Falling for the Sheikh She Shouldn't

by Fiona McArthur

  To her relief, he agreed to leave the subject for the moment.

  Night had fallen. She wasn’t sure when that had happened. A ship with lights blazing passed across the horizon out to sea. Heading off to who knew where. Did she want to do that? Even contemplate leaving everything she knew to accompany these people she didn’t really understand?

  They carried their coffee inside and talked desultorily about where they’d both travelled, and of course the things he’d seen were different no matter if the destinations were the same.

  Time passed insidiously. She grew more comfortable with him, though she seemed to do most of the talking. He made her laugh with stories about his internship in Sydney, and she with her midwifery escapades returned the favour, until it was unexpectedly late.

  She glanced at her watch. He saw her eyes widen, and she jumped to her feet. ‘I must go.’ As if suddenly woken from a dream, she needed distance from.

  Zafar, too, glanced at his watch. He’d savoured her company, understood her a little, wondered about the destructive power of her bad marriage, could admit to himself there was danger in knowing too much and that it was not just a culmination of abstinence. The moral issues of being attracted to a new woman, someone other than the woman he had vowed to stay faithful to, and where it led—that was what worried him.

  He needed to think this through. Maintain distance. Especially if she agreed to join them. ‘I apologise for keeping you late.’

  He believed she would come. Probably not for him but because she would worry about Fadia. And that was where he would apply the pressure. ‘One question.’

  She paused and turned on her way to the door as he caught up with her. ‘Do you have a valid passport?’

  ‘I haven’t agreed to go but, yes, I renewed it last year. I used to travel a lot with my parents when I was young.’

  ‘Very well. You have less than a day to decide. We leave for Zandorro tomorrow afternoon at four. If you do decide to help Fadia, there are things we must arrange.’

  ‘Don’t count on it.’

  ‘We will see.’ He lifted her hand and she realised what he was going to do before it happened. Tried to pull her hand back but he held her firmly and she didn’t tug—actually, couldn’t tug because her arm wasn’t listening. Her mouth dried and she tried not to lean towards him. Head down, still watching her face with his dark eyes, he turned her wrist and brushed her skin with those wicked lips. Goose-bumps scattered like drops from a fountain until her body overloaded and she shivered.

  He smiled as he straightened. ‘Fi aman illah. Go in God’s keeping.’

  ‘Goodnight.’

  * * *

  Carmen didn’t know who to turn to. She never asked for advice, something her mother had quizzed her on all through her childhood and later in her teens, but this was too big a risk without some insurance and someone knowing where she was. And she was running out of time.

  As soon as she left the presidential suite she rang Tilly. Her friend lived within walking distance of the hotel and they agreed to meet in the bar for a nightcap to discuss the job.

  Tilly arrived with her fiancé, Marcus Bennett, head of Obstetrics and the man who had been there for Fadia’s second son’s birth. Carmen decided it was a good thing having friends in high places.

  Marcus dived straight in. ‘Tilly says you’ve had a job offer you’re not sure of. With Zafar.’

  ‘Yes.’ She hadn’t expected this. ‘Do you know him?’

  ‘As well as someone can know him. Sure. We did uni together, he worked at the Royal when I was there, then specialised in paediatrics. He may be a prince but we usually meet for a meal when he’s in Australia.’

  Tilly’s jaw dropped. ‘You didn’t say he was a prince.’

  Carmen brushed that aside. ‘He’s a sheikh. There are lots of desert kingdoms and he’s not directly in line for the throne.’

  Marcus smiled. ‘I think he is but not in the first instance. So he’s our twin lady’s cousin?’

  ‘Estranged. Apparently the twins are too close to succession to be unmonitored. He’s here to help Fadia get back to her country.’

  ‘She’s a widow, isn’t she?’ Marcus looked at Tilly, who nodded.

  Carmen’s chair faced Reception, unlike the others’, who had their backs to it, and she saw Zafar walk in through the front door with his henchman. So he’d gone out after she’d left. To do what? She let the conversation flow around her as she tried to halt the colour in her cheeks.

