The Return of the Sheikh Read online

  She pulled back and slid across the seat away from him. “We’re going to walk in the front door, otherwise we’ll look guilty. And we’re going to stay in separate beds, tonight and every night until I leave.”

  That would not suffice. “I would prefer you sleep in my bed the majority of the night after we make love. As long as we’ve parted by morning, no one will be the wiser.”

  She folded the jacket’s hem back and forth. “We can’t take the risk that someone will find out. I had a wonderful time tonight, but we can’t be together in that way again.”

  How many times in his youth had he said something of a similar nature to a woman? “That is unacceptable. How to you expect me to pretend I do not want you when I do?” More than she knew. More than he realized until he faced the prospect of not having her.

  “We’re going to limit our alone time together.”

  “You’ve said that before.”

  “This time I mean it, Zain. I am not going to be responsible for a scandal that could ruin all the work we’re doing to restore your image.”

  Zain gripped the wheel and stared straight ahead. “Then you lied when you said you trust me.”

  “I do trust you, and so should your people. I admire and respect you even more now. But when I said I didn’t trust myself, I wasn’t talking about sex. I’ve already blurred the personal and professional lines and I can’t afford to become more emotionally involved with you than I already am. Now we need to go inside before they come looking for us.”

  Before Zain could respond, she was out the door and walking toward the path leading to the front entrance. He left the truck and caught up with her in the courtyard flanking the front steps. After clasping her arm, he turned her to face him. “I will honor your wishes. I will allow you your blessed distance, but not before I give you this.”

  He crushed her against him and kissed her with all the desperation he experienced at the moment. He expected her to fight him, and when instead she responded, he realized she wanted him as much as he wanted her. As much as he needed her for reasons that defied logic. He agreed with her on one point—this was not only about sex.

  Then she wrested from his grasp, looking as if he’d struck her. “Don’t make this more complicated than it already is, Zain.”

  Madison hurried around the corner and by the time he reached the stone steps, she had already disappeared through the doors.

  Once inside, he was met by a security contingent and Deeb. “You are all dismissed,” he said in Arabic. “No harm has come to me to warrant this attention.” Not the kind of harm they would assume.

  He ascended the stairs only to have Deeb stop him on the second-floor landing. “Your brother asked me to summon you to his study upon your return.”

  Confronting Rafiq was the last thing he needed. “I have no desire to speak to him.”

  “What shall I tell him, Emir?”

  Tell him to go to hell. “I will see him in the morning.”

  Zain arrived at the corridor leading to his quarters in time to see the door to Madison’s room close, shutting him out.

  Perhaps she could easily dismiss him and what they had shared tonight, but he would wager she would suffer for the decision to avoid him. So would he.

  But he would do as he had promised and hoped she decided they should take advantage of what little time together they had left. In the meantime, he would prepare to spend the first of several long, sleepless nights.

  *

  Ten days had passed since Madison had enjoyed a decent night’s sleep, and she had Zain to thank for that. Not only had he upheld his promise to give her space, he’d downright ignored her. He’d avoided all eye contact when they’d been together, and he’d only spoken to her when she had spoken first. The two times they’d briefly found themselves alone following one of his myriad meetings, not once had he mentioned their night together, nor had he delivered even the slightest innuendo. He hadn’t joined her and Rafiq for dinner, but at least she’d had a chance to get to know the older brother, who was highly intelligent and not quite as serious as she’d once assumed.

  She truly didn’t know if Zain was simply pouting, or proving a point. Either way, she admittedly missed their intimate conversations. Missed kissing him, as well. She definitely missed her former common sense, which had apparently followed the rain out of town.

  Zain had been right to remain in strictly business mode, and business was exactly what she needed to focus on today, and each day until the coronation.

  Madison sought out Elena and found her in the kitchen, where the wonderful scents permeating the area caused her stomach to rumble even though she’d had enough breakfast to kill an elephant. Evidently she’d been making up for the lack of sex by eating her way through the kingdom.

  “That smells marvelous,” she said as she approached the metal prep table holding a platter full of puffed pastries.

  Elena smiled and gestured toward the fare. “Please try one. The chef prepared the samples for Prince Zain’s approval, but he refused. He said he did not care if they served water and wheat at the wedding reception.”

  Clearly His Royal Pain in the Arse had forgotten they’d added guests to the list, who could be beneficial to his reign. But hey, if he didn’t want to try the goodies, she certainly would. “Thanks, I believe I will take a bite or two.” Or three, she decided when the flaky crust and creamy filling practically melted in her mouth.

  After Madison had consumed five of the canapés, she looked up to meet Elena’s quizzical look. “Tell the chef he’s hit a home run with this.” As if the guy would understand a baseball analogy. “Better still, tell him they’re perfect.”

  “I will pass that on,” Elena said. “I will also tell him to prepare double for you.”

  Great. She’d demonstrated she had serious etiquette issues. “That’s not necessary. I eat when I’m nervous, and this whole reception has me on edge. I hope we’re doing the right thing by not having a separate gathering prior to the coronation.”

  “Have you consulted the new king about forgoing that honor?”

