The Sheikh's Hesitant Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 7) (10 page)

Rachel watched Alice dash out of the office and heard the door close. She was alone now with Abby and she wondered what was going to happen.

Abby turned and faced Rachel. "Sheikh Zarif sounded very disappointed when I told him you and I were leaving for Paris. In fact, he sounded more than disappointed. He was absolutely livid."

"What did he say?" Rachel demanded.

Abby's eyes narrowed, and she took a few steps toward Rachel. "At first, I thought his disappointment had to do with me."

"You?" Rachel asked.

Abby laughed sarcastically. "Yes. I mistakenly assumed his frustration might have been because I was going to be away from him. That he was going to miss out on the chance of spending more time with me."

Rachel felt a knot of anxiety twist in her middle. Where was Abby going with all of this?

Abby laughed sardonically and shook her head. "I don't know how I could have been so deluded," she said. There was a hint of sadness in Abby's tone of voice. Had Zarif said something to Abby? Had he made clear his feelings, his true intentions? If so, what had caused Abby to feel such rage, such indignation. So much obvious disappointment.

Rachel suddenly guessed what Zarif had told Abby. She knew with absolute clarity what Zarif had said to Rachel's boss. He would have said what he had almost said to Rachel the night before in his apartment. He would have made his intentions clear. She knew that now.

"It seems you and Sheikh Zarif have been leading me a merry dance," Abby said.

"I don't know what you mean," Rachel replied.

"Of course, you know what I'm talking about. All those viewings. All that extra time spent out of the office. All those unavoidable delays." Abby shook her head. "I don't know how I missed it. Must have been those lunches with the wonderful sheikh," Abby added with barely disguised scorn. Rachel could see in Abby's eyes that the memories of her lunch dates with Zarif had been utterly transformed into ones that would torment her.

"Abby, it's not what you think," Rachel said.

Abby raised a brow. "And what am I thinking, Rachel? Tell me."

"Sheikh Zarif and I have just been friendly," Rachel replied. "I thought it best to go along with his wishes if it meant he'd buy a property."

"Really? You want me to believe you were just doing your job?" Abby asked incredulously.

Rachel nodded. "That's what you hired me for, isn't it?"

Abby's gaze sharpened and once again she seemed to be scrutinizing Rachel, assessing her and Rachel could see that the conclusions Abby was drawing weren't positive. Not one bit.

Abby moved slowly toward Rachel and was now only inches away from her. "You think you'll hook him, don't you?" Abby said in a quiet, even voice.

Rachel scowled at Abby. "What are you talking about?"

Abby cocked her head to one side and smiled acidly. "You're not in his league, Rachel. You never will be."

Rachel's throat tightened. She stared at Abby. "Are you serious?" she gasped at her boss. "I'm not trying to trick sheikh Zarif into anything. He's not stupid. He wouldn't fall for something like that."

"Really?" Abby said wryly. "He's a man, isn't he? All men are the same."

"Zarif isn't like other men," Rachel exclaimed before she knew what she was saying. "He's special. Different."

Abby grinned as if Rachel had just confirmed her suspicions. "I know he's special when it comes to what really matters," Abby said casually. "Rich. Handsome. Powerful," she said counting her fingers. "There aren't many like him. I'll grant you that."

Rachel clenched her fists and took a step toward Abby. "He's more than that. Much more."

Abby gaze narrowed. She paused for a moment before speaking. "You're really smitten, aren't you," she observed.

Rachel shifted back on her heels and drew in a deep breath. "That's none of your business, Abby," Rachel stated firmly.

"I think it is, Rachel. Sheikh Zarif is my client," Abby said emphasizing her ownership of Zarif as if he was just another business asset. "And we have rules when it comes to engaging with clients. Especially wealthy ones like Zarif."

Rachel could see just why Zarif had been so determined to keep Abby at a distance. She could understand just how hard he'd needed to work to reject Abby's crude attempts at seduction. Rachel felt sorry for Abby. There was a coldness about her boss, a calculating quality that she hadn't really noticed before. But now she could see it, plain and clear. No wonder Zarif had so much disdain for women who only saw him as a means to an end, a source of endless cash, limitless influence, a life of ease and idleness. In return for which he would receive only casual attentions, calculated indifference, and worst of all. A cold heart.

