Читать книгу Sarah And The Secret Sheikh - Мишель Дуглас, Michelle Douglas - Страница 10

CHAPTER THREE

SARAH WASN’T SURE at what point she stopped listening. Majed’s rich tones continued to wash over her but her mind whirled in a million different directions. He was the son of a king. He was a prince! And then one of his statements cut through all her confusion, crystallising into an overarching and urgent question.

‘Whoa, wait!’ She held up a hand. ‘You were sent away from Keddah Jaleel for your own safety? Because of border infractions and rebel activity?’

He dragged a hand down his face and she hated how grey he’d gone. ‘Majed?’

‘Yes.’

‘And yet this is a place you want to take me? You’re prepared to put your unborn child in danger?’

‘No!’ His head shot up and his eyes flashed. ‘I would never knowingly place you or our child in danger. The skirmishes were minor and quickly smothered, the perpetrators dealt with. It wasn’t necessary that I leave, but it put my parents’ minds at rest.’

Her heart thumped so hard she swore it would leave bruises. ‘Then why have you stayed away from your homeland for the last four years?’

He shot out of his seat to stalk across the room. ‘That is not something which I wish to discuss. You have my word of honour, though, that is has nothing to do with fearing for my safety.’

He wanted her to take his word for it? Maybe, if it were only her life at stake here, she would. But it wasn’t. She had a baby to consider. She could no longer afford to be reckless or irresponsible.

Rising, she ran her hands over her blouse in a vain effort to smooth out the wrinkles. ‘I think it’s time I went home.’

Her apartment—Mike’s apartment—was only a couple of blocks away. A walk in the early-morning air might help.

Or not. Probably not. But it wouldn’t hurt.

His nostrils flared. ‘You’ll consider my proposal?’

‘No.’

Not a single muscle moved and yet he seemed to sag. ‘You think the idea too outrageous?’

It was utterly preposterous, yet it wasn’t outrage that gripped her. ‘I’m not going anywhere near Keddah Jaleel when I’ve no idea why you’ve stayed away so long. I know no one there. You’d be my only friend and support, and if I can’t trust you...’

Her stomach churned. ‘I am not putting myself in that position, Majed. My mother taught me better than that.’

He swung away to pace the length of the room before swinging back to face her. Agitation—anger, perhaps?—crackled from him like a force field. ‘An Internet search will provide you with everything you need to know.’

She located her purse and slung it over her shoulder as she made for the door. ‘Goodbye, Majed.’

‘That is not enough for you?’

She swung back. ‘I’m surprised you even need to ask that question. We’re going to have a baby and yet you can’t be honest with me.’ Her hands clenched. ‘If you can’t see the problem with that, then I’m not going to try and explain it to you.’

His nostrils flared. His chest rose and fell. And for a moment he looked so forbidding, her mouth went dry. He’d never hurt her, she knew that, but she could suddenly see the legacy of his heritage—the fierce and fearless warriors who’d fought and won innumerable wars on the ancient sands of Keddah Jaleel. Their blood flowed in his veins and, beneath his veneer of polish, that same fierceness resided in Majed’s DNA.

‘You’re going to do it. You’re going to keep the baby.’

His words were more statement than question. He smiled and she felt as if she were falling. She opened her mouth and then closed it again, realising that she’d come to a decision in spite of herself. Her heart beat hard. She and Majed would be tied to each other always through this child. And, regardless of what happened between them, the thought of the baby could still make him smile. And that mattered.

She rubbed a hand across her chest, trying to dislodge the ache attempting to settle beneath her breastbone. ‘I...’ She pulled herself up to her full height. ‘Yes, I am. I’m going to have this baby.’ If nothing else, this morning had made that crystal clear to her.

And that was something to be grateful for.

He strode towards her, and for a moment she thought he meant to hug her, but he stopped short and she saw shadows gathering in his eyes, ousting the excitement and tenderness that had momentarily lit them.

He dragged both hands through his hair. ‘Four years ago my brother was killed by the rebels.’

The floor bucked beneath her feet. Sarah braced herself against the door, pressing her spine back until the hard wood bit into her.

‘He’d organised a secret assignation with a woman who couldn’t be trusted. It was a reckless and foolish thing to do and he paid heavily for it. Too heavily.’

