The Sheikh's Enemy Lover (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 12)

by Cara Albany

  Belle groaned impatiently.

  But, this was different, wasn't it? This was Khalid. Surely he'd want to see Belle while he was here. If not, why was he here in the first place?

  Curiosity had killed the cat and, right now, Belle felt just like that cat.

  With a final impatient snort, Belle straightened her white dress, fixed her hair and headed for the door.

  The last thing she was willing to do was let Khalid leave without at least telling him that she might be leaving Qazhar for good. She wondered how he would react to the news.

  There was only one was to find out.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The meeting was finished. At last, Khalid thought.

  The previous forty-five minutes of talking with the ambassador had been torture. Not because of anything Annabelle had done or said. She was every bit as courteous and professional as he'd been led to believe she was. He could see where Belle had gotten some of her finer qualities. It was obvious her mother had been a tremendous influence over Belle.

  Khalid had warmed to the ambassador as they had discussed his involvement in diplomatic affairs. There had even been some hints of what Khalid's father had been involved in. He could tell that the ambassador had already put that behind her. The needs of the moment had made it necessary to forget the events of the past.

  Then, she had announced that she was leaving, taking up a new post somewhere in Europe. Of course, that hadn't been news to Khalid. He'd already discovered that through the diplomatic grapevine. In spite of what his father had done, Khalid still had access to influential channels. They had informed him of the possibly momentous change which was coming. Momentous for Khalid. It had been what had driven him to come here this morning.

  His one need burned hard within him. The desperate need to know what Belle would do. If she was staying or leaving.

  The ambassador had seemed slightly taken aback that he'd known of her imminent departure. Khalid had seen a flicker of suspicion in the ambassador's eyes. Had that realization made her reconsider the reason for his visit?

  And then had come the most awkward moment of the conversation. He had asked, as casually as he could, trying to disguise his dire need for confirmation, if the ambassador's entire family would be moving with her to Europe.

  At first, the ambassador had appeared confused by Khalid's interest in her personal affairs. She'd peered at him, her eyes narrowing, measuring Khalid with a penetrating gaze. Eventually she'd told him that, although her two married daughters would of course remain, her youngest daughter was still deciding, still considering her options.

  Her response was more vague than he would have liked. Disappointment and frustration had flared within him.

  So, perhaps Belle still hadn't made her mind up, Khalid told himself. Maybe there was hope, after all. Had she decided she wanted to remain in Qazhar?

  Khalid had tried as hard as he could to mask the strength of his interest in the fate of the ambassador's daughter. As the conversation had come to a close, he wasn't sure just how successful he'd been. He could see that Belle's mother was ambassador for good reason. She was sharp and intuitive, qualities Khalid knew she'd handed down to her daughter. He'd already had plenty of first-hand experience of those virtues from his time with Belle.

  Khalid had come to know that there was no fooling Belle. She could instantly see through any attempt to lie or dissemble. And the truth was, Khalid had never lied to Belle. He knew he never would. It was simply unthinkable.

  The ambassador led Khalid to the door, now that their meeting was concluded. As Annabelle curled her fingers around the door handle, she looked at Khalid. He could see the penetrating intelligence in those eyes. There was very little chance of fooling this woman, he told himself.

  "Is there anything else I can be of assistance with today, Sheikh Khalid?" she asked.

  He shook his head. "You've been most kind, Ambassador. I hope everything goes well with your new posting."

  "I'm sure it will," she replied. "I'm glad that your situation has improved. Especially given the events of the recent past."

  It was an ambiguous statement. He assumed she was talking about the debacle with Khalid's father. But, she could just as easily have been referring to Khalid and Belle's time together. Did that mean she already knew? Once again, Khalid did his best to mask his reaction.

  Khalid opened the door and stepped out into the hall. Part of him expected to see Belle standing there, perhaps pretending to have run into him by accident.