"Rules? What do you mean, Abby?" Rachel asked.

Before Abby had a chance to respond, Rachel heard a voice from behind her.
 

"Yes, Abby. What rules would they be?"

She recognized the deep growl and the identity of the speaker was confirmed by shocked expression on Abby's face as she looked over Rachel's shoulder.

Zarif.

Rachel whirled around. He stood at the door, his hands in his pockets. He looked amazing, dressed as always in his neatly cut blue suit and white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck. He hadn't shaved, and his chin was shadowed with dark scruff. His gaze met Rachel's, and she was sure she saw a flicker of a smile at the corner of his mouth, a glint of pleasure in his eyes.

Zarif looked at Abby. "You were saying?"

Abby was speechless for a moment, a visible panic in her eyes as she tried to figure out what she should say next.

Zarif walked across the room. "Alice let me in. I couldn't help hearing some of what was said." Zarif gazed at Abby. "I had no idea you thought so highly of me, Abby. Really. I should feel flattered," Zarif added, acid sarcasm filling his voice.

Abby's mouth dropped open, her features pale, her eye wide with panic. "I didn't mean to say..."

Zarif interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "I know what I heard." He glanced at Rachel. There was that glint in his eye, again. Was that mischievousness she saw there? Was he playing some elaborate game? What was he planning to do?

"Sheikh Zarif, what can I say?" Abby said.

"Sheikh Al Mahrez of Qazhar," Zarif replied in a flat, even tone of voice. He peered at Abby, his gaze firm and serious.
 

Rachel saw the reaction on Abby's face at Zarif's reminder of his formal title. Rachel could see that Abby understood why he had done that. What it really meant. The inevitable conclusion that could be drawn from such an utterance.

"I think there has been a misunderstanding," Abby said urgently.

Zarif shook his head slowly. "I don't think so, at all. I believe we all understand quite well where we all stand," he declared.

Abby glanced nervously at Rachel. Was she seeking Rachel's help? Was she really asking for Rachel to simply forget what she had said to her only moments before?

Abby peered at Zarif. "What can I say?"

Zarif shrugged. "I think you've already said more than enough."

Once again Abby looked pleadingly at Rachel.
 

Zarif glanced at Rachel. "Am I to understand you're leaving London?"

Rachel felt her heartbeat stutter. Her mouth felt suddenly dry and her throat inexplicably tight. Rachel glanced at Abby and then back at Zarif. "Abby was planning to take me to Paris with her. But now, I'm not so sure," Rachel said.

"Is that right, Abby. Are you still planning to take Rachel away from me?"

Abby's eyes narrowed and her gaze flickered toward Rachel, as if seeking some kind of confirmation.

Rachel struggled to hold back the gasp which leaped to her throat. She stared up at him and saw Zarif's gaze flicker downward, taking in the reaction to what he'd just said. What did he mean? Taking her away? She wasn't his possession. He had no claim over her. She didn't belong to him.

And even as those thoughts drifted into her awareness, even as she tried to dismiss them, she knew in some deep part of herself that there was truth in what he had said. It was suddenly undeniable.

The past two weeks had been wonderful, had been the most glorious, exciting time of her life. Every day she had been with him something had been growing inside her, an awareness that he had been gradually drawing her to him, bringing her inexorably into his world. And, all she had done had been to push him away, try desperately to deny the feelings which had been intensifying day after day.

"We were planning to go to Paris tomorrow," Abby said. "I'm sure Alice can look after you while Rachel and I are gone. We should be back in a day or two."

Rachel glanced up at Zarif. He was shaking his head. There was an easy assurance in his gaze. "I don't think that will be necessary," he said.

Rachel frowned at him, and he glanced down at her. She saw a certainty there, the same look she'd seen before, when he had leaned in to kiss her on the balcony at his apartment. Heat stirred in her middle as she peered into the deep, dark pools of his self-assured gaze. This was a man utterly certain of himself, convinced of his purpose now that he was back by her side.

Rachel turned and looked at Abby. There was consternation on her boss' face. "What do you mean?" Abby asked.

"I'm going back to Qazhar today," Zarif announced.

