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Captured: The Sheik's Bride

By: ComeBackToMe



"This is not happening..." Leanna thought to herself. Just two days ago she had arrived in the desert city of Zariff to take a vacation that her family insisted that she take. It was a charming city, and Leanna had been having a good time until she was drugged and kidnapped by a slaver.

She was brought back from her reverie by a shout.

"Get up!" one of the guards yelled to Leanna.

When she did not immediately respond the guard snarled and grabbed the rope that bound her hands and hauled her to her feet. Leanna was then unceremoniously dragged into a room that looked suspiciously like a doctor's office. She started struggling when a man in a white coat appeared and instructed the man to get her on the examination table. No match for the guard's strength, Leanna soon found herself stripped naked and strapped to the table, with the doctor approaching her with some tools. When the doctor started applying some gel to her vaginal area Leanna screamed and threw some expletives at the doctor. Leanna promptly found herself gagged while the doctor was examining her. He inserted his fingers into her vagina and upon finding her a virgin he told the guard who left the room and reappeared with the man who was ahead of this slave trade. 

"She is a virgin?" The slaver asked of the doctor and soon Leanna found the slaver with his hands violating her body, discovering the barrier that was her innocence.

"She will fetch a fine price," the slaver chuckled to himself. He then instructed the doctor to finish his exam and for the guard to take her to the bathing quarters once she was finished being examined. After another fifteen minutes Leanna was given a clean bill of health and promptly dragged, gag still in place, to the bathing quarters where she found other women also in the same predicament, being bathed and perfumed for the auction that was to take place tonight.

She soon found herself in the possession of two women who bathed her and shaved her legs and her pubic area much to her embarrassment. Once she was clean and perfumed Leanna was led by the guard into the viewing area where potential buyers could view the slaves. Exceedingly embarrassed to be naked, and chained in her own little stall, Leanna cowered in a corner, trying to cover herself as best as possible.

Luckily for Leanna, she was for the most part skipped over by customers; many were not looking for women to pleasure themselves with, but for women that could work. Also the fact that she was white, most buyers stayed away because they knew she would fetch a high price, one beyond their range. Soon though Leanna caught the attention of two men, both were tall and fit, but it was the taller of the two that caught her eye. He was obviously a dignitary, and was sinisterly good looking. Tall with black hair and piercing green eyes, mixed with a dark tan from what Leanna assumed was the desert sun. The men approached the guard that had the key to her cell and talked with him. Leanna heard the guard mention her virginity and trembled when she heard the request to find out for themselves whether her innocence was still intact. The guard unlocked her cell and held her still while the two men satisfied themselves that she was indeed a virgin. When the guard let her go Leanna scurried back into the corner, hugging her knees to her chest as best she could with her bindings. She gasped as she felt material being put around her, and saw that the taller man had taken off his overcoat and draped it around her; even though it was the desert, it got cold at night, and Leanna was naked. Looking up into his piercing green eyes Leanna tried to communicate her thanks for this small concession to the man she somehow knew would soon be her master.

****

Khadeem Al Hasaam-Aadiir sat himself down in one of the seats, waiting for the auction to begin. He had no idea why he was here, he was not one for buying slaves, but he was glad he had come tonight. 

When his advisor and longtime friend Saheeb had suggested going to the auction, Khadeem had decided to go, just because there was nothing better for him to do at the time, other than paperwork. Once Khadeem had seen the woman though, he was glad he had come. He and Saheeb had been browsing when he had heard the guard at the woman's door talking to a group of men about her. Upon hearing that she was a virgin, Khadeem lost interest, but decided to see what was so special about this woman that she had her own cell. When he had seen the woman curled up in a ball in the corner, Khadeem wanted to buy her, just so he could give her back her freedom, but upon seeing her face, Khadeem decided on a different reason for buying her. 

Khadeem was the sheik of Fahmeer, a neighboring land where customs were still rather primitive. Khadeem was now 34, and needed a wife and heirs. Khadeem was good looking, what with being 6 foot 5 inches, along with dark good looks and a body to match, he never lacked for female companionship, but he never found one woman that he wanted, or that he could marry. His society dictated that he find a healthy young woman who was a virgin that could provide him with his heirs. Upon seeing the woman, he had learned her name was Leanna, Khadeem decided that this would be the woman he would marry. Soon as he and Saheeb were satisfied that she was a virgin, Khadeem told Saheeb of his plans. Society allowed Khadeem to marry to any woman; she did not have to be Arabic. All the woman needed to be was healthy and a virgin. Khadeem had never believed in love anyway, but when he decided to marry, he decided it would be to a woman that he would not mind bedding. 

"I do not think I will have any problem bedding this tidbit," he thought to himself. After they came to the conclusion of her virginity, Khadeem stripped himself of his overcoat and covered her nakedness with it. She had been startled and had looked up at him with confusion in her eyes. When she had looked him in the eye he had seen a sheen of tears there along with thanks. Khadeem had then left, gaining the promise from the guard to let anyone look at her, but not touch her from then on. The guard was reluctant at first, but a nice sum changed his hesitancy. Khadeem was glad because after this, he would be the only man to touch her, Leanna was his.

****

Leanna watched from her cell while women were taken out of their cells and paraded into the auction area to be sold. With increasing panic she noted that the women were naked and heard the raucous crowd that was the potential buyers. It seemed mere seconds to her before her guard was opening her cell and dragging her to the auction platform. Leanna struggled, still defiant, mostly scared out of her wits, but the guard won and Leanna found herself on the platform surrounded by lots of men, and even some women. Dazed, Leanna barely noticed the bidding until the gavel banged down and she was pronounced sold, the price horrifying her, she had been sold for $1.7 million dollars.

She was led away by the guard, and gratefully was allowed to put the overcoat that had been given to her back on. As she was led through a maze of people, Leanna thought of escaping, but the thought was soon banished when the guard seemingly read her thoughts and grabbed her bound hands. She suppressed a sigh, discouraged, but she was determined to get away. She would not be anyone's slave.

To Be Continued... 

Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 02



Note to Readers: Sidi = lord

* * * * *

Khadeem waited impatiently for his slave to arrive. He had been instructed to come to this room to collect her. Saheeb had gone ahead and was collecting the limo that would take them back to Fahmeer. He paced the room, impatient to have Leanna in his sight and possession. He had yet to figure out how he was going to get Leanna to marry him when he remembered the ancient wedding vows. These vows didn't require the consent of the bride. All that was needed was for the groom to get his bride in front of his people and recite the ancient vows, which would bind the two people together forever. Khadeem fervently thanked his ancestors for this method of marriage; for now he could have Leanna as his wife, and he didn't need her consent.

He felt bad for the deceit, but these feelings were new to him, he felt extremely possessive of this woman that he had just a glimpse of, he did not know why, but all his instincts called for him to bind her to his side as best he could. Satisfied with his plan, Khadeem sat and waited for his wife to be.

****

Leanna was halted by the guard at a door, which she presumed was the location of her master. She shuddered inwardly as the guard opened the door and led her forward.

She gasped as she saw the man who had given her the overcoat. Even though she somehow knew he would be the one to purchase her, Leanna was still taken aback. She hated herself for finding the man attractive; he had just bought her for cripes sake! She looked up and was held captive by his vibrant green eyes. Inwardly she cursed when he took it as an invitation to approach her. 

Wide blue eyes hesitantly looked into piercing green ones. She flinched as he put a palm to her cheek.

"Ah, Leanna, you cost me a great sum, but I believe it will be well worth it," her master told her.

Leanna jerked back, displacing his hand from her cheek and snarled. 

"No, I won't be well worth it," she spat, "I am no ones slave!"

Khadeem chuckled at the woman's fury. 

"Ah, my little tidbit has spirit, I for one love spirit." He told her tongue in cheek. 

He watched, amused as her dark blue eyes faintly sparked with indignation. 

"Well then," he said to her. "Time to get going."

"Where are we going?" Leanna asked warily.

"To my homeland of Fahmeer," he explained to her. "I'm sure you'll like it there."

"Fat chance," she muttered.

Khadeem chuckled, delighted. Ah, he didn't see himself losing interest in his little tidbit in this lifetime. He could not wait to make her his wife, she was going to be his; now and forever.

****

As Leanna was led by her master, (he had told her to call him 'Khadeem'), she tried to think of any means of escape. She sighed; it seemed impossible at this moment, his steely grip on her arm indicating he wasn't letting her go anywhere. 

She felt naked walking along amidst the people that were celebrating after the auction. Though the overcoat Khadeem had given her reached past her knees, she still felt vulnerable and naked to the hungry eyes that followed her progress. She breathed a sigh of relief as Khadeem stopped. A limo lay in wait for them and Khadeem was quick to usher her inside. She scuttled away when Khadeem sat down, but he just followed her around the plush seats of the limo till sighing, she gave up and sat, her arm slightly brushing his. 

Leanna stared out the tinted windows watching as the limo progressed past the city and into more land that was unknown to her. Soon she found herself getting drowsy; she hadn't slept in almost 30 hours. Quite a few times she caught herself leaning into Khadeem and jerked herself back. Soon though the fatigue overtook her and she ended up settling her head onto Khadeem's shoulder as she fell asleep.

****

Khadeem watched amusedly as Leanna fought her tendency to lean on him when she dozed off. Soon though he saw her lose the fight as exhaustion won and she settled onto his shoulder. He put an arm around her and settled her head more comfortably on his lap. He bit back a curse as she murmured and shifted her head causing a part of him to wake up. After awhile he was able to cool down that part of him that couldn't wait to taste the delights of Leanna's body.

****

A few hours later the limo arrived in the outskirts of Fahmeer. Khadeem gently shook Leanna.

"Time to wake up love," he murmured to her.

Leanna jerked awake, and was horrified to realize that she had been sleeping on Khadeem. She quickly scooted away from him and blinked, trying to wake herself up. 

"Are we there?" she asked him.

"Almost, in a few minutes we should be inside the palace." He replied.

Leanna snorted in derision. A palace? Go figure. She was starting to wonder if she was going crazy. All she had done was go on a vacation that her family insisted she take to 'wind down'. She had just finished college but was working like a fool. 

