by Susanna Carr
Ah, those tears were fake. She wasn’t above using that age-old feminine technique, Nadir realized as he rose to his knees. That was good to know.
“You make a valid point about how we are strangers. We need to learn about each other more.”
She nodded fiercely and relief shone brightly in her eyes. “Exactly.”
“But you’re still sharing a bed with me,” he announced. He saw the hunted look on her face as he settled onto the other side of the bed. “How else will we know each other more?”
“I—I—”
Her gaze shifted from one point of the room to another. He knew she was trying to come up with an argument.
They had to sleep in the same bed. All it would take was one servant to notice their separate sleeping arrangements for gossip to spread like wildfire. That was the last thing he needed the tribe elders to discover.
“I won’t touch you until you’re ready,” Nadir said.
Zoe’s jaw shut with a snap. She narrowed her eyes as if she was trying to find some hidden loophole in his words. That offended him. Why should she question his word? He was a sheikh. He was her husband.
“I don’t need to force myself on a woman,” he said with lethal softness.
Her face paled. “I n-never said …”
“I know.” She didn’t have to. The look in her eyes indicated that she thought he was the fabled beast who would devour her in her sleep. Nadir swallowed back another deep sigh and turned off the lamp. “Go to sleep, Zoe.”
She gave a huff, as if to say that it would be impossible. Nadir watched as she scooted off to the far edge of the bed. She lay on her side, facing him, as if she had to keep an eye on him.
“You flatter yourself,” he muttered, and reached for her. She protested with a squawk, her muscles locking as he curled her against his side. He tried to ignore how well she fit against him.
“You said you wouldn’t touch me until I was ready,” she said stiffly.
“I won’t have sex with you until you’re ready,” he amended. And they would have sex very soon. He would make certain. “But you’re not going to get to know me, be comfortable with me, if you’re hanging on the edge of the mattress.”
She didn’t fight out of his loose embrace, but he could tell she wanted to. Zoe would probably leave the bed the moment he fell asleep. He had to build a quicker rapport between them, but how could he do that without sex?
He looked up at the ceiling as he considered possible alternatives. He remembered what Zoe had said and he rolled his eyes. It was ridiculous, but he might as well give it a shot. “And it’s blue.”
“What is?” she asked.
“My favorite color,” he answered gruffly. “A deep sapphire-blue. The color of the desert sky right before night falls.”
The silence stretched between them. “Blue is my favorite color, too,” she reluctantly admitted.
“Imagine that.” Nadir didn’t know if she was saying it to please him or if it was the truth. It didn’t matter as long as she’d learned a little bit more about him. Tomorrow she would accept—no, welcome him in her bed. And then he would tame his wife with one night of exquisite pleasure before sending her away.
He closed his eyes, his body still hard, his blood racing as he inhaled Zoe’s scent. Her long hair spilled over his shoulder and her soft body pressed against his. They were skin to skin.
And he couldn’t do anything about it.
He hadn’t expected to suffer like this, but it was a hell of a lot better than his last wedding night.
CHAPTER THREE
ZOE woke up with a violent start. Her heart banged against her chest as her muscles locked so hard they ached. She tilted her head up like a small animal scenting danger. Sunlight streamed in the windows and she heard the muted chatter of people in the courtyard. She cautiously looked to her side, praying that Nadir hadn’t been watching her sleep, and found the bed blessedly empty.
She brushed her tangled hair from her eyes, finding it difficult to believe she had fallen asleep. She wanted to blame it on exhaustion and stress. It wasn’t because she’d started to take Nadir at his word! All night she had lain uncomfortably in Nadir’s arms. Not only had it felt strange to share her bed, but it had been a challenge to keep her hands to herself. She had been inexplicably tempted to explore Nadir’s muscular body.
Zoe bolted out of bed and went straight to the bathroom. She saw some of her clothes hanging in the closet and grabbed a mustard-yellow caftan. Passing by a mirror above the sink, she caught a glimpse of her reflection and stopped.
