Page 31 of At the Sheikh's Pleasure
“You could see how frustrated she was about not being able to complete her studies here.There should be a university the girls can attend, or scholarships to help them study overseas.”
“You managed to study overseas.But then, I guess you were a sheikha with resources.”
She turned to him with blazing eyes.“It was evenworsefor me.I hadnoresources.None!Do you know how I paid for my education and the rent on my bed-sit?”She didn’t wait for a response.“By waitressing, by cleaning, by doing anything menial I could because my father refused to help me.I either lived in my country under his antiquated rules, or I was by myself.I chose myself.”
Tears glistened in her eyes, and he had to restrain himself from reaching out and wiping them away.But he knew that wouldn’t help her.
“Then you must do something about it.You must help these girls.”
“How can I?”
“Start by writing me a report.Tell me and my ministers how we can improve things and how we can help the girls and women in Sifra achieve their potential.”
She blinked.
“You look surprised,” he accused.
“I am.I thought…”
“Yes?”
She sighed.“I thought you’d be like my father, but you’re not, are you?”
He exhaled heavily.“No, Rosana, I’m not.And I’m glad you finally understand that.”He shook his head.“I’m nothing like.”He licked his lips, trying to find the words to delay her from leaving the country, trying to figure out what the next step would be.In the end, it was Rosana who took the initiative.
“I have one last night in Sifra, Zaire.I hope you don’t have any plans?”
The tentative tone of her voice betrayed her lack of confidence.
He smiled.“I do have plans.”
He enjoyed her crestfallen look.“Oh,” she sighed.
“And they include you.”
His hand tightened over hers.Her expression was one of pure carnal lust, and he silently cursed at their public situation.What he wouldn’t have given to be an ordinary man with no responsibilities, no public profile, and to be able to make love to this woman here and now.
He was relieved when the car came to a halt outside the palace, and both their doors were instantly opened by his staff.The temptation was removed from him.His eyes were still fixed on hers when, without a further word, she stepped out of the car and walked toward the steps.He followed.He suspected it would always be like this from now on—wherever she went, he’d follow, and he realized the thought made him happy.He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been truly happy before last night.He had one night to show her, to convince her, how right they were together.He smiled.He had no doubts how he could do that.
She stopped once inside the palace and turned to wait for him, a sexy smile on her lips.
“Unfortunately, my plans don’t only include you,” he said.“I wish they did.But, I’m afraid I will be entertaining Sheikh Saeed tonight and I cannot cancel.Will you come?”He bridged the gap between them and only just stopped himself from reaching out for her.The need to touch her was overwhelming.
She raised an eyebrow in query.“Will that not seem a little odd?”
“To be truthful, I don’t care how it will look.”
“But Sheikh Saeed knows my father.Word will reach him I’m here.”
“If it hasn’t already,” he said, remembering the message he’d sent to her father about her impending visit, making the first move in a game of chess designed to redress the balance of power in the region.He regretted it now.Everything had changed since that day.
She frowned.“I hope not, because I wouldn’t put it past him to come and demand I return home with him so he can marry me off to someone in the Faud Federation to cement their collaboration.”She shook herself.“Anyway, I will be gone by then, so it doesn’t matter.”
“So, I will see you soon then, Rosana?You will come to the state banquet in honor of Sheikh Saeed?”
She nodded with a smile.
“And then later, we will be alone where we have far more important things to do.”
