Page 30 of At the Sheikh's Pleasure
She grabbed her hijab and briefcase and followed the attendant out the door.
Zaire was waiting by the car for her, a smile playing on his lips.Her step faltered for a moment.He looked incredibly handsome in his suit, and she didn’t miss the way his eyes flickered over her body as she approached.
“Good afternoon,” he said, indicating to the assistant to open the door for her.
She hesitated before replying, because there was a world of meaning in his voice.She decided to ignore his sexy tone and the way his eyes lingered on her lips.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness,” she replied, adding the honorific, although it wasn’t necessary.“Thisisa surprise.”She was relieved to hear her voice emerge steady and strong, not reflecting the tumult of emotions which just seeing Zaire, having his eyes caress her, created within her.
“A good one, I hope,” he said, pointing to the open door.
She stepped towards the car, and inevitably closer to him.“I’ll reserve judgement on that for later.”
He raised a suggestive eyebrow, and she wondered what kind of ‘later’ he was imagining, because it sure wasn’t what she’d intended him to think.Before he could reply, she slid into the back seat.She hoped he’d take the front seat, as he usually did.She hoped in vain, because he walked around the car, and the door was opened for him to be seated next to her.
He shot her a smile, and his gaze lingered on her.She looked straight ahead at the rear of the driver’s neck, and could feel the blush rise.She tugged her hijab closer to hide the fact, but she obviously hadn’t succeeded if his smile was anything to go by.
“So,” she said, determined to put their conversation onto a more professional footing.“This surprise visit to the Queen’s School.Why?”
“Because I thought you’d be interested.Was I wrong?”
His gaze held hers.She couldn’t lie, so she shook her head.“No, you weren’t.”She swallowed, desperately wanting to shift her eyes from Zaire but unable to.The intensity of the chemistry which existed between them couldn’t be denied.“Education is important to me.It’s vital for women, and I’m interested to see Queen Mandana’s legacy first-hand.”
Zaire searched her face and gave a small grunt, as if he still hadn’t gotten the answer to his question.He looked away, and she relaxed back against the chair, as if she’d been released from a bond.She looked out the window at the passing city streets.They slowed as they arrived at the school.It had been built in a strategically important central area which had been highly coveted over the years by different kings, but none had been able to remove the school from its central city location.Queen Mandana had made sure of that with her generous endowments, which had kept her legacy safe for two centuries.
The principal and teachers were waiting for them as the car approached the front entrance.Suddenly, she felt his hand on hers and she turned to face him.
“Rosana, about last night.I know you don’t wish to talk about it, but I’m giving you warning, that we will talk about it.Because this is too important not to.”
Before she could respond, both their doors were opened for them, and Zaire exited the car.It seemed that this was only going to be a brief respite, no doubt to prove something to her.She just wasn’t sure what.
Zaire watchedRosana talk animatedly to the principal.He’d made it clear to the principal that the visit was for her, not him, and so, after the protocol was over, he’d taken the back seat and enjoyed it.
He’d been correct.It hadn’t taken her long to relax in a situation which meant so much to her.He could imagine her taking over the role which Queen Mandana had created so many years before.As his queen, she could make a difference.She just needed to be shown that.
He could see from the education officials that they connected with her passion and understood it.He not only wanted her for his wife and lover, he wanted her for his queen.Which only left two obstacles—Rosana’s fears of being controlled by a man, and the political implications.The former he was sure he could both rationalize and seduce away, but the latter?Their marriage would affect the power balance in the region and would need all the diplomacy which he and his brothers could muster to ensure it benefited them.
The brief visit had ended and he only half-listened to the principal as they walked to the exit.He was more intent on watching Rosana’s bright smile instead.
It was only after they’d re-entered the car that the brightness faded, replaced by a look of concern.
“What is it?”He thought he’d always be able to read her easily now.He couldn’t believe that he’d once found her arrogant.It was now clear to him that behind her aloofness lay a heart that was both passionate and generous.
“Queen Mandana’s endowment of the school has played a huge part in raising the profile of women’s education in Sifra, far above my country.It’s humbling.But I’m concerned about its future.The endowment has preserved it for two centuries, but the principal said that the funding is now in jeopardy.”
“Yes, so I believe.And from what I’ve seen, it doesn’t look as if the ruling council is making its future a priority.”
“That’s terrible!What will happen to those girls, and their potential?You can’t let the school just fade away!It’s too important.”
“I agree.You’ll have to do something about it.”
“Me?What can I do?”
“The same as the late queen,” he said thoughtfully.“You are alike, I think.”
“I’m more like that young pupil I spoke to.”
He frowned.“In what way?”
