The Sheik's Ruby (3 page)

“Sounds good.” Shelby hoped her tone didn’t convey more than basic friendliness.
Stop acting ridiculous
.

Later in the day, the shade of the pine trees covered more of the slopes. Soon, the bright patches of snow peeking through the shadows would be gone. As the day had progressed, Shelby became more comfortable with Hakim, not feeling the need to fill the silences, but enjoying their time spent together. She wondered if he felt the same.

Shelby made sure she tried out every one of the lifts, especially the new ones that opened this season, gaining plenty of material for her article. The hours passed quickly. Acknowledging her tired muscles, she rested her head on the back of the chair. Today had been a long one. She turned her face toward her companion, who leaned back on the seat with his eyes closed.
Is he tired, too?
“This will be my last run. I’m trashed.”

Turning his head, he smiled. “Yes, I also feel tired. I have felt quite challenged at keeping up with you today.”

“I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure you’ve been holding back to keep pace with me.”

“Don’t underestimate your talent. You are an exceptional skier. And I will be sorry to lose your company.”

His words caused her stomach to flutter. “Thanks, Hakim. I’ve had a great day, too.” She paused, chewing on her lip. “Hey, I was wondering…I mean, I hope this isn’t too much, and I totally understand if you can’t or you don’t want to or whatever, but I’m coming back up the canyon in a few days to do a story on a snowmobiling company. They’re just a few miles away. Anyway, the guy told me to bring friends, but finding people who have the whole day off in the middle of the week is hard. So, do you want to come with me?” she finished in a rush. Why did she always wave her hands around so much when she was nervous?

“Thank you for the invitation.” He inclined his head forward. “I would be delighted to go snowmobiling with you.”

If she didn’t know better, she would have thought he was being cynical.
Or maybe that was just his formal way of speaking.
“We’re meeting at the Canyon Rim Lodge at nine-thirty, day after tomorrow. You can bring Nasir, too.”

“Thank you.”

The last lift line was nearly as empty as the first had been. Shelby found a trail through the trees with small jumps.

At the end of the run, they continued down the slope, past the lifts.

“The parking lot is totally out of your way. Aren’t you staying at the lodge?” she asked.

“It is not far. I will see you safely to your vehicle.”

Shelby raised her eyebrows, touched by his chivalry. “Thanks.”

After taking off their skis, they walked the short distance to her compact car in silence. Shelby rested her skis and poles against the driver’s side door and removed her gloves. Hakim helped her strap the equipment to the ski rack on the roof of the red car. She popped the trunk, then grabbed her sneakers and hopped for a few steps while she replaced her ski boots. Shelby fished her keys out of her pocket and turned toward him.

He clasped her hand in both of his.

“So, I’ll see you Thursday, right?” Shelby asked.

“Yes. Until Thursday, Shelby Jo Walker.”

“Until Thursday, Hakim.” She climbed behind the wheel. As she drove into the winter evening, her hand continued to feel the warmth of his touch.

Chapter Two

Hakim watched Shelby drive away and considered what intrigued him about the American woman. He was astonished to realize the answer—she simply treated him as a friend. He tried to remember ever being treated that way before. There had been tutors and playmates, under obligation to associate with him. Later, college classmates and women sought his attention and attempted to impress him. None of them ever regarded him as an equal.

That was the curse of his birthright—the inability to fully trust any relationship. The fact that this confident, lively woman was the only person who had befriended him without knowing the truth amazed him. For the first time in his life, someone knew him as Hakim, the
man
, instead of Hakim, the
prince
. He wondered how she would act if she knew his true identity. Selfishly, he hoped she would never find out.

Still lost in thought, he walked toward the resort, hardly noticing Nasir waiting at the edge of the parking lot. Both men re-attached their skis and made their way to the special lift that would take them back to the lodge.

The lift swung into the air. Hakim knew by Nasir’s silence he disapproved of the prince spending the day with a stranger. At lunch, Nasir had tried to convince Hakim that Shelby was a safety risk. How could they be sure she was who she claimed to be?

