The Sheikh's Reunion Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs 4) (7 page)

"What are you talking about?" Mia exclaimed, making sure he heard how shocked she was.

Rafiq straightened and drew in an impatient breath. "You'll be too busy to spend much time with any of them. Although my parents have insisted that you stay at their palace during your visit."

"I was going to suggest I could stay in a hotel," Mia replied.

Rafiq's eyes widened and his mouth opened into a shocked circle. "Absolutely not!" he ejaculated. "My father in particular would be most offended if you didn't stay with us."

"The last thing I'd want to do is offend your parents. Don't you have your own place?" Mia asked.

Rafiq laughed slightly, his eyes bright with amusement. "My own "place", as you call it, is a palace on the outskirts of Qazhar City."

Mia rolled her eyes. "I forgot. You're a sheikh. Of course you have your own palace. That's what sheikhs have, isn't it?"

Rafiq narrowed his gaze at Mia. "You are making fun of me?"

Mia tucked her chin and peered at Rafiq. "Of course I am. Am I not allowed to do that? Or have I broken some unspoken rule?" Mia made sure the last question was uttered with a pretend coquettish tone. She could immediately see that Rafiq didn't like being made fun off.
 

Not at all.

It didn't matter. For some strange reason she couldn't put her finger on, Mia liked to see him being made suddenly awkward.

Rafiq sighed and she saw his shoulders stiffen. He paused before replying. He gazed at her, and she could see that he had detected her defiance. "Of course you can say what you like to me, Mia."

Why did she suddenly like the sound of her name on his tongue? With his accent, her name sounded so appealing, especially the way his voice had dropped to a soft growl.

Rafiq leaned forward, and she could see the strength of his shoulders, the breadth of his chest, the firm set of his mouth, the searing scrutiny of his gaze. When he spoke his voice was commanding, as if what he said was beyond any possibility of disagreement.

"There are no rules here, Mia. You know that, don't you. There never have been any barriers between us," he said.

Mia felt her heart race faster, felt the blood pulse around her veins. Rafiq was so close now that she could hear his breathing above the soft whine of the plane's engines. What could she say to that? How on earth could she possibly respond to such a statement? All she could do was ask a simple question. As she prepared to do so, she tried to sink back deeper into her chair. She laughed to herself. As if there was any chance of keeping Rafiq at bay! But, she knew she had to say something.

"What kind of rules are you talking about, Rafiq?"

His eyes narrowed and the corner of his mouth curled with a minor appreciative victory. "You and I are free to say and do what we want with each other. Aren't we?"

Mia swallowed and gazed at Rafiq. "I don't know what you mean," she said.

One of Rafiq's brows twisted sardonically. "Come now, Mia. You've made it plain you intend to keep me at arms length."

Mia gasped. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Rafiq shook his head. "You know perfectly well what I'm referring to. Every effort I make to get reacquainted is firmly pushed back by you. It's just like that summer at your parents' house."

Rafiq slid forward until he was at the edge of his seat. He reached across and placed his hand on Mia's left arm. She felt a galvanic shock race up her arm, even though the fabric of her jacket protected her from the feel of his skin. She glanced into Rafiq's eyes searching for any hint of his intent, needing to be sure that he wasn't playing with her the way he had done so many summers ago. Mia saw fierce resolve in the dark, limpid pools that gazed back at her. His lips moved and she noted the moistness of them. She felt something wrench at her, and she had a sudden urge, the need to submit for a brief moment of scandalous pleasure. But, she immediately forced down that fickle temptation deeper into a dark corner of her awareness.

Mia saw Rafiq react, as if he could read her mind. She glanced down at Rafiq's hand, seeing the strength in those fingers. She drove away the thoughts of what those fingers could do to her. Images of their movement across her body made the heat travel to other parts of her body, other areas that hadn't known such warmth.

Mia straightened and stared at Rafiq. "There is no reason for us to get reacquainted," she blurted out quickly.

"The summer?" he asked simply. "Have you forgotten?"

"I haven't. But, as I told you last night. The past is the past. Let's leave it where it belongs," Mia said. Her heart was racing and every word she uttered made her pulse skip a beat.

