Beauty and the Sheikh

chapter 7



As the limo slid smoothly through the light midday traffic toward Monaco, Rafiq knew he should be focusing on the files on his lap instead of the woman who sat across from him.

Despite her phobia of flying, Holly had done quite well the remainder of the flight until the plane landed. Perhaps the trip had exhausted her mentally, because she’d fallen asleep shortly after climbing into the limo. Now she lay half curled in her seat, her head against the leather and her eyes closed.

His reaction to Holly’s near incapacitating fear on the flight left him a bit uneasy. All animosity and ulterior motives had vanished, and he’d been assaulted with the need to ease her suffering, to calm her and comfort her. If she hadn’t been so deeply terrified, he might have tried to move her onto his lap and hold her in his arms. He’d been sorely tempted to but feared moving her at all would’ve only heightened her anxiety.

When she’d recounted her story, he’d been struck with a fury so potent he’d wanted to hit something. He wanted to seek out the bastard designer who’d tried to take advantage of her and act like the savage beast half the world thought him to be.

Her story had surprised him. Didn’t fit at all with the image he’d formed of her—a manipulative woman who knew exactly how to get what she wanted, even if it meant using her body to acquire it.

He hadn’t expected her to be so honest when he’d asked how often she’d traded her body for advancement in life. Whenever I needed to. He’d been prepared for another round of defensive lies.

And then her following offhand comment: So if you thought you were special… Of course he’d lied to her, because for that week he had let himself believe he was special and she’d seen beyond the scarred, bitter sheikh.

But no, that would have been a little too akin to a fairy tale. And he was not one to believe in them.

Holly stirred, making a soft noise of distress in her sleep. Her brows drew together in a frown before relaxing again a moment later.

Rafiq stared at her, unable to look away and hating himself for it. She’d been so young when she started modeling—was still young, and achingly beautiful. Her long lashes rested against creamy white cheeks. Lips that were so lush and full were parted slightly in sleep.

His attention slid lower to the lavender silk top clinging to the gentle swells of her breasts. He remembered those breasts and how they’d just barely filled his hand but were more than a mouthful. He remembered the way she’d cried out with pleasure when he’d teased the tips with his teeth.

Rafiq slammed his eyes closed and drew in an unsteady breath. Already his body stirred with the need to possess her. He’d not had the pleasure of taking her that night two years ago as intended, but before they left Monaco he would know what it felt like to be inside her. To have Holly’s legs wrapped around his waist and her nails dragging up his back.

And he would know, without a doubt, that she was not acting this time around. He would take pleasure in her ultimate surrender, listen to her breathy pleas.

He opened his eyes again to watch her. As if she sensed his gaze, Holly’s lashes fluttered upward to show her blue eyes, drowsy and disorientated. They landed on him and a hint of agitation flickered and then it was gone.

“Did you think it was just a bad dream, habiba?” It pricked that her first reaction at seeing him would be anxiety. “That you would wake up in your own bed and not find yourself forced to be my mistress?”

She sat up straighter and ran a hand through tousled sable hair. “We both know I’m not your mistress. Not in the literal sense of the word anyway.”

He gave an unconcerned shrug. “A mere technicality.”

The rest of the sleepiness faded from her eyes, replaced with familiar fiery defiance as she looked away, crossing one leg over another. His gaze was immediately drawn to the expanse of flesh she’d revealed.

“How far are we from Monaco?”

“Ten minutes at the most.”

“And what exactly are we here for, anyway? Do you know how long we’ll be staying?”

“We’ll stay for as long as needed. I have meetings with an investor.” He offered a small shrug. “You simply need to be seen with me when the occasion calls for it and look stunning.”

She turned back to look at him. “You do realize I’m not actually a model now. I don’t have a wardrobe that will fall into the ‘stunning’ category, and my nails haven’t had a manicure in months—”

“You’re absolutely beautiful, Holly, and let’s not pretend otherwise.” He frowned. Why did she try to downplay her looks? Did she fish for compliments? “You’ll find a new wardrobe awaiting you in Monaco. Manicures, pedicures, whatever else you need can be arranged.”

Her mouth parted in dismay, her cheeks tingeing pink. “Rafiq, I can’t possibly afford any of this.”

“You have no need to. I will pay for them. It is all part of the mistress agreement, of course. And I am well aware of your financial situation. You would have been left penniless, had I accepted your money for your brother’s freedom.”

Her chin lifted. “It didn’t matter. I would have done it anyway.”

“I have little doubt otherwise. Even if it meant giving up your chance at attending college, no matter that you’d already enrolled. Your brother gave up his education for you, so why shouldn’t you do the same? Was that your reasoning?”

Anger flashed in her eyes and she stiffened. “Is there any part of my life you have not investigated?”

“I find it better to know my enemies, Holly.”

