Beauty and the Sheikh(26)

She shook her head and pressed her cheek against his chest. Despite the obvious fact he was here today, she needed to reassure herself he was alive. Hear his heart pumping blood through his veins. “How old were you?”

“Twenty-three.”

The same age she was now.

“I’m so sorry, Rafiq.”

Beneath her head she felt his nonchalant shrug. “It was nearly a decade ago. I was fortunate enough to survive, but my parents were not so lucky. I, however, was left with the face of a monster.”

“You don’t have the face of a monster. I wish you’d stop thinking that.” But it was clear his uncle had left a deep bitterness and distrust of human nature. “Your uncle was the monster. A horrific, heartless man.” She lifted her head from his chest, her own fear just a shred of her emotions now as she stared up at him.

Holly cupped his scarred cheek again, and muscles in his jaw flexed under her palm. His eyes were already hard as flint as he stared beyond her.

“To me you’ll always be a strong, handsome leader.” She shifted slightly to press a kiss against the groove in his face.

“Holly…” His body shuddered and his arms tightened around her.

“What happened to your uncle? I hope he’s in prison.”

“He was killed by one of my father’s guards before he could flee the palace.”

Relief slid through her. Not that she feared for Rafiq’s safety any longer—the man had guards everywhere—but that such an evil man no longer walked the streets.

Rafiq was lost in a memory and seemed barely aware of her presence anymore.

“Look at me, Rafiq.”

He blinked before glancing back at her. Her heart clenched at the pain she saw there, knowing he wouldn’t want her to see.

“Yes, you have a scar,” she said. “But it pales in comparison to the one your uncle left on your heart.”

His hand slid up to cover hers. “My people fear me, Holly.”

“Your people love you and are thrilled with what you’ve done for Raljahar. More than anyone, Rafiq, you should know better than to believe what you read.”

“It’s more than what the papers print.”

She almost argued with him, but there was truth to Rafiq’s words. “Maybe some of your people do fear you,” she said tentatively. “But it’s only because they have no idea who you truly are. Do you ever go out and visit with the people of your country?”

“Not often. There are risks…”

“Your guards will protect you—they’ve followed on our heels all week like dogs begging for a treat. Take them with you. You have a wonderful, beautiful country, Rafiq. And your people are warm and loving.”

He scowled. “I enjoy my palace.”

She laughed. “Of course you do, it’s paradise. I simply think your people would enjoy a bit of interaction with their Sheikh.”

“Hmm.” He didn’t sound convinced.

“They fear you because you’ve created this imposing image of yourself. And maybe your temper could…” She cleared her throat. “Use a little improving.”

He arched a brow, though fortunately his mouth quirked. “You think I’m short-tempered?”

“Well, a little, yes. I’ve seen you yell at your staff.”

Rafiq grunted but didn’t argue.

“All I’m saying is perhaps you should smile a little more. Crack a joke or two.”

“Crack a joke?” Now he did laugh softly. “Holly, you are a delight.”

Her breath caught at how much a genuine smile on his face could transform him. “Like that,” she whispered. “Rafiq, you’re mesmerizing. If people saw you the way I did, they wouldn’t help but fall…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, suddenly all too aware of what she’d been about to say. Of everything she’d been saying for the past few minutes. It seemed not only had the brandy loosened her fear, but her lips as well.

Rafiq pulled her wrist from his cheek and cradled it between his hands. He turned it over and brushed a kiss against her racing pulse.

Warm shivers ran through her and she just barely bit back a sigh. She swallowed hard instead and lifted her gaze to his. “Thank you for opening up to me. I know it wasn’t easy.”

“I am the one who owes appreciation, Holly.”

For what? she nearly blurted. For lecturing him on what a reclusive grouch he could be? God, she would never drink brandy again.

“You helped me remember who I am.”

She gave him a small smile. “Well, you helped make flying a bit more tolerable.”

“It was the brandy.”

“It was more than the brandy. It’s you holding me and talking to me. Whether you realize it or not, Rafiq. You’re actually quite the nurturer.”

You’ll be a good father some day. Holly had to bite her lip from saying the rest aloud. But the words were in her heart and it ached a bit to think about it. It was all too easy to imagine Rafiq with a small, dark-featured child on his lap, whom he would undoubtedly have with a woman of his country.

She closed her eyes because she knew the sudden wash of pain might be reflected there.

“Are you all right? Has the turbulence frightened you?”

Turbulence? She hadn’t even noticed the turbulence on the plane, only in her heart.

“I’m all right.” She pulled her hand away and cleared her throat. “But perhaps I could have some water?”

Rafiq didn’t hesitate, just moved to press a button that must’ve been hidden in the headboard somewhere. He spoke in Arabic, his words calm and soft, lacking the usual terse edge.

Perhaps he did heed her advice after all. The thought should’ve sent a thrill of pleasure through her, instead her stomach still churned from the thought of Rafiq and another woman.

She drew in a slow, calming breath. Her time with him had an expiration date. She’d known that going in, and she couldn’t allow herself to forget.

Rafiq was the Sheikh of Raljahar. A Sheikh. There was no future for them and he’d always been upfront with her. Perhaps his motives for bedding her no longer centered on revenge, but she wouldn’t delude herself into thinking they centered on the one thing she needed most.

Love.



On the drive back to the palace, Rafiq struggled with what had happened on the plane. He’d never intended to tell Holly quite so much of his past, to give her such an intimate glimpse at the pain and anger still lingering inside him.

Her points had been valid, but not new to him. They now raced through his mind as quickly as the limo moved through the city streets. He saw his country through different eyes, how Holly might’ve seen it.

He’d shut his people out, avoided interacting them, and done so deliberately. He’d rejected them before they could reject him.

Before he’d been scarred, the citizens of Raljahar had never taken him seriously. And why should they have, when he’d lived the life of an overindulged playboy? After his father had been murdered and Rafiq had taken over the Sheikhdom, their reaction had been a mix of fear and skepticism.

He’d proved their doubt wrong and built Raljahar into a thriving country, but he’d preferred to spend his time in the palace instead of watching the wariness and fear on his people’s faces when they saw him.

He stared out at the posh casino glittering in the distance. Observed the bustling shoppers filling the upscale mall that held a variety of designer shops.

But it was while passing Raljahar’s public marketplace that his chest swelled with pride. Adults and children waved with excitement as the limo sped by, the symbol of the Sheikhdom a discreet mark on the windows.

“They love you. Especially the children.”

Holly’s soft observation made him wince.

“They love the idea of a Sheikh who has turned the country around.” He shook his head. “I cannot even remember the last time I’ve had contact with a child.”

Her gaze skittered to his, shock reflecting in their depths. “Really? I can’t imagine. I love children.”

Children were more likely to fear him than be drawn to him, but he didn’t voice his thoughts aloud.

It didn’t surprise him Holly adored children; she seemed very much the mothering type. It had shown in the way she’d tried to protect her brother.

Her head turned again and she smiled and waved at the children. They wouldn’t be able to see her, but she didn’t seem to care, and the joy on her face could not be feigned.

His mind flickered back to an article in a magazine he’d seen while she still modeled.

It was from a story about poverty in a third-world country, and how some stars were helping raise awareness and money. Holly had been in several photos, playing with the children or holding a baby. At the time he’d assumed it was simply publicity shots her manager had encouraged.