Leanna loved horses, had since she was a little girl and that love had carried over to adulthood. While she was in college she was a freelance trainer, working horses for anyone that requested her to. During her breaks and even on weekends she had been going up and down the east coast showing her own horse and others in some of the biggest jumper shows on the east side of the United States. She had worked herself hard; where once she was a healthy average weight, but fit young woman, she had gotten thin and haggard from pushing herself through college and working crazy hours with her horses.

She never really had much of a social life growing up. Just her horses and other people that frequented the barn she rode at. Her whole family had been worried about her, convinced that her anti-socialness wasn't healthy. Leanna did have to admit that it was a lonely way of life, but she had her horses and had convinced herself that she didn't need others to feel good about herself.

The limo stopped and Leanna was jerked back to the present. She looked out the window and gasped at what she saw. The palace was huge, but it wasn't extravagant like some recent Arabic palaces that had been shown in brochures. This palace looked original and it was like getting thrown back to the ancient days. It was a beautiful structure. Made of stone and what she thought was cement, it had an elegant look to it.

"Welcome to Fahmeer, Leanna. This is your new home." Khadeem stated to her.

She glared at him, which only caused him to chuckle at her expression. She started as he grabbed her arm and leg her out of the limo. She soon was blushing crimson for it seemed the whole city had come to see what their leader had brought home. Clutching the lapels of Khadeem's coat close to her she kept her eyes averted from the curious stares of the people of Fahmeer. 

"Who is this you have brought home Sidi?"

Leanna looked up to see a kindly looking woman approaching Khadeem. She looked to be middle aged and reminded Leanna of her mother.

"Ella, this is Leanna, I brought her from Fahmeer." Khadeem replied.

Leanna had to suppress a glare that wanted to be thrown at him. 'I thought he would be proud to announce that he had bought me,' she thought to herself.

"Could you take her up to one of the guest rooms?" Khadeem asked.

"No problem Sidi," the woman replied.

Leanna found herself ushered into the palace and led to a hall of what she assumed was the guest area. She grimaced at that, 'guest my ass,' she muttered under her breath. She followed Ella into one of the guest rooms and had to suppress a gasp. The room was beautiful; there was a large poster bed in the center of the room which was surrounded by various furniture. The rooms theme was sea foam green; the furniture and drapes matching it.

"You look like you'll be needing a good rest."

Leanna whirled to look at Ella. "Yes, that would be nice." She replied warily. She wasn't about to trust anyone in Fahmeer, despite how kind they did look.

"Looks as though you will need some clothes," Ella observed. "What happened to yours?"

Leanna blushed profusely. "I don't think I should tell you why I don't have any clothes." She remarked. "I don't think your lord would appreciate it."

Ella waved away her remark. "What has the Sidi done now?"

Leanna found herself pouring out the whole ordeal to Ella. She didn't leave out anything, not the examination, the preparation, nothing. By the end of the tale she had tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked up at Ella and saw sympathy and compassion which just made it worse. She started sobbing uncontrollably, the sobs wracking her body. She sniffed and looked up moments later when she felt Ella lead her to the bed.

"You just sit there and cry it all out dear, if anyone deserves to cry you do." Ella declared. "I'm going to go get you some night clothes and a snack. Then we'll put you to bed."

Leanna did as she was told, crying her heart out, letting all the emotions that had been bottled up flow out of her. The crying helped lessen the pain and shame she had been feeling. She sniffed and grabbed a tissue, her crying bout over she waited for Ella to come back with some clothes for her.

****

Khadeem sat in the library, some brandy in hand, staring at nothing, contemplating the events of the past day. He was brought from his thoughts by a painful cuff to his ear.

"What the―"

"What in the world were you doing at a slave auction!" Ella shouted at him.

"How―"

"That poor woman just couldn't hold it in any longer and her whole ordeal poured out of her!" She shouted.

"Ella, calm down will you, I―"

"Calm down? CALM DOWN?!"

"Would you let me speak for godsake!" Khadeem faintly roared. "Saheeb talked me into going to the auction; I wasn't planning on purchasing any slaves! I heard her guard talking about how she was a virgin and how special she was and I got curious." He explained.

"Well, what are you planning on doing Sidi?" Ella asked him.

"I'm going to marry her of course." He stated matter-of-factly.

Ella stared at him, her mouth agape. "Why did you decide to marry her?"

Khadeem sighed; sometimes it wasn't fun having a servant like Ella. Since he was little she had been a servant in the palace, and always was mothering him. He couldn't keep anything from her. "I don't know Ella, but every instinct I have is telling me to bind this woman to my side as best I can." He explained.

"I see; it was the same way with your father when he met your mother." Ella remarked. "He knew that she was going to be the woman he was going to marry. Go with what your heart tells you Sidi." She told him gently.

Khadeem nodded and then a thought struck him. "Leanna has no clothes," he said to Ella. 

"Get her measurements and get her some clothes; nightgowns, lingerie, dresses, anything she needs."

"That's what I was planning on doing Sidi." Ella informed him. "She needs something to sleep in for now though."

"You go start getting her some outfits Ella," He said. "I'll get her something to sleep in for now."

"As you wish Sidi."

Khadeem watched as Ella walked away, his lips twitching; sometimes you would think Ella was his mother, he thought faintly. He turned on his heel and headed to his chambers to get one of his shirts for Leanna to sleep in. He then headed to her rooms and entered without even knocking.

He found her on the bed, sobbing softly. He approached her and sat next to her, hugging her to his side he said, "Do not worry love, everything will be fine."

Leanna jumped, and looked upon him with a tear-stained face, her lips parting with a gasp. Khadeem took advantage of the gesture and lowered his face to hers. Brushing her lips with his he lowered her onto her back and cupped her cheek as he deepened the kiss.

Leanna had frozen up when his lips descended upon hers, she was struck dumb by his display of compassion and had been taken unawares by his kiss. She found herself taken in to the kiss, and soon found herself hesitantly kissing him back. His tongue parted her lips and she gasped, allowing it to glide effortlessly into her mouth. She felt giddy from the taste of him and was getting taken deeper into the kiss when she realized where she was, and how she came to be there. She stiffened and pushed against his broad chest, trying to get away from the kiss. Khadeem allowed it and eased back from her lips.

"Wha- What did you do that for?" She questioned faintly.

He smiled amused by her dazed look. "Because I wanted to," he answered simply.

With that he sprang from the bed and handed her his shirt. "Here, you can sleep in this." He said. "If you want you can take a shower before you sleep, it will make you feel better."

"O-Okay." She answered still dazed from the kiss.

Khadeem chuckled and swooped down to kiss her one last time before he turned around and exited her bedroom.



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 03



"Time to get up Miss Leanna."

Leanna groggily opened her eyes, wondering where she was. As the events of the past day came flooding back she groaned and tried to bury her head under the covers.

"Now none of that, let's get up, we're going to get you some proper clothing." Ella coaxed.

Resigning herself to getting up, Leanna sighed and sat up in bed. She rubbed her eyes, and looked to Ella expectantly.

"Well, how do you propose we get me theses clothes?" She asked. "I don't exactly have anything to go shopping in."

Ella tisked. "We're not going shopping dear; the clothes are being brought to us." She explained.

Leanna opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Ella permitted entrance and soon the room was filled with racks of clothes. She saw the common garb for Arab women; Kaftans, Hijab's, Abaya's, and Jilbab's. She was also relieved to see some more common garb; jeans, shirts, sweats, and customary lingerie.

"All right then Miss Leanna, time to get you some clothing."

Four hours later after trying on countless clothing she collapsed on top of the bed and closed her eyes with a groan. She had always hated clothes shopping, and after today, never wanted to do it again.

"All right then, time to visit Dr. Passuern." Ella announced.

Warily Leanna opened one eye.

"Dr. Passuern?"

"Yes, you need to have an examination."

"Oh my god, not again!" She groaned.

Despite her protestations, Leanna was marched to Dr. Passuern's office within the palace, and once again had herself examined, once again highly embarrassed when once again it was determined that she was a virgin. Though this exam wasn't even half as bad as the previous, it was still exceedingly embarrassing.

She was given a clean bill of health, and was led by Ella back to her room. Exhausted she collapsed back on the bed.

"There, that wasn't so bad now was it?" Ella asked.

Leanna groaned and glared at Ella.

"Oh yes, it was sooo great!" She said sarcastically.

Ella chuckled and patted Leanna's hand comfortingly.

"Now there, the worst is over. I suspect your tired, try and get some sleep."

With that Ella turned and softly closed the door to Leanna's room and left her to her thoughts.

Now left to her own devices, she soon found herself thinking about her situation and felt the helplessness and fear consume her all over again. What she wouldn't give right now to wake up in her bed back in Jersey, this journey just a big nightmare.

----

Khadeem had assembled his whole family together to discuss his plans for himself and Leanna. He knew he wouldn't be met with any resistance from his family, for his kingdom was a fair one, the people allowed a lot of freedoms that Americans took for granted. The society was tolerant of multiple religions which was brought upon years ago by his great grandfather, who had been a Christian. Khadeem's whole family was Christian, but still followed the ways of the ancients; it was a male dominated society, though debasement of women was not tolerated. As a result, majority of the customs were still in practice; i.e. marriage consummation being witnessed by family. It was just one of those things that was kept in practice, and wasn't that harmful a practice, although it could be exceedingly embarrassing for the bride.

"So son, I understand that you bought a slave?"

Khadeem looked to his father, Hassan, seated next to his mother Ingra. They were a rare royal couple; they had married for love, not duty. It was a rare occurrence in Royal marriages, but it did happen, Khadeem was hoping it would happen between himself and Leanna.

"Yes father, though I don't intend to keep her as a slave." Khadeem offered.

"Then what are you going to do with her?" His mother asked.

"Marry her of course."

He grinned wryly at the looks of surprise that crossed his parent's faces. They had despaired of him every getting married, and the news that he planned to, was a shock, albeit a welcome one.

"So, tell us about our prospective daughter."

"Well father, she is a virgin; after she gets some clothing, Dr. Passuern is going to examine her. According to the slaver, he kidnapped her while she was visiting Zariff, she's American." Khadeem explained.

"Right now, she's just uncertain, and pretty scared."

"Understandable considering she was kidnapped, and sold; not something they do often in America." His mother said acerbically.

