear no bruises.”

  “I should have been more considerate,” he said. “I should be more careful with you.”

  “Ash, it’s really okay. Junior is barely walnut-sized. When I get big and fat, then you might have to be more careful.” She laughed from the joy of that thought. “Or maybe I’ll have to be careful not to crush you.”

  Finally, he smiled. “Then I can assume we will enjoy more of these moments?”

  How could she refuse? How could she give up what she’d found with him? She could take what he offered from a physical standpoint and simply remember to keep a firm grip on her emotions. At least she hoped she could. “If you’re really, really good to me, I guess we can do this again. If not, I’m definitely hiring that houseboy. Or maybe even a sailor.”

  He lightly kissed her lips. “I plan to be very good to you. You will not require another man. But now you need to retire to bed.”

  Karen shrugged and grinned. “Fine by me. I have no objections to continuing this in the bedroom.”

  “You need to sleep.”

  Not that again. “I’m not at all sleepy. Besides, I need another bath with all this humidity, not to mention our recent activities.”

  His smile returned. “Are you registering a complaint about our activities?”

  “Not at all. I just feel a little sticky.”

  He ran his hands along her bottom and tugged her fully against him. “You feel quite good, in my opinion. But a bath will most certainly help you relax. I will draw one for you.”

  Ash kissed her forehead, moved her aside then walked toward the bedroom with masculine grace, without hesitation, as always totally comfortable with his nudity. Karen, on the other hand, felt a little more inhibited now faced with the reality of the situation. She was standing naked on a deck at dusk. At least they didn’t have any neighbors close by. Determined to remedy the situation, she grabbed her robe from where it had landed on the floor, slipped it on and bent to gather Ash’s discarded clothes.

  “Are you coming inside or do you wish to taunt the sailor some more?”

  Karen straightened and saw Ash standing in the open doors to the bedroom, still naked, his arms folded across his broad chest. Another swift rush of heat spiraled through her, settling in intimate places that should be more than satisfied, but weren’t, thanks to her husband standing there looking like some magazine centerfold.

  She joined Ash inside the bedroom where she tossed his clothes onto the bed. “Do you want to take a bath with me?”

  He looked mock-surprised. “What has become of my cautious wife?”

  Gone from the premises. “Maybe she just can’t get enough of her husband.”

  He stroked his whisker-shadowed jaw and grinned. “Ah. That could prove to be very interesting.”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  Karen took Ash’s offered hand and followed him into the bathroom where he turned on the water in the tub. He removed her robe again, paused to kiss her again, before he helped her up the two steps and into the now-full bath. Instead of joining her, much to Karen’s disappointment, he remained on the top step and told her, “I will see to your needs.”

  And he did, beginning with washing her hair, kneading her scalp with firm yet gentle strokes. He even managed to avoid getting too much water in her eyes while rinsing the shampoo away. After that, he squeezed a large dab of rose-scented shower gel in his palm and bathed her from forehead to toes, taking his time with his ministrations. Karen watched with growing interest and building desire as he lingered at her breasts then slipped his hand beneath the water to touch her again.

  When Karen realized his intent, she said, “Ash, I’ve already… Twice, in fact.”

  “You will again.”

  “But I’m not sure I can again.” She wasn’t sure if she could take it if she could.

  “Do not underestimate yourself, Karen.” He caressed her with tempered, tender strokes. “Do not underestimate me.”

  Who could argue that? It was Karen’s last thought when Ash began another sensual assault with his talented hands. He was so thorough with his touch, so smooth with his moves, slipping a finger inside her just as another orgasm claimed her with as much force as the others.

  After the shock waves subsided, Karen stared at Ash in awe. She’d had three climaxes tonight. Three. Obviously she’d been saving them up, or maybe it was simply Ash’s skill. Ash, who looked mighty proud at the moment.

  “Did I not tell you it would happen again?” he said.

  His arrogance caused her to blurt out, “How do you know I wasn’t faking it?”

  “I would greatly question a man who could not discern pretend from reality.”

  Carl shoved his way into Karen’s mind, not a welcome thought at all. “Believe me, those men do exist.”

  “In my opinion, that is total sacrilege, not knowing when you have pleased a woman or not.” He bent his head and circled his tongue around one nipple, then the other.

  Karen struggled to remain coherent. “Maybe some women are better at pretending.”

  He raised his head and frowned. “Trust me, I would know whether you were pretending.”

  Little did he know, she had been pretending—pretending that she didn’t have feelings for him. And if she wasn’t careful, Karen was afraid he would see right through that pretense. “Exactly how much experience have you had with other women?” Now why had she asked that at a time like this?

  Ash nudged her legs farther apart with his palms, touched her again and darned if she wasn’t excited again. “Whatever has happened in my past, in your past, does not matter,” he said. “What happens between us does.”

