by Cara Albany
Zafar took a step toward Lori, obviously intending to kiss her goodbye. But she was having none of that, she told herself.
She stepped back and folded her arms. She furrowed her brow and saw him halt immediately. He gazed at her for a few long moments.
Then he simply smiled and shook his head. She saw the line of his jaw tighten. She'd gotten through to him. He'd received her message loud and clear.
He turned away from Lori, and headed toward the door, without even kissing her goodnight. Without even telling her that he wanted to spend the rest of the night with her. Without giving her the slightest hint of what was to come next for them both.
He opened the door and peered out into the corridor. Before he closed the door behind him, he turned to her and bowed regally.
For some reason, that gesture annoyed her.
He'd become the royal prince again. The barrier had been reconstructed.
And, as he closed the door softly behind him, all she was left with was an awful, empty feeling.
TEN
As he made his way down the corridor, Zafar cursed his foolishness. He thought about the way he and Lori had just spoken. Not spoken. Argued.
That wasn't how he'd planned things. But, somehow, it seemed he was destined to always be at odds with Lori.
He'd had no choice but to explain to Lori. He'd hoped she would understand, but it looked as if he'd misjudged her. And that look she'd given him had shown him just how much she felt about her friend, Alaya.
The situation with Kadir was still unresolved. And, like it or not, Zafar had a part to play in whether Kadir and Alaya would ever become a married couple. It wasn't a situation with which he was entirely comfortable. But, he'd always known that at some point in his friendship with Kadir, it would come down to this.
Zafar had seen the disbelief on Lori's face when he'd tried to explain it all to her. It must have sounded crazy, he reflected.
It had been one of the hardest conversations Zafar had ever had. Especially after what he and Lori had shared. Maybe both of their minds were still clouded with passion. He knew his was.
He wasn't even sure it was possible to think straight while he was near Lori. That was the kind of effect she had on him. Everything felt so different whenever he was around her.
His body still felt shaken by the physical encounter with the beautiful American. Every nerve in his body was still raw and shaking with the remnants of the pleasure they'd given each other.
Zafar sighed heavily. He dragged his mind back to the encounter which awaited him downstairs.
How could it be that a sheikh like Kadir would need the approval of a royal family member before taking a wife?
It was simple, really. It was the way things were done in Qazhar. Of course, sheikhs were free to marry who they liked. Zafar thought about the way all the closely related Al Kharif men had taken American wives. But, the Al Kharif family was powerful in its own right. They had connections.
In comparison, Kadir's station in life was relatively modest, although by other standards he was wealthy enough to own substantial properties. Like this palace. And another like it.
In many respects, Kadir's close connections with Zafar and the royal family, meant that he would never be entirely free to choose a wife without at least some approval from the royal household.
The whole situation was complicated beyond belief. And, right now, Zafar wished he'd had no part to play in it. When he'd seen that look in Lori's eyes back there in her rooms, he could have roared out his defiance of these foolish traditions and codes of honor.
Lori had been hurt by his determination to carry out his duty. And duty it was. A painful duty.
Zafar reached the staircase and started to make his way down. He could see a number of guests making their way out of the palace front door. He saw Kadir and Alaya standing down there, politely thanking guests for attending. They looked so good together, Zafar told himself. So, how was he supposed to carry out this impossible task? This obligation which had been imposed on him.
Immediately he felt his heart sink. He knew how difficult this conversation was going to be. Under normal circumstances, he would have done what he'd planned. He would have taken Kadir aside and told him quietly and firmly that Alaya was not to be a suitable match.
And that would have been that.
But, after what had happened upstairs, he knew he couldn't go through with that. Lori was right. Zafar had no right to spoil the happiness of Kadir and Alaya. And he wasn't going to do it. Not right now.
Zafar reached the bottom of the stairs. Kadir turned and saw him. "Zafar. We were wondering where you'd gotten to," he said.
