by Kristi Gold
He stroked his fingertips up and down her arm in an enticing rhythm. “You are an extraordinary woman, Raina. I did not want to consider a man taking advantage of you, although I might fall into that category considering I took your virginity.”
She playfully slapped at his chest. “Oh, come on, Dharr. It was my choice. My decision as to who and when. And I chose you.”
“Why me, Raina?” He looked and sounded much too somber for such a special time.
How could she explain when she could only speculate? “Maybe it’s because I knew you would treat me well. Maybe it’s because I knew you would know what you’re doing. I wanted my first experience to be with someone I trust.” Someone she cared about much more than she should.
He touched his lips against her temple. “I hope you were not disappointed.”
She rose above him and pushed a lock of dark hair away from his forehead. “Let me tell you how disappointed I was.” She kissed his cheek then his lips. “When we can do it again?”
Even in the limited light, his smile knocked her heart for a loop. “You surprise me, Raina. For one so young, you have very strong appetites.”
“I’m twenty-five, Dharr, not fifteen. And I’ve suppressed my appetites longer than most so I have a lot of catching up to do.”
His smile disappeared. “After tonight, if we should continue our intimacy, we risk getting caught.”
“Maybe that’s why it’s so exciting.”
“Then you are saying you wish to continue this affair until you leave?”
Affair. There it was. The cold hard truth. But wasn’t that exactly what she’d wanted? Of course. Just a few stolen moments with a sexy, mystifying man who had no plans for commitment. Grab whatever time she could have with him, until the time came for her to return to California. And then tell him goodbye for good, even if she would never forget him.
She forced a smile around the sudden ache in her heart. “Well, considering our recent history, I’m not sure we’re going to be able to stop. So yes, I don’t see why we shouldn’t enjoy each other while we have the time.”
“We would have to be very discreet.”
“I can do discreet.” If her face—and heart—didn’t give her away.
She planted a kiss on his chest then raised her gaze to him once more. “So do you think we might give it another go in a little while?”
He didn’t seem all that responsive to her request, apparent in his guarded expression and his rigid frame. “You and I both need to sleep tonight. It would be best if we do that, in separate beds.”
She couldn’t stand the thought of him leaving just yet. “Stay a while, Dharr. Just a little while.”
He brought her head to rest on his chest and held her tightly. “I suppose I could stay for a time, at least until you fall asleep.”
Raina relaxed against him, reveling in his heat, his strength, his embrace. Yet as she closed her eyes, she fought the sudden sting of unexpected tears. This should be the best night of her life, and in many ways it was. But she also knew it would be over too soon, and too few hours remained in Dharr Halim’s arms, and his life.
The first light of dawn streaming in from the window brought Dharr completely awake. With Raina securely swathed in his arms, he had fallen into a deep, restful sleep for the first time in months. Yet should anyone learn he was in her bed, the consequences would be great. Especially if her father became privy to that knowledge.
Working his arm from beneath her, Dharr sat on the edge of the feather mattress and forked both hands through his hair. He must leave her soon, yet he could not resist looking at her one more time. She rested on her belly, her face turned toward him, eyes closed. Her hair, crimped because of the braid she’d worn the evening before, flowed down her back in soft waves. The curve of her bottom and the length of her legs only served to heighten his morning arousal. If they were free to do as they pleased, he would make love to her again.
Impossible. He had already dishonored her in many ways by making love with her once. Considering his suspicion, he should have asked again if she’d been with another man, before they had reached the point of no return. He should have stopped even then. He was not that strong in her presence, had not been strong from the beginning.
Coming to his feet, he snatched his clothes from the floor and went into the bathroom to wash, dress and destroy the evidence of their lovemaking. If only he could be so sure that what they had done would not eventually destroy her good standing with her father, or Dharr’s resolve to keep his emotions protected. In that regard, he could already be too late, for what he felt for her had begun to take a turn beyond mutual need and desire.
Yet he had little time today to ponder that. He had several meetings scheduled, beginning in only a few hours. For that reason, he took one last glance at Raina and forced himself to leave before he disregarded his duty.
As he walked the hall toward his room, Dharr immediately noticed Abid standing near the doorway, leaning against the wall, holding a newspaper in his hand. Obviously it was much later than Dharr had realized, and much too late to conceal exactly where he had spent the night. No doubt his assistant had seen him leave Raina’s quarters. Of course, he could say he’d forgotten something in his room. Or he could say nothing at all since it was not Raneer’s concern, and he could trust him not to ask any questions.
“Are you certain spending the evening with Miss Kahlil was wise, your grace?” Abid asked as Dharr approached, shattering all expectations.
Dharr pushed open the door without looking at him. “I had to retrieve something from my room.”
“I see.”
The suspicion in Abid’s tone, though warranted, did not please Dharr. He turned on his assistant and gave him a steely look. “Why you are here so early in the morning?”
Abid offered the newspaper. “I thought you should see this immediately.”
