Chapter 6 

The next day was the big race and Glory Rose was being brushed down good before hand. Andrea and Jaxon made their way to the paddock to look her over and talk to her handler. Jaxon couldn’t believe her luck again when she saw that Alamgeer was next to Glory Rose. As much as she tried to stay away from Sadir, fate kept putting them near each other.

"Why does this keep happening to me?"

"What now?" Andrea wondered while they walked to the paddock.

"Our horses are side by side in the paddock! I bet you any amount of money he had this done"

"Jaxon, please stop this insanity. Sooner or later you have to talk to him."

"I want it to be later...much later."

"Sorry, that isn't going to happen," Andrea said, seeing Sadir and his entourage heading their way.

"I’m leaving," Jaxon said, walking away quickly. She turned to see if Andrea was following and instead saw Sadir, running to catch up to her. She picked up her pace, but in her high heels, she was no match for him.

"Jaxon," he said, grabbing her arm. "Please stop and talk to me!"

"What is there to talk about? Your daughter maybe?"

"My daughter? The young girl was confused, Asma is my niece," he said, laughing lightly. "She is going to be staying with me for a while."

"Why is Tariq's daughter staying with you and why did she call you father?"

"Did you honestly think I was hiding a daughter from you?"

"Answer my question!"

"Asma is Saad's daughter. I don’t want to explain it all to you here. I promise; I'll never hide anything from you again."

"I’d like to know why you never said anything about the fact you wanted a royal wedding?"

"I wanted our wedding to be the way you wanted it," he said. "I wanted you to be happy."

"But you are a prince. Aren't you required to have a royal wedding?"

"Yes, but it wouldn't have to be first. I was going to suggest having it later," Sadir said, smiling.

"You want to put me through planning two weddings?"

"The royal wedding would be planned for us...by my family."

"Oh...after they accept me, of course."

"I am extremely sorry for having said that to you. I pointed you out to my parents last night when you and Andrea were leaving. They said you were very beautiful."

"Do they want to meet me?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, they would like to have dinner tonight. To meet you and celebrate my victory today," he said, smiling.

"You mean my victory. Glory Rose is going to leave Alamgeer in the dust along with Tariq's Shadowy Warrior."

"I guess that is an acceptance for the dinner invitation then," Sadir said, laughing.

Jaxon knew she had walked into his charming trap. She was silent for a moment wondering if she could say it wasn't. But one look into Sadir's eyes and she was captured she wanted him to hold her. No, she wanted to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply.

"I will accept on one condition," she said, breaking the kiss.

"Which is?"

"You and I sit down after dinner in my suite and we discuss our wedding...not weddings! We have one and we incorporate things I want, with things that need to be done for the royal wedding."

"I will accept the terms. Good luck to you and Glory Rose."

"Thank you, but don't think I will say the same to you," she said when they walked back to the paddock.

 

The race was a photo finish and it took a while for them to announce the winner Glory Rose over Alamgeer. It showed Glory Rose's right front hoof hitting the line before Alamgeer.

When it was announced, Sadir bowed gracefully to Jaxon and kissed her hand. He was about to leave for her to receive the honors in the winners circle, when Jaxon took hold of his hand and asked him to stay.

When the announcer asked her to say a few words, she had this to say: "I would like to thank Prince Sadir for entering his fastest horse today. Alamgeer, proved to the racing world he is a force to be reckoned with, but Glory Rose is the horse you have to beat."

To which Sadir said: "You are quiet welcome, Miss McLaughlin. However, Alamgeer was just being a gentleman and let a lady go first." The crowd roared with laughter. "I look forward to a rematch in the Derby, where I'm sure he will not be as polite."

The reporters soon swarmed both of them. Sadir put his arm around Jaxon while they answered many questions about the race and future races. There was one reporter though who asked about their private life, "When is the royal wedding taking place?"

"Who said there was going to be a wedding?" Jaxon asked.

"My source said he heard you and the prince talking about it near the paddock today," the reporter said.

