The small table had been set with gleaming silverware, sparkling crystal. Candles shimmered, their flames dancing, reflected in Kharun’s dark eyes.
“You look lovely,” he said softly, reaching out his hand.
Sara slipped hers into his, feeling the shock of awareness that always took her by surprise when he touched her. Her heart pounded, and her skin grew tight with sensitivity and longing.
“Let’s eat, then we’ll take that walk,” he said, seating her.
Dinner flew by. Sara was aware of every second, wondering what the future held. Not endless days ahead, but later tonight. Would their walk draw them even closer? Would he kiss her again?
She could scarcely eat, despite the wonderful aromas and tastes of the meal Aminna had prepared.
Kharun spoke of cities he’d visited when he lived in America, and she told him about growing up with a father who traveled the world. They shared their favorite places in Paris, and their love for riding, arguing the various merits of different breeds of horses.
By the time they finished eating, she was a bundle of nerves. Always in the back of her mind had been the promised walk. Alone with Kharun in the dark, along the sea.
Kharun looked at her gravely. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He didn’t look as if the answer satisfied, so she continued. “I’m still excited about the plans Tamil and I made today. I can’t wait until tomorrow when we look around the city.”
He nodded, his eyes narrowed. “Shall we take that walk?”
She blew out her breath and smiled. “I’d like that.”
The moon was full, providing enough light to clearly see the path, bathing the white sand with enough illumination to clearly see their way. Sara stopped when they reached the beach to slip off her sandals.
“I like going barefoot,” she said, looping them with one finger.
“Be careful where you step. There are broken shells sometimes,” he warned, taking her free hand.
She almost shivered at the sensations that tingled along her arm. Glancing around, she almost didn’t recognize the beach as the place she’d visited several mornings.
An air of mystery hovered. The sea was dark, the anchor lights of the pleasure crafts the only break in the blackness. The silvery sheen of the sand added to her pleasure, evoking dreams of romantic settings and faithful lovers.
Kharun began angling toward the water, his presence compelling.
“I think I’d come out every night if I lived here,” Sara murmured.
“You do live here.”
“Temporarily. How are the lease discussions coming?”
He hesitated a moment. She glanced at him.
“They are progressing. How does your father feel about them?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him since our wedding. I did talk to my mother again and arranged for us to have dinner with them tomorrow night, if that’s all right with you. Will that be awkward, you and my father sitting down to dinner when you are on opposite sides of negotiations?”
“We are not enemies, Sara. We both want these leases, we’re just hammering out the details.”
“Mom doesn’t like business discussions at the table,” she warned.
“A wise woman. I enjoyed meeting her. Are you worried about having dinner with them?”
“A bit. What if they suspect this is all a sham?”
“What would happen?”
She sighed. “They’d be disappointed. I’m a trial to them, I suspect.”
“I doubt it. From what I saw, they seemed to delight in your company.”
“That’s because you saw them at the wedding—when they were predisposed to be happy. Someone else finally took me off their hands.”
“Do you think they feel that way? At first they were bewildered. But when they thought you were happy, they were happy.”
“So they’ll be even more disappointed when the truth comes out. Not that that’s your worry.”
“We don’t have to end the marriage the day we sign the agreements, you know,” he said slowly.
“We don’t?”
Kharun stopped and turned her so she faced him. He released her hand and placed his on her shoulders. “Piers suggested it might be a slap in the face to the ministers to end it immediately by annulment. We’d be essentially telling them all we’d played a trick.”
“Oh.” For some reason his rationale depressed her. She’d thought when he first spoke he wanted to keep their arrangement a little longer. Now it was further expediency, nothing more.
“So what do you think?”
“Whatever.” She couldn’t think with Kharun’s hands toying with her hair, his thumbs caressing her jaw. She could only feel the myriad sensations that filled her, that heated her blood and had her longing for things never known.
“I was thinking—”
“What?” She tried breathing normally, every nerve cell at attention and craving more.
“Maybe an annulment isn’t such a good idea. A divorce might be more persuasive.”
Her heart pounded so hard she wondered if he could see it. Blood pulsed like thunder through her veins. She peered up at him, trying to determine what he was saying—what he really meant.
“A divorce?”
“It is customary when ending a marriage that has been consummated,” he said, leaning down to kiss her.
CHAPTER NINE
HE WAS kissing her. He wanted more. More than kisses. Rational thought fled as touch turned her knees wobbly and her thought processes to mush.
He wanted her. Every brush of his lips, stroke of his tongue, caress of his fingertips shouted the message loud and clear.
And she wanted him. Wanted to be closer still, to explore all the cravings that filled her body. Wanted to touch him all over, learn every secret he had to share.
When he pulled back to look at her, she smiled. “I think a divorce is the only way to go,” she said huskily.
He swept her up into his arms, her strong desert raider, and turned for the house. She encircled his neck, cherishing every moment. What woman hadn’t dreamed of a man sweeping her off her feet since seeing Rhett sweep Scarlet up the steps in Gone With the Wind? Was anything more romantic?
