Page 39 of At the Sheikh's Pleasure
He pulled her to him in a close embrace, and she pressed her cheek against his chest.He thought he could have held her there forever, his arms tight around her, protecting her from the hurt which had followed her all her life.He wanted her never to be hurt again.Then they heard her father talking on the phone in the next room.They couldn't delay it any longer.
He lifted her chin.“You don’t have to see him again.Go now, and leave me to deal with your father.”
“But–”
He kissed her lips, cutting off her words and train of thought.“No buts.There’s nothing further to be gained by talking to him or listening to him.You know that in your heart.He’ll never change, so let’s move on—with or without his blessing.Go now and I’ll see you back in my suite.Okay?”
“Okay.”She shot him a relieved smile and rolled onto her tiptoes, clutched his collar, and kissed him.When she’d finished, she pressed her finger against his lips and smiled.And he knew he could live forever in that smile.Then she took a step backwards, turned and walked away.
He sighed.All he wanted to do was to walk after her, but he needed to deal with her father.And he knew exactly how to do that.He’d tell him anything to get rid of him.
Rosana hadn’t gone farthrough the palace grounds when she stopped suddenly.She’d been buoyed by the love that Zaire filled her with.But, as the chill of the night air cooled her heated skin, she realized she didn’t want him to sort out her father for her.She could do it.She would go back and tell him what she needed to.
She returned through the gardens, following the sounds of her father and Zaire talking, and was surprised not to hear her father dominating the conversation.Their voices drifted on the night air, through the window she’d opened only minutes earlier.She took a few steps closer and saw her father was listening to Zaire.That, in itself, was unusual.She took a few more steps towards the open window and could now hear clearly what was being said.But there was something in Zaire’s tone which made her halt.He wasn’t being conciliatory.He sounded like a victor.She stood, stock still, listening intently.
“So,” said her father, “your plan worked, Zaire.You must be very pleased with yourself.”His tone was bitter, a promise of retribution lurked in his every word.
She held her breath, waiting to hear his response.
“Of course,” said Zaire, in that same self-satisfied tone he’d used before.He gave a gruff laugh.“It’s worked out so much better than I’d imagined.”
Rosana heard no more.Her head buzzed with words that refused to leave, devoid of love and any indication of his feelings for her, treating her as a mere possession to be passed between men.She leaned heavily against the wall for support, willing the cool marble wall to cool her brain, and to help her make sense of what she’d just heard.
But the sick sensation in her gut told her that the only sense to be made was that she was a bargaining chip, a fly caught in a spider’s web.She glanced into the room where her father’s bitterness and anger were plainly expressed in his face and gestures while Zaire stood firm and confident—the obvious victor.It was enough.She turned and walked away.
How could she have been fooled by Zaire after all that had happened with her father?He was exactly the same as him.He’d taken advantage of her weakened resolve and robbed her of her defenses and senses.She’d walked into a trap.But she could walk right back out again, and that was exactly what she intended to do.
Chapter19
It was with a mixture of satisfaction and regret that Zaire watched Rosana’s father walk away.Satisfaction to have out-played him at his own game, and regret that, in order to make gains for his country, he’d been forced to lie.It didn’t make Zaire feel good to twist the truth.But, he reassured himself, his old tutor used to tell him that the means justified the ends.His country would be more secure by weakening Harran, and with a weakened country, his way was clear to be with Rosana.
It was late by the time he returned to his private suite of rooms.He’d taken a detour to inform his brothers of events and had got delayed there.A few rounds of drinks later and he was even more eager to be with Rosana again, relieved that this whole mess was behind him.He stopped at his door and took a deep breath of the night air.Anticipation filled him.He didn’t think he’d ever been so happy.Maybe not even with Galila.That had been a different love, a more innocent, less mature love.A simpler love.There was nothing simple about Rosana and he loved her all the more because of it.
He glanced up at the half-moon, visible between the tracery of branches, and drew in another deep breath before entering.He opened his mouth to greet Rosana, but the words stalled on his lips.Even in the dim light of the moon, he could see that his apartment was empty.
She must have misunderstood where they were to meet.Frowning, he hurried to her room, knocked, and entered.There were no lights, no sound came from the rooms, and, more tellingly, none of her things were around.He flicked on the light but knew what he’d see before the bright light flooded the room.It was empty.It was as if she’d never been there.He swallowed hard, but it did nothing to ease the fear which fluttered low in his belly.She couldn’t have left.Shecouldn’thave.
Despite what he saw, he called her name.But there was no response.What the hell?Anger replaced fear as he strode into the room, searching for clues.He had to face it.She’d packed up her things in her suitcase and she’d left.
He reached in his pocket for his phone and quickly got hold of the palace porter.He closed his eyes in shocked disbelief when the porter confirmed Rosana had left the palace thirty minutes earlier.By the time he’d established whereabouts the taxi who’d collected her was taking her, he’d jumped into his car and revved up the engine.He’d also made sure the next flight out wasn’t leaving until he got there.
Rosana stood gripping her handbag,looking out the window at the waiting plane.Something was wrong.She knew it.They’d received the announcement to board but, at the last minute, an official had hurried over and they were told to wait.They didn't receive any explanation.She looked around at the puzzled faces and the growing irritation of the passengers.It was nearly midnight.
She glanced at her phone before switching it off again with relief.There was no message, no alert.Thank goodness.Chances were that Zaire was still involved in those discussions she’d overheard with her father.Trouble was, the more prolonged this mysterious delay became, the more likely he’d discover she’d managed to secure a cancellation and had gone.What would he do?She hoped her departure would speak for itself, and he’d let her go.But he was king, and he was used to controlling everyone around him.She just hoped that didn’t extend to her.
She looked around.This was ridiculous.Clutching her bags, she strode over to the counter, about to demand to know what the holdup was.Then she glimpsed him through the interior window, his furious gaze fixed on her.As she took a few steps back, a wall of men blocked her way.She turned around.One of them politely bowed.
“Dr.Al Khal, you’re wanted in the office, if you please.”
Her mouth dried, and she felt sick in the pit of her stomach.Dredging up the few remaining shreds of courage from somewhere deep down, she drew herself up to her full height and eyeballed the man.“Whatever it is, you can tell me now.I have a plane to catch.”
“Apologies, Dr.Al Khal, but you are required in the office.”
She shook her head and tried to walk off, but they blocked her way.She refused to be caught in his net, to be trapped and held against her will.This was exactly the situation she’d run away from.She wasn’t that woman any longer.
“My flight is leaving soon.Please let me pass.”
The man shook his head.“Your flight isn’t going anywhere until you go to the office.”