Oh, my goodness. She shoved her hands in her tousled and wild hair and stared at her smeared make-up. She saw the outline of her body through the thin chemise. She looked bold and sexy, as though she just returned from a night of debauchery. Considering Nadir’s legendary sex-drive, it was something of a surprise that he hadn’t bedded her last night.
Why hadn’t he? Nadir had to be up to something. Men were like that, she decided as she started the shower. They promised to love and take care of you, but really they were using you.
But this time she was using a man, she thought with dark satisfaction as she stepped into the shower stall. She was taking advantage of her husband.
As the hot water pounded against her tired body Zoe reviewed her plan. She wasn’t allowed to travel at all unless she was accompanied by a male relative. It didn’t matter that she was over eighteen, and it didn’t matter that she was an American citizen. The law here was the law. But once she got through the third day of wedding ceremonies she would go on her honeymoon with Nadir. The moment she passed the borders of Jazaar she could escape to Texas.
She needed to find out where they were going on their honeymoon, Zoe decided as she grabbed for a washcloth. She hoped it was somewhere close to America. Once she got home—her real home—she could complete her education and live her life on her terms.
Zoe looked at her hands, which were still decorated with henna. Of course she would still be married to the Sheikh when she arrived in America, but she could get that annulled if Nadir didn’t do it first. He wouldn’t come after her once she reached Texas. He had his choice of women. She was interchangeable to a man like Nadir.
After Zoe got dressed, she glanced in the mirror before stepping into the living area of the hotel suite. She had done everything she could to look plain and dowdy. Her brown hair was still damp and pulled back severely in a tight braid. Her face was free of make-up and she wore no jewelry. Her faded caftan did nothing for her figure, and the shade of yellow made her skin look sallow.
Nadir was going to be horrified—but that was a good thing, she reminded herself as she quietly entered the room. If he didn’t find her attractive he wouldn’t rush her into bed.
She saw two servants carrying trays of food and found Nadir sitting on the silk floor pillows near the low table. Her heart gave a flip when she saw he wore a gray short-sleeve shirt and dark trousers. He rose fluidly when he saw her. She didn’t realize he was speaking on a sleek cell phone until he swiftly disconnected the call.
Nadir frowned as he studied her appearance. She knew that look. Displeasure. Disapproval. Disappointment. Zoe wondered if he already had buyer’s remorse.
“I hope you slept well,” he finally said.
“I did,” she lied. “Thank you.”
His dark eyes gleamed and she assumed he knew the truth. He knew she had been on alert all night. Every time she had thought it safe to move away his hold had tightened.
“Please, have some breakfast.” He gestured at the low table that was laden with food. She inhaled the aroma of strong coffee and savory breakfast dishes.
But she wasn’t used to the luxury of eating first thing in the morning, and the idea of sharing a meal with Nadir felt too intimate. “No, thank you. I don’t eat breakfast.”
“You didn’t eat much last night,” he said, and he placed his hand on the small of her back. The unexpected touch startled her and she flinched. Nadir frowned
as she automatically stepped away. “I insist you have breakfast.”
She was surprised that he had noticed her lack of appetite. What else did this man see? She needed to stay on guard, Zoe decided as she reluctantly moved to the opposite side of the table.
“No, Zoe, sit next to me.” He pointed at the large silk pillow they would share.
Zoe’s gaze flew to his face. She saw a flicker in his eyes before he banked it. His expression was polite and innocent. She knew better. He was playing the role of besotted husband.
She glanced at the servants, who now stood several feet away from the table, ready to assist when needed. Zoe wondered if this display was for them. Did Nadir think the servants would gossip about their behavior? That the tribe would analyze everything including how close they sat during meals?
Or was this act simply for her? He had a reluctant bride on his hands. What better way to woo her into his bed than by playing the tender and thoughtful husband? She didn’t think the act would last long, but he was going to be on his best behavior and she needed to use it her advantage.