Khadeem stayed with his parents for about an hour, discussing his wife-to-be, and plans for the wedding. He wanted it to be as soon as possible. Dates flew back and forth between himself and his mother, and they agreed on a date, two weeks from today.

Satisfied that Leanna would be his as soon as possible Khadeem left his parents to search for his bride.

----

He found her in her bedroom. Quietly he entered, and walked over to the bed where she law sprawled, fast asleep. She had a look of innocence and vulnerability lying there. He sat down on the bed next to her and just sat there, watching her as she slept. She was very beautiful he had to admit. She was blonde, but had a mixture of different colors in her hair making the seeming normal "blonde" color vibrant and exotic. He felt her stir, and moments later she groggily looked into his eyes. She quickly sat up and scurried to the other side of the bed.

"What are you doing in here?"

He smiled down at her and said nothing, simply lowered his head and claimed her mouth. Surprised, she stiffened but soon was caught in the magic of his kiss. He was ruthless; he plundered her mouth his tongue claiming entry to hers. His hand wandered down her throat to her breasts. He lazily stroked her breast, and she gasped into his mouth. He circled her nipple with his finger. Through the fabric of her shirt he felt her nipple pebble against him palm. He took it between his fingers and gently squeezed. She moaned as he rolled her nipple between his fingers. She was lost; she knew nothing beyond the coiling tension that claimed her lower belly and breast.

Khadeem slowly started unbuttoning the nightshirt that he had given her. As the fabric parted his fingers sought her warm flesh, and Leanna gasped into his mouth as his fingers explored her bare breast. Slowly he brought them down, softening the kiss, and soothing her breast until with some reluctance their lips parted. Leanna looked up dazedly at him, the sensual pleasure of what they had done causing her wits to slow down.

With effort she managed to speak. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Is it not allowed for a man to kiss his bride?"

She stared at him blankly for a moment until his words registered.

Weakly said, "Bride...?"

"Yes, my bride."

She shook her head. "I'm not marrying you."

"You are sweetling, your assent isn't required." He offered.

"But don't both partners need to say the vows?" She queried.

"Yes."

"Well, I won't say them."

He chuckled. Well then, if you don't I guess I could give you back to the slaver, and he can do what he will with you."

Outwardly calm and sure of himself, inwardly Khadeem held his breath, hoping she wouldn't call his bluff.

Defeated, her eyes stinging she looked away for a moment then turned back to him and lifted her chin.

"Fine then, I'll marry you." She didn't add that she also planned to hie back to America as soon as possible.

She stalked to the other side of the room and said to him her back turned.

"Please, just leave."

He sighed; well at least he knew she would marry him now. He turned and opened the door, but was stopped by her voice.

"When are we getting married?"

He turned back. "In two weeks."

She nodded, and with that again dismissed him, turning her back to him. She was miffed now, but he promised himself that he would make it up to her.

----

During the next two weeks Leanna met Khadeem's parents who were to her surprise, very nice and likeable. What really surprised her though was the love that was evident between them. She spent much of her time with Ella and Ingra, and despite her plight, she found herself relaxing and having fun in their company. The wedding plans were on schedule, all Leanna had to do was choose a gown, which she had already done. Throughout the whole process she had to keep reminding herself to not get to involved with the wedding, it wasn't going to last.

She saw little of Khadeem, but when she did he usually cornered her and subjected her to more heart-stopping kisses that she reminded herself daily she did not like. All too soon it was her wedding day, and she was fairly paralyzed with nervousness. Days ago Ingra and Ella had sat her down and explained what would happen on her wedding night. Her deflowering was to be witnessed by Khadeem's parents, his two aunts and uncles, and even Ella. After hearing this she had rushed to the bathroom and lost what little food she had been able to eat.

And now it was her wedding day, only twenty minutes until she walked down the aisle in front of his family, and many other dignitaries from neighboring countries. She was surrounded by people; Khadeem's mother, Ella, and other maids that helped with her hair and gown. She tried to take a deep breath, and was once again unsuccessful; the knot in her chest was too tight. 

She sat on the bed in her gown and just stared into space while the women bustled around her, making last minute adjustments to her hair and make-up. All too soon she was brought back from her thoughts and marched out the door and down to the church where she would be married.



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 04



Khadeem stood at the altar, next to the priest who would be giving the vows. The wedding march sounded and he turned, saw his bride walking towards him. She was a vision in her gown. It was a very expensive gown; he had it custom made from Paris. They'd had a royal row over his audacity at choosing the gown she would wear, though he did win that fight because when she saw the gown she fell in love with it. It was white with a long flowing train. It had sleeves that fell over the shoulders and had a beaded vest. It was a gorgeous gown, but with Leanna in it, he was blown away.

Leanna tried to take another deep breath as she walked up the aisle on Hassan's arm, and was again unsuccessful. Slowly they walked to the altar and she found herself standing next to Khadeem. He took her shaking hand in his and they both turned to face the priest.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today…"

Through the whole ceremony Leanna was in a daze, and was grateful when she was able to say her vows without wavering or choking up.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Leanna looked up at her husband and watched dazedly as his head lowered to hers and he set his lips to hers. It was a gentle reassuring kiss, and as loath as she was to admit it, it helped steady her nerves a bit.

"I believe Sidi that you wanted to speak the ancient vows?" The priest queried.

"Yes father."

Startled she looked into Khadeem's eyes as he started speaking in a lyrical language, which she assumed was Arabic. A shiver passed through her as he finished up the vows. They stared into each others eyes for a long moment then Khadeem turned her hand in his and they walked down the aisle out the church where they stood and met with well wishers. They stood there for about an hour talking with dignitaries and a lot of his people who wanted to see their sheik's bride.

After they met with about everyone who wanted to wish them well Ella and Ingra came over and collected Leanna to get her prepared for her wedding night. Panic rose again and she found herself shaking with fear. Khadeem's aunts joined them in Khadeem's bedroom, which was now also Leanna's bedroom. They had her bathe and they dressed her in a silky white nightgown that just reached mid-thigh and had a daringly low neckline. Then the covers to the big bed were pulled back and Leanna sat back on the cushions waiting for Khadeem and the other men that were to witness her deflowering to arrive. Panic once again seized her she closed her eyes trying to calm herself down. She heard the door open and her head shot up, a deer-in-the-headlights look on her face. Khadeem walked into the room, he was wearing a black silk robe that reached to his knees. Leanna licked dry lips as her wide eyes took in her husband's form.

"All right then, time to get started." Ella stated.

Leanna blushed crimson at Ella's words; she made it sound like this was a movie you would see in a theater. She trembled as the door closed and the witnesses got settled to watch. She watched wide eyed as Khadeem came over to her, a glass of Brandy in his hand. He offered it to her and she gulped it down gladly, the warmth of the drink going straight to her belly.

Khadeem watched as she gulped it down, glad that she had accepted it for it contained a bit of an aphrodisiac in it, to ease her first time. Because her deflowering was being witnessed she would be nervous and he probably wouldn't be able to get her aroused, but the aphrodisiac would help so her first time hopefully wouldn't be as painful if she were not aroused.

Leanna watched fascinated as Khadeem shrugged off his robe and she was treated to a view of the muscled expanse of his chest. All her had on now were boxers, her panicked mind registered this thought, but for some reason a warm sensation was beginning to unravel in her belly. She tensed as her approached and covered her body with his.

"Relax love," he murmured.

She was about to reply with a sarcastic comment but he chose that moment to kiss her. It was a conqueror's kiss; he claimed her mouth with his, his tongue ruthlessly exploring her mouth. Heat exploded in her belly, she moaned into his mouth helplessly. She felt as he drew the straps of her gown down past her breasts and had to stifle a shriek when his mouth left hers and descended onto her breasts. He gently held a breast in each hand and gave careful attention to both. Soon she was writhing on the bed with new sensations as he latched onto one and suckled. Her breasts now felt heavy and swollen, and were extremely tender. She barely noticed his one hand trailing down her stomach until she felt it rest on her mound. Whimpered as he parted her folds and traced the heated flesh.

Slowly he pushed one finger into her heated depths and she gasped as he slowly drew it in and out, slowly thrusting it in her. Suddenly he withdrew his finger and released her breast from his hungry mouth. He finished pulling off the gown and pulled his boxers off. Leanna's gaze was fixed on his hard member, panic once again seizing her, it would never fit! Frantically she tried to get off the bed, but he anticipated her and caught her, once again lowering his big tanned body to hers.

"Don't worry sweet; we will fit together like two puzzle pieces."

Apparently the man could read minds. This thought quickly disappeared as she felt him probing at her entrance. She gripped his shoulders and tried to relax as he slowly penetrated her. Slowly, inexorably he pushed into her, stretched her until he rested at her maidenhead. He slowly pulled himself out a bit then pushed back in, trying to draw her into the rhythm to distract her. It worked; as he was pulling out he suddenly thrust back in, swiftly removing the virgin barrier and seating himself to the hilt.

She screamed and bit his shoulder at the sharp pain; he didn't notice her sinking her teeth into him, he was trying his best not to move inside her, though his body was screaming for him to. She panted and buried her head in his shoulder when she remembered they were not alone in the room. She felt the gazes of his family and Ella, and was once again blushing profusely wishing she could hide in a hole. Now that he had taken her maidenhead she thought they would leave, but she was wrong, they were to stay to make sure that Khadeem planted his seed within her.

She felt Khadeem slowly pull out a little, then thrust back in. Slowly he thrust into her until he was close to exiting her warm sheath, then smoothly thrusting himself back in to the hilt. At first it hurt, but he put a finger between them and teased her clit to life. Soon he had her moaning and writhing under him. She then felt him change the angle of his thrusts so each time her moved in her, he was stimulating her clit. He drove her on and on until she forgot everything, even the people that were avidly watching the mating. Her cries increased to a fever pitch until with one strong thrust he pushed her over the edge. She screamed and he groaned as he joined her, her inner convulsions proved too much. With one last thrust he buried himself in her and spilled his seed deep within her womb. After he was spent he rolled over and pulled her on top of him, little shocks of pleasure still resonating within them both.

After a few long moments Khadeem slowly withdrew from her sheath and she couldn't suppress a whimper of pain, she was sore. He sat up and put his boxers back on, then his robe. She marveled at how he was capable of moving, she couldn't even twitch a finger. The men exited the room and she found herself pounced upon. The women led her into the bathroom where a nice hot bath was waiting and gratefully she sunk into it, groaning in pleasure.

