The Karawi Sheikhs Series: The Complete Series

by North, Leslie

  Amy put her journalism degree to good use. Using Haamas as her starting point, she began a blog focusing on orphanages around the world. It turned out that she didn’t need to travel to make a difference.

  Although she still planned on traveling.

  “This is your last chance to run,” Natalie teased.

  “Not a chance,” Amy grinned. “I can’t thank you enough for standing in as my bridesmaid.”

  “It’s an honor. And you have the two most beautiful flower girls ever. I’m jealous. I may need a wedding do-over.”

  Straightening, Amy wiggled to settle the strapless wedding dress, and Natalie pulled her hair back under the hijab. A mix of Western and Eastern culture. Amy loved it.

  “You’re beautiful,” Natalie whispered as she leaned over and hugged Amy.

  “It’s less about the clothes and more about how I’m feeling. Loved.” With a smile, the bride walked over to the window and looked out. Hundreds of people milled below, enough to give her a small anxiety attack, but all she could focus on was the man waiting patiently for her.

  Bahir. Her lover. Her love. And soon, her husband.

  At a tug on her dress, Amy looked down at Aisha. Bending down, she hugged the little girl. “What’s that look on your face for?”

  “I have a question for you,” Aisha said shyly.

  For a moment, Amy thought the child was going to ask if Kedar could join her in walking down the aisle. “What’s your question, sweetheart?”

  “When you marry my Daddy, do I still have to call you Amy?”

  Confused, Amy cocked her head. “What do you want to call me?”

  “Momma.”

  Heart in her throat, Amy wrapped her arms around Aisha and hugged her tightly. “Nothing else could make me happier.”

  Who knew that her adventure to escape her failed relationship and inability to have children would end up with the love of her life, and family?

  “Ready?” Natalie asked. “The groom is waiting.”

  Amy was ready, for this and whatever else life was going to throw her way.

  End of The Sheikh’s Secret Child

  The Karawi Sheikhs Series Book Two

  Blurb

  Danielle Greenski’s life is going to change in a big way. Single and newly pregnant, her days of traveling the globe for work and living a life of adventure are about to end. But not just yet—when she meets a gorgeous man who’s the perfect “last fling” before she settles down to mommyhood. After an amazing weekend with Sheikh Riyad Karawi, she’s totally fine with saying good-bye—until she’s kidnapped by rebels who think she’s carrying the Sheikh’s baby. Apparently, in addition to being a Sheikh, her weekend lover has some other big secrets he hasn’t shared. Like how he’s part of the country’s elite military squad. And wanted by rebels. And maybe the most intriguing man she’s ever met…

  The last thing this womanizing charmer needs is to fall for a pregnant woman—it would completely blow the playboy persona he’s been using to get close to the rebel forces. But that’s what Sheikh Riyad is faced with after he meets American firebrand, Danielle. He can’t figure out why he feels the need to protect a woman he’s just met, why he can’t seem to get her out of his system—no matter how hard he tries—and why the thought of her going home is punching him in the gut. For now, he’ll just keep her around until he knows she’s safe. Or maybe, until he can convince her to stay.

  If only he can make Danielle believe that he’s not just the playboy she met, but a man she could love forever.

  1

  The sun had long since gone down, and though the night was clear, the air remained sticky. Riyad scanned the Rooftop Lounge, looking for his target. It was a busy night, what with both his brothers celebrating: one, a wedding and the other, a wedding anniversary. Everyone was out partying, eager to rub elbows with the rich and famous, and Riyad was glad to be out of the palace. While he loved his family, especially his nieces, a man like him could take only so much.

  Tugging at his bowtie to loosen it, he smirked at how he must look. Normally clean-shaven, he’d allowed his hair to grow out, and a beard now masked the lower part of his face, making him less recognizable as the youngest Karawi sheikh, perfect for his line of work as an agent for the small kingdom’s intelligence agency.

