Harts of Arizona Series

by Yahrah St. John

  Truth was, neither Amar nor his mother, Camilla, had wanted him to go to boarding school. Amar had once heard his parents arguing about it, but the Sheikh had been insistent that it would provide Amar the best structure and education, and his mother had acquiesced. She could never seem to say “no” to the man. Amar, on the other hand, had no problem doing so, and he was sure he would incur the Sheikh’s displeasure sometime during this trip because they were like oil and water — always were and always would be.

  Chapter 2

  Rylee’s room wasn’t just a room. It was a suite. About a thousand square feet, the spacious living quarters held two luxury bedrooms and an adjoining separate parlor. The oversized parlor was furnished with plush seating, a 32-inch flat screen television, a grand dining table, a wet bar and two full baths. The generous windows throughout the suite provided Rylee and Camryn a beautiful view of Louisville and plenty of natural sunlight.

  “You have to come and check out this view,” Camryn yelled at Rylee from the balcony outside. Rylee immediately hurried over and saw that the parlor overlooked 4th Street and Theatre Square.

  “Sweet!” Rylee glanced down at the bustling street.

  “Do you think we have time to go exploring before dinner?”

  Rylee peered at her watch. “Sure we do.”

  “Let me go change first,” Camryn said, rushing into the room.

  “Why?” Rylee asked.

  Camryn put her hands on her hips. “Because … you never know who you might see. It’ll only take me a sec.”

  Rylee shrugged. She supposed her attire of plaid shirt, low-rise skinny jeans and an army jacket wasn’t exactly the look of a fashionista, but she most certainly wasn’t changing.

  Fifteen minutes later, Camryn came out of the second bedroom in full makeup and wearing skintight leggings, a sequin T-shirt, a denim jacket and four-inch peep-toe booties.

  “You do realize we’re walking, right?” Rylee said, laughing as they exited the suite.

  “I can walk in these,” Camryn replied with a huff.

  Several hours later, after visiting a couple of upscale boutiques, Rylee and Camryn returned to their room with an armload of purchases and Camryn was still upright in those shoes. During their shopping spree, Rylee had even allowed Camryn to talk her into nearly a half a dozen new outfits.

  Glancing at her watch, Rylee realized they barely had time for a quick shower before Jeremy was due at seven o’clock to pick them up. “Girl, look at the time,” Rylee said. “We have to get a move on it.”

  Camryn quickly made a beeline for her room while Rylee rushed into the master to get ready.

  A half hour later, Rylee wiped the foggy mirror in the bathroom and glanced at her reflection. She had to admit she looked darn good. It wasn’t like she didn’t appreciate nice clothing; she did. She just didn’t care for what it took to get there. Rylee spun around for a full view of her new ensemble.

  The strapless emerald jersey jumpsuit, teamed with dangling gold necklaces, chandelier earrings and strappy sandals, was casually chic. And rather than try to tame her unruly spiral curls with a blow-dryer, she’d embraced them and wore her hair down, allowing it to cascade over her shoulders. Her warm brown skin shone with some light bronzer, mascara and glossy lipstick.

  “You look great,” Camryn said from the doorway as she snapped her earrings into place.

  Rylee smiled. “Thanks, girlfriend. So do you.” Camryn was wearing wide-legged pants and a one-shoulder embellished tunic showing her shapely bosom.

  A knock sounded on their door. Rylee surmised it must be Jeremy. He was nothing else if not punctual. “I’ll get it.” She walked over to the door and opened it with a flourish. When she did, Jeremy’s warm smile greeted her.

  “Wow!” Jeremy exclaimed. His eyes roved, giving Rylee a lazy appraisal as he walked into the suite. “You look amazing.”

  “It is nice to get out of jeans every now and again,” she said, closing the door. “Camryn isn’t quite ready. Would you like a drink?” She noticed there was a full bar in the room.

  “A shot of whiskey would be great, thanks,” Jeremy said.

  “Neat?”

