To Kiss a Sheik

by Teresa Southwick

  But since the night they’d disagreed, whenever he arrived home she would disappear into her room unless he or the twins required something from her. He suspected she was avoiding him. He would put a stop to it.

  “Perhaps,” he said to himself as he walked down the hall to his suite, “a ride on horseback would be just the thing.”

  The desert in general and the royal encampment in particular had fond memories for him since the night he’d kissed her there. Thoughts of a spirited ride with her by his side caused the blood to race through his veins. He would very much like to kiss her again and to hell with decorum, blending in and most especially, palace accord.

  He opened the door to his suite and briskly walked into the living room. There he found Johara on the sofa with a damp cloth on her forehead and propped up by a pile of pillows. Her pallor alarmed him.

  Quickly he went to her and sat on the coffee table beside her. “Are you ill, little one? Do you need a doctor?”

  She opened her eyes. “I’ve seen the physician, thanks to Aunt Farrah. I’m certain it is just fatigue.”

  “Then you should rest.” He took her hand in his, noting the iciness of her fingers. “What are you doing here?”

  “Watching the twins. But they are with Aunt Farrah at the moment.”

  “Where is Crystal?”

  “It is her afternoon off. I believe she said she was going into the city. To see the bazaar and to take care of a family matter.”

  “What family matter?”

  Johara shrugged. “She didn’t say.”

  His disappointment at finding Crystal absent was considerable as his anticipation of seeing her had been very great, indeed. But he knew the city well. Why couldn’t he go to her? He was Prince Fariq Hassan. He could find anyone he wanted, especially his children’s nanny.

  He leaned over and kissed his sister’s forehead. “Rest. I am going to the city.”

  A brief grin brightened the girl’s pale face. “If I were you, I would look for her first in the city’s financial institutions. She mentioned going to the bank. And Fariq? Tell Crystal I said hello.”

  “I will.” He smiled back, deciding against a retort. What could he say? He was going to find her.

  Pride had made him harsh with her. When he’d cooled off, he’d realized she’d only been trying to help. But he’d lashed out because the debacle with his wife made him feel as if he looked the fool in Crystal’s eyes. The absence of her good will had sorely tweaked him, and he realized he cared for this woman. He wasn’t willing to think about anything beyond that. At this moment he only knew it was imperative that he spend time with her.

  A lot of time.

  With the information Johara had provided and the help of his security staff, Fariq found Crystal at the bank. He waited outside for her to emerge. The spring air was pleasant, not yet containing the heat of the summer to come. In the bright sunlight, he gazed at the pure white and light pink multi-storied buildings in the financial district of the bustling city. Kamal’s plan to revitalize the capital was bearing fruit as numerous foreign investors and financial institutions located their company headquarters here.

  Pride in the royal family’s accomplishments filled him as he casually leaned against his Mercedes. When he spied her exiting the bank through the revolving door, he straightened. She wore a long navy skirt and matching jacket, with a scarf over her hair. Sunglasses covered her eyes. He waited for her to recognize him. When she didn’t right away, he took pleasure in watching her look around, a smile curving her full mouth as she glanced at the tall buildings, the ongoing construction of new ones, numerous pedestrians and the abundance of traffic.

  When she started to walk away, he called out, “Crystal.”

  She turned, her lips parted in surprise. “Fariq. What are you doing here? The children—Are they all right?”

  “They’re fine.” He crossed the sidewalk and looked down at her. “Johara said I might find you here. If there is something you need assistance with I would be most pleased to help.”

  She shook her head. “I was just wiring some money home to my mother. It’s taken care of,” she said quickly. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

  When she would have walked past him, he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “I thought you might enjoy some company on your afternoon off.”

  Her normally ready smile was conspicuously absent. “I don’t want to keep you from more important matters.”

  Her tone would freeze water in the desert at the height of summer. Although the words would never pass his lips, he probably deserved it. He was too cynical. The children had trusted her right away and never wavered in their devotion. He’d been through enough nannies and should have known his Hana and Nuri recognized phoniness instantly. It was difficult to fool them because they were not distracted by looks or appearances. Now Fariq knew he must work diligently to regain Crystal’s former good will. Again he wished for just a small portion of Rafiq’s charm to accomplish this goal.

  “You are not keeping me from anything. I have taken the afternoon off.” He took her elbow. “Come. The bazaar is this way, just around the corner. I will show you.”

  She slipped from his grasp and took a step away. “I wasn’t planning to spend time in the city. I need to get back to the children. Johara wasn’t feeling well.”

  “Hana and Nuri are with Aunt Farrah. It is my wish that you take some time for yourself away from the palace.”

  “Because you’re concerned that I might fill their heads with romantic notions and fairy tales?”

  He stopped walking and sighed as he looked down at her. “You are angry. About the other night—”

  “I’m not angry. Just trying to follow the rules and not overstep my boundaries. My opinion obviously doesn’t count, even though I’m a highly qualified child-care professional. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just blend into the woodwork and avoid causing a disruption here in the city.”

