The Sheikh’s Unexpected Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 16)

by Cara Albany

  At least she hadn't called Rashid and told him that she was leaving the country. That this had all been a terrible misjudgment on her part. That she was sorry for the trouble she had caused, but that she needed to go home.

  No. She hadn't done that.

  She was still in Qazhar. All she needed was some time to think. And some time for the internet storm around her and Ahmed's name to blow itself out. That would happen quick enough, she told herself. The average story on social media lasted about twenty-four hours. Max.

  And then everyone simply moved on to the next scandal of the day.

  And, Gemma was relieved that, by coming here, by finding temporary sanctuary in a place where no-one knew her, she might just benefit from people's short memories and their hunger for the next big news story.

  One thing was for sure. It wouldn't be anything about her.

  Since arriving here, she'd quickly realized that sleeping options might be limited. There were some rooms available in an inn at the far end of the street.

  She'd gone there and taken a look, but had come to the conclusion that it didn't look clean enough. Also, the man who ran the inn seemed to have taken an unwholesome interest in Gemma as she'd stood outside surveying the ramshackle building.

  No.

  The rental car might have to do for at least one night, she told herself. In any case, it wouldn't be the first time she'd slept in a car.

  Back home, in the States, before all this so-called fame had descended upon her, Gemma had had some rough times. Being an orphan had been tough, and she had spent too many years being passed from one foster home to another. The memories of times out in the cold were still vivid in her mind.

  But, it had made her tough. She'd faced everything life could throw at her and, somehow, she had prevailed. She'd survived and even prospered in the most curious and surprising way imaginable.

  That had been part of her story, of course. One of the reasons why so many people had taken to her when she'd started to become well known.

  She was the girl who had triumphed over adversity, and maintained a clean living life in the process. That story had proven to be irresistible, it turned out.

  And always, there had been the unspoken question. Was Gemma as pure as she made herself out to be? The fact that she claimed she'd never really found the right man to spend her life with, surely implied that her life was pure in the most obvious sense.

  In fact, was Gemma a virgin? No-one had ever asked her straight to her face, but there had been plenty of speculation on social media, none of it she could control.

  She'd always avoided the question, never commenting on it. But, when she'd seen some of the headlines last night, that had been one of the most common.

  Speculation had been rife that somehow Sheikh Ahmed had found a way into her heart, that he was the one who was finally going to change everything for Gemma.

  Well, she wasn't about to let that happen. She'd had plenty of time to think about Sheikh Ahmed while she had been driving up to Qabiyah.

  And there was one thing about which she was certain. In spite of the obvious fact that he was just about the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen, there was no way she was going to get involved with Sheikh Ahmed.

  Not even if, as she'd seen, he was definitely attracted to her. That much had been plain to see ever since she'd set eyes on him in the garden. She wasn't about to become his latest conquest, especially since it would probably just be motivated by his rivalry with Rashid.

  Who did he think she was? Someone for whom wealth and power and sexuality would simply cause her to open herself up to him.

  No doubt that was what he was used to. She could tell he was experienced. She was sure he'd had plenty of women drooling over him over the last few years.

  But, Gemma was determined not to be the next.

  Was that why she'd raced away from the city so quickly? That she needed to make a statement of some kind to Ahmed?

  If so, then she was sure he'd get the message loud and clear, once he tried to contact her after their encounter last night. And she was sure he would call her apartment; try to invite her out to dinner. He was the kind of man who would not give up easily. Hadn't he admitted that to her? That when he wanted something, nothing would stop him from claiming it?

  Well, it wouldn't be her, she told herself firmly as she finished her coffee and left the cafe. She banished all thoughts about Ahmed and spent a long while exploring the town, wandering along the narrow lanes and exploring the ancient buildings. She'd always had a fascination with architecture and she'd never seen buildings quite like these.

  All through her wanderings during the late afternoon, she never felt unsafe for even a moment. As far as the inhabitants of the town were concerned, she was almost invisible. She was more than happy with that.

  The afternoon passed quickly and evening approached. She started to feel hungry and she went back to the same cafe again where she enjoyed a savoury dish of exquisitely seasoned and spicy lamb and vegetables.

  While she ate she watched the sky begin to darken and she saw the orange glow on the far horizon as the sun began to set. The air started to become noticeably cooler and she knew that soon she would have to think about going back to her car.

  She finished her meal and said farewell to the proprietor.

  Gemma walked to the edge of town and paused, taking in the spectacle of the bright orange sky. It was a glorious sight, something the likes of which she'd never seen back home.

  Stars began to flicker in the wide, darkening sky. As she gazed upon the sight, she felt a tremendous peace fill her entire being. Nothing had ever made her feel anything like this before. There was a reality here that was totally unique. She felt more alive, now, than she'd felt in a long time.

  For a long time she watched the sky become darker, savoring the peace of this place. As darkness fell the town began to quieten. The townsfolk disappeared into their homes. Then it was almost dark and she knew it was time to go to her car.

