The Sheikh’s Royal Seduction: Desert Sheikhs Book One

by North, Leslie

  Zatar got lost in her gaze, finding heaviness there, as well as questions he wasn’t sure he was ready to answer. Before either of them could speak, his phone rang. He swam quickly to answer it, fishing it out of the pocket of his linen pants without fully leaving the water.

  He glanced at the screen before answering. “Speak, Timak.”

  On the other end of the line, Timak’s voice held thinly veiled anxiety. “Sir, it’s Sala. She’s bleeding. The two of you must return immediately.”

  12

  The ride back to the palace was tense. Zatar kept shaking his head and pinching at the bridge of his nose. Whenever Alex reached out to grab his hand, he looked grateful. But nothing could pierce the tightly drawn worry that clung to both of them.

  Zatar drove the SUV right up to the zoo. They clambered out of the vehicle and ran for Sala’s enclosure. Timak met them halfway.

  “What’s the update?” Zatar demanded.

  “The bleeding has stopped,” Timak said, addressing Alex. “But she bled a lot. I have no idea why. I took the liberty of retrieving your kit.”

  Alex grabbed her kit from the enclosure gate and hurried inside, Zatar right behind her. Zatar spoke to the lioness in soft tones as they approached, then stroking her forehead while Alex worked. After checking vitals and massaging Sala’s pregnant belly, Alex shook her head.

  “I wish I had an ultrasound machine.” She sighed. “I need to see what’s going on in there.”

  “I’ll get one.” Zatar was on his feet before she could even respond. “I’ll have it brought now.” And then he was on the phone, speaking to someone in Arabic. She blinked dumbly. When he hung up, he nodded her way.

  “It will arrive within the hour.”

  Her mouth fell open. “How are you able to just do that?” No matter how often she worked with the rich and powerful, it never ceased to amaze her how much was available to them at a moment’s notice.

  “I’m extremely wealthy. Nothing is off limits.” He shrugged.

  “Man. I wish I had that kind of access.” Her gaze drifted back to Sala. “I can’t imagine how many more animals I could help.’

  Zatar studied her with a curious light in his eyes. “Help in what ways?”

  She nibbled on her lips. It wasn’t often she shared this crazy idea. Even though she made a killing at what she did, it might never be enough to see this dream launch. “I would love to open a worldwide rescue organization. Someplace to receive injured, abused, or otherwise hurt animals…rehabilitate them…and then release them, if possible, or if not, send them to forever homes or certain zoos where I knew they would be treated kindly and with dignity.” She paused, swallowing. “I’ve had this dream since I was a little girl.”

  He nodded, his gaze flitting down to Sala. “Excellent. How can I help?”

  She blinked up at him, unsure whether she should believe him. A day of great sex, including a few hours in an oasis, did not make him a business partner for life. Nor did it mean he was even seriously offering his help. It could just be the sex haze talking.

  “Are you serious?”

  He nodded. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  She hesitated. “This is a really big plan. I’ve been saving money for years, but I don’t even come close to having enough. I’m not telling you this because I’m after your money—I just want you to know.”

  “And I’m aware. I would never think you’re after my money. You’re after the rescue of animals.” His boyish grin nearly toppled her. “But if I am to assist with this organization, I need to learn more about how it would be run. What to expect in animal care. What your business plan might look like.”

  She nodded, the gears already turning. “There’s a rescue center in Lebanon that I’ve always admired. It’s one of my favorites. Maybe I can take you there someday and show you around—”

  “We’ll go today. After you complete the ultrasound.”

  Her eyes widened. She looked around as if he’d suggested they hop on a rocket to Mars. “Go to Lebanon? Just like that?”

  He extended his hand further. “Certainly. It’s a one-hour flight in the helicopter. Maybe more, depending on where this center is. We can go and return by dinner. Provided you call them to alert them that we’ll be on our way. Once we determine Sala is stable, of course.”

