by Cara Albany
Contents
The Sheikh’s Marriage Deal
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
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Copyright
The Sheikh's Marriage Deal
(Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 17)
BY
CARA ALBANY
CHAPTER ONE
Abby Kerrera gazed out of the window of the private jet and down at the view of the city below.
Qazhar.
She was back, and she could hardly believe it. The bright lights of the city filled her vision. She'd almost forgotten how splendid the city looked. It was like a bright, awe-inspiring jewel alongside the coast of the Qazhar Sea.
She was returning.
One year had felt like an eternity. But that was how long it had been since she had last been here.
A year since she had set eyes on him.
Taliq Al Kharif.
The sheikh who had turned her world upside down. The sheikh with whom she'd shared such an intense and emotionally draining few weeks.
But that was all behind her, now, she told herself. There was no use dwelling on the past. She'd come here with one purpose in mind, and she'd have to force herself to stay focused. There was too much riding on this visit to indulge herself in memories of an abandoned relationship.
The small jet bucked slightly as it prepared to land. Abby gripped the side of the leather seat and breathed in deep. Nerves twisted in her middle. She gazed along the length of the narrow, softly-lit cabin.
One word came to mind as she examined it one last time before landing.
Luxury.
If she was being honest with herself, she'd hardly noticed the opulent interior during the entire flight from New York. She'd had too much stuff whirling around in her mind to pay attention to the expensive furnishings, the plush leather seats, the thick carpet, the expertly designed layout. None of it had meant anything to her.
This was his jet. Taliq's private property. Just like he had once tried, and failed, to make her his possession. He liked owning things, he'd told her. He felt it was his right as a member of one of the most powerful and wealthy families in the kingdom of Qazhar.
The Al Kharif's were an influential presence in the country. They were connected to almost every major institution and wielded great power. At times, it had seemed to Abby, that the Al Kharif family virtually owned the kingdom of Qazhar. Brothers and cousins controlled much that was important. And they seemed to wield influence over everything.
But, Abby had refused to become one of Taliq's possessions. Had refused to allow him to wield his own influence over her. He had been almost impossible to resist. She'd fought with all her might to prevent that happening. And, in the end, her brief, passionate time with Taliq had come to a crashing end.
Abby drew in a deep breath, saw the sign above her come on, and buckled her seatbelt. She saw the runway of the airport and felt the apprehension tug at her again.
Taliq would be down there, she told herself. Waiting for her, just as he'd promised during their brief call a few days before.
She'd had to come. Other people were relying on her.
The jet shifted again, and Abby felt herself move from side to side on the seat. It reminded her of how unsteady her life had become. How unsteady the lives of those most important to her.
This wouldn't take long, she reminded herself for the thousandth time. She would speak with Taliq, get what she needed, and be out of Qazhar as quickly as possible. She had no intention of staying any longer than necessary.
The fact that she had agreed to come back still amazed her. But, she only had to think of the people who were relying on her, and her decision seemed inevitable. Unavoidable.
But, why was it that the only way out of this trouble involved coming running back to the man who had walked out on her a year ago? What perverse destiny was leading her straight back to him?
Of course, he would be pleased to see her. On the phone, he'd sounded curious when she had explained that she needed to see him. He'd even asked her an insensitive question about whether she had become pregnant by him and that she was about to surprise him with a baby.
Abby had not found that in the slightest bit funny, and had told him so. He had merely laughed and casually dismissed his tactlessness. She'd never forgotten how arrogant he could be. Or how dominant he could be.
In every situation.
In bed.
That thought made her throat tighten, triggered a visceral reaction in her, but she took firm hold of herself just as she'd done so many times this past year.
There would be no repeat of the past on this trip, she told herself. She and Taliq were history. And that was that.
She felt the jet lurch lower, positioning itself to land. The jet bumped down onto the tarmac and then slowed. It taxied away from the main concourse and toward an empty hanger, coming to a sudden halt.
Abby unbuckled her seatbelt and stood. The attendant, a pleasant woman dressed in traditional Qazhar garb, who had been perfectly courteous for the whole trip, handed Abby her small bag. "I hope you had a pleasant journey," the woman said.
Abby smiled."It was lovely. Thank you for all your help."
The woman nodded and smiled. Then the door was twisted open and a small set of five steps lowered. Abby felt a blast of the warm evening air. Of course, she reminded herself. It was January, but there was virtually no winter here. It was warm all year round. Knowing that, she had worn a plain blue dress and flat shoes. Over the dress, she wore a light jacket. Already she felt too warm.
Abby stepped down onto the tarmac and looked around for a few moments. She knew he'd be here. He'd told her he would be.
Suddenly, a long, dark limo slid slowly into view and pulled up right in front of her. The door opened and out stepped the man she had done everything in her power to forget.
