The Sheik's Secret Bride (7 page)

Zahir felt her stiffen next to him and knew what she was thinking.  “It will be okay,” he promised her softly.  “First of all, no one knows that we are here.  Secondly, this house is built to protect the three of us.  There are guards all around the perimeter and a state of the art security system.  All of my men are well trained.”

Callie couldn’t really argue about this.  Not in front of Luca.  But as soon as her little man was tucked into bed, she was going to let loose on Zahir.  How dare he do all of this without consulting her first?  How dare he take her son’s life and future into his own hands?

“Why don’t we figure out what we’re going to do about dinner, shall we?” she suggested, changing the subject. 

“I’ll have the housekeeper cook something up,” Zahir said.

Callie whipped around, glaring at the man standing next to her son.  “I’ll make dinner, Zahir.  I don’t need a housekeeper to make meals for me.”  She glanced over at Luca.  “Right, my man?”

Luca glanced up at his newfound father, his eyes serious as he said, “You don’t want to argue with her, Dad.”  In a lower tone he said, “She might be dieting.  She doesn’t like to eat out when she’s dieting.”

That caused Zahir’s eyes to come right back to Callie and they drifted down her figure, causing yet another one of those blushes that she hated so much.  “Maybe we should show your mom that she doesn’t need to diet.  That she’s perfect just the way she is.”

Luca’s shoulders went up and down in a mini shrug.  “I tell her I think she’s pretty.  She just tells me she needs to lose weight.”

Zahir shook his head.  “We need to try harder.” 

They gave each other a conspiratorial look and Callie was shocked that, after only a couple of hours in each other’s company, Zahir was already teaching her sweet little man his ways! 

She stood there staring at the two of them, struck anew by all the similarities.  They had the same eyes and hair, Luca was much taller than most of his peers which made sense since Zahir was about six feet three inches tall, much taller than the average male.  And Luca’s little arms were thin, but already showing signs of the muscles he would have.  Just like his father’s amazing physique. 

“Why don’t you show your dad how to play that crazy card game you taught me the other night?” she suggested.  That would give her time to cook and think.  And some space to think without Zahir constantly touching her, blowing her thoughts out of her mind with his kisses or those disturbing, feather-light touches. 

Luca immediately jumped down off of the counter and looked back up at his dad, eager to show him some of his knowledge.  “This way,” he told him, taking his hand and leading him over to one of the tables.  “We brought cards just in case the house didn’t have them here.”

Callie watched, her heart aching for her special time with her son now that Zahir was back in his life.  Before this night, Luca had only played cards with her, they’d sometimes cooked dinner together, they’d make pancakes on Saturday morning together…so much of that was going to change now!  And she didn’t want it to change!  She loved her life!  Her life might be dull and ordinary.  Okay, so sometimes she longed for a bit of excitement and she dreamed of Zahir way too often.  But her life was safe!  It was comfortable!  What right did he have to step back into her life and mess it all up?  Just because he was Luca’s father….! 

She turned to the refrigerator, unable to look at the two men and absorb all of the implications of Zahir’s return.  It was too disturbing so she just banished it from her mind for a while. 

She pulled out ingredients for pasta, grilling up vegetables in garlic and olive oil, grating fresh cheese and boiling the whole-wheat pasta.  Italian was one of her favorite foods and, even though she was still trying to lose those pounds, she decided that tonight, with Zahir’s return, she needed comfort food loaded with cheese instead of a plate full of vegetables.  She even sliced up the thick, crusty bread and added garlic butter to their dining experience for the night. 

“Everything is ready,” she called out to the boys.  They both looked up, their focus entirely on their card game.  She’d been listening to them while she cooked, Zahir’s voice deep and masculine compared to Luca’s more child-like tones.  It would be music to her ears if she wasn’t so terrified of what would happen after this week.  Or even after dinner. 

No, she refused to be afraid of tonight.  There were six bedrooms in this house.  She could find her own bedroom easily.  She’d just use the one right next to Luca’s room and Zahir could use the master bedroom.  There was absolutely no chance that she was going to share a bedroom with him tonight. 

Zahir and Luca came over to the table and, before she could do it herself, Zahir had lifted Luca up into the air, dropping him right down into the heavy dining room chair.  Callie glared at him with jealousy because Luca might be only four years old but he was solid!  She had trouble picking him up these days, sure that his shoes were actually filled with lead instead of simply rubber soles. 

“So what do you guys usually do after dinner?” he asked.

“Momma reads to me,” Luca said, reaching out and taking a slice of garlic bread.  “Yum!  You put cheese on this!” he said with relish and took a bite.

