by Cara Albany
After a pause, Erin nodded. "Maybe you're right, Belle."
Belle felt hope rise within her. She looked at Erin, waiting for her sister's next words.
"I'll see what I can do," Erin stated. "Maybe, you're right. It's time we all moved on from the past. After all, everything's about to change for good."
Belle moved across to Erin, sat down beside her and hugged her sister. "Thank you, Erin," she exclaimed gratefully.
Erin gazed at Belle and smiled sagely. "I'm not promising anything, you understand," she said.
"I know you'll persuade Karim," Belle said. "He won't say no to you."
Erin nodded. "You might be right," she said with a grin. "My sheikh husband does usually like to do what I ask him to do."
Belle laughed. "You're so lucky. I can't imagine what that's like," she declared,even though she knew that she already did. She remembered how Khalid had liked to do things to make Belle feel special, feel like the most desired woman in the world.
"Maybe you should try and find out," Erin said evenly, peering into Belle's eyes. "Before it's too late."
Belle dragged her gaze away from Erin. She didn't want her sister to see the expression in her eyes, be witness to the emotion that statement had triggered in Belle. Maybe it wasn't too late, after all. She'd felt such a strong tug of emotional connection to Khalid this morning in the limo. It had taken her by surprise, since she'd fooled herself into believing that she and Khalid had no future.
Maybe that had been one big fat lie. Perhaps she and Khalid did have a future.
There was only one way she was going to find out.
By attending the party and testing Khalid one last time. If the way he'd acted toward her this morning was any indication, it seemed that Khalid had more on his mind than winning the approval of Qazhar society.
Belle was convinced he was determined to win her back. No matter what it took.
One question lingered in her mind. And, right now, she wasn't sure of the answer.
Was she going to be able to resist Khalid's powerful, determined advances?
CHAPTER SIX
Saturday evening had come, at last, and Khalid stood in the hallway of his palace, trying to contain his impatience while he shook the hands of each of the arriving guests. He'd smiled dutifully at each one of the almost one hundred or so guests who had made their way into the palace over the last half hour. They'd formed a steady line into the palace building, leaving behind their luxury cars to be parked in the grounds of the palace by Khalid's staff.
The sounds of voices and the soft tones of the musicians performing traditional Qazhar music emerged from the main reception hall behind him. There weren't that many left to arrive, he told himself. Although, given the circumstances, he had to be pleased with the turnout.
Judging by the sounds from inside the reception room, everyone sounded like they were having a good time. Khalid could hear plenty of laughter, the clinking of glasses, the steady murmur of polite conversation. Things were going as well as he could have hoped.
But only one thing mattered, right now. The one thing which had been driving him mad since he'd opened the doors to welcome the first of the guests.
There was still no sign of Belle. He sighed with frustration.
Belle hadn't walked through those doors. Yet. Impatience tugged at him. Was she even going to come?
That question had sounded in his mind every time he'd glanced toward the open doorway, watching the guests arrive one by one. The growing sense of disappointment was becoming almost too much for him to stand.
Outside, just a few feet away from him, in the growing darkness, the evening air was cool. But Khalid didn't feel cool. Not in the slightest. Khalid hoped no-one noticed the beads of sweat on his face.
Khalid hadn't heard from Belle since their encounter in the limo. He'd expected a call from her, anything to give him a clue about whether she'd managed to do what he'd asked of her. He wondered if she'd been successful in persuading Karim and Erin to attend.
The fact that he hadn't heard anything made him suspect that maybe Karim was still determined to keep Khalid at bay. It seemed like some people didn't forgive, nor did they forget, Khalid told himself.
A couple walked through the open doorway. Khalid recognized them at once, and felt a surge of hope. Zayed Al Kharif and his American wife, Chloe walked in, arm in arm. Zayed was elegantly attired in an expertly cut dark suit. His wife, blonde and very beautiful, wore a stunning blue dress which made her look like the perfect picture of grace and style.
Khalid knew that Zayed was a close associate of Karim. Both men had connections at the highest levels of Qazhar society. Zayed was probably on first name terms with most of the guests who'd accepted Khalid's invitation.