  “That’ll do.” Jeremy followed Rylee inside the parlor and sat down on a chair opposite the balcony to watch her. The jumpsuit suited her without being conspicuous, which is why he liked Rylee. She wasn’t showy, just down-to-earth. She was exactly the kind of woman he could see having a future with, if only he could get her to see it too.

  Rylee poured Jeremy a shot glass of the potent drink and decided to make one for herself. She’d been known to drink with the fellas on the ranch every now and again. She brought the glass over and handed one to Jeremy before sitting down with the other for herself on the plush sofa.

  “You drink whiskey?” he asked, surprised.

  Rylee laughed. “C’mon, Jeremy, I’m not some priss. I live on a ranch with a bunch of ranch hands. I can hold my liquor.”

  Jeremy raised an incredulous eyebrow as he threw the shot back. “Is that so?”

  Mirth alighted in Rylee’s eyes, and she did the same. “Yes, it is.”

  “Do I hear a challenge coming on?” Camryn said, entering the room and plopping down on the sofa. “Because if so, I want in. I would give good money to see Rylee tie one on.”

  “Thanks a lot.” Rylee smiled at her frank friend as she turned her shot glass down on the table. “Do you want anything?”

  “No, I’ll wait for dinner, but you two go ahead.”

  Jeremy put down his glass and rose to his feet. “Truth be told, we don’t have much time to spare if we want to make our dinner reservation. Would you ladies care to leave now?” He offered a hand to each lady to assist her to her feet.

  “Let’s go,” Rylee said. “I’m ready to get this weekend started.”

  “Is there a problem?” Sharif asked, noticing Amar had barely touched his aperitif before the amuse-bouche arrived from the chef.

  Amar looked up from his phone. “No, why would you ask?”

  Sharif shrugged. “Usually you’ve had at least one glass of strong drink before dinner.”

  Amar laughed heartily at his assistant before reaching for his decanter. “You watch me entirely too much, Sharif. You need a hobby.”

  “It’s my job to look after you.”

  “And as I’ve told you before, I can take care of myself. Despite what my father thinks, I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “True, but he has enemies that might seek to harm you, and with you here alone in the Americas without any protection, you’re a target because you’re wide open.”

  “I doubt anyone from Nasir or its neighboring kingdoms give a rat’s ass about the bastard son of a sheikh.”

  “Don’t talk that way, Amar. You are the first-born son.”

  “A fact which bears no mention since it means absolutely nothing to me,” Amar replied. “I could care less about a small desert kingdom thousands of miles away that has cast me off as if I were a pebble at the bottom of their shoe. I care about Bishop Enterprises and ensuring I continue to grow my media empire.”

  Amar was about to continue on with the same duplicative speech he’d given Sharif a million times before when the most lovely creature he’d ever seen entered the room in a vision of emerald. His heart stopped momentarily, and he was stunned into silence. At the abrupt end to his speech, Sharif followed his gaze. Amar looked like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey.

  “Easy, Amar,” Sharif whispered. “She’s with someone.”

  “Maybe, maybe not,” Amar said, having finally regained his speech. “There’s two women. She could be available.” His eyes followed her movements as she, her male companion and another woman sat at a table across the room from them. “I need to know.”

  “Need to know what?”

  “Don’t be dense, Sharif,” Amar said,
exasperated. “Find out who she is, and if she’s single.”

  “I thought this trip was about business,” Sharif said, imitating Amar’s earlier words.

  Amar picked up his drink and took a generous sip. “Who says it can’t be about business and pleasure?” His gaze returned to the dazzling creature with the cascading curls. Something told him that she could bring him lots of pleasure if the stirring in his loins was any indication. One way or another, he had to find a way to make this woman’s acquaintance.

  “What have you found out about the dazzling female I saw last night,” Amar asked Sharif the following morning over coffee in the Ali suite.

  “Wow, you don’t allow for very much time, do you?” Sharif said. Although he’d found the answer to the question Amar sought, he’d just been given the task last night. What does Amar expect — miracles?