When she got out and dried off the women had her put some ointment on her tender vagina, it was going to help soothe the soreness. She then got back into the nightgown and followed as the women led her back to bed. There were new sheets on the bed, in the corner she saw the old one, neatly folded, blood stains from her maidenhead showing. Once again blushing profusely, not able to meet any of the women's eyes she meekly climbed back into bed and accepted the mothering that the women subjected her to.

After the women left, she lay there in the big bed, a bedside lamp providing dim lighting, her thoughts turned to how she was going to get out of here and back to America. She couldn't think of anything at the moment, her mind was just blown away. She started as she heard the door open and watched as her husband approached her again. He shrugged off his robe and boxers then climbed into the big bed next to her and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. She stiffened; she didn't think her body could handle any more tonight.

"Relax love; I just want to hold you."

Leanna did relax and soon felt her eyelids droop. He was stroking her hair, it felt so good, so relaxing that she drifted off to sleep in her husbands arms.  



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 05



Slowly Leanna surfaced from a sea of sweet dreams. She snuggled deeper under the covers and closer to the warm body that was holding her close. Her eyes opened. Warm body? Then she remembered; she was married. She blushed again as she remembered what had transpired last night, was even more mortified when she remembered how much she had liked it. She knew for one thing, she had to get back home quick, before she wanted to stay here forever.

She sighed and was about to close her eyes when Khadeem stirred and turned her towards him for a kiss. It was a leisurely, tender kiss, but soon turned into something more. He pulled her closer to him and fitted her body to his while he captured her mouth. She felt him harden and gasped when he turned over so she lay under him. He pulled her legs apart and settled himself in between her thighs while his mouth trailed kisses down her neck. She felt him pull the straps of her nightgown down and whimpered when his mouth latched onto one of her breasts. She threaded her fingers through his hair and clutched him to her.

He left her breasts and his mouth trailed down her stomach to rest at her mound. He smiled a predator's smile when he parted her folds and found her moist. Her eyes wide she watched as slowly his mouth descended to the core of her; had to stifle a scream when she felt the first touch of his tongue.

"Khadeem! What-"

She cried out when he latched onto her pleasure nub and suckled. Writhing around on the bed she had nowhere to go, she was prisoner to this sensual torture. Her breath caught on a gasp when his tongue ventured into her, sobbed when one of his fingers joined in to circle her nub. She thought she would die from this exquisite torture, was sure of it when he relentlessly pushed her toward the peak but when she was close he drew her back from the peak with soothing strokes of his tongue.

She cried out when he once again latched his mouth onto her clit, and screamed when he sent her over the edge by gently closing his teeth on her. The world exploded and she sobbed his name as she came. He just lapped up her juices and kept her going, until with a final shudder she relaxed, totally exhausted.

Slowly he traveled back up her body and looked into her eyes as with one measured thrust he buried himself deep inside her. She gasped at the feeling of going from empty to full so quick. With slow measured thrusts he brought her back and soon she found herself approaching the peak again.

"Wrap your legs around me," he ordered her.

She did as he asked and cried out when he was able to reach new depths. Slowly he increased his thrusts until they were both mad with need. She clung to his broad shoulders as slowly but surely he pushed them both over the edge. They went together, her first inner tremors triggering his climax. They both cried out as together they both let go. She sobbed wildly as he held himself deep within her and spilled his seed. He collapsed on her and rolled them over so she lay on top of him. He retrieved the covers that had gotten kicked to the bottom of the bed and covered their cooling bodies.

Draped over him Leanna marveled at how comfortable she was. Khadeem tipped her head up and looked deep into her eyes before he kissed her, a sweet leisurely kiss of remembered pleasure. With a sigh she settled her head on his shoulder and let her eyes droop as he caressed her back. Slowly her exhausted body slipped back into a deep sleep. 

---- Khadeem watched his wife as she slept on top of him. He was fiercely satisfied that she was his, now and forever, the ancient vows attesting to that. He smiled as he remembered their lovemaking. She was sweetly innocent, yet so responsive. Despite his parents being there as he took her maidenhead she hadn't noticed for the most part which was partly due to the aphrodisiac. The second time though, she had been all honey. He was delighted by her responses, her reactions when he did something new. He heard a light knock at the door. Slowly he eased Leanna off him and covered her back up. He quietly padded to the door and opened it to see Ella standing there.

"Yes Ella?"

"The sheik of Ufrima is waiting to speak with you."

Setback Khadeem looked at the clock, softly cursed, it was Noon. He was surprised he'd slept that late.

"I'll be right out," he stated. "Meanwhile, do you think you could get something for Leanna to eat? She hasn't eaten since before the wedding."

"I'm on it," with that Ella walked back down the hall to the kitchens.

Khadeem closed the door and got dressed. Before he left he walked over to the bed and sat next to Leanna. He leaned down to her and gently set his lips to hers. He smiled against her lips when she responded. Slowly he watched as she woke. Her lids lifting she watched as he kissed her.

Slowly he ended the kiss; she stared at him not knowing what to say.

"Morning."

"Morning." She replied hesitantly.

He smiled at her, amused.

"I have a meeting, I shouldn't be to long." He told her. "Meanwhile Ella is getting you something to eat."

"Oh, well thank you."

"No problem." With one last kiss he left her laying in his huge bed.

She yawned and stretched. Getting up she grimaced at the new soreness between her thighs. She blushed as she remembered what they had done. She didn't know how she was going to face his parents––their parents, or Ella. She walked to the bathroom and gasped when she turned on the light, she had barely noticed her surroundings yesterday she had been so nervous. For one the bathroom was huge. It also had a shower, a whirlpool bath, even a bidet. It was tastefully decorated and had obviously been very expensive to furnish and build. 

She turned on the shower and gathered some clothes to wear. Closing and locking the door, she wasn't taking any chances on being walked in on, she stepped into the shower, sighed when the hot spray hit her body. She lingered in the shower for awhile, letting the heat ease muscles that were newly sore from her experiences yesterday. She got out, toweled herself dry and dressed. She was happy to find a hair dryer and brush, they looked brand new. She dried and brushed it out then let it spill freely down her back.

She walked out of the bathroom to find a tray of food set out for her, and Ella cleaning up the room. Ella looked up as she entered the room.

"Well there you are, I see you've already gotten ready, there's some food over there for you," she said with a smile.

Finding herself ravenous she walked over to the plate of food and sat down in the arm chair that was next to the stand. Slowly she ate her fill and when she finished so had Ella.

"The Sidi is in a meeting right now, would you like to go with me to meet the staff?"

Leanna eagerly jumped at the chance, she needed something to keep her occupied. So for the next hour she walked around with Ella to meet the palace staff, and was surprised to find that she immediately liked the whole staff, they were all very friendly, and though they were curious about her marriage with Khadeem, they weren't rude about it. After meeting with the whole staff she got a tour of the rooms, which took another hour. By the time they were done Khadeem had finished his meeting with the sheik from Ufrima, and was just exiting the room with the other sheik.

"Ah, there she is." Pleased to see her, Khadeem pulled her close to his side and introduced her to the sheik. He was a nice man, older, but was very genial and wasn't prying at all about the circumstances of her marriage.

When the sheik of Ufrima departed Khadeem asked her if she would like to visit the stable with him. Immediately she jumped at the chance. As they walked to the stables she got depressed, she had to get back to America, she needed her horses! Firmly reminding herself to look into escaping, today if possible. She gasped when they entered the stables.

She hadn't ever seen a barn so clean, or so expensive. She was surprised the aisle way wasn't made of gold. She noted the jockey silks that were painted onto the wall, so this was a racing stable. Not surprised to see that majority of the horses were Arabian, she was still enthralled. Each horse was immaculately cleaned; she didn't think she could find a spot of dirt on ones coat, or a single knot in ones tail.

Khadeem stopped at one stall and opened the door. She gasped when she saw the animal it contained. It was another Arabian, but this one was stunning. It had a blood red coat, a black mane, and carried himself with poise of a king.

"This is Noiram," he said with pride. "When he raced her earned over 3 million, and so far has sired over 50 stakes winners. He is my favorite, if you couldn't tell." He added with a chuckle.

"He's gorgeous." Leanna said on a sigh.

"That he is," he acknowledged. "I would say that we could go riding, but I'm thinking you're a little sore from last night." He added wickedly.

Leanna glared, and laughing he finished the tour of the main barn. Seeing her interest he gave her the whole tour of the rest of the barns and facilities. When they were done he led her back to the palace.

"I have another meeting," he announced. "Would you like to go back to our room, the study..?"

Jumping at the chance of searching for an escape she said, "I think I'll go to the study."

Nodding Khadeem led her to the study and left her with a promise to fetch her for dinner when his meeting was over. When he closed the door behind him she immediately went to the computer she found on what she assumed was his desk. Extremely relieved to find it working and having an internet connection she searched the internet for maps of the area, locating the closest airline. After figuring out where she was and where she needed to go, she erased any trace of her being on the computer, thanking god that she was computer literate.

Finding a book on horses, she sat in the armchair and contemplated how she was to go about getting away. She knew she would have to do it soon, before people could recognize her as their sheik's wife. She figured she would have to walk to town, which thankfully adjoined the palace, and find a taxi, once again thanking god that transportation had found its way to this city. The next problem she faced was getting money. Grimacing she set her thoughts on that problem. She guessed she could mention that she would like to go shopping in the town; hopefully Khadeem would give her money, enough money to get her home. Sighing, she sat back in the chair and opened the book. After a few minutes of reading she heard the door open. Looking up she saw Khadeem. She couldn't stop the smile that rose to her lips, god the man was gorgeous.

"Have fun reading?" He inquired.

"Yes, this book is very interesting."

Khadeem smiled when he saw her selection, it was a book about Arabian racing. He offered her his hand, putting the book on a side table for reading later. She then took his hand and let him lead her out of the study. He led her to the dining room where he sat her next to him, also at the table were his parents and aunts and uncles. She went red again, they all had been there while she had lost her virginity; it was exceedingly embarrassing.  Throughout dinner she was silent, letting Khadeem and his family converse, she was to nervous and embarrassed to even generate a coherent response. Finally after what seemed like hours to Leanna, dinner was over. Khadeem led her out of the dining room and into what looked like the family room. There were a bunch of seats, and to Leanna's surprise even a TV. Khadeem sat down with her on a love seat, putting his arm around her shoulders he engaged his father into a discussion about politics while his mother turned on the television.