  She put her head down but he’d seen her and even from this distance she could tell he was studying who she was with. She glanced at Tilly.

  Marcus’s voice drifted back in. ‘Wasn’t there a friend involved, helping Fadia?’

  ‘Umm.’ Carmen concentrated on the conversation. ‘The friendship cooled, I think. Either not a good friend or I did wonder if Zafar may have bought him off.’

  Tilly, oblivious to Carmen’s discomfort, was relishing the idea. She hunched her shoulders and lowered her voice theatrically. ‘Or he could have threatened him.’

  ‘No.’ Carmen shook her head. ‘I think there was more to it than that. Zafar has power.’

  Marcus laughed. ‘You girls watch too much TV. Zafar’s a bit stiff but he’s an honourable man. One who’s had his share of tragedy.’

  Carmen listened to the absolute belief in Marcus’s voice and let her breath out. That was lucky because he was coming that way.

  She’d just needed to hear the words before the topic of their conversation came within hearing. ‘So you’re saying his job offer would be genuine and reliable.’

  ‘I would say so. Yes.’ Marcus nodded emphatically.

  Carmen wanted it spelt out. ‘And if I don’t come back, you’ll ask him where I am and he’d tell the truth?’

  He nodded again. ‘I believe so.’

  That was it, then. She couldn’t not take the offer because it would solve all her money problems in a couple of weeks. She’d just hope she didn’t inherit other dilemmas worse than money issues. ‘Thank you. I really appreciate your advice.’

  Tilly rubbed her hands. ‘So when do I get to meet this prince?’ Just in time for Zafar to hear. Carmen winced and looked up.

  ‘Perhaps you could introduce me to your friends?’ Zafar stood above them, quite splendid in black. Yusuf, three steps behind, watched Carmen impassively.

  Marcus stood and turned and Zafar smiled with delight. He held out his hand. ‘Well met, Marcus.’

  ‘Zafar.’ Marcus gestured proudly. ‘Allow me to present my fiancée, Matilda. Tilly’s a friend of Carmen’s.’

  Tilly was blinking and Carmen smiled sourly to herself. She knew how that felt. Zafar lifted her hand and kissed Tilly’s fingers. Not her wrist, a little voice gloated, and Carmen frowned at herself.

  ‘Congratulations on your engagement. You are both fortunate people. Of course any friend of Carmen’s is a friend of mine.’

  Yeah, right. Carmen watched Tilly’s eyes glaze over and felt slightly better that even a woman deeply in love could be knocked askew by Zafar’s charisma.

  Marcus filled the awkward silence. ‘Carmen says you’ve offered her a position for a couple of weeks in Zandorro until Fadia’s babies are settled.’

  Zafar glanced at Carmen. ‘I am glad she is considering my offer.’

  She met his enquiring look with a bland face. ‘I’m setting up a safety net.’

  Zafar raised his brows and spoke to Marcus as if the girls weren’t there. ‘These Australian midwives are feisty, are they not?’

  Marcus smiled down at Tilly. ‘I’m living dangerously and loving it.’

  The conversation moved on between the men and Zafar and Marcus became immersed in the topic of hospitals. Tilly caught Carmen’s eye as they
both sat down. She winked and Carmen had to smile.

  ‘So?’ Tilly whispered. ‘You going?’

  ‘I guess so.’ She shrugged. ‘I feel better that he knows Marcus and there’s a big bonus that will clear my feet and then some.’

  ‘I’m glad. You’re killing yourself here and you’ve always enjoyed travel.’

  ‘Not in the royal entourage.’

  Tilly grinned. ‘Why not?’

  Carmen had to laugh. Maybe it was exciting to think about being whisked somewhere without effort.

  Suddenly it was easier to let go of a little of the responsibility to work everything out for herself, something she hadn’t done for a long time, and when she glanced across at the men Zafar was watching her.

  She wondered what he was thinking.

