The Sheik's Arrangement

by Elizabeth Lennox

“Yes!” she gasped, then jumped up from the sofa where she’d curled into a corner, rushing out of the room. “Where’s a bathroom?” she demanded of his butler. The man pointed in the direction of a doorway, then man rushed ahead of Zuri and pulled open the door, ushering her into the bathroom while maintaining a perfectly straight face.

  Tarin didn’t let her suffer alone. It took him a brief moment to realize what was going on. But as soon as the door slammed shut behind her, he sprang into action. Walking around the sofa and almost ripping the door off its hinges, he stepped into the bathroom and closed the door quietly behind him. Bending low, he held her hair out of the way and rubbed her back in soothing circles as her stomach emptied itself. Over and over again, Zuri’s stomach rebelled until it was completely empty. Even then, she remained by the toilet, still heaving even though there was nothing left inside her.

  When she sighed and leaned back, he handed her the cool, wet washcloth that his butler provided.

  “You’re sick,” he announced.

  Again, if he wasn’t so worried about her, he might have chuckled at the sarcastic look she gave him. She might not be able to speak with words, but her look said loud and clear, “Really? What gave it away?”

  “You’re not leaving this house until a doctor determines that you’re better,” he announced.

  Zuri’s only response was to close her eyes. Obviously, the misery wasn’t completely over.

  Shifting positions, he lifted her carefully, cradling her in his arms. When she curled into him, her head resting against his shoulder, he felt slightly better. She wasn’t rejecting him. Tarin considered that a positive sign. Prior to her arrival, his butler had prepared a room for her, but Tarin had never anticipated her sleeping in it. Or more specifically, he hadn’t anticipated her sleeping alone. He didn’t care if they’d slept in his bed or hers, as long as he could hold her all night. He’d been anticipating holding her like this ever since he’d offered Jabril his home for this excursion, although he hadn’t told his friend that little tidbit. Hell, if Jabril ever knew that he’d made love to his baby sister…well, Tarin didn’t want to think about his friend’s reaction.

  Suddenly, he wondered how he would feel if it were his sister or…looking down, a tenderness hit him all of a sudden. How would he feel if some man were having an affair with his daughter?

  White hot fury hit him with that idea. No! No man was going to…No! Just no! Oh hell no!

  Then, he realized that he was having another one of those sexist moments. He also knew that he’d never, ever, say those words to Zuri. She’d not only be furious with him, but he could imagine his adorable, beautiful, stubborn, and annoying fiancée encouraging their daughter to go out and take a lover, experiment with different men.

  Of course, he wanted his sons to do that, to enjoy women and sex, and learn how to please their future wives. But his daughters? Hmmm…perhaps the same rules should apply. Perhaps a woman should have the freedom to experiment and learn what she liked and disliked. Tarin looked down at Zuri, she had closed her eyes and was breathing deeply, her lashes fluttering slightly as she tried to control the nausea. His arms tightened slightly around her and he wanted to talk to her about that. He wanted to hear her opinion. Allowing his daughters to experiment sexually went against everything that he believed in, but what would Zuri think? The double standard was…wrong, he understood that. But…well, he’d ask Zuri to help him figure this one out. Once she felt better, that is.

  “Here, this should help,” he offered, lowering her down onto the bed.

  “Don’t go,” she whispered, her eyes still closed but her fingers clutching at his arm. “Please? You’re warm and I’m so cold!”

  “I’m here, honey,” he sat down and lifted her back onto his lap. He stuffed several pillows behind his back as he held her while she curled into him a bit more.

  Rubbing her back, he listened to her breathing, just holding her and enjoying this moment. She’d asked him for help, for comfort. After an afternoon of worrying about her, then his anger that she hadn’t come to him when she needed to sort through something, this moment, this time with her asking for his help was a balm to his temper and his ego.

  Suddenly, the world didn’t seem so horrible. The obstacles to getting her to marry him weren’t so overwhelming.