"Miss McLaughlin and I are going to wed in a private ceremony. As to when and where it will take place is not for the world to know. If you will excuse us, we have plans to celebrate Glory Rose’s win with my family." Sadir took Jaxon by the hand and waved off any other questions.

After having dinner with his parents and niece, Sadir walked Jaxon back to her room. Andrea had promised to stay away until Jaxon called her. She wanted them to have plenty of time alone to talk.  

Jaxon took this opportunity to ask about Saad. Now that Asma was in his life, she figured Sadir would open up more. She learned a lot about Saad, one thing being he hadn't died when she thought. When she heard he was the terrorist named Faris al Farik, she remembered how Sadir had sheltered her from the news of the Dodger Stadium incident and she rarely watched the news to see a picture of Farik. She only heard about it through others around her.  

"Is he dead now?" she wondered. 

"My father said all the reports acknowledge his death," Sadir answered. 

"How reliable are these reports?" 

"My father assured me they were very reliable." 

"Now I know why you never wanted to speak about him. I know if I had a terrorist in the family I wouldn't talk about it." 

"I'm sorry I never told you the truth. I hope you forgive me," Sadir said sincerely. 

"I love you way too much to never forgive you," she said, leaning in to kiss him. "Sadir, I want to prove my love to you."  

"What do you mean by 'prove' it?" 

"I want us to make love to each other...now, not after the wedding."  

"Miss McLaughlin, what about our celibacy pact we made?" 

"I think we have both been patient and honored the pact long enough. We made that when we thought we'd be married in a few weeks. It has now been months!" 

"I always thought you would be the first to break," Sadir said, laughing.  

"Hey, you are the one that wanted to help me take a shower a few weeks ago. I call that breaking first!" Jaxon countered.

"How long is Andrea staying away?"

"Until I call her. Is that your way of saying we will make love tonight?"

"Come with me, my darling," Sadir said, taking her by the hand.

He led her to the bedroom, where they both quickly undressed and moved to the bed. Sadir lavished her with kisses and touched her in ways she had never been touched before. He was gentle and attentive, making sure she was comfortable with his moves. 

Jaxon had never felt this loved before. The other men she had been with never cared about her needs the way Sadir did. Her heart pounded in her chest while they made love. She knew she would never love another man this much. Sadir was her soul mate.

Sadir knew in his heart that there was no other woman for him. Jaxon was perfect for him and he felt perfect for her. Being married to this woman was going to be all pleasure.

While they lay in each other's arms Sadir thought about his parent's wishes to take care of Asma. Would Jaxon want an instant family? The young girl seemed to take to Jaxon quickly during their dinner. They sat next to each other and carried on a quite conversation with each other.

 Jaxon stirred, turning over onto her side. She looked up while Sadir smiled, caressing her face. "You looked deep in thought," she said. "Thinking about the race you lost?"

"I’m plotting revenge," he said, laughing.

"Funny. You said no more secrets, so out with it," she said, leaning her head on his chest.

"I was wondering what you think of Asma?"

"I think she is a very intelligent young lady. She knows a lot about horses. She even gave me a few ideas on Glory Rose's training schedule."

"Really? If I were you, I would not change a thing. She is a winner, so you are undoubtedly doing everything right," he suggested.

"She barely won. She needs to get a few more inches away from the boys," Jaxon said. "Why are you asking my opinion on her? Don't you like her?"

"My parents want me to take care of her," he announced.

"I think they chose wisely. You would make a terrific father for her."

"Don't you think it would confuse her with my being her father's identical twin?”

"It doesn’t matter what I think. You should ask her."

"Yes, you are right. It does not bother you we will have an instant family when we marry?"

"She is potty trained, able to communicate, so I think we are ahead of most parents," she said, laughing.

"You have a good point. I think you will be a great mother."

"I had the best to learn from. My grandmother was my mother for many years. We will also find our how we are as parents when we get married. Any thought when that might be?"

"It would be tomorrow if I had my way. Unfortunately, mother and father are now involved due to you wanting to have one wedding."

