ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

Sheikh’sTwinBabySurprise

BySophiaLynn

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ChapterOne

Mygod,Ihatepink,RoseMalonethought,brieflytouchingthehemofherdress.Thepinkwasa

particularlyannoyingbaby-pastelshade,onethatmadeherthinkofoutdatedVictoriancardsandflowers

thatwoulddisappearifyoubreathedonthem.Givenachoice,shewouldhavepickedadeepburgundyor

evenavibrantsapphire,butRogerhadalwaysbeensowistfulaboutthepink.

"Well,it'souranniversary,"he’dsaid."Youremember?YouwerewearingpinkwhenIfirstmet

you..."

Inallfairness,shehadbeen.Itwasforaworkfunction,andthepinkwasthelastofthe

professionalwardrobethatshehadpurchasedwhenshe’dfirststartedoutinmarketing.Ithadbeenona

painfullygoodsale,andshehadgrittedherteethandwornitfortwoyears.Itwasjustherluckthat,right

whenshehadgottenanewjobandbetterprospects,shehadmetherboyfriendinit,andforsomereason,

ithadformedanimpressioninhismind.

AsthecabdroveheruptoManhattan,Rosebrieflywonderedifsheknewwhatshewasdoing.Was

itreallymeanttobelikethis?TherewasnothingwrongwithRoger,nothingatall.Hewaskindand

thoughtful,but--therewasnootherwaytosaythis--hewasbland.Theykissed,andshefeltsomedistant

sparks,theymadelove,andshewasusuallyleftunsatisfied.

Whenshetalkedaboutitwithherfriends,theyalltoldherthatRogerwasacatch.

"That'sjustwhatgrown-uploveislike,"saidCathy,agirlwhoworkedinsales."Youcan'texpect

tofeelthesamefireworksthatyoudidwhenyoufirstmet..."

ButIneverfeltthosefireworksatall,Rosethought,slightlyplaintively.

Sheshookherhead,tryingtokeepherresolvestrong.ShehadbeenwithRogerforalmostnine

monthsnow,andthingsweregoingwell.Theywereincrediblywell-matched,andhehadbeenhinting

aboutaringsometimeinthenearfuture.Everythingwasperfect,oratleastitshouldhavebeen,andRose

waspreparedtodoherparttomakesureitworked.

OneofthethingsthathaddrawnhertoRogerwasthathehadaworkethicasstrongashers.They

wereagoodteam,theyhadsimilargoals--ahouseinthesuburbs,careers,kidsbeforethirty--andafter

that,whatelsedidtheyneed?

Shestifledtheurgetosaymore,paidthecabdriverandgotoutofthecab.

Rosewasjusttakingthefirststeptowardstherestaurantdoorwhenshewasnearlyknockedoffof

herfeetbyarushofpeoplegoingby.ShewasanativeNewYorker,andgenerallywouldhavejustsworn

andmovedonwithherday,butshewaswearingtallerheelsthanusual,andtoherpanic,shefound

herselftottering.

Ohgod,Ican'tgomeetRogerwithskinnedknees,shehadjustenoughtimetothink,andthenthere

wasastrongarmaroundherribs,catchingherandholdingherupright.Franticforsomethingsolidto

clingto,shefoundherselfwrappingherarmsaroundherunknownrescuerandsteadyingherself.Whoever

itwasdidn'tpullawayuntilshewasonherfeetagain,andshelookeduptothankthem.

Shelookedupatatallmanwithsternfeaturessoftenedbythegrinonhisface.HewasMiddle

Eastern,withdarkeyesthatseemedtolookrightthroughher,andshefeltastrangepulsedeepwithinher

body.Thefactthathewashandsomewasalmostanafterthought,buthewasashandsomeassomeofthe

modelsshehadknown,fartoohandsometobegrinninglikethatatsomeonewhoworkedinmarketing.

"Thankyou,"shesaidafteramoment."Ireallydidn'twanttotakeanosediveintothepavement."

Helaughedalittle,buthedidn'tstepback.Hishandstillrestedlightlyonthesmallofherback,and

thoughshemighthaveprotesteditfromalmostanyoneelse,therewasapartofherthatdidn'twanthimto

moveit.

"I'mhappytosaveyou,"hesaid,hisvoiceaccentedwithaplaceshecouldn'tname."Areyougoing

tobeallright?"

Therewassomethingaboutthesolicitousnessinhisvoicethatrubbedherthewrongway.She

wonderedifitwasbecausetherewastheimplicationbehinditthatshewouldn'tbeokayaftersomething

assimpleasastumble.

"OfcourseIam,"shesaid,steppingdecisivelyawayfromhim.

“Ofcourseyouwill,"heechoedwithaslightlymoresarcasticsmile,andhesteppedaway.There

wasn'troomonthepavementforhimtosweepdownintoabow,buthetouchedhisheartandhislips,a

strangelyformalgesturethathesomehowmanagedtomakemockingaswell.

