Sweet Obsession (19 page)

That night, I could not sleep. I waited all night for the fluttering, but I did not feel the baby move again until about a week later.

The days came and went, and the queen and I were busy with the children and the preparations for a separate room. I told the queen that I expected the baby to sleep in our room the first year and not in the baby’s room. She hesitantly agreed, not wanting to upset me, but I could tell she wanted the baby in its own room, where she could cater to him day and night and spoil him rotten. I knew she would make a wonderful grandmother, and I loved her so much for that.

I felt huge now that I was almost seven months pregnant. I wobbled around the palace like a duck. The queen said I was glowing. But glowing or not, I still looked fat. The maternity dresses were being let out every couple of weeks. I was growing at a fast pace. The doctor’s last visit had been a week ago. He told us all was good and not to worry. He said the weight I was gaining was normal, and for the last trimester, he said I should expect more weight gain. I was horrified. I did not want to look too fat.
What would Nidal say when he saw me?

The baby kicked so much that I thought he was playing ball in there. The queen laughed with excitement, saying her grandson was an athlete. We focused all our thoughts and energy on my precious baby and decorating the baby’s room. The queen ordered the most expensive baby furniture I had ever seen. A gold crib, silk sheets, and satin blue ribbons, for it was a boy she assured me. The painter finished with the blue walls, and the servants hung the satin blue curtains on the windows. There was a solid black cherry dresser with gold knobs, and it was filled to the max with baby clothes. There was every kind of wooden toy a child’s heart desired. The queen went overboard.

The children at the orphanage were also getting excited about the baby’s birth, all but Natalie, who feared the baby would take her new mommy away from her. I made it my business to explain to Natalie that no one would take her place. She was my little girl and always would be. My heart went out to her. I loved her so much. I loved all the children, and I wanted to make them feel like we were all one big happy family. I included all of them with news of my pregnancy. Every day we talked about the baby, and I noticed that even Natalie was getting excited about the baby’s arrival.

One morning, I woke up, dressed, and went to have breakfast with the queen. I did not have much of an appetite anymore, but the queen insisted I eat with her at every mealtime. I abided by her wishes just to make her happy. She was good to me, and I wanted to please her any way I could. So I ate eggs and bacon and drank my freshly squeezed orange juice, and we discussed the agenda for the day.

After breakfast, I went to my room. I was given a different bedroom now. This one was upstairs. The queen said we should sleep next door to the baby’s room. It had a connecting door to our room. I did not mind at all. The new room did not have any memories of mine and Nidal’s lovemaking in it, and it felt like I was starting fresh. It took my mind off many things that were better left alone for the baby’s sake.

I changed into another gown and slipped into comfortable slippers when I heard commotion outside my door at that moment. I opened it and saw the servants scrambling about, happily singing, “The king is back!”

My heart pounded fast in my chest as I ran to the window, and I could not believe what I saw. They were back. Nidal was back! Tears rolled down my face as I watched Nidal on his black stallion lead his men to the palace. Excitedly, I raced to the side of the room, swung open the doors that led to the balcony, and stepped outside.

And there was Nidal and thousands of his men behind him. I saw the queen crying down below and waiting patiently for her husband and son to come to her. At that moment, I looked at Nidal, and he turned and looked up at me. We stared at each other for a few minutes. It was as if time stood still. I could not take it anymore. I turned around and ran inside. I wanted to go downstairs and greet him, throw myself in his arms, and tell him how much I loved and missed him.

But when I reached the stairs, my body was overwhelmed, and it slowed me down. A few servants came to me and asked if I needed help. I shook my head and held on to the banister. When I stepped off the last step, I hurriedly walked to the double wooden doors that stood open and stepped outside just in time to see Nidal turn with his horse and ride away. I ran fast down the palace stairs that led to the cobblestone street, yelling his name as loud as I could. Nidal did not hear me as he continued to ride away. I called his name a few times, and by now, his men saw me and were trying to get his attention to tell him I was out there for him.