  “Well, that’s what happens when you always exceed my expectations,” Amar replied smartly. “I’ve come to rely on you.”

  Sharif laughed. “Smooth, Amar, very smooth.” He sipped his coffee.

  “So, are you going to keep me in suspense or what?” Amar peered into his confidant’s eyes.

  “It was really quite simple. She’s a veterinarian and is here with Jeremy Wright, a friend from her hometown near Tucson, Arizona, and her best friend, a Camryn Sanders. I believe she’s taking care of Dreamer, Mr. Jeremy’s long shot here at the Derby.”

  Amar rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Is that so? And what about her and Jeremy?”

  Sharif shrugged. “That’s the best I could come up with on short notice, as it’s common knowledge. You’ll have to give me more time to obtain a more thorough dossier.”

  Amar rose to his feet. “No need. Where is she now?”

  “I would imagine she would be at the stables tending to the animal.”

  “Good, because I need to check on the Sheikh’s horse for the race, and there’s no better time than the present. Care to join me?”

  Sharif put down his fork, signaling the end to his breakfast, which he’d barely touched. “Do I have a choice?”

  “She’s beautiful, Jeremy,” Rylee said, stroking Dreamer, the horse she’d been tasked with taking care of for the weekend. It was the first time she’d laid eyes on the breathtaking animal with the chestnut coat and black mane and tail.

  Rylee had gone to bed early last night, much to Camryn’s chagrin. Camryn had wanted to stay up partying the night away, but Rylee had to get up at five AM to meet with the trainers and other vets to tend to the animals, so she wasn’t having it.

  The animals were at their best during their morning workouts, as they usually napped during the late morning and early afternoon. Rylee would be better able to assess Dreamer’s health if she could see her fresh and in action.

  She was wearing her normal attire of jeans, long-sleeve checkered shirt and worn boots as she worked in the stables. Not much had changed; it was the same as she’d remembered, except now Dr. Gray had moved on to another facility, so she would have no chance of running into him. Rylee was surprised to find Jeremy had beat her to the punch and was already onsite. He was wearing the same attire except he had on a denim shirt and cowboy hat.

  He smiled unabashedly at her. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?” he said, dangling a carrot to the horse, which she immediately took and began munching. “I know everyone thinks she’d never win this, but that’s what they said about Secretariat and she won the Triple Crown.”

  Rylee turned around to face him. “You believe she’s capable of that kind of feat, don’t you?”

  “If I don’t believe, who will?” he said, glancing at Rylee. “I know my father thinks I’m out of my mind for spending all my time and energy on a horse he thought was worthless, but she’s been with one of the best trainers in the world the last year. I know she has what it takes.”

  “I admire your conviction,” Rylee said, leaning against a stable wall. She’d never seen Jeremy speak with such passion about anything before. Perhaps there was more to the man than she gave him credit for.

  Jeremy walked over to her until he stood mere inches from her face. He looked at her intensely before saying, “Well, it’s easy when you believe in something or someone.”

  “So true,” Rylee said, looking downward. It hadn’t escaped her notice how close he’d move into her personal space — a little too close. Is he going to make a move and try to kiss me? She tried to lighten the charged moment between them by focusing back on the horse. “Dreamer did really well in her workouts this morning with the trainer.”

  “What’s your assessment of her health?”

  Rylee grinned. “She’s in good health as you know or you wouldn’t have entered her in the Derby.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Rylee rolled her eyes; he was deliberately being obtuse. “You know what I mean. You don’t need me here.” She glanced at the thoroughbred. “Dreamer is in excellent condition.”

  “Yes, she is, but I need to ensure she stays that way until race day. And to address your comment, no, I don’t need you here.” He moved even closer to Rylee. “But I want you here.”

  Rylee used her hand to push against Jeremy’s solid chest as he leaned in closer to her face. “Easy, Jeremy,” Rylee warned. “I agreed to come here on a professional basis to help you.”

  “And what if I want more than that?”

