Claimed by the Sheikh

by Rachael Thomas

  ‘You can’t just wander the streets of London without security or an escort. You’re a princess.’ He marched alongside her as they made their way to the lift.

  ‘How dare you?’ She rounded on him. ‘I’ve been wandering the streets of Paris for the last few months, no thanks to you. I’m sure I can manage to go out alone and buy a dress in London.’

  ‘Don’t be so dramatic. You make it sound like you were destitute, when the reality was very different.’ He turned as the lift doors opened, walking in without a backward glance, obviously intent on being her escort and security.

  More infuriated than she’d ever been, she marched in after him. ‘What do you mean: “the reality was very different”?’ she asked as the lift enclosed them, wishing he wouldn’t keep alluding to such things. If he’d thought she would approach him after that night and ask for financial support he didn’t know her at all.

  An uneasy feeling settled over her, as if he was waiting for her to trip up. He obviously didn’t believe a word she said.

  ‘You are a princess, and you should be living like one—no matter where that is.’ His gaze held hers as he folded his arms across his chest and nonchalantly leaned against the polished lift wall, as if having such discussions in a lift were part of everyday life.

  Shocked to the core, she could only stand and look at him, but his changing expression showed he was fast losing patience. He talked as if he’d given her vast sums of money, as if such an act had appeased the guilt of his rejection. Last night she’d pushed aside those suggestions that she’d been given money without much thought, but now it niggled in her mind.

  Now wasn’t the time to ask questions. He obviously thought she was trying to get as much money from him as possible. Why disabuse him of that opinion when it might just be what she needed? If he thought that was what she was doing, then getting him to agree to a divorce would be much easier, especially since she’d finally accepted the truth, despite how she felt about him—she needed to be completely free of him.

  ‘Obviously your idea of how a princess lives is different to mine,’ she taunted him, pleased when he drew in a sharp breath. Let him think she’d spent all his money. She didn’t want it and she didn’t want him. The important thing was to be able to make Claude well. That was all that mattered right now and she’d do well to remember that when her heart hammered as soon as he came close.

  ‘At least we both know where we stand now.’ His voice was harsh and he looked away from her, giving her the opportunity to study him. The wild ruggedness she had fallen for when she’d first met him wasn’t so apparent now, as if abandoning the desert sands to rule his country was slowly taming him.

  The lift doors opened onto the busy hotel lobby and she almost ran out, still desperate to put as much distance between them as possible. Everything about him was messing with her emotions. ‘I’m not exactly going to run out on you. A young boy’s health is now dependent on me going to Barazbin—and on you keeping your word.’

  Kazim studied her for a moment and she watched a muscle flicker as he tensed his jaw, his lips pressed into a thin line of annoyance. She raised her brow at him, sending him a challenge despite knowing she shouldn’t. Just what was it about him that made her act so—irrationally?

  ‘Do not argue with me, Amber.’ His firm words irritated her and she glared at him. ‘I am coming with you.’

  She sighed in resignation, which earned her a questioning look. Determined not to show him just how much he was getting to her on every level, she waltzed out of the hotel. Within seconds, just as he’d done in Paris, he fell into step beside her. She scanned the boutiques of the affluent street, knowing they would be too far out of her price range. She was certainly in the wrong part of London for her current budget.

  ‘Kazim,’ she said, stopping in the street so suddenly other pedestrians would have collided with her if he hadn’t pulled her close. Flustered, she looked up into his eyes, as dark as ever, but, instead of the usual hard and passionless depths, they blazed with something so intense it echoed deep inside her. As if, with that one look, he was claiming her as his.

  ‘What is it now?’ A smile teased at the edges of his lips and her heart jumped then raced erratically, his change of mood confusing her, disarming her.

  She swallowed hard, not wanting to admit anything to him but she had no choice. ‘I can’t afford to shop here.’

  ‘We’ll go to the next one then,’ he said without taking his eyes from her face. Heat was spreading from his touch and the world around them stopped, blurred into oblivion, ceasing to exist. The hum of the traffic slipped away and it was just the two of them.

  Mentally she shook herself, trying to clear her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ‘What I mean is I can’t afford anything, not from this street.’

  He let go of her so abruptly she almost stumbled and the noises of the traffic rushed at her as if someone had suddenly turned the volume back up.

  * * *

  Kazim kept a tight rein on his temper. She certainly knew how to infuriate a man. He had no idea why he’d even decided to go with her. Shopping in any form was something he just didn’t do. But he’d glimpsed a hidden part of her as she’d studied the view from the suite earlier. He’d seen vulnerability as she’d stood at the hotel window. Vulnerability he was now compelled to protect.

  Of course his security team would have discreetly followed her, just as they were doing now, but she’d stirred in him an old need to protect and, along with it, bad memories from his childhood.

  He took her hand and the moment of hesitation in the soft brown of her eyes almost made him waver. ‘In here,’ he demanded roughly, not comfortable with the direction of his thoughts as he imagined her dressed for dinner in a sexy figure-hugging dress. ‘Get what you need for tonight and a further two days. I will attend to the bill.’