  “Actually, it was his idea. He’s not being all that cooperative these days. Maybe he’s a bit anxious about officially becoming His Majesty in less than two weeks.”

  “Or perhaps he is being denied something he wants more than the crown.”

  Madison faked ignorance. “A new sports car?”

  Elena raised a thin brow. “You may fool the rest of the household, cara, but you are not fooling me. I know you and Prince Zain stole away without notifying anyone of your departure, and returned in wet clothing.”

  The palace apparently had spies in place and gossip down to a science. “He wanted to show me the lake and we got caught in a storm.” A firestorm. “That’s all there was to it.”

  “Are you certain of that?”

  She knew better than to try to lie to a wise bird like Elena. She also knew not to reveal too much, even if she thought she could trust her with the truth. “Wise or not, we have developed a friendship. He’s even begun to confide in me about his past and, most important, his goals. That’s been beneficial for me, since I’ve been preparing the speech he’ll deliver next week.” A speech he would probably reject.

  She couldn’t miss the concern on Elena’s face. “What has he said about the king and queen?”

  “Since he took me into his confidence, I don’t feel I should say more.” She’d already come down with foot-in-mouth disease to go with the voracious appetite.

  “Anything you could say to me, cara mia, I have already heard in the many years I’ve been here. The staff talks about things they know nothing about, and most is not true.”

  She did have a point. “He mentioned something about the king having mistresses, and that he believes that was directly related to the queen’s death.”

  Elena grabbed the platter and took it to the counter next to the massive industrial sink. “Go on,” she said, keeping her back to Madison.

  T
he fact Elena didn’t deny the conjecture was very telling. “He also said that the queen was forced to have a third child against her will.”

  Elena spun around, a touch of anger calling out from her amber eyes. “That is not true. The queen would have done anything to have another child. And furthermore, the king was the one who only wanted two children, yet he was so devoted to her, he gave her what she desired. Sadly, Adan did not aid in her happiness.”

  “Was she so unhappy that she took her own life?”

  “I would not begin to speculate on that, and neither should you.”

  Madison held up her hands. “I’m sorry I’ve upset you. I was only repeating what Zain told me.” Darn if she hadn’t done it again—called him by his given name.

  Elena sighed. “It is not your fault, cara. And I beg of you to please not repeat what I have said.”

  She found it odd that Elena would want to conceal the information from the boys she had practically raised. “Don’t you think the princes have a right to know the truth?”

  “Some secrets are best left in the past.” Elena picked up a towel and began to twist it, a sure sign of distress. “Did you require anything else from me? If not, I have some work to attend to.”

  Madison knew not to press the matter any further. She needed Elena as an ally, not an enemy. “Actually, I was wondering if you had a final guest list for the reception. I want to go over it with His Highness.” Provided he didn’t toss her out on her posterior, injuring her pride.

  “Yes, I do.” Elena walked into the office, emerged a few moments later and handed her two pages full of names. “You’ll see that I have made a separate column for the prospective queen candidates and their fathers. I thought you would find that helpful.”

  She found it appalling. “I suppose Prince Zain will appreciate that information. He can come prepared for when they converge upon him.”

  Elena surprisingly patted Madison’s cheek. “Do not worry, cara. He will find none of them to his liking as long as you are here.” With that, the woman smiled, returned to the office and closed the door.

  Obviously no one could pull the wool over Elena’s eyes, and that could present some complications if Madison didn’t remain strong in Zain’s presence.

  Not a problem. The way things were going, she’d be lucky if he ever seriously spoke to her again, let alone touched her.

  Eight

  He wanted nothing more than to touch her. Only a slight touch. Or perhaps not so slight at that.

  Since Madison’s arrival in the study, Zain had engaged in several fantasies that involved taking her down on the sofa where she sat reciting names that mattered not to him.

  “Who is Layali Querishi?” she asked. “That sounds familiar.”

  He fixated on Madison’s blue blouse, which could easily be unbuttoned, allowing access to her breasts. “She is a sultan’s daughter and a popular singer.”

  “And gorgeous.” She crossed her legs, causing the skirt’s hem to ride higher on her thighs. “I remember seeing an article about her Australian tour.”

  “I do not recall her looks.” Nor did he care about them. He only cared about running his hands up Madison’s skirt as a reminder of what they had given up for the sake of professionalism.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  Madison’s question startled Zain into believing he might have voiced his thoughts. “What are you referring to?”

  “Pay attention, Your Highness.”

  He had been paying attention—to her. “My apologies. I have a lot weighing on my mind.” And a heavy weight behind his fly.

  “I said do you think it’s a good idea to seat all these women together at the same table? That’s grounds for a queen candidate catfight.”

  He could not hold back his smile. “Some might find that thoroughly entertaining.”

  “Or thoroughly in bad taste. I suggest we separate them to avoid bloodshed.”

  He started to suggest they discard the list and move on to something much more pleasurable, when a series of raps sounded at the door. Familiar raps that readily identified the offending party.

  Madison consulted her watch. “It’s late. I can’t imagine who would be stopping in this time of night, unless it’s Mr. Deeb.”

