The Sheik's Secret Bride

Chapter Three

“A re you enjoying the night?” Malik asked.

“Sure,” Liana told him, trying not to notice that her body had begun to melt with each step of his approach. If he moved any closer, she was going to be little more than a puddle on the tiled floor of the balcony. “It’s very pretty. What are you doing out here?”

“I willed you to join me.”

He spoke with such seriousness that Liana couldn’t help laughing. “I thought only vampires willed women to do their bidding. Crown Princes can too?”

“Absolutely.”

He stopped next to her and leaned casually against the railing. He still wore his gray suit and it still fit perfectly. The fabric seemed to emphasize the breadth of his shoulders and his white shirt gleamed in the night. His features blended together in the shadows until it was difficult to make out the firm shape of his mouth or the high cut of his cheekbones. Nonetheless, his good looks made him far too lethal for her safety.

“I’m not going to be easily persuaded,” she told him honestly. “I doubt you’ll get what you want from me.”

“Don’t be so sure. I can be very patient.”

They were teasing, right? This was El Baharian flirtation? Liana wasn’t so sure that Malik knew this was a game.

“Patient?” she repeated, questioning his choice of word. “Whisking me off to the palace before asking my permission is hardly the action of a patient man.”

“Agreed, but it was effective. I’m interested in results, as well.”

“Look, Your Highness, I’m not sure what you’re expecting from me, but let’s clear up a few things. I’m not interested in a fling of any kind. It’s not my style.”

His dark eyes regarded her steadily. He stood close enough for her to inhale the masculine scent of him—and darned if it wasn’t plenty appealing.

“What is your style?” he asked.

“I don’t have one.” She bit her lower lip and figured she might as well get everything out in the open. “Look, I appreciate your attentions. They’re very flattering, even though they make no sense. I mean, I’m not a fashion model, right?”

She went on without waiting for a reply. “The point is, I’m not looking for romance. I’m here to do a job.”

“At the American School. I know.”

“No, you don’t.” She turned until she was facing him. “This job is important to me. I’m a math teacher and I love what I do, but it’s not the greatest paying job. I have a young daughter and we’re pretty much on our own. It’s up to me to provide for her future. When I heard about the school, I was intrigued because the salary is generous and the living expenses are all provided. In two years working here I can save enough to fund Bethany’s college education and still have enough left over for a down payment on a small house back home. That’s what’s important to me—my daughter’s future and our joint financial security.”

“I see.”

Malik continued to stare into her face. It was most disconcerting, she thought, especially when his attention seemed to become as tangible as a touch. It was almost as if his fingers were stroking her cheek, her nose, her mouth. Her lips actually began to tingle, as if he’d kissed her.

She swallowed against the sudden dryness in her throat. What was wrong with her? Jet lag only explained so much of her wild and strange attraction to Malik Khan.

“You have your life planned out,” he said at last. “Very forward-thinking of you, although it sounds lonely.”

She wrinkled her nose. “If you’re talking about love, I’m not interested. Been there, done that.”

“I understand. You’re a widow who mourns the unexpected and premature passing of a much-loved husband.”

She rolled her eyes. “Not exactly. I’m divorced and my ex gets on my nerves. I have no intention of going through that again.”

“There’s a small bench just past that bend in the balcony,” Malik said. “Would you please join me there for a few moments before you retire for the evening?”

His old-fashioned courtesy disarmed her. What had happened to the imperious man who insisted on getting his way? Knowing that Bethany was safe asleep, she found herself moving in the direction he’d indicated. Worse, Malik put his hand on the small of her back where the individual fingers seemed to burn against her suddenly sensitized skin. She wanted to shiver. She wanted to move closer and rub against him like a cat. She wanted to beg him to touch all of her in the most intimate way possible.

The wayward thoughts made her stumble, and she sat down barely in time to prevent herself from falling on her face. She had to get a grip, she told herself. Okay, so there was a chemical attraction between her and Malik. Or maybe it was all on her side. She couldn’t tell. Either way, she had to be very careful that she didn’t make a fool of herself.

“Why did you bring me here?” she blurted before she could stop herself.

“I find you attractive.” Malik settled next to her on the bench. They weren’t touching exactly, but he was close enough to make it hard for her to think.

