by Cara Albany
Toward Erin.
She felt her stomach tumble nervously and her throat tightened, emotion seizing her. She clutched her hands together tightly, suddenly unsure what she should do.
"Erin? Is everything alright?" her mother asked, concern on her face.
Erin nodded in her mother's direction, but her eyes were fixed on the sight of Karim making his way toward her.
She heard cameras clicking and saw the frantic activity of the media people standing behind the makeshift barrier designed to keep them at an appropriate distance.
Karim came to a sudden halt in front of her mother and Sheikh Abdullah.
Karim drew himself up to his full height and seemed to be staring the Sheikh down. It looked for a moment as if both men were about to say something to one another. With his back to the cameras, Erin could see Karim glaring at the other Sheikh. What was going on between these two men?
Was there some reason for the obvious dislike Karim had for the older Sheikh?
Karim looked over Abdullah's shoulder and gazed at Erin. She felt her heartbeat quicken, saw the love in his eyes. There were so many unspoken words in that gaze that it took Erin's breath away. Erin gasped and smiled at Karim. Erin felt the joy leap in her heart. Her mother, hearing the sound Erin had just made, turned and looked at her daughter. A wordless understanding passed between mother and daughter in that moment. Erin saw her mother look at Karim and smile at him. Karim and Abdullah still refused to say a word to each other.
Erin's mother broke the silence. "Sheikh Abdullah, may I introduce Sheikh Karim Al Rasareh," she said.
Then with an even and very undiplomatic voice filled with pride, she added words that made Erin almost break down into tears. "My son-in-law."
Cameras clicked frantically, and journalists shouted out questions, but Erin could only hear the sound of her heart beating thunderously.
Karim reached out and shook Abdullah's hand. Karim turned to the cameras. "I came here to eager to meet Sheikh Abdullah. I'm sure the Sheikh and I can work together in the coming months to continue the good work our families have been doing these past few years."
Karim shook Abdullah's hand emphatically. Probably a bit too emphatically, Erin thought.
"Isn't that the case, Sheikh Abdullah?" Karim stated defiantly.
The Sheikh nodded briskly. From where Erin was standing it looked like Karim hadn't left him much choice, especially as everything was being caught on film.
Karim let go the hand of a perplexed and conquered looking Sheikh Abdullah.
Karim continued to address the gathered media as he walked up the stairs. She thought he looked suddenly in his element, confident and even proud, putting on a performance for the media. But she knew this was no performance. And when she heard his next words she knew all of this was absolutely real. "But, of course, the main reason I'm here this morning is to end a very brief parting from my beloved wife. A situation that I assure you will never happen again."
Finally standing next to Erin, Karim took her in his arms, drew her deliciously close to him and kissed her. She felt her body soften against his, and she wrapped her arms around him, feeling as if she never wanted to let him go. His lips were as soft and tender as she remembered. It felt so good to be in his arms; so good to once again be with him.
Somewhere, far away she heard voices calling out more questions. She was sure she even heard her sister, Nicole squeal with excitement.
Their lips parted, and she looked up into his eyes, now alive with love and adoration.
"I love you, Erin," he whispered.
Her heart raced, and happiness filled her soul. She reached up and traced a line down the side of his face with the back of her hand.
"I love you, Karim," she murmured.
"Did you catch that?" Erin heard Nicole call out to the media gathering. "Did you hear what they just said to each other?"
Erin smiled at Nicole and shook her head.
"Maybe I should repeat that," Karim said turning to the onlookers. "This is the woman I will love and cherish forever," he declared. "Destiny has brought us together," he said. Erin saw him looking at Abdullah. "And nothing shall ever tear us apart," Karim added defiantly.
Erin saw Abdullah sigh and nod his head resignedly.
Karim held Erin close. She smiled up at him, and he gazed back at her with absolute love in his eyes.
Everything was going to be okay, after all, she told herself as she and Karim stood at the top of the stairs and let the world confirm their love.
THE END
Coming next. Nicole's story. A romance of the Qazhar desert.