There was too much noise for Nidal to hear what anyone was telling him. Finally everyone was pointing my way and chanting my name. Nidal turned and saw me. I stopped to breathe a second because I was out of breath, and I saw Nidal’s face light up when his eyes rested on my face. Then his eyes roamed to my stomach, and he looked confused. When realization struck him, his eyes widened with surprise. Then everyone was quiet, waiting to see what would happen next.

Nidal jumped off his horse and walked slowly toward me. He looked like a mighty warrior. His tall, lean, powerful body was even browner than I remembered it to be. He was not wearing a shirt, and his muscles flexed with every step he took. His black hair hung loose over his shoulder, and he had a short beard growing on his handsome face. I drew in a deep breath, and my heart pounded rapidly as he approached me. When he was a few feet away from me, his glance lowered to my stomach, and he paused and looked overwhelmed. He opened his mouth to say something, but at that moment, I felt a pain in my side and passed out.

Next thing I knew, I was in Nidal’s arms, and he was carrying me to our old room. He placed me on the bed and asked if I were feeling better. I could not speak. I was at a loss for words. The queen came bustling in, followed by the king and Billal. The servants stood outside the entrance waiting for the prince’s orders. Nidal yelled for someone to get the doctor and then ordered a wet cloth to be placed on my forehead.

Nidal searched my face for answers. He placed his hand on my stomach and swallowed. The baby kicked at that very moment. Nidal’s eyes popped open, and he asked with excitement, “Was that our baby I just felt?”

Before I could even answer his question, he placed his lips on mine and kissed me tenderly. I thought I would die from all the love I was feeling at this very moment. The words “our baby” sent a warm feeling to my heart.

The king and queen hugged and kissed each other and quietly left the room, closing the door behind them. I looked at Nidal. He was staring at me quietly. He looked so handsome. I choked back a sob. I had missed him terribly. Nidal looked at me from head to toe and then rested his eyes on my face.

Tears were in his eyes as he spoke. “Loula,” he said hoarsely, “why did you not tell me you were carrying my child?” He placed kisses on my stomach. Our baby was kicking wildly. Nidal’s hands were around my stomach now, waiting to feel his child. He laughed, he cried, and he kissed my stomach until he was worn out.

At that moment, the doctor burst open the door and ordered Nidal to step aside. Nidal jumped quickly out of the way, and the doctor asked me a hundred questions. I assured him I was fine, and he relaxed. He told Nidal that I needed a lot of rest and I should always eat a healthy diet. He concluded that under no circumstances was I to be stressed out, saying it was not good for the baby. Nidal thanked the doctor and rushed him out of the room. He locked the door, came back to the bed, and sat next to me.

He looked tired, hungry, and dirty, and my heart went out to him. “Nidal,” I said softly, taking his hands in mine, “you need to take a bath, eat something, and go straight to sleep. You look exhausted,” I told him, concerned.

Nidal ignored my remark, took me in his arms, and kissed me hungrily. Immediately, my body responded to his touch. Then he let go of me abruptly and went to the bathroom where the servants had the tub with hot, steaming water waiting for him. When he was done, he came back and stopped near the bed naked, except for a towel wrapped around his waist.

He stood before me, legs spread apart, with his warrior body, and I struggled to tame the emotions coursing through me. Nidal flexed his muscles. He was teasing me. His nostrils flared, and his eyes darkened as his gaze searched mine. My eyes roamed across his bronzed, broad, muscled chest. His body looked toned and sexy. Then with one swift movement, he pulled the towel, and it dropped to the floor. I stared at his beautiful, naked body hungrily. His manhood was rock solid. Desire surged through my veins. Desperately, I reached for him and waited with a thundering heart.

His eyes were fierce and wild as he jumped on the bed and pulled me into his embrace. His hips leaned against my body, and I felt his manhood piercing my skin. Desire shuddered through me so intensely that a moan escaped my lips.

