“Shall we start with the bedroom?” He suggested with a quiet intensity.
Julia did not show a flicker of emotion as she lifted her eyes to his. “As you wish.”
It was strange. He didn’t know what he’d expected. He would never force a woman to his bed. It went against everything he believed it; everything he’d been raised to value. And yet he’d been waiting for her to make him fight for her; on some level, he’d been wanting her to make him prove that he deserved her.
Zayn tugged on her hand, ignoring his security agents and pulling her in the direction of his home. “I must say,” he said honestly, “I thought you would want to argue with me about this.”
Julia shrugged her slender shoulders. “I know.”
“You know?”
She let out a shaky breath. “Obviously you like to say things to me that inspire my frustration. I figure you like arguing with me.”
His smile was genuine. “I think I must.”
“Exactly.”
Quickly, it became a frown. “And so because I like it, you have decided not to do it?”
She bit down on her lower lip, a little overwhelmed by the grandeur of the entrance hallway. Zayn squeezed her hand in reminder and she turned her attention back to him. “Pretty much.”
His eyes flared with an emotion she didn’t understand. “I do not think you realize it, but Julia, you do not wish to have me as an enemy.”
“I don’t think you realize it, Zayn,” she parroted back sweetly, “but I’m your wife now, and you have to put up with me. Even if I drive you crazy.”
His laugh was a low, seductive sound in his throat. “Oh, you drive me crazy all right. Come, let me return the favor.” And he pulled her into the circle of his arms, against the hard planes of his body, so that she could feel the stirring of his erection.
A noise from somewhere else in the house made him freeze. He shook his head slowly from side to side and stepped back from her. “I am afraid you will have to wait, habibte.”
Julia tried not to let her disappointment show. “What is it?”
“I would put money on it being my brother,” he said with a grimace. “Amal has been desperate to meet you since I told him we were married.”
She put her hands on her hips, and now her heart was racing out of hurt rather than desire. “You didn’t tell your own brother we were getting married until afterwards?”
His face showed no remorse. “Of course not. It is not his business.”
“But he’s your brother.”
Zayn shrugged. “And I am his. He did not consult me when he chose Adina for a bride.”
“But you were at his wedding, I’ll bet,” she countered swiftly.
“His was an elaborate royal wedding. He is the heir to the throne, Julia, and he married accordingly. I am free to live my life as I wish. And I wished to marry you without all the fuss.”
She shook her head. “That isn’t it. I know you better than that, Zayn.”
“You do not know me at all,” he whispered harshly. “This conversation is closed. It is time for you to meet your new family.”
“No,” she stomped her foot on the tiled floor. “Not until you tell me why you kept our marriage a secret.”
Zayn crossed the room, so that he was standing just before her. “Do I need to remind you, Julia, how high a price I paid for you?”
She shivered, despite the overwhelming warmth of the day. “I told you, I am not property. You did not pay for me.”
“Let’s not get into semantics,” he rejected stonily. “I bought your father’s worthless company for an over-inflated price. My reasons were two fold. I wanted to remove his financial worries, and I wanted to ensure your compliance as my wife.”
“My… my… compliance?” She smacked her palm against her forehead. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said with a small bow. “How dare I act like an intelligent human being, and enter into a conversation with my lord and master. What was I thinking?”
He compressed his lips, angry with her and even more so with himself. “That isn’t what I meant, and you know it.”
Julia didn’t answer. She didn’t trust herself to speak without saying just what she thought of him. And there was a small part of her now that was afraid. She had loved Zayn and trusted him implicitly, and even when he’d come to England and bullied her into marriage, she hadn’t expected him to carry on like some barbarian once they were married. Foolishly, she’d actually thought he would just get back to his normal self.
“You agreed to our marriage. You knew my terms when you did so. Are you ready to come and show my brother what a loving, devoted bride I have acquired?”
She glared across at him. With a raging torrent of contradictory emotions, she walked slowly to his side and stared up at him. Stepping onto her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss against his lips. She’d meant it to remind him that whatever it was arcing between them, he was as susceptible as she, but her plan worked a little too well. The simple kiss deepened, and Julia couldn’t have said if it was her, or Zayn, who’d done it. But suddenly, his fingers were pushing through her hair, pulling at her bun until her brown locks flowed down her back. He massaged her scalp, then, not breaking the kiss, he moved his hands lower, to the curve of her rear, which he palmed and pushed so that she was firm against his body.
Julia knew that her whole future as Zayn’s wife depended on the next few moments. Denying her body the one thing she wanted, she broke the kiss and put some physical space between them. “I agreed to this marriage,” she said simply. “And my eyes were wide open. But you will never control me, Zayn.”
He was perfectly still in response, so Julia continued.
“You don’t want a wife who does everything you ask of her. You just admitted that you enjoy sparring with me. Well, Zayn, I will never stop fighting you. I think that’s why you chose me – an intelligent, independent woman, rather than your usual bevy of brainless supermodels. You’re sick of people giving you whatever you want. You “bought” me, as you put it, and you got just what you wanted: a woman who’ll stand up to you. So don’t taunt me about your alleged ownership of me, ever again.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Zayn was still reeling from Julia’s surprising statement while he went through the motions of introducing his wife to his brother and sister-in-law. As he had suspected, Amal and Adina had not been able to wait a moment longer to meet the woman who had finally inspired him to enter into marriage. He had been so publicly disparaging of it in the past, that they couldn’t help but be a little shocked by his about turn.