  “Why did you leave this afternoon?” he asked softly.

  Zuri was listening to his strong heartbeat as she snuggled closer to his warmth. Physically, she felt better. Safer and more…in control. But mentally, she was still confused about why she reacted the way she did to his touch and the way she became almost a different person when he was around.

  “Tarin, you’re a man who is always in control,” she began slowly, searching for the words she needed to explain it to him. “You have power and make decisions.”

  “Yes. I was raised to do this,” he agreed.

  She shifted slightly. “I know. It’s a part of who you are.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  She considered for a moment, then shook her head. “No. It isn’t bad, Tarin. It’s just who you are. Your authority is a part of you, a component of your personality.”

  “So, what is the problem?”

  She smiled, impressed that he understood that there actually was a problem. Her brother was so arrogant and commanding, he ignored issues that he didn’t think were relevant. His commanding presence had been something she’d fought against during their growing years. She still fought it, even now.

  “I left this afternoon to figure out why I react to you like I do.”

  His arms tightened slightly and she smiled.

  “You don’t like the way you react to me?”

  “No.” She smiled again when she felt him shift. If she were to look up, she suspected she would see irritation. “It confuses me when I lose control like that.” She tensed, thinking about the next question she wanted to ask him. But…could she? Should she?

  “I like the way you react when I touch you, Zuri,” he said, answering her unspoken question.

  “But why do I react that way?” she asked, sighing with frustration.

  A knock on the door made her jump and she felt Tarin’s arms tighten protectively around her.

  “Come in!” he called, his voice booming through the dimly lit room.

  The butler stepped through the door, closing it behind him. “I apologize for interrupting, Your Highness,” he began with a bow. “But I took the liberty of summoning a doctor, just in case you wanted Princess Zuri to be examined.”

  Zuri stiffened in his arms, angry with the butler for asking Tarin if it was okay for her to be examined.

  “I believe Princess Zuri can make the decision to be examined or not on her own,” she replied, sitting up and sliding off his lap. “And Princess Zuri does not want to be examined. I know exactly what’s wrong.”

  With that, she turned to Tarin and tilted her head slightly. “Thank you for your help and I apologize for creating chaos this afternoon. I know that I’ve taken up a great deal of your time so I’ll leave you to your meetings,” she replied formally.

  Tarin sighed, nodding to his butler. “Thank you for thinking of the doctor, but…”

  With a growl, she stepped out of his bedroom, heading for Ilara’s bedroom, wanting to check on her.

  And to get away from Tarin. She’d let her guard down, needing to know if he felt anything for her. But she’d forgotten that his arrogance probably didn’t allow room for the more tender feelings.

  Why did she keep trying to have a profound relationship with the man? Why couldn’t she simply accept that this was it? This was as good as it was going to get!

  Zuri stalked into the empty bedroom, relieved to find her clothes in the closet. She didn’t want to be here, actually. She knew that Ilara needed her, but oh, it would be wonderful to just get back on a plane and leave all of this confusion and stress behind!

  Although, the confusion and stress was going to follow her no matter where
she went. Ever since she’d turned twenty-five, the pressure to set a wedding date with Tarin had increased. Jabril never said a word, but he manipulated events so that she and Tarin were thrown together.

  Why was she even waiting? Why not just get it over with? Just set the date, get married, and figure out all the rest later!

  Because she wanted Tarin to love her first. Even a little bit, she thought.

  He wanted her. Why not accept that wanting and caring was enough?

  “I want the dream,” she whispered.

  “What dream?”

  Zuri spun around, smiling as Ilara stepped through the doorway.

  “You look much better. I guess the nap helped?” she asked.

  “I feel much better. Thank you. And thank you again for your help deciding on outfits. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “I don’t believe that for a moment,” Zuri countered with a smile. “I think you would have been fine, Ilara. You’re a smart woman and know what you need. I just gave you permission and reasons why you needed to get the new wardrobe,” she said, walking over to hug her friend.