Beside him Alaya smiled. "And Lori, too. You don't know where she is, do you?"
Zafar felt his face flush. He shook his head and cleared his throat. "No, I don't know where she is," he muttered hesitantly.
He saw Alaya's eyes narrow slightly. She wasn't buying it, he told himself. Not one bit.
Then he saw Alaya's eyes widen as she looked past his shoulder and up in the direction of the top of the stairs. Zafar felt his heart sink.
He knew exactly who Alaya was looking at. In that case, it was only going to be a short step for Alaya to figure out what might have been going on while Zafar and Lori had been missing from the party.
Alaya smiled. "There she is," she said.
Zafar turned and looked up the staircase. Lori was walking down, a steady expression on her face. Zafar's heart skipped a beat as he watched her. Need flared inside him. She looked stunning. She didn't look in the least bit concerned about what was being said down at the doorway. She looked as if she didn't care about the speculative looks coming her way from Alaya.
Lori arrived at the bottom of the stairs and came to stand by Zafar's side.
"We were just wondering what had happened to you," Alaya said.
Lori's features were blank. She didn't even look in Zafar's direction. She still wore the same dress and flat shoes. But Zafar could see something new about her. A quality he hoped no-one else could notice. There was still a slight flush on her face, a certain brightness in her eyes. He could see the remains of their passion. He wondered if anyone else could see it.
"I had to go upstairs for a while. Just felt a little tired after all the excitement of the presentation," she explained running a hand across the side of her head.
Zafar thought it didn't sound at all convincing. He was relieved she hadn't mentioned anything about him being up there with her.
Kadir looked at Zafar. "Did you say you wanted to speak to me, Zafar?" he asked.
Zafar saw Lori's posture stiffen slightly. But she still didn't look straight at him. "Not right now, Kadir." Zafar glanced at the remaining guests. "I think you've got enough on your hands. Maybe we can get together some time to speak in the next few days."
Zafar saw Kadir frown. "Really?" Kadir seemed surprised.
Zafar glanced at Lori, but her face was still set in an impassive mask. It looked like she was determined not to show even the slightest hint that she knew what was really going on.
Zafar nodded and peered into the sitting room. "I wonder where my aunt has disappeared to," he said.
"The last time I saw her she was lecturing one of your cousins about royal etiquette," Kadir stated and smiled. "I don't think Raz was taking it too well." Kadir looked at Lori. "Have you had a chance to meet Raz and Ella, his American wife."
Lori shook her head. "No, I haven't."
"You and her have a lot uncommon," Kadir said.
"Really?"
Kadir and glanced at Zafar. "More than you might think," he added. Zafar frowned. Now why had Kadir said that?
Lori seemed to ignore the implication of Kadir's comment. "I'll have to find her before she leaves and have a chat" she said. "I've got some questions I'd like to ask her."
Zafar peered at Lori. What had she meant by that? Was she curious about what it was like to be the American wife of a prominent Qazhar man?
"I'm sure it was," Lori said sardonically. She finally glanced at Zafar. "Marriage seems to be big deal in these parts."
He looked at Lori and saw that there was a barely suppressed smile on her face. Was she goading him?
She glanced at Alaya. "The presentation went well, didn't it," she said, changing the subject.
Suddenly he heard the sound of our voices, and then his aunt Leila emerged from the sitting room. She was talking animatedly with a pretty young, blonde woman and a tall, dark-haired Qazhar man. Zafar recognized the man. It was Raz Al Kharif and his wife, Ella.
Zafar heard his aunt's strident voice. "And I'm of the opinion that what you say is all very well, but there must come a point when the sheikhs of our kingdom must take their obligations more seriously," Zafar heard his aunt saying.
"I completely agree," Raz said. "I think our family has done more than most to do exactly that. Wouldn't you agree?"
Zafar saw Leila frown. "Perhaps," she admitted with obvious reluctance in her voice.
