The Legacy Collection Box Set

by Ruth Cardello

  “I can assure you that my reasons for attending this wedding are none of your concern.”

  True to his reputation, Stephan didn’t take the hint. “Andrade Global is now an affiliate of Corisi Enterprises. Instead of going home empty-handed, you might want to consider that.”

  “I didn’t come here to talk business, Stephan.”

  “Didn’t you?” Stephan smiled confidently. “Dominic will be gone on his honeymoon for at least a week, and Jake has temporarily checked out. When they return, they’ll both be busy with the scheduled Chinese server project. Andrade Global is your best viable option. Think about it.” He held out his business card.

  Rachid ignored it. “Why the interest, Stephan?”

  Stephan’s hand dropped to his side. “I admire what you’re trying to do for Najriad.”

  “Your approval is of no importance to me.”

  Stephan’s smile shifted to a knowing grin. “But my ability to land you the type of high-profile contract you’re looking for is.”

  “I am here to honor an old friendship.”

  “Don’t let your pride cost you the win, Rachid. I may not be your first choice, but can you afford to leave here with nothing?” He offered the card to Rachid again.

  Rachid pocketed it reluctantly. He would have loved to throw that card right back into Stephan’s face, but he had a sinking feeling that the man was right. Even a rat eventually looked appetizing to a starving man. “Your instincts are good. When would you like to discuss this further?”

  “I can fly out to meet with you on Tuesday.”

  “I will be in Nilon in my father’s palace.”

  “Perfect.” Beginning to turn away, Stephan stopped and added, “Tuesday, then.”

  Rachid reached for another glass of champagne. There were many things he wanted to say to the overly smug man, but he held his tongue. His country just might need him. “Tuesday.”

  Stephan added, “Hey, and good luck with Zhang. My guess is that you’ll need it.”

  Rachid didn’t dignify the comment with a response. He turned with both glasses in hand and headed back toward Zhang with a lighter step.

  No, he hadn’t gotten Corisi Enterprises to offer a contract, but Stephan’s offer brought more relief than he cared to admit. A small press release could announce the possible alliance with Andrade Global and justify his temporary absence. He didn’t want to get too hopeful, but the right contract, even with someone like Stephan, might improve his public image and could go a long way in helping to stabilize the borders. His people needed a reason to believe in him. He hoped this would be the first step toward winning their trust.

  Either way, there is nothing more that can be done tonight.

  Time to relax a bit and perhaps enjoy the evening. As he approached Zhang, she backed away from him and disappeared around the corner of the large white tent.

  Now what is that woman up to?

  Not following her didn’t even occur to him.

  Just do it.

  Zhang planted her feet firmly in the lush grass. No turning back now.

  What if he doesn’t follow me?

  Shaking off the negative question, Zhang reminded herself that nothing positive came from worrying about what might not happen. Success came from charging forward. Or, in the words of the American motivational speaker Tony Robbins, from taking “massive, determined action.”

  That’s what this situation needed before their reason for standing together disappeared and she lost what might have been her only chance. One kiss and her side of the bargain would be done.

  She held her breath and waited.

  Light footsteps approached.

  Her heart jumped in her chest when Rachid stepped around the corner of the tent and into the privacy the temporary cloth alley created. His brows met in question as he walked toward her. “Zhang?” he asked, his tone concerned, a glass of champagne still in either hand.

  She closed the distance between them with a few determined strides and grabbed him by the lapels of his tux, pulling him down toward her. She grated, “I’m done trying to be subtle. Let’s just get this over with.”

  Rising to her tiptoes, she met his lips with a force that stunned them both for a moment.

  Heat exploded between them, and what was supposed to be a brief touch lingered. After only the slightest hesitation, his mouth settled on hers and began a quest of its own. His tongue teased, then plundered.

