Beauty and the Sheikh(5)

When his expression only grew more amused, she spun away, cursing silently as she followed the guards to her room.

“And Holly?”

She froze as her name slashed through the silence. “Yes?”

“I will send someone for you early in the morning for breakfast. So try to have a good night’s rest.”

Right. Fat chance that was going to happen, and the jerk probably knew it.

No, being under the same roof as the Sheikh was going to prove for a restless night.





Chapter 3



Rafiq’s smile, and amusement, faded as Holly walked stiffly—and yet with that trademark grace—from the room.

Your hospitality is appreciated.

Doubtful. It was quite obvious she’d resented both the offer and feeling forced to accept it. He hadn’t lied. Of course he would review the footage of the casino the night in question, because the last thing he wanted to do was convict an innocent man. But if it showed illegal activity, and he suspected it would, then Andrew Gray would have to serve out his sentence.

Rafiq stared at the doors Holly had just exited through. Truthfully, there was no reason to keep her here in his palace. No reason other than hating the idea of her walking out of the palace doors, and possibly his life, again.

He couldn’t allow it, not with the sweet taste of her kiss still on his lips.

What was wrong with him? He’d never hungered for a woman so fiercely. She was the craving he’d once denied himself, because he could’ve had her. And now she’d returned and was again within his reach.

“Your Majesty?”

Rafiq glanced up as Amjad appeared in the doorway. “What is it?” he asked, hit by a fatigue that seemed to have crept up on him.

“I have made a request for the video footage you requested and for the background check on Mr. Gray.”

“Thank you.”

Amjad hesitated and then cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, if I might remind you about another matter?”

“Of course.”

“The proposed dinner with the King of Kepdaer’s daughter.”

A weight settled on Rafiq’s shoulders as he nodded absently, thinking of the letter that had been placed on his desk earlier this morning.

Dinner with Princess Hadiyyah sounded like more of a chore than pleasure. She was just one of the many potential women who could be a candidate to become his wife. He knew exactly how the night would progress. With panicked glances from the woman, forced conversation, and an overall impression she’d rather be anywhere but with him.

And yet, it was a necessary part of his life. Already, at thirty-two, he was overdue for choosing a wife. He’d put it off for years. But it couldn’t be avoided. Soon, he would be urged to take a proper wife who’d bear him a child.

Heaviness settled on his chest as he gave a terse nod. “Tell the King that now is not a suitable time, and I will be in contact.”

“Of course.”

“And please, Amjad, bring me the video when it arrives.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Amjad disappeared, leaving him once again alone. Rafiq turned to walk back to the office window and stare out at the late night view.

There had never been a woman who stirred his blood the way Holly did. The way she did tonight, and the way she had when she’d arrived in Raljahar two years ago.

He’d wanted her the first moment he’d seen her. When she’d sauntered into the country with her entourage of photographers, manager, and countless other faces. Their request had been the same as many others. To use beautiful, sacred grounds in his country to take photographs of half-naked women.

His lips twisted derisively.

Never had he granted permission. But he’d entertained the possibility with Holly, because he’d been so enchanted by her. He’d invited her and her people to spend the week in the palace as he considered their request, never imagining she’d agree. But she had.

There’d been a captivating shyness about Holly, and unlike the women of his kingdom, she’d never seemed to judge him by his flawed appearance. Quite surprising, and refreshing, for someone whose entire world had been based around beauty.

He’d initially been wary of her, but with each day she’d spent in his company his trust in her had grown. And so had his desire for her. He’d seen nothing but goodness, beauty, and innocence in Holly…an uncommon combination.

He closed his eyes, remembering the day they’d swum in his lavish pool, surrounded by palm trees that overlooked the desert.

“Have you thought about coming away with me this weekend?” he’d asked.

She’d nodded and cast him another heated glance from beneath her lashes. “I have, and yes, I want to go with you.”

Her words had sent another frenzy of desire through him and he’d claimed her mouth in another thorough kiss.

“Rafiq, I’ve never felt like this with anyone.”

He could still hear her whispered words after he’d lifted his head. Her trembling body had been pressed between him and the pool’s edge, the hardened tips of her nipples scraping against his naked chest.

“You’ve bewitched me, habiba. I am a different person with you.” It wasn’t a confession he’d made lightly, or had ever felt the need to make with another woman, but Holly was different.

He’d known she would go away with him for the weekend, but he couldn’t wait. He wanted her, there and then.

Rafiq had deftly removed her bikini top and discovered her breasts with his hands and mouth. Tormenting himself as much as her. When he reached for her bikini bottoms to claim her, her husky words stopped him.

“Rafiq, I should tell you…I’ve never made love before.”

He’d been skeptical, then shocked, that someone whose image was so exploited could still be a virgin. Her gaze had reflected her words though, and it became the reminder of just how young she was.

Ashamed at himself for nearly taking her virginity so casually, he’d pulled her bikini top back and promised to wait until they traveled to the French Riviera for the weekend.

Rafiq opened his eyes and stared out over his city again. A bitter smile twisted his lips. He should’ve simply taken what she had so blatantly offered in the pool that day, because it was apparent now her virginity had been as real as a desert mirage.

Holly was quite good at playing the innocent. All too skilled at deceiving a man into thinking he alone was the most fascinating, irresistible, charming person on the planet. And during the week he’d spent with her—those moments he’d touched her—Rafiq had almost been convinced he was.

Until later, when the truth ultimately came out.

Another, darker memory slid through his mind, and he tried to stop it, but it was there, replaying in his head like malfunctioning film. It was always there.

He’d arrived early to pick Holly up for their weekend away when he’d heard their voices.

“The Sheikh is a ruthless beast of a man, Holly. If he hasn’t given us an answer by now he’ll likely turn us down. I think it’s brilliant you’re encouraging this little crush he has on you. Sleep with him. What’s one quick tumble over the weekend?”

“One quick tumble? You would have me go so far as to sleep with him to get him to agree to the shoot?”

It had been Holly’s voice, clear as day, sounding utterly horrified by the suggestion.

“You’re Holly Winchester. The Sheikh is probably so grateful for your attention, I wouldn’t be surprised if he signed over his entire kingdom to you if you ended up in his bed!”

He’d been such a fool two years ago, and apparently nothing had changed because he still wanted her. Tasting her tonight had proven he wanted her with an intensity that rocked him to the core.

Though one thing had changed. Holly was no longer a famous model. She’d silently disappeared from the world of fashion in the past year or so, her face vanishing from the spotlight.

And now, here she was in Raljahar, still achingly beautiful. Enough so to make any man crave her in his bed and even the gentlest of women green with envy to be her. If the women of his country saw someone like her on his arm, they would not be so quick to fear him.

He slowly opened his eyes and his blood quickened as an idea flickered through his head, hesitant at first but gaining momentum.

That was it. The key to everything.

Perhaps there was a way to…how did they say it? Have his cake and eat it too?



Even though the room she’d been placed in was nothing short of luxurious, Holly knew sleep would be elusive. Her body was heavy with fatigue from a day that had been an endless nightmare of flights, customs, and trying to gain entry to this palace. But she avoided the temptation to crawl into the king-sized bed with the beautifully woven coverlet in shades of gold and burgundy.

Lying in that bed would be too painful a reminder of where she was and the memory of her time here.