The Sheikh's Reunion Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs 4) (3 page)

But, Mia could see just how much it did mean to Rafiq. His dark brows were furrowed into deep ridges; his chocolate brown eyes hinted at a barely contained inner rage; the twist of his lips curled at the corner into a sardonic expression.

Rafiq ran his hand through his dark hair. "Are you sure about this?" he asked glancing at the papers on the table.

Mia rifled through the contents of the manila folder. "As much as I can be. I only found out about it a couple of days ago."

Rafiq frowned. "I can't believe he'd do such a thing," he muttered. "Let me have a look at this."

Mia saw his head dip as he started to read through the sheet she had given to him. Since she'd seen him for the first time in years, Mia had been impressed at the changes in Rafiq. Gone was the slightly too thin, lithe, athletic looking man who had tormented her during that one crazy, sweet summer at her family's residence in the depths of the English countryside.
 

The sight that had greeted her when she had stood to welcome him was a wholly different person. Rafiq had filled out, was noticeably broader in the chest, a more imposing presence than his younger self. His chiseled, handsome features had caught Mia unawares; the feral glimmer in his eyes had held her frozen like a startled animal. He seemed taller than she had remembered, but that could simply be down to the utterly primal, dominating aura he exuded. Even here, in the emptiness of the hotel restaurant, his untamed desert spirit seemed to fill the space around them. He exuded force and casual authority. His voice had an edge of decisiveness to it. His every movement and gesture seemed designed to draw out an effect from Mia. It was taking everything in her power to shield that effect from Rafiq.

Mia was sure he hadn't noticed her reactions to him. She hoped he hadn't, especially when she'd had to take a step backward as he'd leaned forward, obviously intent on hugging her. Mia couldn't have trusted her reaction to being in his arms again. Not that, she had told herself. Anything but that.

It had taken too long to get over their first encounter all those years ago.

Rafiq had visited for a few weeks, a guest of her brother, Brad. It had been the last summer before Mia had gone off to University to study finances and investment. While staying with her family, Rafiq had become the center of Mia's world during that summer. Every time she had been near him, her body had declared war on her, overwhelming every intelligent thought that had fought to keep her a safe distance from Rafiq. Because, that was what she had needed above everything else whenever she had been around Rafiq. Safety from his irresistibly intense presence.

They had duelled and clashed in every delicious way imaginable during those weeks, and all through that time Mia had fought to keep him at bay. Mia was convinced it was her innocence that had triggered his passionate pursuit. He was a few years older than her, and seemed to have descended from a different world. He'd seemed like a being from another more exotic, unbelievable world.

She had known he could have swept her off her feet, putting paid to all her plans, turning her world upside down. If she had succumbed she knew her entire destiny would have been altered. Irrevocably.

And that, she had not wanted. Or so she had told herself every night as she had lain in bed, trying to drive images of Rafiq out of her mind.

It had been a interminable summer of delicious torment.

But, she had kept him at arms length, in spite of every nerve and fibre in her body craving him, needing him.

It had been the longest summer of her life. Rafiq had tried everything possible to conquer Mia. Being the focus of the Sheikh's attentions had been exquisite and tempting, even flattering, making Mia feel incredibly special.
 

But, in the end, Rafiq had been denied his pleasure with Mia. She had made sure of that.

By the summer's end Rafiq had finally admitted defeat. In a private moment in the garden, he had brashly announced to Mia that he had been toying with her all summer; he'd declared with typical arrogance and pride that he had been teasing her, playing with her.
 

He told her that if she thought she had been victorious over him, she was deluding herself, because he hadn't really wanted her; hadn't truly craved her; that she had merely been suffering a teenage crush on the Sheikh who, after all, needed no woman to make him happy. That last statement had been made with a proud upward tilt of the chin, bravado filling his voice, a slight sneer at the corner of his mouth.

Mia had been crushed at his apparent confession of disinterest in her; hadn't seen him since that crazy English summer; had been grateful for the years of hard work which had consumed her since then.

And now, he was back in her life.
 