  * * *

  So these were her friends. Zafar wanted to drop his arm around her shoulders like Marcus was doing with his woman. He wanted to take her wrist and savour the feel of her skin, the scent of orange on his lips, and pull her back into his body.

  These thoughts shouldn’t intrude when the information he’d found out tonight was of such national importance and here he was fantasising about a woman.

  Such poor timing to feel alive again.

  A time of great danger approached and he had failed to keep those he cared about safe before.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE next day proved hectic after a whirlwind of formalities made more intricate with Carmen joining the party at the last minute. Carmen only had time to glimpse Coogee beach recede in the distance as they drove away she was too busy checking her handbag to make sure she had everything. Her leave from work had been smoothed by the fact she hadn’t taken any holiday for so long. She’d been waved away with little censure of the short notice. Carmen couldn’t help but wonder if Zafar had spoken to them.

  The baby hotel had said to return when she could. All too easy. Or maybe nobody would miss her?

  Even Donna had said, ‘Enjoy, lucky thing’.

  Carmen couldn’t help feeling she’d been manipulated by a force that was stronger than she’d realised. Zafar.

  They’d left the hotel in two cars, which shouldn’t have surprised Carmen, and maybe added that tiny hint of needed reality, being relegated to the secondary car with the twins and Fadia. What did she expect? To ride with Zafar? Of course she was a glorified nanny.

  Thankfully the babies were remarkably settled and Fadia seemed mostly relieved with her decision.

  Now the decision had been made, Carmen was glad she’d come to support the young mother and help her as she became reacquainted with her homeland. Despite Zafar’s assertion that he would not force the widow into anything she didn’t want, Carmen knew Fadia was worried.

  They both knew, though, that he would have other matters to distract him.

  Carmen tried to put herself in the young mum’s shoes. ‘Are you worried about returning to Zandorro?’

  Fadia nodded. ‘A little. It’s been six years. And I’m nervous about meeting my grandfather again. He is a powerful man. But Zandarro is becoming a more progressive country, not as traditional as our neighbours, which causes friction between the two countries. I hope it continues that way.’

  They both pondered the differences between a monarchy-ruled Arabic state and the relaxed vibe of Coogee.

  Carmen smiled. ‘Might be a little removed from what we’ve been used to.’

  The short trip to the airport passed silently and once they arrived in Zafar, or more likely his staff, had arranged for them to slip through diplomatic transfer to their private jet.

  ‘Would you like something to drink before take-off?’ The exquisitely dressed hostess appeared from nowhere and Carmen looked at Fadia.

  ‘No, thank you, we’re fine.’

  The woman inclined her head. ‘We’ll be taking off in ten minutes.’

  Not too long to ponder her decision, then. Surely she was doing the right thing. Carmen shivered as last regrets surfaced. It was momentous to allow herself to be whisked off to an unfamiliar country with people who played by their own rules.

  Fadia seemed disinclined to talk and Carmen let her be. All she could do for the moment was check the babies and later through the flight ensure they were fed, changed and settled.

  Carmen glanced across at the boys in their capsules strapped to the opposite seats. Two little heads tilted towards each other, matching frowns as if they were squinting to see through the hard plastic sides of their beds to see each other. Maybe reassure each other during their first trip in a plane.

  She smiled at flights of fancy and gradually she realised she was actually relieved to be there, and even excited by the prospect of visiting a new country and finding out more about these fascinating people. Just so long as she wasn’t focussed on a particular fascinating man.

  Zafar had fulfilled his obligations and now it was for Carmen to fulfil her own. And she would, diligently, and she was certain Fadia would be better away from the horrible Tom.

  ‘So why did your mother leave Zandorro?’

  ‘When I was fifteen she divorced my father. She never wanted to go back and here I am doing just that. I hope it’s the right thing to do.’

  ‘Did you never want to go back at all before this?’

  ‘Perhaps but it is a big thing to lose my new identity in a country I loved. I see the advantage for my sons in Zandorro, but wonder what is there for me. I am constrained by my station. When I left last time I was betrothed to a man I never saw. Thankfully my mother paid back the bride price from Australia so he has no hold on me.’

