by Leah Leonard
Sheikh’s
Demand
Leah Leonard
Copyright © 2015 Leah Leonard
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Characters, names, locations and events and incidents (in either a contemporary and/or historical setting) are products of the author’s imagination and are being used in an imaginary manner as part of this work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, settings, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ISBN-13: 978-1517257262
ISBN-10: 1517257263
DEDICATION
To my readers, may you find your own happily ever after.
also by leah leonard
Sheikh’s Desire
Sheikh’s Dream
Sheikh’s Design
Road to Casablanca
Kiss at Blarney Castle
Love Letters From Sunset Hill
Country Gold
Man of the Year
Promise You’ll Never Forget Me
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my family Mickey, Gail and Mark as always for your constant support of my writing endeavors, and to my many friends who continue to be a source of inspiration and encouragement. Thank you all!
CHAPTER ONE
Sarah Taylor stood on the arid ground amidst the fragmented ruins of Troy, the city she dreamed about visiting for the past several years. An archeology major in college, she had the amazing good fortune of winning a summer scholarship to Turkey to study the ancient ruins around Troy and Ephesus.
Off in the distance, a small but supposedly life sized replica of the famous Trojan horse stood as a model of what things might have looked like so many years ago, only now, the once mighty city with the impenetrable walls was nothing more than an outline of stones that marked the boundaries of this wonder of the world.
She stood with the other eleven students and watched various hosts and speakers approach a podium, welcoming them to the area. “Welcome, dignified scholars, to what was once the center of the ancient world. With walls so sturdy they believed nothing could get through, masters of manipulation breeched this ancient city. Archeologists are still here, working to find new discoveries that may help us all understand those ancient people who once called this home. It is my great honor to introduce our major benefactor for this expedition, Sultan Deniz of Istanbul.”
Deniz? Sarah knew that name. It couldn’t be the same person though. Just a coincidence.
A distinguished older gentleman walked to the front of the crowd. “Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Turkey. My grandson and I are pleased to host you during your time in our beautiful country and congratulate you on your many academic achievements. Welcome to Troy, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. With its 4,000 year history, in scientific terms, these extensive remains are among the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. Moreover, the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13th or 12th century B.C., immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, has inspired great creative artists throughout the world ever since.
Famed archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann was the first person to conduct excavations at this site in 1870. Over the course of the summer, you will learn more about this area, as well as many other treasured Turkish antiquities and we are grateful for your participation and interest in assisting us in learning more about our ancestors, and wait with eager anticipation to see what new discoveries await us.”
Sarah was captivated by the speech and interested in all that the Sultan said, but despite the fact she’d waited her whole life to get here, she couldn’t help becoming distracted by the gorgeous man behind the older gentleman who reminded her of someone she had tried for years to forget.
“My grandson Ghazi and I hope you enjoy your day at the ruins and invite you to a special dinner event tonight. Thank you.” The Sultan bowed and the gathered crowd applauded as he went to join the young man.
Sarah watched intently as the Sultan approached his grandson. Jet black hair, glittering dark eyes, creamy cocoa skin and the biggest, whitest smile she had ever seen. He had movie star good looks and appeared to be about her age – twenty-five. Ghazi hadn’t changed a bit since high school, other than becoming more gorgeous than he was back then –if that were even possible. Age often improved men, she’d noticed, and this was yet another prime example of that fact. Still, surely it couldn’t be the same guy, could it?
“Hi, I’m Maureen.”
“Hi.” Startled out of her admiration, Sarah turned to face a plump older woman older woman in her mid fifties with a thick frame and dark brown hair streaked with gray. “You must be Sarah.”
“Uh yes…”
“I think you’re my roommate this summer according to this,” Maureen held up the packet of information all the scholars received in the mail a month and a half ago.
“Oh...”
“I know,” Maureen chuckled. “Didn’t expect to have a roommate over twenty, right? I’m whatcha call a second chancer. I’m just finishing up my degree at…well, let’s say a ripe old age, after raising a bunch of kids.”
Sarah could only imagine what her shocked expression must have looked like. “I…no, I mean I didn’t mean anything by that. I was thinking about something else.” Someone, rather, but hey, she and Maureen just met. There was no need to bring up her daydreams and high school fantasies from her past.
“Don’t worry about it, kiddo. You’re fine. I’ve been getting a lot of those looks since going back to school. Doesn’t faze me in the least.”
Sarah caught a glimpse of the gorgeous man again, just over Maureen’s shoulder and the shear charisma of the man sent her head jerking to one side, rudely ignoring her new roommate.
“Looks like you’re busy,” Maureen noticed. “I’ll see ya later, kiddo.”
“Wait, I’m sorry.”
Maureen glanced over her shoulder and immediately saw the object of Sarah’s attention. “I see. He’s quite a looker, huh? Anyhow, see ya around.”
