Susan Mallery: The Sheik And The Pregnant Bride

“Ms. Collins, I’m very sorry, but I’m going to have to arrest you.”

This couldn’t be happening, Maggie thought. It was a joke. It had to be.

“For what?”

“Violating El Deharian law. You are pregnant?”

“That has nothing to do with anything.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. It is illegal to remove a royal child from the country without permission from the king. You have no such permission.”

She sank into the chair. Disbelief warred with despair. Wasn’t her life sucky enough without this happening?

“The baby isn’t Qadir’s,” she said, not looking at the little man. “I know what the papers said, but they’re wrong. If you would just call him, he’ll tell you that and you can let me go.”

“That is the one thing I cannot do.”

That voice!

Maggie stood and saw Qadir had entered the small room. He walked to her and took her hands in his as the security agent left.

She didn’t know what to think. “Why are you here?”

“Because you left before I could speak with you. Because if you leave, I will only follow and that will make us both look foolish.”

His dark gaze burned down to her soul. “Maggie, I have realized what is wrong. Why you won’t stay and marry me.”

“I doubt that.”

He smiled. “You are difficult and stubborn and I never wish to tame you.”

“I’m fairly untamable.”

“Even for the man who loves you?”

Time froze. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, could only stare into Qadir’s face.

“I love you,” he said firmly. “I want you to stay so we can be together. I want you to stay so I can be a father to your child. I want you to stay because we belong together. Be my wife.”

The words were magic but a little surprising. “Have you had a recent head injury?”

Qadir laughed, then pulled her close and kissed her. “I have been a fool. Many years ago, I gave my heart. When it was broken, I vowed to never love again. I did not recognize what had happened until it was almost too late.”

Joy filled her until she thought she might float. She flung herself at him and held on as hard as she could. Qadir squeezed her tight until she shoved him away.

“I can’t,” she told him. “This will never work.”

“Why not?”

“I’m a mechanic. I can’t go from that to being a princess.”

“Why not?”

“You need someone else. Someone more in keeping with your place in society.”

“I want you. Only you. I want to make you so happy, you feel pity for all other women.”

A great goal. She was so tempted. She loved him. This was her dream come true.

“I’m scared,” she admitted.

“Of me?”

“Of how much I love you.”

“We can face our fears together, sweet Maggie. I love you.”

She went to him then, because she didn’t have a choice. He already had possession of her heart. He might as well take the rest of her, too.

“Forever,” he promised before he kissed her. “Now will you stay?”

She smiled. “Just try to get rid of me.”