The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride (15 page)

It wasn’t just his shoulders that emerged from the sea, but the wide, muscled expanse of his chest. Belle’s eyes dropped to his burnished skin, to the sprinkling of dark hair across his chest. It narrowed, she knew narrowing down towards his slim waist, and lower.

She knew because she saw him morning and night, gloriously naked as he shared his bed with her. And every time it became more difficult not to reach out and touch him. To trace that fine line of hair, to massage the strong muscles, to investigate that gleaming skin.

He was temptation personified. Just the thought of ‘Belle, are you all right?’

She looked up into his face and instantly turned away, afraid of what she might see there. And of what he’d read in her eyes. Òf course.’ She tried to inject enthusiasm into her voice. Ìt was great.

Just like you said.’ She reached out for the board at the same time he did. His hand settled beside hers large and strong and sinewy compared to hers. Just as his body was larger, harder…

Hell! She had to stop thinking like this. It was driving her crazy.

`Would you like another try?’

`No, thanks. I’ve had enough for one day. Let’s go in.’

Às you wish.’ There was no inflection in his tone, and Belle wondered what was going through his mind. Had he guessed that she’d been thinking about the two of them together? She bit her lip as she headed in to the beach. She hoped she wasn’t as transparent as she felt.

The problem was that they’d spent all this week together, ostensibly honeymooning at a small fortress cum hunting lodge on the isolated north coast. Rafiq had assured her that a honeymoon was expected, and it seemed safer to go through with the charade than invite gossip.

But spending this time with him had only reinforced those feelings she’d tried to ignore. She’d discovered another side to him. A carefree, fun loving man who reveled in simple joys like morning horse rides on the beach and snorkeling at a nearby coral reef. And she’d learned that his smile was just as devastating as his smoldering sensuality when he’d kissed her days ago.

How long ago that seemed.

She sighed and trudged ashore, one hand on the sailboard between them. She couldn’t really be wishing he’d kiss her again, could she?

She’d be mad if she did. Yet more and more she felt her resolve slipping.

How was she to keep a safe distance between them when he was such good company?

He’d even taken the time to introduce her to Arabic. He’d been giving her impromptu language lessons, saying it would give her confidence. The trouble was she was so busy watching his lips form the sounds, listening to the evocative words that spilled like honey from his mouth, that she couldn’t concentrate on their meaning. He must think her the world’s worst linguist.

They reached the shore and Rafiq stowed the sailboard in the boatshed. Belle averted her gaze, concentrating on the play of afternoon light across the water, rather than the fluid grace and strength of Rafiq’s well toned body.

`You miss your work?’ His voice came, rich and deep, from just behind her. `Would you rather be out there now on your dive boat?’

There was an edge to his voice that she couldn’t identify. This was no idle question.

`Not at all. I was just enjoying the view.’ And, amazingly, it was the truth. She’d worked incessantly to build her career in a difficult field, devoting long hours and rarely finding time for holidays.

But this time with Rafiq had been special, despite the difficulties.

Despite the tension that paralyzed her when he climbed into bed beside her, or when she caught one of his intense looks as he watched her. The week had been fun, exhilarating, the perfect antidote to the stress she’d endured. Rafiq had respected her wishes and not forced himself on her. More than that, he’d given her the experience of a lifetime. She’d never felt so cherished.

She swung round and looked up into his still, brooding face.

`Thank you, Rafiq. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much. This has been a wonderful holiday.’

The corners of his lips curved up in a slow smile that deepened the grooves beside his mouth and sent a shimmer of longing through her. Ìt is entirely my pleasure, Belle. After all, a honeymoon should be noteworthy.’

She opened her mouth to argue that this wasn’t really a honeymoon, just a pretend one. But what was the point?

Ànd I’m pleased to hear you’re not pining to return just yet to your ancient trading ship.’ He lifted a huge beach towel from the bench beside the boathouse and wrapped it round her shoulders, enveloping her in plush cotton and a look of approval that heated her all the way to her toes.

`When we go back to the capital I’d like very much if you’d show me the wreck site. I’d planned to visit earlier and see what progress the team had made.’

