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‘Oh, yes,’ Millie’s darkly dangerous Sapphire Sheikh confirmed

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MILLIE AND KHALID’S arrival in Khalifa was a double celebration Before their private jet had landed, Millie changed out of casual jeans and a lightweight top into a knee-length suarnished with a si behind in the saal royal robes of black and gold, with the crown-like agal holding his flowing headdress in place They drove through streets lined with flags to herald a much-loved leader’s return, in an open-topped li the discovery of yet another rich sean, the elders had said, Khalid confided in Millie, that their leader’s prospective bride would bring good fortune to their country

‘I’ve never been so happy,’ Millie adh,’ she said as Khalid raised her hands to his lips Which was exactly what she’d said when Khalid had placed the fabulous sapphire engage the sapphire was the sae and flawless blue, surrounded by flashing dialowed in the blaze of the sun

‘Sapphires s to many people,’ Khalid had told her, when she’d said it was toobut greed and grief, while to others, they foretell a lifetime of happiness ahead, and that is hoill be for you’

She believed hi was the start of their future together The past could hold no more terrors for her Their love had driven those shadoay

‘And now for the intimacy of the desert,’ he said as the limousine turned into his private airstrip, ‘where I will be joining you tomorrow’

‘The inti of the vastness of the place she had chosen to pledge her love

‘Wherever we are, it’s just the two of us,’ he said

The look in Khalid’s eyes as he escorted her up the steps of the aircraft before parting from her thrilled Milliemarried to him still seemed incredible ‘How can I wait?’ she whispered as he turned to go

‘I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded for your patience,’ he said

This was going to be the perfect wedding with the perfect guests and the perfect bridegrooht, tense with excite touches to Millie’s flohite lace gohile Miss Francine made sure the diamond and sapphire tiara was safely secured in Millie’s hair Khalid had only insisted on one thing in his bride, and that was that she leave her pencil ornament behind, and replace it with the priceless coronet for their e ceremony

They were still laughing over his innovative wedding gift, which was a coht be a royal bride, but she could still be called upon to ifts didn’t end there There was a snohite pony waiting to greet her arrival in the desert, and when she joined her group of friends in the bridal tent, she found theolden chest, studded with sapphires, which, when she opened it, was full of the most incredible jewels, as well as a stack of pencils But the best thing of all was the news that Miss Francine’s laundry had been saved, and ell on its way to becohly successful franchise

Not totally the best thing, Millie thought as she stepped out of the tent to find Khalid waiting for her, mounted on Bakran ‘You’re not supposed to see me,’ she exclaimed

‘Too late,’ he infor day, I don’t knohy you’re hesitating’

‘I’ hold of his hand

In seconds she was on the back of his fiery stallion, and, to cheers froalloped across the desert to the shore of the oasis where the crowd of guests aiting to welcome the Sheikh of Khalifa and his Queen

EPILOGUE

Eight years, one engineering qualification,

four children, and a newborn baby later

‘A PENCIL IN your hair?’ Khalid deeous, bubbly tomboy, consulted her clipboard and frowned

‘The entire palace air-con needs a complete refurb,’ Luna informed her father in a tone that exactly mimicked her mother’s

‘And I know the very person to supervise these works,’ Khalid said as he drew Millie close

‘I’ my oorks,’ Luna assured him

‘By pressing your brothers and sisters into work?’ Khalid suggested fondly ‘Come on, time for bed’

Millie helped hi they had created in their nificent palace in Khalifa ‘It’s adult tilance in Millie’s direction

Would she never get enough of this nificent physique, shown off to best advantage in snug-fitting jeans and a close-fitting top He’d had taught her everything about love and trust, and feeling safe—as well as the most incredible sex