Zoe gritted her teeth. She should never have complained about how little they knew each other. Would she be expected to stay at his side for the next couple of days?
She knew this was not a battle she wanted to fight and quietly sat down. Nadir sat next to her, his arms and legs brushing hers. She didn’t like sitting this close to someone, especially a man. After years of dealing with her uncle’s temper she preferred to be more than an arm’s length away from any male.
She reached for the coffeepot like a drowning man would grab for a life preserver as Nadir tore off a piece of flatbread. He scooped up some mutton with the flatbread and held it out to her. Zoe gave him a questioning glance.
“Eat this,” he said.
“There’s plenty of food.” She motioned at the bowls and plates that covered every inch of the table. “I don’t need to eat yours.”
“I want to share this with you,” he explained softly as he grazed her lips with the bread. “Eat.”
It was not easy for her to comply. Eating from Nadir’s hand required a level of trust and acceptance from her. She opened her mouth slightly and he popped the morsel in.
Zoe closed her mouth too quickly and caught the edge of his thumb. Nadir took the opportunity to stroke her bottom lip with the side of his thumb as she struggled to swallow the food.
Was he doing all this as an excuse to touch her? Why would he when she looked jaundiced? She was suddenly glad there were servants in the room, knowing that any intimacy Nadir planned would be curtailed.
Or was he trying to get her to depend on him? Did he think that if he fed her she would develop the belief that he provided for her? She couldn’t figure it out, but she knew not to trust this attentive side of Nadir.
“It was a pleasure meeting your brother at the ceremony,” she lied with a smile. The man had made it clear she was unworthy to sit in the same room with him. “Will he visit us today?”
“No, Rashid has already returned to the palace. He sends his regrets.”
Sure he did. It was more likely that Rashid couldn’t stand the idea of her marrying into the family. “Do you have any more brothers and sisters?”
“No, my mother died while giving birth to Rashid. It’s just me, my brother and my father.”
“Will your father attend the last ceremony?”
Nadir shook his head. “My father is unable to make the journey.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. When will I meet him?” Zoe frowned when she saw Nadir hesitate.
“That’s hard to say,” Nadir didn’t meet her gaze. “The Sultan is unwell and is not receiving visitors at this time.”
Zoe’s eyes narrowed. She got the feeling that Nadir didn’t want her to meet his father. Was he ashamed of the match? The possibility stung.
“I forgot to ask you,” she said hurriedly, changing the subject as she grabbed her coffee cup. “Where are we going on our honeymoon?”
He paused and returned his attention to his plate. “To my home in the mountains.”
Her fingers clenched on the coffee cup. She was surprised it didn’t shatter in her hands. “Oh,” she said on strangled breath.
They weren’t leaving Jazaar? No, no, no! That wasn’t part of the plan.
He scooped up another chunk of mutton with a piece of flatbread. When he held it out to her his eyes narrowed on her face. “You’re disappointed?”
“I’m sure it’s a lovely home,” she said in a rush. She couldn’t afford to offend him. “I just assumed we would go overseas because you travel so much.”
“The traveling is part of my work, not my private life.” He held the bite of food against her lips. “I would never take my wife with me on business trips.”
“Oh.” She cautiously accepted the food as her mind went into overdrive. His decision ruined everything!
Nadir tilted his head as he studied her face. “You want to go somewhere?”
She hurriedly chewed and swallowed the mutton. This was her chance. She couldn’t blow it. “Well, I haven’t been anywhere for a while. I’d like to do some traveling.”
“Do you have a place in mind?”
She shrugged. She needed to appear casual even as nervousness bit into her chest. “Europe. Australia. Maybe America.”
He frowned. “But you’re from America. That couldn’t be of much interest to you.”
“America is a big place,” she replied as she took a sip of the hot, bitter coffee. “There so much of it I haven’t seen.”