  Riyad had spent the past three years using his playboy lifestyle as a cover to help keep his family safe. For much of that time, the job had been easy. He loved women, he loved traveling, and he loved making his oldest brother’s head spin. Now that a rebel faction was targeting the royal family, however, the cat was half out of the bag.

  After his work to bring down the cell that had targeted Bahir, his brother, and Amy, his new sister-in-law, Riyad had faced intense inquiries from his brothers, but he’d managed to deflect them. Now was not the time to come forward with the truth. It was easier if everyone, even his brothers, thought he was nothing more than a wealthy playboy.

  Accepting his drink from the waiter, he turned to survey the room again, easily spotting his target sitting off to the side, telltale newspaper resting conveniently on the corner of the table. The man held a phone in his hand, like most of the other patrons, but his fingers weren’t tapping at the screen, and from the tilt of his chin, it was obvious he was aware of everything going on around him.

  Riyad could feel the flash drive in the pocket of his tux, waiting to be delivered to the man on the other side of the lounge. First, though, he needed to make sure no one else was paying attention.

  That was when he saw her. A woman sat at a table opposite the man Riyad was watching. She’d wrapped her hijab carelessly, and it had already half slipped off, revealing blonde hair reminiscent of gold. She was fingering a full glass of wine, staring at it with an expression he couldn’t decipher.

  His body immediately responded to her. She was an obvious beauty with full red lips and large blue eyes. This was the type of woman who turned heads wherever she went, but tonight, she seemed to be trying to hide.

  Why?

  Thanks to his sisters-in-law, Haamas had started getting more tourists, so seeing her shouldn’t have surprised him, but if anyone clearly didn’t belong in the Rooftop Lounge, it was this woman.

  Was she a plant, dangled bait in hopes of getting information on him?

  Needing to kill time to make the drop look more casual, Riyad strolled over to her table and leaned on the adjacent railing. “It’s supposed to cover your hair,” he said softly. The woman’s eyes immediately widened as she reached for the hijab, and he shook his head. “You don’t have to fix it. This kingdom is a little more relaxed when it comes to tourists. I only wanted to let you know.”

  He saw her fingers tighten slightly on her glass, and she cocked her head. “What makes you think that I’m a tourist?”

  American. Slight Southern accent. He nearly groaned at the thought of her moaning his name. “For one, even the palest person colors under our sun, and your skin is still creamy and soft. Also,” he nodded at the tabletop as he spoke. “Your passport is sitting on the table.”

  “Aren’t you observant,” she chuckled as she slipped the passport into her purse. “I arrived last week. A friend of mine passed through here a few years ago, and she’s been talking about it ever since. I thought it was time for a visit.”

  “So you’re here for pleasure. Aren’t we lucky?” he teased. “My name is Riyad.”

  He felt compelled to give her his real name; he wasn’t quite sure why. Usually, he only used his own name if he knew that his target would recognize him as a sheikh. Otherwise, he’d create a new identity for himself. Still, if she was as new as she seemed, chances were good that she hadn’t done enough research to learn the name of the third royal brother. And if she was a plant, well, she’d already know his name.

  After a moment of hesitation, she extended her hand. “Danielle.”

  Her skin was soft and smooth. She was expecting a handshake, but Riyad wanted more than a passing greeting from this woman.
Taking her hand, he lifted it to his lips and softly kissed the velvety skin.

  Gasping, she quickly tugged her hand back. “My friend didn’t mention how friendly the men were here,” she said in a shaky voice.

  “If you let anyone else take such liberties with you, feel free to slap them,” he said dryly.

  That got him a small smile. “I have a feeling you wouldn’t be pleased if I slapped you.” Tilting her head, she eyed him quizzically. “Or maybe you’d like it.”

  It was his turn to be surprised. Chuckling, he pulled a package of mints from his pocket, dragging with it a piece of paper that fell to the floor as he popped a mint in his mouth. “Maybe later this evening, you’ll find out.”