She tilted her head to one side, assessing. `You’re that interested?’

A lot of people found marine archaeology boring unless it involved bringing up gold. Ancient pottery shards and stone anchors rarely caught the public’s imagination.

Òf course. It’s part of our history. And besides, it’s important to you, Belle. It’s only natural I should seek to learn about it.’

Because I’m your husband. He didn’t say it, but Belle felt the weight of his meaning heavy in the air between them. It set the hairs on her neck on end.

`How long before the new expedition member arrives?’ he asked as he turned away to reach for his towel. Ì don’t want you diving alone.’

Ì never dive alone,’ she said. And then she stopped, her jaw gaping as his words sank in.

`You don’t mind the idea of me going back to work?’

He swung round and met her gaze with raised eyebrows. `You’re a marine archaeologist, and a dedicated one from what I’ve discovered. How could I mind?’

`But as your…wife’ she stumbled on the word I thought’

`That I’d take a medieval view of a woman’s role?’ His lips stretched in that devastating smile that made her insides melt.

`Now, that would be interesting option keeping you secreted in my harem. Seeing no men but me. Awaiting my pleasure.’

A blush of fierce heat scorched Belle’s cheeks as she read the amusement in his eyes. And the flicker of something else something that told her the idea appealed to him, just as it did to some tiny, primitive part of her subconscious. She took a half step back, away from him.

‘I’m afraid not, little one. Unless you’d like to give up your career and devote yourself entirely to me?’ He paused while she tried to unstick her tongue from the roof of her mouth. His tone told her he was joking. Wasn’t he?

`No?’ He reached out and took her elbow in his hand, turning her towards the steps that led up the cliff to the lodge. `What a shame.

But it’s as I expected. My own mother was a qualified pediatrician when my parents wed. She continued to run clinics all through their marriage.’

Ì didn’t know.’ She had assumed that she’d have a battle on her hands when the time came to return to work.

`How could you?’ They reached the bottom of the steps and he gestured for her to go first. `Don’t worry, Belle, you’ll be able to work though perhaps not the same hours you were devoting to the project in the past.’

This was one huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She was still in a bind, tied by a formal marriage contract for the fore seeable future. But at least she’d be able to pursue her career. She’d feared she’d have to opt out of the expedition she’d strived so hard to join.

Impulsively she stopped and swung round. Rafiq was right behind her, his eyes almost level as he stood on the step below hers.

`Thank you, Rafiq. That means a lot to me.’ She wanted to hug him, to thank him properly for being so reasonable.

Ì‘m gratified to have made you happy, Belle.’ His voice was deep and soft, caressing. His gaze held hers and she sucked in a shaky breath. Ìt is a matter of great importance to me that you are content.’

Belle stared, mesmerized by those gleaming eyes. His breath hazed her skin. His body, so close, was an invitation to sensual pleasure she could barely ignore. But, more than that, she felt a glow of happiness, knowing he respected her, cared for her enough to put her needs first. He’d done it time and again. By accepting her insistence on a platonic relationship. By accommodating her need to work. By going out of his way to make this strange new world as wife of the Sheikh a delight rather than a burden.

Her husband really was the most extraordinary man.

Was it any wonder she’d finally done the unthinkable? She’d fallen in love with him.

Belle woke next morning to the pearly light of dawn and for the first time found herself alone in the bed.

It was unsettling.

She’d become used to the luxury of Rafiq’s body warming hers when she woke. To the forbidden thrill of delight his touch always evoked.

They shared an enormous bed Rafiq had told her was generations old. Its carvings were so dark and worn that she couldn’t make them out. But she suspected the figures cavorting on the headboard were mermaids. Each night she’d lain here, her heart in her mouth, as she watched him from beneath her lashes. And when he took her in his arms she was torn between exultation and dread. She longed for his lovemaking, yet feared the consequences. She loved him but knew this marriage wasn’t for ever.

How could she admit her love, act upon it, and then turn away from him when the time came?

And how could she even consider giving herself to a man who, despite his fine qualities, would never reciprocate her feelings? She had no doubt his own choice of partner would be someone glamorous and gorgeous, born to wealth and power, someone who would fit into the role of royal princess as she never could.