  She headed back to where she had left the rental car, just on the outskirts of the town. She found it where she had left it, safe and intact, just as she'd expected to find it. She couldn't imagine ever having any trouble out here. The people she'd seen since arriving seemed so good-natured, so authentic.

  The idea that this could be a dangerous place seemed ridiculous to her as she opened the car door and slid into the seat, closing the door firmly. The door locked automatically.

  It was quiet in the vehicle and she suddenly started feeling tired. The emotions of the last twenty-four hours seemed to catch up with her within a short time of sitting in the car. She realized that if it became too cold, she could use the car's heating system. But, for now, that wasn't necessary.

  She closed her eyes and felt herself drift off to sleep.

  Dreams took hold her quickly. In the dreams she saw everyone she'd met since arriving in Qazhar. But somehow they all seemed different from real life. More vivid, more intense.

  At one point her dreams became noisy, and she saw faces calling to her, shouting her name, demanding her attention, wanting things from her. She wanted to ignore them all, desperate to be left alone. To tell them that that life was over and done with. That she'd moved on. But they wouldn't stop calling her name.

  And then one voice became more insistent than the others.

  Ahmed.

  She saw his face in her dream and he was calling her name.

  Then, something shifted in her body, and she felt herself awakening. Then she realized that it wasn't just in her dream that she could hear her name.

  She opened her eyes, sleepily and slowly. It was dark outside and in the car. The only light was a faint glow which came from the half moon high in the sky.

  And by that light she could see something that took her completely by surprise, almost making her call out in surprise.

  Outside her car, seated on the back of a glorious looking dark stallion, and looking right at her, was Sheikh Ahmed
.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Gemma couldn't believe what she was looking at.

  Sheikh Ahmed was here? In Qabiyah?

  She peered at him incredulously through the windscreen of the car. He was gazing right at her, apparently pleased that she was now awake. Had he been calling her name?

  In the dim light, he looked incredible, sitting atop the horse. Instead of the suit he'd been wearing at the reception, now his body was draped in a traditional white robe, the garb of the desert sheikh. His head was uncovered and his shoulder length dark hair glistened in the moonlight.

  He held the reins of the horse in white-knuckled hands. The horse bucked nervously beneath him but, with a firm tug of the reins, he took control of the animal. Perhaps it sensed his excitement at finding her, because, judging by the expression on his face, Gemma was sure Ahmed was pleased to see her.

  He pointed to the side of the car and moved his horse around to near the door. She opened the door and stepped out onto the flat, sandy ground.

  "Ahmed! What are you doing here?" she asked gazing up at him.

  Ahmed threw the reins around the horse's neck and leaped down, landing with a thud on the ground in front of her.

  "I was about to ask you the same question, Miss Ellon," he replied.

  She gasped and frowned at him. "How did you find me?"

  He smiled. "Have you forgotten I was the one who told you about this place?"

  She snorted. "Did you follow me?"

  He gave her an incredulous look. "It wasn't that difficult to guess where you'd come."

  "Does Rashid know I'm here? In fact, who does know where I am?"

  He moved toward her. His features softened and he looked at her reassuringly. "You don't need to worry. I'm the only one who knows where you are."

  She wasn't sure whether that was necessarily a good thing or not. But, right now, she didn't have much choice in the matter. She figured she'd have to trust what he'd told her.

  "Did you see the photos?" she asked tentatively.

  His brows furrowed. "I did. Rashid showed me this morning."

  "Rashid? What does he think?"

  Ahmed shrugged. "I'm not sure what he thinks, apart from accusing me of trying to steal you away from him."

  "What! He actually believes that?"

  Ahmed nodded. "That's what he said. And the photos do give that impression, I suppose." He pursed his lips thoughtfully and peered at her. "When you look at them from one perspective."

  She squinted at him. In the soft light, it was hard to tell whether he was being serious now. Truth be told, he didn't look too displeased at the idea that she and him were some kind of an item, she reflected.

  She supposed he was right. The photos had portrayed her and Ahmed as the best of friends. Instant attraction, was how one comment had put it. Someone had gone even further.

  Instalove?

  Had that been more accurate than she would have liked to admit?

  "So, what is Rashid doing to find me?" she asked.

  "I'm not sure. I didn't think to tell him about my suspicions that you were here. Apart from which, I didn't know for sure."

  "So, you didn't mention this place?" she probed.

  Ahmed shook his head.

  "Why not?" she asked sharply. "Wouldn't it have made sense to tell him I might be here?"

  "Why would I have done that?" Ahmed replied. "Then I wouldn't have gotten what I really want."

  He took a step closer and his gaze became focused on her eyes. It was a penetrating gaze, the same one she'd seen last night, over and over. She was sure it worked on other women, but she was determined it wouldn't work on her.

  She peered at him and folded her arms. She frowned at him, silently urging him to continue.

  "What I really wanted was to make sure you were safe," he murmured.

  His voice was thick with sincerity. His words almost made her take a step back, but she held her ground.

  She peered into his eyes, searching for even a hint of insincerity, that this was another kind of game he was playing with her. But, all she could see was truth and genuine intent.