  His mouth went dry when she shifted in her chair, and he found himself staring at her as she uncrossed her legs, leaned down to pick up the piece of paper, and delicately held it out to him before resettling in her chair.

  “Are all the men in Haamas this forward?” she asked him, not missing a beat.

  “I don’t believe in wasting time when I see something I like.” As he took the paper from her fingers, he made a point of lightly caressing her hand, carefully watching her response. While not a betting man, Riyad would put money on Danielle being nothing more than a tourist. A very beautiful tourist. “Excuse me for a moment.”

  Turning, he crushed the paper in his hand, moved to the trash can, and tossed in the crumpled ball. Almost in the same smooth move, he dropped the flash drive behind the centerpiece on his contact’s table. He never looked at the man who, to his credit, didn’t react.

  When he returned, Danielle was already reaching for her purse. “Have you decided not to waste time, either?” he asked as he settled into the chair across from her.

  She nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and Riyad had to admit that the gesture didn’t seem practiced. “I thought it might be best if I walk away from temptation. I don’t even know you.”

  “So give me a chance and get to know me.” He spoke in his most persuasive tone. Gesturing to the untouched glass of wine in front of her, he added, “If you’re finished with your drink, we can take a stroll. I’ll give you a tour of my beautiful city, and you can decide for yourself if your friend was right. Then, maybe we can have breakfast.”

  She straightened in surprise. “You want to talk all night and then have breakfast? What then?”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “You’re thinking too far ahead.” His tone brightened. “You’re on vacation. Live in the moment.”

  A shadow crossed her face, and for a moment, he thought he’d lost her, but she bit her lower lip and nodded.

  Satisfied, Riyad relaxed.

  Perhaps the night wouldn’t be a complete loss after all.

  2

  Her heart was racing, and the night air crackled with energy as they walked the emptying streets of Haamas. The stranger next to her was everything she needed to put more distance between her and the past, but she wasn’t sure she could go through with it.

  Danielle’s vacation had two purposes: decide on a new path for her life and immerse herself in the kind of torrid romance that would help her cleanse herself of the sin that stained her skin. Yesterday’s news had impacted the former.

  Now was her chance to check off the latter.

  Riyad was the kind of man she never would have touched back in the States. He had an edge of danger to him, and despite his charm, his intentions were clear.

  Danielle had always been a romantic. She wanted a steady man, someone she could build a future with, and Riyad was clearly not that man.

  Of course, going after some steady man was the reason she was hiding out in a small kingdom in the Middle East to begin with.

  “My friend was right,” she said softly as she felt his hand brush against hers. “Haamas is beautiful. Mysterious. Exotic. Magical. I can see why she fell in love with it.”

  “Magical, huh? I’d be more than happy to show you how magical this place can be,” he murmured.

  Danielle chuckled. In the past few hours, she’d learned nothing substantial about him, and he hadn’t asked her any personal questions, either. It was exactly what she needed. “It’s nearly three in the morning. Are the nights always this lively so late?”

  “Not at all. Most observe a curfew, but a large party is happening at the palace tonight. A lot of big names are in our little kingdom at the moment, and everyone is out with their cameras, hoping to catch a glimpse or take a picture that will earn them a nice coin or two.”

  Hugging herself, she looked up at him and studied his profile. There was something strangely intense about him. She half-expected him to blend right into the shadows and disappear. “You sound bitter about that. You don’t approve?”

  “I don’t understand the fascination. They’re simply people. The only thing setting them apart is that they were born to wealth. A pause, one tiny difference in their lives, and they might have been someone else. The stars aligned, and somehow, that makes everyone else lose their minds.” They paused at an intersection, and she watched his eyes dart all around them. He seemed to take in their surroundings without turning his head.

  “You don’t believe in fate? The stars aligned so that they could make a difference. They have influence and power, and that’s what makes them fascinating.” She yawned. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”

  “I’ll walk you back to your hotel.”

