by Cara Albany
And he'd succeeded, only to find a situation which was far more complicated than he'd anticipated. He'd fix that situation in the only way he knew how. Once that was taken care of, then he would deal with the real reason he'd embarked on this course of action.
Now that Becca was with him again, there was only one thing on Zaheer's mind.
Keeping Becca in his life.
CHAPTER THREE
During the meal, they chatted. She probed him a few times about his intentions for doing all of this, but somehow Becca couldn't get Zaheer to answer the question she'd asked before the food had been brought.
Why was he being so evasive? Because, as the meal progressed, and as she repeatedly asked him to explain, he continued to subtly, but firmly, evade her attempts at drawing out the truth.
Becca still remembered how determined Zaheer could be. How stubborn he could be. When he wanted to acquire something, when he needed to possess something, he was unstoppable. He would break down every barrier that stood in his way. It wasn't really that surprising that he had found Becca again. It was amazing it had taken him so long, really. Three years was such a long time.
But, why had he tried to find her now? That was the question which tugged at her mind all through the meal.
And now he was back. At least for this evening. And with the most surprising proposal she could ever have imagined.
Was he serious about fixing Abby's finances? Not just Abby's finances. Her life. And by doing that, Zaheer would achieve one thing. He would be relieving Becca of so much worry, so much concern about the one woman she was closest to in the whole world.
Of course, Becca knew that doing such a thing would be easy for someone like Zaheer. He could make those payments in a heartbeat without feeling the financial cost. Money didn't mean the same to Zaheer as it meant to other people. It wasn't just about survival. For him, it was a means to maintaining honor, ensuring dignity and respect in life. It was about so much more than just getting by.
She didn't doubt that Zaheer wanted to relieve Abby of her suffering. At least as much as money could do that. Of course, for Abby, the pain of losing her husband would take years to heal, but at least Zaheer's action might make that pain easier to endure.
But, would there be other costs? Specifically for Becca. Did Zaheer expect Becca to show some kind of gratitude for his generosity toward Abby? Surely Zaheer didn't expect something in return. He couldn't be that calculating. Could he?
Becca knew he wasn't as mercenary as that. But, who knew how he'd changed in the last three years. Was he still the same man she had once been so close to? Was he still the same Zaheer who had driven her wild during those passionate nights in his desert palace?
More than once during the meal she watched him as he ate. She tried to get a sense of whether he was still the same man who had swept her off her feet during that wild New Year's Eve party in New York three years before.
As she recalled that heady evening, Becca had to contain the urge to smile at the memory. That had been a wild night. And it had been followed by even more intense passion when Zaheer had whisked her off in his private jet on New Year's Day and taken her to Qazhar.
What had followed had been like something out of a dream. But it had been all too real. She'd stayed with Zaheer for almost a month. Not long in the grand scheme of her life, Becca had often said to herself. But it had turned out to be the most incredible four weeks of her life.
One night of forbidden passion had turned into thirty amazing nights with a powerful, unbelievably gorgeous sheikh who had made her the temporary center of his world.
And it had been incredible. They'd made love every night, and Zaheer had proved to be utterly insatiable. Wonderfully hungry for pleasure and devoted to driving Becca almost insane with ecstasy each and every night.
Even just thinking about it, sitting like this across from Zaheer, made Becca's heart race faster. The memories were vivid and burned forever into her mind. She was only a few feet away from the man who had turned her world upside down, and she didn't know what she could do about it. Especially now that he'd made an offer which Becca had no choice but to take back to Trenton.
Of course, Abby would accept, Becca told herself. It would be awkward and probably Becca would have to spend a long time persuading Abby. But, in the end, the future had to be faced realistically. Fate had placed these difficult circumstances in their life and, ironically, had also provided a way out of the problem.
Becca glanced across at Zaheer. Did he have any clue how this would affect Abby's life? And Becca's?
Maybe that was part of it, she told herself. Perhaps there was a catch, after all? Maybe Zaheer had other motives for doing all of this. Becca knew she'd have to find out if there were conditions attached. It was important. She had to be sure if she could trust him. At least for Abby's sake, no matter what her cousin decided to do.
During the meal, and over coffee, the conversation drifted to what their lives had been like during the past three years. Becca did her best to disguise some of the difficulties she'd experienced. She didn't want his pity. So she pushed aside some of the details of hardship and pain and loss. There was no sense in dwelling on the past, she told herself.
For his part, Zaheer talked about how busy he'd been with his business interests and his family life. He had two brothers and his parents were still both living, something Becca still found herself feeling slightly jealous about. She remembered Zaheer's family life as being one of complete joy and fulfilment.
During her whirlwind visit to Qazhar, Becca had just assumed that it was their wealth and privilege that allowed Zaheer's family to enjoy such a life.
But, afterwards, following her breakup with Zaheer, Becca had realized that there was so much more than money holding Zaheer's family so closely together.
Breakup.
That one word caught her by surprise. She hadn't really thought about it like that. But now that he was here, sitting right in front of her, she realized that it had been a true breakup.
