In the Sheikh's Service

by Susan Stephens

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  THE FIRST THING they did when they reached the safety of the tent was to call to reassure people they were safe. Within minutes of that, the sound of rotor blades approaching made talking impossible, and it wasn’t until the engine had been turned off that Shazim was able to make himself heard.

  ‘You’re going straight back to the city for a thorough medical check-up.’

  ‘That’s not necessary,’ Isla protested, suddenly suffused with dread at the thought of a second abrupt parting. They had opened their hearts to each other, Shazim had saved her life, and now he was returning to business as if nothing had happened?

  ‘I say it is necessary for you to receive a full medical check-up,’ he insisted without emotion. ‘Your safety is of paramount importance to me.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes,’ Shazim said grimly as a team from the helicopter filed into the tent. Staring over her head, he issued a number of brief commands in Q’Aqabian, from which she gathered that she was to be escorted away.

  ‘Excuse me just a moment,’ she said in a loud, clear voice. ‘I haven’t finished talking to His Majesty.’

  Shocked glances flew to her face. Everyone understood the gist of her appeal, and the fact that she had just disobeyed their Sheikh.

  Shazim made a gesture to his men to give them space.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘What we’ve been through was so intense, and now this seems to sudden.’ She gestured at the helicopter. ‘I just need you to reassure me that you won’t go back inside your ivory tower—that you’ll remember what we talked about on the cliff, and that you’ll always believe—’

  ‘We’ve said enough on that subject,’ Shazim informed her, turning away.

  ‘Have we? If we have, then, who will talk about your brother?’

  His eyes when he swung back to look at her were murderous.

  ‘I’m not frightened of you, Shazim, but I am frightened that you’ll go back to avoiding the truth about your brother—about us—’

  ‘Us?’ he queried coldly. ‘There is no us.’

  ‘No,’ Isla agreed sadly. ‘I think you’re probably right.’

  There was nothing more to say. Shazim strode to the entrance of the tent to summon his men back in. He was right to end things between them. It was up to her to accept that what they’d enjoyed so briefly was over. Shazim had to return to his royal duties, and she had to return to her work. He was already busy exchanging information with his men. No doubt he’d want a progress report on the tribesmen’s dispute, along with a whole host of other royal concerns. She could understand the urgency to catch up, but while Shazim could close off his feelings like that, she had no confidence in his recovery, which meant his mission to be the very best of kings might never be realised.

  And that was no longer something for her to worry about, Isla accepted as members of the Sheikh of Q’Aqabi’s black-clad team escorted her to the helicopter and saw her safely strapped in.

  That was an end of it—of the two of them, she thought, blinking tears from her eyes as the helicopter lifted off and wheeled away. This empty feeling was on her for falling in love with a desert king. They would never work closely together now, as she had dreamed they would. Maybe she would never see him again, except maybe in passing at the university. Though, now that she’d pressed him to talk about his brother, would he even want to speak to her again? Isla doubted it. She had uncovered a pain far greater than anything she could have imagined, and Shazim had no one to share that pain with. She’d been selfish. In trying to help him, her amateur psychology had only succeeded in causing him more pain. And now she was leaving him to cope with that alone.

  * * *

  Isla’s official time in Q’Aqabi had ended. It nearly broke her heart to leave the rangers in the desert, her friends in the village, and the animal programme she had so hoped to be a part of. Three weeks after she had returned from her hospital check-up, there was still no word from Shazim. Rumour said he’d gone on a retreat into the desert—without guards, without rangers. This was a first for him since his youth, though his people greeted it with rejoicing, as it spoke of Shazim’s commitment to them. Isla was glad too, as it seemed to be a sign of the recovery she had feared he wouldn’t make. Shazim had a lot of history to work through, and solitude and thought could hopefully help him heal, as he came to terms with the facts of his brother’s death.

  A smile broke through her sadness when Millie called to say goodbye to her. ‘I’m just downstairs,’ Millie explained. ‘Can I come up?’

  ‘Of course.’ Isla couldn’t think of anyone who could lift her heart more. Well, one person, but he had chosen not to be here, which was perhaps just as well. Her heart couldn’t take much more battering.

