by Leslie North
He nodded and touched her cheek. “It’s all just make-believe.” He raised up and kissed her cheek. “Get some sleep. We’ll head to the site early tomorrow.” He rolled out of her bed, swept up his clothes and strode from the room. There—that was the man she knew. The arrogant guy who’d walk around a palace in the buff.
Grinning, she turned on her side. She let out a breath. Oh, she was going to regret this someday. She was going to get her heart broken—but dang it all, some things were worth the heartache.
***
Adyan met Eden again at breakfast. She was dressed in her normal work attire of jeans, a tank top, covered by a button-up shirt, with her hair pulled up and back. She smiled up at him as if nothing had happened between them last night. For a moment, irritation flashed through him that she should so easily shrug off what had been spectacular sex. But why should it bother him? Was that not what he wanted in any bed partner?
He’d had plenty of encounters over his twenty-eight years—usually quick ones. A few nights of fun, and then he was usually looking forward to the next girl. Why should it be different with Eden? Why did he want more than a casual greeting from her this morning?
Oh, yes, he liked her personality and the way her brain was always working. And her body had been more than pleasing—she was as vibrant in bed as she was during the day.
But this…this pretense was starting to wear on him.
However, he knew his duty—they had a complex to build and too little time to get the work done.
Over tea and sweet rolls, she went through the schedule—what they’d need to do to adjust to not having a night crew working. It was all business again, and it startled him how easily they could move from the bedroom to work. They were about to leave for the site when Adyan heard quick footsteps.
He stood at once, and his father strode into the room, dressed for business. Adyan gave a nod and said, “Father.”
“Good morning, oh, no ceremony. You two are just leaving, but I wanted to hear good news from you.”
Eden swapped a quick look with Adyan, and he knew she had to be biting her tongue not to blurt out the naked truth.
Adyan stepped forward, determined to rescue her from his father’s questioning. He offered his father tea and a roll, and politely said, “Right now, it’s more of a mess than a building, but that is what must be done to lay in the infrastructure.”
“No problems with the timeline?” the sheikh asked, his forehead tight now and furrowed with concern.
Adyan managed a firm smile. “We will finish on schedule.” That is a promise, he added silently.
His father nodded. “That is what I want to hear. Now, I must be off. Do not forget that your brother’s wedding is taking place next month. We should give the workers the day off in celebration—and a bonus.”
Adyan wished now that he could send his brother and his bride to some far-off corner of the world. “Why could they not wait?” he muttered.
His father only smiled and shook his head. “Love can never wait.”
“That is so romantic,” Eden said. Adyan glanced at her. She was now misty-eyed and looking more like a woman and not that hard-headed contractor he had been dealing with all morning. She straightened and added, “I mean, if you go in for that sort of thing.”
Adyan turned to his father. “Zafar could marry at the complex. It could be the first big event.”
His father shook his head. “Zafar wishes a traditional wedding, so that will not do. But do work his wedding day into the schedule. It is to be a national holiday.” With a nod, the sheikh turned and left them.
Eden stepped up to Adyan’s side. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted to...you know, tell him about…well, stuff.”
Adyan shook his head. “For now, no one must know of our construction troubles. If my father cannot honor the contracts that have been signed, his reputation will be compromised. That is exactly what Daheer wants—to bring shame to my family. To prove my father is unfit to rule. This is as much about beliefs as anything—and so everyone must believe this project is blessed and running smooth.”
“More pretense. We’re digging a deep hole, aren’t we?”
“We are. But let us look at ways to quickly fill it by getting more done. We need to find ways to ensure that at least the main structure opens on time.”
They spent the drive to the site going over ideas. Eden resisted any idea of cuts, but on-site they were able to agree that the focus should be on the main structure and the entrance. “It might work better to open the complex in phases. Disneyland’s been doing that for years.” He glanced at her, but she only shrugged and said, “Isn’t this a magical kingdom, too?”
“I only wish it was. Now come and pretend to be my girlfriend, and let us see if we are getting the floor plans right.”
With a smile, she leaned into him and gave him a look that would incinerate any man. “Why, hon, I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter 9
Adyan slapped Hamar on the back. “That looks good, Hamar. Putting all of the men on the main structure has saved us a few days. Enough time that my brother’s wedding will not put a huge hole in the schedule.”
“Yes, but only a few. At least the soccer stadium is almost ready for inspectors.”
“They will be here tomorrow. Malik had told them we would not need their services for several months, but I have corrected such thinking, and we have been promised rapid approvals.” Hamar’s eyebrows rose, but Adyan only grinned. “Do not be surprised. There are many who support my father and want to see this economic opportunity come to fruition.”
Hamar nodded. “As they should. I don’t understand how Sheikh Daheer can be so blind. This is a good thing for Scaran and her people.”
“Yes, as is my brother’s wedding—which is now only three days away. Remind the crew that is a holiday and let us button up for the day.”
Hamar grinned. “You are not the only one picking up phrases from that American girl of yours. Her father’s crew spreads English as a bird spreads seeds.”