“But I’m not attractive. I don’t wear a bag over my head or anything, but I’m firmly in the average category.”

Malik shrugged. “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that. I find you unique.”

Yeah, right. “Is it a blond thing? I mean, most of the women in this part of the country have dark hair.”

She wore her hair to her shoulders in layers that let the natural wave give the style body.

Malik had reached forward to touch one of her curls. “It’s not a blond thing,” he told her. “Tell me about your ex-husband. Why are you divorced?”

“Because Chuck is thirty-one going on twelve.” She sighed at the thought of Bethany’s father. “He isn’t a bad man, he’s just too caught up in his dreams to be much of a husband or a father.”

Liana allowed herself a small smile. “He was great fun in high school. He always had the fastest car around.” She glanced at Malik. “That’s what he wants to do with his life—race cars. He works to raise money to buy new engines and tires and whatever else cars need to go faster than is safe. When we were first married, we had a great plan for our lives. But then I got pregnant, and we found ourselves parents before we’d finished growing up.”

“Your daughter seems very smart and well-mannered.”

“I love her,” Liana said. “For me, Bethany was a blessing, but Chuck found being a father too confining. He would head off to the race track every chance he got.” She shifted on the stone bench. “I have some blame in what went wrong. I was raising a child, working and I’d returned to college. I couldn’t figure out a way to make it all work out, so my marriage suffered. Chuck came last more often than not. We’re equally at fault, I think.”

“How did you become a teacher? Did your parents help you?”

“Not really. My mom did some babysitting for me, but my folks are retired and not around much. They don’t have any extra money. I made it happen myself. It took me a long time to get through college and then to earn my teaching certificate, but I did it.”

“You sound like a strong woman.”

“I’m not a quitter. And I don’t believe in fairy tales.”

“Nor do I.”

Which brought her back to her earlier question. Why was she here? But she didn’t ask it this time. She was sitting in the magic of the desert night with a handsome prince. It was a moment she wasn’t ready to completely destroy. If this were Hollywood, Malik would take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Unless it was an R-rated movie, in which case he would do a lot more.

She found herself shivering at the thought of being close to him. Chemicals, she decided in an attempt to think her way out of a situation entirely controlled by hormones, were more powerful than she’d ever given them credit for.

If only he weren’t so good-looking. If only she had a little more experience with his kind of man. Although, as a single mom living in a small town seventy miles due east of Los Angeles, she hadn’t had much opportunity to run into many princes. So where exactly would she have practiced?

Was he going to kiss her? Was he going to try and make love with her? The thought sent heat flooding through her body. She’d never had a one-night stand in her life, and she wasn’t about to start now. In fact, she’d only ever been with Chuck, but there was something about Malik that made her want to throw caution to the wind and….

“Heidi tells me you’re not married,” she blurted out, then could have cheerfully cut out her tongue. Talk about a dumb thing to say.

“That’s true.”

“So you’re the perennial bachelor, using your princely charms to seduce women?”

Unexpectedly, he rose to his feet. “Thank you for your company this evening, Liana. I’ve enjoyed talking with you very much.”

And then he was gone. Liana stared after him, her mouth open, her eyes wide. What had she said, she wondered, completely stunned by his sudden departure. Had she insulted him with her teasing? But he did try to use his princely charms on women. Why wouldn’t he?

“The rich really are different,” she muttered as she stood and headed back to her bedroom. “And confusing, and the sooner we’re out of here, the better.”

Malik paced the length of the living room in his suite. He’d left the French doors open, and the scent of the Arabian Sea just beyond the palace drifted in. He drew in a deep breath, hoping to chase away the lingering fragrance of the woman.

Liana Archer.

What the hell had he been thinking, bringing her here? He’d dragged her to the palace without her consent, as if he were some barbarian. His behavior was irresponsible. Worse, just a few minutes ago he’d wanted to rip the clothes from her body and make love to her right there on the balcony. He’d wanted to be inside her, plunging deeply until they were both so lost and mindless with passion that even time stood still.

The image in his head was so powerful, he felt himself growing aroused. The need produced an ache. Not surprising. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been with a woman. Casual relationships were an easy pleasure he did not allow himself. As the Crown Prince of El Bahar, he was held to a higher standard than everyone else. He could not risk exposing himself or the country to the potential disaster of an exposé in the tabloids—or an unexpected pregnancy.