  She stared at him for a moment, shakily climbing to her feet. She swallowed hard. This was the part she might never get used to with royals. In her world, it took days to plan a trip. Hell, just driving to the nearest airport and making it through security took longer than what he was proposing now. Lebanon and back, just like that? It gave her the best kind of whiplash. “Okay. As soon as I finish the ultrasound.”

  * * *

  Within a half hour, the ultrasound arrived, and it wasn’t long before Alex had determined the cubs were fine. The relief alone allowed him to fully enjoy the day ahead of them. Zatar had secured the secondary palace helicopter—a smaller one for short-range trips only—for the quick trip to Lebanon. He made sure a car would be waiting for them when they landed as well. Once Alex had confirmed their plans to visit with the rescue center director, the two of them boarded the helicopter and strapped themselves in.

  Alex was pure grins on the flight over. He liked that he was partly responsible for that. He spent most of the ride admiring her, enjoying the wisps of blonde hair that blew across her forehead, the way her entire face lit up as she pointed out the strangely shaped clouds in the distance.

  The helicopter landed on the nearest helipad to the rescue center, just a mile away, and Alex looked impressed when the black sedan pulled up.

  “Your royal strings have no limits,” she said, squeezing his hand.

  He gave her a playful push at the hips toward the car, grabbing a secretive handful of her ass as they climbed into the backseat of the car. The drive to the rescue organization was quick in the midday traffic of the outskirts of Beirut. When they arrived at the rescue center, a squat, round, white building greeted them, the name of the organization emblazoned over the main doors.

  As soon as they stepped inside, a lion growled from somewhere. “Yes, we must be in a rescue organization,” Zatar murmured.

  “My paradise.” She smiled so wide her lips nearly reached ear to ear. He snagged a quick kiss as they headed for the front desk. In Arabic, Zatar told the receptionist who they were and why they were there. She nodded and called immediately for the director.

  As they waited, Zatar leaned against the desk, checking out the foyer. “Do you like the design of this building?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Why? You want to build me my center too?”

  Zatar shrugged, fighting to keep his face neutral. She didn’t understand the money at his disposal, but even more than that, she didn’t realize how serious he was about wanting to help her.

  It wasn’t because she could make him come faster than if he’d abstained for a century. It had everything to do with their shared passion—rescuing animals—and the true spark of benevolence that he saw in her. It reminded him of his mother. He reached for her hand, eager to feel the warmth of her. Even in her presence, he could miss her. He wasn’t sure how he was going to adapt to life without her near. The rescue center project would bring them together, but he already knew he wanted more than that.

  “Hello.” A soothing voice made him look up. The director approached, a warm smile under thick, dark brows and black hair pulled back into a long ponytail. “So glad you both could make it.”

  Zatar listened carefully as Alex explained their mission for the day and her eventual goal. The director led them on a thorough tour, during which Zatar absorbed as much as he could. She spoke on types of enclosures, material sourcing, the best plans for hiring zookeepers, the country’s legal requirements, and what sort of external organizations they worked with to locate the injured animals.

  The tour lasted over an hour, and by the time they were done, Zatar had only one comment.

  “I’d lik
e for my zookeeper to visit,” he said, offering his hand to the director. “If it’s okay with you, I feel it would be helpful for him to see your center.”

  As Alex and Zatar thanked the director and headed back for the helipad, Alex nudged him playfully. “So. Still want to fund my dreams?”

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “More than ever. And that lady made me realize I need to expand my own zoo, too.”

  “Is that why you want Timak to come?”

  “Yes. I’ll be sending him as soon as Sala is better.”

  The return helicopter ride felt light and somehow existed outside of time. It was the first moment in recent history Zatar felt completely at ease. Even with the uncertainty of Sala’s wellbeing and the ruckus to resolve with his father…it somehow didn’t matter when Alex sent him a secret smile or nuzzled up to him during turbulence.

  Alex reminded him that he had his own mission to fulfill. The mission his mother had given him. And it was time to take action.