“And do they in turn learn Arabic?” Adyan asked.
Hamar’s grin turned sly. “Well, of course—but only the best curse words.”
With a crooked smile, Adyan nodded. “As it should be. Now I must go find…my American girl.” He turned and strode into the construction site.
The main building was almost done, and work had shifted over to the swimming house. The support poles had gone up, and Eden was making this her particular project, using the excuse that if women were supposed to use it, a woman should have a say in it. Oddly enough, the men seemed to have accepted her presence on the site—three months into the project and she had become a known fixture.
It had also been almost a month now of Adyan visiting her room most nights.
It was odd to pretend to be involved during the day, and then to have Eden in his arms and no pretense between them in her bed. She came willingly to his arms, her kisses eager, her body warm and giving. She amazed and surprised him. But every morning, she was back to all business at breakfast—and then she put on her dumb American girl act on the construction site. She had even taken to using poor Arabic, which always set the crews laughing.
She was becoming a part of his life—but only until this job was done. He almost wished he could make it last longer. But that was a foolish wish. She had her life, and it was not here in Scaran. Her daily phone calls to her father, and her reports back to Adyan of the advice her father sent by email, were reminders that she was part of Abbey Construction, and not a woman who would ever settle into being a prince’s wife. She would never fit such a role, and Adyan forced himself to be content with their stolen hours together at night.
He never spent the full night in her bed. He would come when the palace was quiet and slip into her room, and find her naked and waiting for him.
Just thinking of her had his body hardening, and then he spotted her. She had her hands on her hips and her head tilted back, a frown t
ugging on her lips. Her hard hat was gripped in one hand and the afternoon breeze was tugging at her hair, whipping stray strands into her face. She looked—well, she looked dusty and tired, and Adyan wanted to sweep her away from here and have her to himself for a few days. He sighed. That was not possible, so he settled for walking to her side and putting an arm around her waist.
She glanced up at him and then waved at the support pole, now swaying slightly in the breeze. “Does that look safe to you? Roof work is supposed to begin tomorrow.”
“Easy, little worrier. If we keep to this pace, all will be done in good time.”
She sighed and rubbed her temples. “These delays are driving me crazy—it’s like being nibbled to death by ducks. Supplies get sorted out, and then the generators start acting up. We get them working and the crew starts to quit. Bonus plans get them settled and then we start seeing crap like this.” She waved again at the beams. “And I swear those are not set right.”
He rubbed her back. “Hamar is sending everyone home for the day. We will start tomorrow with a thorough safety inspection. That will satisfy your worries, yes?”
She nodded. “But it’ll slow us down, too. I wanted the structure solid before we have to take a day off for your brother’s wedding—and do we really have to take the whole day?”
He smiled at her. “You have obviously never seen a royal Scaran wedding. There will be the private ceremony only for family, and then the parade, and then the public ceremony, and then the banquet, and then—”
She laughed. “Poor Belle. She’s got no idea.”
“Oh, she does. She has had rehearsals and has had to study our language and customs endlessly. I have heard from Zafar that she has begged at times for an elopement, but Zafar is the eldest and one day will rule, and so his wedding must be for our people, and not just himself.”
Eden shook her head. “Sounds like more fuss than anyone needs.”
Adyan started to reply, but a creaking sound overhead made him glance up. He saw the crane had not been left locked down. One of the steel cables was now swinging free in the strengthening wind that came up every afternoon, late in the day. The cable began to snake like a living thing.
Eden had seen it, too, for she darted from his arms. He tried to grab for her, but she was already out of reach and running for the crane. Adyan’s heard thudded into his chest—a sharp pounding that left him breathless. Ducking under the whipping cable, Eden leaped into the crane. She did something, and the cable snapped back into place, locked safely now.
Heart still thudding and skin hot, Adyan strode to her side. “What were you thinking, woman? You could have been killed!”
She jumped down from the crane and faced him. “Yeah, well so could one of the workers. This has gone on long enough. I am not going to have a death on an Abbey Construction site.”
“And you think I wish such a thing?”
“I think…we need to find Malik.”
“He has not left the country.”
Eden’s eyes narrowed. “Please tell me you don’t have secret police here.”
Taking her arm, he pulled her with him. “Our police are very public and we have palace guards, and Malik has been missing long enough that it was simple to file a report that he is not in his home and cannot be found. His body has not turned up, either.”
She shivered and moved closer to him, glancing behind her and then at Adyan. “Great—now I’m going to be looking for his bones here.”
He stopped walking and stared at her. “That is actually an idea.”
“What—you want to find the guy and bury him here?”
Taking her hand, he started walking to his Jag. “No. We are going to lay a trap and he can bury himself—and perhaps Sheikh Daheer as well. Now, please, take my car and go back to the palace. I have a few errands with Hamar.”
Eden shook her head, but she took his car keys from him. “Soaking in a hot bath really does sound good—and I don’t think I want to know what you’re planning right now.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She turned her face into his chest. For a moment, he wanted only to hold her, to stroke her hair, but he took her shoulders and held her away from him. “Go back to the palace and soak. I will see you at dinner. I promise.”