He felt as lost and out of control as a ship in the middle of a violent storm. In truth, he felt violent. If he couldn’t have the woman—and he couldn’t—he wanted to punish, to destroy. He wanted to inflict and feel physical pain. He wanted to move, to run, to force his muscles to work past the point of exhaustion, to make his lungs gasp for breath. He wanted to feel anything but the desire that threatened to rip him apart from the inside.

Why did you bring me here? Liana had asked him the question and he’d been unable to answer. The truth would have terrified her. He’d brought her to the palace because he’d been unable to let her go. In that moment on the plane, when he’d first seen her, he’d felt something. A connection, a link that was so powerful, it had nearly pulled out his soul. Not once in his life had he ever been so emotionally exposed. Not even with Iman—his wife.

He paced to the windows and back, telling himself that in the morning he had to let the woman go. He had no right to keep her. He might be the Crown Prince of El Bahar, but in these modern times he would not be allowed to kidnap an American citizen, no matter how much he might want to do so.

He ached. Not just to make love, but for so much more. He saw his brothers with their wives, and he envied the emotional intimacy they shared, an intimacy he would never be allowed to experience. He longed to be just like everyone else, and that was the one thing he could not have.

So he’d brought Liana here, if only for the night, because of the unexplained desire he felt for her. Because for their brief time together he could pretend that he was like other men, that he might meet a woman, find her attractive, date her and perhaps even fall in love.

He could allow himself this fantasy for a single night, knowing it could never be. He’d learned his lesson well as a boy, and now he lived it as a man. No one breached the walls that surrounded his soul. His wife never had, although she hadn’t much tried.

Iman. Just thinking about her changed his passion to anger. He welcomed the transformation. He forced himself to remember how badly it had all started and the tragedy of how it had ended. The saving grace was that he’d never loved her. He’d never loved anyone. He never would.

But not loving couldn’t take away the wanting, and reality prevented him from having that which he needed. So he continued to pace alone in his room, desperately forcing himself to ignore the ache, the need and the loneliness which had, over time, become his closest friends.

Carl Birmingham was unfailingly polite and sympathetic, but so unhelpful that Liana wished she could throw a chair through the window. At least then her frustration would have an outlet. As it was, she had to sit quietly in her seat across the desk from the American School administrator and grit her teeth to keep from screaming.

“It seems to me,” he was saying in a calm voice, “everything would be so much easier if you would simply accept the Crown Prince’s invitation. You said you were told this morning the Prince wished you to remain as his guest. Is that so terrible?”

Carl Birmingham, a portly man in his mid fifties, leaned toward her and smiled. “Have you considered the great honor? You are a visiting American teacher being invited to reside in one of the greatest palaces in the world. You have the opportunity of becoming a close friend of the royal family.”

Liana wondered why she’d thought anyone would understand. Apparently the situation was strange only to her. Everyone else thought she should be grateful that Malik intended her to continue to live at the palace.

“I do appreciate the honor,” she said, careful to keep her tone level. “However, I never asked to live at the palace. All I want for my daughter and myself is the housing we were promised in my contract. A two-bedroom condo. Just something of our own.”

Mr. Birmingham straightened the papers on his desk, then glanced at her. “Of course if you feel you and your daughter are in physical danger, the situation must be rectified at once. I did not realize you felt threatened.”

Liana sighed. “It’s not that. I’m not worried about being attacked in the night, it’s just…”

How could she explain the sensation of being overwhelmed by a force larger than life? Malik Khan was a man used to getting his way, and for reasons that made no sense to her, he’d plucked her from obscurity to be the focus of his considerable attention. While she was flattered, she was also very nervous. Her own attraction to the man made her vulnerable. Not to mention the fact that no one looked forward to being used then discarded.

“Ms. Archer, the American School exists because of the support of the royal family,” Mr. Birmingham explained. “Prince Malik sits on the board of directors. He was instrumental in changing our policy so that teachers could be chosen based on skill rather than gender or marital status. Not many years ago, a single woman would not have been invited to join the staff.”

“Why should that matter? I’m good at what I do, with or without a husband.”

