The Sheikh's Forbidden Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 1) (7 page)

"Then why, Zayed? Don't you know how much you hurt me?"

Chloe saw his face pale visibly.

"I never meant for you to be hurt, Chloe. It wasn't all my doing. I had the wishes of others to consider."

"Really?" Chloe ejaculated. "Whose wishes were you satisfying?"

"I can't go into it. Not here," Zayed said glancing around the courtyard.

Chloe tugged her wrist loose. Feeling Zayed's fingers slip away she felt a momentary loss, especially when she saw the brief hurt look in his eyes. Seeing that look, she suddenly wanted to tell him that she hadn't meant to hurt him by wrenching her arm away from him. But she could see that nothing she could say right now would take away that hurt. Maybe there was more to his leaving her than she knew. Perhaps she was being too harsh, too unforgiving. Because right now, looking at him so close to her, feeling his presence, she wanted nothing more than for him to reach out and draw her into his arms and take possession of her mouth with his full, moist lips.

But, she realised with a burning regret that the moment for that had passed.

Chloe sighed and moved toward Zayed. She saw his eyes widen with surprise and slight consternation. "I understand that your life is complicated, Zayed. I really do."

Chloe saw him lock his gaze upon her features, intense focus etched on his face.

"I suppose back in California, I always knew that one day you would just up and leave," Chloe continued. "You're the son of a King for goodness sake. You've no business courting someone like me. Your destiny is to marry someone else. Someone suitable to be a princess. Not me."

Zayed's face filled with disbelief. "That's not true, Chloe." Zayed reached out and took Chloe's shoulders, drawing her close. Chloe liked the feel of his hands taking possession of her, pulling her close with a quivering desperation.

When Zayed spoke, it was in a deep, vibrant voice that made Chloe's soul vibrate. "You are my princess," he declared.

Chloe gasped and peered into Zayed's eyes searching for any hint of insincerity. Finding nothing but genuine feeling there, Chloe tried to take hold of herself, desperate to control the sudden torrent of emotions that had started racing through her body.

"What!" Chloe exclaimed.

Zayed quickly wrapped an arm around Chloe's waist, and once again she saw the familiar self-possession in his eyes, the desperate need for her. "You will be my princess. No-one is going to stop me from claiming you as mine. No-one will prevent me from possessing you, body and soul. You belong to me, Chloe. You always have and you always will."

Chloe felt her legs weaken and her heart start to race. There was a roaring in her ears that drowned out the soft sound of the fountain.

"How can you say that, Zayed?" she groaned.

Zayed's lips tightened and she saw the muscle in his jaw twitch. After a moment, he leaned closer and placed his lips next to her ear. This close, she could feel his body pressing against her, feel the softness of his breath against her skin.

"I can say it because it is true. You belong to me, Chloe."
 

The simplicity of that statement almost threw Chloe off balance again. This time, though, Zayed drew her even closer. Suddenly his head dipped and before she knew it, his lips were upon hers, consuming her, claiming her once again, this time with his tender kiss. Chloe's body seemed to shiver as Zayed pulled her hard against him. His tongue probed and she opened her lips letting him explore, allowing him to taste her.
 

His hand upon her back drew her against the hardness of his body. Chloe felt his robe loosen, and the heat of his exposed skin against her breasts. Her heart was thudding like an express train, her mind a whirl of confusing thoughts, her impulses fighting and submitting all at the same time.

Finally, their lips parted and Chloe looked up into Zayed's eyes. She saw all the signs of a tender victory in his expression. There was triumph there, almost a look of exultation.

For a moment, neither of them said a word, merely content to gaze into each others eyes.

Finally, it was Zayed who broke the silence with a long, satisfied sigh. He smiled at Chloe and nodded slightly. "That was...amazing," he whispered. "You don't know how many times I have dreamt of doing just that to you, Chloe."

She was speechless. Chloe reached up and shifted a stray lock of Zayed's dark hair away from his forehead.

It felt so familiar to be held like this in his arms. Memories of their previous time together came flooding back.
 

Chloe saw that Zayed had noticed the change in her. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"I'm just remembering how good it felt to be with you," Chloe said.

