In celebration of reaching 2,000 likes on Facebook and Valentine’s Day, I’ve decided to host a huge giveaway. Shout out to the authors & bloggers who kindly donated. Be sure to stop by my Facebook page today as I’ll be sharing different teasers from them throughout the day. There’s also a huge giveaway to answer, and last, today I’m posting the last of the four part Alim & Elaine Valentine’s Day date, hope you’ve enjoyed it!
The giveaway starts today, the 14th and ends on the 17th.
You can enter the giveaway here: Rafflecopter Giveaway
I’m also putting Masquerade on sale for free today and tomorrow, so be sure to grab it from Amazon.
And finally, on to the last of Alim & Elaine’s date:
Alim had spent a lifetime adding to the immense wealth his father and grandfather had amassed. The Kader men had dedicated the majority of their time to building a reputation and wealth which rivalled most in the world. It hadn’t left much time for anything else.
With his fingers gently massaging the cougar head resting on his thigh, Alim considered the enigma of the woman within the feline form. He had thought her stunningly beautiful when he’d first seen her. It was her brash mouth and quick mind which drew him closer to her.
Beautiful women were easy to come by when one owned estates throughout the world, had chauffeured Bentleys, and more wealth than could ever be spent. Alim had never worked hard for a date in his life. He’d seen the dangers of casually dating through the pains of his father’s affairs.
He’d never wanted that for himself.
Ever.
His niece had explained how the mates of shifters tended to be for life. It suited Alim just fine. He could happily spend the rest of his days in the pleasurable company of a woman who was utterly fascinating and as complicated as any puzzle he’d ever attempted to solve.
Smiling broadly at the purring creature asleep beside him, Alim went over the plans for the next few days in his mind. He wanted Elaine to be able to enjoy Paris without being overwhelmed. He knew from his research that going out for brief excursions then allowing her to recuperate in a quiet, safe environment would be best.
He’d already booked the penthouse floor of an exclusive hotel which catered to the wealthy. It would allow them privacy and also let Elaine shift into her cougar whenever she wished. The penthouse also had separate bedrooms since he had no idea if she was ready to share a bed with him.
Having called in several favours, Alim had managed to gain access to several museums outside of the normal visiting hours. It would allow them time to explore without crowds. Ivy had made the suggestion, as it was something they’d tried with her autistic cousin.
The biggest surprise for their weekend would come on Saturday. There was a ‘Women in Electronics and Gaming Convention’ planned for the weekend in a chateau outside of Paris. Alim had paid an exorbitant amount of money to convince the organizers to allow a two hour block of time for Elaine to experience everything the con offered without the throngs of people.
His main concern in all of this was whether or not Elaine would be affronted by his…gifts. She might mistake his attempt at being thoughtful for believing her to be weak. Alim hoped he could demonstrate just how strong he knew her to be.
He barely managed to restrain himself from flinching in surprise when his fingers went from gliding through tawny fur to threading into beautiful, auburn curls. “Hayati?”
“Why do you keep bloody calling me ‘your life’ like a right romantic prat?” Elaine groused with a faint blush on her cheeks. She continued muttering about him being a ridiculous pillock. She didn’t attempt to move her head from his lap so Alim chose to ignore her grumblings. “And yes, I do understand at least a small amount of Arabic.”
“I was aware.”
“Aware,” Elaine mimicked his tone with a hint of amusement. “You might be the poshest bloke I’ve ever met.”
“There is nothing wrong with manners.”
“So I’ve heard.” Elaine sat up slowly and eased down the couch, putting a small space between them. “My cougar is a bloody nuisance.”
“How so?” Alim had been careful never to push Elaine for answers or on points she seemed uncomfortable. It wouldn’t do to have her running from him at every turn. “Have I done something?”
“You’re a perfectly, bloody perfect prat.” Elaine huffed at him. She crossed her arms then gave him the barest hint of a smile. “I know sod all about how normal people date.”
“Normal sounds so absolutely mundane. “ Alim twisted slightly on the couch so he was facing her. “I have never been impressed by the mundane. I want someone extraordinary, someone special. You are anything but ordinary.”
Elaine reached out with obvious hesitancy to take his hand. “I’m ruddy impossible when it comes to relationships. I’ll bugger this up, I know it.”
“And each time, I will be here to help you untangle the confusion.” Alim allowed himself the indulgence of grazing his thumb across her knuckles. He repeated the motion a few times before stopping. He’d quickly figured out that repetitive caresses eventually started to bother Elaine’s sensitivity. “What matters most to me is you don’t give up on yourself or our relationship.”
“So what now then?”
“I imagine you will grouse and grump at me while I spoil you to my heart’s content for the next few days.” Alim lifted her hand to brush his lips against her knuckles.
“Only if you stop chuntering on like a romantic, doddering fool.” Elaine’s harsh words were softened by the glint in her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you, hayati.”
Be sure to stay tuned for more in Elaine, due out toward the end of 2015.
Author Dahlia Donovan 
You must be logged in to post a comment.