  He felt a momentary rush of disappointment when he didn't see her. He was sure his face betrayed his emotions, but he forced himself to smile at the ambassador. The least he could do was try to maintain an air of courtesy, of professional distance.

  Annabelle walked with Khalid to the front door. They both stepped out into the sunshine. Khalid glanced around the grounds of the embassy. Still, there was no sign of Belle. He started to wonder if the entire visit had just been a complete waste of time. If he didn't speak with her today, his entire plan would be up in the air.

  Annabelle followed Khalid to his car. They shook hands and he bid her farewell, stepping into the cool, luxury of the limo. Tension rose within Khalid as the driver closed the door firmly and made his way to the front seat. Khalid forced a smile and a wave for the ambassador and settled back in his seat.

  Khalid's jaw tightened. He glanced up at the window where he'd seen Belle looking down a him on his arrival. Any hope he'd had of seeing her pretty face at the window was soon dashed.

  The limo swept around the circular driveway and started down the tree-lined way toward the open gate. Just as the limo neared the gate, a figure leapt out from behind one of the trees.

  Khalid gasped.

  Belle.

  She stepped out onto the driveway, waving her arms. The driver slammed on the brakes, forcing Khalid to grab hold of the handle next to the door to prevent himself falling forward.

  Khalid was about to thrust the door open and go to Belle, demanding an explanation for her reckless action. Hadn't she realized that the limo could have hit her?

  Khalid paused as he watched Belle hurry around to the side of the limo. He opened the door and she stepped back, hesitating, her eyes wide with expectation.

  "Belle! What are you trying to do? Get yourself run over?"

  Belle lifted a brow at Khalid and thrust a hand against her hip. "You're telling me your driver wouldn't have stopped?"

  Khalid snorted. "Of course that's not what I'm saying," he said, trying not to sound too exasperated. "Get in," he ordered waving a hand at Belle.

  "Why did you come this morning?" she demanded, standing defiantly still.

  "Get in and we can talk about it," he stated impatiently.

  Belle shook her head. "I just need an answer. Why did you come here today?"

  Khalid grunted. "I'm not going to talk about this here," he replied. Why did she always have to be so stubborn? And why did that obstinacy make him feel the familiar mixture of arousal and irritation? She looked beautiful standing there like that. He felt a familiar ache followed immediately by a flash of impatience.

  Khalid stepped out of the limo and stood in front of her. Belle gazed up at his face, her blue eyes filled with a steady resistance he'd seen so many times. It was a look that triggered fierce need in him every time. This was no exception.

  He glanced quickly back toward the embassy steps. He was relieved that they couldn't be seen from there because of the trees. He turned back to Belle. "I came to see your mother," Khalid stated.

  He was sure there were security cameras hidden in the trees. They could probably be seen on some screen back in the embassy. If someone was monitoring that, then people would know what was going on. He knew he'd have to maintain at least an appearance of polite interest, as if their meeting was just casual. Was that going to be possible? He didn't think so.

  "What about?" she said sharply. He saw her jaw tighten and she stared up at him. He felt as if he tower
ed over her deliciously petite frame. Her eyes were wide with an eager desire for an answer.

  Khalid sighed. "Do you really have to ask that?" he said. She looked so sexy in that plain, white dress and her flat shoes. The thin straps exposed her bare shoulders and he felt a momentary impulse to reach out and touch her. But he resisted the urge. There would be time for that later, he told himself. If he did what he'd come her to do.

  "You didn't tell her about us, did you?" she demanded, her face suddenly pale with fright.

  Khalid shook his head. "Of course not. You know what people think about what my father did," he said. Surely she didn't need that explained to her. And this really wasn't the place to talk about anything like that.

  Khalid gestured toward the limo. "Please, Belle. We can talk in private for a while."

  "Where are you planning on taking me?" she asked. "If I get into you limo," she added. When she lifted a sardonic brow, he felt like taking her by the shoulders and claiming her with a kiss. But he knew he couldn't do that. Not here.

  "Where am I taking you?" he asked easily.