Once again she saw a flicker of triumph move across his face. "I never forgot how good it felt to hold you," he whispered. He drew her close and she allowed her body to soften against the firmness of him.

Suddenly Chloe heard some distant footsteps. She felt Zayed's entire body stiffen. His head whirled and he looked toward the archway that led back to the entrance.
 

"Someone's coming," Zayed grunted. He released Chloe with a suddenness which took her by surprise. She felt the loss of his touch keenly.

Chloe quickly composed herself, aware that she and Zayed probably looked slightly disheveled.

Chloe's gaze followed Zayed's and she stiffened involuntarily when she saw an elderly man dressed in loose fitting robes emerge from the shadow of the corridor.

"Father," she heard Zayed exclaim. "What are you doing at this late hour? Shouldn't you be in your chambers?"

The elderly man had piercing eyes that seemed to cut into Chloe, and she had the awful sensation that she was being judged and assessed.

"Is this her?" the man said in a flat voice.

Zayed glanced at Chloe and she saw panic on his face. For a moment, he seemed lost for words. The old man entered the courtyard and Zayed went to meet him. Chloe followed behind feeling so awkward that the only thing she could think of was how quickly she could make it back to the safety of her room.

"Father, I'd like to introduce Chloe."

The elderly man paused and Chloe was sure that for a moment his glance drifted up and down her figure. It was as if he were deciding whether she was fit enough to even be within the walls of this sumptuous palace.

"Chloe, I'd like you to meet my father, King Kamal," Zayed said.

Chloe had no idea how to behave, no clue as to what was appropriate conduct when being introduced to a King, let alone one who was the father of a man who had just kissed her with all the pent-up passion caused by years of separation. So, Chloe did the only thing she thought to do. She curtsied and bowed her head. "I'm honored to meet you," she said.

When she raised her eyes, she was sure she saw a look of genuine surprise on the King's face. The eyes of Zayed and his father met in what looked like a moment of mutual consternation.

"My son tells me you are making a brief visit to our kingdom to find locations for a moving picture production."

Chloe tried to suppress a smile. She figured no-one had described a film as a "moving picture" for a very long time. "I suppose you could describe it like that," she said. "Although I don't know that it will be a brief visit," she added, immediately regretting her choice of words when she saw the King's brows furrow with obvious displeasure.

The King glanced at Zayed. "I thought my son said it was to be merely a matter of days and then you would be returning to your home in Hollywood."

Way to go for making her feel really at home, Chloe thought.

Chloe saw Zayed glance nervously at her. "There is much to see, father," Zayed explained.
 

Kamal looked at Chloe and she saw the same determination in the King's gaze as she had seen in Zayed's eyes earlier. Like father like son.

Kamal sighed and looked at Zayed as if he were about to respond, but Chloe saw the King's lips tighten and she was sure he had taken firm control of any impulse to respond.

Chloe turned to the fountain. "I was admiring the beautiful fountain, your highness," she said.

Kamal looked sternly at Zayed. "I assume my son has already acquainted you with the delights of our humble home," he said.

Zayed reached out and took Chloe's arm. "Perhaps I can escort you back to your quarters."

Chloe looked at Kamal and nodded, trying to contain the eagerness she felt to be gone from the presence of Zayed's disapproving father. "That would be lovely," she said.

And as Zayed led Chloe away from Kamal, she was sure that Zayed's father had taken particular displeasure from seeing his son touch the arm of an unwelcome guest.

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Did you sleep well, last night, Miss Stirling?"

Chloe sipped the sweet, dark coffee and looked across the breakfast table at Zayed's sister, Aliyah. "I did get to sleep. Eventually," she replied glancing at Zayed sitting at the far end of the table. He didn't look at Chloe, preferring to focus his attention on the plate of breakfast.

Realizing that what she had just said might be misunderstood, Chloe continued. "Uh... The night air is very warm. Even with the balcony doors open. It took me a while to settle."

Chloe, Aliyah, and Zayed were seated at a long table outside one of the main rooms of the palace. The table was situated in a pleasant garden area. A beautiful array of flowers, expertly cultivated decorative bushes and shrubs and overhanging trees provided welcome shelter from the early morning sun. A cool breeze blew through the garden. It was an idyllic place to enjoy her first breakfast in the palace.

