Beauty and the Sheikh(3)

“Would you like to go downstairs and play any of the card tables, habiba?” he’d asked.

“I’m not much of a gambler,” she’d confessed. Except with my heart.

The night had been so perfect, with their private room and delicious food served by candlelight. And the way Rafiq found reasons to touch her—stroke her hand or push a strand of hair behind her ear—never failed to send her pulse into overdrive.

He’d leaned down to kiss her, exquisitely gentle in a way that left her body heated and her heart pounding. “Come away with me—I have a vacation home in the French Riviera where we could be alone.”

She knew what he asked and saw no reason to pretend otherwise. “But what about everybody else?”

“I have no desire to make love to your manager or photographer, habiba. Only you,” he’d teased, his gaze smoldering.

She’d laughed softly, even though she’d been so out of her league, and so thoroughly tempted.

“Consider it, Holly. I have meetings over the next few days about the logistics of a possible photo shoot, but we could spend the weekend together.”

And then his mouth had found hers again, more thoroughly this time, making her grateful for the privacy of their room within the restaurant.

“No answer, Holly?”

Holly blinked, snapping out of the memory. What were they talking about again? Oh, yes, he was accusing her of sneaking into his palace under disguise.

“I don’t think I should have to answer such a ridiculous accusation.”

Even if he’d been justified in making it.

Holly recoiled instinctively as the hostility in his expression increased.

As he glared down at her with a face that could make even the strongest of men cringe, she could understand why the tabloids loved to paint a frightening picture of the Sheikh. Even if it was rare they’d capture him on film.

Still, Sheikh Rafiq Hakimi was almost larger than life itself. Intimidating. Powerful. Frightening with the constant scowl and jagged scar that ran from his cheek to his neck, only to disappear beneath his robes. Combine that with his temper, and it was no wonder people often feared him.

And tonight, knowing she came to beg for a favor from the man who hated her, Holly realized she was no exception.





Chapter 2



Rafiq watched the flicker of emotions on Holly’s face and cursed himself for not being able to let her go. There was no threat, no reason to keep his fingers curled around the delicate curve of her shoulder. Except touching her was like breathing air he’d long been denied.

The soft scent of her perfume, subtle and light, caressed his senses. It was the same one she’d worn two years ago, and just the smell of it sent memories careening into him like a deadly sandstorm.

How was it possible to have missed something he’d never really had? How could he possibly still want this woman?

Her tongue darted out, traced over the lush mouth he’d once had the pleasure of claiming. His groin tightened and he bit back a groan. Would he find her body unchanged beneath the burka? Would it still be as flawless as the face he now gazed upon?

“You have yet to explain to me why you’ve come to Raljahar, Holly.”

The steel in his tone did little to intimidate her as defiance flickered in her eyes. It was one thing that had initially intrigued him about her. Holly had never recoiled from his appearance, had not been intimidated by him at all in their first meeting.

“Raljahar is a worldwide tourist destination. Americans are often inclined to visit just as much as those on this continent, Your Majesty.”

Amusement warred with irritation that she seemed to resent calling him by his title. Did she not even realize how fortunate she was to have gained a personal audience with him? It was rare even citizens of his country received this opportunity. Had he not intervened, she’d be sitting in a jail cell at this moment, awaiting a trial. “So you’re telling me you’ve come on holiday?”

“Of course not.” Her eyes rounded in horror. She shook her head, her cheeks tingeing a beguiling pink as her tongue swept across her mouth again. “I would never… My journey to Raljahar isn’t for my benefit.”

Warning bells rang in his head. “Then whose benefit is it for?”

She swallowed hard and lifted her chin, desperation and naked agony in her gaze. “Andrew Gray. He’s in your prison, and I’m here to beg you to release him.” She choked on the last word. “Please, he’s all I have, Ra—Your Majesty.”

Rafiq’s world spun out of focus as her words echoed in his head. His heart thumped painfully against his chest and everything inside him clenched with shock. She came here to beg for her lover’s release? The idea of Holly with another man—let alone begging Rafiq to help him—made something dark and resentful build inside him.

With a growl, he reached down and caught her hand, abruptly pulling up the sleeves of the black garment. Holly gasped, attempting to tug her soft fingers away, but he tightened his hold as he searched her fingers again, looking for the ring that perhaps he’d missed initially.

“What are you—”

“You dare come to beg for the release of your lover?”

“N-no.” Understanding dawned in her eyes and she shook her head. “Andrew’s not my lover. He’s my brother.”

Rafiq stilled and some of the tension eased, but he wasn’t certain he believed her. Perhaps she would say anything at this rate to save the man. “Your brother? Then why do you not share the same family name?”

“Winchester was an alias chosen for my modeling career. I ultimately changed it legally.”

“And Holly?”

“Is my real name.”

The fury that had consumed him faded away almost completely. He was inclined to believe her, and all he needed to do was give the word and he could have her story confirmed. Without a doubt he would see it done, would find out if this Andrew was truly not her lover, but her brother.

“Tell me more about your brother, Holly.” He drew his thumb across the knuckles of her hand, watching as her mouth parted and a shudder racked her body.

Her gaze slid to his scar, lingering there, and Rafiq’s nostrils flared. His touch and his appearance repulsed her that much, did it? And yet he couldn’t bring himself to release her hand, no matter how unnecessary holding it was.

There was a fleeting moment in the past where he’d been fooled into believing she enjoyed his touch and had seen beyond his flawed face. Until he’d discovered that not only was the American beauty a top model, but an accomplished actress.

Holly swallowed visibly and hesitated before answering. “Andrew was arrested last week. He was allegedly caught cheating at a cards table in your casino.”

“Allegedly?” he mocked, his lips curling. How pitifully naïve she was. Or perhaps she just thought him a fool. “Are you calling into question the level of security at my casino?”

“No, will you stop twisting my words?” She jerked her hand from his grasp and stumbled backward. “What I’m saying is my brother would never cheat!” But he saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes, and it was compounded by her next words. “Though if he owes any money, I have brought the funds to pay.”

Watching him, she must’ve realized her words were a mistake, because she lifted a hand to her mouth.

“You think I need your money, Holly?” He asked the question with a chilling softness he knew would intimidate.

“No, of course not, but the principle of it—”

“Your brother ignored principle when he chose to steal from my casino.”

She flinched and for a moment he saw the tears of desperation in her eyes. “Rafiq, please don’t be so quick to dismiss me. If you have any compassion, you’d consider my request.”

“If I have any compassion?” Rafiq ground out, unable to believe his ears. The words absolutely preposterous coming from her sensual lips after what she’d done to him. “You, Holly, are a fraud to even speak of compassion.”

Anger flashed in her eyes and she opened her mouth, appearing as if she were about to curse him to pieces, but then closed it again. Her hands balled into fists at her side, nearly disappearing into the long sleeves of her burka. Her head bowed. “I’m sorry. I haven’t come here to argue with you, Your Majesty. I’ve come to beg for help.”

Seeing Holly humbled before him sent a stab of satisfaction through him. Though she’d put space between them, he closed it again. His sense of power grew at the sound of the small, nervous breaths escaping her lips and the trembling of her body.

How was it possible he still wanted her? Wanted her mouth on his. Wanted her beneath him in bed, begging for pleasure and calling his name in abandon.

“Just what are you willing to do to garner his release?”

Her head jerked up, sapphire eyes widening with shock and wariness. “What do you mean?”