The Sheikh's Second Chance Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 5)

by Cara Albany

  She felt his hand snake through her hair, drawing her head more firmly to him, as if he was claiming something precious. All the while, the strength of his kiss intensified, his lips taking her to another place. His body pressed against her, and she could feel the tension in him, the coil winding up.

  Lana rested a hesitant hand against Malik's shoulder. Lana closed her eyes. The moments seem to stretch, and somewhere in the distance she heard the voices of the guests, the normality from which she was being wrenched. But, where was he taking her? Did she even want to go the place that held such danger, such promise?

  Lana's heart was racing, and the blood was pounding in her veins. She hadn't felt this alive ever before.

  And then, with a startling revelation, she realized that she had felt like this. Once before.

  In New York.

  In Malik's arms.

  It was happening again. She felt as if she was being claimed, possessed, taken to a space she wasn't sure she wanted to inhabit again. Some part of her rebelled, a sense of resistance rising up from a memory, from previous disappointments.

  She opened her eyes. He was so unbelievably powerful and handsome. And, she was thrust hard against him, close enough to sense the energy that seemed to pulse throughout his entire being.

  He wanted her.

  Lana felt her body tighten. It was an involuntary movement, and Malik immediately noticed. She felt a momentary absence as his lips moved away from hers. He leaned away from Lana, gazing at her quizzically. They said nothing to one another, allowing the moment to pass. Lana wondered what would replace the intense passion that had so suddenly overcome her.

  There was an awkward silence. The tension in Malik's shoulders seemed to ease. He cleared his throat. "Perhaps you're right. The guests might be wondering where we've gotten to," he said.

  It didn't sound convincing. Lana could still see the hunger in his gaze.

  Lana nodded. "Perhaps you're right."

  Lana took her glass and sipped the remnants of the water.

  Then she turned and started to head back into the reception room.

  She realized that Malik wasn't following her, and she paused, turning to him. He was still leaning against the balustrade. "Aren't you coming in?"

  There was a sardonic smile on his face, and she wasn't sure she approved of it. All of a sudden he looked dismissive, almost disinterested. Lana felt irritation curl inside her belly. He shrugged and then shook his head casually. "I think I'll stay out here for a while."

  Indignation stabbed at Lana. How dare he think he could just kiss her one moment and then abandon her the next. Who did he think he was? She recalled the way he'd just walked away from her in New York, as if kissing her was of no consequence.

  She was about to say something to him, about to make sure that he wouldn't get the idea that she'd welcome any future flirtations, when Mia appeared behind her.

  "There you are," Mia said.

  Lana saw Mia glance at Malik. "I didn't know you two were out here," she said. "All alone," Mia added pointedly.

  Lana smiled at Mia. "I was just coming to find you. I needed some fresh air, and Malik was kind enough to escort me."

  Mia's quizzical gaze shifted from Lana to Malik. "I hope you were nice to Lana," Mia said to Malik.

  Malik grinned. "I think I was quite nice to Lana." Malik glanced at Lana. "Wouldn't you agree?"

  Lana scowled at Malik and hooked an arm inside Mia's. "Let's get back inside, Mia," Lana said.

  And with that Lana and Mia strode back into the reception room leaving Malik well and truly behind.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  "What were you two up to there?" Mia asked.

  Lana turned to Mia. "Nothing. What makes you think we were up to something?"

  Mia grinned. "You can't fool me, Lana. I've seen the way Malik has been looking at you." Lana felt the heat rush to her cheeks. Was it so obvious? "I don't know what you're talking about."

  Mia led Lana across the floor through the crowd of guests. As Mia passed Rafiq, Lana saw Mia give her fiance a knowing look. There was something going on. Lana could tell that Mia was up to something. Maybe her friend just wanted a heart-to-heart talk. Maybe she wanted to warn Lana about Malik. After all, it was Mia who had mentioned that Malik had a "reputation" to be wary of.

  Lana followed Mia down the long corridor until they came to a private room. Mia closed the door behind her and gestured to the sofa in the center of the large room. "You and I have to talk," Mia announced.

