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Secret, Part 10

Zach looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. She was asleep. He sighed as he made the turn into the Winner compound in Turkey. He could see a young man waiting at the door. He looked vaguely familiar, but the darkness made his features inscrutable. The high gate shut behind the car as he finally pulled to a stop in front of the white washed steps. Getting out, he could smell the fragrance of the flowers lining the steps. The man on the steps came towards him. "Hello, I'm Zach Merquise."

"I'm Abdul, the son of Reshid. Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise, I thought your frame looked familiar," said Zach noting the several inches that the man stood above him, but he looked fairly young. "Quatrina fell asleep."

"The young mistress had a long day getting married. Congratulations by the way," replied Abdul as he opened the passenger side door.

Zach nodded his head. "Thanks." He unbuckled her seatbelt and gingerly scooped his young wife into his arms. She mumbled and snuggled against his chest, making him smile.

Abdul smiled as well. "I'll have someone retrieve your bags. I'll show you the master bedroom so you can get Miss Quatrina to bed."

"Lead the way."

Nodding as well, the younger man turned on his heel and walked up the steps of the house. He called out in Arabian and two more men showed up to retrieve the bags. He turned and looked at Zach again. "It's this way. My two brothers will bring up the bags momentarily."

"That's fine." He walked up the curving staircase behind Reshid's son, taking note of the fine details of the foyer. Walking down the wide hall, he could see the tiling around the doorframes and on the walls. He paused when a door was opened at the end of the hall.

"This is the master suite. Everything you could ever ask for is here since it's become popular for the pilot offspring to come here for their honeymoons."

"What can I say, we all think alike."

Smiling, he pushed open the doors to the upstairs terrace. "My father says the same thing."

Zach lay her down on the bed as the two even younger men came in with the bags. "By the door is fine for now."

Abdul nodded at his brothers as they put them down. He went to stand beside them. "Now, I will wish you a goodnight. Breakfast will be served out on the enclosed terrace at ten. Anything you prefer?"

"French toast."

"Very well. And I'll make sure the young mistress will get her favorites as well. Goodnight Master Zach."

"Goodnight. And just call me Zach. Master Zach is too formal for me."

"As you wish. Goodnight and congratulations once again."

Once the door was closed, Zach turned around to look at his wife asleep on the bed. He grinned and knelt on the floor, tugging off her heels and dropping them onto the floor. Her toes curled as he ran his finger up the center of her foot. Getting up, he shrugged off his jacket and pulled out his tucked in shirt before kicking off his shoes. He got onto the bed beside her. "Hey, Quat, wake up for a minute."

Her response was an incoherent mumble.

With a sigh he gently tugged the pins out of her hair, letting the bun fall free. He dropped the pins onto the bedside table with a small clatter. He smoothed out the red waves and curls, letting them twist about his fingers. They were soft. He looked down at her, trying to think of a way to get pale blue cashmere cardigan off without waking her. Biting his lip, he lifted her one arm, sliding one sleeve off. He pulled her towards him and finally got a hold of the other one. He threw it onto the nearby chair and she still slept. His fingers glided across the side of her neck and down one arm.

She sighed deeply before rolling back to her side.

Leaning over her, Zach pressed his lips against her shoulder. His fingers lightly ran up and down her arm. She didn't wake up. Rolling his eyes, he sat up again, just looking at her. His eyes traveled up and down her slumbering form. His wife looked at peace.

Legs shifted, the hem of her skirt sliding up a bit, showing off the bottom of lacy elastic.

Zach's eyes stayed on her leg for a moment before raising them to her face. "It couldn't hurt. She took them off the last time to sleep. That's the only reason. It's not for myself," he murmured as he shifted his position on the bed. He stared at her lace and silk clad legs. "Hell, who am I kidding, I'm definitely doing this for myself," he said as he gently tugged the material down her slender legs. He followed the movements of his hands with his eyes. His hands shook ever so slightly and he felt hot under his shirt collar. He tossed the gossamer material to the floor and then ran a finger under his collar. "For God's sake get a hold of yourself, Merquise. You're not some teenager," he muttered under his breath. But even his own rebuke couldn't stop him from eyeing her legs with appreciation and wondering what it would be like to run his lips and hands over them.

Murmuring in her sleep, she curled her legs up underneath her.

"Well that settles that," he sighed as he tugged his black polo shirt over his head, leaving him in a white tank. Grabbing the blanket from the foot of the bed, he draped it over the two of them. He tucked her against his chest, his arm wrapping snugly around her waist. Nuzzling the back of her neck with his nose, he could smell the subtle perfume that she wore. Brushing his lips against her fragrant skin, he closed his eyes.  "Those things will have to wait until tomorrow night," he said with a grin as he managed to control himself, and fall asleep.

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The next morning…

Quatrina could feel warm air brushing against the side of her neck. Her eyes fluttered open. The warmth tickled her ear. She blinked her eyes a few times to get rid of the sleepiness. However, the warmth surrounding her, beckoned her to snuggle even closer. Turning her head ever so slightly, she found a pair of icy blue eyes, regarding her with amusement. "Zach?"

"Morning, sleeping beauty. I was waiting for you to wake up," said Zach, bending his head down and touching his lips to her ear.

The touch made her shiver. "Morning? Already? How long have I been sleeping?"

"At least twelve hours. You fell asleep as soon as you got in the car at the airport. I had to carry you in and put you to bed."

Her eyes widened. "That long!"