  Back at the palace, Zatar led the way back to their rooms. When it came time for her to turn toward her own room, Zatar caught her elbow.

  “Stay with me tonight.” His own words surprised him. He’d never craved a woman so intensely before. He’d never been able to spend so much time with another human being before either. His heart raced as he awaited her response.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I’ll call for dinner. We can eat on the balcony, take a bath, and then get the rest we both deserve.”

  Her pretty pink lips curved into a smile that made his heart ache. “That officially makes today the best day ever.”

  13

  Alex opened one eye. Zatar’s dark bedroom. Middle of the night. The weak light of the moon reached the sheets, highlighting Zatar’s hairy leg draped over her hip.

  Why had she woken up?

  Her eyes drifted shut, giving in to the delicious burn of tiredness.

  Thud thud thud.

  Her eyes snapped open again. That was it. She turned onto her side, shaking Zatar. “Do you hear that? Wake up!”

  Zatar stirred, mumbling incoherently. The thumping sounded again, and then he bolted upright, headed for the door.

  She squinted through the darkness as he tugged open his bedroom door.

  “Sir, you must come quickly.” It was Timak. “Sala is in labor, but something is wrong. I just went to Alex’s room, but she did not answer.”

  Alex stumbled out of bed, groping for a robe to cover her naked body. “I’m here. I’m here.” She struggled to find the arm holes in the low lighting.

  “We’ll be there immediately,” Zatar said and then closed the door. The next moment the lights snapped on. Alex groaned, pinching her eyes shut.

  Zatar muttered to himself in Arabic as he dressed. Alex managed to get shorts and a shirt on, but halfway to the zoo she realized she forgot all her underwear. It didn’t matter. Sala mattered. They raced to her enclosure. Timak was already inside.

  And at his feet was a lion cub.

  Zatar gasped, stopping in his tracks. Alex raced ahead, all her senses going into high alert. She took stock of the situation, what needed to be done and what she should leave to nature. She knelt in front of Sala, her hands shaking as she lowered her kit.

  It didn’t matter how many deliveries she performed, she always prayed for a good outcome. She sent a quick plea to the heavens before pulling on a pair of gloves. She checked the lion cub: breathing.

  The lion cub was tiny but not premature. Sala huffed and groaned on her side. Zatar said she’d been an orphan, born and raised in captivity. Would she know what to do with her little ones? Another baby was on the way, but who knew when? Time between cubs could be an hour or more.

  Zatar stood behind her. His anxiety radiated off him. “Is she okay?”

  “She should be fine.” She tried to make her voice steadier than she felt. One never knew with animals. Though captive lionesses had a lower mortality rate for their cubs, it didn’t mean anything was guaranteed. “We just need to be here and keep an eye on things.”

  Alex placed the gray wooly cub near Sala’s head so she could clean it and bond. She held her breath as Sala sniffed the tiny creature, then let it out when mama began licking her firstborn. Zatar’s mouth parted as he watched the sweet maternal scene.

  “This is incredible,” he whispered.

  She nudged him with her elbow. “Well there’s two more on the way. All we have to do is wait.”

  Time dragged as they awaited the next arrival, keeping their distance, since lionesses preferred privacy when giving birth. Zatar snapped as many pictures as a new father would, and she hid her laughter behind her palm as he took photos from all possible angles, even climbing on a stool at one point for the optimal shot. So much for privacy.

  About an hour after the first cub, Sala started huffing again. A low growl emerged.

  “Alex,” Zatar began, “Is that—?”

  She didn’t answer him as the next cub slid out, fluid pooling at Sala’s side. Alex crept forward and checked it for a heartbeat. The cub wasn’t breathing. She fumbled to grab the suction device in her toolkit. With the cub draped over one arm, she cleared the nasal passageways. A moment later, there was a tiny mewling.

  “Thank God.” She introduced the new cub to Sala, who got to work cleaning the second addition.

