Читать книгу Midnight in the Desert Collection - Оливия Гейтс - Страница 44

LAUREN’S CRY FILLED THE ROOM. She lifted her head and sat up, pushing the tendrils of silky hair out of her face. “Rafi—” Her voice throbbed.

He knelt down next to her, all male and warm. She could smell his aroma. The scent from his shower was familiar to her now. His piercing black eyes roved over her flushed face with relentless scrutiny. “Are you still so sad?”

“I’ve just been thinking about my grandmother this evening. I guess it’s a case of knowing that when I get home, I’ll have to deal with my life on my own. As you can see, I’m a c-coward,” she stammered and wiped the moisture off her face. “How was your day?”

Shadows had darkened his features. “I’d rather not talk about it.” He took hold of her hand and smoothed his thumb over her wrist. “Naturally you feel closed in, so how about we go out tonight? We’ll go to a local cabaret with music and dancing. I’m off duty. Here in the desert we believe music helps dispel sadness. Does that appeal to you?”

“It sounds wonderful.”

“Good. While you freshen up, I’ll do the same and come by for you in ten minutes.” He got to his feet. “Don’t forget to bring a wrap, it will be cool out.”

“What should I wear?”

“The outfit you have on is perfectly adequate, but if you wish to change, that’s up to you.”

She watched him leave, but she had no intention of going out with him in pants and a top. After deciding the black was too dressy, she decided on her cream-colored dress. She put it on over her head and pulled the hem down to her knees. The sleeveless cotton outfit more or less skimmed her body. An insert of cream lace formed the neckline.

She only had one pair of high heels, black. After slipping them on, she put on lipstick and brushed her hair, then reached for her black sweater. By the time she heard his voice coming from the sitting room, her excitement at going out with him was so great, it sent her heart tripping off the charts.

To her embarrassment she almost ran into the other room, leaving him to believe she couldn’t wait to be with him. With her face hot, she stared at the tall, striking, black-haired man standing there in beige trousers and a black silk shirt.

“You look lovely.” His deep voice resonated through her body.

She could hardly talk. “Thank you.” There were no words to describe his masculine appeal.

Between his lashes, his black eyes gleamed. “Shall we go?”

They left the suite and walked down several long hallways to a palace entrance in companionable silence. Though their bodies never touched, Lauren felt the electricity between them like a living thing. She stepped outside into a garden of palms where the last stages of twilight could be seen through the fronds. The perfumed air was still hot.

He took her sweater before helping her into the waiting black limo, evidently a privilege he enjoyed due to his position at the palace. Their arms brushed. The touch of silk against her bare arm left her trembling with unassuaged needs.

Lauren was so aware of him, she scarcely noticed where they were driving. Before she knew it, they slowed down and stopped in front of a restaurant with a bistrolike facade. She heard Arabic music before he escorted her through a doorway of beads to the dark, smoke-filled interior.

The place was filled with locals and a few tourists. They were seated at small square tables surrounding a dance floor with a band playing in the background. A heavyset man at the bar nodded to him and indicated an empty table beneath a balcony that ran along one side. No sooner had he seated her than a waiter came over.

Rafi flicked her a probing glance. “What is your pleasure?”

“A cola.”

“Nothing stronger?”

“Not tonight.”

“So be it.” He said something to the other man in Arabic, then moved his chair next to her and put his arm around the back of hers. His closeness sent a wave of delight through her body. “You’re about to see one of our women belly dance,” he spoke next to her ear, disturbing her hair. “If she dances for me, it will be to make you jealous because you’re the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Lauren smiled and lifted her eyes to him. “How many times have you made her jealous by coming in here with one of your favorites?”

The waiter returned with two colas, followed by fanfare from the band, saving him from answering.

A woman close to forty, and built along the lines of Farah, undulated onto the dance floor. Her loose black hair swung back and forth below her waist with hypnotic rhythm while her stomach and hips did the most amazing things.

As Lauren looked around, she noticed that most of the audience was made up of men. This close to the woman, Lauren could understand their fascination. She danced with enough seductive expertise to restart a heart that had gone into cardiac arrest.

