The Sheikh's Troublesome Bride Read online

  The Sheikh’s Troublesome Bride

  The Jawhara Men Series

  By Leslie North

  Contents

  The Sheikh’s Troublesome Bride

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 1

  Shira entered the terminal and quickly looked around for her co-workers and bosses. As the assistant marketing director for The Addams Group, she had been instrumental in helping the firm to land its most lucrative marketing campaign ever – Jewel Oil.

  The company was owned and operated by the Sheikh of Jawahara and his brother, Prince Khalil Mehmed El-Jawhara. Being the younger son, Khalil was not in direct line for the throne, that honor belonged to the eldest son, Kamal.

  Shira spied Rick and Damon standing in front of the security area and waved as she hurried in that direction.

  “Glad you could make it,” said Rick, giving her a large welcoming smile.

  “I’m so excited. Is everyone else here?”

  “Well, about that – it’s just going to be you this time around.”

  Shira shook her head, “But I thought the entire team was coming along.” She was confused that plans had changed so quickly. And go to Jawhara by herself? No way! She’d never even been to Canada or Mexico, yet alone a country thousands of miles and several oceans away!

  “It’s actually a good thing,” replied Damon, “It seems that word about our deal with Jawhara has spread and late last night I received calls from to other Arab nations who would like us to work on bids for their marketing campaigns as well.” Damon was grinning from ear to ear as he finished speaking.

  “Really?! That’s great!” Shira exclaimed. This is what her bosses had been hoping for. International exposure and a client base around the world.

  “Really!” answered Rick. “Anyway, there are delegations flying in from those countries over the next several days and the team is frantically pulling together those presentations.”

  Shira’s heart dropped as she quietly asked, “Does that mean you’d like me to stay as well?” She had been looking for to seeing Kale again. She swallowed down her disappointment, not wanting her bosses to see how much she was really hoping they still intended to send her.

  “That sacrifice will not be necessary,” came a familiar voice from just behind her.

  Whirling around, Shira found herself looking up into the laughing brown eyes of Kale. “What are you doing here?” she asked, just before she found herself swept up in his muscular arms.

  Hugging her close felt amazing, but remembering where they were, he quickly set her back down on her feet. “I am here to personally escort you to Jawhara.”

  “But you said you needed to help your brother…” Shira tapered her speech off. She had spoken to Kale almost daily since his premature departure several weeks ago. They had talked about almost everything and she had grown attached to the man of character standing in front of her.

  “Kam has everything well under control at this time. Besides, we are less than twenty-four hours away from Jawhara.” Turning to address her bosses, he shook their hands, “Gentlemen, thank you for everything. I will assist Miss Malone in getting her office set up and see that she has everything we discussed.”

  Shira watched, confusion clouding her brain, as she listened to Kale and her bosses discuss her future. It didn’t sound like she was only going for a short visit! Looking at both Rick and Damon, she didn’t miss the glances they both threw her way as Kale finished discussing their travel plans.

  “Kale, what..?”

  “Come, Shira. The pilot is anxious to begin our flight, as am I.”

  “But my luggage…”

  “Has already been taken care of. Ahmed was waiting for it and has already delivered it to the jet. Say goodbye.”

  Shira turned to her bosses, not liking the knowing grins upon their faces, and dutifully replied, “Goodbye.”

  “Have fun, Shira. Take a few days to get acclimated and then give us a call. Rick and I have some ideas of what kinds of information and footage would work best in the ads.” Damon gave her a brief hug but quickly removed his arms at the low growl coming from Kale.

  Shira looked at him over her shoulder, startled by the fierce look upon his face. When Rick pulled her to him for a brief hug, she watched, amazed, as Kale’s eyes narrowed and his fists clenched.

  Before she could question him, he pulled her from Rick’s arms, wrapping one arm around her waist and anchoring her to his side. “Gentlemen.”

  Khalil did not like seeing another man’s hands upon Shira. He found he was very possessive of her already, a good sign indeed. He had enjoyed their phone conversations over the last several weeks and was determined to make her fall in love with Jawhara and bind her to himself.

  Protocol demanded that his older brother must marry first, but Kamal had already chosen his bride-to-be. Erin Malone, Shira’s cousin and roommate, might not know it yet, but she was destined to become the next Sheikha of Jawhara. Kamal had decided he wanted her, and his brother always got whatever he set his mind on. Always!

  Escorting Shira through the security gate and customs booths, he then led her out to onto the tarmac to the private jet that was waiting to fly them to Jawhara. He glanced down at her several times, taking note of her wide eyes and the bemused expression upon her face. Shira didn’t appear to be one for surprises!

  “Watch your step,” Kale told her as she began her ascent up the steep steps.

  “Kale, I…” Shira began, stopping on the first step and turning to look at him.

  Kale steadied her on the narrow step with his hands upon her waist, “Don’t be concerned, habibiti. Everything will work out just fine.” Using his hands to turn her back around, he gave her a gentle tap on her rear to get her moving again, “Up you go. Watch you head, I wouldn’t want you to injure yourself before we get airborne.”