"Bewellthen,andhopefullyyouwillneednomorerescuestonight."

Honestly,NewYorkissofullofweirdos,shethoughttoherself,butevenintheechoesofherown

mind,shecouldtellshewasprotestingtoomuch.

Shesawhimwalkintotherestaurantshewasheadingfor,andshewincedalittle.Itwasn'tlike

Rogerwasthejealoustype,butifherrescuercameupspoutinganynonsense,hecertainlywouldn'tbe

pleased.Rosesighed,wonderingwhenmanagingaromancehadstartedtohavealotincommonwith

managingaccountsforwork,andheadedintotherestaurantaswell.

Thehostessgaveherafriendlylook,askingherifshehadareservation.

"Oh,itshouldbeunderLarsen,"shesaid.Rogerhadbookeditaheadoftime,whichwasthoughtful.

"Ohgood,yourpartyisalreadyseated,"thehostesssaidwithasmile."Rightthisway."

ItwasperhapsalittlestrangeforthehostesstorefertoRogerasherparty,butRoseshrugged

internallyandfollowedthewoman.

Therestaurantwasaniceone,shethoughtastheywovethroughthetables.Classicandunderstated,

richinawaythatpeoplewhocamefromoldmoneylikeRogerdidexpected.Shestillrememberedwhen

shehadgonetoherfirstprofessionalmixerataplacelikethis.Somepartofherhadfeltthenthat

someonehadmadeamistake,thatshehadmoreincommonwiththewaitersandthehostessesthanshe

didthediners.Insomeways,shestillfeltlikethat.

"Hereyouare,ma'am..."

ShestartedtosmileautomaticallyatRoger,butthensherealizedhewasnotaloneatthetable.

Evenasheturnedtoherwithsurprise,Rose'smindwastickinglikeanabacus,andshewasfindingthings

addingupwithremarkablespeed.

"Cathy?"shesaidascalmlyasshecould."Whatareyoudoinghere?"

HererstwhilefriendlookedaspaleasasheetwhenshemetRose'seyes,buttherewasdefinitely

guiltandatouchofself-righteousnessthereaswell,whichtoldRoseallthatsheneededtoknow.

Rogersputteredalittle,andRosecouldhaverolledhereyes.

"Rose...Rosie,"hesaid."This...thisisn'twhatitlookslike.Iwasjust...hereearly,andCathycame

overtohaveadrink...justhappenedtobehere..."

Roselookeddownattheemptyplatesofdessertonthetable,andRogeractuallyblanched.God,if

hewasgoingtocheatonher,didhehavetobesoincompetentatit?Shesupposedthisbeatthe

alternative,wherehewasgoodatitandsheneverfoundout.Buttherewassomethingembarrassingabout

himbeingthisterribleatit.

"Weweregoingtotellyou,Rose,"Cathyoffered."Rogerdidn'twanttokeepthisasecretfrom

you..."

"Ithinktherewereplentyofopportunitiesforyoutotellmeanyofthis,orforitnottohave

happenedatall,"Rosesaidpleasantly.

Shewasvaguelyawareofhowthehostesswasstillfrozenwithterrorstandingnexttoher,howthe

otherdinerswerebeginningtoturnandstare.Inothercircumstances,Rosewouldbedoingdamage

control,tryingtogeteveryoneoutwithacertainamountoffacesaved,butrightnow,shegloriouslydid

notcare.

"Rose..."Rogerstuttered,andsheshothimacoldglance.

"Howlong?"sheasked,andhedroppedhisgazetothetable.ItwasCathywhohadtoanswerher.

"Justafewmonths,Rose,honest.I...Iwouldn'thavedoneit,but...butwe'reinlove,andI'mso

sorry."

RoseshotCathyadisgustedlook.

"Doyouhaveanyideahowdumbthatsounds?"Roseshookherhead."ProbablyasdumbasI

soundedwhenIwastellingyouaboutmyproblemswithRoger,god."

"Rosie,wecantalkaboutthis,"Rogersaid,andasquicklyasthat,shewasdone.

"No.There'snothingtotalkabout.Roger,Ireallyneverwanttoseeyouagain.Cathy...well,I'mjust

goingtosaythatyoudeservewhatyouget,andthatmeansRoger,soI'mreallysorryaboutthat."

Sheturnedonherheel,herheadheldhigh,andstalkedtowardsthedoor.Shehadn'ttakenmorethan

afewstepsbeforetheapplausestarted,andbythetimeshereachedthedoor,itsoundedasifthewhole

restaurantwasclapping.Thesoundbuoyedherupuntilshewasbackinthecoolfallnight,butthenshe

paused,strangelylost.