“I agree. But we are both Americans. Life is different here in El Bahar. The country is very progressive, but it is still foreign, with different laws and a different culture.”

She was beginning to get a message, and she didn’t like what it said. “You think I should live in the palace.”

“Ms. Archer, I would never presume to tell you what to do. However, we are talking about the Crown Prince. He is a powerful individual, while you are simply one teacher.”

Liana leaned back in her chair and bit back a scream. Basically she was trapped. Her generous contract had a clause that allowed the school to dismiss her for almost any reason. In return, they had to provide a return ticket and three months salary. While that would keep her and Bethany from starving while she looked for a job back in California, it wouldn’t do anything about funding her daughter’s college education, or providing them with a down payment on a house.

“Look at it this way,” Mr. Birmingham said with a smile. “Prince Malik hasn’t shown much interest in a woman for years. Not since…” His voice trailed off.

“Not since what?”

He shifted on the seat. “Yes, well, not since the unfortunate incident with his wife.”

“His wife? But Princess Heidi said he wasn’t married.”

“He’s not. He was, but Princess Iman is no longer with us.”

Liana thought about asking how the woman had died, then figured it wasn’t her business. Nor did she care. What was important was where she was going to live.

“You want me to stay at the palace,” she said flatly.

Mr. Birmingham shrugged. “You are welcome to move into your provided housing. The unit will be kept available. I cannot tell you what to do, Ms. Archer. It’s your decision.”

Liana nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Birmingham. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

With that she rose to her feet and left the room. Once she was in the hall, she swore softly under her breath. She was trapped. Well and truly trapped. If she made too much of a fuss about living at the palace, she could lose her job. Not something she wanted before she’d even had a chance to start.

Malik glanced out the window of his office and told himself he was simply checking the weather. He wasn’t actually keeping watch to see if Liana had returned from her first day teaching at the American School.

He knew that she’d already spoken with the administrator about her living arrangements at the palace. Carl Birmingham had phoned earlier to relay the details of his talk with Liana and had emphasized the fact that he’d informed Ms. Archer of the great honor the Crown Prince had bestowed upon her. If this were a hundred and fifty years ago, Carl Birmingham would be one of those annoying personal assistants to the crown who spent his entire day parroting back the monarch’s words and bowing as he walked.

Malik frowned. He would have had a whole lot more respect for the man if he’d challenged Malik’s actions. Who was the prince to keep this woman in the palace? Malik leaned back in his chair and stared mindlessly out the window. He was playing a dangerous game, and it couldn’t go on much longer. He would have to allow Liana to move into the American School’s housing.

But not just yet, he told himself. Perhaps tomorrow, or maybe at the end of the week. For now he wanted her close by. Even though she was unlikely to want to speak with him or see him, he liked knowing she was within the palace walls, that if he were to command that she be brought to him, she would be forced to appear.

He was a fool, and that was something he’d always tried to avoid being. He wished he could explain why he was so interested in this woman. What combination of features, personality and fate had made him act so out of character? Perhaps Fatima had cast a spell on him.

Malik grinned at the thought of his very practical grandmother dabbling in love spells. Fatima was too down-to-earth to have patience for such things. No, he was going to have accept responsibility for his actions all on his own.

A flicker of movement caught his attention. He looked up and saw Liana’s young daughter moving in the direction of a stable. He allowed himself a faint smile. No doubt she wanted to see the many horses there and perhaps find out about riding one.

Despite the meeting due to start in ten minutes and the pile of work still awaiting his attention, Malik rose to his feet and left the office. He informed his startled male assistant that he would be out for an hour or so and please to reschedule the meeting for a more convenient time. Then he hurried toward the stables on the far side of the palace.

Less than five minutes later he found young Bethany Archer gently touching the soft nose of a bay. The child had changed from her school uniform into jeans and a T-shirt. Her hair was about three shades lighter than her mother’s, and she’d pulled the blond strands back into a braid. Her nose wrinkled as she gazed earnestly at the gelding, petting him with a wistfulness that betrayed her heart’s desire.

“Do you ride?” he asked.

The girl jumped and spun toward him. “I was just saying hello,” she said as she took a large step away from the stable door and tucked her hands behind her back. “I’d never hurt them.”