Rachel whirled around and stared at Zarif. "Going home?" she exclaimed. In spite of herself, there was undisguised emotion in her voice and she felt her face flush as he looked at her.
 

"But, the properties," Abby blurted out.

"They can wait. In any case, they weren't quite what I was looking for," he said. As he spoke his gaze drifted down to Rachel. "I found something else, instead," he added evenly. "Something far more important."

He moved slightly, edging closer to Rachel and she felt his presence as keenly as she'd felt it the night before, when he had lifted her up, intending to take her some place they both knew would change everything forever.

His dark gaze settled easily on her. Rachel felt her breath halt momentarily in her chest. Her heart was thudding, her pulse racing suddenly faster. What was he talking about?

Abby tried to recover some of her lost composure. "I'm sure when you return, we can sort something out. There are always opportunities."

Zarif nodded. "That's just what I was thinking this morning, on the way over here. Opportunities. Qazhar is filled with them. Especially property."

Abby's interest seemed instantly captured by thoughts of property, the expensive types that were no doubt abundant in Qazhar. "Are you considering going into business there?"

Zarif gazed at Abby, an even indifference in his eyes. "I've decided to start a company there."

"Really?" Abby said nervously.

Zarif nodded. "Some of my friends have already branched out into the business. And, I've been rather taken with the idea since I've been here in London."

Rachel looked at Zarif. "You're going to open up a property business in Qazhar?" she asked.

Zarif quirked a brow. "It might be fun. Don't you think?" His eyes glinted with a mischievous pleasure.

What did he mean? Was he asking her something?

Rachel saw Abby glare at her. They both knew just what Zarif was suggesting, but he was trying to tease them both, playing a game with the two women.

"Would you be looking for help if you're thinking of doing that?" Abby asked slowly. Rachel could see that Abby already knew what the answer would be to her question.
 

Zarif shook his head and looked at Rachel. Then he reached out a hand and placed it gently on Rachel's shoulder. She felt a shiver of delight course through her body. "I think I already know someone who might be perfect for the position," he said.

Rachel gazed inquiringly at him, and he squinted back at her. "What do you think, Rachel?"

Was he asking her to go to Qazhar with him?
 

Rachel glanced at Abby and saw her boss' jaw was tight, her gaze dark and withering.

"You want me to go to Qazhar?" Rachel asked incredulously.

Zarif nodded. "You can run the business there. Be your own boss," he added with an acid glance toward Abby. "I'm sure you'll do a great job." He smiled at her. "If you accept my offer."

Rachel gasped and turned away from Zarif and Abby. She clasped her hands and felt the moisture in her palms, the shaking that had suddenly taken hold of her.

Was this for real? Was Zarif giving her a chance to begin a new life in a strange world she knew nothing about? How could that be? What on earth was he thinking about?
 

Rachel went to the office window and gazed out across the London skyline. Did she dare accept such an offer? It was clear that things between her and Abby wouldn't be the same. Not after their confrontation this morning. Abby had made her feelings absolutely clear. In any case, if she did refuse Zarif's offer, Rachel wasn't even sure Abby wouldn't just fire her the moment Zarif had left.

Rachel drew in a deep breath, feeling her throat dry, swallowing a sudden impossibility.
 

Qazhar. The very thought of it promised so much. A chance to establish herself; an opportunity to find out if Zarif was indeed the man she believed him to be.

Rachel turned and saw Zarif and Abby watching her. Zarif's expression was open and hopeful. Abby's face was a picture of discontent and barely concealed resentment.

Something shifted inside Rachel as she gazed at Zarif. Her eyes met his and she felt a growing warmth. A flickering of hope rose up in her breast, a sudden optimistic promise that a new road had opened up for her. She didn't know for sure where it would lead, but the prospects filled her with a tentative, hesitant excitement.

Rachel lifted her chin and looked at Zarif. All she could see was the anticipation in his gaze, the eagerness for her answer. At that moment he was all that existed for her.

Rachel smiled at Zarif. "I know I'm probably crazy for doing this, but I'm going to accept your offer, Zarif."

His smile beamed at her, and his eyes shimmered with delight. "Wonderful," he exclaimed. He came over to her and they exchanged an air kiss. For a moment she felt a brief desire for something more, an embrace, just like last night. But she knew that Abby would have exploded if they had done that in front of her.