  “It’s not Deeb.”

  “Then who is it?”

  “My brother.”

  Thankful his coat sufficiently hid his current state, Zain rounded the desk and opened the door to Adan wearing his standard military-issue flight suit and a cynical smile. He made a circular sweeping gesture with his arm and bowed dramatically. “Greetings, His Majesty, king of the surfing sheikhs.”

  He had not mentioned that pastime to Madison, but she definitely knew now. He wanted to send Adan on his way but instead gave him the required manly embrace. “When did you arrive?”

  “I flew in a while ago.” Adan leaned around him. “And who is this lovely lady?”

  “I’m Madison Foster.” Zain turned to see her standing in front of the sofa. “And you must be Prince Adan.”

  “The one and the only.” Adan crossed the room, took Madison’s hand and kissed it. “Are you one of my brother’s California conquests?”

  “She is a political consultant,” Zain added in an irritable tone. “Which means she is off-limits to you.”

  Adan released her hand but offered up a devil-may-care grin. “I have only honorable intentions.”

  She returned his smile as she reclaimed her seat. “You also have a very British accent.”

  “He has an aversion to authority,” Zain said. “He spent most of his formative years in a military boarding school in the U.K.”

  Adan attempted to look contrite. “I have since learned to respect authority and take orders, as long as they are not delivered by my brothers.”

  Zain wanted to order him out of the room. “Considering the lateness of the hour, I am certain you are ready to retire.”

  “Actually, I am wide-awake.” He had the audacity to drop down beside Madison and drape his arm over the back of the sofa. “How long will you be here?”

  “Ms. Foster will be with me until after the coronation,” Zain answered before she could respond. “And we still have much to accomplish tonight.”

  “We can take up where we left off tomorrow,” Madison said as she came to her feet. “I’m sure you two have a lot of catching up to do after all these years.”

  Adan clasped her wrist and pulled her back down beside him, sparking Zain’s barely contained fury. “I visited Zain in Los Angeles less than six months ago. In fact, I was his guest at least once a year during his time there.”

  Many times an unwelcome guest, as he was now. “For that reason, he should return to his quarters so that we might resume our tasks.”

  Adan ignored him and took the pages from Madison. “What is this?”

  “We’re going over the guest list for the upcoming wedding reception,” she said.

  He leaned closer to her. “Am I on it?”

  She seemed unaffected by his nearness, and that only served to anger Zain more. “Since you’re in the wedding party, there’s no need to add your name.”

  Adan perused the pages for a few moments. “Ah, I see we have a bevy of prospective brides in attendance. Najya Toma’s much too young. Taalah Wasem is too stuffy. And I had hoped to claim the third one as my own. No one would turn down a chance to bed Layali Querishi.” He winked. “Of course, she is not quite as beautiful as you.”

  Zain had had quite enough. “If you are finished with your attempts to seduce my employee, I suggest you retire to your quarters now so that we may resume our duties.”

  Adan reluctantly came to his feet. “You are beginning to sound like Rafiq. Did you leave your sense of humor in the States?”

  “Did you leave your sense of decorum in your jet?”

  “Women are quite taken with my jet.”

  Zain pointed at the door. “Out. Now.”

  Adan had the audacity to lau
gh. “I can take a hint, brother. And I certainly understand why you would want Ms. Foster all to yourself.” He regarded Madison again. “It has been a pleasure, madam. Should you need protection from this rogue, feel free to notify me immediately.”

  She needed protection from his rogue brother. “I assure you, Adan, Ms. Foster is in good hands and does not require your assistance.”

  Adan sent Madison another smile. “Then I will bid you both good-night.”

  After Adan thankfully left, Zain closed the door and tripped the lock. He turned back to Madison and launched into a tirade on the heels of his anger. “Although you obviously enjoyed my brother’s attention, you should know that he is a master of seduction. Stay clear of him.”

  “That’s rich, coming from you.” She tossed the papers aside and sighed. “Not to mention he’s practically a baby, and he seems perfectly harmless.”

  He took a few steps toward her. “He is five years my junior. That makes him twenty-eight, and a man.”

  “And he’s three years younger than me, so in my eyes, that makes him cougar bait.”

  He had not realized she was over thirty, but then he had never asked her age. “Adan would not care if you were twice his age. He recognizes a beautiful woman, he is anything but harmless and he has designs on you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Stop playing the jealous monarch, Zain.”

  He was not playing. “I am only concerned about your well-being.”

  She tossed the pages aside. “Really? For the past few days, you haven’t seemed at all concerned about my well-being, or anything else, for that matter. You’ve barely given me the time of day.”

  And it had nearly destroyed him. “I am giving you space as you’ve requested.”

  “You’re giving me the cold shoulder, and I don’t deserve that.”

  “And you believe I deserve this torture?”

  “What torture?”

  He slid his hands in his pockets and took two more slow steps. “Each time you are near me, I can only think about touching you. Ignoring you is my only means of self-defense.”

  “You could at least be civil.”

  When he reached her, he took off his jacket and draped it over the back of the sofa. “Civility is the last thing on my mind when you’re dressed as you are now.”