"So dear, what was it that brought you to Zariff?" Khadeem's mother asked.

"Well, I had just gotten out of college and my family thought I was worn to thin and insisted I take a vacation."

Leanna found herself drawn into conversation by Ingra; they ended up talking about America and their form of schooling, Leanna answering many of Ingra's questions. To her surprise time flew and when Khadeem drew her up from the couch she noted that it was late. They said goodnight to Khadeem's parents and headed up to their room.

Leanna squeaked when she found herself lifted into Khadeem's arms. She looped her arms around his neck and looked up to him questioningly.

"Have to save your energy for tonight." He stated wickedly.

She blushed crimson and buried her hot face into his neck while he chuckled softly. They entered their bedroom and Khadeem set her down on the bed then went back to the door and locked it.

She watched as he slowly walked towards her then descended onto the bed covering her body with his. She trembled as he buried his fingers in her hair and put his lips to hers. She was drawn into the kiss, and soon found herself naked, Khadeem playing with her breasts as his mouth devoured hers. She had her hands under his shirt against his muscled chest. She drew his shirt off of him as he pulled off his trousers and boxers.

She gasped as he quickly embedded himself deeply within her. She clutched his shoulders and moaned as he quickly thrust himself in and out of her, quickly bringing her to the brink and throwing her over it. She screamed as she came, Khadeem just kept going, bringing her back. Once again she was on the brink but he expertly held her from it, with measured thrusts he increased the pleasure. Sobbing his name she met his thrusts. With a cry she came again, Khadeem right behind her.

She felt Khadeem roll over and pull her on top of him, covering their cooling bodies with blankets. She sighed and got comfortable, settling her head on his chest she fell asleep listening to his heart beat.



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 06



Two weeks passed before Leanna got the courage to try and escape. Finally she asked Khadeem if she could go visit the town and go shopping. He agreed, but insisted Ella and two body guards accompany her. She wasn't going to complain, she was just going to have to find out a way to disappear and get to the airport.

When they left to go shopping she was a bundle of nerves. She needed to get back home and fast; she was starting to like this place and her husband to much. Granted, she was happy that he had bought her instead of some other men so she could complete their harem. She knew she could easily love Khadeem, and that thought scared her witless, she wasn't going to risk loving this man, he had way to much power, and she knew he would eventually tire of her, and when he did, she knew she would be heartbroken.

With these thoughts racing through her head as they toured the town Leanna tried to keep herself calm, tried to think of a way to escape. A plan formed in her mind while they were weaving between the booths and tents. All she needed to do was get behind the booths to get out of sight, then walk down the alley behind the booths and get a ride from the street at the end of the alley.

She decided her best course would be to go to the bathroom. So she went, leaving the guards and Ella standing at a booth nearby waiting for her. She couldn't have had any better luck. She entered the bathroom and waited a minute before she peeked out. Their backs were turned. Breathing a sigh of relief she slowly crept behind one of the tent booths. She quickened her pace and practically ran down the alley. When she got to the end of the alley she was lucky enough to find someone emerging from a taxi. She got in and gave the driver her destination. As the town passed by she finally was able to breathe. She couldn't believe her luck. Now all she had to do was get to the airport and on a plane home.

When the airport came into sight she got out the money Khadeem had given her to go shopping. She paid the driver and exited the car. She approached the desk and inquired after the next flight back to the east coast of the United States. The next flight they had with available tickets was in two hours. Resigned to waiting she ordered a drink and sat down. The minutes seemed to take forever to tick by, but finally it was time to get in line. Pulling out her passport that she had found had been given to Khadeem she waited in line.

Twenty minutes later she was on the plane. She sat back in her seat and closed her eyes. Her nerves were stretched thin, she was waiting for Khadeem to appear at any moment and drag her back to the palace. Slowly the plane left the runway and she could breathe again. She refused to examine the reason why she hadn't just e-mailed her family, she wasn't willing to admit that she wanted to prolong her stay here, refused to think that somehow she would miss this place, and more importantly...her husband.

---- Khadeem was frantic. She had escaped, somehow she had gotten out of Ella and his guards sight and slipped away. He had everyone out on the look for her, himself included. Somehow he knew she would go to the airport, and he was right. She had taken a flight out to the United States, headed for Newark Airport in NJ. He called his people off of the search, and gave the pilot to his private jet the heads up; they were leaving in three hours for the United States.

He went back to the palace and packed. His two bodyguards and Ella would accompany him. Finally they were headed back to the airport and quickly boarded his plane. Khadeem couldn't sit, he found himself getting up and pacing. He went into the cockpit and traded places with his pilot and drove the jet himself. Six hours later they landed in Newark, four hours behind Leanna's plane.

Though he wanted to immediately start searching for his wife he knew he couldn't, it was two in the morning, searching would have to wait until tomorrow. Resigned, Khadeem paced the hotel room he had arranged to stay at. He couldn't sleep until he had his wife back where she belonged, by his side.

---- She was home. Leanna marveled at the fact that her plan had worked. As she drove towards her home in NJ in the car she rented she kept thanking god that she had gotten away. She was just liking it there way to much. She didn't know why Khadeem had wanted to buy her, let alone marry her. She had never considered herself attractive, in middle school and high school she hadn't once had a date. Not that she found it surprising; she'd had acne for the duration of her school years, though it had finally cleared up when she turned twenty. Sure she'd had plenty of crushes, but never once had one of the boys she'd liked returned her feelings. A few times she'd asked someone out, but after being rejected so many times she just gave up and bore her crushes in silence. 

She had hated school; most people made fun of her because of her acne, or didn't want to be associated with her because of it. Though she did have friends she never really got close to any of them bar Callie, she was just as horse crazy as Leanna. They had met at a local horse show when they were sixteen and had contacted each other a few times over the years. They really became close when Callie had moved up to New Jersey to escape her abusive father. They had gone to the same college and rode at the same barn. Both girls were extremely insecure, Callie had had the same skin problems as Leanna and they both found comfort in the fact that they weren't alone.

Even though Callie was a great friend Leanna was still miserable. Sometimes she just wanted to cry when she saw couples together holding hands or kissing, wondering why she couldn't have anyone like that. All she wanted was to be loved for who she was. She had given up that dream after college when she still had no dates, burying herself in her work with the horses, desperately keeping the loneliness at bay, though not very successfully. Many nights she had gone home and locked herself in her room and cried for hours on end, asking God why she couldn't find someone to love her, begging Him for someone.

Then she had gone to Zariff and was captured and sold to Khadeem. Though she had hated the thought of being enslaved, was furious of the thought, Khadeem had taken the wind out of her sails by marrying her. Albeit she hadn't wanted to have anything to do with him, during the two weeks that the wedding was being prepared she found her animosity disappearing. Call her weak, she didn't care. Khadeem had actually seemed to find her attractive and she had soaked it up like a flower does a spring rain. Despite what had happened she wouldn't trade those feverish nights for anything, she doubted she'd ever have anymore, so she would just have to live on memories.

Coming out of her reverie Leanna realized she was close to home. Another five minutes of driving and she was sitting in her driveway wondering what to tell her family, she had been gone for three weeks longer than she was supposed to be, and knew her family would be worried about her.

As she stepped out of the car she saw movement out of the corner of her eye and turned towards the barn where she saw her oldest brother Kade striding towards her.

"Where have you been? We've been worried sick." He demanded.

She smiled faintly, she was the baby of the family, and the only girl to boot, all three of her brothers were extremely protective of her and she knew they would be going crazy not knowing where she was.

"I decided to stay for a couple more weeks," she said simply. She wondered why she didn't tell him the truth but wasn't going to examine the thought at the moment.

"Well, you could have at least told us you were staying longer, everyone has been worried sick wondering where you were, Moms been crying every night wondering where you were." He said shortly.

Before she could respond she heard the screen door to the house slam shut and found herself engulfed in her mothers embrace. She had needed this; Leanna found herself clinging to her mother letting all her fears slip away. She started sobbing; part relief for being home, part sadness for leaving behind the one man who had found her desirable, God must just hate her.

"Evie, why did you just run out of here like the hounds of hell were-"

Leanna looked up and her teary eyes saw her father striding quickly towards her. Her mother let her go and wiped away her own tears while Leanna was once again engulfed in a hug. She buried her face in her fathers chest sobbing like a lost child; now that she had started she couldn't seem to stop. Her father picked her up and carried her into the house, her mother and Kade following close behind him. Setting her down gently on the couch he got a tissue and handed it to her. Mumbling a thank you she blew her nose and tried to compose herself. Finally when she though she had a decent control over her emotions and looked up to find that her other two brothers had joined the rest of the family. Her two other brothers Sebastian and Daniel, better known as Devil and Demon were both talking at once, giving her the same lecture she had gotten from Kade.

It was to much, she started crying again.

"Enough," her father said and picked her up. "You need to rest for awhile, it looks like you haven't been sleeping well."

With that he carried her up the stairs and put her down gently on her bed. He turned to leave, but she grabbed his hand.

"Da-dad, could you or mom stay with me?" She pleaded.

"I will," her mother stated from the doorway.

Her father nodded and with one last hard hug he left her bedroom.

"Why don't you get changed into something more comfortable dear."

Leanna nodded and grabbed some night clothes out of her drawers. She changed out of her jeans and shirt, glad that she had thought to get some normal clothes before she faced her family, and changed into a large shirt and sweats. She walked back into the bedroom and let her mother tuck her into bed. She was given a glass of water and some pills, to help her sleep. Her mother sat on the bed with her stroking her hair keeping a constant eye on her daughter like she expected her to disappear if she looked away.

Slowly Leanna calmed down enough to yawn. Sighing she burrowed under the covers, and ignoring the feeling that the bed felt empty without Khadeem in it, fell asleep.



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 07



A few hours later Leanna woke up. She sat up in bed quickly and looked around, realizing it hadn't been a dream, she was home.

"Feeling better?"