Even though their relationship had been so brief, there had been an astonishing intensity to it. That intensity had left her feeling such a strong sense of loss after she'd returned to her ordinary life. If breakup meant losing something, losing someone you felt so much about, then it was the right word to use, she told herself.
Had she been hiding from that truth these past few years? Had she been unwilling to face the reality of just how much Zaheer had affected her?
Because, now that he was so close to her again, now that she could reach out and touch him again, just as she'd done so many times in Qazhar, she sensed the true reality of what Zaheer had meant to her.
Being with Zaheer in Qazhar had been so much more than some kind of intoxicating, wild romantic fling. She'd been twenty-two when she'd gone there with him and it had seemed like the craziest thing in the world. Now she was older. More mature. Wasn't she? Even as she played with that thought, she sensed how ridiculous it sounded.
Zaheer was five years older than her. He had changed so much. There was a harder, more serious quality about him now. There were none of the remnants of youthful enthusiasm she remembered from three years ago.
The man who was sitting across from her had matured into a powerful presence, someone who had the appearance of a true sheikh of the desert. Someone possessing primal qualities that seemed out of place here in the city. He belonged in a wild, natural place. Like Qazhar.
And he had come all this way to do what? She needed to know.
The evening was drawing to a close and she knew it was time for her to leave. She had a train to catch. It sounded so ordinary when she thought about it like that. She'd shared an evening with a sheikh who had promised to, once again, turn her life upside down, and she hardly knew what to make of it.
She put her empty coffee cup down and peered across at Zaheer. "Thank you for asking me, Zaheer." She glanced at her watch. "But, I have to go. I have a train to catch."
Zaheer's brows furrowed
. "So soon?"
Becca nodded and stood. Zaheer stood and faced her. "Can I offer to drive you home?"
Becca smiled. "To Trenton? From here?"
Zaheer nodded.
"In your limo?" Becca asked.
"Of course," Zaheer said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world that he would have his driver take her all that distance. Maybe he wanted to accompany her, she thought.
"No. That's just a crazy distance. I couldn't possibly let you do that," she said.
"But I insist," Zaheer said.
Becca shook her head. "No. I'm taking the train, Zaheer," she said with a finality in her voice that he reacted to immediately.
Zaheer nodded. "Fine. Then, at least let me make sure you get to the station safely."
Becca thought about it for a few seconds and then nodded. "Okay," she replied.
The corner of Zaheer's mouth curled. She'd handed him a tiny victory, but that was all he was going to get from her this evening.
Becca walked alongside Zaheer as they made their way out of the restaurant. At their tables, guests watched her and Zaheer make their way through the restaurant. Becca saw intense curiosity on the faces of some of the women.
She drew herself up to her full height as she walked alongside Zaheer. In spite of herself, she savored the soft touch of Zaheer's hand at the base of her back as they wound their way amongst the tables.
At the entrance, Becca smiled at the hostess who had been so rude to her on her arrival. Becca saw the expression of pure jealousy on the woman's face and allowed herself a brief moment of illicit triumph.
Outside it was dark and the night air was warm. Becca could hear the steady roar of distant traffic. Zaheer wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he led her toward the open door of the limo. The driver smiled at her as she stooped and stepped inside the limo.
As she sat down on the leather seat, Becca inhaled the scent of luxury that filled the limo. Because that was what it was. The aura of wealth, as if she'd just stepped into another dimension. She saw Zaheer speaking quietly with the driver and then stoop inside the limo.
Zaheer sat beside her and the driver closed the door. A soft thud was followed by a long awkward silence.
After a few moments, Zaheer smiled at Becca. "Comfortable?" he asked.
Becca nodded. "Sure."
He laughed quietly. "Did you see the way they looked at us when we were leaving?" he asked.
"No," Becca said pretending not to know what he was talking about.
"I think they were wondering who we were," Zaheer said. "The mysterious couple," he added, lifting a brow and smiling. Was that a hint of pleasure in his voice?
"Maybe they were just wondering who'd been hiding in the back of the restaurant," she said casually.
He laughed. "Maybe none of them have been able to get access to the private booths. Not special enough."
Becca squinted at Zaheer. "That sounds kinda sleazy. Don't you think?"
"Depends," he replied. He peered at her. "There's been nothing sleazy about this evening."
She rolled her eyes at him. "I hope not," Becca said as the limo started to ease out into the road.
Zaheer sank back against the seat and stretched his arm along the top of the seat and behind Becca's shoulders. Zaheer saw the way she glanced at his arm and smiled.
Zaheer smiled right back at her.
"It's only a few minutes to the station," she said as if issuing him with some kind of warning.
Zaheer lifted a brow. "Really." He glanced out at the busy traffic. "This is New York, Becca. Have you forgotten?"
Becca looked out the dark, tinted window. She felt the limo slow and settle into a stationary line of cars. Even though it was probably less than a mile to the station, it could have just as well been a hundred miles. This journey might last longer than she'd thought.
Becca tilted her head. "Is this your way of keeping me all to yourself, Zaheer. In a traffic jam?"
Zaheer shrugged. "Would I do a thing like that?" he asked and smiled.
