Annie West - Royals Untamed!

‘I can never be what you need.’

‘You are everything I need—and more.’ He dropped his hands to take hold of her arms, keeping her before him, preventing any escape.

Still as if in a dream, she watched as he lowered his head. Lightly his lips brushed over hers and she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment. But it didn’t come; he pulled back. Her eyes opened to look into his.

‘I’ve been a fool—a blind fool,’ he said so gently she wanted to cry. ‘I have been running from you and your love for too long. I don’t want to run any more.’

She shook her head in disbelief, words failing her.

‘I was afraid to love, afraid that if I did I would hurt you, just as my father hurt my mother.’

‘You think you’ll be the same?’ How could he ever have thought such a thing? ‘That would never happen.’

He pulled her to him and she held her breath, waiting, wanting to hear him say what she saw in his eyes.

‘I love you, Amber. You are my princess and wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I want to be there.’

‘Wherever?’ She whispered the word so quietly she hardly heard it herself.

‘Yes, Amber, I will give up everything for you.’ He kissed her then, so deeply she wondered if she’d ever breathe again, but as Kazim’s arms wrapped around her she knew she’d found what she wanted and it didn’t matter where they were, they would always have that. They would always love one another.

‘I’ve lived all my life in fear of being like my father. I didn’t want to break your spirit the way he broke my mother’s. I just couldn’t take that risk.’

‘All along you’ve thought that?’ She looked up at him, wanting to kiss his pain away.

‘Yes. Can you forgive me?’

Her body melted at the love and desire that was openly shining in his eyes. ‘Your love is all I have ever wanted, Kazim, but I would never make you give up what you were born to do.’

‘I was born to love you.’ He pressed his lips against her forehead and pulled her close. She heard his heart beating as hard and loud as hers, beating in unison with their love.

‘I love you, Kazim, with all my heart. I was born to be your princess, so take me home.’ He put her at arm’s length and looked into her eyes.

‘I can’t do that,’ he said with a new gentleness in his voice and she smiled coyly at him.

‘Sorry, I forgot you only had a short time; you have to be somewhere else.’

‘No,’ he said, brushing his lips over hers, setting fire to her body as the embers of passion rose to life once more. ‘The only place I have to be is with the woman I love, but you have a friend returning from America, so we’ll stay here until they are settled.’

‘Here?’ Incredulity filled her voice. ‘You’ll stay here?’

‘Wherever you are, Amber, is where I want to be.’

He pulled her into his arms and, as she looked up at him, kissed her lips with so much passion and love. ‘I love you, Kazim, and always have.’

He smiled at her. ‘I have loved you since we first met, but I was just too proud and stubborn to realise it. I should never have listened to those who were against you. I should have listened to my heart. Can you ever forgive me?’

‘It might take some time,’ she teased. ‘But yes, I think I can.’

EPILOGUE

Eighteen months later

AMBER HAD BEEN so happy she thought that nothing could top it. Returning to Barazbin with Kazim had been like a dream come true. Not once since he’d told her he loved her had a day gone by when he hadn’t said it again.

She walked out onto the balcony to join Kazim, who was enjoying a rare moment of peace. He smiled and pulled her close against him. ‘You look amazing,’ he said as he brushed his lips lightly over hers. ‘Motherhood suits you.’

‘Our son has made a difference to so many,’ she teased lightly. ‘Your father is a different man.’

‘My father and I have both dealt with demons in our past and are stronger for it, but I never want my son to go through what I did.’ He looked at her intently.

‘That will never happen, Kazim.’ She smiled up at him. ‘But we will be in trouble with your father if we don’t attend this evening’s festivities.’

‘Peace in our land is a cause for celebration and it is thanks to your father. He may have acted wrongly, but it was your honour he sought to defend. Since then he has worked tirelessly to expose the rebel leaders. I owe him much.’

‘It means so much to me that you forgave him.’ Amber had been stunned to discover her father’s involvement with the rebels but, even more so, that he was doing it in a bid to punish Kazim for rejecting her. He’d been avenging her honour.

‘I have a surprise for you this evening,’ he said as he walked back into the luxury of their suite. ‘But first we need to celebrate with everyone.’

As they entered the opulence of the hall the celebrations began. She loved the dancing and laughter, and very soon she was caught up in the atmosphere of the evening. Kazim, who had been talking to others, moved back to her side.

‘Hasim is here.’ Kazim’s words had her scanning the room. If Hasim was here, would Annie be too? She’d missed her friend so much.

She looked up at Kazim. ‘And Annie? Is she here too?’

‘She’s here.’ He smiled at her, his dark eyes full of happiness. ‘Now go, catch up with her, or whatever it is you ladies do.’

‘I love you, Kazim.’ She pressed her palm against his cheek, wishing they were alone and that she could show him just how much.

* * * * *

Read on for an extract from DELUCCA’S MARRIAGE CONTRACT by Abby Green.

PROLOGUE

‘THAT’S THE DEAL, Delucca, take it or leave it. I don’t think I need to tell you that if you leave it the O’Connor brand won’t be affected.’

Giancarlo Delucca gritted his jaw at the arrogant tone. The unspoken insinuation from the older Irish man wasn’t subtle: But the Delucca brand might languish in European shopping aisles for years before making it globally.

Gianni, still reeling slightly, looked at Liam O’Connor, who sat in a leather chair with his back to the impressive view of Dublin’s financial district.

‘And what does your daughter think of this proposed arranged marriage?’

O’Connor’s grey eyes narrowed, and there was a barely perceptible tightening around his mouth. ‘Keelin is loyal to the family business.’

Gianni responded with a hint of incredulity. ‘Loyal enough to agree to a marriage of convenience?’

Suddenly feeling agitated, Gianni didn’t wait for a reply and went to stand at one of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. He put his hands in his pockets to stop himself from running them impatiently through his hair—a bad habit. He felt claustrophobic. Marriage. That word called up all sorts of dark images and bad memories. He’d only ever seen the worst a marriage had to offer so he’d vowed never to take that route himself. But the unpalatable fact was that he needed this merger with the vastly successful O’Connor Foods brand to break into the more lucrative global market, and namely, America.

That would take him away from the bitter memories of his childhood and young adulthood. It would civilise the Delucca name, make him invulnerable, and in time no one would ever remember that Delucca had once been one of the Mafia’s most notorious names.

O’Connor’s voice came from behind him. ‘Keelin is a beautiful woman. Well educated. She’ll be an asset on your arm as you move forward and expand.’

Gianni’s mouth tightened as the kind of domestic scenario he hadn’t ever envisaged took root in his mind, much to his disgust. He didn’t want O’Connor to see the myriad emotions he was feeling in his eyes, so didn’t turn around. ‘You think that I can’t find a wife of my own choosing?’ Not that he’d contemplated it!