Chloe saw Aliyah nod slowly. The corners of the pretty woman's mouth creased slightly with a knowing smile. Chloe had been impressed with Aliyah since the moment they had met. She guessed there wasn't much that escaped Aliyah's notice. She was whip-smart as well as stunningly beautiful. Chloe was sure that one day she would drive some lucky man crazy.

The door opened inside the palace and four people entered. Chloe recognized Zayed's two brothers. An elegant middle-aged woman with a kindly smile on her even features followed behind the two brothers. Leading the way was King Kamal. Chloe's heart skipped a beat when she saw the figure of Zayed's father. Chloe turned to Zayed and saw his eyes narrow. He smiled reassuringly at her, as if to give her courage. Chloe sat up straight at the table and busied herself with the food on her plate.

"I see you've started without us," the woman said. Her voice had a lovely musical quality which Chloe found appealing. Her spoken English had a trace of an accent. "Zayed. I believe introductions are in order," the woman said.
 

Zayed stood up and came around the table. "Mother. May I introduce Chloe Stirling."

His mother! Chloe was taken aback. She stood up quickly and extended a hand of greeting.
 

"Chloe. I'd like you to meet my mother. Queen Beatrice."

His mother was a Queen. And, judging by her accent, it sounded as if she wasn't originally from around these parts. Chloe had always suspected that Zayed's lineage may not have been completely rooted in his kingdom. But, she'd had no idea that the woman who was his mother was, in fact, English.

"Pleased to meet you, ma'am," Chloe said.

Beatrice smiled. "Please. Call me Beatrice."

Chloe smiled back at Beatrice.

"You saw my brothers last night at the party," Zayed continued. "Raz and Tariq."

Chloe laughed. "Briefly."

Up close, both brothers were devastatingly handsome. Chloe's first impressions from the party were confirmed in the early morning light. They all shared the same lustrous dark hair, tall, elegant figures and penetrating dark eyes that shone with confidence and fierce intelligence. Although Chloe felt neither of the brothers came close to Zayed when it came to looks or intelligence. That guilty thought made her cheeks flush slightly.

"You missed a good party last night, brother," Raz said.

"You left early, Zayed," Tariq said. "You must be getting old, brother. Party life is getting too much for you," he said punching Zayed playfully on the arm.

Zayed laughed and looked at Chloe. "I had other duties to attend to. Making Chloe feel at home was more important than keeping you two out of trouble," he joked. "I think you both are old enough to take care of yourselves now."

"Now now, children," Beatrice said with good humor. "It's still early in the morning, and we don't want Chloe to start thinking that we don't know how to welcome our guests, do we?"

Zayed smiled at Chloe and shook his head. Both Tariq and Raz rolled their eyes. "Where are our manners?" Tariq said. He gestured to the seat where Chloe had been sitting. "Please. Continue your breakfast. I promise it's not always like this between my older brothers and I."

Zayed went to Chloe's chair and laid his hands on the back. Chloe glanced at Zayed as she sat down.

King Kamal took his place at the head of the table. It seemed as if the exchanges between his three sons had been perfectly normal, since he showed no displeasure. Queen Beatrice sat down on the seat to his right. Raz and Tariq took their places opposite their mother.

Servants arrived and laid out plates of delicious food.
 

"So, Chloe. How long are you planning to be in Qazhar?" Aliyah asked.

Chloe glanced at Zayed. "I'm not exactly sure, Aliyah. Originally it was going to be for a few days. But, there is just so much more to see than I anticipated."

"Ours is a vast kingdom," King Kamal said grandly. "But, I believe the needs of your moving picture are for some spectacular scenery."

"There's no shortage of that here," Beatrice said with a warm smile. "I'm sure Zayed has a great many things in mind while you are here."

Chloe looked at Zayed and saw that his face had colored slightly on hearing his mother's remark.

"We are planning a trip to the K'Itah Caves," Zayed said.

Chloe had read about the legendary landmark. It was a warren of caves located in a range of mountains to the north of the capital city. The caves had a special place in the kingdom's history, being the site of an ancient city from which a great uprising had originated.