Desert Rogues Part 2

by Susan Mallery

  Although she had no idea who that someone else might be. Reyhan was going to be a tough act to follow.

  Chapter Seven

  “For a woman with a brand-new wardrobe, you’re pretty down in the mouth,” Cleo said the next morning.

  Emma nuzzled baby Calah’s sweet-smelling head and sighed. “It’s guilt. Reyhan spent too much on me. The clothes are beautiful, but…”

  Cleo rolled her eyes. “What? You don’t deserve them? Emma, we’re talking about the royal family. They’ve been rich for about a thousand years. Trust me. Your shopping spree didn’t even count as pocket change.”

  Emma wanted to mention that the trip to the boutique hadn’t been her idea, but she thought it might sound like she was making too big a deal of things. Cleo didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary. Reyhan hadn’t minded. He’d wanted her to buy more than she had. The guilt was hers and she should deal with it by herself. Except…

  “I didn’t really need them.”

  Cleo laughed. “That’s your mother talking. It’s a very parental thing to say. Isn’t it fun to buy things you don’t need and not have to worry about cost? Think of this as the fulfillment of your every-female shopping fantasy. Besides, I know you made Reyhan happy. From what I can tell, all the princes like to take care of women. It can be occasionally annoying but for the most part it’s pretty nice.”

  “So you’re saying I went shopping just to keep him happy?”

  “If it helps with the guilt, sure.”

  Emma smiled. “I’m going to look pretty silly wearing a beaded gown in the grocery store on Saturday morning.”

  “Not if you’re over in the imported foods section. Tell everyone you’re European.”

  “That might work.” Emma thought of the beautiful evening gowns sitting in the suite’s large closet. “Are there a lot of formal functions here at the palace?”

  “Two or three each month. I’ve only just started attending them, what with being pregnant and all.” She rubbed her baby’s arm. “But now that Calah is here and I’ve had a chance to recover, I have social obligations, not to mention charitable ones.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Cleo blew her daughter a kiss, then turned back to Emma. “I’m in a unique position to help people. In a way, that’s a bigger dream fulfillment than the shopping. I’ve spoken with Sadik and the king, and I’m getting involved with homeless children. There aren’t very many in Bahania and El Bahar, but it’s a big problem in other countries. I had something of a twisted upbringing for my first few years and I know what it’s like to be alone and scared. Sabrina and Zara, the king’s other daughters, each have their causes. Sabrina’s seriously into finding antiquities and returning them to their rightful countries so people can enjoy their heritage. Zara is a former professor. She’s working on a network of scholarships for girls who want to go to college but can’t afford it.”

  “Sounds exciting,” Emma said, hoping she didn’t sound as wistful as she felt. Cleo was right. The chance to help people by using nearly unlimited resources would be a wonderful way to spend her life.

  What would she have done if she and Reyhan had stayed together? She’d always loved children, especially babies. Maybe something with prenatal care. Not that she was going to get the chance to find out.

  “How much longer do you have here?” Cleo asked. “I was hoping we could fit in a field trip so you could meet Sabrina and Zara. They live in a very interesting place.”

  “Not here in the city?”

  “Not exactly.”

  When Cleo didn’t seem willing to say anything else, Emma considered her question. “I was told I would be here two weeks, but I don’t have an exact date for my return. I guess that’s up to the king.”

  Not that she was all that anxious to head out, she thought. Spending time with Reyhan had been exciting and fun and something she wouldn’t mind doing more. But with him gone…She sighed. Her simple life had sure had gotten confusing.

  “How are things with you and Reyhan?” Cleo asked. “Or is that too personal? I just meant it’s been a long time. Is he the same guy you remembered?”

  Emma chuckled. “Are we allowed to refer to a Bahanian prince as a guy?”

  “Hmm, good point. We might be risking a beheading. Fortunately Calah is too young to turn us in.”