Only to have it happen to her.
She scarcely noticed when they reached the garden, except she could see him better with the illumination of the garden lights. He followed the path to her room, entering through the opened French doors.
The soft twinkling from the garden gave all the light they needed. Setting her beside the bed, he took her sandals and dropped them on the floor.
“Are you sure, Sara? There’ll be no going back,” he said, caressing her cheek.
Her heart exploded with love for this enigmatic man before her. She didn’t know him well, but she knew he was honorable and caring. Theirs was an odd arrangement, doomed to end before long. But she loved him as she’d never loved another.
When had that happened?
Could the feelings she had truly be love? Yet what was more natural than a woman wanting to share all she could with the man she loved?
“I’m so very sure, Kharun.” So saying, she reached up and pulled his head down for a kiss.
Taking liberties she would never have dared even a day before, she threaded her fingers in his thick hair, relishing her right to touch him.
His hands roamed over her back, pressing her against his hard body, lifting her slightly to bring her even closer. Heat built as his clever fingers found the fastenings for her dress and released them. The cool air on her back should have startled, but she was too caught up in the roiling excitement that grew with each feather stroke of his fingers.
The world spun when he lifted her to place her on the bed. Then it righted itself as he joined her.
Sara awoke when Kharun left her. Dawn was breaking. He was going for his swim, she knew it. For an instant, she considered throwing back the light covering and joining him. But tend
rils of passion still filled her, and she wanted to savor the feelings a bit longer. She smiled dreamily and drifted back to sleep hugging the pillow he’d used, breathing in his special scent.
By the time Sara awoke for the day, the sun was high in the sky. Slowly she bathed and dressed. Wondering where Kharun was, she headed for the dining room. Only to be disappointed when it was empty—save for a place set at the table and some food warming on the sideboard. She poured a cup of coffee and selected a couple of croissants. Stepping outside, she went to sit in the shade.
Last night had been beyond her wildest dreams. They’d made love more than once and each time was like it had been invented just to join Kharun and Sara forever.
Wryly she acknowledged he likely didn’t feel the same way. The thought threatened to overwhelm her. It was enough she’d had a night with him. Maybe more nights to come. But she’d entered this arrangement with her head fully aware of the consequences. She’d see her commitment through and leave when the time came. She just hoped she was able to leave without clinging, without asking for more than Kharun ever promised to give.
Aminna stepped into the doorway.
“His Excellency said to tell you he had to go to the city today. He will meet you at the hotel for dinner with your parents at seven.”
Sara tried to smile, but her hopes and dreams vanished in an instant. Confirmation that last night hadn’t meant as much to him as it had to her. Not with such a cryptic message. Not with leaving her alone all day. Leaving without even seeking her out to say goodbye in person.
Without another kiss.
“Thank you. I will be going to the city myself today.” At least she still had the appointment with Tamil. How she would have faced the day without that, she didn’t know.
“What time? I’ll inform the driver.”
“I need to be at the company headquarters at ten.”
Aminna bowed slightly and left Sara to her rueful thoughts.
By the time seven o’clock rolled around, Sara had been through more emotional turmoil than she cared to repeat anytime soon. She vacillated from being understanding of the demands of Kharun’s time and work to being convinced he’d used them as a mere excuse to escape.
She went right up to her parents’ suite and knocked on the door a few minutes before seven. Might as well get this over with, and hope for the best.
“Sara!” Her mother swept her into her arms for a brief hug, then held her back, studying her daughter.
“You look radiant.”
Sara was startled. Did she? Or was her mother seeing only what she wanted to see?
“Just like a new bride should look. Come in, and tell me all about being married to Kharun. I imagine it would be vastly different from your father.”
“One type A personality is similar to another,” Sara said, smiling at her mother.
“Ah, but your father wasn’t always like that. We married right out of college. We were both so young. But Kharun is already established as a man of the world—not only in running several international businesses, but negotiating oil treaties on behalf of his country. Vastly different from the early days of our marriage.”
“I guess,” Sara said, struck by the difference.
They moved into the sitting room area of the suite and settled on the luxurious sofas.
“Before I forget, though I doubt there’s a danger of that, your obnoxious boss keeps calling, demanding to talk to you. He really is getting tiresome.”
“Pete? I called him after you told me of his calls. He’s still bothering you?”
“Persistent, I have to give him that.”
“Can you ignore him? Just hang up the next time he calls, maybe that’ll get through to him.”
“Actually, I have the front desk screening our calls now. Tiresome, but at least I haven’t spoken directly with him today. Ah, here’s your father.”
“Sara.” Samuel Kinsale entered from the adjoining room. He hugged her when she rose, then held her away from him, his hands on her shoulders, studying her.
“Marriage seems to agree with you,” he said. Glancing around, he frowned. “Where’s Kharun?”
Just then there was a tap at the outer door.
