‘Britt—’
‘Emir.’
Her greeting was cool. His was no more than polite, though he noticed that the tip of her nose was as red as her full bottom lip and her blue-grey eyes were the colour of polar ice. She gave him the once-over, and seemed satisfied by what she saw. He knew the drill. He might live in the desert, but he was no stranger to Arctic conditions.
‘Was the hotel okay?’ she asked him politely when they were both buckled in.
‘Yes. Thank you,’ he said, allowing his gaze to linger on her face
She shot him a glance and her cheeks flushed red. She was remembering their time in the boardroom. He was too.
She drove smoothly and fast along treacherous roads and only slowed for moose and for a streak of red fox until they entered what appeared to be an uninhabited zone. Here the featureless ice road was shielded on either side between towering walls of packed snow. She still drove at a steady seventy and refused his offer to take over. She knew the way, she said. She liked to be in control, he thought. Except when she was having sex when she liked him to take the lead.
‘We’ll soon be there,’ she said, distracting him from these thoughts.
They had been climbing up the side of a mountain for some time, leaving the ice walls far behind. Below them was a vast expanse of frozen lake—grey, naturally.
‘The mine is just down there,’ she said when he craned his neck to look.
He wondered what other delights awaited him. All he could be sure of was that Britt hadn’t finished with him yet. She liked to prove herself, so he was confident the test would include some physical activity. He looked forward to it, just as he looked forward to a return bout with her in the desert.
* * *
Emir seemed utterly relaxed and completely at home in a landscape that had terrified many people she had brought here. She knew this place like the back of her hand, and yet, truthfully, had never felt completely safe. Knowing Emir, he had probably trialled every extreme sport known to man, so what was a little snow and ice to him?
‘Penny for them,’ he said.
She made herself relax so she could clear her mind and equivocate. ‘I’m thinking about food. Aren’t you?’
She was curious to know what he was thinking, but as usual Emir gave nothing away.
‘Some,’ he murmured.
She glanced his way and felt her heart bounce. She would never get used to the way he looked, and for one spark of interest from those deceptively sleepy eyes she would happily walk barefoot in the snow, which was something Emir definitely didn’t need to know.
‘The food’s really good at the mine,’ she said, clinging to safe ground. ‘And the catering staff will have stocked the cabin for us. The food has to be excellent when people are so isolated. It’s one of the few pleasures they have.’
‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that,’ he said dryly.
‘There are separate quarters for men and women,’ she countered promptly—and primly.
‘Right.’ His tone was sceptical.
‘You seem to know a lot about it,’ she said, feeling a bit peeved—jealous, maybe, especially when he said,
‘It’s much the same for people who work in the desert.’
‘Oh, I see.’
‘Good,’ he said, ignoring her sharp tone and settling back. ‘I’m going to doze now, if you don’t mind?’
‘Not at all.’
Sleep? Yeah, right—like a black panther sleeps with one eye open. There was no such thing as stand down for Emir.
Emir could play her at her own game, and play it well, Britt realised as she turned off the main road. She could be cool, but he would be cooler, and now there was no real contact between them as he dozed—apparently—which she regretted. He wanted her to feel this way—to feel this lack of him, she suspected.
‘Sorry,’ she exclaimed with shock as the Jeep lurched on the rutted forest track. The moment’s inattention had jolted Emir awake and had almost thrown them into the ditch.
‘No problem,’ he said. ‘If you want me to drive…?’
‘I’m fine. Thank you.’ She’d heard that the ruler of Kareshi was introducing change, but not fast enough, clearly. Emir probably resented her running the company too. He came from a land where men ruled and women obeyed—
She gasped as his hand covered hers. ‘Take it easy,’ he said, steadying the steering wheel as it bounced in her hands.
‘I’ve been travelling these roads since I was a child.’
‘Then I’m surprised you don’t know about the hazards of melting snow.’
He definitely deserved a session in the sauna and a dip in the freezing lake afterwards, she concluded.
* * *
‘We’re nearly there,’ she said.
‘Good.’
Why the smile in his voice? Was he looking forward to their stay at the isolated cabin? She squirmed in her seat at the thought that he might be and then wondered angrily why she was acting this way. It was one thing bringing her city friends into the wilderness for a rustic weekend, but quite another bringing Emir down here when there could only be one outcome—
Unless he had had enough of her, of course, but something told her that wasn’t the case. She’d stick with her decision to enjoy him and get him out of her system, Britt concluded, explaining that the nearest hotel was too far away from the mine to stay there.
‘You don’t have to explain to me, Britt. I like it here. You forget,’ Emir murmured as she drew to a halt outside the ancient log cabin, ‘the wilderness is my home.’
And now she was angry with him for being so pleased with everything. And even angrier with herself because Emir was right, the wilderness was beautiful in its own unique way, she thought, staring out across the glassy lake. It was as if she were seeing it for the first time. Because she was seeing it through Emir’s eyes, Britt realised, and he sharpened her focus on everything.
‘This is magnificent,’ he exclaimed as they climbed down from the Jeep.
