The Sheik's Secret Twins (16 page)

“You’re not having your own room, Siri,” he growled as he bent low and kissed her neck.  “We’re sleeping together, and that’s final.”

Chapter
9

Siri watched in wonder as Malik stepped out
of
the limousine and approached the house.  She’d been with him for a week
in the new house
and she couldn’t believe how
messed
up she felt.  She was so in love with the man she
could
barely think at work.  Her desk was piled up with actions she needed to take, orders she needed to
review and
she found herself fantasizing about him all the time. 

They’d purchased that house last week
, the one where they’d made love on the floor in front of the windows,
and Siri couldn’t believe how quickly he’d made things
happen
.  She was
living
in the house now, with a decorator quickly filling up the space
and adding color
.  Jacob and Samuel loved all the open
space
, the new play area they had
in a small, fenced in area of the back yard
and the play room filled with
new
toys and different games to play. 
There were so many different
toys for
building from Legos to blocks and even some sort of rubber beams that would help them build forts.  She’d love that material so much, she’d added it to her inventory and
it
was going to be the front cover specialty for the Christmas catalog. 

And they especially loved having a dad that came home to them every night, played with them, showed them how to do different things and taught them endless new ideas. 
The part they loved the most,
he never ran out of answers for their questions.  After dinner, they would climb onto his lap and ask him questions or they would sit on the floor and play with their toys and their curious minds would come up with the most amazing ideas, all of which Malik encouraged and helped them to channel in positive ways. 

For a man who hadn’t known the twins existed a
month
ago, he’d certainly risen to the job of being a father with amazing speed. 

The boys’
large bed
room had been the first for the
recently hired
decorator to furnish
and she’d added a wonderful surround of sports and animals.  She’d sat down and talked to Jacob and Samuel, asking them what they wanted on their walls, what kinds of animals they liked, what sports and any kind of secret places they might want.  The result was a mural of a jungle scene on one wall, a desert on another and a loft type sleeping area with a “hideout” below where they loved to hide from their mother. 

The master bedroom
had been the second
area to be tackled
and
the decorator
done an outstanding job of creating an elegant, but sumptuous room with masculine colors and feminine touches.  Not that Malik noticed.  He was with the boys until their bed times and then he’d pull her into his arms and make love to her until she fell asleep.  She had no idea what he was doing after she fell asleep, but he was gone by the time she woke up in the morning.

Which made things a bit more difficult for her, she thought as she
rushed out
for work each morning after giving instructions to the new nanny and tutor.
 
Siri
wanted to talk to Malik about
various issues
but he wasn’t around to discuss
them
with
her
.  And when he was, he wouldn’t let her talk much
, having other plans for their nights together
. 

As much as she’d objected to
a
move
to a new house
initially
, she had to admit that life was a whole lot easier
now, and in ways she hadn’t expected
.  There was a
fantastic
nanny who watched over the boys and
both of them
loved her, eagerly running to greet her each morning after breakfast to find out what she was going to teach them
during
each day. 
Apparently Malik gave her instructions but he was very considerate about talking to
Siri
about those decisions as well, making her feel as if she were a part of the decision making process, when in fact, he was pushing the agenda. 

For some reason, Siri wasn’t overly concerned with this since he explained why any particular lesson was needed and how it would all fit into their overall lessons.  She loved him even more for his patience with her questions and helping her understand why he was doing certain things.  She hadn’t expected that of her and his explanations eased several of her largest worries.  She didn’t feel like she was losing her boys but instead, she felt like a part of their lessons.  After they finished with their nanny, they would eagerly run to her and snuggle with her while telling her all of the amazing things they’d learned during the day. 

There was also a
very efficient
housekeeper who kept the
entire
house
immaculately
clean,
expertly
laundered
and pressed
their clothes and
also
made sure that there was a nutritious dinner on the table when it was time to eat, with lots of vegetables snuck into the meal.  The boys had no idea that, along with their macaroni and cheese, they were also getting loads of tofu and cauliflower.  Their pancakes were loaded with carrots and zucchini and so many other nutritious foods, that even Siri wasn’t sure what was in them. 
Siri loved the food and the boys thought it tasted better than the original.  Go figure, she thought one night when the boys devoured a meal with hidden broccoli. 

Malik walked into the house and Siri’s heart swelled with love for the man when she noticed his eyes immediately looking for her, and then noticed his shoulders relaxing when he found her in the front room, obviously waiting for him.  His long legs quickly devoured the space between the front door and where she was standing so w
hen Malik reached her, she was already bracing for his kiss, and the shivers that sent her body into overdrive.  Some day, she hoped to grow used to his
warm
touch.  It was still such a shock to her system whenever he came close. 

“I have some bad news,” he replied and looked down into her now worried eyes. “I have to fly back to Duban.  I have to pave the way for the boys to be accepted as my sons.
  But it won’t be a difficult trip, I promise.
”

That made her stomach clench with fear.
 