  Karen couldn’t take his absence in the tub any longer. She splashed water in his face, bringing about Ash’s luminous grin. “You can either get in here with me now, or I’m getting out and we can initiate the new floor.”

  He looked down at the tile beneath his feet. “Far be it for me to argue since the floor would be less than comfortable.”

  Ash slid into the tub where they faced each other. After sinking into the water, he lifted Karen’s leg over his thigh then slipped inside her.

  She absorbed the taste and feel of his tongue as he kissed her, welcomed the absolute power of his body as he moved in perfect step with hers. Somehow he found an erogenous zone she didn’t know she owned and she shattered again. He whispered her name as he reached his climax with a shudder and a sharp breath.

  Karen felt weak, thoroughly satisfied and unequivocally lost. She wondered how this could feel so right. She wondered how she could even consider giving her heart to a man who was everything she’d been determined to avoid. A man who clung to his control as steadfastly as the Boston ivy clung to the trellis outside the window. How could
she ever learn to accept that aspect of him when she had battled for her own independence time and again with Carl?

  Carl was an overbearing guy-type who refused to see women as anything but a necessary commodity. Ash had an inherent tenderness beneath the steely facade. A tenderness he’d shown her at times, especially during lovemaking. But could she ever trust that he wouldn’t try to keep her under his thumb?

  Karen didn’t want to think about that right now. She only wanted to lie in her husband’s arms, cherish these wondrous moments.

  After a time, she finally said, “That was exactly what I needed.”

  “Let us not forget your need for olives,” Ash said with an endearing chuckle followed by another tender kiss. “I will buy you olives. I will buy you cases of olives, if that is what you desire. Whatever you wish from me, you only need ask.”

  Would she be wrong to one day ask him to love her? Would she be crazy to fall in love with him?

  Crazy or not, it was only a matter of time, if it wasn’t already too late.

  Eight

  “Are you Luke Barone’s child?”

  Karen pivoted on the sidewalk in front of Baronessa’s entrance to find a black-clad elderly woman with thinning white hair and deep-set brown eyes glaring at her. She stood next to a dark blue sedan parked at the curb where a driver leaned back against the hood. Had it not been for that, Karen might have assumed the woman to be homeless.

  “Luke was my father. I’m Karen Saalem. Who are you?”

  The woman took a tentative step toward Karen. “It doesn’t matter who I am, but one thing you must know. As a member of the Barone family, you, too, will be cursed.”

  Karen felt as if she’d been set down in the middle of some voodoo B movie. She might have been more wary if the woman hadn’t been so frail and looked so harmless, except for her severe eyes. “Well, I don’t really believe in curses so I guess I’ll take my chances.”

  “You should believe,” the crone warned. “You are no different from the rest. You’ll be cursed to love a man who will never love you.”

  Karen had heard about all of the melodrama she could take. Through a false smile she said, “Have a nice day,” then walked into the shop.

  Daniel sat at the counter with a cup of coffee in hand, a smile to greet her. “Hey, if it’s not the sheikh’s wife.”

  Karen tossed her purse beneath the counter. “Actually, today it appears I’m a Barone and cursed.”

  Daniel inclined his head, looking confused. “Care to explain that?”

  She nodded toward the window where the woman still stood. “Some strange lady stopped me outside and told me I’m cursed.”

  Daniel slipped from the barstool and peered out the windows. “What is she doing here?”

  “I have no idea,” Karen said. “I don’t even know who she is.”

  Daniel reseated himself at the counter and took a long drink of coffee as if it were whiskey. “She’s Lucia Conti and she’s nothing but trouble.”

  Karen leaned on the counter. “You mean that Lucia Conti? The one who despises the entire Barone clan? Maria mentioned her to me when I first came to Boston but I guess I didn’t realize she was still around.”

  “Yeah, she’s still around. And she’s been cursing the family since the thirties. The old Valentine’s Day curse. Oddly enough, some strange things have happened on Valentine’s Day, including your father’s kidnapping.”

  Karen was too pragmatic to believe in curses and more inclined to believe in coincidences. “Well, guess I’m officially a part of the family now.”

  She made the remark with a touch of humor but Karen couldn’t disregard Lucia’s words. Was she in love with a man who couldn’t love her in return? Ash had never said he loved her last night, but then she hadn’t told him either. Besides, curses were for fools. Love could be too, if one wasn’t loved in return.

  She turned her attention back to Daniel. “What are you doing here so early in the morning?”

  “I have a couple of things I need to ask you.”

  Karen tied her apron around her waist and shoved a pencil behind her ear. “Shoot.”