She tensed as he came to stand beside her. Her heart pumped and her blood raced as she tried not to notice how hot he looked in the dark, heavy jacket and snow boots. Emir radiated something more than the confidence of a man who was sensibly dressed and comfortable in this extreme temperature. He exuded the type of strength that anyone would like to cling to in a storm—
He looked downright dangerous, she told herself sensibly, putting a few healthy feet of fresh air between them. But the lake was beautiful, and neither of them was in any hurry to move away. It stretched for miles and was framed by towering mountains whose jagged peaks were lost in cloud. A thick pine forest crept up these craggy slopes until there was nothing for the roots to cling to. But it was the silence that was most impressive, and that was heavy and complete. It felt almost as if the world were holding its breath, though she had to smile when Emir turned to look at the cabin and an eagle called.
‘I’ll grab our bags,’ he said.
As he brushed past her on his way to the Jeep she shivered with awareness, and then smiled as she walked towards the cabin. She was always happy here—always in control. There would be no problems here. She’d keep things light and professional. Here, she could put what had happened between them in the boardroom behind her.
Emir caught up with her at the door, and his first question was how far was it to the mine? With her back to him, she pulled a wry face. Putting what had happened behind her was going to be easier than she had thought. They hadn’t even crossed the threshold yet and Emir’s mind was already set on business.
Which was exactly what she had hoped for—
Was it?
Of course it was, but she wasn’t going to pretend it didn’t sting. Everyone had their pride, and everyone wanted to feel special—
Hard luck for her, she thought ruefully.
‘So, how far exactly is it to the mine?’ he said. ‘How long will it take by road?’
‘Depending on the weather?’ She turned the ke
y in the lock. ‘I’d say around ten minutes.’
‘Is there any chance we can take a look around today, in that case?’ Emir asked as he held the door for her.
He was in more of a hurry than she’d thought. Well, that was fine with her. She could accommodate a fast turnaround. ‘The mine is a twenty-four-hour concern. We can visit as soon as you’re ready.’
‘Then I’d like to freshen up and go see it right away—if that’s okay with you?’
‘That’s fine with me.’ She had to stop herself laughing at the thought that she had never met anyone quite so much like her before.
As she used to be, Britt amended, before Emir came into her life. Taking charge of her bag, she hoisted it onto her shoulders. ‘Welcome,’ she said, walking into the cabin.
‘This is nice,’ Emir commented as he gazed around.
He made everything seem small, she thought, but in a good way. The cabin had been built by a big man for big men, yet could be described as cosy. On a modest scale, it still reflected the personality of the man who had built it and who had founded the Skavanga dynasty. With nothing but his determination, Britt’s great-grandfather had practically clawed the first minerals out of the ground with his bare hands, and with makeshift tools that other prospectors had thrown away. There was nothing to be ashamed of here in the cabin. It was only possible to feel proud.
‘What?’ Emir said when he caught her staring at him.
‘You’re the only man apart from my brother who makes me feel small,’ she said, managing not to make it sound like a compliment.
‘I take it you’re talking about your brother, Tyr?’
‘My long-lost brother, Tyr,’ she admitted with a shrug.
‘I can assure you the very last thing on my mind is to make you feel small.’
‘You don’t—well, not in the way you mean. How tall are you, anyway?’
‘Tall enough.’
She could vouch for that. And was that a glint of humour in Emir’s eyes? Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad, after all. Maybe bringing him to the cabin wasn’t the worst idea she’d ever had. Maybe they could actually do business with each other and have fun.
And then say goodbye?
Why not?
‘Are you going to show me to my room?’ Emir prompted, glancing towards the wooden staircase.
‘Yes, of course. ‘
Ditching her bag, she mounted the wooden stairs ahead of him, showing Emir into a comfortable double bedroom with a bathroom attached. ‘You’ll sleep in here,’ she said. ‘There are plenty of towels in the bathroom, and endless hot water, so don’t stint yourself—and just give me a shout if you need anything more.’
‘This is excellent,’ he called downstairs to her. ‘Thank you for putting me up.’
‘As an alternative to having you camp down the mine?’ She laughed. ‘Of course, there are bunkhouses you could use—’
‘I’m fine here.’
And looking forward to tasting some genuine Nordic hospitality, she hoped, tongue in cheek, as she glanced out of the window at the snow-clad scene.
‘Britt—’
‘What?’ Heart pounding, she turned. Even now with all the telling off she’d given herself at the tempting thought of testing out the bed springs, she hoped and smiled and waited.
‘Window keys?’ Emir was standing on the landing, staring down at her. ‘It’s steaming hot in here.’
Ah… ‘Sorry.’
She stood for a moment to compose herself and then ran upstairs to sort him out. The central heating she’d had installed was always turned up full blast before a visit. She could operate it from her phone, and thoughts of turning it down a little had flown out of the window along with her sensible head thanks to Emir. ‘I suggest you leave the window open until the room cools down.’ Fighting off all feelings about the big, hard, desirable body so very close to her, she unlocked the window and showed him where to hang the key.
‘This is a beautiful room, Britt.’