The anguish in his eyes tore at her. ‘Oh, Majed.’ She reached a hand towards him but he flinched.

‘I loved my brother, Sarah. I’ve not returned to Keddah Jaleel because I cannot imagine living in my homeland without him.’

She wanted to hug him but everything in his posture forbade it. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.

He nodded, but all she could see in his face was pain and anger. Her stomach churned in a sickening slow roll. Oh, no you don’t. This was not the time to throw up. Closing her eyes, she rested her head back and concentrated on her breathing.

‘Come, Sarah.’

Her eyes sprang open at the touch of warm fingers against her arm.

‘Come take a seat on the sofa.’

She couldn’t fight the nausea and talk at the same time so she let him lead her across to the plump comfort of the sofa. Once seated, she shoved her head between her knees, murmuring, ‘I’ll be right as rain in a moment.’

When she was finally sure she’d mastered the nausea, she lifted her head. ‘I’m sorry about that. I—’

‘I shouldn’t have told you in such a way!’

‘I’m glad you did tell me.’

‘Has it made you more afraid to journey to Keddah Jaleel?’

‘Not more afraid, just sadder.’ And to her surprise she realised she spoke the truth. ‘Your brother...’

‘Ahmed.’

She swallowed. ‘Did Ahmed not follow proper security protocols? I assume you have security measures in place?’

He nodded. ‘It’s necessary for any ruling family. But that night Ahmed gave his bodyguard the slip.’

Nobody deserved to pay such a high price for wanting a single night of freedom.

‘Why did they kill him?’ she whispered. ‘What did they hope to achieve?’

‘My father is a progressive monarch. At some future point, he’d dearly love to introduce democracy to Keddah Jaleel. There are still those in my country, however, who cling to the old ways.’

‘Progressive? Is he working towards gender equality? Will, for example, the daughters of the ruling sheikh ever be allowed to rule?’

For the first time that morning, he smiled—really smiled. ‘Ah, Sarah, we’re progressive...and we’ll continue to work towards a fair and just world for all of our citizens...but change cannot always be introduced as quickly we would like.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Progress takes time. And we must be seen to respect the traditions of our people, even as we move beyond them. If they believe us to view our heritage as worthless, then we would lose their trust and loyalty. If our child is a daughter, and if she shows an interest in politics, then she’ll have some kind of leadership role.’

‘But she won’t be ruler?’

‘I cannot see that happening for the next generation, no. But, if we have a granddaughter, things may be different for her.’

She stared at him and her heart thumped. What a difficult task it must be to lead a country. This man was a prince—one day a ruler by birthright. She had no right telling him what he should and shouldn’t do politically, not when she had no notion of what his people held dear, what they valued and what they hoped for.

She swallowed. ‘Your family have paid a heavy price for their service to your country, Majed. I’m more sorry than I can say about the loss of your brother.’

This time when she reached out to touch his hand he didn’t flinch. Instead, he turned his palm upwards and laced his fingers though hers. The scent of amber and spices—cloves and cardamom—teased her senses as a thick, pregnant silence wrapped about them. It was all she could do not to chafe the gooseflesh that rose on her arms.

‘There is one other thing you need to know.’

His tone lifted the tiny hairs at her nape.

‘Ahmed was my older brother.’

‘Do you have any other siblings?’

He shook his head and that was when she realised what he was trying to tell her. ‘Oh!’ Her heart started to thump. ‘You... Ahmed was supposed to ascend to the throne, not you?’

‘Not me,’ he agreed.

Wow! Okay. ‘And...and that’s another reason you haven’t wanted to return?’

‘Yes.’

And yet he was prepared to face his demons because he had a baby on the way—because he wanted to be a good father. ‘I think you’ll make a fine ruler, Majed. I know you must miss Ahmed, but you haven’t usurped him.’

‘I know that in my head. But it’s not the way it feels in my heart.’

‘What would Ahmed tell you to do?’

He spoke a phrase in Arabic that she didn’t understand. But then he laughed and he suddenly looked younger. ‘He’d tell me to stop over-thinking things. He’d tell me I need to curb my impatience for change and to tread with respect in relation to the traditional ways.’ A sigh shuddered from him. ‘He’d tell me to take my place at my father’s side. He’d want me to fight for it.’