  “The whole family is wondering about Maria. Since you two are so close, and since you were the last person to see her, I decided to ask if you know where she is.”

  Uh-oh. “She’s taking a vacation.”

  Daniel appeared skeptical. “Without telling anyone? I find that kind of weird.”

  Karen wasn’t sure how she should answer. She also wasn’t sure why Daniel’s voice had taken on a tinny quality, or why her vision had begun to blur and her limbs felt weighted. She was vaguely aware of Mimi standing behind her, of the door opening and someone coming inside, mildly cognizant of the fact that her legs felt like mush and in about two seconds they wouldn’t be able to hold her as she began to wilt and fade like a week-old flower….

  When Karen came to, she was on her back on the floor behind the counter, someone’s coat propped under her neck. Daniel was crouched beside her and Mimi was hovering above her. “Call nine-one-one,” Daniel said. “Then call her husband.”

  Karen gathered her strength and raised her head. “No! I’m fine. It was just a dizzy spell. I haven’t had any breakfast yet.”

  Mimi knelt and with Daniel’s assistance helped Karen up into a sitting position. Karen was thankful that today she’d opted to wear slacks. Otherwise, her skirt would probably be around her neck about now.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Daniel asked with concern.

  Karen still felt somewhat light-headed but much better than she had a few moments ago. “I’m okay.” She glanced at Mimi. “Could you come with me into the restroom, Mimi? I need to splash some water on my face.”

  “No problem, missy. If you’re sure you can walk.”

  “I won’t know unless I try.”

  Mimi and Daniel helped her to her feet and she braced one hand on the counter. Once she was assured that everything was moderately okay, she took a baby step.

  “I still think I should call a doctor,” Daniel said.

  “I’ll call him in a little while. I’m sure I’ll be fine as soon as I get something to eat.”

  With Mimi holding on to her arm and Daniel trailing behind them, Karen walked cautiously toward the restroom. At the door Daniel told her, “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

  “We’ll be okay,” Karen told him, hoping that were true. Should she faint again, Mimi was too small to catch her.

  “Good thing I caught you,” Mimi said as Karen stood over the sink, splashing water in her face.

  She studied Mimi from the mirror’s reflection. “You caught me?”

  “Yes, right before you landed on the floor. So when is the baby due?”

  Karen’s pallor turned pink. “How did you know?”

  Mimi patted Karen’s back. “The fainting was my first clue but I guess you could say you have that glow about you.”

  After staring in the mirror at her disheveled hair and colorless lips, Karen decided she looked anything but glowing. “The baby’s due in late May.”

  Mimi grinned. “Wonderful news! You know, I would’ve given my Johnny’s favorite bowling ball to have a baby.” Her sigh was wistful. “But we had each other.”

  Karen wiped her face with a towel, turned from the sink and leaned back against it. “You must have really loved each other.”

  “Very much.” Mimi’s mellow expression melted into a frown. “You, missy, need to take some time off. You’re working too hard.”

  “But Maria would—”

  “Rather walk across a blistering sidewalk barefoot than see something happen to you or your baby.”

  So would Karen. “I’ll shorten my hours.”

  “I imagine your man will have something to say about that once he finds out about your spell.”

  Karen had no doubt he would, which was why she didn’t intend to tell him. He would only worry and most likely insist that she quit her job. She wouldn’t do that unless she w
as in danger of compromising the pregnancy. She would simply stay off her feet as much as possible, take several breaks and eat regular meals. “I’d prefer you not tell him.”

  Mimi clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Starting out your married life with secrets isn’t a good thing at all.”

  True, Karen thought, but she was already keeping a secret. A big secret. He had yet to know that she felt far more for him than only mere affection, despite the fact she didn’t want to. “I’ll think about what you’re saying. In the meantime, let’s get back to work. Veronica is probably rattled having to take care of the morning customers all by herself.”

  “She was that way the minute she walked in the door.” Mimi drew Karen into a brief hug, taking both of them by surprise. “You be careful today. If you even begin to look the least bit shaky, I’m going to call your husband myself.”

  Karen had no doubt she would. “It’s a deal. First I need to make a call to my doctor.”

  Mimi and Daniel stayed immediately outside the break room while Karen made the call to the doctor’s office. She spoke with a nurse who assured Karen that it was, in fact, normal to have dizzy spells during pregnancy. She also told Karen that she would have the physician call her when he returned to see his afternoon patients.

  After she hung up, Karen reentered the dining room and, at Mimi’s insistence, took a seat by Daniel at the counter with a glass of milk and a cherry-filled pastry. While she nibbled on the roll, Daniel continued to stare at her.

  She gave him a determined look. “I’m not going to fall off this stool, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  He gave her his infamous grin. “You look like hell, Karen.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “Is your new husband wearing you out?”