Unexpectedly Expecting the Sheik's Baby - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,63
fault,” he groaned. “I forgot protection that first night.”
She smiled, curling closer to him. “I’m an intelligent woman, Nasir. I am fully aware of the consequences of unprotected sex. I was just as responsible.”
His hand moved from her back to her hair, tugging gently until she looked up at him. “You were inexperienced that first time, my dear. It was my responsibility.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I can’t pretend to be upset about this though. I’m thrilled.” He hugged her again. “We will be married quickly.”
Cassy stiffened in his arms. “No, we won’t!” she argued, pulling out of his arms. She looked around, almost laughing because they were still standing in the bathroom! “I can’t have this discussion right now.” Moving towards the doorway, she pulled it open and…stopped as a wave of dizziness hit her. Once again, Nasir’s strong arms held her steady until the world stopped spinning.
“Thank you,” she whispered, tilting her head slightly. But she didn’t turn all the way and look at him. Instead, as soon as the dizziness eased, she continued moving out of the bathroom, but much slower this time.
Nasir measured his steps so that he walked beside her, watching her face. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
Cassy sighed. “Um…well, besides the morning sickness, the dizziness, the abhorrence at the smell of…” she stopped, seeing the servant standing beside the table with that silver coffee pot. “Coffee.”
Nasir followed her gaze and realized what was going on. “I’ll have coffee later,” he told the woman. Immediately, she nodded and left, taking the coffee with her.
He sensed her relief as she slowly stepped closer to the breakfast table. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Her lips were pale as she slipped into the chair Nasir held out for her. “You need to eat,” he announced firmly, irritated that his woman wasn’t feeling well. “And then I’ll have a doctor check on you. I want…”
She lifted a hand, stopping his words.
“I’ve seen a doctor twice already and I’m fine. I need to eat more, but the baby is fine and…” she stopped, her heartwarming at his words. “The baby’s heartbeat is strong,” she finished in a whisper.
“You’ve heard our son’s heartbeat?” he demanded, a surge of emotion hitting him unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.
Cassy smiled slightly and he watched as her hand stroked her stomach. “It’s going to be a girl,” she told him.
His eyes watched her hand, unable to pull his gaze away. “You know this already?” he asked.
She laughed. “No. I don’t know.” She patted her tummy and he looked down again. “I’m not sure that she even knows it yet. I’m only eight weeks pregnant, Nasir. She’s only about an inch long.”
He sat down in the chair beside Cassy, stunned and…in awe. “A girl!” he murmured, still looking stunned. But he revived quickly. “Cassandra, you will become my wife,” he ordered.
She laughed, suddenly feeling wonderful. “No, I won’t,” she replied softly. “Having a child is not a good enough reason to be married.”
“And yet, you were willing to pretend to marry another man simply because you are pregnant.”
“That’s different, and you know exactly why.”
“The issue is the same for me, Cassandra. We must be married before our child is born. You were willing to create an image for your employer of a happily married woman because you know that’s what they consider to be right and good. The same is true for my people. They want their future ruler to be born to my wife. We must be married, Cassandra.” He knew that she was going to reject his proposal and he laid a hand over hers. “If not for me, then do it for our child. This child needs the protection of my name more than you know.”
Cassy heard his words and a fear hit her. “Is our baby in danger?” she asked.
He looked at her carefully and she swallowed. “Yes. Not just our child, but you are in danger too, Cassandra. As the mother of my child, my enemies would try to hurt you in order to hurt me. We must get married so that I can protect you with my name and the resources of my country.”
And that was that, she thought as her face fell. A marriage of convenience.
“No!” he growled.
Her eyebrows shot up. “No?”
He stood up and started pacing. He looked so ferocious, that the servant carrying two plates froze and turned around, skittering back into the kitchen. Cassy watched, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her amusement.