Leanna turned her head and saw her father sitting in a chair next to her bed.

"Yes," she said quietly. "I feel much better."

"Good. Mom's got dinner ready, are you hungry?"

Consulting her stomach she found herself ravenous. Nodding to her father she got out of bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen. There she found her mother and brothers sitting, they had just started dinner. Sitting next to Kade she gave her full attention to her meal, avoiding any questions as to why she had stayed in Zariff for so long, and why she hadn't contacted anyone.

Realizing that they wouldn't be finding out anything tonight her family let the subject drop and turned to a more agreeable topic, horses. The whole family updated her on everything that had happened while she was gone.

After hearing about all the horses she decided that she needed to go see them, especially her baby, Diesel. Going back up to her room she changed into some jeans and an old t-shirt. She clattered down the steps hastily pulling on her muddy boots and practically running outside, her horses causing every other thought to leave her head.

She entered the barn and inhaled the welcome scent of horses. Striding down the barn she stopped at a stall with a large bay inside.

"Hey Deis." She greeted the horse.

The horse nickered and raised his head from the pile of hay he had been eating. She wrapped her arms around the Warmblood's large neck and buried her face in his mane. She started sobbing uncontrollably, so grateful to be back. Despite the fact that she was falling in love with Khadeem she had missed her family and horses terribly.

The horse stood patiently as she cried. Finally it seemed that she was done with the crying jag. She wished she could ride but it was getting late. Leaving the stall she turned off the lights and walked back up to the house where she sat down with her family while they watched television.

She started thinking again about Khadeem and what she should do; falling back into her thoughts she didn't see the glance her mother gave her, or the shocked look her mother had on her face when she saw the wedding band on her daughters finger. Her father saw the look of shock. Rising he took his wife's hand and lifted her off the couch and into the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" He demanded.

She stared blankly at him for a moment before she was able to gather her wits and form a coherent response.

"Go look at Leanna's left hand David." She said simply.

Frowning in confusion he went back into the living room and took a look at his daughter's left hand. His eyes widened and he quickly strode back into the kitchen.

"That's a-that's a-"

"Wedding ring." Evie finished the statement for him.

They looked at each other with wide eyes.

"Do you want to talk to her or…?" He let the question die off.

"I'll talk to her." Evie stated.

He nodded and watched as his wife went back into the living room and asked Leanna to follow her. His eyes followed the two as they walked up the stairs to Leanna's room to talk.

Shaking his head he walked back into the living room and watched the television without really seeing it. The three brothers shared a confused look at their father's blank expression. Demon broke the silence.

"Dad what-"

"Don't worry about it right now; I don't exactly know the whole of it either."

The brothers shrugged; assured that they would find out about what was going on, eventually.

----

"Baby, what is going on?"

Leanna looked up from her hands that were fiddling up to her mother's concerned face. She grimaced, she wanted to unburden herself, but she was just so scared.

"N-nothing Mom."

"If it's nothing then why do you have a wedding band on your finger?!?"

Leanna gasped realizing just now that she had forgotten to take the band off. Tears formed in her eyes, she had to come clean now. Haltingly she told her mother everything, being kidnapped by the slaver, being examined, auctioned off and then married. Once she started the words just poured out of her. She didn't notice the tears streaming down her face as she told her mother the story, though now that it was told her hands were soaked with them.

Slowly she looked up and was startled when her mother engulfed her in a hug. Sobbing Leanna held onto her mother tightly while she let out all the pent up fear, anger, and frustration. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there clinging to her mother like a two year old in their first thunderstorm; she only knew that she felt so much better to have gotten everything off her chest.

Slowly she let go of her mother and realized that she was being talked to.

"- poor baby, what an ordeal!"

For about another half an hour they talked, Leanna confessing everything, her mother listening and comforting her. Finally her mother stood up and stated;

"You're done for the day, go in the bathroom and get a shower then into bed, you need as much rest as you can get."

Meekly Leanna nodded her head and followed her mother's instructions. Her mother left the room, probably to go tell her father, while Leanna took a long hot shower. She stood under the hot spray, letting it wash off all her tears. She stared unseeingly at the shower wall while her mind raced with the memories of her time with Khadeem. She was sickened to realize that she had fallen in love with him. Weakly she sat down in the shower while contemplating this discovery. I love Khadeem. How could she love him? He had bought her, like he would buy jeans at a department store. She shook her head. Leave it to me to fall in love with the one man I shouldn't. Shaking her head she got up out of the shower and toweled herself dry while her new found discovery lay at the forefront of her mind. She got into bed and lay there thinking over how and why this had happened, but soon her brain, tired from pondering the unponderable turned itself off and she slept.

---- 

The next morning Leanna got up early and much to her relief was the only one up. She quickly ate breakfast then rushed out of the house to the barn. To keep her thoughts off of her own problems she put herself to work feeding horses and cleaning stalls. Two hours later she was finishing up when her family started making their way to the barn to do their chores. She ignored the worried looks she was receiving from them; it was quite obvious they all knew where she had been while she was vacationing.

Refusing to meet any of their gazes she entered Diesel's stall and put his halter on. Leaving the stall she went into the tack room and gathered Diesel's bucket of brushes. Setting the brushes down next to a pair of cross-ties Leanna led Diesel out of his stall. She put him on the cross-ties and grabbed a curry-comb. She started currying his neck, clearing his body of the mud that he had found in his field.

With all the dirt dislodged she brushed him off and picked his feet, then went back into the tack room and got his tack. She tacked him up and put her chaps and helmet on. She put on his bridle and led him out to the outdoor ring and mounted up. They walked around for awhile, Leanna just happy to be back on her horse.

After walking awhile she put him through his paces. Once they were done she let him walk again to cool out, deciding against jumping for today. She took Diesel back into the barn, un-tacked and gave him a bath before she walked him out and let him graze on the lawn while he dried. She heard someone approaching and looked up; it was her father.

"Leanna…your mother explained what happened. This afternoon we're going down to the police station to file a report."

"No! I don't want to even have to think of what happened, let alone talk about it!"

"I know sweetheart but this needs to be reported…"

"I know that dad! I just…can't…handle it right now!"

Looking away she felt the tears start slipping down her cheeks again. Disgusted with herself for being so weak she angrily swiped at her tears. She led Diesel back to the barn and put him back into his stall. For the rest of the day she spent her time reacquainting herself with the horses. It was almost dinnertime and she was riding her last horse for the day, a young chestnut mare that she had purchased just before she left for vacation. Her father hadn't brought back up the issue of reporting her ordeal and for that she was grateful, she just wasn't ready to tell her story again, especially to a police officer.

She was now out in the ring riding the chestnut filly, Andujaar (Annie) and was being schooled over fences by her father. Annie wasn't very cooperative today, she was jumping and bolting, Leanna was having a hard time keeping the mare under control, but she was used to it, that's what she got for riding inexperienced horses. She was finishing off a course, coming down a triple when a limousine pulled into the driveway. Leanna knew who was inside. She wasn't paying attention and the mare knew it, as she approached the final jump in the triple she ducked out. Leanna who obviously wasn't prepared was thrown to the ground, the back of her helmet smacked the ground hard and she fell flat on her back. Her ears were ringing and she was, for lack of a better word, seeing stars. She vaguely heard her father yell at her to stay put and the sound of a car door slamming along with multiple feet running towards her. Sluggishly her brain reminded her who was in that vehicle. Groaning loudly she turned on her side and folded herself into the fetal position.

She jerked away when someone touched her shoulder.

"Sweetheart what hurts?"

Silence was her response; it would hurt too much to talk; that and the fact that her brain was overwhelmed with the fact that Khadeem had found her. She knew Khadeem was right by her side, that fact kept her from opening her eyes. She noticed that her father wasn't trying to kill Khadeem…probably was too worried about her. 

She heard the faint sound of a siren; great now she got to go to the hospital to have some more doctors poke at her. 



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 08



So she rode. Khadeem smiled faintly while he watched Leanna riding a horse, from the looks of it a young one, from inside the rented limousine. That smile was quickly replaced when he watched her get thrown on her back. Quickly opening the door he ran towards the ring where she lay. The man in the ring, he assumed he was her father, yelled to the house for someone to call 9-1-1. Reaching her side he leaned down by her side.

"I'll be guessing that you're Khadeem."

Khadeem looked up into the man's angry face.

"I'm betting you're her father."

"Got it in one. You and I have some things to talk about, but we'll sort it out later."

Khadeem nodded and lent his attention back to Leanna. He heard the faint sounds of an ambulance while both he and her father tried to get a response out of her...it looked like for now she was unconscious. The ambulance arrived and the EMT's quickly loaded Leanna on to a stretcher and into the ambulance. Both Khadeem and Leanna's father went to get in the ambulance with her. As much as it pained Khadeem to not be with her, he knew he wouldn't gain any brownie points with her family if he acted high handed...so he let her father ride with her to the hospital.

When the rest of her family poured out of the house he motioned to them.

"Come ride with me, you don't need to be driving while you're upset."

They all piled into the limousine and sped off following the ambulance. For the duration of the ride there was an uncomfortable silence. No one spoke and Khadeem kept getting dirty looks from what he assumed were Leanna's brothers. After 20 minutes they finally arrived at the hospital and quickly followed the stretcher into the ER.

Leanna's father was at the desk giving out information while the rest of her family anxiously paced the waiting area. Khadeem was through with not being with Leanna and promptly entered the room that he had seen the stretcher enter only minutes before. Striding toward the bed where she lay he was waylaid by a nurse.

"Sir we're sorry but you can't--" He cut her off with a slash of his hand

"Saskeh! The hell I can't!"

He continued to the bed and sat down next to Leanna and held her limp hand. The nurse continued to try and persuade him to leave but her comments were met with deaf ears...he wasn't going anywhere. For the next hour he sat with her while multiple tests were performed. 

"Sir, are you this woman's husband?"

"Yes, I am."

"All right...is there any chance that she could be pregnant?"

His heart leapt.

"Yes, she could be."

"All right. We'll run a test."