Callie ignored the garlic bread, feeling self-conscious suddenly in the too-small tee-shirt.  Comfort food was one thing, but she didn’t need to add the extra calories to her meal.  She settled for the pasta and red sauce, even foregoing the grated cheese. 

Zahir knew exactly what she was doing and, when the cheese came to him, he sprinkled a layer of the good stuff over his pasta, then reached over and did the same to hers. 

She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head.  “I’ll prove to you that you have the most amazing figure,” he promised her, adding a wink. 

Callie blushed and shook her head, taking her fork and tasting the food.  Oh goodness, it tasted good, she thought, closing her eyes with the pungent cheese. 

He opened a bottle of red wine, pouring two glasses and Callie stared at the wine with longing. 

“Try it,” he coaxed when she just stared, refusing to touch the crystal glass. 

She shook her head.  “I shouldn’t.  I haven’t had wine in…” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had wine.  And then it occurred to her.  It was the night before that horrible capture. 

She lifted her glass, her fingers shaking but she forced herself to take a sip.  It was good, she thought.  But she set the glass back down, not wanting to remember how he’d taught her to enjoy wines.  For three weeks, he’d introduced her to the amazing world of wines and decadence. 

Setting her glass back down on the table, she forced herself to concentrate on eating.  “Luca, why don’t you tell your dad about your newest favorite book?” she suggested.

Luca then went on to regale Zahir with all of the stories he loved.  Including Harry Potter and Percy Jackson…there were so many.  Her son was a voracious reader and, if he couldn’t read the book because of the complicated words, they would read the stories together, snuggled up on a rocking chair or in the big, soft club chair in her den area. 

Those times were gone, she thought.  Her appetite was gone and she pushed the food around on her plate, wishing that she could just turn back the clock. 

Zahir watched as Callie walked out of the bedroom, not looking any more refreshed despite the fact that he’d allowed her to sleep alone.  She was fully dressed, but that was about it.  His eyes roved over her long, sexy legs revealed by the shorts she’d chosen for the day.  He liked them, he thought.  He hadn’t ever seen her in shorts.  Five years ago, it had been fall so she’d worn mostly jeans or those stretchy, legging things.  He liked those fine but the shorts…yep, they had to be his favorite.  Her legs weren’t skinny and bony as so many other women preferred.  Nor were they fat either.  Callie’s legs were longer than her short stature would suggest, and smooth with muscles underneath the soft skin. 

Luca’s head bounced into his line of sight, disturbing his perusal of his wife.  He’d been carrying his son on his shoulders as they talked together down on the dock, watching the mist dance across the surface of the glass-like lake. It was early in the morning and both of them had woken up and gone down to the water, just talking about stuff and learning more about each other.  “Momma looks tired,” Luca commented as if he too were worried about her lack of sleep.

Zahir looked at her delicate features and had to admit that she looked pretty exhausted.  Those dark circles were getting worse, he thought. 

“What’s wrong?” Zahir asked, moving closer to her.  He and Luca had been discussing the possibility of fishing again today but maybe they should do something different.  He didn’t want her to have the same reaction to worms that she’d had yesterday. 

He lifted Luca off of his shoulders and put him into one of the dining chairs.  The housekeeper that had been retained for the week had already cut up a fruit salad and there was an egg casserole in the oven, ready to serve.  Luca and Zahir had only been waiting on Callie before they ate breakfast. 

He held her chair out for her, winking at Luca’s huge eyes as he watched his father treat his mother with manners that had never occurred to him before. 

“Nothing is wrong,” she said as she pulled the napkin from the table, spreading it out on her lap.  “What did you make for breakfast?” she asked, smiling at Luca.

Luca shook his head as he used both hands to lift his milk glass carefully.  “Dottie made breakfast.  Did you sleep well last night?” he asked before taking a huge sip of his milk. 

She rubbed her forehead.  “I’m fine,” she smiled. 

Luca rolled his eyes.  Turning to his dad, he said, “She didn’t sleep well.  She does this a lot.”

Callie reached out and tousled his dark curls.  “I’m fine,” she promised. 

Luca shook his head.  “She’s not fine.” 

Callie laughed slightly.  “Oh, you think you know me so well, eh?”

He wiggled in his chair as Zahir set the egg casserole onto the table.  “Why didn’t you sleep well last night?” he asked as he took his chair opposite her. 

Callie was exhausted, but there was no way she was going to admit anything to Zahir.  Especially not with that knowing look in his eyes.  “I slept perfectly fine.”