  Her hand loosened within his as he strode into the nearest boutique. He glanced down at her; the expression on her face was so desolate, so untainted that he wanted to hold her hard against him and kiss her lips.

  ‘Let’s just go back.’ She pulled on his hand, preventing him from going into the boutique, but he held her hand firmly, sensing she’d slip away into the crowded street if she got the slightest chance.

  ‘Go back?’ He knew his tone was harsh, but exasperation mixed with heady desire rushed around him mercilessly. He let her hand go, pushing open the door of the boutique and leaving her little option but to follow.

  Glamorous assistants rushed forward and instantly his control returned as he told them what was required, watching as they took over, guiding Amber towards the dressing rooms of the boutique. She looked back at him, her beautiful face almost frozen with horror.

  He turned his back on her, unable to deal with the need to protect her from hurt and harm that just being with her ignited. It was as if he was a young boy again, protecting his mother from his father’s wrath, boldly standing between, glaring at his father. He sighed and, with arms folded across his body, he stared broodingly out at the street, wondering just how everything had suddenly become so complicated.

  He’d come on a mission to reclaim his wife but, as he surveyed the passing traffic, he begrudgingly accepted why it was so important. He wanted to prove, once and for all, to his father that he was worthy of his time, his respect. Failure wasn’t an option, even if it was what his father had cruelly taunted him with, despite his weakened state of health.

  Kazim had to succeed, he had to return with Amber and take up his role as heir, but he hadn’t expected to want Amber so intensely, nor had he expected the desire that hummed through him just thinking of her. But, worse, he hadn’t anticipated she’d open up his past, bringing back the heartache from childhood and making him think and rationalise things he’d rather forget.

  But something else wasn’t right—ever since the first moment t
hey’d spoken, almost everything had come back to money. He’d sent her father money that would support her, but still it seemed it hadn’t been enough. Just what had she spent it all on?

  He pondered the question. Why live in such an appalling flat when he’d been more than generous? Was she really as broke as she’d just alluded to? Something didn’t quite make sense.

  Kazim turned his attention back to Amber, who was now watching as a seemingly endless bundle of bags were packed. He settled the bill and asked for the purchases to be delivered to the hotel without passing any comment. A discussion of what she’d done with the money could wait until later.

  ‘Let’s go,’ he said quietly, an unmistakable firmness in his voice. He was all too aware of her standing close to him. He could feel the heat of her body as if he stood in the middle of the desert beneath the sun’s unrelenting heat. ‘We have a few matters to sort out, Amber.’

  ‘Only your impossible attitude.’ She glared up at him as the heated words left her lips and he realised the assistant was tactfully looking down, studying the final bag just a little too much.

  ‘We can discuss that too if it makes you happy, but not here.’ He kept his voice light, wanting to avoid a public discussion. He hoped the assistant would be discreet. The last thing he needed right now was extra attention from the press. Headlines about his marriage would not help anyone.

  He looked at Amber and she dropped her gaze, her face looking so young and inexperienced he fought against the urge to kiss her, as he had earlier. Not just a brush of the lips, but a kiss full of fire and passion. Maybe he should just do it and get it out of his system instead of wondering how she’d taste, how her lips would feel against his. That gentle brush of lips in the car hadn’t been nearly enough. All it had done was ignite the flame that had simmered since they’d first met.

  Before he had time to say anything further she all but flounced out. He couldn’t believe how out of his depth he felt with her, just as he had done on their wedding night. The reasons had been different but the feelings the same. She brought out a passionate streak in him, something no other woman had done, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  * * *

  Amber couldn’t remember walking back to the hotel, but now she was once again within the confines of their luxury suite, wondering how Kazim managed to irritate her so much. He stood watching her, his presence dominating and consuming every breath of air. What was he waiting for her to explain? What did he want her to say now?

  The need to speak was taken away as a knock at the door broke the tension between them. She watched as an endless array of bags was delivered. Had she really bought that much? He must think her a shallow spendthrift. But it was what she’d wanted him to think, so why did it matter now?

  ‘I trust you are happy with your purchases,’ Kazim said, his mood changing as he closed the door. She looked at him, taken aback as a glimmer of humour lightened his eyes and tugged at his lips, melting her heart with incredible speed.

  ‘Yes, thank you,’ she said softly, wanting to defuse whatever it was that zipped between them, because retaliation certainly hadn’t helped so far. ‘There was no need for all of this, though; it cost a fortune.’

  ‘You are married to the Prince of Barazbin.’ He glared at her, that moment of humour gone, as if he thought she’d made a judgement on him. ‘There are certain standards to maintain. That is why I have been more than generous already.’

  She frowned. Was he now going to bring his offer of treatment for Claude into all this? ‘And I’m grateful.’ She was. To think that Claude could finally get the treatment he needed and Annie would be able to give up a job she hated to look after her son. That reason and that alone was why she was here having this discussion in the first place.

  Before she had time to think further, Kazim crossed the room and stood perilously close to her. Just as it had done when he’d held her on the street, her heart raced wildly and she slipped once again under his spell. She swallowed hard against skittering nerves which sprang to life, intensifying his touch. How had she ever thought she could remain immune to him? Just his voice was enough, but to have him this close was far too much.