The Al Kharif family were influential, and the fact that Zayed had accepted Khalid's invitation could only be a positive sign as far as Khalid was concerned.
"Sheikh Al Kharif," Khalid exclaimed. "How nice to see you," he said extending his hand to Zayed.
Zayed smiled graciously, one arm settled at his wife's back. Zayed and Khalid shook hands. "Thank you for inviting us," Zayed said. He looked at his wife. "I don't believe you've met my wife, Chloe," Zayed said.
Khalid saw the way Zayed looked at Chloe and felt a twist of jealousy. It was clear that Zayed felt deeply about Chloe. Khalid could see it in Zayed's expression and in the way Chloe looked right back at her husband. Khalid remembered the reaction of Qazhar society to Zayed's choice of an American wife. Khalid especially recalled his father's fury that someone as highborn as Zayed had taken a foreigner for a wife. It had been an early indication of problems to come.
Khalid bowed to Chloe. "It's an honor to meet you," he said.
Chloe smiled at him and gazed around the high-ceilinged hall with its wide staircase and white marble pillars. "It's quite a palace you have here, Sheikh," Chloe said. "I'm surprised Zayed hasn't introduced us before now."
"An oversight I hope this evening will go a long way to correcting," Khalid responded.
He saw Zayed nod approvingly. Khalid looked at Zayed.
"I'm so pleased you both could come," Khalid said looking from one to the other. "You're one of the last to arrive."
Zayed's lifted his brows in surprise. "I know there's someone behind us," he said turning to look back toward the open door.
"Oh? Who would that be?" Khalid asked, feigning casual interest, although he was desperate to know.
"I believe the American ambassador's daughters were arriving just behind us." Zayed peered at Khalid. "With Sheikh Karim," he added. "I saw them pulling up behind us as we arrived."
Had Zayed just scrutinized Khalid for some kind of reaction to that news? Surely Zayed would be aware of the recent history between Khalid and Karim.
Khalid masked his reaction with polite interest. "Really? Then I think they're probably the last of my guests to arrive," he said.
Zayed glanced over Khalid's shoulder. "I can see the party is in full swing," he said. He turned to Chloe. "Maybe we should make our way in," he said.
Chloe peered into the reception room. "I can see Ella and Raz," she said squinting.
Zayed grinned at Khalid and shook his head. "My brother always likes to get ahead of me," he said and laughed. "In everything," he added with a good-natured frown.
Khalid didn't mention that he himself had no brothers, therefore he couldn't possibly know how brotherly rivalry felt. Being an only son had its advantages, but it also had many unpleasant side-effects, especially in a society that prized the position of males as inheritors of family authority, the means by which tradition would be protected and continued. Had that been the real reason for his father's frustration? That Khalid had been his only child?
Khalid shrugged those familiar thoughts away. It was important this evening went well, with no unnecessary disagreement. So, he merely smiled and gestured toward the reception room. "I hope you both have a lovely evening."
Zayed nodded acknowledgem
ent and led Chloe past Khalid.
Khalid walked to the high, ornately carved wooden doors, open to the cool, darkening night. He gazed out at the circular driveway, illuminated by a variety of powerful lights arranged around the edge of the wide open space at the front of the palace.
A limo had stopped and one of Khalid's servants was in the process of opening the door. He wanted to make his way quickly down the flight of wide steps and personally greet whoever was in the limo, but he knew that might not be the wisest thing to do. Better to stand at the entrance and wait until he could be sure who was in the limo.
He knew who he wanted to see emerge. Felt the impatience as he stood at the top of the stairs.
The door swung open and she stepped out.
Belle.
Khalid drew in a deep breath, feeling relief and sudden desire tighten every muscle in his body. He watched Belle pause by the open door, fussing with her dress, trying to make herself look presentable. She needn't have bothered. As far as Khalid was concerned she was absolutely perfect. Beyond perfect, in fact.
Irresistible.
