For the Sheik's Pleasure (Sheiks in Love Book 2)

by Mary Jo Springer

“Diyari, she is going to know by tomorrow, anyway. Just tell her.” Nina added.

  “Tell me what, Your Royal Highness?” Candace queried, gripping his elbow, forcing him to turn toward her. Their eyes locked. He was hiding something, and she wanted to know what the hell was going on. Even though he’d given her permission to use his given name in public, out of respect, she continued to use his title.

  He ignored her plea.

  Instead, he placed a well-tapered finger against his lips, signaling Nina to be quiet. She was definitely being left in the dark. Why? What was going on? If they didn’t tell her soon, she was going to punch someone, and she knew exactly who that person was going to be. Gazing directly into his eyes, she narrowed her own on him, demanding, “I want to know what’s happening.”

  It was Nina who supplied her answer. Taking a deep breath, she blurted out, “Diyari’s fighting a duel tomorrow.”

  OMG! She’d heard the man insulting him at the Black Scorpions meeting, but she never expected Diyari to go through with this.

  “What? That’s positively medieval.”

  Despite Diyari’s warning to keep silent, Nina pressed on. “Diyari is defending our family’s honor.”

  Growling his displeasure, Diyari dropped his head into his hands as the two women around him continued the conversation.

  “You don’t have to worry about Diyari, he’s a martial arts master and a fencing master,” Nina continued.

  “Of all the hare-brained stunts . . .” A bright light of anger exploded in Candace’s brain. Diyari’s shoulders stiffened as he eased himself back against the seat. Had she imagined the foul four letter word that sprung from his lips?

  “So you’re risking the future of your country because someone said he didn’t like you.” Her hand grasped her neck in shock. “That’s ridiculous and careless. What if he kills you?”

  Nina started to say something, but Diyari cut her off. “That’s enough, Nina. She’s an American, and she neither understands, nor lives by, our strictures.”

  But Candace pressed on, her fear for his life mounting. “Seriously, you can’t intend to go through with this. It’s too dangerous and ludicrous.”

  Diyari’s foot started tapping against the floorboard, a clear sign of his mounting anger.

  “Really, you can’t even consider fighting this duel or whatever you call it. You could end creating more of a problem than you solved. This is macho bullshit, senseless, senseless, bullshit.” She turned her head and stared out the window.

  “Enough!” Diyari shouted, the sound booming in the car’s interior. Both Nina and Candace jumped about two inches off their seats. Even their driver jerked the wheel to the right.

  Candace glanced from brother to sister. “I’m sorry, but there must be other means of dealing with this man. Throw him out of the country. Exile him.”

  Bravely, Nina continued, “He can’t, the challenge has been issued and accepted.”

  “Really, Nina. One more word, and I’ll have you beheaded,” Diyari swore, folding the cuffs of his shirt back, exposing his forearms.

  Candace’s eyebrows arched.

  Nina made a face and stuck out her tongue.

  He chuckled. “Nice. Real mature, Nina. I can see just how ready you are to be married.”

  Candace ignored the frivolity. “Your Royal Highness, I think you need to explain this situation a little further.”

  “Oh, he has . . .”

  Diyari’s gaze drilled into his sister. “Nina, be quiet. We’ve heard enough from you for the moment. Give me a chance to explain all this to Candace. If. You. Don’t. Mind.”

  Candace glanced from Diyari to Nina. “Explain what?”

  Diyari scrutinized her, his brows furrowing into a tight line. “The other night at the palace, a man insulted not only our family but you.”

  She’d heard the insult last night, but she had to keep her cool or Diyari would be tipped off that she’d eavesdropped on the Black Scorpion meeting.

  She feigned amazement as she inquired, “Me? How would he know me?” She implored, keeping up the masquerade, her gaze rifling back and forth between brother and sister.

  Diyari drummed his fingers on the door panel. “He doesn’t. His simple purpose was to draw me into a fight by calling attention to those pictures of us in the magazines.”