The room was well furnished with a thick feather duvet on the bed, sturdy furniture, and plenty of throws for extra warmth. She’d hung curtains in rich autumnal shades to complement the wooden walls. ‘Glad you think so.’
Now she had to look at him, but she lost no time making for the door.
‘Are these your grandparents?’
She did not want to turn around, but how could she ignore the question when Emir was examining some sepia photographs hanging on the wall?
‘This one is my great-grandfather,’ she said, coming to stand beside him. The photographs had been hung on the wall to remind each successive generation of the legacy they had inherited. Her great-grandfather was a handsome, middle-aged man with a moustache and a big, worn hat. He was dressed in leather boots with his heavy trousers tucked into them, his hands were gnarled and he wore a rugged jacket, which was patched at the elbows. Even the pose, the way he was leaning on a spade, spoke volumes about those early days. Family and Skavanga Mining meant everything to her, Britt realised as she turned to leave the room.
She had to ask Emir to move. Why was he leaning against the door? “Excuse me…’
Straightening up, he moved aside. Now she was disappointed because he hadn’t tried to stop her. What was wrong with her? She had brought a man she was fiercely attracted to to an isolated cabin. What did she think was going to happen? But now she wondered if sex with Emir would get him out of her system. Would anything?
At the top of the stairs she couldn’t resist turning to see if he was still watching her.
Something else for her to regret. And what did that amused look signify—the bed was just a few tempting steps away?
And now the familiar ache had started up again. They were consenting adults who made their own agenda, and, with the mine open twenty-four seven, it wasn’t as if they didn’t have time—
And if she gave in to her appetite, Emir would expect everything to be on his terms from hereon in—
‘I’ll take quick a shower and see you outside in ten,’ she called, running up the next flight of stairs to her own room in the attic. Slamming the door, she rested back against it. Saying yes to Emir would be the easiest thing in the world. Saying no to him required cast-iron discipline, and she wasn’t quite sure she’d got that.
She had to have it, Britt told herself sternly as she showered down. Anything else was weakness.
Britt’s bedroom was one of three at the cabin. She had chosen it as a child, because she could be alone up here. She had always loved the pitched roof with its wealth of beams, thinking it was like something out of a fairy tale. When she was little she could see the sky and the mountains if she stood on the bed, and when she was on her own she could be anyone she wanted to be. Over the years she had collected items that made her feel good. Her grandmother had worked the patchwork quilt. Her grandfather had carved the headboard. These family treasures meant the world to her. They were far more precious than any diamonds, but then she had to remember the good the diamonds could do—for Skavanga, the town her ancestors had built, and for her sisters, and for the company.
She had to secure Emir’s recommendation to his master, the Black Sheikh, Britt reflected as she toyed with some trinkets on the dressing table. They were the same cheap hair ornaments she had worn as a girl, she realised, picking them up and holding them against her long blonde hair so she could study the effect in the mirror. She hadn’t even changed the threadbare stool in front of the dressing table, because her grandmother had worked the stitches, and because it was a reminder of the girl Britt had been, like the books by her bedside. This was a very different place from her penthouse in the centre of Skavanga, but the penthouse was her public face while this was where she kept her heart.
And to keep it she must cut that deal to her advantage—
With a man as shrewd as Emir in the frame?
She had never doubted her own abilities before, Britt realised as she wandered over to a window she could see out of now without stand
ing on the bed. Skavanga Mining had meant everything to her parents, but they hadn’t been able to keep it—
Because her father was a drunk—
She shook her head, shaking out the memory. Her parents had tried their best—
Leaving little time for Britt and her siblings.
So she had picked up a mess. Lots of people had to do that. And somehow she would find a way to cut a favourable deal with the consortium.
Staring out of the window drew her gaze to the traditional sauna hut, sitting squat on the shore of the lake. With its deep hat of snow and rows of birch twigs switches hanging in a rack outside the door, it brought a smile to her face as she remembered Eva’s teasing recommendation—that she bring Emir into line here. There were certainly several ways she could think of to do that. If only there weren’t a risk he might enjoy them too much…
Seeing Emir’s shadow darkening the snow outside, she quickly stepped back from the window. Tossing the towel aside, she pulled out the drawers of the old wooden chest and picked out warm, lightweight Arctic clothing—thermals, sweater, waterproof trousers and thick, sealskin socks. She resented the way her heart was drumming, as if she were going out on a date, rather than showing a man around a mine so he could make vast sums of money for his master out of generations of her family’s hard work. She also hated the fact that Emir had beaten her to it downstairs. She was endlessly competitive. Having two sisters, she supposed. Determined to seize back the initiative, she knocked on the window to capture his attention, and when she’d got his attention she held up five fingers to let him know she’d be down right away. Almost. She’d brush her hair and put some lip gloss on first.
Traitor.
Everyone likes to feel good, Britt argued firmly with her inner voice. This has nothing to do with Sharif.
* * *
He had the cabin keys as well as the keys to the Jeep, and was settled behind the wheel by the time Britt appeared at the door. Climbing out, he strolled over to lock the cabin. She held out her hand to take charge of the keys.
Diamond in the Desert Page 4
