by Susanna Carr
He stared at her and heavy silence pulsed in the room. He slowly uncurled his fingers from her wrist. “Thank you for your honesty,” he said coldly.
She drew her hand away from him. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“You didn’t.” He sat up and rested his elbows on his legs.
She had a feeling that she had offended him. Zoe sat down on the edge of the coffee table. “What company are you negotiating with? How modern are they?”
“They are a telecommunications company. My goal is for everyone in Jazaar to have access.”
“Really?” She leaned back in surprise. Nadir was more aware of his countrymen’s needs than she had first realized. His goal would bring a positive impact to the remote areas, and providing instant information to everyone would also reshape the tribal hierarchy. Zoe smiled at the possibilities. “So, what’s the problem?”
Nadir ran his hands through his dark, thick hair. “The company is owned by a socially conscious widow.”
“Ah.” And Jazaar was not known for its women’s rights. “Are you negotiating directly with the widow?”
“No,” he said tightly, and Zoe knew it was a blow to his pride that he was dealing with an underling. “But she is very involved with the negotiations.”
How could Nadir prove his modern approach? Whatever he said or did would be influenced by their preconceived ideas. Unless …
“Will she be at the charity ball?”
Nadir looked at Zoe with growing suspicion. “Yes, her company is sponsoring it.”
Zoe began to rub her hands together as she formed a plan. “Then it’s time to reveal your secret weapon.”
Nadir tilted his head as if he was bracing himself for bad news. “And that would be …?”
Zoe spread her arms out wide. “Me.”
He stared at her with disbelief. “You?”
“Yes, me. Your thoroughly modern American bride.” She shimmied her shoulders. “Come on—you know I would knock all their preconceived notions on their asses.”
He groaned and covered his eyes with his hands. “Zoe, you are not ready to represent Jazaar.”
“I may not represent Jazaar to the people of Jazaar, but what about representing the new and improved Jazaar to other countries?”
Nadir slowly leaned back and studied her intently. He was seriously considering what she had said. Zoe was glad she was looking her finest.
She saw his gaze harden. “What are you really up to?” he asked.
She frowned and lowered her arms. “Nothing.”
He slowly shook his head, as if that couldn’t possibly be the right answer. “Why do you suddenly want to help me?”
Good question. This guy was keeping her from what she wanted most. He had too much power over her life and her future. It would be better to sabotage him, but she didn’t want to. “Maybe I’m trying to do something nice.”
Nadir’s eyebrows went up.
She scowled at him. “It’s been known to happen.”
“I’m sure it has, but you’re unpredictable.” He shook his finger at her. “You could start an international incident without trying.”
She folded her arms. “Do you want my help or not?”
“Okay, Zoe, I would like you to represent Jazaar.” He reluctantly accepted her help. “But if you go too far …”
“Trust me, Nadir.” She rose to her feet. “By the end of the night you are going to see me in a whole new light.”
Nadir heard the orchestra play a final note with a flourish as they left the charity gala. He held Zoe’s hand firmly while he led her down the steps to the waiting limousine.
“I look forward to meeting you tomorrow,” he said to the vice-president of the telecommunications company. He felt triumph rolling through Zoe and gently squeezed her hand in warning.
“I’m sure we can negotiate terms that will satisfy all parties,” Mr. Lee said. “Also, Mrs. Tan invites you and your wife to her home later this week to celebrate the deal.”
“We would be honored,” Zoe replied.
Nadir helped her into the limousine, fighting the urge to bolt before she caught him by surprise again. He said goodbye to Mr. Lee and unhurriedly got into the limo himself. As the car pulled away from the curb he slowly exhaled. He had never considered galas exciting, but tonight had been a rollercoaster thanks to his wife.
“I think that went well,” Zoe said, resting her head against the leather seat. “I didn’t want to leave.”
“Why? Did you want one more victory lap around the ballroom?”
She laughed. It was unbridled and earthy. Very unprincess-like. The Sheikha didn’t know protocol or diplomacy, but it didn’t matter. Zoe had proved she was a brazen and modern woman. A new breed of royalty.
“I told you I was your secret weapon. You didn’t believe me, did you? But you let me go after it because you had nothing to lose.”
It was true. He hadn’t had high hopes of getting back to the negotiating table, but Zoe knew how to present them as a modern couple. Most of the time. “I should have brought a muzzle for you,” he said on a low growl.
Zoe laughed again. “It would have clashed with my gown.”
His gaze traveled down the lilac gown. It was a modest design but the delicate fabric hugged her body. She’d been the sexiest woman at the event, overshadowing those who wore barely-there dresses.
He shook his head and tore his gaze from her body. He would not get distracted. “You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
Zoe’s smile grew wide. “I’m sorry.”
No, she wasn’t. She had planned the surprise attack to test her power and his patience. It was strange he wasn’t angry about it. He only wished he had had a little more warning. “I’m creating a domestic violence program?” he said. “Since when?”
“It kind of slipped out when I spoke to Mrs. Tan,” she said with a shrug. “And it sounded really good so I just went with it.”
“It was a very detailed lie. A twenty-four-hour crisis line? Group counseling? Emergency shelter? You came up with all that on the spot?”