  “Well, congratulate him, for he certainly succeeded,” Candace reprimanded. “He’s got you right where he wants you. A fight to the death over silly pictures that mean nothing.”

  Nina gasped at her bold words. But there was something curious in Diyari’s eyes as he cautioned, “Candace . . .” He reached for her hand. Quickly, she withdrew it. If he touched her, she was afraid she’d melt on the spot, and she needed to be strong in her course of action. This whole duel situation was unbelievable. Men and their machismo crap. She was so tired of it.

  Nina began to fidget in her seat.

  “What could he possibly say that would be bad enough for you to want to kill him or be killed? Did he damage your masculine ego?” She raised her chin. She hadn’t heard the actual slur Asad had voiced.

  “Allah be merciful.” The words poured out of Nina’s mouth, and she slapped her hand over her mouth as if to prevent another outburst.

  Diyari crossed his arms over his chest, showcasing his sculpted pecs. “He slandered my entire family. It was all I could do to not run him through there on the spot.”

  Candace’s gaze shot to Diyari’s face. She balled her fists in her lap. Why couldn’t he see this for what it was? Even standing in the dark outside the room full of the Black Scorpions, she’d known the man’s intentions were to draw Diyari into a fight. How could he let this happen? And why was he being so pig-headed about championing his family and her when he could just ignore the man’s taunts?

  “Candace?” His calming voice did nothing to alleviate her concern.

  She blew off his concern, “So what happens now?” she brushed her sweaty palms together.

  “Diyari will fight him tomorrow.”

  Diyari punched the door panel. “Nina . . . if you don’t mind.” He tilted his head and stared at his sister, his eyes spitting daggers.

  “Good God,” Candace moaned under her breath before crossing her arms over her chest and asking, “How?”

  “He’ll . . .” Nina began, but Candace quickly held up her hand, halting her.

  “No, Nina, I need to hear this from him.”

  She stared as Diyari rubbed his middle finger along the crest of his lips. He reminded her of a pressure cooker ready to blow. He closed his eyes, ignoring her question, or maybe he was counting to ten. She could see him laboring for control. Heard him grinding his teeth together. Witnessed the strain on his mandible.

  “Your Royal Highness?” She emphasized every word of his title. “I’m waiting for an answer.”

  Diyari glanced out the window. “We’ll face off with swords tomorrow.”

  Candace nearly flew out of her seat. “You can’t! This whole scenario is utter nonsense.” She interrupted him, grasping the sleeve of his shirt, jerking him around to face her.

  Candace puffed out her chest, “Again, what if he kills you? Where will that leave your country?”

  A muscle continued to jump along Diyari’s jaw, and he stared at her as if she’d grown another head. As if she had no business interfering. For a long moment, they stared at each other. Seconds slid into minutes and the stare down continued.

  Finally, he spoke, “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” He spat out between clenched teeth.

  Nina leaned forward, her head swinging back and forth between them as if observing an intense tennis match.

  “Ms. Danvers, you forget what side of the world you’re on.” His voice dropped into a I-mean-business octave, and she knew h
e was at the end of his patience. She didn’t care.

  She gave him a ‘whatever’ glance before stating, “Again, you’re the Crown Prince, for god’s sake. What if you lose?”

  “Lose?” His entire body stiffened as if that possibility never crossed his mind. Insulted, he tore his sleeve from her fingers as he continued, “I’m responsible for my family and my country, and I’ll protect both of those with my life. My life. Do you get the picture now, or do you require further explanations?”

  She’d heard this macho crap all of her adult life and suffered the deaths and mourning for the men and their big talk. She was sick of it.

  Diyari’s growl was final and deadly. “I don’t need your permission. I’m a grown man. I’ll do as I please, and you should make a note of that.” He pounded his fist against the leather seat. “And thank you very much for giving me the benefit of the doubt.” He buried both of his hands in his hair, angrier then she’d ever seen him. His nostrils flared; green lightning flashed from the heated core of his eyes. “I know this may come as a shock to you, but I can defend myself, and I consider it an honor to defend my family.” Again, he visually examined her, his blazing eyes raking over her, daring her to interrupt him again, promising dire consequences if she so much as opened her mouth. His blunt anger stabbed into her, immobilizing her. His sister blew out a loud breath, puffing her overlong bangs.