He grinned at her expression. "It's understandable. You've had some busy days as of late. You needed your sleep. So I let you sleep as long as you needed. Besides, you're not a morning person and you looked pretty peaceful. I didn't want to wake you."

Smiling, she snuggled deeper into his arms. "That was very nice of you. I feel rested now. Did you sleep ok?"

Nodding his head, he leaned in closer to her lips. "I slept fine. I had you in my arms and I found it to be a very enjoyable experience, especially since it's in a comfortable bed, instead of a couch."

Her eyes went to his. His breath was brushing against her lips, making them tingle. "That was nice too."

"Only nice?"

"Pleasant."

"Only pleasant?"

"I liked having your arms around me."

"Did you now? And was it so bad being in bed with me?"

Heat filled her cheeks. "No. It wasn't bad."

Chuckling, he rubbed his nose against hers. "I thought you'd say something like that. I definitely like sharing a bed with you. You're good to snuggle up to. And soft in all the right places."

She could see the teasing light in his eyes as he looked down at her. "Well at least I know I won't need a blanket. You're warmer."

"I'm warmer, huh?"

"Much warmer."

A lazy grin spread across his face as he barely touched his lips to hers. "Am I warming you up right now?"

The alarm in her head started blaring loudly. Her heart was racing. "Umm…yes. You do have your arms around me. You should feel warm too."

"Sweetheart, I'm well past being warm."

"What are you…then?"

"Pretty damn hot."

She didn't even have a response for that, but not like she could have made one anyway with his lips pressing down on hers. Her lips automatically parted against his, feeling his tongue slide between them, and giving her senses a jolt. She could feel his arm tightening around her, drawing her closer then she thought possible. Her one hand came to rest on his shoulder. "He does feel…hot."

The touches of her hand made him draw her closer, almost pulling her underneath him.

A sudden rush of fear raced through her at his weight on top of her. Her ears were vibrating with the sound of the alarm in her skull. She was trying not to panic, but her body reacted involuntarily. She had to stop this. It was too much. It took some effort to tug her mouth from his. "Zach…"

"What?" he mumbled, his lips trailing their way down her neck.

"Breakfast…is sure to be ready," she breathed, gently pushing at his shoulders.

"Breakfast can wait."

"You wouldn't want your…bride to starve…would you?"

Sighing, Zach rested his forehead against her chin. "No, I wouldn't want you to starve," he said as he looked up at her. He could see the high color in her cheeks. "But did you have to mention it now?"

"I'm hungry," she stated simply, glancing away from his heat filled eyes. "Aren't you?"

He pushed himself off of her and sat up. He looked down at her. "Yeah, but not for food."

Ignoring his reply and the heat filling her cheeks, she sat up and smoothed her hands over her sweater. "That…uh…can wait until later." Her insides were shaking. She noticed her other sweater and her stockings lying on a chair. "Did you take those off for me?"

Scratching the back of his head, he nodded. "I thought you would be more comfortable with them off. Plus, I kind of wanted to take those stockings off of you."

With no response to his comment, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked over to the French doors and pushed back the sheer curtains. The alarms in her head were gradually fading away, her body was coming out of panic mode, and her heart rate was returning to normal. The blue waters of the Mediterranean greeted her eyes and the brilliant sunshine spilled over her. "It looks like a beautiful day."

Zach swung his legs over the side of the bed and looked at her with the sun washing over her. It made her look even more radiant. Smiling at the picture she presented, he got up and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Yes, it does look like a beautiful day."

She turned and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "What would you like to do today?"

He pressed a kiss on her cheek. "Spend all my time with you."

Smiling, she turned her head to look at him. "Come on. Really, what would…"

He silenced her with a kiss. "As long as I spend it with you, we can do whatever you like."

"Even shop."

"…Even shop."

Her stomach rumbled quietly. Color bloomed in her cheeks.

"Hungry?"

"You could say that."

"Well breakfast is sure to be ready by now so why don't we go get some before it gets cold and I get accused of starving you."

Giving him a quick peck on the lips, she smiled. "Why don't you start down? I'll be there in a minute."

"Whatever you say," he replied, kissing her back before he left the room.

Quatrina sighed as he closed the door behind him. She went over to her bags and found her make up case. Pulling out a brush she stood in front of the vanity and ran it through her hair. Her eyes fell on the bed behind her. The carved headboard had rungs. A vision flickered through her mind, making her shake her head. She suddenly felt cold and clammy. "I can't think about that now," she said as she pulled the brush through her hair with a vengeance. Satisfied with her appearance, she smoothed her hands over her sweater and skirt and finally left the room.

Downstairs, Zach waited at the table. He stared out the windows, thinking of his wife. Part of him was wishing it was already night again. He wanted to kiss her and touch her all over, just to show how much he loved and desired her. No woman ever made him feel the way that she did. The feisty little redheaded girl from his childhood had become one very spirited, sexy woman. And that woman was now his wife. He grinned. "I never thought it to be possible to love someone as much as I love her. Like what Jonathon said, I'm one, very lucky guy in every respect. And now that we're married, I don't have to hold back how much I love and want her. Tonight will be very special."

A/N: Didn't think I would ever continue this, did you? I know I've been on hiatus for quite some time, but I'm back now and rest assured, I will finally finish "Secret" and "Wanted…" I hope my writing skills weren't too rusty in writing this and I hope you all enjoy reading this latest chapter. 'Till next time! XOXO!!!