MostofhereveningswerespentwithRogeroratwork.Shedidn'tknowwhotocallorwhattodo,

andthatnearlymadeherwanttosagindespair.

"Hey."

Therewasagentletouchonherelbow,andshespunaround,readytocutRogerdownwitha

devastatingremarkifhehaddecideditwasagoodideatofollowherforsomereason.

Instead,itwasthemanwhohadkeptherfromfallingonherrearonthepavement,andthoughhe

stillhadasmileonhisface,therewassomethingkinderaboutitnow.

"Hi,"shesaid."Look,Idon'tknowifyou'rebadatreadingtheroom,butthisisn'tthebesttime..."

"Ifigureditwouldn’tbe,"hesaidcheerfully,"butIwillsaythatsometimes,thebesttimescallfora

strangerwhoiswillingtolistentowhatyouhavetosayandtostandyouadrinkortwo."

Heheldhishandouttoher,andforamoment,Rosewasonthevergeofturninghimdown.Allshe

wantedtodowasslinkhometoherapartmentinBrooklynandmaybedrowneverysingleoneofher

sorrowsintheleftoverpieshehadthere.

Howtypical,herbrainsneered,andthatmorethananythingelsemadeherputherhandinthe

stranger'swithasmile.

"Myname'sRose,"shesaid."Don'ttakethisformorethanitis."

Thatmadethemanlaugh."MynameisMakeen,andIhearyouloudandclear.Comeon.Iknowa

placenearbywherewecangetgreatfoodandplentifuldrinks.”

***

ASROSEDEMOLISHEDaplateofbarbecuechickenwings,Makeencouldn'thelpbutsitback

andshakehisheadinsurpriseatwherehehadendedup.Theeveninghadstartedwiththeinadvertent

rescueofaratherattractiveNewYorkgirl,andhehadthoughtthatwouldbewhereitended.

"Youlookshocked,"Rosesaid,glancingupathim."Haveyouneverseenagirleatbefore?"

"OfcourseIhave,butI'mnotsureIhaveeverseenanyoneeatchickenasifithadpersonally

wrongedthem."

Adarklookcrossedherface."Rogerwasn'treallyavegetarian,buthesurespentalotoftime

tellingpeoplehewas.WhenIwaswithhim,hestronglypreferredthatIdidn'teatanymeat.Ofcourse,I

hadsomequestionswhenIfoundMcDonald'swrappersinhistrash,buthesaidtheywerejustlapses,or

experiments,orattemptstosuper-proteinizehissystem."

Shesnortedandateanotherchickenwing.

"Ican'tstandahypocrite,"Makeenagreed."Itakeitthattonight'slittlerevelationwasjustanother

bitoficingonthecake?"

Rosesatbackfromherfood,sighing.Whenhehadbroughthertothelittlehole-in-the-walldiner

hehadfound,shehadn'tblinked.Instead,shehadslidintotheboothandorderedwhattheywereboth

assuredwasthebestchickeninthecity.Makeenhadtrieditbefore,andheagreedwiththatassessment.

NowitseemedthatRosewasanotherconvert.

"Hewassupposedtobeperfect,"shesaidwithashrug."Youknow,rich,ambitious,gentleand

smart.Onpaper,hewaseverythingawomancouldaskfor.Inreallife...Iguesswegrated."

Hestartedtorespondtothat,butthenhefoundhimselfunderthescrutinyofherbrightblueeyes.

MissAmerica,hethoughtsuddenly,withhershoulder-length,wavyblondehair,blueeyesand

achinglycreamyskin.

"SoareyougoingtotellmethatIshouldhavechosenbetter?"Roseaskedchallengingly."Goingto

tellmewhatIdidwrong?"

"Idoubtyoudidanythingwrong,"Makeensaidwithashrug."ButIwillsaythatdatinginthis

countryisalittlepuzzlingforme."

"Imean,you'dthinkwe'ddobettersinceeverydarnedtelevisionshowandmovieisabouthowto

doitright,butsure.Whyisitsopuzzlingforyou?"

"ArrangedmarriagesfelloutoffavorinAkramagoodfewgenerationsago,andmostofusare

generallyhappytofindourmatesonourown,"hesaid."However,whenwedolookforlove,welook

forrealthings,notephemeraltraitsthatcanbefakedorwhichcandisappearaftermissingameal."

Rosestaredathim,andthensheburstoutintolaughter."Allright.I'lladmit,Iturnintoarealshrew

whenI'mhungryandtired.Soyouthinkyou'vegotthetrueformulaforcompatibility,then?Ifyoudo,then

youshouldshareitwiththeworldandmakemillionsofdollars."

Makeenshrugged,strangelyenchantedbythebrashAmerican.Hehadonlyintendedtostaylong

enoughtohaveadrink,buthefounditwasincreasinglydifficulttotearhimselfaway.