She wore a green dress and matching low heels. The material of the dress shimmered in the bright lights. Her blonde hair tumbled down onto her bare shoulders and she held tightly onto a small clutch in her right hand.
Belle glanced up at Khalid and his heart raced as their eyes met. She smiled at him and his heart raced even faster. If that was even possible. Khalid curled his fingers into a tight fist, and drew in another calming breath. It was so good to see her. Maybe the evening wasn't going to be a wasted effort, after all.
He smiled back at her and she turned away from him as two people emerged from the inside of the limo.
Erin stepped out of the limo, followed by Karim.
Khalid's breath halted momentarily in his throat as he looked at the man who had been his sworn enemy this past year. The man who had driven apart what was left of Khalid's family.
Karim glanced up at Khalid, but there was no welcoming smile on those impassive features. The man didn't even nod in acknowledgement. Khalid forced himself to ignore that.
He saw Belle look from Karim up to Khalid. There was obvious concern on Belle's face. She looked worried, Khalid told himself. That wasn't fair, especially after she had managed to pull this off.
Belle had done what she'd promised, he realized. She'd persuaded Karim to put the past behind him, for this evening at least. It was time for Khalid to face the one man in all of Qazhar he probably didn't want to be near.
Khalid knew he had to grateful to Belle for making this happen. He couldn't imagine what she'd had to do or say to make this happen. Had she done this for Khalid? Was there some other message he could take from this? He'd have to wait and see how the evening proceeded.
Khalid straightened his jacket and prepared himself as he watched the three of them make their way up the stairs.
They all arrived at the top step and halted.
Khalid held out his hand. "Sheikh Karim. Thank you for coming," Khalid said tentatively. "Welcome to my family home," Khalid stated.
Khalid saw Belle's eyes widen as she heard his instinctive choice of words. He hadn't meant anything malicious by that choice, he told himself. It was a traditional family greeting, but Khalid realized it may have contained more significance than he had intended.
Karim's brows were furrowed and there was a hint of darkness in his eyes. It seemed like it was impossible for Karim to disguise the discomfort he felt being here, Khalid told himself. Had Karim felt some kind of slight at Khalid's formal welcome?
Karim took a breath and then nodded. "Thank you for the invitation," he said in a flat voice. "My wife and her sister were most persuasive, and most eager to attend" he added coldly. His gaze was harsh and even. "I could hardly deprive them of that pleasure," Karim added with audible sarcasm.
Khalid knew there was no point in responding to that. Even the slightest reaction might send Karim racing back down to the limo. And then what would have been the point of the evening?
Khalid saw Erin scowl at her husband. Belle peered at Erin and some unspoken understanding seemed to pass between the two sisters. Had they already agreed what they would say on arrival?
Then Erin looked at Khalid. "We're all very grateful for the invitation, Khalid," she said, her American accent every bit as sweet as Belle's. "Aren't we, Belle?" she added glancing at her sister.
Belle's features pinched into a defiant pout which Khalid found, as always, irresistibly cute. "Of course we are," she said. "We got delayed. Otherwise we would have been here ages ago," she said, glancing at Karim.
Khalid wondered if the sheikh had been the cause of that delay. Maybe he'd had a last minute change of heart; perhaps he'd refused to come and the sisters had been forced to persuade him one last time.
Karim peered across the front of the palace at the lines of guest cars which were parked. "Seems like quite a turnout," he said dryly.
"Everyone who was invited, came," Khalid explained.
Karim's eyes narrowed. "I'm surprised," he said in a flat, even voice.
Khalid felt his jaw tighten and drew in a quiet, sharp breath. He knew at this moment it was essential he keep hold of his composure, not react to even the slightest hint of insult. Because, surely that was what Karim had uttered. An insult, suggesting that Khalid didn't deserve to be accepted by Qazhar society.
Well, it was clear from the way Zayed Al Kharif had already behaved toward Khalid that not everyone who was important in Qazhar felt the same as Karim.
There was a long moment when both men's eyes met. Then Erin hooked her arm into her husband's and smiled at Khalid. "Let's get inside, shall we," she announced, tugging on her husband's arm.