Dharr took the paper and understood all too well his assistant’s concern when the front-page headline came into view. Yet the accompanying photograph was much more telling—and damning—a picture of the sheikh and the princess standing near the shop where they had taken shelter, his arm around her and her head resting on his shoulder.
For a long moment Dharr stared at the paper in stunned disbelief before leveling his gaze on Abid. “Do you know how this came to be?”
“I presume the press made this assumption from that photograph taken last evening.”
Dharr slammed the paper down on the nearby desk. “I ordered you to keep the press away.”
“We carried out that order as best we could. That photograph could have been taken by a local or a tourist, then sold for a substantial sum.”
“Are we certain no one among the staff is responsible for this?”
“I have no way of knowing for certain.”
After pacing the room for a few moments, Dharr walked to the window and stared out over the landscape. The sun had begun to rise on the city, normally his favorite time of day. Yet he dreaded what might come in the following hours.
“What did the article say about the princess?” he asked, keeping his back to Abid.
“Only that she has been living in America.”
Dharr turned and faced his attaché again. “Has the sultan seen it?”
“Not as far as I know.”
“Good.”
“But he is quoted in the article.”
“Quoted?”
“You both have his blessing on the union and he hopes you both get to know each other well.”
Idris had no idea how well they knew each other, and if he did know, he would no doubt withdraw any blessings. And worse, Raina would soon learn of the news. He could not begin to speculate how she would react. “I would prefer to tell the princess about this myself.”
Abid nodded. “I will make certain she comes to you when she awakens. How do you wish to respond?”
Collapsing into the chair near the foot of the bed, Dharr rubbed his unshaven chin. “I
will consider that in the next few hours.”
“I could demand a retraction.”
“That would call more attention to the princess.”
“And if we say nothing, more supposition will abound.”
How well Dharr knew that to be true, yet he was too exhausted to consider anything other than taking a shower to ready for his day—and how he would break the news to Raina. After she discovered that the entire country, quite possibly many countries, had begun to assume she had returned to marry him, she would want to leave immediately. Even if not, she would probably withdraw from him, and that bothered Dharr on a deeper level than he cared to acknowledge.
“One more thing,” Abid said in a serious tone. “I heard from the king this morning.”
“And he said?”
“He will be cutting his trip short in order to return the night of the reception for the Doriana diplomats at the end of the week.”
“Did he say why?” Dharr asked though he already had his suspicions.
“He mentioned he wanted to be present for the official announcement of your engagement.”
Dharr did not bother to inquire how his father was already privy to the news. As it had always been, any information involving his activities traveled at lightning speed.
He stood and indicated the door. “You may go now, Abid. I will see you in the conference room within the hour.”
Abid executed a slight bow. “As you wish, your grace.” He turned but as he reached the door, faced Dharr again. “You may trust that what I witnessed this morning will go no further.”
“I appreciate your loyalty.”
Yet Dharr doubted Raina would appreciate any of the recent events, except perhaps what had happened between them last night. At least he hoped that would be the case, because it seemed it would probably be the last time.
Raina realized she didn’t look at all different this morning. A flicker of heat radiated from the inside out as she stood in front of the bedroom mirror, combing out her damp hair in long strokes reminiscent of Dharr’s touch. She both dreaded and longed to see him again. Dreaded it because she didn’t want to find any regret in his eyes. Longed for it because she missed him more than she thought possible.
When the knock came at the door, she fumbled with and flipped the brush onto the dresser with a noisy clatter, nervous anticipation making it impossible to maintain a firm grip on anything, especially her composure. But when she opened the door to Badya again, anticipation turned to frustration.
Badya whisked past her carrying a full tray and sporting a cheery smile. “I have come with your breakfast, yáahil.”
The last thing Raina wanted was food even though she should be starving. But what she wanted right now was a little bit of privacy, or a lot more of Dharr.
Raina grabbed up the brush and resumed grooming without looking at Badya. “You’re determined to fatten me up while I’m here, aren’t you?”
“Yes. That is my job. To tend to your needs, as I have in the past. As soon as I change your linens, I will be out of your way.”
Before she could protest, Raina heard Badya’s gasp coming from the direction of the bed.
“Oh, Raina. What have you done?”
Raina gripped the brush and closed her eyes. She could imagine exactly what Badya was seeing—the obvious signs of first-time lovemaking marking the sheets, faint but discernible.
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Badya. It was just a visit from the monthly curse.”
“Or perhaps a visit from the sheikh. I am not a fool, yáahil.”
Raina turned to issue another rebuttal, only to find Badya staring at the condom packages on the nightstand. She had no recourse but to tell her former nanny the truth.
She leaned back against the dresser, gripping the robe tightly to her. “It’s no big deal, Badya.” Lie number one. “Neither of us planned it.” Lie number two. “I doubt it will happen again.” Lie number three, or so Raina hoped, even now that she’d been caught.