The man she had vowed never to see again.
Taliq Al Kharif stretched himself up to his full height and regarded her. In spite of everything she'd told herself, despite every promise she'd made to herself that she would not react, it was impossible not to respond to the sight of such a gloriously, handsome man.
Abby felt her body tense, sensed the echoes of need flicker into life inside her. She pushed those feelings away as hard as she could. But it wasn't easy. Just looking at him had triggered something uncontrollable in her.
Just like before. Just like always.
She briefly ran her gaze up and down his body. She suppressed a smile. Elegant as always, she told herself.
Taliq was dressed in a dark jacket and pants, black leather shoes and a white shirt which was open at the collar. He was smiling right at her, as if they were still the best of friends. As if she'd been gone a few days, instead of a whole year. There was a casual familiarity about that look.
No. More than that, she realized. He was looking at her as if nothing had changed between them. There was that cocky lift of the dark brow; the twist at the corner of the full lips; the piercing gaze that had once turned every moment of her life into an exquisite battle with desire.
"Abby," he said. His voice
was low and deep. Casual and certain.
"Taliq," Abby responded, trying to sound informal and nonchalant.
She took a few steps toward him and then he started toward her. His movements were slow and had a recognizable animal quality that had once completely mesmerized her.
But not now. Every ounce of her strength was focused on retaining an appearance of calm. She did not want him to guess how just looking at him was making her feel.
She realized he had every intention of hugging her. The way he was looking at her, there was real pleasure in his gaze.
Was he really that pleased to see her? Even after all the things she had accused him of? After the pain?
And then he was next to her, extending his arms, and she caught his scent on the breeze. Memories flickered treacherously into life as she leaned in and felt his hands on her arms. His head dipped and they exchanged an air kiss. The sensation of his skin brushing against her cheek was like unwanted, burning heat.
He held onto her arms gently as he looked into her eyes and smiled. "Abby. I'm so pleased to see you."
Abby forced herself to smile up at him. "And you, too, Taliq." She squinted at him. "You haven't changed," she joked.
He tilted his head. "Really?"
Abby shook her head. "Still look like you own the world."
He laughed and peered into her eyes. "And you still look like the most beautiful woman in that world," he retorted.
She felt heat flame on her cheeks, and she suppressed a gasp. "See what I mean?"
He lifted a brow.
"You haven't changed a bit," she continued. "You always did enjoy teasing me like that."
He frowned. "Teasing you was always a great delight," he said. "But,I mean what I say. You're still as beautiful as ever."
She leaned away from him, needing the distance. He kept gentle hold on one of her arms. She waved a dismissive hand. He glanced down at her bag. "Let me take that."
She pulled away from him. "No. It's okay. I can manage."
Abby walked around him and he released her arm. They walked to the limo. He stood to one side and glanced across at the driver who stood holding the door. Abby looked at Taliq and smiled nervously, hesitantly. Then she ducked her head and stepped into the limo.
She sat back on the soft leather seat and watched as Taliq took his place next to her. Then, the door was closed and moments later they were on the move.
For a few long moments there was silence between them. Abby gazed out as the limo made its way out of the airport and onto the highway. In the distance she could see the towering skyscrapers of the city. It looked like a smaller version of New York.
Then he spoke. "How was your flight?"
"Fine. Perfect, in fact."
"Was your every need taken care of?"
She nodded. "Sure. It's not every day I get to fly in a private jet. So, it was kinda fun."
He lifted a brow and nodded. "I'm glad you were comfortable." He looked at her quizzically. "And that you had fun."
That last word had been uttered with a tone of mild amusement. He had seemed surprised by it. Was he trying as hard as her to make this whole encounter seem as everyday as possible?
She knew that her effort to make everything sound casual was probably not convincing. But, she wanted him to know that she was in control of herself. That she knew exactly why she had come back to him. She needed him to understand that she wasn't here because of any lingering desire for him.
She was here to help others.
"How is the rest of your family?" she asked politely.
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "There was a wedding since we last met. I'm sure you heard all about it."
Abby nodded. "I could hardly not notice it," she admitted.
Taliq's brother, Ahmed had married a social media celebrity, Gemma Ellon. It had been everywhere in the news for a brief time. It had been impossible to avoid. Abby had watched the whole thing play out in the media with a curious fascination. More than once she had played with the idea that she could have ended up in the same position as Gemma.
Marrying a sheikh.
But, every time she'd toyed with the idea, she had dismissed the thought. She knew the reasons why that could never have happened. Taliq and Ahmed were very different kinds of men.
"Ahmed and Gemma are very happy together," Taliq said curtly. His abrupt tone told her that there was still a friendly rivalry between the brothers.