Fight for it...?

She wasn’t sure what that last bit meant but, as she stared into his face, she couldn’t agree more with Ahmed’s advice. Majed was destined for great things. It was time for him to embrace his destiny.

‘Will you come to Keddah Jaleel with me, Sarah? Will you at least come and see the life you could have there, the life I can give you and our child?’

‘What will your parents think about a baby?’

‘It will...’ The lines about his mouth deepened. ‘It will bring them joy.’

She had a feeling that there were family issues at play here that she had no hope of understanding.

‘Our unmarried status will not thrill them. It will...disappoint them. But if you find you like Keddah Jaleel then maybe you will stay.’

‘And marry you?’

‘That is my wish.’

‘And what kind of marriage do you think we can have?’

‘One based on respect and honesty. One based on friendship.’

She pulled in a breath. ‘What about love?’

He dragged his hand from hers. She immediately missed the warmth and connection. He pushed that hand back through his hair once...twice. ‘We said we would be honest, yes?’

She couldn’t speak. She could only nod. He was going to tell her that he could never love her...and she didn’t know why, but she wasn’t sure she could bear to hear him say it.

‘I do not believe in love.’

She blinked.

‘And if I did, I’d not want it in my life.’

What on earth...? So it wasn’t that he couldn’t love her in particular. It was that he wouldn’t love any woman at all.

‘Love—romantic love—leads people to do wild and foolish things. It clouds their judgement. I want no part of that.’

Her mouth went dry. He was talking about Ahmed and the woman who had entranced him so completely that he’d thrown caution to the wind.

Oh, Majed.

‘I can sincerely assure you, however, that I believe my happiness in marriage with you has a better chance than with anyone else I know. I like you, Sarah, and that has to count for something.’

He said that now. But what would happen when he met a woman who stirred his blood? How much would he resent the ties that bound him then—and the woman and child responsible for those ties? Would he become like her father? Would she become like her mother?

She couldn’t let that happen.

She moistened parched lips. ‘Do you believe in fidelity?’

His eyes flashed. ‘I do.’ He took her chin in a firm grip and forced her gaze to his. ‘I can assure you that, if you marry me, you will not think of other men.’

And then his lips slammed to hers with a force that was far from polite and more demanding than any kiss she’d ever experienced. One hand slid to her nape to prevent her from drawing away, while the other remained at her jaw, holding her still while he plundered her lips with a ruthless and seductive intent that had her melting even as she wanted to resist. The relentless, primal possession continued, sending the blood stampeding through her veins while the strength leached from her muscles until it finally tore his name from her throat.

He lifted his head, his eyes glittering. ‘Are we clear on this point?’

She lifted fingers that trembled to swollen lips. That kiss had been an outrageous attempt at domination, yet she wanted him to kiss her like that again...and not stop.

‘I’m clear on the fact that you expect fidelity from me. Do you demand it of yourself?’

‘Naturally.’ His chin tilted at an arrogant angle. ‘But then, I expect my future wife to make sure my mind does not stray to other women.’

She tossed her head, dislodging his grip, thrilled and appalled in equal measure. But before she could give him the put down she was sure he deserved, his lips were on hers again—warm, gentle...playful. They teased and tantalised until her anger had dissolved and she threaded her fingers through his hair to pull him closer.

He obliged until she lay half-sprawled beneath him, their only barrier the thin material of their clothes, his kisses sending something inside her spiralling free. She wanted all barriers between them gone. She wanted to move to the dance he’d taught her six weeks ago. She craved the spiralling pleasure, the adventure of it all, and the peace that followed. She ached...

A whimper broke from her when he lifted his head. He muttered words she didn’t understand but could translate all too easily.

There’d be no more kisses today.

He lifted himself away from her and then helped her back into a sitting position with a gentleness that had the backs of her eyes burning.

‘I’m sorry.’

He physically removed himself from the sofa, his words emerging clipped and short. If she hadn’t heard the regret threading through them, she might’ve fled in mortification.

‘I’m only sorry you stopped.’ She’d aimed for levity but fell far short of the desired mark. It was the truth of her words that rang in the space between them rather than humour. What the heck, she’d made a fool of herself over lesser things. ‘Why did you stop?’