  She was still packing up her belongings, ready for the long flight back to London, when Millie knocked on the door. Closing her case, she wheeled it to the door. Her heart was full when she opened it to find Millie waiting outside. They hugged without words, but then Millie stood back.

  ‘Come in,’ Isla insisted.

  ‘No. You’ll be fine. I just wanted to see you—just wanted to reassure myself—’

  ‘About what?’ Isla frowned. ‘Shall I call you when I finish packing? I’d like to say goodbye properly—’

  Millie was staring down the corridor leading to Isla’s suite of rooms. And now she saw why.

  ‘Shazim,’ she whispered.

  Dressed down in jeans and a plain black shirt, Shazim was walking towards them in silence, Unsure as to why he was here, she backed into the room after acknowledging him with a polite dip of her head.

  ‘Isla...’

  Raising her chin, she stared into his eyes as Shazim followed her in. ‘Yes.’ She heard the door click quietly behind her as Millie left them.

  ‘Can you forgive me?’ Shazim asked straight out.

  ‘Forgive you?’

  ‘For being blind... For being thoughtless—’

  ‘Shazim—’ Taking hold of his hands in a firm grip, she stared steadily into his eyes. ‘I didn’t know what to think when you had me airlifted out and you stayed behind,’ she said honestly. ‘I just hoped that wherever you went, and whoever you were with, you would heal.’

  ‘I am healed, because of you.’

  Letting go of his hands, she shook her head and stood back. ‘No one could heal that quickly. Not after what happened to you. There is no miracle cure for grief. There are only coping strategies, and time to heal a wound that cuts so deep. You have to face it every day, and you have to work towards healing it, as if it were a real physical wound.’

  ‘Then, I’ve taken my first steps, thanks to you.’

  Isla remained silent. She wouldn’t take the credit for Shazim deciding that the time had come to face his demons. She was just glad that he had.

  ‘And now you’re here to say goodbye to me.’ She nodded her head, as if trying to convince herself that she could accept this and leave Shazim and Q’Aqabi behind for good.

  ‘You didn’t think I’d let you go without coming to say goodbye, did you?’

  ‘To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect.’

  Perhaps she should have been angry with him for sending her back to the city without a discussion, but Shazim had been fighting his own inner struggle. Her impulse even now was to comfort him, but instead she accepted reality, extended the handle on her suitcase, and turned for the door.

  ‘You’re not going to let her leave without saying something, are you?’ Millie demanded the instant Isla had stepped outside the room.

  She was surprised to find Millie still standing there. And even more surprised when Shazim said, ‘Please forgive my sister. She always did speak her mind.’

  ‘Your sister?’ Whirling around, she stared at him, and then the pieces of the jigsaw rattled into place. Shazim had told her about the royal nursery, and how his brother had been like a father to the royal children. And now Shazim was the father of his country, and had taken
over the role of father to his siblings. Of course, he’d chosen his sister to meet the prize winner at the airport. It made perfect sense. Millie was probably as invested in the nature reserve as Shazim. She had lost a brother too, and she would naturally want to honour his memory.

  ‘I would like to hear what you’ve got to say,’ Isla admitted.

  ‘You must,’ Millie insisted. Taking hold of Isla’s hand, she drew her back into the room. ‘We need you in Q’Aqabi. The project needs you. My brother needs you most of all—’ Turning, Millie fired a fierce look at Shazim.

  ‘Isla is her own woman,’ he commented. ‘She will do as she wants.’

  ‘Then let’s hope she wants to stay—though, heaven knows, you don’t make it easy, brother.’

  ‘I’ll do anything I can to help you,’ Isla said as she stared into Shazim’s eyes.

  ‘You’ll need a job contract first. And a decent salary,’ Millie added, directing this at Shazim. ‘Isla would work here for nothing, but you can’t allow that. She can’t live on hot air.’

  ‘I’m sure we can sort something out,’ Shazim said with amusement. ‘Would you give us a moment?’ he asked his sister.

  ‘Do you want the job?’ he asked Isla as soon as they were alone.

