Beauty and the Sheikh(15)

Unable to breathe, she struggled for words. “I wasn’t. I just…”

The limo slowed and Rafiq released her. “We’ve arrived at the hotel.”

She fumbled to sit up, tugging at her bra with unsteady fingers. Rafiq brushed her hands aside and eased her back into her clothing before she could protest, as if she were helpless.

What had happened? He’d become like a wounded animal the moment her fingers nearly grazed his marred flesh. Snarling and defensive. And vulnerable.

A small ache of sympathy bloomed inside her and she swallowed hard, knowing he would resent her for it.

“There will no doubt be paparazzi when we arrive,” Rafiq said tonelessly, as if they hadn’t nearly just made love in the back of a limo.

“How do they even know of our arrival?”

“I had my assistant send a tip to the media outlets with the information.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave a slight smile. “And of course it was discreetly mentioned that you would be my companion.”

Of course. How ironic that the man who’d withdrawn from the public eye now sought it openly.

The limo came to a complete stop and Rafiq moved away once more.

“And here we go.”

Sunlight poured into the limo as the door was opened a moment later. Rafiq climbed out first and turned to offer his hand. Swiping her tongue across her mouth, Holly gave herself a quick mental pep talk before taking his hand and sliding out of the limo after him.

The swarm of cameras and reporters descended on them like ants at a picnic. Even though it had been a good year or so since she’d been in the tabloid’s eye, she slipped back into the spotlight with an ease that surprised her.

Despite Rafiq’s offhand demeanor in facing the paparazzi, she felt the tension in the arm that he slipped around her waist. She could somehow sense the unease and turbulence inside him.

The realization of just how difficult this was for him had her throat tightening with compassion. Wanting to help put him at ease and make this whole façade as believable as possible, she leaned into him and gave him a dazzling smile as he addressed a reporter’s question.

Oh, but he was handsome. It didn’t matter that one side of his face was marred. The proud tilt of his head and indifference in his eyes revealed none of the apprehension she knew he felt but would never admit. It didn’t matter; the image he personified to the media was a powerful, confident man.

She ignored any questions directed at her and allowed Rafiq to keep the spotlight, but his replies to the questions were terse, even a bit harsh at times. She struggled with the frown that threatened. Really, if he wanted to reform his image as being so intimidating he needed to work on his social skills a bit.

After answering another question, he glanced down at her. His gaze connected with hers as if she were an anchor in a storm full of chaos. His eyes darkened and she watched his chest rise with the slow breath he drew in. “That is all the questions for now,” he called out brusquely. “I believe I have…other matters to attend to.”

There were a few insinuating remarks and laughter from the crowd and Holly felt her cheeks warm as he led them away and into the hotel. His parting remark had been entirely too suggestive, as he’d obviously intended it to be.

Only once they’d been shown to the penthouse suite did she round on him with a furious glare. “Was that really necessary?”

Rafiq gave her a cool look and loosened his tie. “Was what necessary?”

“Implying you could hardly wait to get me to the room so that you could…”

“I did no such thing. I cannot help what assumptions the media makes.” He dropped the tie on a glass table and approached her. “Although I must say, you looked quite the part of my lover, habiba. When you climbed from the limo all tousled and your mouth swollen I don’t think the paparazzi needed much convincing.”

Holly reared back as if he’d slapped her. Had that moment of passion in the limo been done with a calculating purpose? The same thing he’d done before she’d seen her brother? “Is that why you kissed me?”

Rafiq’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

Was she once again caught up in passion while Rafiq simply prepared her to appear properly tousled? Rather than try to explain further, she swallowed the tears of humiliation in her throat and shook her head. “Never mind. Is there anything planned for this afternoon?” She needed to put some space between them. Get away.

Rafiq gave a slight shrug. “I have several phone calls to make and business needs to take care of online, but you are free to do as you please.”

The beautiful beach they’d passed on the way in slipped through her mind. Up until a few days ago, she’d been stuck in Portland. It was summer, so the weather was fairly nice, but home didn’t have the kind of luscious beaches Monaco did.

“I’d like to swim, then. I don’t have a suit, but I can run down to the shop I spotted—”

“There’s no need. As I said earlier, I’ve provided you with a wardrobe. It should be in the bedroom.”

Holly froze, her gaze jerking around the suite. “There is more than one, isn’t there?”

“More than one what?”

“Room? Bed?”

“No need to panic, Holly. There are two rooms.” He tilted his head. “Unless you’d like to share mine? I have to confess, I’d prefer that arrangement.”

“Tempting, but I’ll pass.”

“It’s inevitable, you realize. You ending up in my bed.”

Holly balled her hands into fists so she wouldn’t slap the confident smirk off his face. He was so certain she would go to bed with him. Had a woman ever told him no? This couldn’t be a novelty to him.

Oh yes, it could. Women didn’t turn down a Sheikh who radiated power and magnetism.

“So you keep saying, but I wouldn’t lay down any bets on it.” She flashed a hard smile before striding from the room to find her promised wardrobe.





Chapter 8



Rafiq watched her leave and bit back a sigh. If he had a free afternoon, he would join her on the beach. The weather was hot and the water inviting, but he’d not come to Monaco for pleasure.

At least, not during the day. At night he’d little doubt he would find pleasure in bed with Holly. That was, once she surrendered to her body’s needs.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. What is this?” Holly’s appalled words reached him before she did, but a moment later she stood in front of him, fingers trembling as she held up the pieces of fabric.

“It appears to be swim wear.”

“Are you insane? I would never wear this—this—”

“Never? I’ve seen you wear far less in magazines photos.”

She shook her head. “I don’t actually wear bikinis like this in public to swim. For goodness sake, those were costumes for a photo shoot. They would probably melt if they touched actual water. I refuse to wear this. Can’t you find a one piece or something less skimpy? This is—”

“What has been purchased for you, and so you shall wear it. You have a lovely body, habiba, and it puzzles me why you feel the need to hide it. I thought you American women were so comfortable in your desire to wear very little clothing.”

“That’s a huge generalization.”

“Hmm. We are both guilty of those, are we not?” He gave an offhanded shrug. “Though, if you desire, you may simply wear the bottoms of the suit.”

Horror reflected in her gaze now. “Just the bottoms? You think I would swim without a top?”

“It is custom here. If you are not fond of the suit I’ve provided you with, it is an option.”

Her fingers clenched around the sapphire string bikini and she glared at him. “Never mind, I’ll wear this. And for the record, Rafiq, I am not someone who prefers clothing that lets everything hang out, thank you very much.”

“Ah, your manners have returned.”

He nearly laughed as her face reddened and she seemed ready to explode. Then she turned on her heel and disappeared once more.

Rafiq bit back a chuckle and went to unpack his laptop so he could check his email.

Minutes passed and he became so engrossed in business, he almost didn’t notice Holly leave the bedroom once more. But his attention was swiftly caught when he spotted the flash of exposed flesh moving past him.

She hadn’t even put on a cover-up and her pale curves were in full view, save for the tiny scraps of blue over her breasts and bottom.

His response came swiftly, the blood moving straight toward his groin.

“Does it please you?” she challenged with a saccharine smile, even as her eyes sparkled with defiance.

“You should put on a cover-up. Something,” he managed to choke out.

“I thought you were comfortable with me wearing this suit? Don’t worry, I’ve got a sarong in my bag. Perhaps I’ll put it on in the elevator.” She slid a pair of oversized sunglasses from her bag onto her head. “Have fun working, Rafiq. I’ll try to soak up some sun for you. And, you know, maybe I will consider going topless, after all. Who needs tan lines?”