“I even wondered if you might be with child,” Adina whispered to Julia, when the two of them were alone. “But I can see you are not.”
Julia followed Adina’s gaze to her neat waist and shook her head ruefully. “Definitely not. I am not ready for children yet.”
Adina, who had the most translucent green eyes Julia had ever seen, gave her a smile of sympathy. “I am sorry for you then that you must consider it so quickly.”
Julia’s expression showed her confusion.
“Oh,” Adina said, clearly flustered, “I presumed Zayn had told you. He’s strangely protective of Amal in this way. Though I suppose they are close, when I think about it.”
“Told me what?” Julia said, not allowing herself to become distracted by Adina’s musings.
“Amal and I can’t have children,” the older woman said. And Julia knew enough about people to know that her brevity of words hid an enormous depth of grief. It was obvious to Julia, from the way Adina forced an over-bright smile to her face at the same time her eyes couldn’t focus on anything in particular, as though it was a fact so ludicrous that she couldn’t fathom it.
“I’m sorry,” Julia said, keeping her distance. For though she felt pity for her new sister-in-law, she could tell Adina didn’t want to be coddled. That hugging her would make it worse.
“It is as it is.”
Julia frowned, not wanting to seem indelicate. “A
nd are you sure?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, he and I both have problems that make the chances of us conceiving, even with assistance, impossible.”
There was nothing Julia could say, and so she said nothing. She was only twenty three; too young for children, but she had always known one day she would like a gaggle of chubby little humans in her home. One day. She could almost imagine the other woman’s pain at knowing it simply was not possible.
“So,” Adina continued, pouring out two glasses of sweet iced tea and handing one to Julia, “the task of providing Naman’s heir falls to you and Zayn, I’m afraid.”
Julia’s fingers gripped the etched glass beaker tightly. “Providing an heir?” She repeated dumbly.
“Yes. The Al-melara family has ruled Naman for centuries. You know, of course, how proud they are about their lineage. Once you have secured the blood line, we may adopt.”
Julia’s mouth dropped open. “But surely your adopted child should be an heir.”
Adina’s smile was wistful. “It is not possible. If Amal and Zayn both die, childless, the line will pass to a distant cousin of the King’s. That same cousin would never allow an adopted child to sit on the throne of Naman.”
“That’s… outrageous,” Julia said, shaking her head sadly.
“I think so, too. But Amal has never cared for the rule of the kingdom. In truth, he has often offered to abdicate to Zayn. The brothers are so different. Where Zayn sees only problems he can solve, Amal sees a life he wants to live.” Adina scrunched her face up in an expression of apology. “I don’t mean to say Zayn doesn’t enjoy life,” she said quickly. “He has married you. That is a sign that he intends to live and be happy, finally.”
Julia’s mind was slowly shutting down. If Zayn accepted Amal’s abdication, it would mean she, Julia, would be next in line to become Naman’s Queen. Fear of such a public position made her heart stone-cold and heavy in her chest. But a greater fear than that was gripping her. Speaking the words aloud hurt, but not saying them would have hurt even more. “Perhaps he married me just so he could secure an heir.”
“Oh, nonsense,” Adina said with a feeble laugh. “No one could make Zayn do something he didn’t want.”
But Julia’s mind was running away with her. Adina was right. Zayn was born to lead. As second brother, he had the luxury of focusing his energies on the family empire, and under his watchful management, it had grown to a global entity of epic proportions. He was clever and hard-working and a gifted business man. He was admired and respected the world over for his commercial acumen. If there was one fly in the ointment, it was his reputation as a bachelor. He’d spent years publicly romancing glamorous women – too many for even a heartbroken Julia to properly remember. The only way someone like Zayn could convince his country he was ready to lead it, and that was by taking a suitable wife and producing a child.
And finally, she understood. He didn’t love her. He never had. He saw her as an excellent candidate for marriage. She came from a wealthy, titled family; she’d been sent to the best schools in England, and had graduated from Oxford with a degree in international law. She was young enough to be a presumably safe bet in the baby-making stakes. And she had zero will-power to resist him. Yes, he had chosen his bride very, very well.
“I have upset you,” Adina said perceptibly, putting her tea down quietly and taking Julia’s cool hands in her own. “I am very sorry, Julia. I have a habit of speaking a little too freely at times.”
Julia’s lips tilted into a lopsided grin, despite the gnawing panic in her gut. “It’s a habit I share, Adina. Please don’t worry about it.” She lifted her clear eyes to her sister in law’s face. “I do want children. I just thought I might have a little more time.”
“And perhaps you do. I might be completely wrong. It could just be my wishful thinking.”
“Your wishful thinking?”
“I know Amal would like to pass the throne to Zayn. And between you and me, I wish it also.”