  Chapter 2

  Shira carefully stepped inside the private jet and gasped at the sheer elegance of the furnishings. Luxurious seating arrangements were scattered around the space, covered in butter-smooth leather with thick, plush carpet that begged her to remove her shoes and sink her toes into it.

  A slender and elegant attendant stood towards the back of the space, dressed in a sleek navy blue uniform with her hair pulled tightly back at the base of her neck. Shira looked at her face, hoping for some sort of recognition, slightly alarmed when the young woman ignored her presence, only coming to life when Kale entered the plane behind her.

  “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

  Shira turned to Kale, a question upon her face, “Your Highness? But I thought Kam…”

  “All Crown Princes are referred to in this way. Kamal’s correct title is Your Majesty. I trust you can remember that?” Kale looked at her and when she nodded, smiled and gestured for her to take a seat.

  Shira chose a seat near the window, watching with interest as Kale spoke to the attendant in Arabic before joining her. “Rihana will bring you some refreshment as soon as we are airborne.”

  Shira nodded, still trying to understand how the plans had changed so quickly. “Did Rick or Damon call you?”

  Kale took the seat next to Shira, taking her hands in his and chafing them sl
ightly. “No. It had already been decided that I would fly your team out in our private jet. When Rick and Damon explained the need for them to stay behind, along with the rest of the team, I offered to make myself available to you and help facilitate your work in Jawhara.”

  Shira nodded, looking up into Kale’s eyes and quickly becoming lost in their warmth. Feeling herself sway towards him slightly, she fought the urge to lean against him. The feelings his hands were creating in her body were quickly becoming hard to ignore. She glanced down at their joined hands and was transported back to the last time his hands had touched her.

  They had celebrated the end of the negotiations between her company and his country and had retired to his hotel room after several hours of dancing at local clubs. Shira had been full of energy and enthralled with Kale’s attention.

  She had been secretly trying to attract his attention during the months of negotiations, but he had kept her at arm’s length. When she had walked into the banquet hall, he had immediately captured her attention and kept her close to his side the rest of the night.

  They had just settled themselves upon a rug in front of the fireplace, sharing lingering kisses and touches when his phone had rung. Cursing, Kale had answered the phone, growing still and silent as he listened. Evidently, a major catastrophe was brewing in his country and he and his brother were needed to fly back immediately.

  He had given her once last smoldering kiss, full of promise and longing, and then asked his driver to take her home. He had programmed her phone with his direct line and had called her almost every day since then. Talking to her for hours about his childhood, her upbringing and their dreams and hopes for the future. He had been amazed at how much they had in common and quickly become enamored of her.

  When Kamal had instructed him to fly to America and escort the Addams Group team back to Jawhara, he had called Rick and Damon and made sure Shira was one of the team he would be escorting. Talks had quickly escalated from a visit to setting up another office in Jawhara. Rick and Damon had not missed his attraction to Shira, nor hers to him, and had suggested that Shira might be a good candidate to stay on in Jawhara and manage their first international office.

  Kale had kept his enthusiasm for the plan to himself, secretly rejoicing that his task of convincing Shira to remain in Jawhara long-term would not be that hard. Based upon her reaction only moments before in the airport terminal, the long-term plans for her employment hadn’t been discussed with her yet.

  Kale would make sure that Rick and Damon corrected that as quickly as possible. He wanted Shira to grab hold of this adventure and start making plans to stay in Jawhara – permanently.

  Chapter 3

  Several hours into the flight, Kale glanced up from his laptop to see Shira nodding off, slumped over in her seat. Setting down his computer, he rose and sat next to her once again, “Shira? Habibiti, wake up.”

  Shira stirred when she felt Kale’s hands upon her neck, massaging lightly, bringing forth a moan of pleasure. “That feels so good,” she murmured, opening her eyes to see him watching her carefully.

  “Would you like to lie down and sleep, little one?” Kale asked, letting his hand play with the tendrils of hair that had escaped the dark red hair she had pulled up atop her head.

  Shira glanced at the small couch and then shook her head, “No, I’m fine.”

  Seeing her glance, Kale chuckled, “Not on that too small couch. There is a perfectly decadent bedroom in the back part of the plane with a very comfortable king-sized bed. Come, I will show you.”

  Rising, he pulled Shira up from her seat, holding her to ensure she found her balance before turning her and guiding her towards the back of the plane, his hands still upon her waist.

  Shira let him lead her towards a doorway, which he opened by reaching over her shoulder and punching a code into the keypad. He let his fingers skim her upper chest and shoulder upon their retreat and Shira shivered in reaction.

  When the doorway opened, it was to a luxurious bedroom done in gold’s and baby blue tones. The large king-sized bed took up the majority of the space, but she could see a bathroom off to one side, and what appeared to be a closet as well. The four-poster bed looked so inviting; yet, out of place considering they were on an airplane, thirty thousand feet in the sky!

