The Sheikh’s Island Fling Read online

  “Hey,” she said at last, easing into the room. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. Meditation’s over so I thought I’d come back here and see if you wanted to take a nap with me or whatever.”

  He raised a dark brow at her. “Or whatever?”

  Heat rose in her cheeks and she grinned. “What are you doing?”

  “Oh.” Rehaj waved the papers in his hand dismissively. “Nothing. Just practicing for a speaking event I’ll be attending once I return to Djeva. Why?”

  “No reason.” She sat in one of the chairs, legs curled under her. “You’re really good. Very persuasive. Sounds like a government matter?”

  “Yes.” He raked a hand through his hair. “And thank you. I admire those who can command an audience. Not that I’m that accomplished. And yes. When I return home I need to give an important presentation to my eldest brother’s advisors to try and convince them that I am the appropriate choice to lead them.”

  “I’d follow you anywhere.” Oops. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Eyes wide, she gave him a small smile. “I, uh, meant that you should have no problems getting others on board. If you can loosen up a bit.”

  His gaze narrowed. “Loosen up?”

  “Yeah. That’s the only thing I noticed, when I was outside on the deck. Your tone sounded quite stiff and formal. Then when I came in here and saw you pacing, your body language said the same. People want to follow a confident leader. Relaxing will make your image match your words.”

  “Hmm.” He exhaled slowly and tapped his toes on the hardwood floor. “Relax how?”

  “Take some deep breaths. Roll your shoulders.” She grinned as he did both. “Good. When I was growing up and watching my mom give her speeches she had a trick where she’d imagine everyone in their underwear. Maybe try that.”

  Rehaj chuckled. “Mahbubi, if I picture you in nothing but lace, public speaking will be the last thing I’ll get done.”

  “Oh, well…” She looked away, reveling in his compliment. “Then maybe just the breathing for now. Try it again.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind listening?” He gave her a dubious stare. “I’m sure it’s not interesting at all for anyone unfamiliar with Djevian politics.”

  “Go for it. I just got my Zen on at meditation.” She settled more comfortably in her chair. “I’m open and ready for communication.”

  “Right.” Rehaj took another deep breath and the thought that he might be nervous and want to impress her, endeared him to her even more. “Here goes.”

  Her tricks helped. This time his words flowed more smoothly, with more passion and force behind them. She listened as he spoke of making his country an economic powerhouse, of consolidating their sprawling bureaucracy into a more centralized, efficient hub, and why he would be the logical choice to lead such an endeavor. By the end, she was ready to vote for whatever he was proposing.

  He finished in front of her, gazing down at her with a heart-stopping mix of uncertainty and determination that left her breathless. If anyone doubted this man loved his homeland and wanted to make it the best place he could, all they needed to see was him, now—fierce and brave and driven to succeed for what he believed in.

  Ani found him completely intoxicating.

  Her applause rang through the quiet villa and she pushed to her feet. “That was…wow!”

  For once, Rehaj seemed shy. He stared down at his feet and shuffled the papers in his hands. “Really? You found it convincing?”

  “More than convincing. It was riveting. Electrifying.”

  Rehaj snorted. “Don’t go overboard. I just need to be good enough to show my brother Feraz that it is in his best interest to let me lead his advisors. I want to show him that I’m capable and ready to do the job.”

  “And you will.” Unable to stop herself, Ani cupped his cheeks and raised on tiptoe to kiss him gently. She rested her forehead against his for a moment before leaning back slightly. “I found it totally amazing. You’re amazing, baby.” She stroked the hair from his forehead and winked. “So much so that you can ‘consolidate your power’ with me anytime you want.”

  “Is that so?” At her suggestive words, Rehaj’s full lips curved into a wicked smile. He tossed his papers over his shoulder then swept her up into his arms to carry her into the bedroom. “Then I’ll take you up on that offer and seize my opportunity immediately.”