  Belle nodded, saying nothing.

  He knew how he really wanted to answer that question. Back to his palace where they could pick up where they had left off weeks before. In his bed. But he couldn't bring himself to tell her that. Even if he was sure she already knew just what he wanted. He could see it in her eyes. The way she was looking at him. There was memory and understanding in that expression. Was she fighting as hard as he was to control the urge to share an embrace, to enjoy the taste of a kiss?

  "Why don't we just go for a drive," he suggested. "Then I can bring you back here." He lifted a brow. "If that's what you want," he added.

  He saw her glance at the open door. Maybe she was thinking that if she went inside the limo it would be some kind of climbdown from her rejection of him. That perhaps her resolve to keep him at a distance was beginning to weaken.

  He watched Belle bite the corner of her lower lip, obviously considering his offer. He loved it when she did that with her lip. It made her look so vulnerable, so unsure. It was an uncertainty he wanted to remove by taking her in his arms and kissing those full, sweet lips.

  Belle's gaze lifted up to him. There was a hint of defiance in her eyes as she sized him up. "Okay," she said. She lifted a finger and pointed at him. "But this is just so we can talk, right?" she declared, her gaze firm and direct.

  Khalid nodded, saying nothing. Once she was inside the limo, then he would have a chance. Then he might be able to turn things around, get them back on track. Where they belonged.

  "You have my word of honor," he said, lowering his head in mock solemnity.

  She smiled at him. "The honor of a sheikh? Now, where have I heard that before?" she asked mockingly.

  "I have no idea," he said opening his arms wide, enjoying the sudden moment of good humor. Just like before, he told himself.

  Belle nodded and glanced back toward the embassy building. "What will they think? You know they can see us, right?" She pointed toward the trees. "I mean, with all the cameras and stuff."

  "They'll think what they want, I suppose," he announced matter-of-factly.

  "Maybe our secret will be out, at last," she said.

  Khalid nodded. "Is that such a bad thing?"

  Belle frowned, apparently unconvinced. Then she sighed and peered inside the limo. "Let's see, shall we?"

  When he saw her move toward the limo, he felt he'd one a small victory. But would he win the battle?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Belle passed Khalid and stooped low, stepping into the limo. He followed her, watching how she settled back against the leather seats. He hadn't forgotten how beautiful her legs were, how narrow her waist, how full were her breasts. The sight made something tighten within him. Just like always, he told himself, feeling the emotion surge, feeling familiar sensation flicker into welcome life.

  He closed the door and sat back alongside her. The car accelerated and in moments they were out through the gate and turning onto the road. Khalid flicked a switch and told the driver to head back toward the center of town until further instructions. They were separated from the driver by a screen of dark, tinted glass. Privacy would be guaranteed.

  Khalid turned to Belle expecting to see her looking at him with the same defiant look she'd given him back at the embassy. Instead of peering expectantly at him though, she was gazing out at the passing traffic, apparently lost in thought, obviously determined not to meet his gaze. For the moment, at least.

  There was a long awkward silence which seemed to go on forever.

  Khalid inhaled Belle's scent, stronger now in the confines of the limo. It reminded him of former times.

  Khalid gazed out his side of the limo, considering what he could say to Belle. This was the first time they'd been so close since the day she'd walked out on him. He assumed the hurt was still there. He had no idea how to bring up the subject of their previous separation. But he knew he had to at least try to address the subject.

  Just as he was about to speak, she interrupted him. "I don't want to talk about what happened, Khalid," she said bluntly.

  Her gaze met his. Belle's eyes were steady and unflinching. He frowned. "I thought we could maybe clear up the misunderstanding," he said.

  Belle shook her head and pursed her lips. He loved how she looked when she did that, he told himself. Once again, he wanted to crash his mouth down on hers, claim her lips, taste her sweetness.

  Khalid twisted and faced Belle. "There was a misunderstanding, wasn't there?"