She put a hand on his chest. “I’m holding you to that.” She slipped into his car, started the engine and drove off in a cloud of dust. Turning, jaw tight, he headed toward Hamar’s truck. Messing with his father’s project was one thing, but putting the one he now thought of as his woman required a response.
And he knew just the response needed.
Chapter 10
Eden soaked in the bath until her skin started to prune. She was pretty darn sure Adyan wasn’t heading off to confront Sheikh Daheer—he had a plan to deal with Malik, who had to still be around. But what was the plan? And did she really want an answer to that question?
Climbing from the tub, she dried off and dressed in one of the loose robes that Belle had insisted she add to her wardrobe in Scaran. Belle, of course, had been right. The robe was cool and comfortable. She brushed out her hair and left it loose and down around her shoulders. Slipping into a pair of sandals that matched the coral robe, she headed downstairs.
She found Adyan waiting for her in the courtyard, a candle-lit dinner on the table. She glanced at it, then at him. “Everything go okay?”
He held out a chair for her. “All is ready. Hamar and I have set up a surprise for Malik.”
Sitting down, she leaned back in her chair. She waited until Adyan had sat down and she asked, “Okay, I’ll bite. What did you do?”
Adyan smiled—a smile like a cat with the canary about to be in his mouth. “Hamar is arranging for word to be spread among the workers at the site that security will be very light the day of Zafar’s wedding.”
Eyebrows lifted high, Eden nodded. “Ah—you’ve set some bait. Little to no security—but it’s going to be the opposite? Or are you hoping Malik shows up and then you can follow him and hope he leads you back to Daheer?”
Adyan shook his head and served roast chicken onto her plate. “Daheer would not be so easily caught. No, we hope only to catch Malik in our net—but I think Malik may prefer to tell us who is paying him rather than face many long years in prison.”
Eden leaned forward and served herself some rice—it smelled heavenly: spiced and yellow from saffron. “I think it’s a big gamble. Malik may smell out the trap.”
“Desperate men do stupid things, and we will also spread the word that not only will we open on time but a week ahead of schedule.”
Sitting still, her fork in her hand, Eden stared at him. “That could really bite us on the ass. Malik may not show, and word is still going to be out there promising an early opening.”
He took her hand, turned it over and kissed her palm. “I would rather bite your ass. Are you really all that hungry?”
She glanced at the food and then at Adyan. “It’ll keep, won’t it?”
Grinning, he stood and pulled her with him. He glanced around and then headed for the gym. She frowned at that, but he pulled her inside and locked the door behind them. Light flooded into the room from the moonlight, but shadows also hugged the corners. He pulled off his shirt. “I’ve been missing my workouts.”
She started to smile. “Really?”
He came toward her, his eyes glittering in the dim light, his broad chest gleaming with a light film of sweat. She brushed her fingers over the dark, curling hair on his chest. “So…what kind of workout do you usually do?”
Lifting her in his arms, he said, “I start with weights.” He carried her to one of the benches and set her down. Kneeling before her, he pushed up the robe and slid his fingers over her calves and then to her thighs. “But I usually take a break before I move to pushups.”
She leaned back. Adyan kept pushing the robe higher until her legs shone bare and pale. She caught a breath. Leaning forward, he kissed the inside
of her thighs and moved higher. She fell back on the bench, bracing herself on her palms. “This is—really—a w—workout?” she gasped.
Adyan grinned up at her, then buried his face against her—breathing in sharp, leaving her quivering. He looked up once more and said, “Oh, you will be sweating at the end, I promise that.”
He licked the inside of her thigh—first the left then the right—and moved to licking between her legs, tasting her. She gave another gasp and wrapped one hand around his neck. She wished now that he had long hair, like his brother, not this short-shorn cap of soft fuzz. His licks turned to nibbles and she groaned. “I want you in me.”
Pulling back, he said, “Ah, we move to pushups.”
He stood and pulled her to her feet. She tore off her robe over her head, and Adyan dropped his white trousers. Pulling her with him, he went down to the mats on the floor. She giggled and he rolled her underneath him. “So…just how many pushups can you do?”
“How many do you want?” he asked. He held his body poised over hers. She spread her legs and took hold of him to guide him into her. He sank down—and into her. She gave a gasp. He pushed up again and then lowered himself. His muscles gleamed with sweat and sweat slicked her body.
She wrapped her legs around his lean hips. “I think you need a few more. I sure do.”
With a smile, he lowered himself down on her, pushing into her. She gasped and arched—he pushed up and down again, this time letting out a breath that washed over her face. She arched again, pulling him deeper into her.
The orgasm took her by surprise, snuck up and spread through her with a sharp, bright tingle. But Adyan pulled out and pushed down again—and again. Another wave caught at her—the pleasure riding through her in scorching waves. She groaned. Adyan began to pump faster and harder. She clutched at his back, her muscles almost liquid now, her breaths short and fast. He stilled suddenly and she felt the heat pumping into her from him in short bursts. And then he rolled with her so she lay on top of him.