Back to Duban?
 
He hadn’t been her long enough this time
!  Her mind flew back to the last time he’d left her and she couldn’t repress the fear that welled up inside of her at the idea of losing him once again.
  “Is that going to be
a
contentious
trip
?”

“No.  I’ve already sent DNA samples back from their hair and I’ve openly declared them to be my sons.  It’s just a formality now.  And some legal issues that need to be finalized.”

Siri stepped back out of his arms, a cold terror coming over her.  “When do you have to leave?” she asked, n
ot wanting to hear the answer, wishing he could just stay here with them, never going back to the country that had taken him away from her before.  She was being selfish, but couldn’t help it.  It was almost like she’d lost him already. 

He could see the fear and withdrawal in her eyes and wasn’t sure how to reassure her.  He suspected that the only way to get her to trust him was to follow through with his promise to bring all three of them back with him once these legalities were finalized. 
“
Tonight
, unfortunately.
  The sooner I leave, the faster I can get this cleared up and come back to get the three of you.”

Siri had heard these words before.  She’d seen the worried look on his face
that last time as well
.  It had all happened four years ago and she hated the idea of him leaving them.  There was something wrong and he wasn’t telling her what it was.  Just like the last time.
  And four years ago, he’d gone home and ended up married to another woman. 

“You’d better get things cleared up then,
”
she said with as much equanimity as possible.  She knew something was wrong, but she also knew that he kept things close to his chest, dealing with the problems and leaving her out of it. 
He thought he was trying to protect her but he was only frightening her more by leaving her out. 

“I’ll hurry back,” he said and started to pull her into his arms. 

Siri stepped back, not willing to let him touch her when she knew something wasn’t right.  “I’ll see you when you get back,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away. 

“You don’t have to worry about anything, Siri.  The boys are taken care of and I won’t abandon you again.”

She looked up at him, but couldn’t reach his eyes
, stopping at his chin instead.  That was as far she’d go under the circumstances. 
She forced her face to mimic a smile, but she knew she was pretty short of the mark.  “Good luck,” she replied.

A part of her was already packing up their clothes, getting ready to move back into her little cottage which she’d never given up
even though he’d tried to convince her to sell the house so he could invest the money for her
.  Part of her had always known that it would come to this.  Her sons were her life and she wouldn’t let them be hu
rt.  Not even by their father.  Which was why she’d held on to their previous home, needing the security of her cottage to feel more in control in case anything might happen. 

“Have a good trip,” she said
with finality
.

Malik watched her carefully, trying to understand what was going on in her mind.  He wanted so badly to convince her to marry him but he couldn’t figure out why she was
pulling
away so suddenly.  He had a
large
diamond ring in his pocket
that he’d been carrying around for several days, wanting to see it on her finger, to know that she was his and only his.  He wanted visible evidence of her commitment to him, but the time had never seemed right recently
.  He’d hoped to put it on her finger tonight, wanting her
promise
to him before he went back to Duban.  He’d already told his advisors of his intent to marry Siri.  They knew about his sons and were thrilled that the question of his marriage and heir was resolved. 
All of them were completely on board with his plans and excited about meeting Jacob and Samuel, although they’d tried to convince Malik to change their names to something more traditional.  He’d only laughed and overrode their requests. 

Now he had to finish up a few details and then they’d be his family, officially and irrevocably. 

So what was
holding
her back?  She’d come willingly into his arms every night for the past week.  She’d been more passionate than before, demanding
all of him and not holding anything back
herself
. 
And he’d been more than willing to give it to her, thrilled that the woman he remembered was so passionate and sexy.  Damn he wanted her in his arms right now, he wanted to bury himself in her one more time, just to feel her heat wrapping around him and one more chance to show her that they were perfect together. 

He’d thought he’d loved her before, but that was nothing compared to how he felt about her now.  He couldn’t imagine life without her now.  She and the boys were such an integral part of his world
already
and he wanted to bring them al
l back immediately
. 
He resented the legal issues he needed to resolve before bringing his family to his home but it was just one more of the obligations he faced as leader of Duban. 

With a sigh, he bent down and kissed the boys, closing his eyes and holding them both close to him and enjoying their enthusiastic hugs. 

“I’ll see both of you soon,” he said with emphasis.  “Don’t drive your mother crazy!” he said sternly.

“What if I have a question for you?” Sam asked, his chubby hands touching Malik’s cheek. 

“
Then
ask your mother if you can call me.  Or you can text me anytime you want and I’ll get back to you with an answer.”

Jacob seemed concerned.  “What if we don’t agree with your answer?” he suggested, his eyebrows
drawn together over his worried eyes. 
“We might need to understand more or….”

Malik instantly understood that they weren’t concerned with questions, they were more concerned with when they were going to see him again, but their toddler minds were wrapping around a more pressing issue instead.