  Rylee sighed. “Jeremy …” She never got to finish her sentence because Hank, Dreamer’s trainer, called out to him.

  “We’ll talk later,” Jeremy said, righting himself. “This conversation isn’t finished.” Jeremy walked away toward Hank.

  Great, just great, Rylee thought. She’d be fending Jeremy off all weekend. Now there was an idea of a good time!

  “You want to tell me that wasn’t personal?” Amar asked Sharif from the opposite side of the stables.

  “Yes, he stood very close in her personal space, but if you ask me, it was not a welcome advance.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “Her body language was indicative of a woman who did not welcome his advances. I don’t believe they are lovers.”

  “Good!” Amar said and strode off toward Rylee, leaving Sharif abruptly.

  Amar walked purposely across the stables to where Rylee was now bending over. She was looking at Dreamer’s hooves and was cooing words that Amar couldn’t quite hear from the stable door but wished he was on the receiving end of. “Hello.”

  Startled, Rylee fell in the hay on the ground.

  Amar rushed toward her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, offering her his hand. She accepted it as she rose to her feet. When she was standing, their eyes connected and a lightning bolt went right through Amar as if he’d been struck. She had to have felt it too. It was as if a kinetic energy had passed between them and neither was quick to let the other’s hand go.

  Rylee’s beauty stunned Amar. From afar, it hadn’t nearly shown how glittering her light-brown eyes were, hadn’t shown how gorgeous her hair was, so curly and sexy. He could picture his hands running through it as he brought the two of them to a satisfying climax.

  “It’s okay.” She finally let go of his hand so she could brush the hay off her jeans.

  Amar’s eyes followed her hands, taking in her athletic figure attired in form-fitting jeans and her dainty feet, adorned in worn leather boots. When his eyes finally moved back up to her face, he found she was staring at him.

  “Do you always look at ladies like a hungry tiger?”

  “Only ladies as beautiful as you.”

  Rylee smiled half-heartedly, and her warmth shot through Amar like wildfire. He could feel his manhood throb. Lord, this woman was making him feel all kind of emotions. If he was back in Nasir, he would push her back in the stables and have his way with her, not caring who saw or heard them.

 
“Wow! That was a little cheesy,” Rylee commented, jolting Amar out of his fantasy.

  “Cheesy?” Amar asked with a questioning look.

  Rylee’s eyes rose. “You know, lame, unoriginal? C’mon, you must have better pick-up lines than that.”

  “Apparently not,” Amar replied. “I will need to work on my charm.”

  “You do that.” Rylee moved to step away, but Amar touched her arm again. And just as before, his body tingled from the contact. She must have felt it too, because she looked at him in alarm.

  “I don’t believe I caught your name,” Amar said.

  “That’s because I didn’t give it.”

  Amar grinned. “Whose manners are in need of work now?” he asked. “Amar Bishop.” He offered her his hand.

  She looked down at it for several moments. He wasn’t sure what she expected to happen, but she finally shook his hand, and before she could withdraw, he brought her hand up to his mouth and brushed his lips across it.

  She quickly snatched it back at the close contact.

  Just then, Jeremy walked toward them. Amar did his best to retain his composure and stood up straight to his full six-foot-four height.

  “Is everything okay over here, Rylee?” Jeremy eyed Amar suspiciously and came over to circle his arm around Rylee’s waist.

  Amar could see Jeremy was assessing his competition as most men do, but Amar knew he was far superior to this man in intelligence, looks and stature — by several inches — and in overall suaveness, not to mention he was rich as sin.

  Amar watched Rylee remove Jeremy’s arm from around her waist. “Everything is fine, Jeremy.” She glared at her companion. “I was just making Mr. Bishop’s acquaintance.”

  “Bishop?” Jeremy said. “You wouldn’t be the Amar Bishop, would you? I’d heard you would have a horse in this year’s Derby.”

  “The one and the same,” Amar said, barely glancing at Jeremy before returning his gaze back to Rylee. “I’m here looking after Desert Storm, a joint venture between me and my father.”