Beauty and the Sheikh

chapter 12



How long had it been since he’d attended one of these galas? Rafiq moved his gaze around the room, trying to recall. Months at least, possibly even a year. Social events were not something he enjoyed, but rather tolerated. And even then, he’d attended only when deemed necessary.

But with Holly by his side, it wasn’t quite as awful. In the past people would avoid him, giving him a wide berth while casting speculative glances his way. Though not tonight. At least a handful of partygoers had come up to make conversation. Perhaps Holly’s presence made him more approachable.

Holly had actually convinced him to dance more than once to the classical music the small orchestra played. He’d never cared for dancing, but any excuse that made it acceptable to hold Holly so close to him in public he’d take.

He’d never felt quite as relaxed as when she was in his arms. Almost carefree—though generally he hated the word.

Every pair of male eyes in the room visually devoured Holly, obviously saw her exactly as Rafiq had intended her to look tonight. As if she were explosively sexual arm candy that could easily be interchanged. The realization slid shame through him that was only made worse by Holly’s unwavering smile and upbeat attitude.

He knew the dress bothered her, despite her claim otherwise, and yet she obviously refused to feel degraded by the glances from the other men at the party.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Her soft question reached his ears only.

They’d taken a break from dancing to enjoy a glass of wine. Rafiq traced his fingers over the exposed flesh on her back and delighted in the tremble that ran through her.

“Does one ever really enjoy themselves at these events?”

“If you let yourself. You can deny it, Rafiq, but I’d say you even liked the dancing.” She laughed softly. “And really, you can’t argue that the crowd has been quite welcoming. Friendly, even.”

“Hmm. I think perhaps because you are by my side, habiba.”

She turned to face him, her gaze pensive. “I don’t know. Tonight you seem approachable. More relaxed, I suppose.”

Holly knew him that well, did she? Though she was right. More often than not he scowled through these events, which made him more difficult to approach. But tonight it was hard not to smile with Holly on his arm.

He enjoyed, much more than he should have, the shy glances she had often cast him from beneath her lashes tonight. Amazing that at one point he’d thought it all an act. How incredibly mistaken he’d been.

She was so much more innocent than he’d ever realized. Far too innocent to be caught up in an affair with the likes of him. But then, what choice did she have? He’d blackmailed her into posing as his mistress before he’d seduced her into making it a reality. Yes, perhaps she’d been the one to initiate their lovemaking, but he’d led her right to the seductive doorstep.

“Ah, see, now you’re scowling again.” Holly laughed and nudged him lightly in the side. “You need to stop that.”

“Hmm. Why don’t we just leave?”

“We can’t yet. They haven’t begun the auction, and you’ll want to be here to acknowledge your donation.”

He wouldn’t go so far as to say he wanted to be here, so he made a soft grunt in reply.

“Let’s have another glass of wine.”

“Hmm.”

“Try to relax and have fun. And try not to scowl at anyone, for goodness sake. I’ll return in a few minutes.”

Disappointment slid through him as she moved away. He felt her absence from his side more than he cared to admit.

His hand clenched around the delicate stem of the wine glass as he noted the way men’s gazes followed her progression across the room. Again he cursed that he’d made her wear the ridiculous dress.

“Good evening, Your Majesty.”

Rafiq turned at the accented voice and found himself face to face with Hatim Albujar, a wealthy man from one of the most respected families in Raljahar. A young pretty woman stood beside him whom Rafiq vaguely recognized.

“Hatim, what a surprise to see you in Monaco.”

“Nuha enjoys these events much more than I do.” The older man grimaced and gestured to the woman at his side. “You remember my daughter?”

“Of course. A pleasure, Ms. Albujar.” He nodded and gave the woman a brief smile.

“The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty.” She lowered her gaze, but not before he thought he saw the flash of feminine calculation in them.

Hatim murmured something about needing to speak with someone, and then he disappeared, leaving Rafiq alone with the young woman. A deliberate tactic no doubt. Rafiq bit back a weary sigh.

“My father speaks very highly of you, Your Majesty.” Her gaze lifted to his once more, and this time he knew he hadn’t imagined her interest.

“Does he?” Rafiq’s gaze slid beyond her. Where was Holly? Was she taking longer than she should?

“Of course, he does not exaggerate. It’s quite impressive what you’ve done for Raljahar.” She placed a hand on his sleeve. “Forgive me for being so bold, Your Majesty, but perhaps we might dance this evening?”

Had she even been old enough to remember when he’d taken over the reign? She was barely a woman and far too forward. Rather than being enticing, Rafiq found the move off-putting.

But then, this was what he’d wanted, wasn’t it? Having Holly by his side had been a deliberate move to make him more approachable. To seem not so intimidating to Arabic women.

And yet now that the plan appeared to be working, it left a sour taste in his mouth. Made him long for Holly to return to his side.

Where was she?



“Thank you.” Holly accepted the glasses of wine with a smile and then turned away. Her gaze scanned the room as she headed back to Rafiq. But her confident stride faltered as she spotted him. He hadn’t moved, but it seemed he wasn’t alone now. A woman, younger than her, stood next to him. Gazed up at him and smiled as she touched Rafiq’s arm.

Holly’s stomach took a nosedive as tension coiled through her muscles. It took everything within her not to succumb to the temptation to stride across the floor and pluck the girl off of him.

“It’s really quite amazing.”

She jumped at the amused voice near her ear and cast a sideways glance. The tall, willowy blonde with the British accent appeared to be in her early thirties.