  Lana sat down on the sofa and Mia eased down next to her. She could see the earnestness in her friend's eyes, and Lana wondered just what Mia was about to say.

  Mia sighed. "Now, I knew it would come to this."

  Lana looked at Mia. "Would are you talking about?"

  "Malik is not the kind of man who can be ignored."

  Lana knew that already. Malik had an uncanny way of taking possession of her attention.

  Mia reached across and laid her hand gently on Lana's arm.

  "But, Malik has problems of his own," Mia said. She suddenly looked serious. Lana squinted at her friend and felt a chill. What was Mia talking about? Did Malik have some kind of dark secret that only Mia could know about? After all, Mia was marrying into the family. Perhaps there was some unpleasantness that Lana needed to know about.

  "Malik is just an acquaintance," Lana said defiantly.

  Mia smiled warmly. "I understand you hardly know him at all. But, this is his country. This is where he belongs, where he feels most at home. Even it's a strange land for the likes of you and me."

  Lana nodded. "That's an understatement. I've never experienced anything like this place before."

  Mia nodded. "It's both wonderful and scary at the same time."

  Lana reached across and laid a reassuring hand on Mia's arm. "I think you're so brave," Lana said.

  Mia squinted. "I'm not brave at all," she replied. "I'm just in love."

  Lana laughed. "I suppose there is that," she admitted.

  Mia looked suddenly serious once again. "But really, what I wanted to tell you was that Rafiq mentioned something to me. And I think you should know."

  Lana frowned. "Is it about Malik?"

  Mia nodded. "It's about his father." Mia laughed. "My future father-in-law."

  Lana felt the twist of anxiety settled in her middle. Once again she thought about the possibility of some kind of dark family secret. Lana looked at Mia. Her friend did not seem the slightest bit worried about her own choice. It seemed to Lana that Mia was more concerned about what Lana was about to do.

  "Malik has a problem?" Lana asked, unsure whether she really wanted to know.

  Mia nodded. "You could say that. If you think that being instructed to find a wife is what you'd call a problem."

  Lana gasped. "Find a wife!"

  Mia nodded. "Rafiq told me that his father has ordered Malik to find a wife."

  "Just like that?" Lana exclaimed.

  Mia shrugged. "That's the way they do things here. They have different rules here. Especially when it comes to marriage."

  Lana recalled the conversation on the terrace with Malik. She realized that some of his words had been ambiguous.

  "Malik has led quite a life," Mia continued. "And I think his father has drawn a line in the sand, so to speak."

  "So what is Malik going to do?"

  Mia shrugged. "Malik will do what he always does. Exactly what he wants. He's that kind of man."

  Lana nodded, recalling the feel of Malik's embrace, remembering the sensations that had flooded her body as he had kissed her like no other man had done. Exactly what he wants!

  Lana felt Mia examining her closely. Then Mia spoke quietly and almost in a matter-of-fact manner. "I think Malik likes you," Mia said bluntly.

  Lana tried to contain her surprise but failed miserably. "He likes me?"

  Mia nodded. "Perhaps even more than like," she said.

  Lana peered at Mia, growing disbelief emerging from
within her. "You're not seriously suggesting what I think you're suggesting, are you?"

  Mia raised one brow.

  Lana grunted in disbelief. "That's ridiculous! I don't even know him. He's a total stranger."

  Mia groaned. "But you have to admit he's quite an attractive stranger."

  Lana stood up quickly and started to pace back and forward. "Are you saying that he has an interest in me?"

  Mia shrugged. "I suppose that is what I'm saying. If you put it like that."

  Lana shook her head. "That is just so ridiculous."

  "It didn't look ridiculous when he was kissing you, earlier, Lana," Mia said evenly.

  Lana froze on the spot and gazed in disbelief at Mia. "You saw that?"

  Mia merely nodded, saying nothing.

  Lana groaned so loudly that the sound of it echoed around the room. "This isn't real," Lana exclaimed. "I mean, Malik isn't even my type."