Yet every day she woke to find her legs tangled with his, the hot, musky scent of him enticing, his erection blatant and tempting against her. And each morning her resolve to keep her distance weakened further.

His eyes were unfathomable. He spent so much time just watching her, she wondered what he saw.

`There you are, Belle.’ She swung round as he entered the room and, as usual, her heart skipped faster.

He wore trousers and boots with a long sleeved white shirt open at the neck to reveal his sun bronzed throat. His hair was pulled back from his face and he was smiling. The force of it sizzled up her spine.

`Where have you been?’

`You missed me?’ he asked as he strode across to the bed. He reached for her hand and lifted it to his mouth, his gaze locked with hers. Slowly he kissed her hand, sending a shaft of pure heat arcing through her body. He turned her hand over and kissed her palm. This time she shivered, feeling the inevitable slow burn in the pit of her belly ignite into blazing fire.

She’d never get used to the sheer seductive power of those caresses. `Just wondered where you were,’ she said shakily, pulling her hand away.

À video conference. And I had a surprise to prepare.’ He cast a lingering glance over her as she lay, covered by the sheet. `You’ll need a long-sleeved shirt and a hat,’ he said. Ìt’ll be blazing hot in the desert later.’

`The desert?’

He nodded. Ì‘m taking you on a picnic.’

Two hours later, mounted on the most placid of the purebred Arab horses in the stables, Belle reined in and stared at the oasis in the gully below. A tiny Garden of Eden in the midst of sand dunes.

Palm trees towered over smaller trees and shrubs. She caught the glint of water in the sunlight and the sound of birds rose from the greenery.

`Like it?’ Rafiq asked.

Ìt’s lovely.’ She’d always lived on the coast, and the stark beauty of the desert had been a surprise. With Rafiq at her side, pointing out rock forms, animal tracks, the way the wind sculpted the dunes, the graceful shadow of a hunting falcon, she’d enjoyed every minute of the ride.

`Come on,’ he urged.

She nodded. `You start down,’ she said. Ì‘ll follow.’

She loved watching him ride, with the easy grace of a born horseman. As much at home in the saddle as he’d been on his yacht a few days ago. With his headscarf protecting him from the sun, the bright light illuminating his commanding profile and the breeze plastering his shirt against his chest, she couldn’t drag her gaze away.

She swallowed hard, reminding herself that this was no romantic fantasy. But she couldn’t prevent the tingle of awareness that heightened her senses at the sight of him strong and vital, utterly spellbinding with his aura of raw, masculine power.

And he’s yours. All you have to do is reach out to him, whispered the voice of temptation.

She battled that demon ceaselessly, desperate to control the feelings that threatened to consume her: the admiration, the desire.

She lusted for him so badly he must read it in the very scent of her skin, the taut awareness of her body, attuned as it was to his every move.

Had he guessed that, despite her rearguard maneuvers to remain aloof, she’d lost her heart? That his wife in this arranged marriage had fallen in love with him?

She drew in a shuddering breath and took the track down to the wadi, aware of his piercing gaze as he waited.

It still shocked her, the suddenness and completeness of her love for him. The irrevocability of it. How could her world centre on him alone?

He was a man of integrity, but they were married, so, from his viewpoint, he had rights to her body. Why not find mutual pleasure?

Yet she was terrified that if they became physically intimate her feelings would enslave her to someone who, however admirable, didn’t love her.

`Belle?’

She looked into his enticing green gaze, read the welcome, the answering desire in his face, and felt her self-control splinter. How could she resist him?

`Come,’ he said. Ì have a surprise for you.’

Something danced in his eyes amusement? Anticipation? Her pulse thrummed faster.

The horses picked their way down the slope to water that reflected the brilliant blue of the sky. There were a couple of long pools running through the centre of the tiny valley, the heart of its green burgeoning life.

Rafiq’s hands closed round her waist and he lifted her down to stand toe to toe with him. Heat spread from his encompassing grip, and her breath caught at the sensation of his leashed power. His encircling hands made her feel small and vulnerable. The blaze of fire in his eyes told her he felt it too, the need, the suspense.