  As her knees buckled beneath her, Zhang was suddenly steadying herself against Rachid rather than pulling him to her. Drowning beneath a wave of passion, she forgot the wedding, forgot the dare, and left the world behind. The thud of glasses dropping to the ground was followed by the heavenly feeling of Rachid’s hands closing around her waist and pulling her closer. His lips moved across her cheek and down her neck, his hot breath tickling as it excited.

  Impatiently, her hands sought more of him. They slid beneath his jacket and closed around the warm muscles of his back. His mouth returned to hers, demanding a submission that she gave gladly as he lifted her off her feet and the kiss intensified.

  The sound of the wedding planner calling for them brought Zhang quickly back to reality.

  She turned her head to one side, breaking the kiss off, and took a shaky breath. “You can put me down now,” she said.

  “I could,” he said, and smiled against her neck.

  Awkward didn’t begin to describe how she felt. She could only imagine what he thought of her. “Put me down,” she said coldly.

  He eased her gently back onto her feet but didn’t release her. “If you wanted to get my attention, you have it now.”

  Zhang squirmed a bit in his embrace, but his hold only tightened on her. “They’re looking for us.”

  He nuzzled her ear and she shuddered. “Let them look.”

  She put her hands between the two of them and pushed against him a bit. “You may have gotten the wrong impression of me.”

  He raised his head and studied her upturned face. “I don’t think so. You’re an incredibly intelligent, spirited woman who takes what she wants.” One of his hands shifted down to span the small of her back. “I could enjoy that for a night.”

  With one firm shove, Zhang pushed away from him. “Thanks for the offer, but I must decline. All I needed was the kiss.” She straightened her clothing. In response to the surprise in his face, she said, “You wouldn’t understand.” She stepped toward her escape.

  He blocked her path. “Try me.”

  Ignoring how his nearness sent flutters through her stomach, Zhang said, “If you must know, it was a dare.”

  He grabbed her wrist, the lines of his face becoming harsh. “Like a joke?”

  She tried and failed to free herself from his grasp. “No, not a joke. It was supposed to—I really can’t explain it. All I can do is say that weddings make women a little crazy.” She sent him a harassed glare. “Can we leave it at that?”

  He turned her hand over in his. “You intrigue me, Zhang Yajun. Is this normal for you, or am I your first wedding ambush?”

  Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. “What are the chances we could forget this happened?”

  “Pretty close to zero.”

  “And what exactly is it going to take to get you to let go of my arm?”

  He smiled and said, “I’d settle for an explanation.” When she let out a relieved breath he laughed, “What were you thinking the price would be?”

  Zhang couldn’t help it—she returned his smile. “You have a dirty mind.”

  His smile widened. “Says the woman who jumped an unsuspecting man who had simply come back here to make sure she was okay.”

  She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Poor man.”

  “Lucky man,” he said softly, and she blushed again. With a tug, he pulled her against him. She craned her neck back to look up at his face, the wild beating of their hearts synchronizing. “Are you going to tell me, or should I kiss it out of you?”

  Zhang
gulped.

  Tough choice.

  Her body quivered in anticipation even as her mind listed all the reasons why a hasty retreat was the wisest option. “How do you know you’d succeed?”

  He leaned down until their lips almost touched and said, “The fun would be in trying.”

  Yes, it would be.

  A glimmer of sanity returned.

  No, it would not.

  This has already gone too far.

  Maybe a little honesty was just what this situation needed. “I wanted to prove something to myself.”

  “And did you?” he asked in a whisper.

  Yes, that all of my bits and pieces are still functioning perfectly, even if my brain is temporarily on the fritz. “Yes,” she whispered back.

  “You really want to end this with one kiss?”

  She wondered how many women had melted and surrendered when he’d asked that question in that husky tone. She was sure she didn’t want to know. The thought of him with another woman gave her the strength to resist. “It seems like the wisest course of action.”

  Rachid shook his head in mock disappointment. “I thought you were braver than that, Zhang.”

  “You don’t even know me.”

  “I’d like to.”

  “For one night.”

