Page 114 of Warming the Sheikh's Bed & Love in the Fast Lane

“Good nerves,” she said with a nod. She remembered this.

“Exactly.” He lifted her finger to his lips. “Are you nervous?”

“Yes.

” She scanned his face. “My favourite part of your races are when they’re over.”

“This one will be soon enough. And in the mean time, I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” She looked at him blankly. “What surprise?” He’d been so busy with race preparations after Melbourne that she hadn’t even really known if he remembered her existence.

“You’ll have to wait a little while longer.” He kissed her gently. “It will be worth it.”

He was distracted. Almost his entire focus was on the upcoming race. He returned his gaze to the paper and furrowed his brow; Aurora returned to the blog she was in the midst of drafting. Hard to think about writing a column on Autumnal fashions when she was in the midst of a monsoonal summer, but she turned her mind to footless tights and Mac coats while the plane continued its steady cruise towards Malaysia.

The weather was every bit as sultry as she’d expected when they touched down. She was used to warm climates, and could generally cope well with heat, but the humidity was an unwelcome hit in her face as they swept onto the tarmac.

“The hotel will be air-conditioned,” Leonardo promised quietly, as they slipped into a limousine.

She stared out of the window as they cruised through downtown Kuala Lumpur, towards the five star hotel. The lights of Malaysia were overwhelming at first, but this was by no means her introduction to Asia. She’d travelled extensively in her early career, doing runways at the fashion weeks. She felt the buzz of the city as a welcome back, rather than a first greeting.

“What time will you start tomorrow?”

“Practice begins at ten.”

She nodded. Again, she wondered what the heck she’d done, getting embroiled in this life again. But one look at Leonardo and all her doubts seemed to evaporate. She smiled at him, then returned her ice blue gaze to the window. As the limousine slowed to a stop in front of the Emir Residence Hotel, she turned to him again. “You said something about a surprise?”

A flicked of a frown crossed his face. “Yes, of course. Inside.”

He stepped from the vehicle and held a hand out for her. She put hers in it, and followed a step behind him. The humidity was like a moist blanket on them as they walked. By the time they’d reached the luxurious penthouse, the only surprise Aurora wanted was a freezing cold shower followed by an ice-bath.

He slipped the key into the lock and pushed the door inwards, stepping back to allow her to precede him.

As she stepped into the room, she heard a noise, and angled her head towards it. “Beatrice?” She squeaked, freezing in shock as the sight of her best friend met her.

“Peter?”

Beside her, Leonardo was removing his jacket and hanging it behind the door.

“What are you doing here?” It took Aurora a moment to galvanise her body back into action. She ran across to Beatrice and threw her arms around her best friend’s neck, not caring now that she was wet with perspiration. “What the hell are you doing here?” She repeated, her face a picture of puzzlement.

“Leo said you were beside yourself,” Beatrice answered, her voice tinged with a slight formality. “That you were upset we hadn’t spoken.”

“Well, of course.” Aurora straightened, and looked at Peter with a self-conscious smile. “We haven’t spoken since your wedding. Did you not get my calls? I’ve been ringing?”

“I know.” Beatrice held up a hand. “I know. I got your messages.”

“Oh.” Beside Aurora, Leonardo came to stand. He put an arm around her waist, pulling her to his side.

“Beatrice, Peter, it’s good to see you. I have to be up early tomorrow. I presumed you were coming here to smooth things over with Aurora. If you have any intention of creating difficulties for her, I would prefer you leave it until after the race, when I can give the matter my attention.”

Peter stuffed his hands in his pockets. “This isn’t our business, Leonardo. With all due respect.”

Leonardo stiffened, though Aurora was probably the only one who felt it. “With all due respect, Peter, everything that concerns Aurora is my business. Her happiness is my greatest priority, so if either my sister or you intends to jeopardise that, then I have every right to intervene.”

Aurora angled a look at him, her face a mask of surprise. “Leo,” she said quietly, putting a hand on his arm.

He turned to face her, his dark eyes glittering in his face. “I do not want Beatrice to berate you for something that you had every right to do.” He looked at his sister. “Aurora and I fell in love. We chose to keep our relationship private for many reasons. I can tell you, from personal experience, that Aurora found it almost impossible to be dishonest with you anyway. In some parts, it tore her apart. If either of us were less high-profile in our careers, it perhaps would not have been necessary. You cannot carry a grudge for a decision we made years ago, that was in our own best interest.”

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