"Iknowwhatitisforme,"hesaid."IgenerallyassumethatI'mnotuniversal,butyes,Icanseeit

workingforothers."

Shemadealittletwirlingmotionwithherfingersasiftotellhimtogetonwithit.

"Allright,let'ssee.Forme,awomanneedstocomefromagoodfamily.Inmycase,thatmeansone

ofthenoblefamiliesinAkram,orDubaiorNajma.BeforeyougetallpuffedupoverAmerican

democracy,IwillpointoutthatbeingraisednobleintheUAEmeansacertaincombinedexperienceand

valuesystem.ThatiswhatIamlookingfor."

"Allright,Iguessthatdoesn'tmakeyouanautocraticasshole,"shegrumbled,andhelaughed.

"Well,waittoheartherestofit.Iwantawomanwhohasherowninterestsandherowngoals,but

IwanttomakesurethattheyarecompatiblewithwhereIlead.Iappreciatepassioninawoman,butit

shouldbesomethingthatIcangovern."

Rosestaredathimasifhehadgrownanotherhead."Areyouserious?Areyouseriouslylooking

forsomeonewhoisjustpassionateenough,butwhosepassionwon’tcauseyouaproblem?"

Heshrugged,openinghishandswide."Ofcourse.Ifamantellsyouanythingelse,thenitmeanshe

wantstoberuledhimselforheisaliar."

Sheshookherhead."That'sterrible.You'relookingforsomeonetobesubmissivetoyou."

"Ican'targuewiththat,"hesaidwithagrin."Isimplyknowmyselfandmyneedsverywell,andI

thinkifIdidn't,Iwouldbeheadingforagreatdealmoretrouble,don'tyouthink?"

"Ihaveobviouslyhadtoomuchofthisexcellentbeer,becauseyouaremakingsense,"shegrowled.

Shewasquietforamoment,andwhenshestartedspeakingagain,therewassomethingsoftabout

it.

"IthoughtIknewwhatIwanted.IthoughtthatwasRoger.Hewas...everythingIthoughtIwanted,

andthenheturnedout...Well,yousawhowitturnedout.Butevenbeforethis,therewasneverthespark

you'resupposedtoget,theboltoflightningthattellsyouyes,thisistheone.That'swhatI'mwaitingfor

next.I'mwaitingfor...passionthatdoesn'tneedtobecontrolledorneedtowaitforareason."

TherewassomethingsosoftandvulnerableaboutherthenthatittookMakeeneverythinghehad

nottoleanoverandtouchhercheekwithhishand.Hewasn'tquitesurewhyhedidn't.Hewasalmost

thirty,andhe’dhadbetterthanadecadeofjudgingwomen'sreactions.Heknewwhenonewasattracted

tohim,andhewouldhavebetmoneythatRosewas.Butforsomereason,helefthishandswherethey

were.

Sheturnedthosestormyblueeyestohim,andthatvulnerabilitywasmostlygone.

"Sowhatdoyoudowhenacontrollablepassionisn'twhatyouwant?"sheaskedsoftly."Whatdo

youlookforthen,Makeen?"

Hesmiledalittleather,becauseafterall,thiswasn'tanewproblemformenlikehim.Hismother

andfatherhadanexcellentrelationship,butitcertainlywasn'tfoundedonpassion.

"Well,thenIsupposeIwilltakeamistress,"hesaid,andhesawherstiffenwithshock.

"Doesthatbotheryou?"heasked,lookingrightintohereyes.

"NotaslongasIcanhavewhateverthemaleequivalentofamistressis,"shesaidwithascowl,

andhelaughed.

"Ihaveoffendedyou,"Makeensaidsoftly."Youdon'tliketheideaofamanfindinghisday-to-day

lifewithonewomanandreservinghisneedforpassionwithanother."

"Youhaven'toffendedmeatall,"Rosesaid,butshewasstandingupwithaslightlyregretfulshake

ofherhead."Asamatteroffact,you'vesaidwhatI'msurealotofmen,includingRoger,want,evenif

theydon'thavethegutstosayittotheirwomen.ButIcan'tacceptit."

Makeenstartedtoaskherwhatshewouldaccept,butthentohissurprise,shelaidherhandagainst

hischeek.

Hertouchwaslight,butitsentashockthroughhim,somethingpowerfulandvividthatmadehis

eyeswiden.Ifshefeltitherself,however,shegavenosign.

"Thankyouforthedinnerandthebeer,"Rosesaid."Andthankyou,Ithink,fortheinsightintothe

malebrain.Itwasenlighteningtosaytheleast.ButbeforeIgetangrierandevenmorebitter,Ithinkit's

timeformetoheadhome.Goodnight."

Sheleaneddownandgavehimabriefkissonthemouth.Therewasnothingreallysexualaboutit.