  * * *

  The following afternoon, Rehaj was relaxing in a hammock strung between two palm trees on the stretch of beach in front of his villa while Ani was off doing another of her yoga meditation classes. For the first time in recent memory, he felt relaxed and rejuvenated. A big part of that had to do with the woman who’d occupied his bed for the past two weeks.

  Anatasia Brightbridge had turned out to be a very pleasant surprise, in more ways than one. She was smart, funny, breathtakingly beautiful, and a shockingly good coach for his public speaking. Rehaj chuckled, remembering their last practice session the day before. She’d laid into him again for not being himself on stage and this time, she’d even managed to talk the front desk into lending her one of their video cameras again to tape him.

  Seeing the footage of himself finally convinced him she was right. On tape he’d come across as cold and stilted, the exact opposite of what he wanted to convey. He’d hoped to get across his passion for his homeland and his sincere desire to help steer Djeva onto a more successful course for the future. Rehaj supposed his years of shunning the media probably had something to do with his unfavorable presentation. He’d become too set in his ways, too detached from how others might perceive him.

  Thankfully, Ani had no qualms about telling him about it.

  “Stop acting like a robot!” she’d yelled as he’d paced back and forth in the living room of his villa, papers in hand even though he’d long since memorized every word. They were a prop now, giving him something to do with his hands while he talked. Ani had set aside her camera and stalked over to yank his speech away from him before taking it back to the sofa with her and sitting on it.

  “Start again,” she’d said, turning on the camera again.

  “You think I cannot get those papers back from you?” He’d given her a narrowed stare. “I can and will hoist you over my shoulder and retrieve them by any means necessary.”

  “You don’t scare me, baby.” She’d shrugged and stuck her tongue out at him. “Besides, we’ve got plenty of time for that later. Now get on with this speech so we can eat.”

  Rehaj grinned and stretched in his hammock now, remembering just how he’d gotten those papers back from her afterward. It had involved a bubble bath and champagne and the biggest strawberries he’d ever seen, dipped in chocolate.

  Delicious.

  Things with Ani felt so comfortable, so easy. So wonderful. He wasn’t sure how he’d go back to his lonely existence after this retreat was over. He sighed. Much as he hated to admit it, his sisters had been right. This trip was exactly what he’d needed to reawaken the man he truly was inside. The man Ani brought out in him—warm, caring, occasionally witty. He liked that version of himself. He liked who he was when he was with her.

  In the pocket of his khaki board shorts the burner phone he’d smuggled onto the island buzzed. In the beginning, he’d carried it around everywhere, hoping for news from the mainland. But now, he only stuck it in his pocket each morning out of habit. Honestly, he hadn’t thought about his responsibilities back in Djeva much at all, other than his speech. The realization brought both relief and guilt.

  He sat up, legs dangling over the side of the hammock as he pulled the device out and squinted at the tiny screen.

  “Hey, what’s up, baby?” Ani said, walking up the beach to him then leaning in for a quick kiss. “That the phone you brought? Did you finally manage to get reception?”

  “Seems so,” he said, holding the phone this way and that, trying to increase the number of bars on the stupid thing. “I believe I’ve received a text, but it just keeps loadin
g and won’t show me anything.”

  Pushing off the hammock, Rehaj stalked out onto the beach, the mid-afternoon sun prickling hot on his bare chest and arms. His aviator shades cut down on the glare, but also made it more difficult to see the phone screen. Finally, he stopped walking when his toes hit the cold ocean water and slid his glasses up to the top of his head. The message appeared at last and his heart dropped. It was from his assistant in the Djevian government.

  cabinet vote moved up.

  Sending ship to pick you up this afternoon at 5pm.