  His expression sobered. “I don’t have more than that to offer.”

  Honestly, neither did she, at least not to a man who had his own overwhelming amount of responsibility. She may have, in a moment or two of weakness, researched the prince online. What had stemmed from mere curiosity had become more intense as she’d learned more about his country. Anything long-term between them was out of the question. He would never relocate, and she couldn’t imagine herself in his country any more than she could imagine herself moving back to her old village. Still, what woman wouldn’t be tempted by a gorgeous and confident man like Rachid? Unlike so many of the men she met who wanted something either financial or political from her, Rachid was promising her a night of mutual pleasuring without asking for anything in return. No strings. No regrets. Tempting, but not a wise choice. “It would be incredibly reckless.”

  He ran a hand gently over one of her cheeks. “Why don’t we start by simply enjoying the wedding together?”

  Although it was highly unlikely that more time with this man was going to make the decision easier, Zhang was powerless to deny him. “I could do that.”

  His hands slid lower, closing over the curve of her behind and pulling her against his excitement. “The cost of your freedom is one kiss.”

  “You said it was an explanation.”

  “I changed my mind,” he murmured and his lips descended down onto hers again—testing.

  Instantly, feverishly, they clung to each other. His strong hands lifted her to fit her more tightly against him. Had it not been for the length of her gown, she would have wrapped her legs around his waist. As it was, their clothing did little to stop either of them from exploring.

  With an expletive Zhang didn’t understand, Rachid set her back from him and said, “Come, let’s return to the wedding before I lose control and take you here on the grass.”

  Not exactly a threat when I’ve considered doing the same.

  Zhang quickly collected her thoughts and kept her features tightly controlled. If she was careful, she could spend an amazing and passionately charged evening with this incredible man and call it to a halt before it went too far. A few kisses. A little flirtation. Isn’t that what Lil said happened at an American wedding? Hadn’t she been careful long enough? She’d denied herself anything intimate and kept her focus on her business. What would one evening hurt as long as no one knew? “You go first. I don’t want anyone to know we were alone back here.”

  Rachid looked down at her quickly. “Concerned about your reputation?”

  His question stung. People made assumptions about her and her morality based on her lifestyle. Normally she shrugged it off as a price she paid for being free. She wanted—needed—Rachid to understand. “I may live by my own rules, but I have a family and I won’t dishonor them.”

  He touched her cheek again softly. “Anything we do will be discrete. I promise you that.” When she opened her mouth to respond to him, he gently placed one finger over her lips and said, “And if nothing happens at all, my opinion of you will remain the same—you are one fascinating woman, Zhang.”

  A female voice called out from a short distance, “Zhang? Are you back here?”

  Damn.

  Zhang looked into those amazing black eyes and said, “That’s Lil. She shouldn’t find us like this.”

  After one last brief kiss, Rachid nodded his agreement and walked away in the opposite direction of Lil’s voice.

  Zhang let out a long breath and brought a shaky hand to her mouth, savoring the lingering warmth of his touch.

  If this is a dream, don’t wake me up yet.

  Lil bounded around the tent and stopped dead when she saw Zhang. “There you are! Abby wants a picture with the whole wedding party and no one could find you.”

  Zhang straightened her dress and boldly lied. “I needed a moment alone.”

  Instantly, Lil’s expression changed and she swept closer, making Zhang regret her choice of excuses. “I’m so sorry. I know how you feel about weddings.”

  A secret smile tugged at the corners of Zhang’s lips. I may have just changed my opinion of them. “Please do not be concerned, Lil. I’m fine.”

  Lil looked around, saw the glasses of champagne at Zhang’s feet and drew her own conclusion. “I’m an ass. I shouldn’t have dared you to kiss that sheikh. It was childish and stupid. Forget I even said it.”

  Real concern clouded her friend’s eyes and tore at Zhang’s composure. This wasn’t fun if it hurt someone. “It wasn’t childish, Lil. You wanted to give me a reason to smile today and you did.”

