Rachael Thomas - Claimed by the Sheikh

‘It will be much quicker if you do it for me and, as you’ve locked the door, nobody else is going to come in and help me any time soon.’ She stood resolutely with her back to him, impatience in every word she said.

He sighed, beginning to open the fastenings, his fingers brushing against the warmth of her skin. He gritted his teeth hard against the onslaught of desire that flooded him, angry she could have such an effect on him.

Kazim thought back to their wedding night. Amber had surprised him that night when he’d told her to return to her family. She hadn’t dissolved into female hysteria and had shown strength she’d kept hidden from him during their short engagement—strength he now saw again.

‘What’s wrong with your father?’ Her soft voice rushed him back from the past and he baulked against painful memories as the last of the fastenings on the corset opened, revealing the enticing smoothness of her back. She distracted him from everything at that moment—his reason for being here and the trauma of his childhood.

He couldn’t take his eyes from her as she clutched the costume against her and hurried behind a screen. Seconds later, the garish outfit was slung over the top of the screen and his mind raced into overdrive, colliding with images from their one night together. It was almost as if she was deliberately distracting him—again.

What had she been saying? Quickly he gathered his thoughts. ‘He is frail and weak.’ On the outside, at least. He kept the words calm, devoid of emotion, because he didn’t want to allow himself to think. Not even for a moment. He closed his eyes, forcing down the memories he would have to carry for the rest of his life.

‘I’m so sorry.’ Her soft words rescued him from thinking as she came out from behind the screen, dressed in jeans, long boots and a chunky knitted jumper. She didn’t look anything like the woman he’d married. Nobody would ever know who she was—a princess on the run. No wonder she had managed to blend in with those around her in this unsavoury part of Paris so successfully.

‘That is why you must come back to Barazbin. I am the sole heir.’ He resisted the urge to tell her that their marriage must provide heirs for the country. That was a given fact.

She shook her head. ‘No, Kazim, that’s never going to happen.’

He sighed impatiently. ‘I am concerned for our people. There is trouble within our lands and our nomadic tribes are paying a high price. Your absence has brought my ability to rule into doubt. You will come back with me.’ He watched as she pulled on her coat and picked up her bag. It was as if she wasn’t listening. ‘Amber. Do you understand what I’m saying?’

* * *

Irritation surged through Amber, instantly replacing the softer emotion she’d felt for Kazim as he’d told her about his father. ‘Oh, I understand, Kazim.’ She reached behind the formidable figure of her husband and unlocked the door, wondering why she hadn’t thought to do that earlier and throw him out. But one look at his face, as their eyes collided, told her why.

There was something between them, something undeniable. Irritation verged on anger at his demands and she pulled hard at the door. ‘You think you can send me away and order me back at your whim.’

With lightning speed Kazim turned, pressed his hand against the door, his height towering over her. She looked at the long tanned fingers of his hand and shook her head. ‘Let me out, Kazim, or I will call security.’

‘Security? In a place like this?’ An icy edge had crept into his voice and she looked up into eyes so cold, so devoid of emotion, she had to stifle a gasp. ‘I would be interested to see how they handle it, a man and his wife wanting to talk.’

‘I don’t feel like your wife, Kazim. It has been ten months since we married and this is the first time I have seen you.’ Did he really think he could play that card on her?

All the hurt and anger she’d kept inside her since that night bubbled up, giving her the confidence to face the man who had broken her heart and shattered her foolish dreams.

‘We married out of duty, Amber, never forget that.’ His calm voice was full of authority, his expression harsh and forbidding. ‘And now my duty is to return to Barazbin—with you.’

She laughed, a nervous laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. For a moment, confusion raced across his handsome face and her laughter died. She didn’t know that much about the man she’d married, but she did know he commanded authority and didn’t expect anyone to challenge his decisions. As the son of the Sheikh of Barazbin, Kazim didn’t lack any of the power his father possessed. He was powerful, both in business and position, and right now she was left in no doubt of just how much.

‘I haven’t got time to discuss this now,’ she said, looking boldly up at him. ‘I need to go home before the manager realises I’m still here and...’ Her words faltered for a moment and, like a hawk, Kazim pounced on it.

‘And what, Amber?’ He leant his shoulder casually against the door, folded his arms and looked down at her, making her feel as if she were a petulant child that had just been scolded.

Amber thought of all the times the manager had tried to force her to dance, insisting her talents were wasted as a waitress. He’d taken every opportunity he could to try and push her into dancing and if she lingered here any longer he would think she had changed her mind. Kazim’s brooding presence wouldn’t be any kind of defence because she had no intention of admitting to anyone he was her husband.

‘He will think I want more work,’ she said, forcing firmness into her voice. ‘So, if you will allow me past, I need to go.’

For a moment Kazim’s gaze held hers, questioning and searching. Her stomach filled with small butterflies and she was compelled, as if under an ancient spell, to hold his gaze, to look into the inky depths.

If only she hadn’t tried so hard on her wedding night. She’d only done it because she didn’t want Kazim to think she was totally inexperienced.

Snap out of it , she reprimanded herself as she glimpsed once again the handsome prince she’d worshipped from afar for too many years. This is the man who rejected you, the man who ruined your whole life.

‘I will come with you.’ He pushed his body away from the door and unfolded his arms to stand looking down at her, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Not a real smile—it didn’t reach his eyes. It was the smile of a man in control. Complete control.

‘There’s no need.’ She grabbed the handle and pulled the door open, about to step into the corridor, when another dancer barged through the door from the club, the heavy beat of the music becoming louder again for a moment. The dancer rushed towards the dressing room, instantly stopping when she spotted Kazim.

‘I will escort you home,’ he whispered softly near Amber’s ear and then stepped close behind her like a territorial lion. She saw the shock on the other woman’s face—shock that quickly changed to a gushing smile when Kazim turned on his charm, directing his next words at the dancer. ‘We shall leave you in peace.’

Amber fumed inside. How dare he insinuate he was going home with her? They’d never leave her alone now. She could hear their questions already. Spurred on by anger, she marched the opposite way along the corridor, out through the back door of the club and into the narrow streets of Paris.

It was cool for summer and a keen wind rushed along the streets. She pulled her collar up and began the short walk to her flat, hoping with every step that Kazim wouldn’t follow. His footsteps behind her told her that hope was useless. She accepted the fact he’d found her and would now know where she lived, but she could not and would not go back to Barazbin. She was needed here.