"I’m sure they will hurry things along now that they have met me."

"I hope so," he said, kissing her. "I want to make love to you again."

"Feel free to do so, your highness," she said, giggling.

Andrea was sitting alone when Ilija walked up to her and asked to join her. She felt as if she should know him, but she didn't know from where. Her instincts told her to let him sit down. However, she was going to be guarded toward her guest.

Ilija did his best to disguise his accent from her when he sat down to talk with her. "My name is Peter. I was captivated by your beauty and had to come over and introduce myself."

"How charming. My name is Andrea. Do you live here or are you here for the races?"

"I’m only here for the races. I am traveling with a friend, who is hoping to start raising thoroughbreds," he said. "Are you an owner?"

"No, but I have friends who are. From what I have heard from them, the horse business is very cutthroat. Your friend should be careful when he starts." 

"He is a cunning businessman. He can play hardball with the best."

"He sounds like an intriguing man. Will you be his partner?" Andrea asked.

"We haven't decided the particulars yet as to how I will serve in his venture," Ilija said, smiling, taking hold of her hand. "Why don't we talk more about you?"

"You aren't shy, are you?" She slipped her hand from his to pick up her drink. "I’m a rather boring subject."

"A woman as beautiful as you cannot be boring. You are just playing hard to get."

"That is possible or maybe I'm a lesbian and I don't want anything to do with you," Andrea said, trying to get a reaction.

Ilija laughed. "You don't find me attractive. I am hurt to know you would make up a lie such as that to get me to leave."

"I took a shot. I guess it didn't work, because you're still here," Andrea said, sarcastically.

"I love a woman with a sense of humor."

Sadir and Jaxon lay in each other's arms cuddling. The love they felt towards one another had intensified since making love. Neither wanting to move away from the other, but there was a knock on the door. Jaxon had to pry Sadir's arms from around her to get out of bed to answer it.

"Tell whoever it is to go away and come back to me," Sadir said, smiling while Jaxon put on her robe.

"I will do my best, sweet prince." She blew him a kiss, then went out to see who was interrupting them. Whoever it was, they were growing impatient and was now beating on the door. When she opened it, she was devastated to see Andrea gagged and tied up with a gun to her head. The man holding the gun...Farik!

She was about to scream when Ilija moved inside, putting a gun to her head, telling her to be quiet. He quickly tied her hands behind her and then sat her on the sofa. Farik forced Andrea to do the same. 

Farik walked over to Jaxon and knelt in front of her. "Call him out here," he whispered. He became angry when she sat there staring at him. He took one hand and grabbed her face, shoving his gun into her stomach. "Call him now or I will shoot you and that will bring him out here."

Jaxon cleared the lump from her throat before shouting. "Sadir! Saad is here!"

Farik slapped her in the face. "You spoiled my surprise!"

Sadir rushed out, seeing his brother and another man holding guns on the frightened women. "You bastard!" he yelled. "What the hell are you doing here? Let them go!"

"You seem to have something I want...my daughter!" Farik said.

"She is asleep. I’m not waking her."

"You will, unless you want these beautiful women's brains spread all over the room."

"You heartless, son of a…"

"Now, brother, do not bring mother into this. Just go to your suite and get my daughter. I promise to be nice to the ladies while you are gone," Farik said, kissing Jaxon on the cheek while she cringed.

"Touch her again and I will kill you with my bare hands!"

Farik rose up, standing eye-to-eye, toe to toe with his brother. "You do not have the balls to face me, brother. I have always been the strongest and smartest. Now, go get my daughter before I kill all of you and get her myself."

Sadir looked down at Jaxon, she was whispering for him to do as Farik said. Her eyes pleading with him to hurry. He bent down and captured her lips quickly for a short, but sweet kiss. "I will be right back," he whispered, before standing. He went to walk away, but Farik stopped him.

"Do not try anything, brother. Anyone other than you and Asma walk through that door and the women are dead. Understand me?"

"Yes, Brother, I understand perfectly."