The Sheik's Mistress

by Brittany Young

Michael carried some things inside and Jensen grabbed her backpack and followed him.

  It was actually kind of pretty, with bright tiles on the floors and, in some cases, on the walls. After the nearly empty foyer, there was a living room with low couches loaded with colorful pillows set in a circular pattern. There were three separate bedrooms, and Michael looked at all three before walking into one and signaling her to follow.

  “This one is yours. The bed linens are fresh. Our rooms share a bathroom. There’s running water, but limited use. And, whatever you do, don’t drink it. If you get thirsty, there’s plenty of bottled water in the kitchen or the cars. And that includes brushing your teeth or eating anything washed in the water.”

  “All right.”

  “Ali is going to bring us some food. Any requests?”

  Jensen smiled beatifically. “Oh, yes. I’d just like a sandwich. A nice, plain turkey sandwich on nice plain bread. White bread. And a soda.” She thought for a moment. “And potato chips.”

  “Healthy little devil, aren’t you?”

  “And apple pie for dessert,” she added for good measure.

  “Right. I’ll tell him.”

  A corner of her mouth lifted. “There’s no way I’m going to get turkey, is there?”

  “No way.”

  She sighed.

  “Maybe chicken.”

  “And apple pie?”

  He shook his head. “Sorry.”

  “Potato chips?”

  “Those we have.”

  “Just tell him I’ll take whatever he can find. And while Ali is looking for food, what do we do? Go looking for Henry?”

  “No. You’re going to wait here.”

  “What about you?”

  “I have other things to do.”

  “Michael....”

  “I’m going to meet with the two men I sent here a couple of days ago later tonight. You stay here. I’ll let you know what they say.”

  “I wish you’d stop trying to protect me.”

  “Henry would never forgive me if I let anything happen to his little sister.”

  “And I really, really wish you’d stop thinking of me as Henry’s little sister.”

  His eyes met and held hers. “How would you like me to think of you, Jensen?”

  Her heart began hammering a rapid beat. “I could be wrong. Perhaps Henry’s little sister is the safest.”

  Michael’s gaze moved from her eyes to her mouth. “Clean up and I’ll meet you in the living room.”

  Jensen went into her room and closed the door behind her. For a long moment she just stood there, her hand over her still pounding heart. She didn’t want to react to the man the way she did, but there was no help for it. All he had to do was look at her and she started melting from the inside out.

  She had to get past this. It was ridiculous. He was completely out of reach for her.

  The headdress and cumbersome robe both hit the chair near the bed, along with her shoes.

  Taking her backpack with her, she went into the bathroom and took a very thorough sponge bath, brushed the sand off her teeth with her handy bottle of water and put on a pair of shorts and T-shirt.

  There was a knock from the door leading into the other bedroom. “Are you almost finished?”

  She opened the door and smiled at Michael as though everything was fine. “It’s all yours.”

  While waiting for him, she explored the house a little further. The kitchen was all right, but not very modern. Bottled water filled the refrigerator. She took out one and opened it, pouring herself a glass to sip as she finished her tour.

  There was no courtyard here. No greenery to be seen anywhere. Shades were drawn and shutters closed throughout the home to keep the heat of the sun out. She opened up the ones that let in the cooler evening light.

  There were books, but nothing in English.

  Jensen sank onto the low couch with her glass of water, unaware of Michael watching her from the doorway.

  Her thoughts were far away.

  But then she felt an energy; a presence and looked up. She knew Michael would be there, and he was, in faded jeans and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. For a long time, neither of them said anything. They just looked at each other.

  Ali walked in and silently placed a tray on the table in front of Jensen, then walked over to Michael and spoke to him in an undertone.

  Michael nodded and, as Ali disappeared behind him, Michael crossed the room to Jensen and sat on the couch beside her—close, but not too close.

  He handed her a wrapped sandwich and popped the cap on her soda before pouring it into a glass for her.

  Jensen unwrapped her sandwich and lifted the top thick slice of bread. There was meat on it, but it definitely wasn’t chicken.

  “Sorry,” said Michael. “Chicken isn’t exactly one of our desert staples.”

  “What’s this?”

  “Sausage.”

  “What kind?”

  He started to say something, but Jensen held up her hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

  “It’s nothing disgusting, really.”

  “I still don’t want to know. Trust me on this. I’ll be happier eating it if it’s a mystery.”

  He opened his own sandwich.

  “You too?” she asked.

  “Sandwiches are more of a Western meal. I admit to enjoying them occasionally.”

  “It was apparently easy enough to get them here.”

  “I’m sure Ali had to tell the food handler exactly what to do every step of the way.”

  “I take it he’s eating somewhere else again?”

  “That’s right.”

  “And sleeping?”

  “Wherever he chooses.”

  “I imagine your bodyguard does everything whenever and wherever he chooses.”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Was it difficult getting used to having someone watch your every move?” she asked curiously.