Lauren cast a covert glance at Rafi whose gaze was riveted on the desert beauty with her red lips and flashing black eyes. Her spangles and bracelets made their own brand of music. The woman worked the floor. Near the end of her routine, she approached their table.

The dancer flashed Lauren a look that could kill before her gaze settled on Rafi. While she put on a show for him alone, bending backward to give him a good long look at her, Lauren saw unfeigned desire in the woman’s eyes. It was so blatant, Lauren looked down. When the music ended, the dancer didn’t move away.

He said something to the woman. She backed away slowly. But at the last moment before she disappeared, she shot Lauren a look of venom. Lauren grabbed her glass and drank all her cola at once.

The second she put her empty glass on the table, she heard the band start to play a song she could identify. Rafi stood up. “Let’s dance.”

In a euphoric daze, Lauren moved into his strong arms. She’d been in them before, but this time it was different. He held her so close, she could feel his hard-muscled body down to their feet. There was no place to put her arms but around his neck. As she did so, she felt his hands rove over her back and pull her up tight against him.

“It’s a good thing we’re surrounded by people. Otherwise I would devour you,” he admitted with a frankness that caught her off guard. “Have I frightened you?” he whispered against her lips.

“No.” Her voice throbbed, she needed him the way she needed air to breathe.

“That’s good because I’m going to kiss you. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since the moment you woke up after the sandstorm.” So saying, his compelling mouth closed over hers.

At the first taste of him, the room, the music, the people … everything faded into nothingness. All she was aware of was this man who’d set her on fire. She didn’t know where one hungry kiss ended and another one began. Filled with indescribable ecstasy, she never wanted this rapture to stop.

Her grandmother had prophesied it. With the right man, the passion in Lauren would be unleashed. She knew now her whole life had been waiting for Rafi who’d brought her to life and was making her feel immortal. Malik’s words. Like grandfather, like granddaughter.

A groaning protest escaped her swollen lips when he suddenly relinquished her mouth and put his hands on her upper arms to separate her from him. She watched him swallowing hard. His breathing sounded shallow. “We have to leave,” he said in a husky voice.

Lauren couldn’t bear it, but when she saw everyone in the candlelit room looking at them, she realized she’d been so enthralled, she’d forgotten where they were. Another belly dance was about to begin. Lauren needed no more urging and hurried outside ahead of him.

She climbed into the waiting limo without his help. When he got in, he sat opposite her. The car started moving. He eyed her for a long moment. “I’m not going to apologize for what happened in there.”

“Did I ask you to?” she cried. “I’m the one who practically threw myself at you. Obviously it shouldn’t have happened, so please—let’s not get into a dissection of my emotional lapse.”

They rode back to the palace in a silence punctuated with her heart pounding out an irregular rhythm. It would never go back to normal. When they arrived at the entrance, she grabbed her sweater lying on the seat and took off, anxious to reach her suite. Halfway down the first hall, his long strides caught up to her.

She kept going and soon arrived at her destination. He followed her inside the doors. Without closing them he said, “I’ll say goodnight. In the morning after breakfast, Nazir will come for you and show you out to the limo where I’ll meet you.”

Her hands made a fussing movement. “Won’t you have to be on duty?”

“I’m making the time for you.”

His words made her body go weak. “Thank you for taking me out tonight. I loved it, even if the dancer wanted to kill me.”

“I believe she did. What’s interesting is that all the males in the room wanted to kill me. Goodnight.”

To Rashad’s chagrin, the night turned out to be an endless one. After getting up, he paced the tiles, counting the minutes until he could be with her again. When it was time, he dressed in a non-royal Bedouin robe and sunglasses.

Her eyes exploded like green fire when he slid into the back of the limo next to her a few minutes later. She wore tan pants and a white top. Her fragrance was always a feminine assault on his senses.

“Good morning.” He kissed the corner of her mouth because he couldn’t help himself and felt her quiver. Their desire for each other was tangible. “I thought you might like to go shopping in the souk. You’ll need a translator, so I’m offering my services.” He clasped the hand nearest him and heard her take a deep breath.

The Oasis, a three by five mile rectangle, contained the village where he’d taken her last night. In no time at all they reached the center. He told the driver to drop them in front of the Almond Tree Café and wait for them.