For now, at least.
 

She knew she would have to maintain a professional distance; understood how important it was to once again keep the undeniably handsome Sheikh out of her heart.
 

His admission that he had recently been rejected by another woman caused her to see him in a different light. How many lovers had he had since she had last seen him? She pushed the answer to that question firmly out of her mind. No sense dwelling on that, she told herself.

Rafiq looked up from the paper, his eyes filled with questions. They were such amazing eyes, filled with emotion She felt her heart skip a beat as she regarded them. Mia quickly lowered her gaze as she saw inquiry stir in his eyes. He had noticed the way she had looked at him. She couldn't lead him on. Not this time. Even if there were treacherous emotions stirring from their dormant slumber.

Rafiq sighed and pushed the paper away from him with an angry flick of his fingers. He took a sip of his coffee. The silence in the empty restaurant seemed cacophonous.
 

Finally he spoke, peering into her eyes. "I need to do something about this."

Mia nodded. "I agree. You can't let this go. There are legal issues to consider, too."

Rafiq nodded. "However, I'm not convinced."

Mia frowned. "What?"

"I need to be sure. He has been a friend to me for so long. I find it incredible that he would have done something like this."

Mia gestured toward the papers. "But, the evidence..." she started to say, but Rafiq cut her off with a sharp twitch of his hand.

"Not enough," he said curtly.

Mia stared at Rafiq. "What more do you need? The evidence is staring you in the face."

Rafiq shook his head and peered intently at Mia. She felt the full force of his penetrating stare. Her breathing stalled for a moment, and she wondered if it was to do with his anger or how devastatingly handsome he looked when he was furious. She couldn't decide, but the pounding of her heart was a sign of something else entirely.

Rafiq leaned across the table and peered at Mia. "You must have more documents than these," he said.

Mia frowned. "Of course. I just brought along a summary. But, surely that is enough."

Rafiq shook his head. 'No. It's not," he said with utter finality and she knew he wouldn't be persuaded. There was an unflinching determination in that dark gaze. Mia suddenly understood some of the things Brad had told her about Rafiq; how he was ruthless in business; how he was relentless in hunting down investment opportunities and then handing them to Brad to finalize. She could see that savage will, sense its primal power, the unbending resolve.

Mia hesitated, momentarily unsure what she could offer him. "I suppose I can put together a more extensive file for you to go over."

Rafiq nodded approvingly. He was a man used to having his way; she could see that. It was yet another way he had changed from the immature young man who had pursued Mia during that summer. The sheikh sitting across from her was a different being from the man she had once known.

Mia stretched across and took the single sheet of paper Rafiq had just finished reading. As she started to ease the sheet toward the manila folder, Rafiq reached out and placed his hand over hers. His hands were warm, his skin rough against the back of her hand. Mia looked at Rafiq, suddenly startled at his touch. His dark gaze was softer now.
 

"Please accept my apology, Mia. I hope I haven't been too rude to you," he said quietly. He glanced at the folder. "This is a shock. A surprise. I hope I didn't speak inappropriately."

Mia shook her head. "No. You didn't."

"I'd hate to think we got off on the wrong foot. After all, it's been a long time. I still remember that summer at your parents' home."

Mia tried to look surprised. "Really? That's nice," she said weakly, trying to convince him she didn't really care. Her pulse was racing furiously and she could feel the breath catch in her chest. Rafiq moved his thumb along the side of her wrist, and Mia felt an electric tingle race all the way to her middle. The thudding of her heart was suddenly hard and insistent. She pulled her hand away from Rafiq and saw him glance down at the gesture, a slight smile of resignation easing across his full lips.

Mia hurriedly put the manila folder back inside her briefcase and placed the leather briefcase back down on the floor next to her chair. When she looked up she caught Rafiq watching her, his gaze filled with what looked suspiciously like appreciation.

"I can get some extra documents to you later today, if you like," Mia offered.

Rafiq nodded. "That would be fine."

"I think once you've looked over them, you'll see what our concerns are," Mia said.