“Sorry,” Sarah apologized but immediately resumed her focus on the gorgeous man when she heard the Sultan speak his name again. Ghazi wasn’t exactly a normal name, and there was absolutely nothing average about the boy she met in high school or the man she saw here.
Still, how in the world could this happen? What was the likelihood? To actually see someone you knew so long ago, so far from home in such an exotic setting was unreal. The odds had to be a million to one. At least! She’d be more likely to have been struck by lightning, and yet, here she was, and there he was, the one guy who she could never, ever forget.
She never got over Ghazi. Even now, the memories of her awkward high school days haunted her. She never forgot that one night when Ghazi seemed focused on her and her alone. Did she imagine he wanted only her or were his actions real? She would never know for sure. She still recalled how swiftly he unhooked her bra and ran his hands over every inch of her body, the hot wet kisses from her lips to her neck and shoulders, the rise of passion….
She wanted to run away, as quickly as possible so she wouldn’t have to face this man and find out whether or not it was the man she knew and worse, whether or not he actually liked her back then. She turned the opposite direction of the crowd, rushing in a half jog through the toppled ruins toward the waiting tour busses when somebody tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around.
“Sarah?” Ghazi’s perfect white teeth nearly blinded her. “Sarah Taylor?”
Her mouth fell open, her heart nearly pounded out of her chest and for once, all she could manage to say was, “Uh…”
“It’s me, Ghazi. Remember?” His black eyes flashed and the misc
hievous grin she’d come to love reminded her of why he was so good, and so bad for her. “From high school?”
Did he really think she wouldn’t remember him? That was hilarious to think about. Women would pin posters of men like him on their walls. “Ghazi?” She tried to pretend to be surprised, but any idiot could see she was anything but.
Sadly, he was even better looking close up. Shockingly beautiful. She could never forget such a face, nor could any other girl of childbearing age.
“How are you?” He held her gaze with his wide smile. He appeared genuinely happy to see her.
“Great. How are you?”
“It’s amazing to see you. I told my grandfather I knew you when we were reviewing the scholarship recipient’s paperwork last week. He couldn’t believe it. Quite a coincidence, huh?” That smile blinded her.
She tried to ignore those teeth, the full lips, the curved muscular shoulders. “Yeah, absolutely.”
“Congratulations.” Ghazi paused and waited for her reply, but Sarah was too busy staring. “On the scholarship, I mean.”
“Thanks. It’s an incredible opportunity for me. Thank you for that, and your family. Really.” She felt awkward and the all too familiar high school flush rose up from her center. Her cheeks were on fire, she just knew it. She tried to take a breath, calm down and act cool and change the subject, but the only thing that came out was, “I…still can’t believe it’s you. I…missed you.” Oh God! She did not just say that, did she?
Ghazi leaned his head back a bit as though he’d been slapped. That was the last thing a virile and eligible bachelor wanted to hear.
She sounded so needy! Trying to take it back, soften the blow, she added, “I mean at school. You always were the life of the party.”
He chuckled. “Yeah right. So you just graduated, huh?”
She nodded.
“And my grandfather said you’re at University of Texas now?”
“Yes, I’m lucky. I did a year at a community college, applied and wound up getting a full ride.” Sarah never ever forgot how incredibly lucky she was to have landed her funding. Without it, she would likely still be at the community college right now, or worse, waiting tables somewhere.
“There’s no luck to that, Sarah. I always knew you were a genius. I think we all did.” Ghazi’s smile dazzled her.
She hoped her mouth wasn’t gaping open! “Thanks. That’s nice of you to say.”
“I’m dead serious,” Ghazi took a step closer to her and his nostrils flared slightly.
Or did they? She may have been intoxicated by his cologne. Chills ran up her shoulders even though it had to be at least ninety degrees outside right now. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, the Sultan approached them from behind.
“Ghazi.” His voice boomed. Up close, the Sultan was an extremely handsome older man. Deep black eyes flashed from his weathered tanned skin, but still held a sparkle from youth. The man had that unseen something, charisma, which he apparently passed on to his grandson, big time.
“Grandfather, this is my friend I told you about, Sarah Taylor,” Ghazi beamed.
“Ms. Taylor, welcome.” The Sultan bowed slightly.
“Sultan Deniz, I am so very grateful for this opportunity, thank you so much for including me in this amazing adventure. I can’t think of anywhere in the world I’d rather be right now.” Sarah had never been so overwhelmed in her life as she was when she received the invitation letter, but now, with Ghazi here too, the whole scenario was absolutely surreal.
“It is our pleasure, is it not, Ghazi? My grandson tells me you knew each other in school and that I have made a wise decision bringing you here.” The Sultan studied her with his kind eyes. “And now that we have met, I feel certain he is correct.”
“Thank you, sir,” Sarah smiled, lowered her gaze and mimicked his bow. She wasn’t sure what to think about being around a real Sultan.