  Lil countered, “Really? Then why are you hiding back here drinking by yourself?”

  “I wasn’t . . .”

  Lil shook her head sadly, clearly not believing her. After all, the evidence was at her feet.

  “I was with Rachid.”

  Lil’s jaw dropped open. “The sheikh?”

  Zhang kept her expression serene, although some amusement filtered into her tone. “Is there more than one here tonight?”

  A slow grin swept all worry from the brunette’s face. “Holy crap! You kissed him, didn’t you?”

  Zhang nodded, a proud smile bursting forth.

  Lil hopped in excitement and hugged her. “You are one hot shit, Zhang! I love it!”

  Pulling back slightly from her over exuberant friend, Zhang repeated the label. “Hot shit.” She mulled the term. “I can’t say I’ve been called that before. It’s a compliment?”

  Lil was practically dancing with excitement and might have hugged her again had Zhang not taken another step back. She enjoyed Lil, but the constant touching was something she wasn’t quite used to.

  Lil said, “From me, it’s a huge one. You’re my new hero.”

  Now I know I’m in trouble.

  Suddenly sobering a bit, Zhang asked, “Can we keep this between the two of us?”

  “Absolutely,” Lil said. She linked arms with Zhang and together they started walking toward the wedding party. “I can keep a secret.”

  Zhang paused, causing Lil to come to an abrupt halt beside her, and simply looked up at her until the younger woman blushed.

  “When it’s important,” Lil qualified.

  Zhang’s eyebrows rose in challenge.

  “Do you want me to pinkie-swear?” Lil asked in growing offense.

  Zhang started walking again, but this time she was smiling. “No, one per wedding is all I can handle.”

  Lil hugged Zhang’s arm to her side and laughed as they strolled together. She added in a stage whisper, “I can’t believe you did it.”

  Lil’s enthusiasm was impossible to resist. A light laugh burst from her as Zhang conceded, “I can’t ei
ther.” She gave her friend’s arm a slight squeeze. No matter how the evening ended, Zhang had taken a risk, and the result was that she felt more alive and hopeful than she had in years. Life shouldn’t be a story about what the world did with you; it should be about what you did with the world. “Thank you.”

  Nearing the grassy area where the wedding party was already standing in position, waiting to complete the photos, Zhang couldn’t help but sneak a look at Rachid. He was standing with the other groomsmen on one side of Dominic. Composed. Looking every bit the visiting monarch he was.

  Lil announced, “I found Zhang! She was . . .” Her hesitation hung heavy in the silence as everyone waited. “Lost,” she finished lamely.

  All eyes flew to Zhang. Thanks, Lil, now people are wondering if I’m drunk. Agreeing was easier than attempting another cover story, so she shrugged and concurred, “So many tents that all look alike.”

  Abby broke the awkward pause that followed. She waved Lil and Zhang toward her side. “Well, come on! We’ve been waiting for you. Get over here. Just a few more photos and then we can go eat.”

  Lil took her spot near her sister.

  Zhang headed toward the other bridesmaids, looking over at Rachid one last time as she joined them. His expression gave nothing away as he stared back at her. It would be easy enough to convince herself that she had imagined the entire alley exchange.

  He was right to pretend nothing had happened.

  Nothing had.

  Not really.

  Just one meaningless kiss.

  Better forgotten.

  Then Rachid winked at her and the photographer recorded Zhang’s happy responding flush.

  In the words of one expressive American: Holy crap.

  Chapter Three

  Seated chastely with the bridal party at a large, round table in the enormous white main tent, Zhang laid her napkin across her lap. Everywhere she looked there was a combination of practical and bold designs. The table decorations were simple crystal vases of white orchids that complemented the enormous size of the tent and the opulence of the hanging chandeliers. It was easy to distinguish which ideas had come from the bride and which had come from the groom. The blend of both of their styles was a lovely and impressive display of their love.