She put on a pair of sunglasses and got out after he’d helped her. Together they started moving among the locals. A few tourists were about. They walked in front of the shops in the bazaar. With her blond hair and fair complexion, not to mention her enchanting figure, she was a target for every eye.

Enough items were displayed to please the typical tourist. Though she moved slowly and inspected everything, she didn’t buy anything. “If there’s something that catches your eye, I’ll barter a good price for you.”

“Thank you, but I just like to look.” They eventually turned a corner. Halfway down she paused. “Oh good. A bookstore.” After going inside, she asked in English if the owner had a book in Arabic on the Shafeeq dynasty. The old man didn’t understand.

Rashad’s brows met. She wanted a book on his family? That made no sense to him. “Maybe I can help. What kind of book do you mean?”

She turned to him. “Any literature on the Shafeeq family. Something I can take home as a souvenir.”

There wasn’t such a thing in the public domain, but she didn’t know that. He asked the owner in Arabic. The old man shook his head before breaking into a long explanation.

Rashad translated for the owner. “Would you like a cigar box with a likeness of Sheikh Umar or Sheikh Malik on the top?”

A genuine look of excitement broke out on her face. “I’d love both of them! How much does he want for them?”

“I’ll get the price down for you.”

“No—” She put a hand on his arm. “He has to earn a living.”

When Rashad told her the notated price, she signed one of her traveler’s checks that paid him three times the amount. It brought a broad smile to the man’s face. He put the boxes in a sack for her.

“Is this the extent of your shopping spree?” he teased.

She chuckled. “Yes.”

“Then let’s walk back to the Almond Tree for a juice drink.”

“I could use one of those.”

Rashad thanked the owner. He caught hold of her hand once more and they made their way through the village like a married couple. By the time they returned to the palace, the sense of belonging to her was so strong he could taste it, and he tightened his grip.

This would be what it was like if he could have a normal life with her. They could live and love to their hearts’ content, sharing all those little things lovers did with no fear of it coming to an end.

A month.

With the sand in the hourglass steadily emptying into the bottom half, each minute meant he was drawing closer to the time when there’d be no more happiness.

He left her at the door to her suite, telling her he’d get in touch with her later because duty called. She eyed him soulfully with those gorgeous green eyes before closing the door. As it clicked, he fought to repress a curse that this thing had happened to him.

Torment didn’t begin to describe his emotions.

Despite the mystery he hadn’t solved, he still had the medallion in his possession so she would not be able to use it against his family. What he should do was have her flown to El-Joktor today!

Nazir could accompany her and personally escort her onto a jet headed for Geneva. If she ever tried to come back, she would discover all borders to his kingdom were permanently closed to her. Knowing she was barred from Rashad’s sight, he might be able to bear going through with his nuptials.

But what if he couldn’t?

Terrified of that answer, he rushed back to his suite, needing to act. He looked around the apartment as if he might find a magic solution to his turmoil. There was none. What kind of a son was he? What kind of a king would he make if a soft traitorous woman with bewitching green eyes and golden hair could reduce him to this state?

At war with himself, he fought the battle for a few more minutes before he picked up the receiver of his land line. Forcing himself to speak, he called the airport in El-Joktor and booked a one-way flight to Geneva for one passenger.

Determined as he’d never been in his life, he rang his mechanic and asked that a helicopter and pilot from his father’s fleet be ready for flight within the hour. Finally he phoned Nazir and asked him to report to his suite.

Within minutes his assistant arrived at the door. Rashad invited him inside. Before he backed down from his intentions he said, “I find it necessary for you to assist me with one more matter concerning Mademoiselle Viret. She’ll be leaving Al-Shafeeq within the hour.” At least that’s what he was saying while he still had a shred of princely honor left.

His assistant looked shocked, but said nothing. Rashad could always depend on the other man’s discretion even if he’d witnessed his secret comings and goings from the American’s room.

“I want you to accompany her to El-Joktor and see that she’s put on the flight to Geneva leaving at four this afternoon. The reservation has already been made. I’ll bring her to the eastern gate and meet you there in a half hour.”

“Very good, Your Highness.”

