Page 33 of At the Sheikh's Pleasure
“The subject isn’t discussed,” he said with warning finality.
“Then perhaps it should be.An educated woman benefits everyone—herself, her husband, her children, her family, her country.”
Zaire realized he was holding his breath awaiting the reaction of this man, who was key to the future stability of the region.It was clear Sheikh Saeed was surprised at Rosana’s statement, and was undecided how to respond.
Rosana still held Saeed’s gaze, and her face softened slightly into a warmer smile, a smile that would melt the heart of the most hardened of men.
“Education is nothing to be feared, sir, but cherished as the treasure it is,” she continued.
Then Saeed’s brow lowered a little further and Zaire realized they were all holding their breath, trying to determine whether the sheikh would double down on his resistance or agree with Rosana.Then his head cocked to one side and his brow lifted, revealing a sparkle in his eyes.
“Perhaps you are right, sheikha.I will ask my daughters.”
“Good.It is always good to hear a woman’s voice.”
“That it is.And yours in particular, sheikha.”
“Please, call me Rosana.”
“Rosana.It’s been a pleasure talking to you, but I can see our host is most eager for your attention.”His eyes narrowed as he looked at Zaire thoughtfully.“I suspect your presence here will be good for him, good for Sifra.”
Zaire smiled uncomfortably, embarrassed both that his desire for Rosana was so obvious and that Sheikh Saeed should have voiced his suspicions.Saeed was right of course, but Zaire didn’t want Rosana to think, even for one minute, that he might be using her.He had originally wanted to, but not now.Definitely not now.
Saeed rose, and his retinue rose around him.“Thank you, Your Majesty, for inviting us here on this occasion.”He turned to Darrius.“And it is a pleasure to see you again, but it is time for us to take our leave.”Then he turned to Rosana.“And may I say what a great pleasure it was talking with you, Sheikha Rosana.You have a lot to teach us, I think.It is good that you have begun the peace process for your father.It will make further negotiations with him easier.”
Zaire thought it unlikely, but didn’t comment.
Darrius rose and walked Saeed to the door.Zaire could hear them arranging a further meeting the next day.
“Looks like you made an impression on Saaed, Rosana,” said Zaire.
“Isn’t that what you wished me to do?”
“Did I ask you to?”
“No, but I could see what was going on.I thought it wouldn’t hurt to talk about things a little more openly than you were.”
“I was raised to be cautious.”
“And I was raised to fight for what I want,” she said.
“Your father taught you to fight?”
“My father taught me I had no other option but to fight to get what I wanted.”
“And what is it you want now?”
She leaned in so that only he could hear.“I wish to go to bed with you.”
Suddenly it felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room, the sound of the people all around them receded into a background of white noise.
“Then it would be churlish of me to deny you.I will leave now, and I hope you will follow.”
She swallowed, her nerves and arousal betraying her, despite her bold demand.
He rose and forced himself to turn away.People took their cue from his exit and rose themselves and the function broke up.He stepped out into the gardens, muttered a few words to his security, and walked to where the private wing of the palace began.All his guests would have exited through the palace.He stood in the shadows and waited.
Chapter16