  “Crystal, I wish to restore the easy good-fellowship we shared prior to our discussion a week ago.”

  “Why? My job is to keep the children safe and happy. I know your philosophy dictates that keeping employees happy is good for palace peace. And it would make me deliriously happy to go back to the children. So if you’ll step out of my way, we’ll consider our good-fellowship restored.” She folded her arms over her chest and waited.

  “It doesn’t feel as if we are back to the way we were. I regret anything I might have said to cause you distress.”

  “Are you apologizing?” The corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

  “That would imply that I was wrong, which we both know is impossible.” He smiled at her and had the satisfaction of seeing her mouth twitch. He hoped she would be unable remain piqued very much longer.

  “If I were bold enough to risk my employment,” she said carefully, “my response to that would be that you are impossible. But I value my job. Therefore, I will only say what my mother would say. ‘If the shoe fits—”’

  “‘Wear it.’ Yes. One of your mother’s many wisdoms. Just last night the children were bickering and Nuri called his sister stupid. She reminded him that your mother always says, ‘If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”’

  “Or the ever-popular ‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”’

  “Just so.” He smiled. “They are quite intrigued by your mother and her numerous sayings.”

  “She’s quite an intriguing woman,” Crystal agreed. “I miss her. If only I had half her strength.”

  His heart caught on the words. Was Crystal homesick? Would she leave before her contract was fulfilled? The idea was like a blow to the chest.

  “Do you communicate with her?”

  She nodded. “Through e-mail. Sometimes I phone. But it’s expensive. I only call when I have to hear the sound of her voice.”

  “If you wish, you may phone her anytime from the palace. Do not fear the cost. As you said
, I can afford it.”

  “Reach out and touch someone?” she teased. “Thank you. That would mean a lot to me. And I might just take you up on it. That would make the time go faster until I see her again. Just so you know, I recognize the peace offering and appreciate it very much.”

  “You are welcome.”

  He was relieved to coax a playful smile from her again. But talk of her mother distressed him, reminding him yet again that the time would come when she would return home to the United States. He found he didn’t want her to leave. Not the children…and not him. Eventually Nuri would go to boarding school for his education, but Hana would finish school here. And Crystal was a good influence. The question was, how would he ensure that she stayed? Perhaps she would consider renewing her employment contract. Or—

  Marriage was a permanent contract. It would also prevent awkward situations with other women that could sometimes plague him. The children adored Crystal. He admired and revered her. She wasn’t shy about telling him what he needed to hear. And she seemed happy and content in his country. If he proposed, for purely practical reasons of course, what would be the harm? She’d said he wasn’t her type, but changing her mind about that shouldn’t be too difficult. And their union would prevent the necessity of finding another nanny to replace her.

  It was a good strategy. The idea brought him more contentment than he’d experienced for a long time—if ever. It was definitely a good plan.

  Crystal couldn’t remember when she’d had a lovelier day. No matter what Fariq said, she knew he’d apologized. He hadn’t admitted he was wrong, but he was sorry about the things he’d said. His sincerity was priceless to her. And the rest of the day took off from there.

  He’d shown her the marketplace, pointing out scarves, leather goods and handmade jewelry. From one of the vendors, he purchased a sterling silver pinkie ring for her when she’d admired it. Then he’d taken her to an exclusive, elegant restaurant in the heart of the city for a lovely dinner. With candlelight.

  Afterwards the driver of his Mercedes had returned them both to the palace. It wasn’t a coach made from a pumpkin, but it worked for her in a big way. She would have to remember to tell her mother about how exciting it had been to ride through the capital city in such luxury. Now they were standing in the hall outside his suite. It was time to go inside—to their separate corners. They shared the same four walls, but might as well have been on opposite sides of the world because they were worlds apart.

  “Thank you for a wonderful day,” she said.

  “It was for me, also. It is good to see familiar sights with fresh eyes.”

  “It’s a beautiful city.”

  “I am most proud of what we’ve accomplished through an intensive revitalization effort.”

  This felt way too much like the end of a date. Thanking your escort at the door. Wondering whether or not he would kiss you good-night. In this case hoping he would and knowing it was forbidden. Quick, clean break, she thought.

  When she started to open the door to his suite, he put his hand over hers to stop her. When she looked up at him, he rested his forearm on the wall beside her, leaning in close. Her heart hammered like a carpenter with a rush cabinet order.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “Quite the opposite. I just wished to say that I cannot recall a more pleasant afternoon.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  One corner of his mouth tipped up. “So, there are some things about which we agree.”

  “And many about which we do not,” she reminded him.

  He lifted one broad shoulder in a dismissive shrug. “Much good comes from discussion.”

  “I can’t argue with that. Now we should relieve Johara.”

  The slight negative shake of his head and the expression in his eyes sent sparks of awareness into a wicked bump and grind down her spine. The only thing that made her turn away from him was the thought that they were standing in the hall and someone could see. Just as she put her hand on the knob again, she felt him release the clip holding her hair. The strands fell around her face and down her back. Before she could react, she felt his hand caress the back of her neck as he caught her hair and rubbed the strands between his fingers. Words of protest lodged in her throat, but when she turned, the smoldering intensity in his eyes made her mute.