Nodding Khadeem turned back to his wife. She was so still in the bed...it hurt him to know that he was the reason she had fallen off in the first place. He turned when the door was opened behind him and watched warily while Leanna's family gathered in the room. He knew he had some explaining to do...he didn't blame her family at all for their reactions towards him. Now that he reviewed his actions into marrying Leanna he realized how wrong they were...he hadn't been thinking at the time, all he wanted was her as his wife. Stupid really...he was a government official! Well what's done is done...all he could do now is to try and mend things. He was about to speak when the door opened again. Ella was a blur as she rushed to Leanna's side.

"Oh my God! Sidi...what in the hell happened to her?!" She questioned him frantically.

He explained things to her and had to dodge a blow coming from one of Leanna's brother's.

"--you damned bastard!"

Tsking Ella got in between the two and talked furiously.

"Stop it! There is no reason for you to be going at each other!"

"The hell there isn't! Your lord here kidnapped our sister and then forced her to marry him! I'm ready to damn well knock his--"

With a quick slash of her hand Ella silenced him.

"First of all...the Sidi did not kidnap her! True he did something stupid by going to an auction in the first place but did you think of what could have happened had he not bought her? She could be sitting in a brothel right now with god knows what disease...instead she was bought and married to the Sidi...and a much better outcome than she would have had he not been there!"

Leanna's brother was taken aback with her tirade...she did have some good points.

"Yes he married her, but under duress! He told her if she didn't he would send her back to the--"

"Yes, yes that was stupid of him to do, but he wasn't thinking...it was the only way he thought he could have her! It also kept her from scandal...she is a dignitaries wife and her virginity was proven to many important figures out there! You know your sister and from the time I was with her I came to this conclusion...If she really didn't want to marry him she wouldn't have! Deep down she must have wanted to marry him! I have known the Sidi all his life...he is a decent man, an impulsive man sure but sometimes love makes one act that way!"

Her speech finished she turned and walked back to her Ladies side. Leanna's family stood there...realizing now that Khadeem had most likely saved Leanna from a worse fate...they were still pissed with the man sure, but they saw that really what he had done was save her reputation...and if he did indeed love her then...he'd have to work at it to get her back.

"Well then...now that we have some things straightened out and some thoughts to ponder...we should really introduce ourselves."

The silence was broken by Leanna's mother. Slowly each member of Leanna's family introduced themselves to Khadeem and Ella. Now that a lot of the main issues had been settled by Ella the tension in the room eased a bit. Sighing Khadeem set himself in a chair next to Leanna's bed and taking her hand prepared to wait for her to wake up.

----

He was startled awake by a light shake to his shoulder. Looking up with bleary eyes he saw it was a nurse that had woken him.

"You are this woman's husband?" She queried.

He nodded.

"All right, we took a pregnancy test on her and congratulations, you're going to be a father, your wife's about 6 weeks along. Your wife also hit her head pretty hard; she's still unconscious but should wake up soon without any ill effects. She got some mild trauma in her lower back, but luckily the fetus was unaffected."

As the nurse continued with her explanations Khadeem just stared blankly at her. The joy bubbled up inside of him; he was going to be a father. The nurse finished her explanations and left him alone with Leanna. He sat back in the seat next to his wife and waited for her to gain consciousness. 



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 09



Authors Note; I keep getting questions about how Leanna can be 6 weeks pregnant when she's only been married two weeks. You guys are right, I could have sworn in one of the other chapters I had put that a month had passed but I didn't. But yes, Leanna is pregnant (6 weeks), just ignore my time frame blunder. =)

 ----

Her head was pounding. This thought registered through Leanna's aching head as she slowly surfaced back to consciousness. Opening her eyes she blearily looked around what obviously was a hospital room. A sound coming from her left had her turning her head.

"Shit."

The expletive escaped her lips as she stared at the sleeping form of the man she had escaped. Damn the luck. The thought never occurred to her that he would be able to find her. Though she should have realized it would be easy for him, he'd had her passport. Her eyes devoured him, he was magnificent. She hated herself for still loving him, but there was nothing she could do to tell her heart otherwise. Sighing she turned her head and looked out the window.

"Leanna."

Startled she turned back and looked deep into her husband's eyes.

He lifted a hand and smoothed it down her hair.

"How are you feeling baby?" He queried.

"Don't you baby me!"

Thoroughly pissed off she straightened in the hospital bed and jerked back from his soothing hand.

"You're the reason I fell off, you're the reason I'm sitting here right now!"

She grimaced as her tirade turned her head to severe pounding. She fell back against the pillows and closed her eyes, trying to ward off the headache she knew was coming. Her voice dropped to a pain-filled whisper.

"Please, just leave me alone. Haven't you done enough yet?"

She heard him sigh but when she opened her eyes again he was still there.

"I'm here and I'm staying" he told her.

With that he settled back down into the chair next to her bed and took her hand in his. He ignored it when she jerked her hand back.

"Look, I know I did you an injustice buying you then virtually making you marry me, but I wasn't thinking clearly, I didn't know of any other way to make you mine."

She didn't respond just kept glancing at him with wary eyes. He couldn't blame her; he hadn't exactly done the best thing here. But what was done was done. He would just have to win her trust, it would take a long time but he was willing to wait.

----

While these thoughts went through her husbands head Leanna did her best to ignore him, though she couldn't help but steal a few glances. He tried a few times to get her talking but when she refused he took her hand and massaged it even though she dragged it back many times he didn't give up, he just took her hand back and continued massaging. She'd die before admitting it but the hand massage did wonders for her pounding head.

Eventually he got up and left the room in search of some food for her. Moments after he left her whole family poured into the room and surrounded her bed.

Her mother sat next to her on the bed and took her hand.

"How are you feeling honey?" she asked.

"I'm-" before she could even finish the thought she burst into tears.

She turned away from her family and curled into the fetal position. She didn't hear the doctor come in.

"Mrs. Aadiir?"

Reluctantly she sat up and faced the doctor. He checked her vitals, scribbling notes onto his chart. When he was finished with that he quietly asked her family to leave for a few minutes so he could discuss things with her. Her mother gave her a gentle hug then followed the rest of her family out the door. Closing the door behind her mother the doctor leaned on it.

"You did sustain a mild concussion from the fall, and you've got some mild trauma in your lower back. We've got you on painkillers right now so you won't be feeling anything. You'll have to do some physical therapy to help heal up your back but first you're going to have to stay on bed rest for two weeks to give your back a chance to heal without the added strain of holding up your whole body."

Leanna nodded, she had expected something like this.

"Will I be able to ride again?"

"Yes, you will. I don't see any reason why you're back won't make a full recovery. But on the riding note, you won't be able to ride again probably for at least another year, but for a totally different reason."

Leanna looked at the doctor in confusion.

"You're six-weeks pregnant."

Leanna froze. Pregnant. She stared into space, so long that the doctor left her and minutes later Khadeem and her family poured into the room. She didn't acknowledge their presence, just kept staring off while one word kept repeating itself like a mantra in her head.



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 10



A/N: Sorry for this update taking so long guys, don't be surprised if this chapter sucks. The writer's block has been chewing on my brain for quite awhile. I'm trying to get Leanna to start showing some spirit, she's been lacking it since she got caught up in Fahmeer.

*

The next morning Leanna woke feeling a bit better, she was to be discharged from the hospital today, with orders to stay in bed for one week to allow her back to heal. Ever since she had found out that she was pregnant yesterday, Leanna had ignored anyone who tried to talk to her. She couldn't talk to anyone yet, she still couldn't get past the fact that she was pregnant. The thought of protection hadn't even entered her mind. She hadn't been feeling all that well lately, though she had just attributed it to stress. Ironically when this thought passed she encountered a wave of nausea. Leanna groaned and crawled into the fetal position. She hated being sick. She breathed in deeply and waited, hoping the nausea would soon pass. In five minutes it did, and Leanna sighed in relief. She groaned and sat back on the hospital bed...she had weeks of morning sickness ahead of her, the thought was enough to make her sick. She turned at the sound of the door opening. She grimaced, seeing Khadeem enter the room. She watched as he sat down in the chair next to her bed. 

"How are you feeling sweet?"

Leanna didn't answer, she looked away from him, aching to have him hold her and tell her everything would be okay, that he loved her, though she knew that was an unrealistic wish. Without warning a surge of nausea came upon her. She realized with horror that this was the real deal. Groaning she swung her legs over the side of the bed, ignoring Khadeem's sharp exclamation she tried to get up out of the bed but a sharp piercing pain in her back had her gasping for air, which only aided the nausea. Clapping a hand over her mouth she once again attempted to get up, desperate to get to the bathroom before she lost control.

Before she could get up though, Khadeem was in front of her, pushing her back down on the bed. 

"No!" She exclaimed.

Khadeem looked at her face and practically saw her turning green. With a muttered oath he scooped her up into his arms and within four strides was in the bathroom with her. He sat on the ground with her and held her while she convulsed. Neither heard the door open, Khadeem to busy trying to soothe Leanna; Leanna to busy grasping the toilet, trying to get control. Upon entering the room Leanna's parents and three brothers saw no one. Thinking the worst they all went to re-exit the room to alert someone, but before they could they heard retching coming from the little bathroom that adjoined the room. Walking to the bathroom they saw Khadeem sitting on the floor crooning sweet nothings into Leanna's ear, trying to soothe her as she convulsed repeatedly.

"Should we get the doctor?" David's voice rung out in the silent room. 

Leanna was jerked back from her orgy of misery upon hearing her father's voice. Turning in Khadeem's arms she saw her whole family standing in the doorway, she mortified to realize they had all seen her being sick. This prompted another bout of sickness.

"Please," was the response Leanna's father got from Khadeem.

David left the room in search of a doctor. Meanwhile Leanna had stopped being sick, for the moment. She sat back against Khadeem's chest shivering. The warmth from his hard body radiated off of him and she sank into him. Throwing-up turned her into such a baby.

Seeing that she seemed done being sick for the moment Khadeem got up off of the floor, with her still in his arms. He turned on the water at the sink and grabbing a paper cup he filled it with water and handed it to her. She accepted it gratefully, washed out her mouth then took a sip. Khadeem had grabbed a paper towel and moistened it with warm water. Carrying her back to the hospital bed he gently set her down then pulled the covers over her. He took the towel and gently washed her face. He discarded the towel then sat on the edge of her bed and held her hand. Her mother and brothers surrounded the bed also, she avoided all their gazes, still embarrassed about them seeing her being so violently sick and seeing her cozying up with Khadeem. She mentally hit herself, why of all men did she have to love him? Trust her to fall in love with a man that bought her.

