Her Ardent Sheikh Page 16
Once they had exchanged rings, plain gold bands that Jamie had insisted on, the Justice of the Peace announced that Ben could kiss his bride. Ben cradled her face in his hands, and she slipped her arms about his waist.
“I love you, my Jamie.”
“And I love you, Ben.”
Then he melded his lips to hers in a long, lingering kiss that made Jamie forget where they were.
Fire rose to her face when everyone began to applaud and several hoots and hollers rose above the din.
Finally they parted and with hands clasped, walked back down the aisle to more applause. Once they were in the waiting limousine, Caleb and Alima joined them for the trip to the legendary Texas Cattleman’s Club for the reception. When they settled in, Jamie and Ben on one seat, the housekeeper and the farmer on the other, Alima eyed Caleb from the top of his bolo tie to the tip of his shiny boots. But Jamie noticed Alima didn’t look at all displeased by what she saw. Then Caleb shocked Jamie by smiling at Alima and introducing himself.
During the short drive, Jamie was content to cuddle with Ben in silence and listen to her father and Alima discuss Hank Williams and George Jones. Common ground shared by two very different people. Jamie could certainly relate to that.
They arrived at the club to much fanfare and hordes of people Jamie didn’t recognize. She did, however, recognize the mayor, who greeted them inside the foyer of the Cattleman’s Club. Jamie noted the plaque hanging above the entrance. Peace, Justice, Leadership. How well she understood that concept now that she had met Ben. He represented all those convictions, and much, much more.
Once inside the cavernous ballroom, Jamie could only stare at the flower-and-ribbon-bedecked walls, the fine crystal and china, the mammoth white cake graced by cascading pink roses centered in the middle of a long table surrounded by every kind of food imaginable. She’d never stepped foot in here before, and now she felt privileged to be among such honorable men. Privileged to be married to one of them.
Ben led Jamie to the table where Matt delivered a champagne toast and they performed the required cutting of the cake. Afterward, Ben introduced her to Aaron Black. She had already met his wife, Pamela, on the plane bound for Asterland, only now Pamela Black looked very different with her swollen belly and radiant smile, not a trace of the shy woman who had rarely spoken. Dr. Webb soon joined them with his wife, Winona, and a baby girl dressed in pink frills. Matt and Helena stood by, arm in arm, seemingly lost in their own world. Probably talking about their impending wedding, Jamie surmised.
Off in the corner, holding up the wall, was another man Jamie didn’t recognize. He looked incredibly lost, and very, very distressed.
She tugged Ben’s arm to garner his attention and discreetly pointed in the stranger’s direction. “Who’s that?”
Ben bent and whispered, “Dakota Lewis. Another member of the club.”
“What’s wrong with him? He looks like he’s lost his best friend.”
“That he has, I am afraid. I will explain later.”
Her heart went out to the man. Right now she wanted everyone to be as happy she was.
After more conversation, Jamie’s feet began to ache. She needed to talk to Ben alone, let him know she was ready to leave. Her stomach felt a bit queasy, and she wondered if a woman could have morning sickness in the afternoon.
When Matt and Helena walked away, Jamie grabbed the opportunity and led Ben into an alcove near a long hallway.
He took her in his arms and grinned. “Do you wish my attention, wife?”
“How perceptive of you, husband. Can we go soon?”
He nuzzled her neck, his warm breath playing against her already heated skin. “Are you growing impatient to begin our honeymoon?”
“You hit the nail on the head.” He was also stirring up trouble when he sent a string of kisses down the valley of her breasts, exposed by the dress’s sweetheart neckline.
“I am more than ready to make love to you,” he murmured, along with a few choice words that would make the flowers wilt, just like Jamie’s legs. “I believe there is a vacant conference room down the hall that should do quite nicely for what I intend.”
She grabbed his ears and tugged his head up, away from dangerous ground. “I believe you are a wicked man.”
He pressed against her, signaling loud and clear he was having some very wicked thoughts. “I am definitely a man in need of his wife’s attention.”
“Then let’s get out of here,” she said in a breathless tone.
“I will say my goodbyes, then we can go. I have made a reservation at the Royalton Hotel. I am sorry we cannot have a proper honeymoon until all is settled with Asterland.”
Jamie didn’t dare ask what was left to settle. She’d let him keep his mysteries. Besides, as far as she was concerned, Asterland could fall off the face of the earth. “I’m really sorry your mother couldn’t be here.”
He had the nerve to cup her breast through the lace. “I fear she is very taken with my new nephew.” He bent and rimmed her ear with his tongue. “And tonight perhaps we can make her another grandchild.”
Jamie couldn’t have wished for a more perfect opening. But if he didn’t stop fondling her, she wouldn’t be able to speak. “Too late for that, I’m afraid.”
Ben’s head snapped up and he met her gaze. His hand slowly dropped to his side. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I took a test this morning. One of those over-the-counter things, not the lab kind. But they’re supposed to be pretty accurate.”
“And?”
Jamie smiled. “It said that Sheikh Hasim bin Abbas kadir Jamal Rassad of Amythra is going to be a daddy.”
His eyes drifted from her face to her belly where he reverently laid his palm. “I could not have hoped for a better way to end this perfect day.” He met her gaze, pure joy in the dark depths of his eyes. “Except, perhaps, by making love to you all night.”
“As long as your son cooperates.”
He looked at her with love shining in his eyes. “I am hoping for a girl. One with hair of gold like her mother, and a strong heart to match.”
Jamie felt as though that strong heart might burst with all the love she held for this prince of a man. “It doesn’t matter to me. I will love it, whatever it turns out to be.”
“As will I, as much as I love you.”
She circled her arms around his waist and stared up at him. “So when are we planning to return to Amythra?”
“This summer if all goes as planned. My mother will not tolerate waiting much longer to meet her American daughter-in-law, and my brother will want to hold another ceremony in honor of our marriage, if you agree.”
“Whatever makes you happy, Ben.” She worried her bottom lip for a moment, thinking she had so much to learn about his culture. “We’ve never really discussed it before, but where do you plan for us to live?”
“Here, in Royal. You should be near your father. We can visit Amythra as often as possible. And as soon as our child arrives, we can determine when you will finish your schooling.”
Jamie wanted to cry again. “You’d do that for me?”
“I would do anything for you. I thought you would realize this by now.”
She realized that, and how very much she loved him. Never again would she believe a person couldn’t change. “But won’t you miss your family? Your home?”
He took her hands into his and placed them to his lips. “For many years I have not known where home is. Now that I have met you, I know.” He bent and kissed her softly, then raised solemn eyes to her. “You are my family now, Jamie. You have brought me home.”
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given
to Kristi Gold for her contribution
to the TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB: LONE STAR JEWELS series.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0647-2
HER ARDENT SHEIKH
Copyright © 2001 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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