Itwaslittlemorethanabriefbrushofskinagainstskin,thereandgonelikethebrushofabutterfly'swing.

Beforehecouldsayanything,beforehecouldaskhertostay,becausesuddenlysomethinginhim

verymuchwantedhertostay,shewasoutthedoor.

Makeensatstilluntilthewaitresscamebywiththecheck,andhepaidit,shakinghishead.

NewYorkwasamazing,loudandfastinawayfewothercitiesintheworldwere.Itwasjustas

wellthathisbusinesswithhistradingpartnerswasmoreorlessconcluded,though,becauseitwaspast

timethatheheadedhome,wherethingsmademoresense.Hehadbusinesstoattendtoathome,and

coincidentallyenough,oneofthosepiecesofbusinesswasfindingawomanwhowasofagoodfamily

andwhosenaturecouldfithislikeaglove.

Still,ashewalkedthroughtheNewYorkevening,hefoundhimselfthinkingofapairofbrightblue

eyesandwonderingaboutapassionthattuggedathimasstronglyasthetide.

***

WHENSHEGOThome,Rosepitchedthehatedpinkdressstraightintothetrash,andthenonher

waytothebathroomtoscrapeoffhermakeup,sheglancedatherselfinthemirror.

Attheageoftwenty-three,shewaspaleandcurvierthanwasnecessarilyinfashionforfashionable

NewYork.Withhertousledblondehairandeyessmudgedwithmascara,shelookedlikeabitofamess,

andshefeltashiverofpremonition.

Thisisit,somethinginsideherwhispered.Thisisyourlifeunlessyouchangeit.Youwantmore

Rogers?YouwantmorejobsthatbringyouincontactwithCathys?StayinNewYork,andyouaresure

tofindthem.

"ButwhatshouldIdothen?"sheasked,slightlyappalled.ShehadalwayslivedinNewYork.She

hadalwayswantedtoworkinManhattan.Someday,shewouldhaveherownsmallapartmentin

Manhattan,andperhapsenoughcashtolivealone,andafashionablewardrobe,andalltherest...andit

struckherhowemptyitallwas.

Hell,evenMakeen'splan,asshallowasitwas,wasprobablybetterthanhers.Somethingwithin

herhearttuggedatthethoughtofMakeen,butshedismissedit.Hewasamanwithaplan,andthatplan

certainlydidnotincludeher.

Doanythingelse,theanswercamerightaway.Anythingelse.Itdoesn'tmatter.Jointhecircus.

Runawayandjoinanunnery.Gethalfwayaroundtheworldandfigureoutwhereyouwanttogofrom

there.Justmove!

Theimpulsewascrazy.Sheknewitwascrazy.Itwouldmeangivingupeverythingshehadworked

for,butthenagain,everythingshehadworkedforhadgottenherRogerandCathy.Ithadgottenheralife

thatseemedasdullandpredictableasdirt,andsuddenlysherebelledagainstit.

Rosehadalwaysbeenagirlwhotookresponsibility,whosteppedup.Whenthingswerewrong,

sheknewitwasonherandnooneelsetomakeitright.Well,thingswerewrongnow,andwhenitcame

downtoit,shewastheonlyonewhocouldmakeitright.

Withadeterminedlookonherface,shesatdownatherlaptopandstartedsearchingouther

options.Asshehunted,however,shekepthavingtopushMakeenoutofhermindoverandoveragain.

Shewasdonewithromanceforawhile,ifnotforyearsafter.Rightnow,sheneededwork,andshewas

goingtofindit.

ChapterTwo

AsRosegotoffoftheplane,sherealizedwithacertainamountofwryamusementthatshehadn't

managedtogetMakeenoutofherheadnearlyasmuchasshe’dthoughtshehad.

Amonthago,shehadbeenlookingoverorganizationsthatspecializedingoodwork,inhelping

thosewhowerelessfortunate,lookingforplacesthatwouldwelcomeherexpertiseandskills.Itseemed

asifhersearchesweredrawinghermoreandmoreinexorablytotheMiddleEast,andthenshehad

happenedonaliteracyprogramthatwasrightupheralley.

Whenshe’dstartedreadingabouttheeducationalissuesintheMiddleEast,especiallytheonesfor

younggirlsandthosewhowereborntopoorhouseholds,somethinghadclickedinherhead.Thiswas

whatshewasmeanttodo,andwhethershediditforayearorfortherestofherlife,itdidn'tmatter.It

simplyfeltright,andthatwasenoughforher.

Overthenextmonthorso,shestartedtakingapartherlifeandsettingituptoreassemble

elsewhere.Insomeways,shewasshockedathoweasyitwas.Shehadalwaysthoughtitwouldbe

difficulttouprootherlifeandrelocatesomewhereelse,butshewasyoung,shewassingle,shehadno

debtandnothingmuchtoholdhertotheUnitedStates.Herfatherhaddisappearedbeforeherfifth

birthday,andhermotherhaddiednotlongaftershegraduated.