  “That’s always been a part of my life.”

  “Even in college?”

  He smiled as if remembering something amusing. “Especially in college. I always had someone tailing me. Henry and I used to work out ways to lose them.”

  “Were you successful?”

  “Sometimes. Especially when Henry was driving. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to lose a tail.”

  “It must not have been Ali doing the tailing, then. You could never lose him.”

  Michael smiled and looked at his watch.

  Jensen was instantly back on point. “Is it almost time? When are you meeting them?”

  “In about twenty minutes.”

  “I want you to promise me that you’ll tell me what they say as soon as you return.”

  “You might be asleep.”

  “Wake me.”

  “All right.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  They finished their sandwiches in silence, each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

  Jensen opened her bag of chips and offered some to Michael.

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m a bad influence.”

  “You’re definitely an influence. Good, bad or indifferent. I haven’t decided which kind yet.”

  He looked at his watch again. “I have to go.”

  “When will you be back.”

  “I don’t know. But I’m taking Ali with me. I want your word that you won’t leave the house.”

  Jensen didn’t say anything.

  “Your word, Jensen. I want you to promise me on your honor that you won’t leave the house tonight.”

  She still didn’t say anything.

  Michael rose, but leaned over her and took her chin in his hand, raising her face so that she had no choice but to look at him. “Give me your word or I won’t go.”

  He couldn’t help worrying about her. She was impulsive and didn’t always think through the consequences of her actions.

  “All right
,” she said reluctantly. “You have my word.”

  “Don’t let me down, Jensen.” His eyes moved to her lips and stayed there for several seconds. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  She watched as he left the room. The outer door closed a moment later and Jensen was alone.

  She stayed on the couch for a while, but was restless. Rising, she paced from one end of the living room to the other, constantly looking at her watch.

  One hour went by. Then two.

  She opened the front door and stared outside, as if that would make Michael get back sooner.

  She knew she should have followed him. She should never have made that promise.

  Waiting was worse than any punishment.

  Thoughts scattered through her mind.

  What if something happened to Michael? Of course, there was Ali, but even Ali couldn’t watch Michael’s back all the time.

  And who was watching Ali’s back? The man was not superhuman, no matter what he thought.

  No more promises. The next time there was any action, she was going to be right in the middle of it. No more of this sitting around the house business. No, sir.

  What was that?

  Jensen thought she heard something.

  She listened very carefully, even stopping her breathing.

  Nothing.

  It was her imagination.

  This was nerve-racking.

  Hands suddenly came down on her shoulders. A scream tore into her throat.

  Chapter Nine

  Jensen spun around quickly, ready to fight, and found Michael standing there.

  “You!” she nearly yelled at him. “What is this thing you have about sneaking up on me?”

  “Sorry. I came in quietly because I thought you might be asleep. Once inside, there was no way to make myself known without frightening you.”

  “I still think you did it on purpose. Deep down in that kingly body lies a vicious prankster.”

  “Don’t hold back, Jensen. Say what you really think.”

  “And how dare you—how dare you stay away so long without getting in touch with me to let me know you were all right.” Her words came out in a rush. “Do you know the horrible thoughts I’ve been having? Can you imagine the torment I’ve been living, wondering if you and Ali were safe? Not to mention Henry. The very least you could have done, and I do mean the very least...”

  Michael touched his fingers to her lips to silence her tirade. “Darling,” he said softly, “we’ve found Henry. He’s all right.” Taking her by the hand, he led her to the couch.

  Her eyes filled with sudden tears. They were doing that a lot lately. “Where is he?”

  “Jail, I’m afraid.”

  “Jail? How can he be all right if he’s in jail?”

  “Believe me, it could have been worse. At least he’s safe where he is.”

  “So you’ve seen him?”

  “Yes. He has a window facing the street so I was able to see him and speak with him briefly.”

  “So all we have to do is bail him out and take him home. That’s easy enough to do. I’ll wire my bank for money first thing in the morning. It should only take...”

  “There is no bail.”

  “No bail?” Jensen was having trouble following him. “But there has to be.”

  “You’d think so, but I’m afraid it’s a little more complicated than that, Jensen.”

  “Why? What’s he supposed to have done?”

  “There are no charges.”

  “No charges? Then how can they hold him? Don’t they have to let him go?”

  “Jensen, this isn’t the United States. People get put in jail and held for years without any charges being filed.”

  “We can’t let that happen to Henry. We have to get him out, one way or another.”

  He pushed her hair away from her face. “I know. And we will. But not through normal channels.”

  “Meaning?”

  “We’re going to have to break him out.”

  Her lips parted softly. “Break him out?”

  “That’s right. It’s the only way.”

  “How? When?”

  Michael couldn’t help the appreciative smile that lit his eyes. “You’re game for anything, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t know if ‘game’ is the word I’d use. I’m scared to death. I have been—except for a few moments—” she thought of the night in the tent and almost any time Michael was with her “—since I got here. I just know I need to do whatever it takes to get Henry home.”