  ‘You know I want the job.’ She held his dark stare steadily. ‘There is nowhere else on earth I’d rather be, and no work I’d rather do. I’ll even put up with you to do it—if you’re sure you want me here.’

  ‘The project needs you,’ he said gruffly. ‘You’ve got a job for life, if that’s what you want.’

  ‘But not as your mistress,’ she stated firmly.

  ‘Please—’ Shazim’s expression suggested that truly was the last thing on his mind.

  Okay. She got that. She had already concluded she was hardly mistress material. ‘Sorry. That was presumptuous of me, but I had to be sure.’

  ‘At least I can always trust you to lay your cards on the table,’ Shazim said drily. ‘I wouldn’t want you to change. The job I’m offering won’t be easy. I want you to act as deputy leader for my project. You’ll be a bit of a gofer for the current leader to begin with, but what the man in question knows about desert lore can’t be taught. I want you to work closely with him, and learn as much as you can, with a view to taking joint responsibility eventually. I’ve witnessed your leadership skills, and I’ve had experience of your courage. I’ve also seen a great deal of common sense—’

  ‘That man—the leader of the project. It’s you, isn’t it?’

  The hint of a smile softened Shazim’s hard face.

  ‘So I haven’t offended you?’

  ‘Offended me?’ He frowned.

  ‘By speaking my mind?’

  ‘That’s one of the things I like best about you. When you’re in my position, very few people will speak their mind, for fear of losing royal favour. That’s something that’s never troubled you.’

  She laughed. Even if Shazim only liked her, it would be enough if she could work here. It would have to be enough, Isla told herself firmly.

  ‘I read the report from the hospital,’ he said. ‘I was relieved you were okay.’

  ‘Everyone was very kind, and it appears that, apart from a few broken nails, I got off lightly.’ Unlike you, she thought, remembering Shazim baring his soul to her on the cliff face. But if that had prompted him to take a pilgrimage into the desert to face up to the past, then everything had been worth it. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Of course.’ Shazim brushed off her concern.

  ‘Are you sure?’ she pressed softly.

  A muscle in his jaw worked as he admitted, ‘I’ve never told anyone how I feel about the past before.’

  ‘And you chose me. That means a lot to me, Shazim.’

  Shazim dipped his head until their lips were just a tiny distance apart. Staring deep into her eyes, he kissed her so tenderly she felt tears pricking. If not completely healed, Shazim was mending. Talking about the past, and how the terrible events had made him feel, must have been a release for him, and for that she was glad.

  ‘So, when do I start my new job?’ she asked, staring up with naked love shining in her eyes.

  ‘Right now—if you want to?’

  ‘I can’t think of anything I want more,’ she exclaimed.

  ‘Can’t you?’ Shazim murmured.

  Her stare steadied on his. ‘What do you get out of teasing me, Your Majesty?’

  ‘The same thing you get out of winding me up, I imagine. But, I love you, so...’ He shrugged. ‘What can I do about it? I don’t want to let you go. Will you stay with me?’

  For the first time since that encounter on the building site, Shazim was asking—he wasn’t instructing or commanding. The all-powerful Lion of the Desert, His Majesty the Sheikh of Q’Aqabi, was simply a man telling a woman that he loved her, and he was putting his heart on the line as he asked if she loved him too.

  ‘I love you more than anything in this world,’ Isla said honestly.

  Shazim’s words were a balm to her aching heart. He was fierce, but she loved his brand of fierce. His arms were strong and he was a natural protector, and, though she was strong, she needed him, more than she could ever express. She would never let him down. She would fight for him, as she had fought for everything else in her life. She would be strong for him, and for Q’Aqabi. They’d be strong for each other. She was complete with him, and flawed without him. She was his, body and soul. She loved him with everything she had. Every moment apart was too long, while every moment with Shazim was perfect.

  ‘I’m so sorry I left you,’ he murmured.

  ‘I was so worried about you,’ she admitted. ‘But you run a country, so I understood...sort of.’

  Shazim laughed. ‘Will you be so different when you’re running my nature reserve?’