“Those are some of the services my mother volunteered at back home. We could use them in the village,” she explained. “I guess you could tell Mrs. Tan that you can’t push your program through the bureaucracy.”
“I don’t think so.” It was a good idea, and he wished Zoe had had those resources when she’d needed them.
“What are you going to do?”
“Make it happen.” Warmth spread through his chest when he saw Zoe’s eyes light up. “It will be your project.”
Her jaw dropped. “My project?”
“It’s your lie,” he reminded her as he held her hand. “Anyway, you know what the program needs.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I might mess up.”
“I doubt that.”
She looked out the window. Nadir studied her, wondering why he’d never considered that Zoe would be an asset to him. She was fearless in telling him the truth and could become a powerful ally.
She had already created an opportunity that had been denied to him. She could recreate the image of Jazaar and improve business and diplomatic relations if he had her at his side.
But she was still a liability when they were in Jazaar. It would be safer for her if he hid her in the mountain palace, yet he was no longer considering that an option. Until he had to make a decision about her future he would show his modern sheikha to the world.
The music pulsed in synch with the lights and Zoe felt the primitive beat vibrating under the dance floor. The people around her swayed their arms and hips to the sensual beat. Zoe curled her arms over Nadir’s shoulders and moved even closer to him. She was rewarded by the gleam of his eyes.
A sense of joy and promise flooded her body. The week in Singapore had been the happiest she had known in a long time. Even the Arabic tutorials hadn’t dimmed her spirits. She had dreaded the lessons, remembering the struggle she had had learning th
e language when she’d first arrived in Jazaar. But this time it wasn’t as frustrating or as painful because no one was expecting immediate results. She felt as if her world was expanding each day, each hour.
She had shed the caftans and robes of Jazaar for younger, brighter clothes. Clothes that reflected who she was, not who people wanted her to be. During the week she had met interesting people and explored Singapore. Yet her favorite moments had been the ones she’d shared alone with Nadir.
She hadn’t expected someone as sophisticated as Nadir to accompany her to all the tourist attractions. She knew he was extremely busy, but all his attention was on her when they were together. Whether it was sharing a kiss on the cable car ride to Sentosa Island, or discovering Singapore’s glittering nightlife, Nadir seemed more fascinated by her than his surroundings.
But it was time to go, Zoe thought with a hint of sadness. Nadir’s business negotiations were finalized. She had an escape plan ready. She shivered as she thought about the risky maneuver. She had to go now if she didn’t want to be carted back to Jazaar.
She had to leave if she wanted to give her dreams a chance, but she was strangely reluctant to go.
“Thank you for bringing me to this nightclub, Nadir. I’ve never been to one.” Even if she had been invited to dance at a wedding or festival she wouldn’t have participated. She hadn’t felt like dancing until now.
“Your wish is my command,” he murmured in her ear.
If only. “It’s going to be hard leaving Singapore.” Hard to leave him. “I’ve had the time of my life.”
Nadir raised his head and looked into her eyes. “You’re not feeling homesick for Jazaar?”
She controlled her expression in case he saw her true feelings about Jazaar. “No, not at all.”
Anticipation flickered in Nadir’s dark eyes. “Then you will accompany me to Athens.”
“Athens? As in Greece?” The cautious excitement hummed inside her. “Seriously?”
“I have some business there I need to attend to.” Nadir’s hands slid sensuously down the length of her spine and rested low on her hips. “I’m not sure how long it will take me.”
“I would love to go,” she said. “Did you know that Greece is the birthplace of western medicine?”
“Zoe …”
The soft warning in his voice punctured her enthusiasm. She knew better than to discuss that forbidden topic with him. She drew back until they were barely touching. “Sorry.” She forced the word from her throat. “When do we go?”
Nadir gathered her close until she felt his strong heartbeat against her chest. “Tomorrow.”
She wasn’t sure if Greece was closer or farther away from America. It would be better to execute her plan tonight. But she wanted to be with Nadir. She wanted to pretend just a little longer.
He must have seen the need in her eyes. She felt the air around them spark as his harsh features darkened. Zoe’s breath hitched in her throat as her skin tingled with anticipation.
“Let’s go back to the hotel,” he said abruptly, capturing her hand in his and leading her off the dance floor.
She stared at their joined hands as she followed him. His dark hand was large as it engulfed hers. She felt safe. Wanted. No longer alone.
It wasn’t real, Zoe reminded herself. It felt incredibly genuine, but she was falling under the spell of a honeymoon. She should leave now, before she could no longer tell the difference between fantasy and reality. She should escape now in case she didn’t get another chance.
She enjoyed being with Nadir. She had been so lonely before she met him, and she would be alone again once she left. She wanted to make the most of this moment. But when was the right time to leave?
Zoe continued to stare at her hand twined with Nadir’s. She felt his urgency and her legs wobbled. Her gaze fastened on the deep brown and festive henna design that still decorated her hand. It reminded her of the young brides from the tribe.
Those brides never went on a trip for a honeymoon. It simply wasn’t part of tradition. Instead the brides were treated like princesses, doing no housework or cooking until the henna wore off.