His hands were burning my skin with his every touch. He leaned his head, and his lips brushed mine, sending ripples of sensation throughout my entire body. I was drowning in ecstasy. Nidal’s hands softly caressed my breasts, and they were tender to his touch. I felt shy and embarrassed of my new body, a body Nidal was not used to. I wondered if he could enjoy making love to me even though I was big with child.

“Loula, don’t shy away from me. I want to know every inch of your new body,” he said huskily.

My heart raced as his lips trailed kisses over my entire body. His slow, sensual movement of his skin against mine was intoxicating. I grabbed his shaft and stroked it gently, and a husky sound rumbled deep in his throat. His strong arms held me possessively as he pulled me over his body, wanting me to ride him. Placing both hands on my hips, Nidal pushed deep inside me, and a moan escaped my lips as I trembled with desire. I could no longer control my feelings as my body betrayed me and I cried out with lust. Nidal thrust himself deeper inside me, again and again, until my body shook with ecstasy. He tightened his hold on my thighs, and his eyes burned with desire beneath his hooded lids as he came inside me. His husky groan echoed throughout the walls of the room as his body shook savagely.

He is the sexiest man alive!
A gasp of pleasure escaped my lips as I lay atop my skilled lover. I had never seen a more handsome man than Nidal in my whole entire life. My eyes roamed over his handsome, chiseled face, and his eyes were wild with lust. His hands cupped my breasts as he gently stroked them. I leaned down and brushed my lips on his. Nidal slowly swayed his hips from left to right, and I closed my eyes and allowed the sweet feeling to penetrate my being. A moan escaped my lips, and I felt Nidal’s hands tighten around my breasts as he pushed his groin deeper inside me. The sensation was too much for me as the electricity coursed throughout my body once again. I opened my eyes and looked deep into Nidal’s as I came. A cry of pleasure escaped my lips. Nidal cupped my face, brought my head down to his, and kissed me brutally.

We could go on like this all night, and it still would not be enough. It was never enough. Finally, I pulled away from him and lay beside him. I was so emotional that I started to cry. Nidal cradled me in his arms and whispered words of endearments. I wanted to tell him that I had missed him so much and I suffered without him. I wanted to tell him that thoughts of him during his absence played through my mind like a symphony. I wanted to tell him so many things, but Nidal rested his forehead against mine and smiled a slow, seductive smile. I trembled.

A whirl of emotions flared inside me, and I ached for his lips to claim mine again, but I knew that my prince had not slept in days. I closed my eyes tightly, and my hands scrunched the fabric of the silk sheets between my fingers, trying to control the ache in my body that was yearning for his touch again. Finally, when Nidal surrendered to sleep, I lay next to him and admired his handsome face. He had been without sleep for days at a time. Exhaustion caught up with him. Nidal slept for two days and two nights. I was glad he got the rest he needed.

The queen mother came to our room on the second day of Nidal’s arrival, and I told her he was sleeping like a log. She left and had not come back since. The servants brought food and wine, and I nibbled just enough to feed the baby. I was not hungry for this kind of food. I was hungry for Nidal. I stayed in bed, snuggling next to him and waiting patiently until he woke up.

A million thoughts troubled my mind, and this was a great time to put everything into perspective. While Nidal slept peacefully, I had the chance to think things through. The fact that Nidal and I were together again as if nothing happened prior to him leaving for war did not make sense. Things had been drastically wrong the day he left. He came back, and we acted as if everything was perfect.
Which can only mean one thing. Sooner or later, everything will explode in the air.

Early on the third day, Nidal’s hot kisses that trailed across my breasts awoke me. His strong hands palmed my hips and lifted my bottom as his lips traveled downward and nestled between my thighs. His tongue glided softly, stroking me and causing my entire body to go up in flames. My fingers worked their way through his hair and twisted into a fist as I pressed his head, and his tongue glided even deeper inside me. I was trembling with passion, reaching a point of no return, and I cried out loud in ecstasy as I came with such a force that my body shook violently.