  Emma bounced the baby on her lap. “She would never betray us, would you, honey? You’re one of the girls. We have to stick together.” She looked at Cleo. “As for Reyhan being the same or different…Honestly, everything is different. When we met, I was a freshman, away from home for the first time in my life. He was a sophisticated older man who swept me off my feet. I spent most of our time together trying not to sound too young or stupid. That took most of my energy. I can’t say I did ever know him.”

  “And now?”

  Interesting question. “He’s terrific. Not just those handsome dark good looks, either.”

  Cleo sighed. “Agreed. Sadik would be a catch even if he were a brainless fool. I could happily suspend my life simply looking at him. But there’s a genuine person buried inside. I’m guessing Reyhan is the same.”

  “Yeah. He’s smart and serious, but funny, too.” And sexy. Too sexy, she thought remembering their almost close encounter in the boutique. She would have sworn he’d wanted her as much as she’d wanted him. So why had he just up and disappeared without seeing her to say goodbye?

  “So the girl in you was overwhelmed the first time around,” Cleo said. “How does the woman feel the second time around?”

  “She’s impressed,” Emma admitted.

  “Which doesn’t make you sound like a woman who’s hot for a divorce.”

  “Of course I am. Maybe not eager, but it’s why I’m here. Reyhan is ready to get on with his life and his plan doesn’t include me.”

  Cleo’s blue eyes widened slightly. “You don’t have to blindly agree, you know. You could take some time, see where things go.”

  Emma blinked at her. Could she? Was that an option? “I never thought I had a say in things.”

  “Arrogant princes prefer the world to do their bidding, but it doesn’t always have to happen that way. You’re half of the couple. You get a vote.” She touched Emma’s hand. “Seriously. If you’re not sure what you want, tell the king. I’m sure he’d be more than willing to hold off the divorce for a while.”

  Tempting, Emma thought a half second before she shook her head. “No. There’s no point. I don’t belong here.”

  Cleo arched her eyebrows. “Oh, and I did? When I met Sadik I was the night manager of a copy shop. Not exactly princess material.” She waved her fingers at the room. “It’s not about the trappings, or even tradition. The king wants his sons to fall in love. Prince Jefri has decided on an arranged match, but he’s the only one.”

  Cleo was wrong, Emma thought sadly. Reyhan wanted one, as well. He’d told her.

  “Maybe if things had worked out differently when we’d first met,” Emma said firmly. “But that time is past. We’re different people. I have my own life back in Texas.”

  “Sure,” Cleo said. “If you’re not falling for Reyhan, there’s no reason to stay. So tell me about your work in the hospital. You work in the delivery room, right?”

  “Yes, it’s wonderful.”

  Emma talked about a typical day, if there was such a thing, and how she loved what she did. But in the back of her mind, she kept hearing Cleo’s words over and over again. If you’re not falling for Reyhan.

  She wasn’t, she told herself firmly. She hadn’t and she wouldn’t. Falling for him after all these years apart would be just plain stupid. The fact that she enjoyed spending time with him was interesting but not significant. She wouldn’t let it matter. She couldn’t. Because Reyhan had made it clear he was only interested in moving on.

  “They’re making threats again,” Will O’Rourke said quietly.

  “The usual?” Reyhan asked from his place by the fire.

  “Death a
nd destruction. Interruption of oil production. The usual.”

  Reyhan kicked at a small rock in front of his chair. “I would have more respect for these boys if they had a genuine complaint. We have neither taken their lands, nor displaced them.”

  “They want something for nothing. A share of the oil money or they make trouble. They’re kids—seventeen or eighteen. To them this is a game.”

  “Extortion is a time-honored tradition all over the world.” Reyhan turned his attention to the sky. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the total darkness, then he saw the thousands of stars twinkling in the heavens.

  Beautiful, he thought. Mysterious. Distant. A world unto themselves. Much like Emma.

  He shook his head. The point of his trip to the desert had been to avoid her, but if he was going to spend all his time thinking about her, then he might as well torture himself by being in her presence.