  ‘I doubt it,’ she confessed. ‘We both get lost in our work.’

  ‘But I want more than work from you,’ Shazim said, turning serious as he held her in front of him. ‘I want a life with you, Isla. I want children with you. And I want time with you in the desert so our children learn desert lore from both of us. Don’t look so surprised,’ Shazim added as he looped his arms around her waist. ‘I want to marry you. I’m asking you to be my Queen. You can’t possibly think that anyone else could match up to you, Isla Sinclair?’

  She wanted to take it in, and to be deliriously happy. She wanted to shout out loud and perform a happy dance, but instead her frown deepened. ‘I’m just not queen material.’ All her concern was for Shazim, who seemed to her to be on the brink of making a terrible mistake.

  ‘You are so wrong.’ Shazim turned serious. ‘My people respect you—I respect you. What better material for a queen could there be than you? But more important, I love you. No one else will ever come close to the way I feel about you.’

  ‘I feel the same,’ Isla admitted, her throat burning with emotion. ‘I can’t ask for anything more.’

  ‘Really?’ Shazim lifted one ebony brow. ‘You disappoint me, Isla Sinclair.’

  As Shazim was backing her towards the sofa, he was probably right.

  ‘Wear no underwear in the future,’ he instructed, caressing her and arousing her until she was so frantic to be one with him she could only agree. ‘Let me,’ Shazim suggested calmly as she yanked at her clothes, and only succeeded in tying herself in knots as she struggled to get them off.

  ‘How can you be so calm?’ she demanded with frustration.

  ‘The end game is worth it?’ Shazim suggested with a wicked smile as he lifted her in one arm and shucked her jeans and thong off with his free hand.

  And then he thrust deep, claiming her as she claimed him. Fiercely.

  It was a while before she could speak, and then it was only to urge him on. ‘I love that,’ she gasped as Shazim held her firmly in place while he buffeted her rhythmically against the wall.

  ‘Something else we have in common,’ he remarked, upping the tempo.

  ‘I love that e
ven more—’

  ‘I would never have guessed,’ he murmured.

  She screamed as he brought her to the edge and held her there.

  ‘Concentrate,’ he instructed.

  ‘Please,’ she exclaimed in desperation, clinging to him as she panted out her need.

  Shazim laughed as he tipped her over the edge. ‘I’ll never get enough of you, Isla—or of this.’

  ‘Mmm...glad to hear it,’ she managed somehow. ‘But I still don’t think I can be your Queen.’

  ‘Why not?’ Shazim demanded, holding her at arm’s length so he could stare into her face.

  ‘I’d be hopeless—just look at the facts: I’d never be ready in time, because I’d always have some clinic or other to finish. I’d be with the animals when you needed me most. I’d be covered in mud or worse, when I should be all dressed up for some important function—’

  Shazim shook his head. ‘There is an answer to all of that.’

  ‘Is there?’ she asked, wanting to believe him.

  ‘Sure.’ Shazim gave a smile. ‘I’m going to keep you locked away in my harem.’

  Isla dismissed this idea with a huff. ‘You can try. And, no harem,’ she added fiercely.

  Shazim’s smile broadened. ‘Leave your fantasies behind for once and consider this. Has it never occurred to you that I love you so much I’m prepared to compromise where your work is concerned, as I ask you to compromise where my duty to Q’Aqabi is concerned?’

  ‘A duty I hope to share one day.’

  ‘You will,’ he promised, slanting a smile.

  ‘So, you really do love me?’

  ‘I really do,’ Shazim confirmed.

  But it still didn’t seem right to Isla. She wasn’t beautiful. She wasn’t tall and elegant like all those princesses and celebrities Shazim could choose from. And she certainly wasn’t slim. She was stocky and capable, and far happier wearing rubber gloves ready to go deep, to do whatever was necessary for an animal, rather than flitting about in an evening gown. Could she really see herself in a regal robe and tiara, with her hair neatly brushed, and the right words for every occasion on the tip of her tongue?

  ‘I’m such a klutz. I’d be hopeless at it,’ she fretted out loud.