Rafiq's expression froze and he merely regarded her as if she had put in place a wall, one that he refused to acknowledge, a barrier that would not hold him back.

Rafiq nodded and gave Mia a wry smile. "Perhaps after a meal and some rest we can resume our pleasant conversation. I'm sure there's some business affairs you wish to discuss."

Was he admitting defeat so easily? The Rafiq of previous years wouldn't have been as responsive to her wishes. That Rafiq would have tried to seduce Mia, attempted to overcome her objections. What had caused this change in him? Had Mia misjudged him so soon after renewing their friendship?

Rafiq drew his hand away and settled back in his chair. He pressed a button on the side of the chair and immediately the door to the galley opened.

Rafiq turned to Alina. "We'll have the food now, Alina," he said firmly.

Rafiq turned back to Mia. "Hungry?" he asked.

All Mia could do was sigh and admit defeat. "I'll have something," she agreed.
 

Then she turned and stared resolutely out the window. It was going to be a long and difficult trip to Qazhar.

CHAPTER FIVE

"Welcome to our humble abode," Rafiq said to Mia as he led her into the main hallway of his parents' palace. Finally they'd arrived.

Mia gazed around in wonder at the ornate decoration, the vaulted roof, the high, steeply angled windows, the colorful mosaics. The sheer expanse of white marble overwhelmed her senses. This was opulence on an altogether different level than anything she'd ever seen. A beam of golden sunlight streamed in through one of the wide, high windows above the doorway. There was so much detail that her eyes just couldn't take it all in. It was a feast for the senses. She'd always known that Rafiq came from a wealthy family, but this was a wholly different kind of affluence.

The air inside was cool compared to the heat outside, although they had been sheltered from that oppressive warmth during the short drive from the airport.

Mia dropped her bag on the floor at her feet and gazed around. She'd never seen anything like this place. It was simply the most exotic, wonderful interior she had ever been inside. From the outside, the buildings and wings of the palace had seemed to stretch for hundreds of yards. It was surrounded by luxurious, immaculately tended gardens, all contained within a high, walled enclosure that protected it from the broad expanse of desert.

The limo had deposited them at the front door and Rafiq had helped Mia with her bags, leading her into his family's home.
 

Mia realized that she and Rafiq were still alone. Since their arrival no-one had come to greet them.

"Where are your parents?" she asked. "And the rest of your family?"

"They're visiting friends for a few days," he explained. "It means you can focus on what's important. Less distractions."

Mia frowned and then realized he was teasing her. "We're not completely alone in this palace, right now, are we?" she asked tentatively.

Rafiq grinned. "Of course not. We have over a dozen servants."

Mia nodded. "Of course. How could I be so stupid. Servants. This is a palace, after all. I wouldn't expect you to be cooking and cleaning, would I?"

"Now I believe you're teasing me," Rafiq said with a grin. "Again," he added emphatically, but he didn't seem displeased.

Mia sighed and lifted her bag. "I take it I have a room?"

"Of course you do," Rafiq said. "The best in the palace."

"The best?" Mia asked incredulous.

"Well, at least the best of the guest rooms."

"And you?" Mia asked.

Rafiq's brows furrowed. "What?"

"Do you you have a room here?"

Rafiq squinted at Mia. "Of course I do. This is where I grew up. I still have my old room."

Mia smiled. "And your old toys?"

Rafiq smirked. "I gave up childish things a long time ago."

"And replaced them with other kinds of toys?" Mia teased.

Rafiq sighed and shook his head. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked rhetorically.

"I'm not going to answer that," Mia said giving Rafiq an admonishing look.

"Let me show you to your room," Rafiq said leading the way toward the wide staircase.

"Upstairs?" Mia asked.

"Of course. That is where the best rooms are. You'll love the views. Let me help you with those," Rafiq said bending down to pick up one of Mia's cases.
 

She quickly grabbed both of them. "I'll be fine carrying those myself," she said lifting them.

Rafiq smiled politely and nodded. He started toward the staircase, and Mia followed behind.