  He heard Belle sigh. She frowned and turned away from him. "There's no point in bringing that up," she said looking out the window.

  Khalid edged closer. "I hear you might be leaving," he stated bluntly.

  Belle whirled around and stared at Khalid. "What are you talking about?"

  "Your mother gave me the news of her new posting."

  Khalid saw Belle's face freeze into an impassive mask. There was a long pause. He could see she was trying to control her reaction. Surely she hadn't expected him not to know something so momentous, so important.

  Her eyes narrowed and her lips tightened into a thin line. She looked lost for words.

  "Are you going?" he asked tentatively.

  Belle's gaze hardened. "It hasn't been decided, yet,"she replied slowly.

  "Does that mean you might be staying in Qazhar?" he asked.

  Belle sighed and looked away from Khalid. He saw the tightness in the muscles of her jaw. He'd never seen her look so tense before. He asked himself what was wrong. Why was the prospect of leaving Qazhar causing her such obvious torment? Surely she would be relieved to get away from the disappointment she'd experienced with him. At least that was what he had to assume, judging by the strength of her reaction to his knowing about her possible departure.

  He felt a knot of worry turn in his stomach at the prospect that she was about to tell him she'd had enough of Qazhar and that she couldn't wait to get away. Because that was what he expected her to say, wasn't it? That they were finished; that there was no point in talking about it; that he'd behaved despicably and she wouldn't forgive him for it.

  It was that simple, wasn't it?

  Belle leaned back against the leather seat, stretched her legs out and crossed her ankles. Khalid couldn't resist the temptation to run his gaze slowly down the length of her legs, all the way down to her neat ankles, her small feet. He drank in the sight of the pale skin of her legs, feeling a hint of desire come to life, wanting to run his hand up the length of her thigh. The way he'd done so many times before. Memory tormented him, just as it had done these past few weeks.

  He swallowed, pushing that thought away, needing to focus on the moment, forcing clarity into his mind. He had something important to do, he reminded himself. Everything depended on what they said to each other during the next few moments.

  "I haven't made my mind up if I'm staying, yet," she said quietly, still gazing out the window, st
ill keeping her face from him.

  Khalid moved closer, still making sure he didn't touch her. He realized they still hadn't touched. The need to remind himself of how soft her skin felt triggered roiling sensation in him. For weeks his entire existence had revolved around the delights of touching her, feeling every one of her curves, enjoying the warmth of her skin, tasting her sweetness.

  Were they both avoiding each other because they knew what a simple touch would trigger, what it would tempt them both to do? Was she as fearful as he was of the possible consequences of reigniting that desire, rekindling those passionate memories?

  "Why is it so complicated?" he asked simply.

  Belle turned and gazed at him. "I'd have thought it was obvious," she retorted.

  Khalid furrowed his brows, puzzled by her response.

  Belle twisted her body, shifting her legs, and faced Khalid. "I like Qazhar," she added. "You know that, Khalid. I feel at home here."

  Khalid was taken aback by the simplicity of her statement. At the same time he felt hope rise in his chest. "You like my country?" he asked not sure whether he fully understood her meaning. "Just the country?" he continued lifting a brow.

  Belle squinted at him. "I'm not going to answer that," she said sardonically. "You know what I mean."

  Khalid leaned his arm against the back of the leather seat. She saw her gaze follow his movement and then settle back defiantly on his eyes. "What are you doing?" she asked slowly.

  Khalid smiled. "What does it look like? I'm getting comfortable."

  Belle tucked her chin and peered at him. "I don't want you getting the wrong idea, Khalid," she stated.

  Khalid tilted his head. "What idea?"

  Belle gazed steadily at him. "I thought we were just going to talk," she said evenly.

  "We are talking," he said with a casual wave of his other hand. "Aren't we?" He moved his head closer to her and she leaned back, her gaze dropping momentarily to his lips. He saw her cheeks flush and her hand rested down on the edge of the seat, fingers curling round the soft leather.