  Her own breath knotted into annoyance.

  She definitely wasn’t in Kansas anymore.

  Finished blowing off steam, he turned and once again gazed out the window. The only remaining sign of his irritation was that familiar tick in his lower jaw.

  She forced down a sick feeling as she registered what she’d done. Oh my God, I’ve made a horrible mistake. She ridiculed his manhood. Offended him in the most demeaning way. In front of his sister no less. She certainly didn’t mean he wasn’t capable of protecting his family and his nation. He was. Geez, she made a mess of this. No wonder he was upset. She hadn’t meant to demoralize him. It’s just when he started talking about fighting with swords her fear for him grew so fast, it overpowered her. It was barbaric. Mortified by her actions, she realized she shouldn’t have said anything in front of Nina. She’d left him absolutely no room to maneuver, to save face. Nowhere. Damn it! How stupid of her. Note to self: in the future, don’t mock his manhood.

  Nina’s cold hand captured hers, squeezing her fingers. They exchanged worried glances. The corners of Nina’s lips kicked up into a weak smile. “I’m so glad you’re here, Candace, really.” God bless her, Nina was fighting to change the subject. To pull the release valve on Diyari’s temper. Way to go, Nina, but it wasn’t working.

  Candace managed a slight smile. It bothered her that Diyari continued to stare out the window, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. Pissed didn’t begin to categorize his behavior.

  “I still say it’s barbaric. Something out of the middle ages.”

  “Stop this damn car!” Diyari bellowed.

  “What?” Candace begged, sitting up straighter in her seat, imagining herself being dumped in the middle of the desert as he drove off.

  Before the car even came to a stop, he shoved the door open and pulled her out, dragging her away from the car.

  “Your Royal Highness, please—” she pleaded, but he refused to stop. He was so strong. Even when her heels sank into the deep sand and she all but fell, he kept tugging her toward the open desert. He picked her up by her elbows each time she stumbled. At any minute, she expected him to sling her over his broad shoulder. She glanced behind her just in time to see Nina’s startled face pressed against the car window.

  When they’d walked about a hundred yards from the car, he turned toward her, dropping her hand as if it offended him.

  His furious gaze slammed into her, as his bottled-up rage spilled out. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He gave her no time to respond before he continued, “I’m in charge here. I’m the sheik.” He drove a finger into his chest to emphasize each word. “You’re a guest, an employee, and from now on you will treat me with the dignity afforded my rank.”

  She swallowed hard, her eyes firmly anchored on his face.

  As he spoke, he strode away from her, angrily kicking at the sand. He turned now, waving his hands in the air as he spit out, “How dare you grill me on things that are none of your concern!” He shouted the last word at her.

  “I—” she tried to interrupt.

  But he was having none of it. He cut her off with a wave of his royal hand. “You’re still not listening to me.”

  “I’m trying to . . .”

  He marched toward her. She took a step back, afraid now. No longer did she face her fun-loving, teasing, almost lover of the past days. Noooo, this was the warlord of the desert, the Viper, that came at her, and she had no clue how to deal with this man. Although dressed in tan dress pants and a dress shirt, he still resembled a fierce warrior on the back of a galloping horse.

  “Be quiet.” He pointed a finger at her. “I don’t want to hear from you unless I address you personally. Do . . . you . . . understand?”

  Afraid to speak, to move, she could do nothing but stare at him with raised eyebrows.

  He reached her, grabbed her hair, wrapped it around his fist, and reeled her to him. In the next instant, his lips savagely crushed against hers. Fear flooded her veins. She fought against him, pushing at that hard chest of his with all her might. It was like trying to move a mountain. He didn’t budge. For a long moment, he refused to let her go. Then, just as suddenly as this sand storm began, it passed. He withdrew, striding about five yards away, and without facing her, belted out, “You make me crazy. You know that?!”