  “I doubt they have a plan,” Will said.

  It took Reyhan a moment to remember what they’d been talking about. The teenage renegades.

  “They imagine themselves to be characters in a movie,” he told his security chief. “They will ride their purebred Bahanian stallions to victory.”

  Reyhan had no more patience for these boys. He’d listened to their grievances and investigated their claims. They had not been pushed off their lands, nor injured in any way by the oil production. Most of them were bored second sons from hardworking nomadic families. Unable to inherit, they didn’t want to work to acquire their wealth. Instead they sought to take that which belonged to the people.

  “Watch them,” Reyhan said. “In time they will grow bored and go home.”

  “You hired me to keep the peace, then made it impossible for me to do my job.”

  “To date there have been threats, but no actions. They are afraid of you. I consider that doing your job.”

  Will was a former army ranger who had grown up on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. His unique combination of knowledge and skills had made him a find. Over the past three years he’d worked his way up from the person in charge of security to Reyhan’s second-in-command. There were those who disapproved of an American holding such a high position, but there was no one else Reyhan trusted at his back.

  “The royal family has a centuries-old relationship with the nomads,” Reyhan said. “Under normal circumstances, I would agree to your plan to simply round them all up and let them rot in prison for a decade or so. But the majority of these boys are sons of chiefs, and I have given my word that I will not endanger them without cause. Threats are not cause.”

  “As you wish.”

  The tall, blond American rose to his feet and headed to his tent. Reyhan watched him go. Will was frustrated, but he wouldn’t say any more. Instead he would do his job. He would focus on the task. Did he know a way to keep a man from going insane?

  Reyhan closed his eyes and tried to see nothing, but instead Emma filled his mind. Being apart from her had only made him want her more. She was like water to a man dying of thirst. Her light filled his day and without her, he was blind.

  Not much longer, he told himself, looking for comfort and finding none. Just a few more days and Emma would be gone. Then he would be free to marry someone else. A sensible woman who would bear him fine sons. A woman he could respect and never love. A woman who was not Emma.

  Emma found use for one of her fancy dresses two nights later when she was invited to dine with the king, Cleo and her husband, Prince Jefri and Murat, the crown prince of Bahania. Nerves rode a roller coaster through her stomach as she carefully applied her makeup, and she wished Reyhan was going to be around. With him at her side, she would find it a whole lot easier to make casual conversation with everyone else at the table. But she hadn’t heard from him since he’d left and she was beginning to think she wasn’t going to.

  What if the two weeks ended while he was gone and she had to leave Bahania without seeing him again? She briefly closed her eyes and told herself not to think about it. If she had to leave without seeing him again, she would survive. Maybe it would even help her get over him more quickly.

  Not that she had anything to recover from. It’s not as if she was falling for him or anything.

  After checking the mirror one last time and smoothing the front of the peach-colored cocktail dress she’d pulled on, she walked out of the suite toward Cleo’s rooms. Cleo and her husband had offered to escort her to the dinner so she wouldn’t get lost on the way.

  “This is Sadik,” Cleo said a few minutes later as she introduced her husband.

  Emma wasn’t sure if she was expected to curtsy or what. Wishing she’d asked Cleo in advance, she held out her hand and tried to look more impressed than nervous. “Your Highness.”

  Sadik—tall, darkly handsome and more than a little intimidating—smiled. “As you are a member of the family, I suspect first names would be allowed.” He bent slightly and kissed the back of her hand. “Welcome, Emma. I’m not sure how you have been able to put up with my brother these past few days, but the fact that you have is a testament to your character.”

  She’d been expecting to shake hands, so the kiss startled her, although not as much as the gentle teasing. Were all the princes nice as well as good-looking and powerful? Was it possible?

  “He’s been very kind,” she murmured.

  “But a fool. Any man who leaves such a beautiful wife on her own takes his chances.”

  Cleo, lush and amazing in a dark blue low-cut gown, raised her eyebrows. “Sadik, are you flirting?”