Then she halted and peered from Zafar to Lori and back again to him. Zafar saw his aunt's eyes narrow and there was a clearly judgmental expression on her face.
"Sheikh Kadir," Raz said. "It has been a wonderful evening. My wife and I have enjoyed it very much."
Kadir smiled and bowed to them both. "I'm glad you enjoyed the presentation. A great discovery, I'm sure you'll agree." He turned to Alaya. "It has all been down to this fine woman," he said.
Zafar saw Kadir slide a hand around Alaya's waist. Kadir seemed genuinely proud of Alaya. Zafar suddenly wished he didn't have any hand in Kadir winning approval for even making a proposal to Alaya. He would never stand in his friend's way when it came to claiming the happiness he deserved.
Raz Al Kharif's wife, Ella came to Lori. "Whereabouts in the States are you from, Lori?" she asked in a bright voice.
Before he had a chance to hear Lori's reply, aunt Leila came to Zafar. "I assume we are leaving," she said to him. It wasn't just a request. It was an order.
"We can leave anytime you like," he said.
He saw Leila glance at Lori and Ella talking excitedly. It looked as if the two Americans were already getting along pretty well.
"Now would be a good time, don't you think, Zafar?" Leila declared.
Zafar felt a stab of disappointment. The only thing he really wanted was to get another chance to be alone with Lori. But, he knew that wasn't going to happen. At least not this evening. If anyone even had a clue what was going on between him and Lori, then he knew there really would be a firestorm.
"I'll arrange for the limo to come around," Zafar said.
As he headed toward the front door, he looked across at Lori and saw that she was watching him even while she was listening to Ella Al Kharif. She looked like she had something she wanted to say to him. Maybe now wasn't the best time, he reflected.
He went outside and found one of the servants who was in charge of the limos and gave him instructions to be bring Zafar's limo around. As Zafar turned to go back inside, he halted as he saw Lori emerging.
Alone.
She headed straight for him. They both stood facing each other at the top of the stairs, well out of hearing of anyone else inside. A few guests were standing idly around waiting for their limos to arrive.
"Thank you," she said.
He frowned. "For what?"
"For waiting before speaking with Kadir," Lori said.
"There's nothing to thank me for. It was the only sensible thing I could do. Under the circumstances."
"I think it's for the best," she stated.
For a moment he wondered if she was referring to the way they'd parted upstairs in her room. He felt his throat tighten with unease.
What did she think had happened up there? What did she think he'd done by leaving like that?
So suddenly.
Surely she didn't think he'd meant that they were finished. That their passion had been some kind of casual encounter. That there was nothing else to come for both of them together.
Zafar leaned closer, but not so close as to give the impression of any intimacy between him and Lori. He wanted to make sure no-one overheard what he was about to say. "We must see each other again, Lori. Soon," he breathed urgently. "You understand what I'm saying," he growled. He felt the urgency in his own voice.
Lori's eyes widened and her mouth opened provocatively. He wanted to crash his lips down on hers. Right now. Wanted to taste her. Wanted to feel her soft curves crushed against his body. It was like a burning need in him.
But, out here, right now, he knew that it was impossible. It would only create chaos for both of them.
This close to her, he could see the color flush like a delicate bloom on her cheeks. He inhaled the intoxicating scent of her perfume. The scent of the sex they'd shared only a short time before.
Need made his body firm instantly. He felt his heart begin to pound faster. Just being this close to her again made him think of how it had felt to be inside her. How much he wanted her again.
She frowned. Her wide-eyed expression merely made his need even more urgent. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Zafar," she gasped.
"You can't be serious," he murmured emphatically.
She dragged her gaze away from him and sighed. She bit her lip pensively. The gesture triggered a sudden impulse in him. He wanted to reach out and trace a line with his thumb across her moist lower lip.
Then she looked at him. "Why did you leave like that? So suddenly?"
He swallowed. "I had to." He glanced across her shoulder. "You see what they're like. They were wondering where you and I were."