  Jasmine was right. She never should have come here by herself. It wasn’t safe. Being with him when he was this volatile was both ludicrous and perilous.

  With hands on his hips, he stared out over the horizon. Then, he turned and walked back to her, all of the anger of a few moments ago vanished. He was in control once again, all traces of the storm of the desert gone. His hands framed her face, and he leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry.” His lips touched her forehead. “But you can’t undermine my authority.”

  “I didn’t.”

  His hands came up to block her reply. “Oh, come on, Candace. You knew exactly what you were doing. Let’s be honest here.”

  “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Of course you don’t.” He smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. She heard his phone ringing in his pocket. He ignored it.

  “I’m serious, Diyari.”

  “Oh, come on, you didn’t know you called into challenge my masculinity? You emasculated me. In front of my sister and a servant, for God’s sake.”

  Her eyes grew round. “Oh, that,” she returned, innocently.

  “So you do know what I’m talking about?”

  She glanced down at her shoes. Yes, she realized she’d committed the horrible crime of questioning his authority. And yes, she had embarrassed him. “Well, I’m sorry. It’s just that the whole duel thing is ludicrous.”

  A gust of wind sent sand flying all around them.

  His finger inched her face up. “But very necessary. Can we agree on that point?”

  “No, I just don’t think—”

  He let out a strangled growl. Exasperated, he paced in front of her. “You think I should allow this man to dishonor my family, my country, and you?”

  Her head movements followed his pacing. “It is not worth your life. None of it is.”

  He stopped and stared at her. “If honor isn’t worth dying for, then what is?”

  She was speechless. She couldn’t fault him for standing up for his beliefs. Honor. Family. Maybe he was different. Deep down inside, she’d know
n that from the moment they’d met. But what if something happened to him?

  Diyari’s voice crushed her somber thoughts, “In your country, when insults are exchanged, fists fly. In my country—swords clash. It is not that different.”

  “I don’t like fighting.”

  He gave her a heart-stopping smile. “Neither do I! I’d much rather settle an argument with words, but sometimes you have to go to the mat to protect and defend what’s yours.” He raised his voice, punctuating every word.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess. But—”

  His gaze flicked out over the desert for a brief second then flashed back to her. “No, no buts about it. This is my duty, and my privilege, as a member of the royal family. I want to defend my honor and that of my family. It’s precious to me.” His lips descended on hers, kissing her, long and hard, the torrid temperature of the desert rivaling the passion of his kiss. She gasped for breath as her head began to spin. Desire flooded her veins.

  Chapter 7

  The echo of metal clashing against metal, preceded by the shrieks of a cheering crowd, bolted Candace awake. Sitting up in her bed, she threw the covers off without thinking about how she was dressed. In her pink silk PJ pants and matching T-shirt, she bolted over to the entrance of the tent. Peaking outside, her heart dropped to her toes. Diyari, bare-chested, circled another man amid an enlarging crowd of tribesmen. In their hands, they swung the biggest curved swords she’d ever seen. How monstrous! Engaged in a preposterous macabre dance of death, they inched toward each other. Her hand flew to her mouth, preventing the scream threatening to blare from her lips. What the hell? Didn’t Diyari realize they were out in the open where anyone could shoot him? The man he was entangled with, Asad, had friends, and he more than likely belonged to this National Resistance Group. She’d lay money Asad hadn’t come up with this plan all by himself. Members of this group probably saturated the growing crowd. Her eyes scanned the ever-expanding group. Was the king out in the open also? Her gaze quickly located him. What a nightmare! She observed the rest of the camp, searching for any detail, any glint off a gun barrel, or triggering of a bomb. Her intense scrutiny widened to encompass the entire camp. Without walls to protect the encampment, anyone could drive or ride straight into the compound, detonate a bomb, and cause massive loss of life. A huge campfire in the center of the circle of tents offered another threat. How easy it would be to ignite a torch from the fire and toss it into a tent. Everywhere her gaze fell, she uncovered methods for the royal family to be slaughtered. Good God!