  Mia gave Lana a disbelieving look. "I would say Malik is exactly your type."

  Lana sat down next to Mia. "You know my history with men," Lana said.

  "Maybe it's time to move on from that," Mia said.

  Lana sighed. She pushed away some of the memories that threatened to come flooding back in again. There was no sense in thinking about the past. Especially that part of her past. Was that why she had impulsively decided in New York to test herself with Malik? Had she been trying to prove to herself that she could resist even someone as handsome and unbelievably gorgeous as Malik? Surely it could not be as simple as that, she told herself.

  Lana could see that Mia was trying to be patient, perhaps even trying to help. Help? By suggesting that Lana entertain the idea of spending some time with Malik while she was here? There were too many risks associated with such a choice, Lana said to herself. Spending any time alone with someone like Malik could only end in disaster. He was such a dominating, powerful presence that Lana wasn't even quite sure she could keep such a man at bay. Because that was what she'd have to do. Keep him at arms length. If it was possible.

  Mia looked at Lana. "You're going to be here anyway, for the next few days. Maybe it would be nice to spend some time with Malik."

  Lana peered at Mia. "Is this some kind of matchmaking that is going on?"

  Mia laughed. "You can take it any way you like," Mia said with a broad grin.

  Lana rolled her eyes. Lana suddenly reminded herself why she was here, in Qazhar. She looked at Mia. "You know that I'm really here for you," Lana said. "Not to date a sheikh."

  Mia nodded. "And I'm so happy that you're here. Maybe, while you're here, though, you could have some fun."

  Lana squinted at Mia. "Fun? Trying to keep Malik at bay?"

  "That doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world," Mia said.

  Lana groaned and smiled. "We'll see how things go. I don't want to be rude, and I don't want to cause anyone to get upset. After all, we are all here for the same thing. We are here to celebrate your wonderful union with Rafiq."

  "So, I can ask Rafiq to tell Malik that you and he might go on a date?" Mia asked enthusiastically.

  Lana shook her head vigourously. "Not a date! Just good friends. Acquaintances, if you like."

  Mia sighed. "I think you and Malik are going to get on like a house on fire."

  "Nothing is going to be set on fire," Lana said with a barely contained giggle.

  "You try telling Malik that," Mia said. "One thing I know about Malik is, he knows how to have a good time."

  "Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Lana asked incredulously.

  Mia reached across and patted Lana's hand. "Just giving you a heads-up," she said.

  The door opened, and Rafiq leaned his head into the room. Mia stood and went to her fiance. Rafiq looked surprised to see the women alone in the room. "What's going on?" he asked.

  Mia kissed him on the cheek. "Lana and I were just having a private girl talk."

  Rafiq's brows rose. "Anything I should know about?"

  Mia took Rafiq's arm. "Let's get back to the reception before people start asking questions." Mia turned to Lana. "Are you coming?"

  Lana waved a hand. "You two go on ahead. I'll catch up in a moment."

  Mia and Rafiq left the room. Lana paused before following them. She needed a moment to consider what she'd just agreed to do. Nothing less than spending time with Malik. A dangerous proposition, if their previous encounters were anything to go by.

  Malik was a sheikh and very much a man. He was a sheer male presence the likes of which Lana had never encountered before. The memory of his touch made her nerves tingle.

  Lana tried to shake some sense into herself. She was sure she knew how to handle Malik. After all, Lana knew she'd been keeping men at a distance for longer than she cared to remember. But, that was another thing entirely, something she didn't want to think about right now.

  Malik.

  She was sure that there were things that she could enjoy while being in his company, even if she was determined to keep her distance.

  Lana stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. She looked down the corridor and saw Mia and Rafiq walking down the corridor hand in hand. They looked so happy together, so absolutely perfect. They were a dream couple, and the last thing Lana wanted to do was spoil the upcoming next few days.