  Carmen struggled to understand the concept of arranged marriage, something well outside her experience. Everything Fadia spoke of was new and interesting. She encouraged Fadia to talk. ‘So where did you meet your husband?’

  The girl smiled sadly. ‘At university in Sydney. We were both studying pharmacy and he was three years older than me.’ She shrugged tragic shoulders. ‘We fell in love but now he has gone without even seeing his babies. Killed by a hit-and-run driver. Without even knowing I was pregnant. All I have left of him are my sons.

  ‘I think I will try to sleep.’ Fadia rolled over in the pod the hostess had prepared for her and Carmen gazed thoughtfully at her back. Good idea.

  Zafar was in for an interesting time with his cousin and she just hoped he had some plan for long-term support.

  * * *

  They arrived in Dubai twelve hours after take-off for refuelling and the high temperature shimmered off the tarmac outside the window. Robed figures seemed to float around their plane, maybe on flying carpets of heat, Carmen thought fancifully as the engines and fuel tanks were tended too.

  Zafar had alighted without glancing at her and she stifled disappointment, not for his company, honestly, but for not having a chance to at least see the airport. She consoled herself that she would see that on her way back in a couple of short weeks.

  Both women had slept well between feeds. Fadia and the boys’ routine had become swift and efficient at feeding time with Carmen’s help, so despite the distance travelled Carmen at least felt rested, pampered and ready for her first sight of the desert.

  Mid-afternoon Dubai time they prepared to leave for Zandorro, and Zafar boarded the plane just before they took off.

  Fadia followed her gaze. ‘He does not even see us now that he has achieved what he came for.’

  Carmen glanced at her. ‘Wasn’t that the only reason he was in Australia? To find you?’

  Still she watched her cousin. ‘And bring my sons home. He is a man who gets what he wants.’ Now she looked at Carmen with warning in her eyes. ‘My mother used to say a Zandorran man uses any means needed.’

  Carmen glanced away from the concern in Fadia’s eye
s. ‘Do you really think that?’ She didn’t share Fadia’s concern. She was fine and not afraid of Zafar. She stared out the window but all she could see was the reflection of her own face. She knew Zafar’s will was strong, but so was hers.

  They’d left the azure blue of the ocean and soared over mountains craggy with rock and then the golden desert stretched as far as the eye could see, undulating like a sleeping monster, shimmering with stored sunlight that would cool quickly.

  ‘It’s stark yet beautiful.’ Carmen began a new topic, shelving her own unease in the relief that at least she and Fadia had each other.

  ‘The desert has great majesty. But it is a furnace by day and freezing at night. I think I prefer the sand of Coogee Beach.’

  Fadia’s comment revealed her ambivalence about her return. Then she winced uncomfortably because her bodice was bulging at the front of her dress and Carmen just wanted to hug her—carefully. No problems about the boys going hungry but it looked very tight and painful in Fadia’s body at the moment.

  ‘Another twenty-four hours and you’ll be much more comfortable again. I’ll ask for another cold pack.’ She raised her hand and the hostess appeared within seconds.

  They’d been sliding cold sports packs down the front of Fadia’s dress and Carmen had even managed to draw a smile at least once at the relief against poor Fadia’s hot and aching breasts.

  ‘Is it nearly time to feed them again?’

  ‘Not quite. Both boys have their eyes closed. Probably another half an hour before they wake.’ Fadia nodded and closed her eyes as well.

  Carmen glanced at the boys tucked into their travel capsules sound asleep, and looked out the window again. She’d travelled a little with her parents but those happy days seemed from another century. Everything had changed when she’d married and her parents had died. She just wished she’d chosen more wisely or at least chosen a man of honour.

  Did Zafar have honour? Marcus had seemed to think so and Carmen doubted she would be there if her gut feeling hadn’t reassured her. Why did she feel reassured by a man she didn’t know well? Was that how she’d made her last mistake? She winced. No. It wasn’t like that because she wasn’t getting involved with Zafar. She knew better now.