Hakim had insisted he was safe, but Nasir had still tried to persuade him to follow procedure which involved a background check, extra security, and perhaps even a polygraph test. Hakim had flatly refused.

Nasir had left the restaurant after giving his word not to let the prince out of his sight.

Hakim rubbed his palm over the back of his neck, bending his head from side to side. His frustration continued to build. He knew Nasir was only doing his job, but Hakim disliked being treated like a child, unable to make his own decisions and constantly suffocated in the name of safety.

“Nasir.” Hakim let out a cold breath as he turned to the larger man. Without the sun, the breeze had a distinct chill. “I have accepted an invitation from Miss Walker to accompany her on a snowmobile excursion Thursday at the Canyon Rim Lodge. Please see to the necessary arrangements.”

“Your Highness, this leaves me only one day to plan for your security. I need to organize an advance reconnaissance investigation at the Canyon Rim Lodge and the surrounding area. I will also need to run complete background checks on anyone who will be there.” Nasir removed his gloves and pushed them into his coat pocket.

Hakim blew out a frustrated sigh. “I am traveling anonymously. This snowmobile trip is merely a friendly excursion, not a trap set by an assassin. As far as Miss Walker knows, I am just a businessman on vacation. Please allow me to enjoy myself as such.”

“I understand, Your Highness. As I am charged with your protection, I must insist on providing what security measures I deem necessary. However, at your insistence, I will do my best to use discretion.”

“Thank you, Nasir.”

The ski valet met them as they arrived onto the lodge porch. He wore a dark green ski coat with the Bear Creek Lodge insignia above a name tag that read, “Brent.” Hakim judged Brent to be in his early twenties.

“How was the snow today, sir?” Brent asked in a polite voice.

“Very nice, thank you,” Hakim replied as he removed his skis. Although the motion was subtle, he noticed Brent’s eyes narrow when he heard his accent.

Nasir picked up both sets of skis and poles and handed them to Brent.

The valet strapped them to a rack and ducked into the back room, returning with the men’s shoes. “I’ll get those waxed up and ready for you tomorrow morning.

Nasir handed him a tip.

“Thank you, sir.” Brent slid the folded bill into his pocket.

Nasir held the door open and followed Hakim into the main lobby.

The large area was tastefully decorated with a rustic American western feel. Chandeliers made of antlers hung from the ceiling, casting interesting shadows on the high walls. Leather couches and brightly upholstered lodge pole chairs formed small sitting areas between the pool table and bar. The space was warm and inviting after the cold darkness outside.

Hakim was aware of the looks the other guests gave him. The instant distrust in people’s faces when they saw his dark tan skin and heard his accent. He often wondered how these same people would treat him if he revealed who he truly was. He loved the anonymity of traveling in the United States, but the discrimination often unnerved him.

As Hakim rode the penthouse elevator, his thoughts turned to Shelby. He was still surprised with himself for not dismissing her outright as soon as she spoke. Not out of arrogance, but because of his lack of social experience. But something about her had intrigued him. Was it her easy smile? Or her competitiveness? Or the way she chewed on her lip when she was thinking?

The elevator doors opened, and the penthouse butler stood in the suite entryway. The butler wore white gloves and an immaculate suit bearing the hotel crest on his lapel. “How was skiing, sir?”

“Very nice, thank you.” Hakim turned to allow the butler to slide his jacket off his shoulders.

“The chef has informed me supper will be ready in half an hour.”

Hakim nodded and took a moment to admire the view of the darkening mountain from the penthouse window.

The western décor theme carried throughout the lodge and into the guestrooms. A stone fireplace with a crackling flame was the focal point of the main area of the penthouse.

Hakim waved a farewell to Nasir, who retired to his own room, and then the prince stepped past the rustic planked dining table set for one and into a hall leading to the master bedroom, so he could shower before dinner.

For a few hours the next morning, Hakim skied, but found the activity wasn’t as appealing as the day before. Memories of the previous day distracted him. Every other thought was of Shelby—her smile as she raced him down the slope, their conversations on the lifts, the way she removed her gloves with her teeth, and chewed her lower lip when she was thinking. After a few runs, he returned to his suite, unable to concentrate.