There was a brief pause, and then Erin pulled Karim gently and smiled at Khalid. Erin glanced at Belle. "You coming in?"
Belle shook her head. "I'll just be a moment," she said.
Erin's gaze met Khalid's and then she led her husband in through the open palace doors, leaving Khalid alone with Belle.
Belle shifted nervously on her heels for a few moments and then gazed up at Khalid. "That went well, I thought," she said hesitantly and then smiled at him, lifting a querying brow. "Don't you think?"
For a moment Khalid was lost for words. Then he gasped and smiled, shaking his head. "No, it didn't," he said bluntly.
"At least he came," she said.
He shrugged. "I guess that's something," he replied. "But, you saw how he reacted."
Belle nodded. "It could have gone better, I admit."
"What did you have to say to get him to come?"
Belle tilted her head. "It wasn't my doing. Erin did all the talking."
"I guess she's the one I should really thank," he said. Khalid saw a flicker of disappointment on Belle's face. "Although, it wouldn't have happened without you," he added hurriedly.
Belle waved a dismissive hand. "It was nothing."
Khalid moved a step closer and gazed down at her. "No. I mean what I say. This is an important first step. And it couldn't have happened if you hadn't agreed to help."
"You were pretty persuasive yourself," Belle said.
Khalid frowned and tilted his head, wondering what she meant.
"In the limo," Belle added.
"Ah, I see," he replied. "I wasn't sure you'd noticed how hard I was trying to be polite," he said.
"Polite? Is that what you'd call it?" Belle teased, smiling at him.
Khalid could sense the relief in her. That the tension of his encounter with Karim had been dissipated by that remark. This was more like it, he said to himself. Being alone with Belle was all he wanted. He couldn't care less about those guests in there, he thought. All he wanted was to be with her, like this. Alone with her. A rush of frustration tightened his jaw. He saw her eyes narrow slightly. Had she noticed his impatience? Did she have any idea of how he was feeling?
"I'd like to leave this place, right now," he growled.
Her lips pa
rted in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Khalid moved closer to her, feeling the urge to sweep her into his arms, needing to claim her lips with a punishing, hungry kiss.
"You know what I really want tonight, Belle," he murmured. He glanced toward the open doorway. "I don't give a damn what those people want. All I know is that I've missed you these past few days and weeks."
Khalid gazed into Belle's blue eyes, seeing the sudden emotion in them. She knew how much this meant to him.
Belle lowered her gaze, suddenly thoughtful. He loved watching her when she was deliberating things, savored every moment of seeing her react to his every move, his every word.
Belle looked up at him and smiled. "Let's see how the evening goes," she said slowly.
Khalid felt impatience surge within him again. He wanted to reach out, take her in his arms, kiss her and show her just how much it meant to him that she had cared so much, that she had acted on his behalf.
Now that she was so close, he didn't want to lose this opportunity. The hunger and anticipation was like a torturing heat inside him. He hadn't expected his reaction to seeing her again to be anything like this. So visceral. So urgent. The ferocity of his sudden need had taken him by surprise.
Belle's mouth opened slightly and her eyes widened, as if she sensed the strength of the need which had awakened in him. Her cheeks flushed and he wondered what she was thinking. Did she realize how badly he wanted to kiss her? And, that it wouldn't simply be a polite kiss of gratitude, but a kiss that expressed so much more than that?
Khalid eased his hand against her upper arm, savoring the warmth of her skin, its sheer softness. He saw her gaze flicker downward to his hand, but she made no attempt to move her arm away from his hand.
Then she looked up into his eyes and he felt suddenly emboldened to move closer. He put his other hand against her side and felt her gasp softly. Did she want him to go further? The heat of her body against his hand triggered a feral reaction in him.
He'd been waiting for this moment since she'd stepped out of the limo earlier that week. Since he'd felt the emptiness caused by her absence. And now she was so close he could feel her breath against him, sense the warm promise of her body. She was so incredibly beautiful it staggered him, made his mind empty of words to describe her loveliness.