As they made their way up the stairs she couldn't resist watching Rafiq, seeing his tightly muscled body move like a sleekly powerful animal. There was power in that body, a predatory motion that promised so much. Rafiq had removed his jacket upon entering the palace. Now, he was dressed simply in tight fitting white shirt and dark pants. The contrasting colors of his shirt and pants merely accentuated the sheer, potent force of his being as he moved. The sound of his shoes echoed in the cavernous space. Mia's flat shoes clacked on the marble stairs matching Rafiq's steps in a curious unison.

Mia cleared her throat, forcing her attention away from Rafiq.
 

She recalled the remainder of the plane journey to Qazhar. After their meal they had chatted casually, and she had managed to rest for a while. Rafiq hadn't attempted to continue where he had left off earlier. His failed temptation of Mia had obviously given him pause to reconsider.
 

Instead he had showed her a small cabin at the back of the plane. The bed in the compact space had been comfortable and Mia had been left alone to sleep in peace. At the time she hadn't been sure whether to be relieved or disappointed at that. She'd lain in bed awake for a very long, expecting a quiet knock at the door, anticipating Rafiq's entrance seeking her favor, wanting to tempt her yet again.
 

But he hadn't come to her, hadn't even tried to interrupt her sleep. Mia had asked herself what she would have done if he had come to her. Would she have allowed herself to succumb to Rafiq's manifestly tempting charms.
 

In spite of herself, she still felt drawn to him. He still had the ability to instantly transform how she felt. A look or a touch was all it took. And, that made things so difficult for Mia. It was a transformation she was determined to resist. The battle between professional duty and personal satisfaction would continue, no matter how hard she resisted.

But, she realized, that war would have to be waged for the entire duration of her stay. Only when she had finally left Qazhar, her professional obligations fulfilled, would she be able to turn her back on Rafiq once and for all.

She had slept deeply, lulled into a heavy slumber by the soft movements of the plane and had woken with the bright Qazhar sun shining in through the tiny window.

When she had entered the main cabin of the plane she had found Rafiq seated there reading over some of the papers she had given him earlier. He had greeted her with a warm smile and made sure she was served a delicious breakfast.

They'd landed at Qazhar airport and, given the VIP treatment, been quickly passed through to the air-conditioned comfort of Rafiq's limousine.

All through the remainder of the journey it had seemed as if Rafiq had made a decision to maintain a polite distance from Mia. She had been initially pleased that he'd decided to respect her wishes. However, she couldn't help noticing the darkness in his eyes. Rafiq was worried. There was no doubting that. In spite of herself, Mia wondered what Rafiq was planning to do about the financial situation.
 

She knew that Rafiq and his friend Sayid had a solid relationship, so she could appreciate the turmoil Rafiq was going through trying to understand just what had happened. Now that she was in Qazhar, Mia knew there were troubled times ahead.
 

They made their way along a high-roofed corridor, passing many ornately decorated doors and eventually came to a halt in front of a door at the end of the corridor.
 

Rafiq rested a hand on the large handle and looked at Mia. "Ready to see this?" he asked.

Mia nodded and frowned at Rafiq. What could be so special about a room? "Sure," she said curtly.

Rafiq pushed open the door and it slid heavily with the soft sigh of the massive hinges. Mia tried to hold in the gasp that leaped to her throat. She completely failed.

Her eyes feasted on the wondrous interior.

Rafiq gestured for Mia to enter and she stepped into a brightly lit, luxuriously furnished version of paradise.

The room was huge. Twin sofas were placed around a massive circular table in the main living space. Through double doors she saw a huge king-size bed. She restrained a sudden gulp.

Thick, exquisitely patterned rugs were laid out around the floor. At the far end of the room, French doors opened out onto a wide terrace on which was another table with chairs, no doubt a place for breakfasts and evening meals, she told herself.

The entire room had an airy, lightness. Cream colored walls were adorned with large paintings depicting traditional scenes of the desert. Overhead fans circled lazily and she could feel the soft brush of cool air against her face. Mia inhaled the sweet scent of the colorful array of flowers which were placed in multiple vases around the room.