  “Your hair is so lovely. Why do you prefer such a severe style?” he asked. His voice was deep, rough like gravel and smooth as brandy at the same time.

  “It’s easy and convenient. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go in and—”

  “One moment.” He lifted her glasses from her face and tucked them into the breast pocket of his jacket.

  She shook her head. “No, Fariq. Please don’t. I can’t do this. I can’t lose this—”

  “I can and I will,” he said, then lowered his head.

  All her protests dried up and washed away in a rush of passion so powerful it stole the air from her lungs. Crystal’s eyes drifted closed as he touched his lips to hers. She’d wanted so much to know again the perfect pleasure of his kiss. But she’d never expected it to happen. He tunneled his fingers into her hair as she rested her hands against his chest.

  With exquisite tenderness, he moved his mouth over hers. The touch was soft, gentle, but with the promise to take her to the stars and back. Where their bodies touched, sparks sizzled and arced and spread warmth over her shoulders, into her breasts then lower, between her thighs. A knot of tension coiled low in her belly, and she nestled closer to him, trying to ease the ache. Her breathing escalated, yet she couldn’t seem to drag enough air into her lungs.

  She slid her hands up and linked her wrists behind his neck as his arms tightened around her, drawing her closer, holding her to him. She could stay here forever. She never wanted to leave the security of his embrace, the tenderness of his touch, the pleasure and passion of his lips on hers.

  He lifted his head and cupped her cheek in his palm. “Crystal, what you do to me. I have never felt such feelings. I wish to—”

  Suddenly the door opened. “Papa, Crystal. I thought I heard you.”

  Nuri stood in the doorway. Crystal nearly jumped out of Fariq’s arms and drew in a deep breath. Blinking away the haze of passion, she said, “Hi.”

  “Finally you are home.”

  “What is it?” she asked, walking into the suite. Everything was slightly out of focus because she needed her glasses. For her disguise and her vision.

  “Aunt Johara just got sick. She’s in the bathroom. She told me to get Aunt Farrah.”

  She looked at Fariq. “I’ll go to her.”

  He nodded. “Yes. I will stay with the children.”

  Crystal hurried down the hall to the powder room where she stopped and knocked. “Johara? Are you all right? Let me in?”

  She pressed her ear to the door and heard sniffling. Then there was the sound of running water. Knocking louder, she said, “Johara?”

  “One moment.” Her voice was weak.

  “What’s wrong? Please let me in.”

  Several moments later the door opened. Fariq’s sister stood there looking pale. “I am fine. I feel much better now.”

  “The children said you were suddenly taken ill.”

  The teenager pressed a hand to her forehead. “I…I think it was something I ate that didn’t agree with me.”

  “Do you want me to call the palace physician?” She started to turn away. “I’ll just go—”

  “No.” Johara seized her arm. “It’s unnecessary. I saw the physician earlier.”

  Crystal tried not to jump to conclusions, but she had a bad feeling about this. The teen had admitted to being alone with a man. If anyone knew how easy it was to be swept off one’s feet, it was Crystal. Hadn’t she just allowed Fariq to take off her glasses, then kiss her in the hall? What if they’d been seen? What if he saw through her? She could lose her job. She knew better. And she had several years of maturity on Fariq’s sis
ter.

  Crystal put her arm around the girl’s waist. “Let me help you into the living room.”

  Johara shook her head. “I am fine now. Since you have returned, I will go to my room and lie down.”

  “Okay.”

  But for good measure, Crystal maintained her hold as she accompanied her to the door. She could hear Fariq talking to the children in the other room.

  Johara opened the door and smiled wanly as she walked through. “Oh, I almost forgot. The children were curious about your mother. You must have told them about your photograph album, because they brought it out of your room and were looking through it. We should have asked permission, but we have heard so much about your family and wished to see the pictures. I hope it wasn’t a problem.”

  Me, too, Crystal thought. Now she felt like throwing up. “I’ll go put it away.” Hopefully before Fariq noticed it. “Feel better,” she said to the girl.

  After Johara left, Crystal turned on her heel and hurried to retrieve the scrapbook and photo album. It had never occurred to her it would be dangerous to have the thing. The pictures of her mother, brothers and their families had brought her a lot of comfort during her first days in the country when she’d been so terribly homesick.

  Rounding the corner into the living room, she saw Fariq. He was alone and she absently wondered where the children were. Their father was standing by the coffee table looking down at her scrapbook which he held in his hands. She wanted to snatch it away before he saw the truth. But the angry frown on his face told her it was too late.

  “Fariq, I—” She glanced around. “Where are the children?”

  “I sent them to their rooms. They looked through your things without permission, and they are to think about what they have done wrong.” The frown deepened. “Although justice does not seem to be served, since without their transgression I would never have known the truth about you.”