Page 35 of The Sheikh's Temporary Girlfriend

“Where are we going?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

It was only when they traversed through the corridor where pictures of desert landscapes were hung that she realized where they were most likely heading. She glanced at him. “You’re taking me to the ballroom.”

His brow furrowed as he looked at her. “How did you—“

He shook his head. “Of course, Maram took you this way so that fewer people noticed you leave.”

She nodded. “How did you know?”

“Security footage. Of course, she still denied it even when I confronted her about it.”

Of course Maram would act innocent while proclaiming everyone else’s guilt. Amber slowed, then stopped and asked, “Did she tell you she found skeletons in my closet, ones that might very well turn your people against you?”

He pivoted to face her, “Yes, she did. What she didn’t seem to care about was the fact those skeletons weren’t yours, they were your parents.” His eyes held hers. “I honestly believe the majority of my people will love you regardless of what secrets might be exposed by Maram or anyone else.”

Amber swallowed hard. “Would they love me knowing my parents were drink and drug driving when they hit another car and killed an innocent woman inside it?”

He lifted his hands to her shoulders. “Stop carrying the burden of other people’s wrongs. You were an innocent child, they were irresponsible adults. The blame lies with them, not with you.”

Though a part of her had acknowledged she’d played no part in the woman’s or her parents’ death, she hadn’t been able to shake off the insidious guilt. So why did Basam’s words of reassurance become a revelation etched deep into her soul, an epiphany wiping away her guilt and tearing the weight off her shoulders?

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“For telling you the truth?” he asked gently. “You’re an amazing woman, sunshine, and despite your internal scars thanks to your parents’ lack of care, you’re beautiful insideandout. I couldn’t love you more.”

Her heart pounded and her chest tingled, her eyes locking onto his. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

His smile was warm, his stare adoring. He reached for her hand, his thumb rubbing her palm in a circular motion and weakening the last of her resolve. “Let me prove it to you,’ he said huskily.

She followed him just a few more steps before turning into the now completed ballroom. She gasped, her gaze roaming around the cavernous and magnificent room, from the black-and-white checkered floor to the high ceiling with a trio of glittering chandeliers. There was some tiered platforms on her right, which she guessed was for a small orchestra or musicians, and seating and a long bar to her left.

“What’s this all about?”

“I had it built for you.”

“For me?” she squeaked, her mind racing with questions that had no answers. “Why?”

He smiled. “I guess you haven’t heard of the recent trend—thanks to a wager that was started between some good sheikh friends of mine—where each of them had to build a ballroom the moment they lost their hearts to a woman.”

She blinked at him. “Maram mentioned something about it being a tradition for sheikhs to have one. But you must have starting building this—“

“The day I brought you back to my country.”

She felt the blood drain out of her face. “I-I don’t know what to say?”

“Then don’t say anything, sunshine. Fate conspired to push us together. I’ve never seen any valid reason for us to be apart.”

Something inside her chest wrenched. That she loved him fully in return and wanted to be with him wasn’t something she’d just comprehended, she’d known for quite some time. That she couldn’t live here with him and leave behind the only family she had left was a hurdle they wouldn’t be able to overcome. Then there was the ocean and its rolling waves. She’d miss that more than she could ever explain.

“There is just one more thing I think you’d like to see,” he said gently.

She nodded, accepting his proffered hand once again to follow him through the palace, then outside through one of its many courtyards. It wasn’t until they stepped through a pathway that led to the desert farther out that she froze and stared.

“What do you think?” he asked, amusement an undercurrent in his voice.

“You built a pool out here?” she squeaked. And not just any pool. It had to be easily the length of two Olympic sized pools and twice as wide.

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