"I'marootlessperson,"shethought,andthoughthethoughtbroughtwithitaslightpang,therewas

moreexcitementthere.

TherewasnodirectflighttoAkram,soshehadflownintoDubaiinstead.Thereshehadmetwith

theregionaldirectoroftheliteracyprogram,whohadbeenhappytoseeher,thoughhehadsomestrange

news.

"Whatdoyoumean,I'mgoingtobeonmyowninAkram?"sheaskedinshock."Iwastoldthere

wasaprogramalreadyinplace,withafewotherteachers..."

Themanhadshrugged,saddenedbutnotsurprised."Theteacherinresidencetheredecidedtoget

marriedandmovebacktotheUKwithhisspouse.Ithappensquiteabit,andthistime,ithadthebadluck

tohappenwhenwedidn'thaveabackup.Fortunately,you'rehere,andI'msureyou'llbefine."

Rosehadbeenalittlelesssure,butnoamountofprotestwouldhavehelpedmatters.Instead,she

exploredabitofDubaibeforeshehadtogetonanotherplanethenextday,andfinally,hereshewasin

Akram.

Thefirstthing,shethoughtasshetookataxiintothecity,wasthatitwasmuchlikeDubai.

Everywhereshecouldseethesignsofwealthandprosperity.OilhadmadeAkram'sfortune,butsheknew

fromherstudiesthatAkrammaintaineditspowerwithasolidinvestmentinmedicalandmilitary

technology.Onewouldalmostwonderwhyaliteracyprogramwasnecessary,butasthecardroveon,

Rosecouldseewhyfirsthand.

ThereweretwoAkrams,sherealized.Withinwalkingdistanceofthebrightandmodernstreets

wereneighborhoodsthatlookedasiftheyhadnotchangedinfiftyyears.Asshepeeredoutherwindow,

shesawagirlofnomorethantwelvesweepingadrivewithababyslungoverherback,andshesaw

anotherlittleboyridingadeliverybike.

No,therewasaneedforherserviceshere,andsheknewshewasgoingtobeabletodosome

good.

Allthatremainednowwastosettlein,findhernewlife'spurpose,andreallymakeadifference.

***

MAKEENSTRETCHED,YAWNINGhugelyashestoodupfromhisdesk.Whydidhealwaysfeel

moretiredafteradaysittingatadeskthanhedidridingorsailing?Itwasamystery,andnotonethat

pleasedhim.

ThatmeanthewasevenlesspleasedwhenSafir,hissecretary,caughthimbeforehecouldmake

goodhisescape.

"Ohgood,Ifoundyoubeforeyouleft,"shesaid.

"Ohgood,"heechoed,butnotloudly.

Safirwasanolderwoman,morelikeanauntinsomeways.Toomanypeoplewerefooledbyher

warmsmilesandroundface.Theyveryablyhidasharpandnearlymilitarymind,capableof

rememberingslightsandrewardinggoodbehavior.

Shechosetoignorehislackofexcitementoverherapproach,lookingdownathertablet."Aslong

asyouarenotbusytonight,thereareafewthingsthatcouldstandyourattention."

"Therealwaysare,"hesaid,buthesighed,wavinghishandforhertocontinue.

"Well,there'stheeducators'ball.Iknowforafactthatyouhaveneverattended,buttheyalways

inviteyou,andIknowitwouldmaketheirdecadeifyoudecidedtogo."

"ThereisagoodreasonwhyInevergo,"Makeensaid."Theyareabunchofoldmenwhostill

believethatperfectpenmanshipwillopenuptheresourcesoftheworldforouryouth.Notinterested."

"Verywell.Inwhichcase,Naseeral-Majinwouldliketohavedinnerwithyou."

Makeenfrowned."Theindustrialist?Whatintheworldcouldhewant?"

Safirpaused,lookingoverherhalf-moonspectaclesathim.Inthatmoment,shelookedveryaunt-

likeindeed."Well,ostensibly,justtotakeyoutodinnerandtoproclaimyourfriendship."

"Thatmanhasallthesocialskillsofadrunkcamel.Ican'timaginewhyhewouldwanttoproclaim

athingthathasneverexisted,unless..."

"Youguessedright,ohlightoftheeast,"shesaiddrily."HisdaughterMelajusthappenstohave

returnedfromuniversityinDubai,andsourceshaveinformedmethatshehasbeensendingtothebest

modistesforawardrobethatisfitforaqueen...orshallwesay,asheikha?"

"Thatmanhasnoshame,andneitherhavetheothermenwhohavebeenapproachingmefor

friendlydinnersforthepastfourmonths,"Makeengrowled.