He held in a smile. “I know that.”

She glanced up at him. “Are you angry? I didn’t exactly let my mom know I was coming to see the horses because I was afraid she’d tell me no. So I said I wanted to look around. You know, get to know the palace. Then she said to stay inside and not to wander too far or get in the way.” Her mouth twisted slightly. “Grown-ups have too many rules. And they never write them down. Sometimes the rules change. My mom’s real good about keeping the rules the same, but not everyone is like her. Don’t you hate it when that happens?”

Blond bangs fell to her eyebrows, emphasizing the blue of her irises. He could see a lot of her mother in her. She was pretty and smart and probably the most charming child he’d ever met.

“I do hate it,” he said solemnly, even though he wasn’t sure what he was agreeing to. “So you like horses?”

She nodded. “Very much. They’re lovely. I’ve always wanted to ride. Where we lived, back in California I mean, there was a lot of horse property. Old Mr. Preston used to give riding lessons, but they were expensive. I was going to think up ways to earn money this year so I could take some. He’s got ten horses. A couple are old, but the rest are nice.”

He motioned to the long row of stalls. “Would you like to meet my horses?”

She pressed her hands together in front of her thin chest. “Sure. How many do you have?”

“There are a half dozen or so for riding. I also own some race horses, along with breeding stock. The horses are a hobby of mine.”

Her eyes had widened. “So you have way more than Mr. Preston.”

“I would think so.” He led the way, walking down past a few stalls, then stopped in front of an oversized pen. “This is Alexander the Great. He’s my favorite riding horse. He likes attention, so it’s safe to pet him. In fact, he’s a bit vain. If we ride by water, he likes to go slowly so he can stare at his reflection.”

Bethany giggled, then slowly reached up her hand to touch the black stallion. Alexander snuffled her palm and gave a snort of disgust.

“He wants a treat.” Malik pointed to a small bin set against the center of the far wall. “You’ll find oats in there. You may feed him a handful, but no more. Too much will make him sick.”

Bethany nodded, then ran over to collect the treat. She carefully flattened her hand to feed the horse and was rewarded when the animal consented to be petted. The girl sighed with pleasure.

“When I grow up I want to own lots of horses. I’ll ride all day and learn to jump and it will feel like flying.”

Her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke of her dreams. There was color in her pale cheeks and an energy that made him feel old. Had he ever had such simple hopes for his own future? Doubtful, he thought. He couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t known he would someday rule El Bahar. But Bethany’s life was very different. He envied her her freedom, all the while knowing that even if given a chance he wouldn’t change his destiny.

“You’ll need to start by learning how to ride,” he said. “I would be happy to teach you.”

She stared at him and pressed her lips together. Her entire body quivered with excitement. “Really? You’d teach me on one of your horses?”

“Yes. I have an old gelding who has just the right temperament. He has a white star on his forehead, which makes him very handsome, although he’s not vain like Alexander here.”

“Thank you,” Bethany breathed reverently, then tilted her head and gave an exaggerated grimace. “Except I have to ask my mom, and I’m afraid she’ll say no.”

“Why would she do that?”

“I don’t know. Moms can be difficult sometimes.” Her expression brightened. “But maybe because you’re a prince and all, she won’t mind so much.” Bethany smiled. “I asked about you at school today and everyone says you’re going to be king of El Bahar one day.”

“That does seem to be the way things are going.”

“I think it would be very romantic to be a princess, but my mom doesn’t agree. You don’t exactly fit into her plan.”

Of that Malik was sure. Liana’s plan included enough money for a house and her daughter’s college education. From what he could tell, the single mother had tried to think of everything. He doubted a royal prince had figured into her expectations.

“I would still be happy to teach you to ride,” he said. “If you would like.”

“Oh, I’d like that very much. I’ll ask her right away.”

“Fine. If it’s all right with your mother, we’ll start tomorrow when you return from school.”

Bethany shrieked and jumped, gave him a quick, unexpected hug, then tore out of the stable as if her shoes were on fire. Alexander snorted his displeasure, but Malik didn’t agree with the horse’s assessment. To his mind, Bethany was a most charming young lady who admired him. Now if only he could find a way to make her mother as much of a fan.