With Nazir gone, Rashad left his quarters for the garden suite. After being out in the heat, he imagined Lauren would be resting with an icy fruit drink. Little did she know she was about to be scuttled away from the palace into a helicopter and flown far away.

Once her jet was in flight, the camel would be out of the tent.

As soon as Lauren had returned to her room, Farah came by for her and asked if she would like to see the new foal her husband had given her?

Lauren grabbed at the invitation. Watching Rafi walk away just now had come close to killing her. She needed company and enjoyed spending time with the princess. After her hope of finding some kind of information on the royal family had had been dashed by the bookshop owner, she could use some cheering up.

During her travels, Lauren had been to great cities and shrines all over the world and had always come away with souvenir books and pamphlets. But as this was her first trip to the Arabian desert, it was possible that under the laws of the Shafeeq dynasty, nothing official was put in print for the public.

She was sorry about that. If she’d been able to purchase such a book, she would have found an expert Arab translator back home to reproduce it in English for her. Naturally there was generic information in encyclopedias and periodicals on some facet of tribal warfare. But she would have treasured a tome on the royal family. After all, she shared a portion of the blood flowing through Farah’s veins. Some of their DNA was the same.

While they were exclaiming over the adorable new filly, Farah was called to the phone. She was only gone a brief time. When she returned she said, “That was Nazir. He says you are to go to your suite right away.”

A frown marred Lauren’s brow. “Why?”

The princess shook her head. “I don’t know, but it sounded important. I’ll walk you back.”

“That won’t be necessary, Farah. I know my way now. Thank you for bringing me here. I’ll talk to you later.”

Maybe he had a private message from Rafi.

Nazir met her outside the door to her suite. “Thank you for coming so quickly, mademoiselle. If I might speak to you?”

“Of course.”

She opened the door and went inside. He followed. “I am here to inform you that the king is aware of your distress after being caught in the sandstorm. Since he doesn’t want you to have to wait any longer for a caravan, he has given his permission for you to be flown by helicopter to El-Joktor immediately. I will accompany you to your jet which will leave for Geneva at four o’clock this afternoon.”

Lauren reeled, incapable of speech. With these plans having been made, it meant she would never see Rafi again. So that was why he’d taken her on a tour of the Oasis this morning. He’d known her time was up. Her heart shriveled at the realization.

“If you will be so kind as to pack, I will ask the staff to take your personal belongings to the helicopter waiting outside the gate. You have time to eat your lunch. It is waiting on the table. Do you have any questions for me? Otherwise I’ll return in thirty minutes.”

She was so shocked by the turn of events she couldn’t think straight. “Wh-what about my passport?” her voice faltered.

“It will be given to you at the airport. Is there anything else?”

“No,” she whispered in absolute agony. For once her pain was too deep for tears. “I’ll be ready.” She despised the tremor in her voice that revealed her emotions.

“Very good, mademoiselle.”

The second Nazir left, she ran to her bedroom and packed, realizing it was all over. She would fly away, but her heart would remain here. She wondered what Rafi would say if she told him she didn’t want to leave yet.

She wished there were some way she could delay her departure, if only for another day. He’d become the most important thing in her life. Lauren wasn’t ready to be ripped away from him, but fate had decreed it.

When she carried her suitcases into the sitting room, she saw her lunch tray, but couldn’t possibly eat and sank down on a chair to wait.

“Lauren?” Rafi entered the room without knocking.

She looked at him, then glanced away quickly. “Nazir told me the king has arranged for me to leave. I’m glad you came so I could say goodbye to you and thank you for everything.”

He came closer. “You look ill.”

“I’m sorry if you’ve caught me reacting to the news.”

“You don’t wish to leave yet?”

“I’m sure that sounds ludicrous to you.”

“Not at all,” he said in a benign voice. “You Americans have a saying. ‘Better to take the hell you’re sure of.’ It’s only natural to cling to what is real to you here rather than return to an uncertain future without your grandmother.”

“Who made you so wise?” She smiled gently at him.

“Perhaps not that wise since I’m not satisfied you’re telling me everything. I insist you unburden yourself.” He hunkered down and grasped her hands. She loved it when he touched her. Lauren never wanted him to stop.