“I am not sure if he has told you, but Sheikh Ghazi has been quite busy since his return from America,” the Sultan explained. “He is to be next in line to run our family business. A major responsibility.”
She always knew Ghazi’s family was important in Turkey, but until now, never realized the extent of his influence. He was a Sheikh? Wasn’t that like royalty over here? “I’m so impressed, but I must say I’m not a bit surprised. I always thought Ghazi would help you and his father manage your company.”
The lively conversation came to a screeching halt with her last comment and Sarah had no idea why. Both Ghazi and his grandfather lowered their gazes and didn’t say a word.
“I apologize if I said something wrong,” Sarah said.
“No, no,” the Sultan forced a chuckle.
Ghazi sighed. “My father passed away.”
Sarah gasped and brought her hands over her mouth. She felt a millimeter high. “Oh no! I am so sorry for your loss.” She wanted to ask how it happened, but knew now was not the time. There may never be a good time to discuss it either, seeing how upset Ghazi and the Sultan seemed.
“Quite recently,” Ghazi added.
“I am so very sorry for you both. Seriously, I had no idea.”
“Think nothing of it, my dear,” the Sultan smiled. “We are here tonight to celebrate, to make new friends, begin a new chapter in our lives. We are pleased to have you with us.”
Before she could say another word, the Sultan walked away. “Ghazi, I am so sorry I brought up your dad. I had no idea.”
Ghazi cleared his throat again. “How could you? Grandfather wanted us to participate in this scholarship program just to help us move on and continue our company legacy, especially now.”
“I can see why, but I know that has to be incredibly difficult.” She wanted to hug him, or hold his hand, but she wasn’t sure how he would take it. Ghazi was a powerful man. He wouldn’t need comforting, or at least he wouldn’t show that he needed it, even if he did.
“Everyone,” their host announced. “Your bus is waiting to take you to your hotel. We will have plenty of time to tour this area during the remainder of the summer. Go now and we will see you for cocktails later this evening.”
“Ghazi,” the Sultan called from across the way. “Invite Sarah to join us.”
“Would you like to ride back to town with us in the limo?”
Off in the distance, Maureen waved. “I’ll save you a seat.”
“Uh…” Sarah’s mouth dropped open. “I….probably should go with the group. I’ll see you tonight, right?”
“If you say so, under one condition.” Ghazi demanded.
“What’s that?”
“You allow me to come get you at your hotel room so I can escort you personally to the cocktail party, dinner and show tonight. We have much to catch up on, don’t you agree?”
Sarah’s heart beat a little faster just looking at him and in reality, she would love to ride off with Ghazi and his grandfather right now and throw caution to the wind, but there was still that inner fear, the feeling that someone like him would never, ever be into someone like her. How long had it been? Five years. No…she thought. Longer than that. No matter how much she wanted to be with him and finish what they started in high school, she couldn’t. Not now, anyhow. She was here for business, not pleasure. Then again, it was just dinner, right? “Okay. Sounds good. What time?”
“Six sharp.”
“I’ll see you then,” she smiled, and ran to join the others.
CHAPTER TWO
Ghazi climbed into the back of the waiting limo and slid across the leather seats with only one thing on his mind, Sarah Taylor. The girl had grown into a beautiful woman and he couldn’t wait to see more of her in the coming days. Her hair had grown thick and long, a wavy chestnut color and fell around her shoulders and down her back. The faint scent of her shampoo still lingered in his nostrils and he imagined running his fingers through her thick mane, tipping her neck back just so and kissing her.
"There you are," Sultan’s voice
boomed, jerking him from his aroused state. "I thought you might take the bus to town."
Ghazi growled. "Hardly."
"You should have.”
“She had a friend with her, besides, I have to play hard to get,” Ghazi smirked.
The Sultan gave him the same disapproving glance he’d seen a thousand times growing up. “You don't want that one to get away."
"I will see her in a few hours. That's good enough."
"If you say so. Here." Sultan handed him a cup of Turkish tea and raised his glass. “A toast.”
"What are we celebrating?" Ghazi asked. The family had been in such a dark place lately, he hardly thought now was the time for celebration. Peace maybe, but cheer? Not yet.
"Your new lady friend, of course. Her name was…?"
"Sarah," Ghazi sighed. "And I told you, there's nothing between us."
"Oh?" Sultan teased. “Not even in high school?”
"No. Absolutely not."
“You didn’t take her to dinner or to the school dance?”
“Grandfather, no. I didn’t go to the prom.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. Look, it doesn’t matter. That was years ago anyhow and I can tell you, she and I have nothing between us, and probably never will.” He had to admit, seeing her today, he wouldn’t mind if they did develop something this summer.
"Perhaps you're right.” His grandfather tipped back his tea and poured himself another. “You certainly failed to persuade her to join us this afternoon."
“Grandfather, please, can we drop it?” Ghazi would never disrespect the man, but the Sultan had been driving him crazy lately.