Becca glanced down and saw Zaheer shift closer to her. She felt his thigh press against her leg and she lifted her gaze up to him. "Of course you would," she declared. "Maybe I should get out and walk," she said glancing at the door.
"That would just spoil the evening. Don't you think?" Zaheer said. He was playing a game with her now. She could sense it. Maybe he hadn't changed so much, after all, she told herself.
Still playing the seducer.
His eyes were dark with desire. She saw the way his gaze drifted down to her lips. Becca remembered that look. Remembered what it could lead to.
Becca turned away from Zaheer. "Maybe I should get out and walk," she insisted. She knew her voice wasn't as firm as when she'd said that the first time.
With her face away from him, she couldn't see how he'd reacted to her words. But, when she felt his fingers gently settle on her chin, and as he eased her face around so that she could see him, she knew that he wasn't going to let her out of the limo.
His touch made sensation flare within her. She was certain her cheeks had colored, sure her eyes had widened involuntarily.
He had no intention of letting her go anywhere. She could see that in his gaze.
His brown eyes were like deep pools that she wanted to sink into, drown her doubts in, reclaim some of those vaguely remembered pleasures she had once shared with him. It seemed like such a long time since she'd felt like this.
Part of her wanted to submit to him, just as she'd done before. A distant corner of her awareness craved something more.
But she drew in a deep breath and moved her head slightly, loosening his touch. His eyes narrowed and he looked questioningly at her.
Becca's hands went to her lap and she clasped them tightly. She sighed irritably, cursing the treacherous temptation which was tugging at her, willing her to make a fool of herself again. Just like she'd done before. She wasn't going to do that. Not now. Not ever again. Not with Zaheer.
Zaheer leaned slightly away from her, but still kept his body turned toward Becca.
The limo surged forward as the traffic eased through a set of lights. Becca felt relief at the sudden movement.
"When will you let me know?" Zaheer asked abruptly.
Becca peered at Zaheer.
"About Abby's answer. About what she's decided," he added.
"I don't know. It might take me little time to find the right way to talk about it with her. You know how things are at the moment," Becca said. She sighed. "Things are just a little crazy, right now."
"I understand," Zaheer said in a flat voice. "There's just one thing," he added.
Becca narrowed her eyes at him. "More surprises?"
Zaheer shook his head. "Just one more thought that occurred to me."
"And what would that be?"
Zaheer drew in a deep breath and looked suddenly serious. He gazed at Becca. "What if Abby refuses?" he said.
Becca felt a jolt of concern. "But she can't," Becca replied. "She may not like it, but she'll see sense eventually"
The corners of Zaheer's mouth creased with a gentle smile. "Because you'll persuade her?" he asked.
Becca nodded. "She hasn't got any choice."
"I'm sure you're very persuasive, Becca," Zaheer said. "In fact, I already know just how persuasive you can be when you put your mind to it."
Becca felt her face flush with heat. He was teasing her again. She could hear it in his voice and see it in that mischievous look in his eyes. But there was also something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. Something lingering in the back of what he was saying. A knot of concern twisted in her middle.
Zaheer shifted his body slightly, facing Becca head on. He looked thoughtful, even grave, she told herself. Where was he going with all of this?
"What's that got to do with Abby accepting your offer?" Becca asked.
"Everything," Zaheer replied. "If she refuses to accept help from me, then what?"
"But she won't," Becca exclaimed wondering where this was leading.
Zaheer leaned forward. Now his face was mere inches from Becca. She caught his scent, a sudden, sharp reminder of his closeness.
"If she absolutely refuses to allow me to help, then that leaves only one option," Zaheer murmured.
"What are you talking about?" Becca asked, feeling slightly breathless. Was it because of Zaheer's closeness or because of the beginnings of understanding about what he was hinting at?
Zaheer's eyes narrowed. He looked absolutely sincere now. In fact, she'd never seen him look at her like that before. Whatever he had in mind, it was obviously of such huge significance that he was determined to convince her of the seriousness of his purpose.
Well, he was doing a good job, as far as Becca was concerned.
"What I'm talking about, Becca, is what happens if we have to make sure your cousin and her baby get the help they so desperately need."
"Did you say we?" Becca asked.
Zaheer nodded. "We're in this together," he replied putting heavy emphasis on his first word.
What was he talking about? There was no "we". Becca knew that. Surely he knew that. Their history was exactly that. History.
"We have to make sure your cousin has no choice but to accept the help she needs," Zaheer said. "It's a matter of honor and of doing the right thing. Don't you see that?"
"But she's nothing to you," Becca said. Even as she said the words she knew just how he was going to respond.
Zaheer leaned even closer now. His arms settled upon her shoulders and her body quivered at his touch.
"That may be the case. But there is one thing you are forgetting." He leaned closer. "You are everything to me, Becca," Zaheer growled, his words vibrating deep within her soul.
There was a long pause. Becca's heart was thumping furiously. Her senses were swimming and the inside of the limo suddenly felt very small and very confined. Becca felt her breath tighten.
"There is one way to ensure we do the right thing," Zaheer said slowly.
"What do you mean?" Becca managed to say, even though her chest felt tight, her mouth dry.