"Ahmed didn't strike me as the marrying kind," Abby said.
Taliq shrugged. "I thought so, too. It appears that destiny had other ideas," he said.
Abby squinted at him. "Destiny? Surely you don't mean that."
"The circumstances which brought them together were quite extraordinary," he stated.
"Maybe," she responded. "But, they looked so much in love when I saw them on the TV."
He gazed at her. Briefly, she saw a flash of his old arrogance, as if he hadn't appreciated her disagreement. "Ahmed always was one to allow women to play a big part in his life. Gemma is a wonderful woman, and I love her dearly." He leaned his head toward Abby. "As a sister-in-law," he added with a smile. "But, I can't help feeling that, since marrying, Ahmed has changed a little too much."
Abby gazed at Taliq, surprised at the sudden confession. Why was he telling her this?
"It seems that marriage can do that to a man," he concluded.
Abby bit her tongue, determined not to take the bait. She knew how much Taliq liked to keep women at arms length. How much he valued his independence. How much he wanted to maintain the life he'd enjoyed for so long.
Taliq was the kind of man who drew women to him like a moth to a flame. And she had been burned, just like so many before her.
Taliq was a mass of contradictions. Unbelievably sexy, yet arrogant and distant when he wanted to be. He could be dominant when he wanted to be. Especially in the bedroom. But, that dominance could so quickly turn to coldness.
With Taliq, everything good, everything attractive about him, seemed to be offset by some other quality that only attracted trouble. Only made things more complicated.
Abby had personally experienced his passion and his reluctance. She'd felt the pull of his primal attraction and the push of his determination to retain control of his life while taking the pleasure he so obviously enjoyed.
But, right now, she wasn't going to be drawn into that old conversation again. That wasn't why she had come back. She forced herself to think about why she was here.
"About this trip, Taliq," she started to say, but he cut her off, turning toward her and leaning suddenly closer.
"I have been thinking," he said. "I was surprised by your call. It came right out of the blue." He smiled. "I was delighted to hear from you again," he said.
Did he really mean that? Or was she simply just an old friend who had gotten in touch? She tried to get a sense of how he was feeling about this whole encounter, but the mask he'd placed on himself was almost impenetrable. It was a barrier with which she was all too familiar.
"You sounded so concerned. As if there was something terribly important worrying you," he said.
Abby felt a rush of adrenalin. The moment had come. She would have to tell.
"There is, Taliq," she said, wondering where on earth she could start.
She looked at him and saw what looked like genuine concern in his eyes. Emotion swept through her and she was forced to avert her gaze, turning away from him. She didn't want him to see the truth of her feelings. Didn't want him to witness how messed up her life had become in the year since she'd seen him.
She felt a hand on her arm and she turned to look at him. "I can see that there is something you want to tell me," he said in a low voice.
His touch had triggered another familiar electric sensation. One she hadn't felt in a very long time. She liked how that had felt, the memories of their time together flooding back into her mind.
Abby peered into his eyes, searching for a hint of insincerity. Bu
t, right now, she could see none. There was no callousness in that gaze, she told herself. There was genuine concern there. And that took her by surprise for a moment.
Then, she composed herself, drawing in a deep breath and, sitting up straight, pressed her back against the soft leather seat.
"Tell me what is wrong, Abby," he said softly.
She thought for a moment, wondering where she could start. Then, it seemed like the only way to explain was to come straight out with it.
CHAPTER TWO
"It's about my parents," she said simply.
His brows rose. "Your parents?"
Abby nodded. Obviously that had been the last thing he had expected to hear her say. "They have a problem," she said. She rolled her eyes. "A real problem."
She could see the puzzlement in his gaze now. He was wondering what she was about to reveal.
"Are they well?" he asked.
Abby sighed and shrugged. "Well? Yes, I guess. If you mean, are they physically healthy, then they are." She tilted her head. "At least they both have that small mercy in their life."
"And they have you," he said, taking her completely by surprise with his momentary compassion. She felt her face flush with embarrassment. He knew she was an only child, and that she was the most precious thing in her parents' lives. She'd told him that often enough, and she was almost amazed he'd remembered.
"If it is not health, then what is the problem?" he asked.
She peered at him, taken aback by the sudden sensitivity of his response to her awkwardness, to the difficulty she was having revealing the real reason why she had called him. The real reason why she had asked to come and see him.
Abby seized the moment and peered straight into Taliq's dark eyes. "Money."
The word sounded like a loud snap in the comfortable silence of the limo. There was a long pause. Taliq's eyes narrowed. "Money?"
Abby nodded. "Something terrible has happened. And you are the only person I could think of turning to."
Taliq didn't move a muscle and seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then he looked at her. "Tell me," he said, a sudden seriousness in his voice.