  He turned to her. “I am making our new sister feel welcome. You know there is but one woman in my world.”

  He spoke with an intensity and love that made Emma feel she’d stumbled into a private moment. She turned away, but not before she saw the way Cleo smiled at her husband. It was a smile of true contentment and security. In that moment Emma vowed she would find a man who would love her as Sadik loved his wife, and she would give her whole heart to him.

  The three of them walked into the hallway.

  “Jefri’s fun,” Cleo said, linking arms with Emma. “He’s the youngest and has a great sense of humor. Murat is more stuffy. I guess it’s the whole crown prince thing.”

  “Murat has many responsibilities,” Sadik said firmly. “The weight of the country rests on his shoulders.”

  “He’s also still single,” Cleo told her. “Imagine marrying him.”

  “No, thanks. I’m having trouble dealing with being a princess, however temporarily. I wouldn’t want to think about being queen.”

  “Someone’s going to have to,” Cleo said. “The king has started talking about Murat needing an heir. Not that there aren’t hundreds of women lining up to volunteer.”

  “She will be the mother of his sons,” Sadik said. “Not a choice to be made lightly.”

  “Exactly,” Cleo said with a grin. “Now, if he was going to only have daughters, then he could pretty much marry anyone.”

  Sadik sighed. “You mock me, wife.”

  “Pretty much every chance I get.” She looked at Emma. “It’s a hobby.”

  Emma was still chuckling when they walked into the formal dining room. This was not the same dining room she’d been in on her second night in Bahania. That room had been impressive, but small and intimate. This one was much larger, with arched windows and elegant tapestries.

  The table itself would seat at least twelve, and judging by the chairs lined up along one wall, could expand to seat many more. The inlaid wood gleamed in the soft light of crystal and gold chandeliers. The floor was marble, the flatware gold and the plates appeared hand painted and antique. Equally impressive, there wasn’t a cat to be seen.

  Despite the warm temperature outside, the room was cool and a fire crackled in a massive carved fire-place. The king stood beside it, a drink in his hand. Two men stood next to him. They were both tall and dark, with strong features and lean bodies.

  Do they know how to grow handsome
princes here or what? Emma thought, trying not to give in to her nerves and panic. She just had to get through the dinner, then she could escape back to her room. No biggie. Besides, if Jefri and Murat were as well mannered as Reyhan and Sadik, she would be made to feel welcome. There was nothing to worry about. Really.

  Emma had nearly convinced herself when the king turned and saw them. As he approached, she felt her knees begin knocking together. Telling herself over and over that he was just a man didn’t help. Not even a little.

  “Emma,” King Hassan said as he approached. “How lovely to see you.”

  He squeezed her arm lightly, then turned to Cleo, whom he kissed, then Sadik. The two men shook hands.

  “I heard you went to our marketplace earlier this week,” the king said as he led her to the other princes. “Did you enjoy it?”

  “Very much. The people were gracious and kind.”

  “A Bahanian trait,” he told her, then he introduced her to his sons.

  They were much like Reyhan, yet different. Murat was taller and more serious. Jefri smiled easily. Both welcomed her.

  When a servant approached to take her drink order, Emma chose white wine because she didn’t want to appear out of place, but she had no intention of actually drinking any liquor. Not under these circumstances. Back home her friends teased her about being a complete lightweight, which was true. One drink and she was giggly, two and the world got blurry. Better to keep her wits about her tonight.

  “It is unfortunate Reyhan couldn’t be with us,” Murat said a few minutes later.

  Emma noticed the king in conversation with Sadik and Cleo while Jefri had excused himself to take a quick call from America. Something to do with the new Bahania Air Force. She smiled at the crown prince.

  “Another familiar face in this impressive gathering would be helpful,” she admitted. “But he has responsibilities and I understand that.”

  “Many women do not.”

  “I can’t imagine why not.”

  “They find reasons.” He sipped his drink as he studied her. “Is it true you knew nothing of who he was?”