  “Did you get it?” Ani said, walking up beside him. She peered up at his face, her hand shielding her eyes. His shock must’ve shown on his face because she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  For a moment, all Rehaj could do was blink down at the device. Back when he’d sent the message his first day on the island, he’d been anxious to leave, still mired in the stress of his day-to-day life, closed off from everyone and everything that made him feel alive. But now…

  He and Ani should have had two days left together. Two days of fun and laughter and making love all night long. He felt torn between his obligations to his country and the yearnings of his heart. The same way he’d felt thirteen years ago. He’d been so full of hope and bravado in the face of his impending adulthood and his future right before the accident, the night Ayesha had been killed because of his recklessness. He’d also felt the weight of his responsibilities to his family and his title, responsibilities that had made him distracted. That distraction had cost him everything once, and might do so again, if he let it. The knowledge terrified him.

  “I, uh…I’m to return to my country this afternoon.” Rehaj swallowed hard against the constriction in his throat. “The cabinet vote has been moved up.”

  “Oh.” Ani’s gorgeous smile fell. Her shoulders slumped and she curled her toes into the wet sand beneath her feet. “Well, I guess you better get packing then, huh?” She gave a sad little snort, blinking rapidly as if holding back tears. “I, um, I should get back to my place anyway. So much to do before I leave on Friday. It’s been great getting to know you and spending time with you and…” Her voice cracked and she looked away. “I’m going to miss you more than I can say, Rehaj, but I know you’ll be brilliant in your speech.”

  She turned away and started back toward her villa.

  Rehaj stared after her for a moment before reaching out to gently clasp her wrist. He had no idea how to proceed from here, only that he couldn’t let her go, not yet, not this way. “Wait.”

  Ani halted, but didn’t turn around. He walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her back into his chest. Skin on skin, warmth to warmth. Rehaj rested his chin atop her hair and stared at the palm trees ahead.

  “What time are they picking you up?” she asked, her voice quiet.

  “Not until five.”

  “Right.” She sniffled and his heart ached. “Look, I’ve really enjoyed all my time with you here on the island. In truth, I’ve never met anyone I felt so compatible with.”

  “Not even Marcus?” Rehaj asked, raising a brow.

  “Especially Marcus.” Ani snorted. “But I know a fling when I see one. We both came here to Recover Love and that’s what we’ve done. We needed to heal and open up again to the possibilities around us and that’s what happened. For that, I’ll forever be grateful to you.”

  The words escaped before Rehaj could consider them. “Come back with me.”

  “What?” Ani stiffened in his arms, turning to face him at last.

  Now that the idea was out there, it didn’t seem so crazy. After all, she’d planned on being away until at least Friday. She could accompany him back to Djeva. He could show her his homeland, all his favorite spots—the palace, the desert, his brother’s wildlife preserve. They would have to be more careful, yes, with the media always watching, but it would give him more time to sort out all the chaotic emotions swirling inside him whenever he thought about losing Ani.

  “I want you to return to Djeva with me today.” Rehaj placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “It’s quite beautiful, I assure you. There’s plenty to do in our capital city of Al-Qustra too. Shopping, theatre, spas, anything you could want.” His breath hitched. “Plus, it would give us more time together. You could come see me make my speech to the cabinet. You could stay for a week, two even.”

  Her eyes widened slightly. “Wow. Um, I don’t know. I’d have to call my family back in Texas and make sure they can make do without me. My mother is starting a new publicity tour soon and I was supposed to act as her assistant. I guess my dad could do that though, or my sister. Are you sure you want me there?”

  “Yes.” And surprisingly, he meant it. In the past, he felt nothing but stress when he had to make public appearances. Part of that was the accident, but the other part was not wanting to reveal too much of himself in public for fear he’d be found lacking. His younger brother, Raheem, had always been seen as the charmer, the suave playboy. And Feraz, as new leader of Djeva, was treated with the respect that position demanded. Rehaj, though, hadn’t really had a good handle on who he should be, in private or public. Until now. “Yes. I want you there. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t. Please, mahbubi. Say you’ll accompany me home to the palace.”