  “Kale, this is amazing!” she said, turning to find herself nose to chest with him. She inhaled and made to move backwards, but his hands kept her locked tight against him. Her senses swamped with his unique scent had her knees threatening to buckle. She had lain awake many a night, remembering his smell – remembering his touch.

  Pulling her even closer, he dipped his head and murmured, “I’m glad you like it,” just before capturing her lips with his own. Kissing her deeply for several minutes, he didn’t break the kiss until he felt her hands creep up his chest, wrapping around his neck.

  Sighing, he rested his chin atop her head, “I’ve been dying to do that since you walked into the airport.”

  Shira snuggled into his embrace, echoing his sentiment, “I’ve been dying for you to kiss me just as long.”

  Moving them both further into the room, Kale pushed the door shut behind him with his foot and led her over to the bed. Pulling back the covers, he then proceeded to unbutton her shirt, pulling it down her arms amidst her protests. Clad in only a thin camisole, he did his best to rein in his desire and calm her.

  “Shush. You will sleep more comfortably if you’re not fighting your clothing. Remove your jeans and I will find you a t-shirt to wear to preserve your modesty.” Kale deliberately strode across the room, giving her a few minutes to follow his commands.

  He wanted nothing more than to disrobe himself as well and join her in the large bed, but he wanted their first joining to be something special. He had learned over the past few weeks that Shira had a history of boyfriends who took advantage of her and treated her poorly. She had tried to hide the hurt those relationships had caused her, but Kale had not been deceived. He intended to prove to her that he wanted her for more than just her stunning body – that he wanted her for her mind, and the beautiful person she was inside. The chemistry between them would be the icing on the cake.

  Shira slowly shed her jeans and then crawled beneath the covers, pulling the sheet up to cover her breasts which were visible through the thin material of her camisole. When Kale tossed her a black t-shirt, she quickly pulled it over her head, confused with his odd behavior. When he didn’t join her on the bed, but headed towards the door, she stopped him, “Kale? Did I do something wrong?”

  Kale closed his eyes upon hearing the hurt in her voice, he had not meant to hurt her feelings. Turning, he walked back towards the bed, sitting on the edge and taking her cheeks in his hands. Lifting her eyes up to meet his own, he placed a tender kiss upon her nose, her chin, and then her lips. He caressed her lips, using his thumb to pull her chin down and open her mouth to his invasion.

  The minute his tongue touched her own, he lost some of his self-control, claiming her mouth in a ravenous kiss that spoke to the intensity of his feelings for her. He pulled her closer to himself, wrapping a hand around her upper back and crushing her breasts against his chest. The feel of her tight nipples against his hard muscles had him gripping her back to keep from reaching for them.

  He would take things slow if it killed him. Lifting his head, he placed gentling kisses upon her temple and across her brow, murmuring to her in Arabic.

  Shira’s mind was swimming in the feelings his kiss and his touch had aroused. She was no stranger to the chemistry that existed between a man and a woman, but the feelings Kale created in her were as foreign as the words he murmured near her ear. Never before had she felt this way about a man. It was if her previous experiences were all gray and Kale was the rainbow – full of bright colors and sunshine.

  She lifted her hand up to caress his cheek, marveling at the smoothness there and briefly wondering how many times a day he needed to shave.

  “Shira,
I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I want nothing more than to join you in this bed and make love to you until we reach Jawhara.”

  “Okay,” Shira agreed, wanting the same thing.

  “No. We will wait. When I finally make you mine, there will be no time constraints, no chance of interruptions, and we won’t be in my brother’s plane. I want our first joining to be special and something that neither one of us will ever forget.”

  Shira was so touched that he was thinking about a future and not just getting her into bed, she felt tears threaten to fall. She had been attracted to Kale’s character before, but now she was enthralled with him. Hugging him, she leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on his lips, “Thank you. I want that too. “

  Kale pushed her down in the pillows and pulled the sheet up to her chin before placing another kiss on her swollen lips. “Soon. I will see to it.”

  Shira smiled at him and watched him leave the room. She drifted off to sleep dreaming of Kale and the joining that he had promised her. He was a man of his word and she couldn’t wait to find out how he intended to fulfill his promise.

  Chapter 4

  Shira slept the majority of the flight to Jawhara, waking only when Kale insisted she rise and eat something before they started they approach to the airport.

  She made use of the on-board shower and then quickly donned her clothing again. She combed her hair out, leaving it to curl naturally and then rubbed some moisturizer into her face and neck. Shira hardly ever wore cosmetics. Her alabaster skin and the light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheekbones, placed her into a unique class of women who were stunning without any help from the cosmetic industry. A light layer of lip gloss was usually the extent of her makeup regimen.

  Exiting the bedroom, she found Kale seated at a small table waiting for her. Rihana served them and Shira moaned in pleasure at the first bite of the fluffy cheese omelet she was served. There was also fresh orange juice, slices of tropical melons and bagels with cream cheese.