Luca lifted his plate so that his mother could serve him the food.  “She doesn’t have that vibrating thing.”  He set his plate down carefully, unaware of the stunned silence above his head.  “She always has trouble when she doesn’t use that vibrating thing at night.”

Callie’s eyes went from her son’s dark head to Zahir’s amused gaze.  “Do you need a vibrating thing to get to sleep at night?” he asked softly, trying very hard not to burst out laughing. 

Callie shook her head, her mouth opening and closing in horror.  “I don’t…there’s no…” she wasn’t sure what to say.  “I don’t have a vibrating thing, Luca!” she finally announced with a strangled voice.  Her hands were gripping the table as she looked around, terrified that someone other than Zahir had heard her son. 

“Yes you do,” Luca argued.  “That thing beside your bed.  It vibrates and helps you sleep.  You said so yourself.”

Callie’s face was already red with total humiliation and she wasn’t sure what to say. 

Zahir’s large, calloused hand was covering his mouth as he tried to smother his laughter.  “Honey, you can just do away with your vibrating thing now.  I’m here.  And I’m more than willing to help you sleep at night.  Just give me a chance.”

Callie made a strange sound, her hand coming up to her forehead as she struggled to figure out what was happening to her.  “Oscillating!” she practically screamed when she finally figured out what her son was talking about.  “Luca, the word is oscillating!”  She looked across the table at Zahir who was still trying to stop laughing.  “I have an oscillating fan beside my bed!  It keeps me cool at night and the white noise helps me sleep!”

Zahir couldn’t stop laughing, so delighted with her embarrassment and her adorable blushes.  Callie was so horrified by what their son had just implied and she looked like she’d prefer an earthquake to separate the ground beneath her so she could just fall right into it.  “Ah, my love.  An oscillating fan still won’t be as good as what I can do for you.  I guarantee that you will sleep better once you let me help you.”

Callie covered her face with her hands, not sure how to get the horrible man to change the subject.  “Stop it!” she mumbled.  “Just stop going there.”

“Oh, we’re going there.  In fact, I think that several new vibrating…” he couldn’t finish that sentence because Callie was leaning over the table, her hand covering his mouth with her hand. 

She could still see the laughter in his eyes but she glared at him with everything she had inside of her. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” she threatened. 

Luca was looking back and forth at his parents, fascinated by this new turn of events.  Callie looked at her son as she sat back down in her chair, then up at Zahir who was still chuckling.  “What are you planning to do today?” she asked.

Zahir ran a hand over his mouth, trying valiantly to smother his amusement.  “How about if we go sailing?” he suggested.

Callie thought that was a great idea, but she leaned over slightly, looking down at the dock through the large windows.  “You don’t have a sailboat,” she pointed out.

“A minor technicality which will be remedied.”

“Are you going to get a sailboat today?” Luca asked, almost standing up in his chair with excitement.  Only his mother’s stern glance kept him from genuinely breaking the rules. 

“It is being delivered in,” he glanced at his watch, “thirty minutes.”

Callie tapped her fingers against the table, trying to find patience.  “Zahir, we need to discuss this,” she told him.

Zahir lifted a dark eyebrow in question.  “What’s to discuss?  Do you not want to go sailing?  I thought it was something you’d always wanted to do.”

She was startled that he’d remembered that.  It was just a passing comment she’d made one day.  She couldn’t even remember the context.  “I do.  I would love to go sailing but…”

He turned to Luca.  “Finish your breakfast.  Then go talk to Ms. Fisher.  She’ll get you ready for sailing.”

Luca shoveled his food into his mouth, then jumped down from the table.  He was already sprinting to his bedroom when he skidded to a halt, ran back to the table and picked up his plate and glass, carefully carrying them over to the sink.  “Bye!” he saluted, then disappeared.

Callie was proud of him for remembering to clear his dishes but she turned to face Zahir.  “You’re spoiling him,” she said, not holding back.  “I don’t want him to grow up into a spoiled, rotten kid who thinks he can have everything he wants.”

Zahir leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully.  “He’s a good kid, Callie.  What you need to understand is that he will have a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders.  I will teach him to take his pleasures when and where he can.”

She sat there, unable to move for a long moment as the reality of what was on her little boy’s shoulders hit her fully.  “And that includes buying a sailboat on a whim?”