  "Really?" was all she could say. She felt the color drain from her face and she was glad of the semi-darkness, that it would hide the effect of his words on her.

  Ahmed glanced down, his gaze running the length of her body. "That outfit suits you," he observed.

  She was suddenly and very keenly aware of the plain white robe, and how it had changed her appearance from last night. "It makes you look like a genuine Qazhar woman," he added.

  His gaze drifted up to her hair, now slightly dishevelled after sleeping in the car. "Although your hair and eyes are quite American looking," he said with a grin.

  She peered at him. "Are you trying to give me a compliment? Because, if that's your idea of a compliment, then you've got some learning to do, I can tell you," she retorted.

  He smiled. "I can see the journey hasn't taken the edge off your sense of humor," he said.

  Gemma looked past his shoulder and at the horse. "Why the horse?"

  He glanced back at his mount. "Because where we're going, there aren't any roads for cars," he said turning back and squinting disapprovingly at her vehicle.

  "Where we're going?" she repeated.

  He nodded. "It's just desert all the way," he explained.

  "What makes you think I'm going anywhere with you?" she snapped.

  "You're not staying here," he announced imperiously, as if there wasn't going to be any argument.

  "Who says?"

  He moved toward her. Now there was barely a few inches separating them. She was tempted to reach out and push him away and get back into her car, but restrained the impulse, curious to hear his answer.

  "You can't stay here, Gemma," he told her in a soft, but firm voice.

  Her eyes met his. "This place is safe enough, isn't it? You said so yourself," she murmured.

  "Of course it's safe," he agreed. "That isn't what I'm worried about."

  She narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you mean?"

  "I mean that everyone here knows who you are," he replied.

  Her eyes widened. "How can that be? They don't know anything about me."

  He smiled softly. "They know one thing. That you are a friend of mine."

  She gasped. "Have you been spreading rumors since you got here?"

  He shook his head. "When I was asking if anyone had seen a young foreign woman, I couldn't help adding that you were a very dear friend of mine. Someone important to my family."

  Gemma was about interrupt him, but he insisted on continuing, telling her with a narrowing of his eyes that he wouldn't be stopped. "And, since I'm a member of the most ancient family who, a very long time ago, used to own this small town, I suppose they were eager to tell me where to find you. And here I am."

  The self-satisfaction in his voice was just mildly irritating, she told herself. There was a long pause and Gemma didn't know whether to be flattered or indignant.

  What did he mean, this town had once belonged to his family? He hadn't told her that back in the city.

  "Are you some kind of tribal leader, here? Is that what you're telling me?"

  Ahmed grinned. "Let's just say that I still have quite a bit of influence in these parts. My family is still held in high regard." He furrowed his brows. "And it is for that reason that I cannot allow you to remain sleeping in a car."

  "Are you saying, if I sleep in my car, then your honor will be somehow affected?"

  He shrugged. "I guess you could put it that way."

  "So, this isn't about me at all, then, is it? It's about your honor."

  Ahmed shook his head. "I merely want to extend some hospitality to you. And I can guarantee you as much anonymity and privacy as you will get here. In fact, probably more."

  She peered at him. He was inviting her to his encampment.

  That was what he was doing. He actually wanted her to believe he was merely trying to be polite and cou
rteous. But, really what he wanted was for her to go with him.

  "We have traditions to honor out here," he added. "And one of them is that valued guests are afforded the best hospitality available." He glanced toward the town. "Qabiyah is nice, but it does not offer the best hospitality."

  Ahmed turned back to her and this time his gaze was dark. "And you deserve the best," he growled.

  She felt the breath ease out of her as he said those words. They'd been uttered with such sincerity, as well as with hint of something more. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on. But, she'd heard that same tone in his voice last night.

  She swallowed and turned away from him, thinking for a few moments. Could she dare go with him?

  He was an almost complete stranger, but there had been something about the way they had made a connection since their meeting in the garden. They talked to one another as if they'd known each other for longer than twenty-four hours.

  And she'd seen plenty of evidence of the decency of his character in the way he'd treated her last night. There had been a respect in the way he'd behaved toward her.

  But, then, Rashid's words drifted into her mind. He had said that Ahmed had a reputation with women. That he had a dangerous side to him.

  Perhaps Ahmed had merely been putting on a good show for her. Had she been fooled? But, could she trust Rashid's description, especially when it was so clearly at odds with what she'd witnessed herself.

  And, lastly, Ahmed had come all the way out here. He must have been driven by some impulse to have done that. Maybe he did want the best for her. Perhaps he did want to make sure she was safe.

  If she went to his encampment, she might find out something about him that she could use to retrieve the situation into which last night's misunderstanding had thrown her.

  Gemma glanced at Ahmed and saw that he was patiently awaiting her response.

  She walked toward him, and saw the way he watched her, his glance flickering down her entire body as she moved.

  He looked like he was trying desperately to contain his approval, the stirrings of his hunger for her. She felt something warm inside her as she saw the way he was looking at her.