  Amber looked up into his eyes, which searched her face as if looking for answers, or trying to convey something to her. She dropped her gaze, suddenly shy. Gently, his fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to look up at him again. Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly lowered his head, his lips brushing over hers, making her eyelids flutter and close.

  She swayed towards him, wanting more, needing more. This was the only man she’d ever wanted. One she’d stayed true to, despite his hurtful rejection of her on their wedding night. She blushed as she remembered that night. It had been her complete inexperience that had made her all but throw herself at him. She hadn’t wanted him to think she couldn’t even kiss a man. She’d flirted, flaunting herself, and had tried to kiss him.

  She could still feel the shock that had iced her blood as he’d pushed her away, a look of repulsion on his handsome face. She’d been so determined not to show her hurt she’d continued the act of bravado, anything but admit failure.

  His fingers, warm under her chin, now melted that ice and she allowed herself to be just what she was—innocent and inexperienced. Because right at this moment she couldn’t be anything else.

  Kazim pulled away and her eyes opened. Nervously she looked up at him. The swirling desire in his eyes was not what she’d expected to see. His fingers still held her chin and the pad of his thumb moved to rub lightly over her lips, prolonging the tingle his kiss had started. She dragged in a ragged breath, wishing he would kiss her again, but not daring to move, not wanting to risk his rejection once more.

  ‘You should get changed.’ His voice was husky and a shiver slipped down her spine, but still he held her there. Then, briskly, he moved back, broke the spell, startling her. ‘I have a call to make, so I shall leave you in peace to get ready.’

  Amber blinked against the shock of what had just happened. She touched her lips, her hands shaking. Was it possible that he didn’t hate her as much as she’d thought, that the gentle loving touch of his lips meant something more? Hope sprang to life and with a tentative smile she gathered up the bags and headed for one of the bedrooms to shower and change.

  A short while later, nerves skittered through her once again. She studied her reflection in the mirror. It had been so long since she’d worn such lovely clothes she’d almost forgotten how it felt.

  The black dress moulded to her body, the sweetheart neckline scooping perhaps a little too low, but the shoes that had been insisted upon in the boutique were gorgeous. Strappy black sandals encrusted with so much sparkle every small move made them glitter—expensively.

  Was this a little too much for dinner? She was about to slip them off and go for her usual choice of plain heels when an impatient knock startled her.

  ‘It is time to go, Amber.’

  Shyly she opened the door, watching his handsome face for a reaction. Had she chosen well or overdone it? Her skin heated as his eyes slid slowly downwards—it was almost as if he was caressing her with their dark depths. She held her breath. When his gaze moved back to her face the desire swirling there shocked her, setting off a chain reaction of fizzing heat hurtling through her.

  ‘You look...’ he paused, his head slightly at an angle ‘...exquisite.’

  Unable to help herself, she let her gaze linger on his face before taking in the full impact of him dressed for dinner. The crisp whiteness of his shirt made his tanned skin more pronounced, the formal black tie suit fitted him to perfection, showcasing his strength perfectly. The Western clothes highlighted his rugged power, intensifying the rush of heat around her body.

  When she looked back up at his face, he was smiling, a kind of sexy come-to-bed smile that made her heart crash inside her chest. It was like
floundering at sea. She was truly out of her depth with Kazim.

  ‘Do I measure up?’ he teased and stepped back a pace, allowing for better scrutiny.

  ‘I think you know the answer to that,’ she said, aware and a little unnerved by the husky tone of her voice as she opted for bravado. ‘You know it only too well.’

  Despite the fact that he’d just stepped away from her, a spark of fire leapt to life between them—the same heat that had been smouldering since he’d first said her name at the club. She held his look, desperately trying to hide how unsettled she was right now.

  When he laughed it shocked her; it was such a deep, rich sound. Laughter lines creased at the sides of his eyes and he looked much younger. More like the man she’d lost her heart to in Barazbin—and much less troubled.

  ‘A very brave answer,’ he said as he held out his arm to her. She looked at him a moment longer before linking her arm with his, enjoying being made to feel special. It wouldn’t last long, of that she was sure. So why not make the most of it? He was, after all, the first and only man she’d given her heart to.

  The sensation of walking on air had little to do with the fantastic dress and glamorous high heels she wore, but everything to do with the man on whose arm she was. Beside her, he carried himself with confidence and command. Every move he made transferred to her from the light touch of her arm in his.

  As they waited for the lift her heart raced and, just as she wondered if she could go out to dinner with him, the lift doors opened. Other guests spilled out and he released her arm, standing aside then waiting for her to enter the lift.

  She pressed her lips together in an effort to control the dizzying effect he was having on her and allowed her eyes to close for a moment. Would he keep up this charm offensive during dinner? She certainly hoped not; every glance, every lingering look, was chipping away at her defensive wall. He’d hurt her once. He could do it again. Whatever her reason for returning to Barazbin, she could never let him know how she still felt about him.