Safirsighed.Hecouldtellshesympathizedwithhim,buttherewassomethingelsethatshewas

hesitatingon.

"Whatisit?"

"Youknowthisisonlygoingtocontinue,right?"sheaskedgently."Untilyouatleastdeclarea

fiancée.You'renotgettinganymoremarriedsittingtheretakingcareofbusinessmatters,andthesemen

knowthatverywell."

"Atthispoint,Ishouldjustpickoneatrandom,"hesaid,butSafirlookedsternlyathim.

"Itisnosimplematterpickingasheikha,nomatterwhatyoubelieveaboutwell-broughtupyoung

women.Theyarenotallthesame,andtheydeservebetterthanthat."

"AndIdeservebetterthantohavetospendaterribledinnerwithNaseeral-Majinbeforehe

presentsmehisdaughterlikeacakeonaplate."

"Ah,soyouhavechosentheeducators'ball?"Safiraskedsmoothly."Becauseal-Majinwillbeput

offifyoudon'thaveagoodexcuse,andevenhecan'tbethatinterestedinateacher'scelebration."

MakeenglaredatSafir,awareofhowneatlyhehadbeentrapped,butheknewtherewasnomalice

abouther."Isupposeyouhavethedetailsforme?"

"Ido.Theyarealreadyonyourphone.Ihadthelibertyofhavingyourhousestaffsendoveryour

tuxedo,anditshouldbearrivingshortly.Dinnerwillbeservedthere,andyouwon'tevenhavetomakea

speech."

"Luckyme,"hemuttered,butwhenhethoughtaboutNaseeral-Majin,amanofhisfather's

generation,andwhatdinnerwouldbelikewithhim,heknewhewaslucky.

Afterall,itwasaneducators'ball,fortheloveofheaven.Theywouldlikelybesoimpressedwith

himthattheywoulddroptheirjaws,makeafewstutteringcompliments,andlethimleavebeforethings

gottoolate.Perhapshecouldevenheadoutforsomefunonthetownwithouttoomuchtrouble.

Makeentoldhimselfthatlifewasgood;therewasnoreasonnottodohisduty,andhepulleduphis

phonetoreviewthedetails.

ChapterThree

Theprevioustwoweeksintheclassroomhadbeeninstructive,andnowRoserealizedshehadthe

perfectopportunitytodothejobshewasreallyherefor.

Theschoolshehadbeentoldaboutwasonthetopfloorofaricketyoldbuildingwithbrokentiles

forfloors.Theprimerswereatleastthirtyyearsoutofdate,andthestudentswhoshowedupfor

instructionweren'tinterestedintheEnglishshewastryingtoteachasmuchastheywereinterestedin

havingaplaceoutofthestreet.

Asshestruggledtoteach,Rosekeptalistofimprovementsthatwouldmakeahugedifferenceto

theschool.Theimprovementsrangedfromthesmall,suchasgettingafewnewbookstoworkwith,tothe

large,likeabetterbuildingandsomecomputers.Shehadlaidthemoutsotheyallseemedquitesimple

andstraightforward,andnowshejusthadtomakesomeonelistentoherandagree.

Otherpeoplemighthavequailedatthat,butwhenshefinallyhadherplandrawnup,shesmiled

becauseevenifshewasn'tabadteacher,andeveniftheoddswereagainsther,shewasreallyinher

elementnow.

Thankfully,shehadn'tbroughtalongmuchwhenshe’dheadedtotheMiddleEast,butshehadbeen

damnedifshewasgoingtoleavewithoutTheDress.

Muchasthepinkdresshadbeentoogoodadealtopassupevenifshehadhatedthecolor,The

Dresswasagarmentthathaddemandedtobepurchased.Almostsixmonthsago,shehadbeeninformed

thatshewasgoingtoafancierfunctionthansheusuallyattended.Desperateforsomethingtowearthat

wouldn'tbreakthebank,itfeltasifshehadhuntedupanddownthestreetsforsomethingthatfitand

wouldn'tembarrasshercompanyandherself.Andthatwashowshefoundthedress.

Itwasavibrantbluesapphire,cutmodestlysothatshecouldwearittowork,butwithabeautiful

shimmeroficeintheformofcrystallinebeadsscatteredovertheskirt.Theskirtfelldowntoherankles,

thefabriclightenoughtoswishbecominglyasshewalkedinherhighheels.Italwaysmadeherfeellikea

warriorprincesswhensheworeit,someonebeautifulandreadytotakecharge.

Shesweptherhairupelegantlyfortheeveningandappliedademurecoveroflipsticktoher

mouth.Shewasdressedtokill,andnoonewouldknowjustfromlookingatherthatshehadn'tbeen

invitedatall.