For a moment she was silent, and he must’ve imagined the hint of hurt in her expression as she once again looked out the window of the limo. “From enemy to mistress? So extreme, don’t you think?”

“You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” He set the files down on the seat and moved to sit beside her on the other side of the limo. “How much closer can I get than having you in my bed, habiba?”

He noted the shiver that ran through her slender body, but she did not turn to face him. “Go to hell.”

“Undoubtedly I will, but for now I think I’ll enjoy all the sin that will take me there.”

“Not with me, you won’t.” She tried to scoot away, but she was already against the door.

He cupped her cheek and turned her head around to face him again, heard her breathing hitch and saw the mix of panic and awareness in her eyes. “Why do you fight what is between us?” he challenged softly, his mouth just above hers. “Why does your mind deny what your body clearly wants?”



Why indeed? Holly bit back a manic giggle as she struggled to control the runaway gallop of her pulse. How easy would it be to simply give in to Rafiq? To allow them to become lovers? But she struggled to reconcile the gentle person on the plane with the man in front of her now.

The plane ride, which should’ve been emotionally trying, had actually been one of the most enjoyable moments in the past few days. Rafiq had been charming, so completely sympathetic and gentle with her.

And then she’d woken up in the limo to find his heavy stare on her, had realized immediately the animosity was back. It seemed he enjoyed tormenting her as if she were an ant under a magnifying glass.

But with him so near, she couldn’t tear her gaze from the sensual curl of his lower lip, struggled with the temptation to lean forward and press her mouth against his. It was hard to remember why she hated him when he was so close she could smell the spiciness of his soap. See the flecks of stubble on his chin that she could just imagine on her heated skin as he kissed his way down her body.

“Please, Rafiq,” she begged huskily. “We aren’t in public right now. The window is up between the driver. There’s no need for this pretense.”

His gaze, already heated, darkened with an emotion that wasn’t quite violence. “It never has been, nor ever will be a pretense on my part. You are the lone skilled actor between us.”

She tried to look away, but his strong fingers that were curled around her chin held her immobile.

It was never an act. The words of protest died on her lips as his mouth covered hers, and then her only thoughts were of the intoxication of his kiss, the way her heart seemed ready to take flight, and how much she wanted more.

Rafiq’s tongue slid into her mouth to demand her response, teasing her and tormenting her into a need only he could bring forth. His hand curved around her hip, angling her back against the soft leather of the seat so that his body came to rest half on top of her.

Every nerve ending inside her sparked to life, tingling with the sensation of having his hard, muscled body pressed so intimately against hers. A moan fled past her lips as she buried her hands into the softness of his hair, holding him close. His hand on her hip skimmed upward, over her ribcage and toward the swell of her breast.

She should stop him, even if the driver couldn’t see through the tinted window and they were completely alone. She knew she should put an end to this.

But when Rafiq cupped her breast through the silk blouse she cried out, her hips arching off the seat to press against his. The movement brought her into sharp contact with the proof of his arousal. The realization of his size and the intimacy of their position set her body on fire and made the sensitive flesh between her legs ache.

Rafiq lifted his mouth from hers to look down at her, his eyes burning with desire and need. He eased up her silk top and she couldn’t have stopped him if she wanted to. First her stomach was exposed, and then the satin cups of her bra. “Holly,” he muttered thickly. “I must see you again. Taste you.”

He tugged first one cup and then another from her breasts, until they were bared for his observation and the air-conditioned limo.

Holly just barely stopped herself from lifting her hands to cover herself as her nipples tightened further under his hungry gaze.

Rafiq’s groan was low and guttural as he traced his fingers over the swells. “So beautiful. You are so very beautiful, habiba.” And then he lowered his head and gently took one tight peak into his mouth.

Oh God. Holly’s grip in his hair tightened as pleasure rocketed through her. She closed her eyes and whimpered as each pull from his lips sent a stab of pleasure straight between her legs. Her legs moved restlessly, seeking a release she knew she was still so far from.

Rafiq lifted his head momentarily to murmur soothing words in Arabic, his fingers tracing over her body before his mouth captured her nipple on the other breast. Heaven help her, but there was nothing on earth that felt as amazing. Blind with passion, with need, she dragged her fingers from his hair to the curves of his face. Feeling the ridges and the stubble—

Holly gasped as her wrist was ruthlessly manacled and pinned against the leather seat. Her gaze flew to Rafiq’s and shock swept through her at the savagery that had replaced the heated desire in his eyes.

“Rafiq?”

“Do not touch it,” he ground out.

Touch it? It took her a moment to realize what he meant. His scar. Holly hadn’t even realized where her fingertips had strayed; she’d simply been touching him. Discovering him.

Unable to breathe, she struggled for words. “I wasn’t. I just…”

The limo slowed and Rafiq released her. “We’ve arrived at the hotel.”