He chuckled.  “Actually, it wasn’t a whim.  Sailing teaches a person ways to listen to the world around them.  A good sailor has to read the water and the wind, to use the earth’s natural resources to move along the water.  It is a powerful lesson.  Using natural resources not only for energy but also understanding nature in humans, knowing that the people he will come into contact with during his lifetime will generally have their own agenda and he’ll have to use that agenda to forge a better way for Larcatia.”

Callie was astounded by his thinking and had no argument against such logic.  She understood, but she didn’t have to like it.

“Fine,” she grumbled. 

Zahir chuckled at her grumbling acceptance. Standing up, he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her chair as well. “Sooner or later, Callie, you’re going to trust me.”

Her chin lifted up defiantly. “I trust you, Zahir.”

Zahir looked at her pretty eyes that had changed to a light brown instead of their normal soft amber. He knew what he had to do with his son. But when it came to Callie, she was becoming a mystery. He knew that she still loved him, but she wouldn’t let herself admit that and he didn’t understand why. Or maybe he did and he just wasn’t acknowledging how deep her fears went. It was a strain to keep his hands off of her, to listen to her signals and respect them. Last night had been one of the hardest nights of his life, keeping his hands off of her and letting her sleep alone in that bed down the hallway had been painful.

His hand lifted and gently stroked her golden hair. “How about if we just enjoy today? No worries about the future. No worries about anything, just relaxing and enjoying the sunshine and the open water.”

Callie looked up into his eyes, trying to be reassured by his words. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the kind of woman who could ignore the future. She done that once and Luca was the result.

“I would love to go sailing with you today. But that’s all I can promise.”

Zahir smiled and dropped his hand from her hair. “That’s good enough for me. For today.”

Luca had already changed his clothes and sprinted down the hallway towards them. “I’m ready!” The little man who stood barely four feet tall looked up at his parents with an enormous grin splitting his adorable face.

Callie was not immune to his enthusiasm. “Then let’s go sailing!”

True to his word, Zahir was an expert sailor. The day was absolutely perfect with calm winds and a gentle sunshine that warmed them as they skimmed along the surface of the water. Zahir had even arranged for a picnic basket to be made up so they stayed out on the water, just lowering the sails, while they nibbled on gourmet sandwiches, handmade potato chips with some sort of delicious cheese topping on them, fruit and all sorts of decadent desserts.

The whole time that they sailed, Callie sat towards the back of the boat, content to watch her son and Zahir interact. She was amazed at how much knowledge Zahir had about sailing, impressed also with the patience he had with Luca who was excited to try everything, to touch everything, and wanted to do everything himself.

By the time Luca and Zahir maneuvered the sailboat back to their private cove, Callie was more than ready to put her feet onto dry land. The rocking of the boat had lulled her all afternoon. That plus the lack of sleep the previous night made it hard for her to keep her eyes open. She didn’t want to miss anything, so she struggled to stay awake.

The dastardly and always observant Zahir noticed her fatigue and as they tied up the ship, he suggested that she go take a nap. Callie shook her head, knowing that if she took a nap at this point in the day, she would be up all night and wouldn’t be able to sleep again. From experience, she knew that staying up and just pushing through the fatigue was her best option.

“I’ll be fine,” she said.

“Can we make cookies?” Luca asked.

Callie opened her mouth to tell him that she was too tired to make cookies this afternoon, but Zahir quickly nodded his head. “I’ll make cookies with you, if you can show me how to do it.”

Luca’s dark eyes turned to Callie, silently begging for permission.

Callie chuckled at the idea of Luca trying to make cookies without her or Ms. Fisher.  Luca was more into the tasting aspect of cooking making rather than the science or deliberation side of the event. But a devilish thought struck her at that moment.  “Sure!” she replied, trying to hide her smile.  “Your dad taught you to sail, it is only fair that you teach him something as well.  So go for it!  Make cookies.  But remember that you’ll have to clean up whatever mess you make.”

Zahir looked down into her eyes carefully, understanding her expression but not sure what she might be hiding.  “What’s going on?” he demanded, taking her hand and pulling her closer.  But Callie had anticipated his move and she slipped her hand out of his and backed up several steps on the dock, careful to not get too close to the edge.  “Luca wants to make cookies with his new dad,” she said, pretending innocence.  “What could possibly go wrong?”

Luca grabbed Zahir’s hand, pulling him up the pathway to the house.  Zahir looked at her even as Luca tugged him up the path.  “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”

Callie laughed, all the exhaustion from the afternoon fading away as she eagerly shook her head.  “It’s going to be awesome!  Just wait!”

Zahir shook his head, knowing that his little woman was up to something but he couldn’t figure out what the problem might be.  “There’s no recipe?” he asked.