“I honestly don’t know if that’s what Zayn has in mind,” Julia said cautiously. After all, it was the complete truth. What did she really know about the man she’d married? Four years ago, she would have said she knew him inside and out. They had spent hours talking on the phone, swapping deep, personal emails. She had known him in a way that defied explanation. But now? She had only presumed he was happy running his empire.
But Zayn was driven by power, and a lust for control. Hadn’t his dominance of her since their meeting again shown her that he was not prepared to leave anything to chance? His control-freakishness was a talent best left to leaders.
“Let’s not speculate,” Adina concluded sagely. “Whatever happens, I am pleased Zayn has married you.” Her smile was genuine, if a little reserved.
Julia wasn’t an accomplished enough actress to pretend likewise. At that moment, all she wanted was peace and quiet to think everything through.
“You know,” Adina continued, “He spoke about you to me, many years ago.”
“He did?” Julia lifted her eyes to Adina’s, her surprise obvious.
“Yes.” Adina linked her arm through Julia’s and slowly guided her through the lounge room, towards the balcony. There was a light summer’s breeze that almost took the edge off the stifling heat, but Adina flicked a concealed switch in the wall and large palm shaped fans on the ceiling began to flick lethargically backwards and forwards, adding to the cooling wind.
Julia settled herself in the middle of a cane ottoman, her legs crossed at the ankles, and stared out at the view. Beyond the highly fortified security fence, the city stretched far in the distance. The buildings were pale and compact, and smoke was rising from various areas.
“Restaurants,” Adina said, tilting her head towards the puffs of dark grey clouds rising into the air. “The food in Naman is exquisite; particularly what you find in city bazaars. I will take you for dinner, when you are settled.”
Julia’s eyebrows arched. “Is that possible?”
Adina’s smile was amused. “Of course, cherie. The people of Naman are very welcoming of their royalty. Though you will never go anywhere without a team of security, they’re unlikely to prove necessary. However, if you are uneasy, I can have someone arrange for the restaurant to be closed to the public.”
“Of course not! I didn’t mean that,” Julia hastily explained. “This is all very new to me. I’m still trying to understand what my life will be like.”
“I take it Zayn swept you off your feet?” Adina asked drily, taking a sip of her tea.
“More like threw me into the path of his hurricane,” Julia returned with a wry smile.
“That sounds like Zayn. Once he has decided on a course of action, heaven help anyone who tries to stand in his way, or even attempts to slow him down.” She gave Julia what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “I know how you feel, Julia. Though I was raised in Naman, and raised by a Sheikh to marry a Sheikh, I was not prepared for how life in the ruling family would be.”
“In what ways?” Julia leaned forward, wanting to benefit from this exotically beautiful woman’s experience.
“It is less intrusive than I had thought. The Al-melara family values their privacy. Fatimah, Amal and Zayn’s mother, had much to do with the strict separation between state life and personal life, and that is respected still today. Though I’m sure there is speculation as to why we have not produced an heir, it is not spoken of publicly. Something for which I am very grateful.”
“Of course. It’s no one’s business but yours,” Julia said sympathetically.
“That isn’t strictly true when you’re talking about the next ruler of a country. Though I like you for taking my side so readily,” she grinned across at the English woman.
“Absolutely!” Julia said with a nod of her head.
“I find it hard to see the way the pressure of rule takes a toll on Amal,” she said honestly, lowering her voice and leaning forwards. It was the first time Julia had even realized
that about five staff were dotted along the length of the balcony. It would appear she was already growing used to their presence. “He relies on Zayn a great deal, and that makes him feel guilty.”
“As you have said, no one could make Zayn do anything he was not happy to do.” Julia caught Adina’s eyes and flushed a little at what she was about to ask. But curiosity killed the cat, and she was no cat, willing to be suffocated by the weight of questions not asked. “Adina, what did you mean before? When you said Zayn had mentioned me to you?”
“Are you giving away state secrets, sister?”
Zayn’s deep voice made both women jump, and Julia’s eyes flew to his in surprise.
Adina was perfectly relaxed around Zayn. Julia watched, enviously, as her sister in law stood and crossed to where Zayn and Amal stood.
“You have not told your wife very much about our family, Zayn,” she chided, only half joking.
Zayn looked across at Julia, his expression drawn. “She agreed to marry me, not my family,” he said with his own brand of egotism that bordered on rudeness. “I hope you haven’t been scaring my young wife with stories of royal life.”
Julia tilted her chin defiantly. “You don’t give me enough credit, Zayn,” she said firmly. “I married you with both eyes open. I knew what I was getting myself into. You did a very good job of making the important facts clear to me.”
His eyes flared at her thinly veiled reference to the demands he’d laid out when he’d suggested the whole fiasco.
His smile was lacking in genuine warmth, but Julia suspected only she realized as much. “We both did. Isn’t mutual understanding the basis of an enduring marriage?”
Julia slowly stood from the ottoman and crossed to her husband’s side. She looked up at him, her eyes full of a seething annoyance that she was just keeping tamped down. “And honesty,” she added with a small smile at Adina.
Bought by The Sheikh Page 4