  “The palace?” Ani chuckled. “You weren’t kidding about the prince part, were you?”

  “I am a sheikh, yes.” He took her hands and brought them to his mouth, kissing the backs of each. “But I am also a man. Today, I stand before you as simply Rehaj, the man. Asking the woman he cares for to come home with him. You can meet my family too. My sisters will love you.”

  I love you.

  The inner confession stopped him dead in his tracks. That couldn’t be right. He barely knew the woman. And yes, they’d spent many passionate nights together, but that didn’t mean… Did it?

  No. His emotions were in turmoil over the upcoming cabinet meeting. The stress of that was making him irrational, illogical. Once things settled down again on the political front and he secured leadership over his brother’s cabinet, he could reconsider his feelings for Ani and where they might take things in the future. Yes. That sounded good, rational.

  Ani must’ve seen something in his eyes though, a hint of his battle, because her eyes widened and her small smile grew into a glorious grin. “Oh. Oh! Well, yes, then. I’d be honored to meet your family and visit your home. I never expected, but…wow. Okay. I’ll ask at the front desk to use their phone to call my family and let them know I’ll be gone for a few extra weeks.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Rehaj was too shocked to do more than stand there and accept her exuberant affections.

  When Ani finally pulled back, her cheeks were pink and her eyes were sparkling and Rehaj had the distinct impression that something here had gone completely off the rails, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what.

  “Great. Perfect!” Ani let him go, her hands sliding down his chest as she backed away, as if she didn’t want to stop touching him. “I’ll just go and pack up my things then. Meet you on your balcony in half an hour.”

  As Rehaj watched her walk away, he frowned. Taking her home with him had seemed like the best solution initially. They could postpone their goodbyes and enjoy a bit more time together before going their separate ways. He wasn’t ready to let her go, but he wasn’t ready to promise more yet either. Tromping through the sand back to his villa, he couldn’t be sure if bringing her home now would be a brilliant decision or a total disaster.

  8

  Luxury didn’t begin to describe what Ani was experiencing. From the tricked-out royal yacht that had arrived at the island to ferry them back to Djeva while the rest of the retreat’s guests stood on the docks and gaped, to the limousine that had picked them up once they’d reached Rehaj’s home country, it was all like something out of a fairy tale.

  She’d known Rehaj had money, obviousl
y, from the moment he’d told her his true identity. She’d just not really put that into perspective until now. As they drove away from the ship and headed inland, Ani couldn’t get over how pristine and beautiful the landscape was. She’d never been to the Middle East, other than her brief pass through Dubai on her way to the island for the retreat, so this was truly special.

  And it wasn’t like she came from poverty herself. Her parents’ charity empire had made her family wealthy, mainly because of all the exorbitant fees paid for her mother’s public speaking engagements. Still, this was a different level of rich than she’d ever experienced before, with everyone bowing to Rehaj and calling him by his formal title of sheikh. A lot to process for a girl from Texas to be sure.

  They rode on in silence, Rehaj beside her on the plush leather seat, hurriedly scrolling through emails on his phone. Considering they’d been a week and a half with no Internet service, she was sure he had a bunch to deal with. It would be a wise move for her to do the same, but she couldn’t bring herself to crash back to reality, not yet.

  The surrounding golden deserts with their sparkling sand dunes gave way to homes then buildings and now elegant steel and glass skyscrapers. This must be Al-Qustra, Djeva’s capital city that Rehaj had mentioned. The beautiful clean lines spoke to her need for perfection and her giddiness made Ani feel like she was glowing herself.

  Rehaj muttered something under his breath, frowning down at his phone screen, and she smiled. Whether he’d admit it or not, he needed her. She’d proven herself a good coach back on the island when he was practicing his speech. She helped him see things in himself that he was blind to otherwise. That was always a valuable asset. And she’d had years of practice by watching her mother. He’d never find anyone who would be as truthful with him as she was, even if she could never be the same with herself.