  “So what’s this I hear about you getting sick earlier today? Are you feeling better?”

  Zuri shook her head. “I’m fine. I just…well, I ate too much earlier and my stomach rebelled.”

  “I haven’t seen you eat anything all day.”

  A blush stole up Zuri’s cheeks, because she really didn’t want to admit that she’d snuck out. “After you fell asleep, I grabbed something to eat,” she admitted, which was the truth.

  “Well, are you feeling better? You look good.”

  “I’m fine,” she assured Ilara. “But we need to plan for tomorrow.”

  “More shopping?” she asked, her expression wary and not excited.

  “Yes. More shopping. You need shoes and accessories. I promise, tomorrow will be easier than today.”

  “How could it be easier? Jabril arranged for everyone to come to me. I’m guessing tomorrow won’t be the same.”

  “No, but there are fewer stores. And I’m not the kind of person who thinks one should have numerous shoes for every outfit. We can get by with just some basics. At least for now. Once you and Jabril have time to entertain more lavishly, then you’ll need to look the part and shoes are essential.”

  “Ugh! Shoes! Parties! Life was so much simpler when I didn’t know what a monster my uncle was. But I suppose this is what it takes. So, I’m going to look the part and get my country back to a healthy economy!”

  Chapter 9

  Zuri was exhausted! Even more exhausted than she’d thought possible a few days ago. Normally, she wasn’t a heavy shopper so, after falling asleep the first night earlier than normal, she attributed her exhaustion to pushing herself too hard.

  And when she woke up the following morning, rushing to the bathroom to throw up again, she just assumed that the potato chip binge from the previous afternoon had been worse than she’d originally thought.

  But after a day of eating healthy foods, she still fell asleep earlier than normal, too exhausted to even continue a conversation with Tarin. After rushing to the bathroom again the next morning, Zuri knew that something was seriously wrong.

  Pacing her bedroom back and forth, she tried to come up with alternative reasons for being exhausted and throwing up every morning. Unfortunately, even as she added in different symptoms, such as tender breasts and not liking the scent of certain foods, her Internet search results kept bringing up the same results.

  Either she was breastfeeding or she was…

  Pregnant!

  Rubbing her hands over her features, she tried to come up with a third option. She just couldn’t be pregnant!

  “What’s wrong?”

  Zuri swung around, finding Tarin standing in the doorway.

  Automatically, she pulled her shoulders back and forced her lips into a semblance of a smile. “Nothing! Why do you think something is wrong?” she asked nervously.

  “Because you’ve been pacing for the past several minutes and didn’t notice I was even in the room.”

  Oh good grief! He was right! “Why are you sneaking up on me?”

  “I knocked,” he replied, his dark eyebrows lifting at her attack.

  With a sigh, her shoulders drooped in defeat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

  “I know. You didn’t hear me knock, you almost fell asleep into your soup last night, and your maid mentioned that you declined coffee this morning.” Walking closer to her, he took her hand in his. “You’re pushing yourself too hard, Zuri. Are you worried about something?”

  Zuri stared up at his rough features, wishing that she could tell him that everything was fine. But her world wasn’t fine. She was pregnant!

  She was pregnant and knew exactly what she had to do.

  “Let’s set a date for our wedding,” she suggested, and braced herself for the surge of anger that statement would create inside of her. But instead of anger, she felt….excitement? No! Impossible!

  Biting her lip, she forced herself to look up at him, wondering what he might think. Would he gloat? Would he say something annoying that would irritate her? But he didn’t look triumphant, which would have really irritated her. Instead, he looked as if he wanted to question her.

  Sometimes, Zuri hated it when she was right.

  His serious features worried her as he asked, “Why?”

  Zuri pulled her hands out of his, remembering that there was a bed right behind her. A very convenient bed. Or inconvenient, she thought. Not sure which it was, she took a breath and looked up at him.