Shelby was, as far as he could tell, a fairly typical American woman—average height and build. Pretty, though not stunning, more of a natural beauty. His gaze had been constantly drawn to her face which was so full of life, although something else, an aspect he couldn’t quite put his finger on, attracted him. She exuded confidence—a different kind of self-confidence than he was accustomed to—a type of poise which didn’t come from beauty, money, or status. She was honest. Competitive, yes, but not in an attempt to impress him. She seemed so open, yet not naïve. Simply comfortable being herself. And for reasons he couldn’t understand, she seemed comfortable being with him.

And did he ask too much, wanting the experiences of a regular life? To enjoy himself, to make friends, and to not worry about the finality of his future? He would be the Sheik soon enough, and such decisions would be made for him.

Dressed in a cashmere sweater and jeans, Hakim sat in front of the massive fireplace attempting to distract himself with a book.

“Excuse me, Your Highness.” Nasir entered the room with quiet footsteps. “I have the background check information for Miss Walker.”

Hakim put down his book and rolled his finger, indicating for Nasir to continue.

“Shelby Jo Walker, age twenty-four. Born in Culver Springs, Colorado. Parents are Burke and Deborah Walker. Brother is Chet Walker. None of her family has traveled outside of the country or had contact with any person or groups of interest.” Nasir spoke in a modulated tone, skimming his gaze down the page for pertinent information.

“Aside from one speeding ticket, Miss Walker has no criminal record. She is the registered owner of a 2005 economy compact car. Attended Culver High School, degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado, where she lived with three roommates. None of whom cause any suspicion. Employed by
Wintersports
magazine. Currently a resident of Washington Park, where she has lived for the past seventeen months. Miss Walker was issued an American passport and traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia in April of last year. As far as we can tell, she is no threat to your safety or the national security of Khali-dar.”

“Thank you.” Hakim took the papers from Nasir. He read over them with interest until his personal assistant, Shanayze, interrupted him with documents to sign. The prince set down the papers and resigned himself to conducting regular business matters.

An hour later, Shanayze stood to leave.

Hakim cleared his throat to stop her. “Shanayze, I would like you to do me a favor.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Shelby had over shadowed his thoughts all day. Had she been thinking about him, as well? American women were baffling to say the least, and he had no idea what sort of things might please this one. He looked to where his assistant waited. “Would you please speak to the concierge and arrange a floral delivery?”

****

Shelby stared at her computer screen. The words just wouldn’t come. Her mind wandered again to the events of the previous day.
Come on, concentrate. Remember, here in reality, there are deadlines and no handsome, exotic stranger to race down the mountain.
She tucked her wavy hair behind her ears and leaned back in her chair, allowing her gaze to travel around her workspace.

A crowded main floor office was the home of
Wintersports
magazine. Mismatched tables and chairs served as desks for the journalists. Shelby was the only employee sitting on the writers’ side of the office today. She heard voices in the conference room as the next month’s magazine was being laid out. The constant sound of the printing press rattled and hummed in the basement, making the floor vibrate. The walls in the office were papered in typical fashion with magazine clippings, pictures, comic strips, and photos of loved ones. Shelby only had two pictures on her desk. Her family smiled out of one frame. She studied their faces and felt the familiar twinge of homesickness.

A snapshot of Shelby’s best friend, Lacey, holding her brand new baby, rested against the family picture. Shelby had always been a little jealous of how beautiful Lacey was. Lacey’s grandfather was Navajo, his genes evident in her gorgeous hair, tan skin, and dark eyes. Undoubtedly the prettiest girl in school and Homecoming Queen their senior year, Lacey turned heads. Growing up, Shelby had felt awkward around boys. Her curly hair and freckles didn’t help her self-confidence much, especially when all males drooled over her best friend. She had usually been shy and insecure anytime a situation required her to interact with a member of the opposite sex. Luckily, Shelby had discovered sports and writing, giving her the confidence she needed. But this unfortunately resigned her to the role of a “guy’s best friend.”