  Michael got back on track. “Well, as I said, we’ll have to break him out. The best time for that would be tomorrow when the guards are occupied with security at the auction.”

  Jensen rubbed her forehead. “Slave auction.” She spoke in a whisper. “You mentioned that before. I can’t imagine something like that in this day and age.”

  “I know. But it’s gone on for a thousand years. Longer. It’s how Adjani survives.”

  “Where do they get the people?”

  “Some are abducted off the streets. Some are runaways in other countries, lured here by the promise of work, easy money or marriage to a rich man.”

  “And what happens to them when they’re sold?”

  “Whatever their owners want.”

  “And that’s usually?”

  “Labor or sex.”

  She leaned back against the couch.

  “Tired?” he asked.

  “Tired and disbelieving. The longer I’m here, the more I want to go home.” She looked at Michael from the corner of her eye. “I don’t suppose we could, say, crack the slave ring while we’re here.”

  “No. But if it’s any consolation to you, as soon as we get back to Sumaru, I’ll see what I can do to undermine it.”

  “Thank you.”

  He reached out and touched her hair. “You’ve been through a lot in the past few days for someone who lives behind a computer, but you’ve held up remarkably well.”

  “I’ve made a conscious effort not to whine. The temptation at times, though, has been nearly overwhelming.”

  “What stopped you?”

  “The thought of giving you and Ali the satisfaction.”

  Michael laughed out loud. “I see. I suppose I’ve been less than welcoming.”

  “You could say that.”

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “Yes, you were. I called....”

  “No, no,” he said as he lifted her hair and let it run through his fingers. “I mean I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “Both. I was ready for Henry’s little sister, and I imagined I’d like you because of that connection. I didn’t expect to feel things for you independent of Henry.”

  “It’s nice to know I’m not the only one.”

  As he trailed the back of his hand down her cheek, a corner of his mouth lifted.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I made a fuss over the fact that you touched me when we were in the desert, and I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  “I’m not complaining.”

  “You should be.”

  “As you get to know me better—if you get to know me better—you’ll find that I rarely do what I’m supposed to.”

  She looked into his eyes, her heart clearly visible in hers.

  “Oh, Jensen, don’t look at me like that. It tears at my heart and melts my hard-won resolve.”

  “I look at you the way I feel. I can’t help it.” She leaned toward him and touched her lips fleetingly to his, then leaned away when there was no response. “You could help a girl out a little,” she said with an embarrassed smile.

  “Jensen, you have to know that it would be foolish of both of us to take this any further.”

  “Don’t you want me?”

  Michael looked away as he shook his head.

  “Is that a yes or a no?”

  He returned his gaze to Jensen. “Want you?” His voice was
nearly hoarse with passion. “I ache with wanting. It invades every cell of my body.”

  “I’m sensing a but.”

  His eyes moved over her lovely face. “But I’ve learned in life that you can’t always have what you want.”

  “I’m here, Michael. And I want you, too.”

  He trailed the backs of his fingers down her cheek again. “Anything more than friendship between the two of us impossible.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m to be married, Jensen.”

  “To a woman you don’t love.”

  “That doesn’t make it any less true.”

  “You’re not married yet.”

  “Let’s say we make love tonight. Let’s say we allow ourselves to feel everything we’re destined to feel if that happens. What becomes of us when I do get married?”

  “I don’t want to think that far ahead.”

  “Then I have to, for both of us.”

  “Don’t think,” she said as she cupped his face in her hands and drew his mouth to hers. “Just don’t think.”

  Michael responded despite himself, his body pressing hers into the couch as she pulled him down with her. She moved her hands over his shoulders and down his back to his hips, pressing him more tightly against her.

  Michael groaned and raised his head so that he could gaze into her luminous eyes. “This is reckless.”

  “I don’t care.”

  He kissed the corners of her mouth, teasing her, then kissing her deeply, as though it came from his soul.

  He pushed himself off of her and stood up. Jensen looked at him, wondering what he was doing.

  He suddenly scooped her into his arms, carried her to his room and closed the door with his foot.

  Setting her gently on her feet, Michael slowly undressed her, undoing her blouse one button at a time, his warm hands between her breasts, then sliding those hands over her shoulders, under the fabric and slipping it down her arms.

  It fell to the floor.

  Michael looked at her for a long moment, drinking in her beauty, then bent his head and kissed first one breast then the other, taking his time, using his tongue to stiffen her nipples then gently sucking.

  Jensen closed her eyes and arched her back as his mouth moved down her stomach. With sure hands, he unzipped her skirt and it fell in a soft fabric cloud around her feet.

  Again he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed, moving aside the mosquito netting and laying her in the middle. As he straightened away from Jensen, his eyes swept over her body. He slowly unbuttoned and took off his own shirt.