ALSO AVAILABLE
IN THE QAZHAR SHEIKHS SERIES OF NOVELS
Book 1 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series. Three brothers and their search for love
THE SHEIKH'S FORBIDDEN BRIDE
A Second Chance For The Sheikh To Claim His Lost Love
Feisty and determined, Chloe Stirling had once loved and lost Sheikh Zayed Al Kharif. But that is all in the past now.
Or, is it?
Chloe's work brings her to Zayed's kingdom where she must find a way to resist a former lover who will not be denied.
Zayed is an untamed Sheikh determined not to waste this chance to possess the only woman he has ever loved. Forced to abandon her once before, he's not about to make the same mistake again. He will use everything he can to win her back, even if Chloe is determined to deny him a second chance.
Can Zayed seize his second chance at love, and overcome the barriers to finding a happy ever after with a woman who is now so close to becoming the love of his life?
Book 2 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series
THE SHEIKH'S PRETEND BRIDE
Enemies in public. Lovers in private.
Feisty Ella Brant never thought that the sheikh she had come to expose and publicly shame would become more than an enemy. He would become her lover.
Sheikh Raz Al Kharif has been happy for every woman to believe that he's a man who can't be tamed. Life has been too good to allow any woman to bring him to his knees and marry.
But, Ella isn't just any woman. She's not just another pretend future wife.
The spirited American woman has made it her mission to teach Raz a very important lesson. Can she do it while keeping the sheikh at bay?
Can Raz break down the barriers between himself and the amazing woman who is driving him to distraction? And, can he stop her from turning his world upside down?
Book 3 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series.
The Sheikh's Rebellious Bride
REUNION WITH THE SHEIKH FOR A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE.
Independent business woman, Zoe Smith never thought she'd have to ask her former lover Sheikh Tariq Al Kharif to honor the promise he'd made to her years before. But, when her world is turned upside down she has no choice but to demand that the Sheikh keep his word.
Even if it means entering into a marriage of convenience.
Sheikh Tariq can still remember the passion he once felt for the feisty American. Now she's back in his kingdom and she has a dangerous proposal. When he rejects it, the woman who never took no for an answer gives him little choice but to accept a temporary arranged marriage.
One year of marriage. No intimacy allowed.
Now that they're back together, sharing a palace and a bed, can they both resist their reawakened attraction? Can the sheikh overcome the resistance of his rebellious bride?
Book 4 in the Qazhar Sheikhs series
The Sheikhs Reunion Bride
UNREQUITED LOVE FOR A POWERFUL, UNTAMED SHEIKH.
Smart and professional, Mia Watson never believed she'd be reunited with the handsome sheikh who once mercilessly played with her emotions during a summer she would never forget.
Her older brother's best friend, Sheikh Rafiq, left an indelible memory on Mia, and she is determined to move on with her life.
Sheikh Rafiq Al Kharif, cousin to the recently married Al Kharif brothers, has a problem. He has recently avoided a
n unwanted arranged marriage and is in no hurry to fall into that trap any time soon. However, when a crisis looms he must rely on a beautiful, feisty woman he once drove to distraction. And she hasn't forgiven him.
He was captivated before by her innocence. Now she's captured his heart again.
But when he gets the chance to sweep her off her feet, he finds she's far less willing than before. That isn't about to stop him. Once she's in his palace, Rafiq is sure that Mia won't be able to resist him, even if she's still pretending to be the innocent.
THE SHEIKH'S SECOND CHANCE BRIDE
Book 5 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series. Three sheikhs and their search for love
The Sheikh turned her world upside down and then walked out on her.
Fiercely independent, Lana Huntly will do anything for her best friend, Mia. Especially now that Mia is getting married to her own beloved Sheikh, Rafiq Al Kharif. But, in order to attend the wedding, Lana must do something she never thought she'd do again.
Set eyes on Sheikh Malik, brother to the groom.
Malik Al Kharif. The untameable sheikh of Qazhar.
Wild and uncontrollable, Sheikh Malik is under pressure to settle down, accept marriage and responsibility. The last thing he expected was to get a second chance to show his feisty American just how much she means to him.
But, has Malik underestimated the spirited woman who seems determined to torment him once again?
Lana's going to prove that Malik hasn't changed one bit. Once bitten, twice shy.
But, Malik has other plans. It's his last chance to show Lana that he is every inch the powerful sheikh with a wicked reputation.