Zoe knew her decision was made when she focused on the floral design at the base of her thumb. In a week or two her honeymoon would be over. Once the henna faded, that would be her sign to walk away from Nadir and start her new life.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“ARE you sure you want to know?” Zoe asked hesitantly.
Nadir’s curious expression didn’t change. “I asked, didn’t I?”
She wondered why he’d chosen this moment to ask. They were curled up together in bed, naked and spent. She was lying on her stomach and facing him, her hands tucked under a goosedown pillow. Nadir was sprawled on his back, his face close to hers.
She suddenly knew the answer to her question. Her stomach twisted as she fought off the sinking feeling. Nadir had asked because she had finally lowered her guard.
They’d been traveling throughout Europe for the past week and a half, acting like newlyweds. Nadir had successfully wooed her into gradually opening up to him. It had been a determined, aggressive campaign and she had fallen for it.
She should be furious at herself for believing in the fantasy, for sharing too much. But it was strange; she didn’t regret it. Zoe had come to the startling realization that she had never felt as close to anyone as she felt to Nadir.
At some time during the honeymoon that had started in Jazaar and had now moved to London she had started to trust Nadir. Just a little. She wasn’t going to repeat her mistake and discuss her dreams, and she knew better than to reveal all of her deepest, darkest secrets.
“You don’t have to tell me,” Nadir said softly, and turned his head to look at the ceiling.
She hadn’t realized she had allowed the pause to stretch for so long. “Sorry, I was trying to decide which mistake was the worst,” Zoe said lightly. “I have so many to choose from.”
She never should have started this ritual of sharing something about themselves right before they fell asleep. It was one thing to share a favorite color or a childhood memory. It was another thing to expose your weaknesses, mistakes and fears. Especially to someone who had the power to use that information against you.
“My worst mistake …” Zoe suddenly felt jittery and cold washed over her skin. She looked away and took a steady breath. “My worst mistake was probably Musad Ali. He was the son of our neighbor.”
She felt the mood shift in the luxurious bedroom. She didn’t have to spell it out that Musad had been her lover. Nadir slowly turned to face her.
Maybe it was wrong to share this part of her past. It was risky, but she wanted Nadir to understand her.
She focused on his broad shoulders. She had never told anyone about Musad. It was her secret, her shame. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to tell Nadir. Their intimate relationship could change from this moment on.
“Musad was the wrong man to get close to,” she admitted hoarsely. “He was the wrong man to trust.” She’d used to think all men were untrustworthy. Now she wasn’t so sure.
“How long did it last?”
She blinked when she heard his calm question. Her gaze flickered across his face. He showed no judgment or anger. Was that really how he felt, or was he holding back so she would reveal more?
“About six months,” she answered tentatively. “He promised to marry me before he went to college in Chicago. But he always intended to leave me behind.”
“If your uncle had discovered the affair …” Nadir murmured.
Zoe shivered at the thought. “It was stupid. Reckless.”
He reached out and rubbed his hand along her bare arm. “You were in love.”
She hadn’t been in love with Musad, but she was ashamed to admit it. Love could make a careless action seem noble. She, however, had made one bad decision after another.
“I was trapped in my uncle’s house. Terrified and miserable,” she explained. “When I was with Musad
I could forget for a while. Musad promised he would take me away from it all, and I was so desperate to believe him I didn’t see that it was just a line to get me into bed.”
“How did your cousin find out?”
“I’m not sure.” When Fatimah had taunted her with the information, it had blindsided Zoe. “I wonder if she saw us together. At the end, Musad was taking a lot risks. So was I. I wanted to rebel.”
Nadir frowned. “He exposed you to danger.”
“I don’t think that was his intention,” Zoe said. She didn’t think very highly of Musad, but she also didn’t believe that he was calculated or cruel. “Musad was selfish, and he used me, but he would also have been punished if our relationship had been discovered.”
“But you would have been punished more,” Nadir pointed out, his eyes narrowing with anger. “And you had to get out of your uncle’s house before Tareef found out. Marriage was your only way out.”
“Yes.” Out of her uncle’s home. Out of Jazaar. Out of hell.
“You were even willing to marry The Beast.”
Zoe made a face. “I hate that nickname of yours. You are not a beast.”
“Are you sure about that?”
His dark voice sent a shiver down her spine. Was she sure about him? Could he hide a violent nature until it was too late for her? He was different from her uncle and the men in the tribe, but he was also more powerful and dangerous.
“Now it’s your turn,” she whispered. She remained still but she was tempted to curl up in a protective ball. “What was your biggest mistake?”
A long pause hung between them. Zoe wanted to cringe because she knew she had crossed a forbidden boundary. He could ask personal questions, but it was impertinent for her to do the same.
“Yusra,” Nadir answered. “She was my biggest mistake.”
Zoe was surprised that he had spoken Yusra’s name. He never talked about that night or the scandal that had tarnished his reputation. “Why?” she dared to ask.
“I should have exerted more self-control.”
Zoe froze as her heart stopped. Her skin prickled with warning. What was he saying? That he deserved the nickname? That he had the potential to be wild and untamed as a beast?