“That’s probably him now. He was coming from the office,” Sara said, crossing to the door. Her heart skipped a beat in anticipation.
She opened the door, struck anew by Kharun’s sexy looks. Her breath caught when he swept her into his arms and kissed her deeply. When he pulled back a moment later, she wanted to grab hold and never let him go.
Startled by the trend of her thoughts, she smiled shakily and stepped back, as if putting distance between them could erase her wanton desires.
“Hi,” she said breathlessly.
He smiled that lazy smile then looked beyond her to her parents.
“Good evening.”
“Kharun, good to see you.”
Samuel and Roberta greeted their guest with obvious warmth. Before long, Roberta had everyone comfortable and at ease.
“No talking shop tonight,” she warned the others. “This is a family dinner, not some negotiating session!”
Samuel laughed and nodded. “Very well. Kharun and I get enough negotiating. Tell me, how are you enjoying married life?”
Kharun glanced at Sara then looked at her father. “It is different from what I expected, but it has its compensations.”
She pasted an insipid smile on her face and hoped her thoughts weren’t reflected. Marriage wasn’t what he expected because it was a farce. He deserved to marry a woman he cared about, not to cover up a scandal that might prove an embarrassment to his country.
The comment about compensation didn’t go unnoticed. Was that all last night had been to him, a form of compensation for the sacrifice he’d made?
Her head held high, Sara tried to maintain the facade of a radiant bride, happy with life. But she longed for privacy. Even her room at Kharun’s villa would be preferable to being with her parents now and trying to keep up appearances with people who knew her so well.
And Kharun didn’t help matters. He was sitting far too close. She could feel his thigh against hers, and his shoulder brushed hers when he leaned forward to put his glass on the table. Settling back, he put his arm around her shoulders, his hand lightly tracing circles against the sensitive skin in her upper arm.
She could hardly concentrate on the conversation. Every fiber of her being was attuned to the sensations sweeping through her from his touch. How was anyone supposed to remain coherent when all they could think about was getting alone with the man and seeing if they could take up where they’d left off the night before?
She flicked a quick look at her mother. Roberta was serenely responding to one of Kharun’s questions. She didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. But Sara felt the entire world had to be able to hear her rapid heartbeat, feel the heat that suffused, know she was focused on Kharun to the exclusion of everything else.
Dinner seemed interminable. She kept her eyes on her plate, lest she give away her emotional turmoil and stare at Kharun for endless moments. Once or twice, when addressed directly, she looked up. Each time Kharun’s warm gaze rested on her.
It was all for show. To put on a good front before her parents, to pretend to the world that everything was fine.
Suddenly Sara wished with all her heart it wasn’t a charade. That they were married forever and could go home together when the evening ended and close the rest of the world out of their special place.
She stared at the last of the food on her plate. She’d fallen in love with a man who didn’t trust her! A man who found her a problem to be dealt with and then summarily dismissed once the situation was resolved. Not the best move she’d ever made. Nothing had gone the way she’d expected since she stepped foot onto Kamtansin soil.
She reached for her water and took a long drink, wishing she could catch the next plane home.
She couldn’t stay. She’d give herself away any instant, and
she couldn’t bear the humiliation of his knowing the awkward, flaky daughter of Samuel Kinsale had fallen in love with one of the world’s most powerful men.
At least when she made mistakes, they were terrific ones. No little namby-pamby ones for her.
She should have been better prepared. Should have guarded her heart against his appeal and attraction.
What she should have done was refused to go riding with him, ignored his family, fought him at every turn and demanded she be allowed to leave.
Now she didn’t ever want to leave, yet the days were counting down and it was only a matter of time before he’d ask her to. Their marriage facade would no longer be needed once the leases were signed. Her ideas for tourism might be utilized, but her presence wouldn’t be required.
She could hardly keep from jumping up and screaming at the unfairness of it all. For the first time she’d found someone she truly loved, and it was not meant to be.
“Are you all right?” Kharun asked.
Sara looked up. “Fine.”
His eyes narrowed as he studied her. Thankfully, she knew he could not read minds. But his steady regard was making her nervous.
She wasn’t fine, she’d made the biggest mess of her life. But she’d bluff her way through. The entire sequence of events was her fault. She would not add to it by letting him suspect her feelings had changed.
The evening seemed interminable, but finally it was time to leave.
Her mother gave her a hug. “I like him so much. I hope you’ll always be happy.”
Sara smiled, feeling as if a knife was twisting in her heart. What would her mother say in a few weeks, when the marriage was over? Sara didn’t even want to think about it.
“You were silent tonight,” Kharun said as they settled in the back of the limousine and headed for the villa. “Are you usually so quiet in the presence of your parents?”
“What? Oh, no. We talk a lot, actually.”
“So I was the damper on the evening?”
She shook her head, trying to see him in the darkness. The ride reminded her of that first ride from the jail in the desert. She’d never in a million years suspected she’d end up loving the man beside her.
The Sheikh's Proposal Page 12