They belong together and he won't stop until he has made her his. Forever.
The Sheikhs Baby Secret (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 6)
Book 6 in The Qazhar Sheikhs series
Surprise baby for the dangerous sheikh and his lost love.
Determined to survive, Beth simply assumed that Sheikh Tazim Al Kharif had abandoned her after a passionate encounter in Paris that left her with a surprise baby to love and care for.
But now he's back in her life and wants to finish what he started. He's here to claim her as his bride. Especially when he learns about their surprise baby.
Now that he knows he has a son and heir, Sheikh Tazim will do whatever it takes to convince Beth that she belongs to him. But dark shadows from Tazim's dangerous past threaten their future.
A wedding in Qazhar seems like the only solution, but can Beth trust and forgive?
Can Tazim convince Beth that they can claim a future of love and family?
Is it possible for Beth to love the sheikh who is determined to finally make her his bride?
THE SHEIKH'S HESITANT BRIDE (QAZHAR SHEIKS BOOK 7)
First Love With An Untamed Sheikh
Independent and ambitious, Rachel has turned her back on the disappointments of love in favor of career and success. No man required. But, Sheikh Zarif is no ordinary man, and when he demands Rachel's personal attention, she finds herself swept up in his world.
Damaged but defiant, Sheikh Zarif has come to London to rid himself of his past. He never expected to find an innocent who would restore his faith in love. But, when he tries to claim Rachel, the beautiful woman who's made him doubt his decision to never again open his heart, Zarif finds that getting what he wants doesn't always come easily.
Can the powerful Sheikh heal his wounded soul and claim the woman who has restored his faith in love?
Can Rachel resist the temptations of the Sheikh who has awakened her forbidden desires?
THE SHEIKH'S DESERT BRIDE
QAZHAR SHEIKHS BOOK 8
Reunited In The Desert For A Last Chance At Love With Her Determined Sheikh
Taken prisoner in the mountains of Qazhar, the last person feisty American, Lucy Hunt expects to be her rescuer is the sheikh she nearly married.
But they're together again, and she's in his arms. She's got no choice but to submit to his protection as they brave the dangers of the desert together.
But, she soon realizes there's nothing more dangerous than a passionate, determined sheikh.
Once before, Sheikh Azim almost claimed Lucy as his bride. He came tantalisingly close to making her his forever. Then she was gone.
But fate has dealt him one last chance and he isn't going to let the woman he almost made his wife get away, again.
It's up to Azim to get her to safety, which means they'll get to rediscover the passionate nights that once turned both their worlds upside down.
In the sheikh's encampment, can Lucy resist the temptations of the man she once thought would be her prince forever?
Can Azim ignite Lucy's passion and win back his one true love?
Each novel in the series is a complete standalone story with a happy ending and no cliffhangers.
THE SHEIKH'S MATCHMAKER BRIDE
QAZHAR SHEIKHS BOOK 9
The Last Chance For Friends to Finally Become Lovers
Prim and proper, Aliyah Al Kharif is used to thinking only of others. She's a matchmaker who's never loved. Until now. One night with Sheikh Shahid is all it takes to ignite a secret passion. And now she has a problem. Can she resist the passionate advances of a man who has been her friend for many years?
Wild and untamed, Shahid has known Aliyah most of his life and never thought he'd fall for her. But, it only takes one incredible moment to awaken a hidden, dangerous desire.
Now she's all he wants, but there's a catch. They'll have to pretend they don't share a burning desire for each other.
Is the matchmaker about to have her very own arranged marriage? Will these friends become lovers forever?
This is the story of Aliyah, the sister to the three Al Kharif brothers who featured in the first three books in the Qazhar sheikhs series.
Each novel in the series is a complete standalone story with a happy ending and no cliffhangers.
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading The Sheikh's Marriage of Convenience. I hope you enjoyed it.There will be further volumes of Sheikh romances and other titles over the coming months . If you would like to know when future books are available please sign up for my new release email newsletter.
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Also, if you would like to leave a review of the book on Amazon I would be very grateful.
I can be contacted by email at [email protected].
CARA
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
The Sheikh's Marriage of Convenience © 2016 Cara Albany