  Being with Malik would be enjoyable, and that would be all it would be. Pleasant. Lana didn't care if Malik was on the hunt for a wife. Because, there was one thing she was absolutely sure of. Lana was not one of Malik's possible wives.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The reception had finished, and all the guests had left. Malik closed the huge, ornately carved front door and looked at Rafiq. His brother's shoulders slumped in relief at the departure of the last guest. The hallway was quiet. Peaceful, at last.

  "Where is Mia? Malik asked.

  "She said she had some preparations to attend to for the wedding," he replied.

  "At this time?" Malik asked.

  "Mia does what she wants," Rafiq said. "That's the kind of woman she is."

  Malik laid a hand across Rafiq's shoulders. "You've certainly got yourself a live one there, brother," Malik said.

  Rafiq nodded. "I already know that. I knew that when I was trying to get her to become my wife."

  Malik gave his brother an appreciative look. "Well, you certainly did a good job of that."

  "I am the older brother," Rafiq said. "I guess I was always going to be first."

  Malik and Rafiq walked side-by-side down the corridors as they had done so many times before when they were younger. It felt good to walk beside his brother even if, in a few days time, things between them were going to change irreparably.

  Rafiq looked at Malik. "Father talked to you, didn't he?"

  Malik shook his head firmly. "Let's not talk about that just now."

  "Why not?" Rafiq asked.

  "It's complicated," Malik said running a hand through his dark hair.

  "Finding a wife is never simple," Rafiq admitted. "But it's important."

  "I know that." Malik wanted the conversation to end before it became too difficult. The last thing he wanted was to have this kind of conversation with his brother so close to the wedding. He knew how much it meant to Rafiq to be getting married. Even if Malik didn't share Rafiq's enthusiasm for matrimony, there was no doubting the happiness in his brother. And, Malik wasn't so selfish that he would deny such happiness to one of his own siblings.

  "If you know why it's so important to be married, then why are you so resistant to the idea?" Rafiq asked softly.

  Malik shrugged. "I don't know. I am the way I am. I chose this life for myself. No-one forced it on me."

  "Maybe it's time to move on," Rafiq suggested. "There was always going to come a time when you had to consider things in the clear light of day. You couldn't spend your whole life like that, could you, Malik?"

  "Why not?" Malik asked. He knew there was defiance in his tone of voice, even if deep inside he knew that
what his brother was telling him was true. Perhaps it was time to change. Maybe it was time to move on from the life that he had known for so long.

  For a long time now, Malik had felt a growing emptiness inside. All those nights, all those parties, the whole lifestyle had begun to wear upon him in recent times. He would never have admitted that to anyone. Because, after all, he was Malik Al Kharif. He had a reputation to maintain, and he had done as much as he could possibly do to maintain that reputation. Even if it seemed that had caused pain to some of the people he loved the most, especially his family members.

  In his quieter, more lonely moments, Malik had often castigated himself for being a fool, for wasting the opportunities that had been granted to him. He knew that others would have given anything to have what he had. Was it the case that he was just wasting what he had, that he was just throwing things away, ruining what he had?

  They emerged into an open area with a fountain in the centre of a cavernous domed enclosure surrounded by tall white pillars. The water cascaded down the ornately carved fountain forming a cooling pool. Malik had often come here as a child, especially when he had done something about which he felt shame or embarrassment. Was it that he felt those emotions now? Was that why Rafiq had led him here? To a familiar place, a space where Malik could be reminded of his own past?

  Rafiq paused at the fountain and dipped a hand into the water. He flicked some water across Malik's face causing his brother to grimace and wipe the moisture from his face. "I always hated it when you did that," Malik said with a grin.

  Rafiq grinned. "How could I forget?"

  Malik resisted the urge to thrust his hand into the water and drench his brother. It felt good to play like this, Malik reflected.

  "Maybe father is right," Rafiq said. There was a sudden gravity in his brother's gaze, and Malik knew what was coming. It wasn't going to be good, but Malik knew that Rafiq had no option. Ever since they had been children, Malik had always deferred to his older brother when it came to matters of importance, and now was no different.