"Why shouldn't they know?"
He sucked in a deep, calming breath. This wasn't the time, nor the place for such a conversation. Didn't she realize that?
The conversation was cut short by the appearance of his aunt Leila. Zafar stepped quickly away from Lori. Probably too quickly, he reflected.
He tried to appear as casual as possible, but he knew it probably wasn't completely convincing. His aunt was too eagle-eyed to be that easily fooled.
Leila gazed sternly at Zafar. "Is the limo ready?" He glanced down the stairs and saw that it was waiting.
"It's ready, aunt," he said.
Leila glanced at Lori, but said nothing. For a moment, Zafar saw a flash of something pass between the two women and he wondered what could have happened to make them look at each other like that.
"Lovely to make your acquaintance," Lori said.
"Nice to meet you too, dear," Leila said in a stiff and formal voice. She extended a hand, obviously seeking assistance from Zafar.
Zafar tucked his aunt's arm in his. "Good evening Miss Reithe," he said to Lori.
If only everyone knew what had taken place upstairs, they would have been amazed that he could walk away from Lori like this. He could hardly believe it himself.
But, he forced himself to turn his back on Lori and made his way down the stairs, and into the limo. He restrained the urge to turn and look back. To see if she was watching him.
By the time the limo started to move away from the palace, and when Zafar glanced out of through the tinted window, he saw that Lori had already gone back inside the palace.
He felt a sudden disappointment at how the evening had ended. It would have been impossible not to, he told himself. Right now, he knew where he should be. Where he and Lori should be.
Upstairs in her room, continuing to drive each other crazy with pleasure. It was taking a superhuman effort to disguise how he was feeling.
The limo headed out onto the dark road. Zafar and Leila didn't speak for a while. Zafar gazed out of the window. The evening had been a rollercoaster of emotions.
Lori was an incredible woman.
He smiled quietly to himself, knowing that, with his head turned away from her, his aunt couldn't se
e the expression on his face. That was just as well, Zafar told himself. Aunt Leila was a wily individual.
Zafar thought about his time with Lori. The images of her were burned into his mind. He could almost feel his face flush with emotion as he recalled the details of his time in her room.
The silence was broken suddenly by his aunt's abrasive voice. "Your friend was quite rude to me earlier," she said.
Zafar turned to Leila. "Who?"
"Lori. Or is it Lauren? She didn't seem to be able to make up her mind," his aunt said.
"It's Lori, aunt. That's the name she prefers," Zafar replied.
Leila nodded thoughtfully. "How did your meeting go?"
In spite of himself, Zafar felt his face heat suddenly. "What meeting?"
Leila smiled. "Lori told me she was meeting with you, this evening."
"Me?"
Leila nodded slowly. Zafar wondered if Lori had actually admitted that to his aunt. He thought it unlikely that Lori would have admitted to such a thing. Especially to his aunt. Or was it just the case that his aunt Leila was testing him, probing for confirmation of her suspicion?
He'd never lied to his aunt. But, sometimes, in the past, he'd had to be selective with the truth. He decided that might be the best option.
"We did have a discussion about one or two important matters," he admitted.
"Matters?" Leila asked. Her gaze was steady. "What kind of matter?"
"Nothing you should concern yourself about, aunt," he said.
Leila lifted a brow, waiting for him to continue.
"There's something I want to ask you, though," Zafar said.
She looked instantly intrigued. "Yes?"
Zafar nodded. The idea had come to him during the presentation. When he'd been watching Lori up there, next to Alaya, he'd thought how he could make sure he would see as much of her as possible over the coming days. Especially with Kadir wanting Alaya all to himself in the palace.
"I'd like to ask you a favor," he said.
"What kind of favor?" she asked sharply, instantly on the defensive. He had a chequered history when it came to persuading his aunt to give into his demands.
He smiled. "Nothing you'll find too difficult."