Badya collapsed into the settee near the window. “It meant nothing more to you than that? Did your mother and I not teach you anything?”
No, but Dharr had. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you or my mother. It was my decision, and it’s done.”
“In my day, you two would be forced to marry after such behavior.”
“It is not your day and neither of us intend to marry.”
Badya shook her head. “I am very disappointed in the sheikh. He should know better than to take advantage of an innocent.”
This time Raina laughed. “I hate to tell you this, but it wasn’t all his idea. Your little girl’s grown up, Badya. She’s a woman now.” A woman who happened to be very enamored of a man who was the consummate lover.
“That might be true, but you are still my bint.”
Raina pushed away from the bureau, walked to Badya, leaned down and hugged her neck. “I’ll always be your little girl in a way. And I hope you won’t say anything to anyone about this.”
Badya laid a hand on her ample breasts. “I would never do such a thing, even though I would greatly like to give the sheikh a good scolding.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Raina suspected he’d already scolded himself quite a bit on this morning after. Funny, she didn’t feel like doing any such thing. She had no regrets whatsoever, only some fine memories of a fantastical experience.
After coming to her feet, Badya embraced Raina again. “I have much to do this morning, so I will leave you for now to dress, then return with fresh linens. Unless you require something else of me. Perhaps my advice on the virtue of being virtuous?”
Too late. “That’s enough, Badya. It’s done and nothing can change that.”
Badya shook her head. “Yes, you are right. I only hope you do not suffer from your decision.”
Suffering was not an appropriate word to describe Raina’s mood. Euphoric would come much closer although she didn’t dare tell that to her self-appointed guardian. “I want to see Papa. Is he awake?”
“Yes, but first the sheikh would like a word with you.”
“Now?”
“Immediately.” Badya gave her a quick once over. “Or at least after you dress appropriately, although I am certain he has seen you in much less.”
Obviously the woman wasn’t going to let it go. Normally Raina would toss out a blistering retort, but she knew that would be futile under the circumstance. “Did the sheikh say what he wanted with me?”
Badya clucked her tongue while Raina bit hers. “I can only imagine. But he did not say exactly.”
“Did he seem at all upset?”
“Yes, and with good cause.”
Reaching around Raina, Badya snatched the newspaper from the breakfast tray and held it up. “Congratulations, Princess Kahlil. It seems you are going to be the next queen of Azzril.”
Eight
“‘The Sheikh Claims His Bride’? Oh, please.”
Dharr glanced up from the museum blueprints to Raina standing in the entry of the conference room, the newspaper clutched in her raised fist. With her hair bound high atop her head, her golden eyes alight with anger, she looked so much like an adult version of the former hellion, he almost smiled. Almost. Though she had greatly matured, he could not trust that she would not attempt to wrestle him to the ground. However appealing that might be at the moment, it would definitely not be appropriate for the seriousness of the situation.
“Close the door,” he told her as he stood and rounded the lengthy table.
After she obeyed, Raina strode across the room to stand before him. “Do you have any idea how much trouble this is going to cause us?”
Dharr’s current trouble involved recovering enough of his will not to kiss her or release each button on the plain white blouse to touch his lips to the valley of her breasts. “I do not consider it all that troublesome.” A small falsehood to assist in alleviating her concerns.
“Are you serious?” She shook out the paper and
held it up in his face. “Nice picture, don’t you think? And that headline. Priceless. Funny, no one asked me a thing about my engagement.”
As she turned her back and began to walk the room, Dharr said, “Our betrothal has been common knowledge for many years.”
When she spun on him with fury calling out from her eyes, Dharr realized he had said the wrong thing.
“Is that why you really brought me here?” she asked. “Are you plotting with my father to make sure that I uphold our ridiculous arrangement? Maybe that’s what last night was all about, deflower the sultan’s daughter and then she would have to marry you?”
Dharr tamped down his anger over the accusations, particularly the final one, knowing that her distress was speaking for her. “I assure you, I had nothing to do with this. The media has a way of skewing the truth to suit their insatiable appetite for sensational news. As I’ve told you before, I have no desire to marry now or in the near future. And in regard to our evening together, I believe that was mutual.” As well as unforgettable despite his guilt.
She looked somewhat contrite. “I’m sorry. You’re right. At least about last night. But if you didn’t leak this information, then who did?”
“It is only speculation due to our appearance together last evening. Those who would wish it to be will believe it.”
“My father, for one.” She tossed the paper onto the table behind him. “He thinks a marriage between us would be the best thing since the invention of crossword puzzles and electric razors. This will thrill him.”
He weighed his options and chose to unveil his own supposition. “Your father could be in part responsible.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” she said with conviction.
“Did you not read the entire article? He has been quoted.”
She grabbed the newspaper again and skimmed it silently before saying, “I can’t believe he would stoop so low as to use the press to further his own pipe dreams.”
“Perhaps he was not entirely responsible, yet he did seem rather pleased to give his blessing.”