  “It’s time,” she said honestly.

  “What makes now different from two days ago?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Zuri had to concentrate on looking into his eyes instead of admiring his muscular arms.

  Besides, that was a darn good question! With a sigh, she shrugged slightly and moved away from the incredibly tempting bed. “I’ve been stubborn. Our engagement was announced in both of our countries several years ago. I know that Jabril is eager to have me out of his hair and my future settled,” she admitted. Both of those points were true, but not the reason she’d changed her mind.

  He watched her steadily. “There’s more. What aren’t you telling me?” he asked.

  She shrugged again, trying to maintain a bland expression. “Why does there have to be more?”

  He moved closer to her. “There doesn’t have to be more,” he replied softly, his callused thumb rubbing over the back of her hand. “But there is. I can see that you’re hiding something from me.” He took her other hands in his, holding both of them gently. “I’d like for us to be able to trust each other. Would you please tell me what’s going on?”

  She blinked back sudden tears, wishing that he wasn’t so perceptive. “Let’s just….set a date and get married. It can be a quiet wedding. Just family, and us, right?”

  “No. It will be a celebration for both of our countries, Zuri.”

  “Yes but…” she bit her lip and his stomach tightened. “Could we just announce that we quietly got married and then have a series of celebrations?”

  His face turned grim. He watched her for a moment, then shook his head. “We’ll marry in six months’ time,” he announced, stepping around her and starting for the door.

  Zuri could see that he was upset, but she didn’t understand why. He’d been demanding that they set a wedding date for months, and she’d finally given in. What’s the problem? Why couldn’t he do just one predictable thing?!

  Closing her eyes, she tried for patience. But panic over her looming pregnancy swamped her and she just…she couldn’t find any!

  “No. We need to marry sooner than six months.”

  The firmness of her voice or perhaps her words, stopped him with his hand on the knob. Zuri prayed that she looked stronger and more confident than she felt. Saying the words out loud was going to be terrifying!

  “Why?”

  Okay, that q
uestion had been predictable.

  Taking a deep breath, she clasped her hands in front of her, bracing for his anger. “Because I think I’m pregnant.”

  Tarin stared at her, her words echoing through his mind, but not quite registering.

  Pregnant?

  For the first time in his life, his mind blanked.

  “You’re pregnant?” he asked, needing to hear her say it again.

  She nodded, her full, soft lips were pressed together. “I think so,” she whispered.

  That was a bit less confident. Moving back to her, he tried to harness his excitement. “You’re not sure?”

  He wanted to take her into his arms and make love to her, to kiss her and promise that everything was going to be okay.

  Dropping to a knee, he cupped her hips as he gazed at her still-flat stomach. Reverently, he caressed her tummy, stunned by the possibility. “You might be pregnant,” he repeated, trying to let the words sink in. “Pregnant!”

  He felt her fingers on his shoulders, but she wasn’t really holding him. Her touch was more for balance, he suspected.

  “I don’t know. I just…”

  “Why do you think you are pregnant?’ he demanded, pulling his eyes away from her stomach to look up into those pretty eyes.

  “I’ve woken up the past few mornings and…well, rushed to the bathroom,” she finished delicately.

  He tilted his head to one side, his thumb stroking the material covering her stomach. “That’s it? That’s the only reason?”

  Zuri blushed, looking away to hide her face. “There are other symptoms. And yes, they could…”

  “What other symptoms?” he demanded at once.

  When she hesitated again, Tarin knew that she was embarrassed. Standing up, he took her hands in his. “When was your last period, love?” he asked gently, leading her over to a club chair set up by the windows.

  He was just about to pull her down onto her lap when he felt her body stiffen. Looking at her, he realized that she wasn’t aware of anything else. “Zuri? When was your last period?”

  She gasped, her hand slapping against her forehead. “Tarin! It’s been…” she stopped, shaking her head. “I can’t remember!”