She fumbled to sit up, tugging at her bra with unsteady fingers. Rafiq brushed her hands aside and eased her back into her clothing before she could protest, as if she were helpless.

What had happened? He’d become like a wounded animal the moment her fingers nearly grazed his marred flesh. Snarling and defensive. And vulnerable.

A small ache of sympathy bloomed inside her and she swallowed hard, knowing he would resent her for it.

“There will no doubt be paparazzi when we arrive,” Rafiq said tonelessly, as if they hadn’t nearly just made love in the back of a limo.

“How do they even know of our arrival?”

“I had my assistant send a tip to the media outlets with the information.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave a slight smile. “And of course it was discreetly mentioned that you would be my companion.”

Of course. How ironic that the man who’d withdrawn from the public eye now sought it openly.

The limo came to a complete stop and Rafiq moved away once more.

“And here we go.”

Sunlight poured into the limo as the door was opened a moment later. Rafiq climbed out first and turned to offer his hand. Swiping her tongue across her mouth, Holly gave herself a quick mental pep talk before taking his hand and sliding out of the limo after him.

The swarm of cameras and reporters descended on them like ants at a picnic. Even though it had been a good year or so since she’d been in the tabloid’s eye, she slipped back into the spotlight with an ease that surprised her.

Despite Rafiq’s offhand demeanor in facing the paparazzi, she felt the tension in the arm that he slipped around her waist. She could somehow sense the unease and turbulence inside him.

The realization of just how difficult this was for him had her throat tightening with compassion. Wanting to help put him at ease and make this whole façade as believable as possible, she leaned into him and gave him a dazzling smile as he addressed a reporter’s question.

Oh, but he was handsome. It didn’t matter that one side of his face was marred. The proud tilt of his head and indifference in his eyes revealed none of the apprehension she knew he felt but would never admit. It didn’t matter; the image he personified to the media was a powerful, confident man.

She ignored any questions directed at her and allowed Rafiq to keep the spotlight, but his replies to the questions were terse, even a bit harsh at times. She struggled with the frown that threatened. Really, if he wanted to reform his image as being so intimidating he needed to work on his social skills a bit.

After answering another question, he glanced down at her. His gaze connected with hers as if she were an anchor in a storm full of chaos. His eyes darkened and she watched his chest rise with the slow breath he drew in. “That is all the questions for now,” he called out brusquely. “I believe I have…other matters to attend to.”

There were a few insinuating remarks and laughter from the crowd and Holly felt her cheeks warm as he led them away and into the hotel. His parting remark had been entirely too suggestive, as he’d obviously intended it to be.

Only once they’d been shown to the penthouse suite did she round on him with a furious glare. “Was that really necessary?”

Rafiq gave her a cool look and loosened his tie. “Was what necessary?”

“Implying you could hardly wait to get me to the room so that you could…”

“I did no such thing. I cannot help what assumptions the media makes.” He dropped the tie on a glass table and approached her. “Although I must say, you looked quite the part of my lover, habiba. When you climbed from the limo all tousled and your mouth swollen I don’t think the paparazzi needed much convincing.”

Holly reared back as if he’d slapped her. Had that moment of passion in the limo been done with a calculating purpose? The same thing he’d done before she’d seen her brother? “Is that why you kissed me?”

Rafiq’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

Was she once again caught up in passion while Rafiq simply prepared her to appear properly tousled? Rather than try to explain further, she swallowed the tears of humiliation in her throat and shook her head. “Never mind. Is there anything planned for this afternoon?” She needed to put some space between them. Get away.

Rafiq gave a slight shrug. “I have several phone calls to make and business needs to take care of online, but you are free to do as you please.”

The beautiful beach they’d passed on the way in slipped through her mind. Up until a few days ago, she’d been stuck in Portland. It was summer, so the weather was fairly nice, but home didn’t have the kind of luscious beaches Monaco did.

“I’d like to swim, then. I don’t have a suit, but I can run down to the shop I spotted—”

“There’s no need. As I said earlier, I’ve provided you with a wardrobe. It should be in the bedroom.”

Holly froze, her gaze jerking around the suite. “There is more than one, isn’t there?”

“More than one what?”

“Room? Bed?”

“No need to panic, Holly. There are two rooms.” He tilted his head. “Unless you’d like to share mine? I have to confess, I’d prefer that arrangement.”

“Tempting, but I’ll pass.”

“It’s inevitable, you realize. You ending up in my bed.”

Holly balled her hands into fists so she wouldn’t slap the confident smirk off his face. He was so certain she would go to bed with him. Had a woman ever told him no? This couldn’t be a novelty to him.

Oh yes, it could. Women didn’t turn down a Sheikh who radiated power and magnetism.

“So you keep saying, but I wouldn’t lay down any bets on it.” She flashed a hard smile before striding from the room to find her promised wardrobe.