Rafiq nodded and seemed suddenly preoccupied. The waiter entered the restaurant at the far end of the room. Rafiq looked toward him and then turned to Mia. "I'd like you to join me for dinner tonight," he announced.

Mia froze for a moment and gazed at Rafiq. Was he serious? Didn't he realize that this was just about business? There was no reason for her to accept such an invitation.

"I have something arranged for this evening," she said knowing she didn't sound too convincing.

Rafiq quirked a brow at Mia. "Really?" he asked. He paused and examined her features. "Why don't I believe you?"

Mia tugged at the front of her jacket, reached down to grab her briefcase and stood. "I don't really care whether you believe me or not. I'm rather busy."

Rafiq stood and moved around the table to stand by her side. He seemed to loom over her, even though she was wearing heels. "Doing what?" he asked with a grin.

Mia looked up at his face. There was a mischievous expression there that made her determined to rebuff him. "I... have a date with someone else," she said hesitantly.

"Really," he exclaimed flatly. "A date." He raised a querying brow. "With a man?"

Mia squinted at Rafiq and gasped. "Of course with a man. What do you take me for?" she asked indignantly. She raised her chin up, pushing her face defiantly toward his.

Rafiq held his ground, meeting her challenging glare. "I don't think you're a very good liar. In fact, you're probably the worst liar I've ever met," he said and then smiled broadly.

Mia felt the color rush to her cheeks. Rafiq's gaze was unflinching. There was a long moment during which their eyes were locked upon each other. Why did it feel so right to be so close to him again, she asked herself. Had she completely forgotten just how he could affect her? She felt a sudden rush of indignation. She'd show him that things had changed; that she wasn't the innocent wallflower he'd known that summer.

Mia sighed and rolled her eyes. "Okay. I'll bring the papers with me, and we can discuss them over dinner." She peered at him. "A business dinner," she added firmly.

"That sounds perfect," Rafiq said. She could hear the victory in his voice.

Mia started to make her way toward the hotel reception. Rafiq walked alongside her, and she was intensely aware of his easy panther-like movements. He had such a powerful presence she couldn't imagine any woman giving up the opportunity to be his lover, let alone his bride.
 

They emerged from the restaurant and paused in the reception area. A few guests were seated on the luxurious sofas by the window. Mia saw Rafiq glance at the guests. He leaned closer to her and she caught his scent, a glorious mixture of sweet cologne and freshly washed skin. He'd probably showered on his private jet on the way to London, she told herself.

His face was inches from her, and she saw, closeup, the dark, rough shadow across his chin. His skin was naturally colored with the healthy sun of the desert. He seemed so out of place in the confines of the luxury hotel reception, as if he had been caged against his will.

His eyes narrowed. "I hope you don't change your mind," he murmured.

Mia frowned. "Why would I do that?"

Rafiq drew in a deep breath and quirked a brow. "I don't know. I got the impression I make you nervous," he said softly.

Mia gasped. "Nervous? You're joking, right?"

Rafiq shook his head. "Not at all. I haven't forgotten our little tryst all those summers ago."

Mia felt her throat tighten. How dare he mention it in that way. He made it sound so sleazy. Nothing had happened, and he knew it. "We didn't have a tryst, as you call it, Rafiq."

She saw his eyes widen imperceptibly at her use of his name. There was pleasure in that look. He didn't look at all like a man who had been jilted.

Mia stiffened and took one decisive step back, putting distance between herself and Rafiq. "What time would you like me to come over?" she asked.

Rafiq's brows furrowed thoughtfully. He made as if he were deliberating and then replied. "How does eight o'clock sound?"

Mia nodded. "Eight, it is."

"I'll send a car for you," he said.

Mia shook her head. "There's no need to do that. I can make my own way."

Rafiq frowned. "I will send a car," he repeated emphatically. He fixed his gaze on her eyes. She felt the force of that gaze shift something inside her. Mia sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll be at the office until your car comes."

"Can I get my driver to take you back to your office?" he asked.

Mia shook her head firmly. "No. I can make my own way," she replied.