Virgin Seduction

what-

'What do you mean, why?' Fear made Cade's voice harsh. He'd never felt more vulnerable in his life, not even when his mother died. How could he expose himself so? He hadn't the courage…

She's a woman. You expect her to tell you first? And all at once he felt himself relax. His heart grew warm…and light filled all his insides.

'Why do you think?' Cade's voice had lost its roughness. It was tender…tender as a caress. 'Because…1 love you, Princess.' She caught her breath, but he wasn't finished. 'I love you!' he said. And again: 'I love you!'

Then she saw it. At last, the smile she had carried so long in her memory…the smile she had longed for… the smile that lit his face and eyes with purest joy.

And she knew that it was true.

Epilogue

Sheik Ahmed Kamal sat at the head table in the Great Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Tamir and beamed upon the assembly that had gathered to celebrate the Walima of his youngest daughter and her husband, Cade Gallagher. Sated with good food and good wine, he felt humble, and richly blessed.

Had any monarch ever had more reason to sing the praises of Allah? First his sons and now a daughter well and happily wed, and soon there would be yet another wedding, this one as satisfactory as he would have wished. His oldest daughter was to marry his closest advisor-what could be more desirable?

Relations with his neighbors the Montebellans were on solid footing at last, and with the addition of oil-rich Texans to the family, Tamir's economic future had never been brighter. And next spring, if things went as he hoped, perhaps there would be more grandchildren to keep Alima happy…and, he must be honest, himself, as well.

Yes…life is indeed good, thought the old sheik.

KATHLEEN CREIGHTON

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