  She had a feeling he would walk her right up to her door, and she wasn’t going to stop him. If she should decide at the last minute not to invite him in, somehow she felt comfortable enough that he would respect her wishes.

  “It’s a few blocks behind us. The Rose Towers.”

  Riyad grimaced. “That dump? If you can stay awake long enough, get your things, and I’ll check you into the Gardens Downtown.”

  “I looked into that place when I first got here, but it’s a little out of my price range. And when I say little, I mean I’d have to hitchhike and swim back home after my vacation because I’d be flat broke.”

  He shrugged. “Consider it a welcome present from my village to you. I do quite a bit of business in the area, and I have a standing reservation there. Save your money, and you can fly home first class.”

  Danielle was speechless. This man who spoke bitterly about the affluent had a standing room at the most expensive hotel in the kingdom. That wasn’t strange at all. “I’m flattered? I’ve never had someone go to such great lengths for a one-night stand with me.”

  Riyad stopped suddenly and turned to face her. She held her breath and waited for him to deny that he wanted her, but he merely flashed her a wicked smile and reached out to stroke back a wayward strand of her hair. “I don’t have to spend money to get a beautiful woman into my bed, and I certainly don’t intend to spend only one night with you.”

  “Oh.” All logical thought fled, and when he turned and headed toward the hotel, all she could do was follow. One thing she knew for sure: When he asked to come in, she wasn’t going to tell him no.

  * * *

  The hotel suite was beautiful. A full-sized sectional sofa graced a sunken part of the floor that required three steps to get up and down. A large, full-sized television was mounted on the wall over a beautiful oversized oak dresser. A king-sized bed was dressed in dark blue and khaki, and behind it, several large windows overlooked the kingdom.

  “Wow,” Danielle murmured as they walked in. “This is beautiful. I can’t believe that you ever leave!”

  Riyad chuckled softly and tipped the man who’d carried her luggage in. Danielle had no intentions of keeping the room once they parted ways, but for tonight, she was content to stay despite her nerves.

  “Some champagne or wine?” he offered, indicating the minibar in the corner.

  As much as she wanted a drink to calm her nerves, she shook her head. “No, but thank you for the offer.”

  “Then how about a kiss?” Suddenly, he was standing in front of her,
his finger stroking under her chin. Without thinking, she looked up at him and parted her lips. He responded, “As inviting as that looks, I need to hear the word, Danielle. Tell me yes.”

  “Yes,” she whispered. He bent his head and kissed her. Instantly, all her hesitation melted away. There was something about the man, his mystery, his dark charm, and that kiss. She didn’t stand a chance against him.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she surrendered herself to him and pressed her body against his. Even through their clothes, she could feel his heat. It was scorching, and she gasped as his hands stroked up and down her back.

  He tugged at the hem of her shirt, and within seconds, he had it over her head. The kiss broke for only a second before he was back to plundering her mouth. His fingers were far more delicate and sensual as they danced down her spine and smoothed over her sides.

  Danielle needed to feel him as well. She tugged at his jacket and stepped back until there was enough room for him to remove it. He reached for his cufflinks, pocketing them, before turning his attention to his shirt buttons. Impatient, she quickly added her fingers to the task of unbuttoning his shirt and spread the fabric to avail his taut skin for her own explorations.

  He was hard and smooth, and she reveled in the touch. His body shuddered as her fingers roamed, and for a moment, she felt powerful. Riyad wanted her.

  “More,” she whispered. “Please.”

  “Just a moment.” He deftly unsnapped her pants and pulled them over her hips as he sank to his knees. His face conveniently confronted the crotch of her purple panties, and he looked up, his eyes pouring into hers. “Take off your bra, Danielle. I want to see you.”

  Barely breathing, she reached back and unhooked her bra. At no point in her life had she ever felt beautiful, but his gaze held only lust and anticipation. Feeling anything but average, she pulled the bra down her arms, and her breasts swung free.