“Why do you think there’s anything more?”

“Because the little nerve in your throat never stops throbbing.”

She immediately pulled one of her hands away to cover the spot.

“You see?” he asked silkily. “One can try to hide, but the body will always give something away.”

“You think I’m hiding something?”

He turned her hand over and made circles against her palm with his thumb. The sensation was so erotic, he had to have heard her moan. “I know you are,” he whispered.

She couldn’t take any more. “There is one thing, but it’s an entirely selfish wish on my part. I wouldn’t want the king to think I was ungrateful for everything he’s made possible. I’ll always be in his debt, and yours, even though you deny much of the part you played in my being well enough to g-go home,” her voice broke.

She didn’t have a sense of home anymore and Rafi knew it. Maybe she really was ill and would need to see a psychiatrist when she finally returned to Switzerland. “Nazir will be here soon. I think I have everything.” She tried to remove her hand and get up, but his rock-hard body blocked any movement.

“Look at me,” he said in a husky tone that sounded more like a command.

Lauren did his bidding and found herself wanting to fall into him.

His gaze fell on her lips. She had the sensation of being kissed, yet he’d done nothing! “What’s the one thing you want?”

The one thing she wanted was to stay here with him, but she knew that was impossible. Still, if she could have a few more days. He couldn’t help but hear the dangerous knock of her heart against her ribs.

“Mustafa mentioned a place called the Garden of the Moon. He said I would especially appreciate it.” She’d already lied about their caravan driver once, but the risk of revealing the real reason she wanted to see it was too great.

“Maybe it’s foolish of me, but after coming all this way, when I’ll never be here again, it seems such a shame not to see it before I leave, but Princess Farah said it’s not allowed.”

His hands tightened almost painfully on her fingers before letting them go, but she welcomed the pain. It made her feel closer to him. “It’s forbidden to tourists, but I’ll make an exception for you this one time.” His words came out sounding like a vow. He rose to his full, intimidating height and looked down at her with glittering black eyes.

She was thankful to be sitting because after hearing that she’d been given a reprieve, her body caved. “But the arrangements to return to El-Joktor—”

“They can be changed. A few more days will make no difference in the scheme of things. Nazir will take care of everything.”

She finally stood up on legs of rubber, staring into his eyes. “You really mean it?”

He cocked his dark head. His male beauty shook her to the core. “You should have said something earlier. It’s a small thing you ask.”

“No, it’s not.” She breathed heavily. “Everything you do for me causes an inconvenience to someone, but I appreciate this more than you can imagine.”

“I believe you.” There was no hint of mockery just then. “Now you have to do a favor for me.”

“Anything.”

She heard his sharp intake of breath, not realizing she might have sounded as if she were being provocative on purpose. “In order to get the full benefit of the garden, you have to see it after the moon comes up. Therefore, I want you to rest and I hope, get some sleep. I’ll come for you tonight at seven-thirty. Eat a filling dinner.”

“I will.”

“Have you ever ridden a horse?”

“Many times.”

Something flickered in the dark recesses of his eyes. “Wear boots and bring your cloak to keep you warm. Today it was hot in the desert, but tonight the temperature will drop.”

She smoothed an errant curl off her forehead. “Don’t you have to stay at the palace on duty?”

A strange gleam entered his eyes. He studied her for a moment. “Several of my staff are always available.”

“But what if it’s an emergency and you’re needed?”

“I always keep my phone with me. If necessary, Nazir would send a helicopter for us.”

He started walking toward the door. She followed him. “Then I’m relieved.”

“Remember to get plenty of rest.”

After his tall, powerful body disappeared out the doors, she walked through the suite to the garden unable to contain her joy. Rafi—Tonight they’d be alone together. She leaned over to smell the fragrance of the huge, rare yellow and white hibiscus. Just one night with him. If it was all he was willing to give her, then she’d take it and be grateful.

She folded her arms and clutched them to her waist. This man had a power over her so complete she knew she would die if she couldn’t be with him tonight. Anyone hearing that thought expressed would tell her she needed some serious therapy. Anyone except her grandmother who’d made a prediction about her a long time ago.