The door to her room once again opened and in came her doctor followed by her father. The doctor asked her to sit up so he could examine her. She grimaced as she did, her back protested, the stress of having her trying to leap off the bed along with the painkillers wearing off taking its toll. After a few minutes the doctor announced all the bout of sickness had been was morning sickness, something she could have told him, and announced that her back seemed fine, and when ready her family could take her home. With that announcement he left them to themselves again. Khadeem turned to her father.

"I don't know if she should go home yet, she seemed quite sick." He stated.

"Hmm, I don't know, it might be an idea to keep her here another day," her father observed. "What do you think Evie?" He asked turning toward his wife.

Leanna watched aghast as her whole family and Khadeem discussed her as if she wasn't there. She knew they meant well but for God's sake she wasn't six-years old anymore! Before she could say anything though a nurse entered the room and shoo-ed everyone out, telling them she was going to help Leanna dress. Her family and Khadeem did leave, not before asking the nurse to wait a moment while they asked the doctor what he thought about taking Leanna home. The nurse agreed and went with all of them to talk to the doctor.

Incensed, Leanna got up from the bed once the door was closed and snatched her clothes off of the rack next to the bed. Ignoring the pain in her back she got dressed and walked out the door. Common sense was beyond her at this point. She was tired of being thought of as helpless. If she had to, she'd find her own damned way home; she'd walk if she had to. Walking towards the doors leading outside she marveled at how no one noticed her leaving. Not that she minded, she'd rather not subject an unknowing nurse to her anger right now.

Luckily she'd had her cell phone on her when she fell off of Annie. It had been on the shelf along with her clothes. Once she walked out the door she flipped open her phone and called her best friend Callie, and asked her to pick her up. Luckily Callie didn't ask questions as to why she was at the hospital in the first place, and promised to be there in a minute, seeing as she practically lived in the hospitals back yard. 

Ignoring the pain in her back Leanna walked on towards the hospitals parking entrance. As promised Callie showed up in less than a minute. Sighing with relief Leanna opened the passenger door to Callie's old truck and painfully climbed in. As they drove off she sent up a thanks that no one had stopped her, it was high time she took some initiative over the crazy past weeks in her life.



Captured: The Sheik's Bride Ch. 11



A/N: Yes, finally another chapter! I know I take forever don't I! Argh! ;-)

----

The five minute drive to Callie's apartment was achieved in silence. Upon arrival the girls climbed out of the truck and entered the living room. Callie turned to Leanna.

"Would you like something to drink, coffee...tea?"

"A Cup of tea would go down nicely." Leanna requested.

Nodding Callie led the way into her little kitchen and started making tea for the two of them. Five minutes later the two sat down in the living room, Callie broke the silence.

"So, where have you been?" She asked.

With that simple question, out poured the whole story from Leanna, her enslavement, the auction, the wedding, even parts of the wedding night to her escape and her trip to the hospital. Callie sat in stunned silence after Leanna had recited the whole tale then said the one thing she could think of.

"Wow."

Leanna laughed, that was exactly what she thought of the whole thing. Then Callie asked the question, the one which she wished she did not have an answer.

"Do you love him?"

Leanna grimaced, "Yes I do, what an idiot I am huh?"

Callie smiled gently. "Hon, I can't blame you for falling head over heels for the guy, from what you've said he sounds gorgeous, and he seems quite the hero to, in a strange convoluted kind of way, but a hero nonetheless."

Leanna laughed at that.

"I mean, look Leanna, should the guy have practically forced you to marry him? No, he could have done what most normal men would have and courted you, but he does come from a completely different culture than ours, though from what you've told me in some ways his kingdom sounds quite civilized. It sucks that he bought you; you'll have to find out why the hell a guy who doesn't have slaves was at a slave auction. But imagine if he hadn't bought you, you could have been bought by a brothel, or a man that wasn't exactly kosher. Instead, Khadeem bought you, and married you, saving your virtue. Though he didn't go about it like he should have, he did save you from a fate that could have been much worse, and from what I have heard from you, it seems like he treats you quite nicely."

Leanna smiled after Callie's tirade, trust her friend to put it all in perspective for her. 

"That's pretty much what I surmised for myself. I'm not going to go fall in his arms just yet, I want to be courted and damnit I will be!"

Callie laughed, but before she could reply the doorbell rang. The girls looked at each other, both knowing who most likely was on the other side of the door. With a shrug Callie got up and answered the door, she wasn't surprised to see Leanna's family there, along with another man, Khadeem she assumed and an older woman. It was Leanna's father who asked the question.

"Is Leanna here?"

Callie stepped back from the door and motioned them inside. They all saw Leanna at once and all of them walked up to her and started in on her. She let them all have their say then explained.

"Well, I was sick and tired of being ignored, you guys consulted about me, right in front of me, as though I wasn't even there! You didn't even ask if I felt well enough to go home, merely took it upon yourselves to go and ask my doctor if I should stay longer, so I made the decision for you."

With that said she took another sip of tea, she was grateful that she had it; it had done wonders for soothing her stomach. She smiled behind the cup, the expressions on her families, Khadeem's, and Ella's faces were comical. It was Khadeem who regained his wits first.

"Now that you have put us all in our respective places, would you like to go home and rest now?" He queried.

As much as she would have loved to defy him some more her back was starting to really get sore now, and she was feeling a bit woozy still from the pain medication. 

"I guess." Leanna responded simply.

Nodding his head Khadeem bent and unceremoniously picked her up from her spot on the couch. Turning with her in his arms, ignoring her protests he bestowed Callie with a charming smile.

"It was nice meeting you...?"

"Callie," she supplied for him.

He gave her another mega-watt smile, "Nice meeting you Callie, I hope we will meet again, I presume you're a good friend of my errant wife?"

Callie chuckled appreciatively, receiving a glare from Leanna that she ignored. "Yes, I am. I imagine we will meet again Khadeem."

He grimaced, "I see you know my name; I imagine you have heard all about me haven't you?"

"That I have sir, though let me assure you, it wasn't all bad." She added wickedly, ignoring Leanna who hissed her name.

Khadeem chuckled and stood there with Leanna in his arms while the rest of the family greeted Callie, and then said their goodbyes, inviting her over to dinner tomorrow night.

They all filed back out of Callie's apartment and got into Khadeem's awaiting limo. As they drove off back towards her families farm Leanna ignored the looks everyone gave her, and tried to ignore how good it felt to be held in Khadeem's arms again.

---- 

When the limo arrived back at Leanna's house, Khadeem picked her up again, and without any help from her, located her bedroom and set her on the bed.

"Would you like to get a shower?" He asked.

Leanna nodded. She sighed when Khadeem picked her up again, you would think that she was paralyzed the way he was treating her. He deposited her in the bathroom then closed the door behind him, informing her that he would be in the bedroom if she needed him. With a sigh Leanna stripped herself of her clothing and climbed the shower, groaning appreciatively at the warm spray. After completely cleansing herself she climbed out and toweled dry. She grimaced when she realized she would have to go out in her bedroom in a towel. She opened the door and stepped into her bedroom, ignoring the hot looks she was receiving from Khadeem she went over to her dresser and got fresh underwear, a large t-shirt, and a pair of sweats. Blushing she asked if Khadeem could please go downstairs while she changed. She ignored his knowing smile and breathed a sigh of relief when he acquiesced and left the room. She dressed quickly then sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the floor, thinking of the changes in her life since Khadeem came along. She was now married, to a foreign dignitary no less, and expecting his heir. At the thought of the life forming inside her, her hand strayed to her belly. She was in awe over this latest change in her life. She had always been borderline on the subject of children, she wanted them, but if it wasn't to happen, she wouldn't have been to upset. Now that she was to have one, she was in complete shock, she was terrified actually. She knew she would love any child she had, she was just terrified of everything else, morning sickness, labor and delivery, and what really terrified her was being responsible for another human being.

"I'll do my best, I promise," she whispered. 

The door opening had her looking up she wasn't surprised to see that it was Khadeem. She watched in silence as he closed the door behind him then approached the bed, kneeling before her he took her hands in his.

"We need to talk." He said. Leanna nodded.

Raking a hand through his hair Khadeem looked into her eyes and said.

"I imagine you would like to know what the hell I was doing at a slave auction."

Leanna smiled. "Among other things."

Nodding Khadeem sat next to her on the bed.

"My friend Saheeb suggested we go to the auction, as you know I don't own slaves. In fact, I was there to find out more information on the trade, I don't know if you were aware, but my whole family has been working to stop this trade in our country for a long time. Anyway, when I saw you, I wanted to save you, you looked so forlorn, so hopeless. Then I saw your face and at that moment decided that you would be mine, I know, that is something one of my marauding ancestors would have thought, but I am not so far removed from those ancestors, I knew I had to have you the moment I saw you, no matter the cost. So I showed my interest in you and in order to keep the pretense up that I wanted you I had to explore your body, and I am deeply sorry at the discomfort that caused you."

Leanna couldn't help herself. "It's okay, I didn't like it, but I was very grateful to you for the cloak."

Khadeem grimaced, "It was the least I could do. Though I wish I could have kept you out of the actual auction, I hated seeing you so vulnerable before all those men and women." He admitted. "Anyway after I bought you and we got to the palace I had this insane feeling riding me, I had to get you to marry me. So much to my regret I basically forced your hand, and I am again deeply sorry for this, I only hope one day you may forgive me."

Leanna put a hand to his cheek. "I can and have forgiven you. I swore to myself that I wouldn't, but I can kind of see why you did it, not that I condone to it anymore now than I did then."

Khadeem chuckled at that. Lowering his head he covered her mouth with his and bestowed upon her a gentle kiss. Moments later he lifted his head.

"Now sweeting why don't you go get into bed and I will go find you something to eat?"

Smiling Leanna nodded. She climbed into bed and watched as he left the room in search of something for her to eat. She hadn't meant to forgive him so soon, but she knew he had been sincere in his apologies, it took a lot for a man with his amount of pride to explain his actions, and then to apologize, it showed a lot. They still had a lot to work out, but it was a start.

----

A/N: No, this is not the end, merely the beginning. ;-)