“Why would you want to travel?” he asked as he took a bite of his breakfast. “What would you do?”
Escape. Study medicine. Reclaim the life that should have been hers.
“I’m sure there would be lots of things that would interest me.”
“You’re not ready to represent Jazaar,” he declared as he took a pitted date from the fruit platter. “The future Sultana must be the ideal Jazaari woman and demonstrate those values.”
Beauty, refinement and obedience. Zoe closed her eyes in defeat. Of all the days to dress down. Damn it.
Nadir chuckled as he held the date to her mouth. “Like I said, the outside world is not ready for a sheikha like you.”
Zoe’s eyes widened in horror. Had she cursed aloud? It was getting worse and worse. She automatically parted her lips to accept the date. “Didn’t I look like the perfect Jazaari bride at our wedding?”
He shook his head. “I knew the truth the moment I saw you.”
She hoped not. But if she couldn’t convince Nadir that she was a beautiful and obedient wife, she wasn’t going to get out of this country. “I can meet your expectations. All I need is a new caftan and a better pair of sandals.”
He gave her a disbelieving look before he studied her yellow caftan. “Is that all you have to wear?”
“I have my wedding gowns. Why?”
“You’ll need some more clothes,” he said as he offered her another date.
She accepted the fruit and chewed furiously. “Are you considering a trip?”
“No, but you need to wear something befitting of a sheikha.” He looked at her caftan with distaste.
It was hard to remember she was a sheikha when just a couple of days ago she’d been scrubbing floors. “There aren’t that many shops in the village.”
“We’ll take my helicopter to Omaira.”
Her eyes widened and her pulse skipped a beat. Omaira was the biggest city in Jazaar. It was a metropolitan center that she had heard rivaled Marrakesh and Dubai. Chances were there was an American embassy. She could escape Jazaar and request sanctuary the moment she stepped into the government building.
“Let me know when you want to go.”
She set down her coffee cup with a clatter. “I’m ready now.”
This was not one of his better ideas.
Nadir had learned quickly that he needed to watch Zoe like a hawk as they explored Omaira. His wife was endlessly fasci
nated with the city. She had immediately requested a map even though he could reveal any secret of the place. She insisted on asserting her independence, constantly getting lost in the dark alleys and winding streets the moment he turned his head.
Zoe was facing the excursion with startling intensity. She had craned her neck to study the architecture and stared at the red clay that edged up to the deep blue ocean. She was thrilled by the activity in the ancient marketplace, enjoying the spices and food. She was enthralled with the stores and the people.
She was interested in everything and everyone but him. In fact she seemed frustrated that he was protectively at her side and didn’t allow her to venture far.
Didn’t Zoe know that a good Jazaari bride focused all of her attention on her husband? Perhaps it was time to go back to the village where there weren’t as many distractions? Or was she so shy with her arranged husband that she was using the city as an excuse to keep busy?
No, that wasn’t it. Zoe was stubborn and disobedient, but never shy. If she grew quiet she was up to something. He already knew that much.
She tilted her head and took a few steps back to peek at a dark alley. Nadir slid her arm through his and held her firmly. “This way, Zoe.”
“I can walk on my own,” she replied as her fingers curled in a fist. “You act is if I need to be on a leash.”
“Don’t tempt me.” At first he had thought she was overwhelmed with the noise and the crowds. He had thought her rebellious streak was overcompensating for her lack of sophistication.
But he’d discarded that possibility when she’d got lost for the fifth time. Her sense of direction couldn’t be that poor. Nadir couldn’t shake the feeling that she was trying to get lost. Trying to run away.
“Ah, here we are.” He stopped at the entrance of a modern steel and glass building.
Zoe tried to act nonchalant as she removed her hand from his hold. She glanced at the window displays. “A jewelry store?”
Nadir fought back a smile. No woman in Jazaar would describe it as such. Paradise, maybe heaven, but never just “a jewelry store.” “Fayruz has been the royal jewelers for decades.”