“What’s amazing?”

“That just a week ago, half the world treated Rafiq as if he were rabid dog. And yet a few days with you, and men are vying to be his best friend and the women are clambering all over him.”

Holly blinked in dismay. “I’m sorry, have we met?”

“No, I don’t believe we have. Where are my manners? I’m Cassandra Montgomery.”

“Holly Winchester.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of you. I simply had to come say hello, as we have Rafiq in common. ”

The way her stomach clenched warned Holly it might be better if she didn’t hear the rest of the story. She bit her lip, torn between wanting the woman to elaborate and wanting to simply walk away.

“Rafiq and I went to school together at Oxford. We were—” Cassandra hesitated. “Close friends.”

Close friends, meaning lovers. God, she knew she should’ve just walked away. But another part of the woman’s words stuck out in her mind.

“I wasn’t aware Rafiq studied at Oxford.”

“Yes, he did. He’s gone to school in London since he was a child.”

That would explain why he spoke English flawlessly.

“He was quite popular at Oxford with the women.” Cassandra lifted her glass of champagne and took a sip. “Mmm, of course, that was before he was nearly murdered.”

Holly flinched at how the woman could say such a horrific statement so lightly.

“A shame, really, because Rafiq had such a beautiful face before.”

What a terrible thing to say. Did the woman have no filter on her offensive thoughts? “Rafiq is still a very handsome man,” Holly said sharply. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your insults to yourself.”

“Do you think he will love you, Holly? Marry you?”

Holly narrowed her gaze. “I really don’t think that’s any of your business, Miss Montgomery.”

Cassandra’s smile turned pitying. “You know, I once thought the same. That Rafiq might fall in love with me. But it became clear Rafiq must take an Arabic woman to be his wife.”

It wasn’t anything Holly hadn’t suspected already. Still, to hear it said aloud pricked painfully at her heart.

“But thank goodness I dodged that bullet,” Cassandra continued. “Can you imagine? Waking up every morning next to a man who looks like that?” She gave a tinkling laugh. “Oh wait—you already do, don’t you, darling? I’d heard the rumors, but are you really so hard up for money?”

Holly reared back, the color draining from her face. And then the shock vanished as white-hot fury replaced it, pumping the blood furiously through her veins. “Miss Montgomery, this conversation should have ended three minutes ago,” Holly murmured coolly. “Forgive me if I don’t make the pretense of saying it’s been a pleasure meeting you.”

“Just remember what I’ve said, Holly. And do say hello to Rafiq for me.”

Not a chance. That horrible, malicious, and spiteful woman needed to go jump off a pier.

Holly plunged through the crowd, ready to be back by Rafiq’s side. Already the younger woman who’d been next to him moments ago had disappeared.

“I was beginning to worry about you, habiba.” He took one of the glasses of wine from her before sliding an arm around her waist and drawing her close again.

His touch banished the chill the conversation with the other woman had left.

“You missed me that much, did you?” she murmured a bit weakly, leaning into him and absorbing his strength.

He grimaced. “You have no idea. I practically had to peel the daughter of an associate off me while you were gone.”

So he admitted it, and that he’d been more stressed by the girl’s presence than enticed. Relief slid through her.

“But surely that’s a good thing, right? You wanted these women to be drawn to you.”

Why had she just asked him that? Was she a masochist? She didn’t want to be reminded of the answer. Holly bit back a groan.

Rafiq frowned and gave a slight shake of his head. “Not her,” he said almost distractedly.

But at some point, another lovely Arabic woman.

“Did I see you speaking with someone a moment ago?”

Holly’s breath caught. Should she tell him about Cassandra? She hadn’t planned on it, but what if he’d seen them together and was testing her? “Yes.” Here we go. “An old friend of yours, Cassandra Montgomery. She introduced herself to me.”

There was a moment’s pause and then he sighed. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine any conversation with that hateful woman was pleasant.”

So he was well aware of her piranha-type personality. That was a relief. She gave a soft laugh and shook her head. “How could you ever date someone like her?”

“Hmmm. Why am I not surprised she would tell you about our past? I was young and not thinking with my head—or not the right one, in any case.”

A half-smile curved her mouth. “Ah, well, at least you’re honest.”

“And will continue to be.” His fingers traced low on her spine. “I don’t want there to be any more lies between us. Any more misunderstandings, do you agree?”

Holly’s pulse sprinted into double time. There were so many questions she could ask him after a statement like that. So many answers she was terrified to hear.

But she couldn’t ask them. Not yet. “I don’t want there to be either, Rafiq.”

He made a soft murmur and then lowered his head to brush a soft kiss across her mouth.

People watched. She knew it and could feel their eyes on her, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the heat that followed and her awareness of Rafiq.

He lifted his head to mutter, “You’re not drinking your wine, habiba.”

“No. It’s a bit hard to with you kissing me,” she teased breathlessly, and then her smile faded. “Though I suppose I’m not very thirsty, after all.”

He took the glass from her. “Then we should leave.”

Her gaze flitted up to his. “Don’t you need to stay? Wait for the auction?”

“I have made an appearance, which in itself is quite rare.” Rafiq gave an indifferent shrug and leaned his head closer to hers. “But there are other things I would prefer to be doing, none of which include lingering a moment longer at this event.”

His heated look left little doubt what he was thinking about, and that he wanted the exact same thing she did.

“Yes, I think we should most definitely head out.”