  Alex took Sala’s vitals, measuring her blood pressure through her tail. Her heartbeat was weak, and her blood pressure was dropping. Panic sliced through her, made her stomach slam down to her toes. Fuck fuck fuck. There was one more in there. Sala gave a pitiful growl. The lion cub mortality rate was thirty percent. Two healthy cubs meant this last one might be the one causing distress.

  Alex took a deep breath and took the vitals one more time. It was out of her hands at this point. All they could do was let Sala deliver and see what happened.

  Zatar must have caught on to her trepidation because he came up to her side, nudging her. “What’s going on?”

  “Just checking things out.” She didn’t want to worry him. Not when he was so anxious and curious.

  “The third one will be fine, right?”

  Alex stifled a sigh. They’d known each other so little time, yet he was already reading her mind? “I can never say yes or no to a question like that, unfortunately. We have to let Sala do her thing.”

  Zatar paced the far edge of the enclosure for a while, stopping occasionally to watch the cubs. After what felt like an interminable wait, the last cub was ready to arrive. Sala’s low keening punctuated the air just as the first creeping rays of dawn broke on the horizon.

  “Here it comes,” Alex whispered, watching as Sala expelled the last cub with a growl. The cub tumbled out, fluids spraying. Alex hurried to check the cub. It was limp in her hands—eerily still and quiet.

  “Okay. Okay.” Alex laid the cub on the ground, using the suction device on her nose. Nothing. “Come on.” She knelt down, listening for breath. The cub remained limp and strange, like a too-realistic stuffed animal.

  Zatar’s voice was anguished. “Alex—”

  Alex ignored him and instead initiated CPR. Press, press, blow. She listened for a breath and repeated the motions. Nothing.

  Tears clogged her throat. She performed CPR a third time

  And then the cub let out a weak cry.

  Zatar’s sigh of relief was so big she thought the guards in the palace might have heard it. She laughed happily, tears pricking the corner of her eyes. “Thank God!” She quickly carried the cub to join her siblings.

  Alex checked Sala’s blood pressure one last time. Even though all the cubs had survived, she couldn’t quite calm herself down.

  “I think we’re officially done here.” Alex paused as she pressed her stethoscope to another part of her belly. “Her blood pressure is okay now, but she should be monitored until morning.”

  “I’ll stay,” Zatar said, at the same time Alex did.
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br />   They smiled at each other. Timak bowed and excused himself, a secret smile quirking his lips.

  * * *

  Zatar and Alex stayed with Sala until purplish tints in the black sky gave way to azure streaks, and then sunlight took over so fast they both squinted to adjust. Sala slept peacefully while the cubs nursed, though neither of them had been able to rest in the daze of the night’s events.

  Zatar watched as Alex stroked Sala absentmindedly. There was no doubt in his mind. The woman was incredible. Beyond incredible, actually. And he wasn’t sure how he’d gotten so lucky to pick her the day he needed help with Sala.

  “You’re stunning, do you know that?” He’d been staring at Alex on and off for hours. It might never get old.

  She sent him a shy smile. “Thanks.”

  “I’m serious. You just delivered three cubs without even batting an eyelash.” He shook his head. He’d be telling this story for eons.

  “It’s my job, Zatar.” She grinned lazily, her eyes drifting open and shut. “Besides, Sala did all the work. I just watched.”

  As he watched her drift into a light sleep, the realization struck him.

  He was in love with her.

  The golden hues of daybreak caressed her, cast her into an ethereal light that almost lifted her. It was like his mother was there. Seeing Alex, approving of her. His throat tightened, and he looked away. He was thinking crazy things.

  But what wasn’t crazy was how much his mother would have loved Alex. One of the cubs sighed softly from the pile they’d formed in the blankets, tucked up against Sala. Hell, they were practically new parents. And now that his mother was there in spirit, giving them her approval, why not consider the only thing that remained: committing himself to this woman?

  He leaned against the cement wall of the enclosure, letting his eyes drift shut. His brain was on overdrive. It needed a rest. And he could rest, now that Sala was fine. The cubs were fine.