Tomakesureshemadetherightimpression,shecalledforasleek,darkcartopickherupinstead

ofthenormalcab,andshesweptupthestairwaytotheeducators'ballwitheverybitofconfidencethat

shecouldsummonup.

"Goodevening,"shesaidtothemanatthedoor."I'mRoseMalone."

Shespokeasifhernamealoneshouldhavetoldhimeverything,andwhenhescannedthelist,she

allowedherselftofrownslightly.

"I'mverysorry,butitdoesn'tseemthatyouarelistedhere..."hebegan,andRoserolledhereyes.

"Ohthoseridiculouspeople...Theytoldmetheywouldhaveclearedthisup.Technically,my

predecessorwassupposedtobehere,andI'llbetyouhavehisnameonthatlistsomewhereinstead."

"Andhisname?"

Rosemadeaface."I'msosorry,butIdon'tthinkIknowit...butwait,IbetIknowwhodoes..."

Shehadtimeditwell.Therewerepeopleliningupbehindher,andaswasthewayofpeoplewith

acertainamountofmoney,theydidnotliketobekeptwaiting.Oblivioustotheirmutters,shedialedher

phone,pretendedtobehold,andsmiledatthemanbehindthedesk.

Behindher,thepeopleinlineweregettingalittleangrier,andsherefusedtostepoutoftheway.

Instead,sheglancedattheman,whowasbeginningtogetuncomfortable.

"Don'tworry,"shesaidwithconfidence,"I'llgetheronthelineinjustafew,theysaidshejust

steppedoutforabreather..."

Thiswasthebreakingpoint,Roseknew.Themanwouldeithersteparoundthedesktoorderherto

oneside,orhewouldsimplygiveupandletherin.Asshe“waited”onherphoneforsomeonewho

wasn'treallythereatall,shewatchedthemanclosely.Thepeoplebehindherweregettingrestless,the

peoplebeyondwerewonderingwhytheirfriendcouldn'tcomein,andshecouldalmostseethemoment

whenthemangaveup.

"Well,I'msurethisisjustamisunderstanding,"hesaidatlast."Whydon'tyoucomein?Iamsure

youareonthislist..."

"Ohthankyousomuch!"shegushed."Oh,god,howembarrassing,I'msureIdon'tknowwhatI

wouldhavedoneifithadturnedoutthatIcouldn'tgetinoversomesillyclericalerror!"

Shetookamomenttocongratulateherselfasshewalkedintotheball.Itwasn'tastuntthatsheliked

topulltoooften,butitwasonethatwaseffectiveforgettingabitoffacetimewiththepeopleincharge.

Shefiguredthataslongasshedidn'tmakearealsceneorgetanyoneintroubleitwasfine,andsofar,her

instinctsforthissortofgamehadalwaysbeengood.

Onceshegotin,shecouldseethattheeducators'ballwasthepreciseplaceshewantedtobe.It

wasfullofpeoplewhoheldadvanceddegreesandwhohadagreatdealofmoney.Thesepeoplemight

havehadgoodintentions,butingeneral,theywereprettyfarremovedfromtheworldwheretheyhadto

figureouthowtoteachtwentykidsononebrokenlaptop.ThatwaswhatRosewasfor,andtakingadeep

breathandputtingonherbrightestsmile,shedovein.

"Hi!Pleasedtomeetyou,I'mRoseMalone,withLiteracyforAll,andI’msoexcitedtobehere..."

Rosecouldadmitthatshesometimesfeltalittlelostinfrontofaclassroom,butthiswassomething

shecouldhavedoneinhersleep.Assheworkedtheroom,movingfrompersontoperson,tellingthem

justenoughtowhettheirappetiteandthenlettingthemknowhowtheycouldhelpandhoweasyitreally

wouldbe,sheknewshewasgoingtogetwhatsheneeded.Theymightnotwhipouttheircheckbooks

now,butintheweeksandmonthstocome,theywouldthinkofherandtheliteracyprogramwhenthey

neededtocutsomeoneacheck,andthatwouldbeperfect.

Shetookabriefbreaktoavailherselfofthedelicioussnacksthathadbeensetaside,dabbing

lightlyatherfacewithahandkerchief.Shehadbeenworkinghard,andtherewasmoreworktobedone

yet,whentherewasastirthroughoutthegallery.Obviouslysomeoneimportanthadcomein,andshe

heardawhisperriflethroughthecrowd.

"Thesheikh!"

"Ididn'tthinkheevershowedup..."

Peopleseemedbothimpressedandsurprised,andRosecranedhernecktoseewhotheywere

talkingabout.Thecrowdwastoothickforhertofigureoutwhatwasgoingon,however,soshesimply

turnedbacktoherfood.Therewasastandthatsolddeliciousfalafelnotfarfromhertinyapartment,butit

gotprettyoldeatingfalafeltwiceaday.Shelikedtothinkshewaspastthepointwhereshewouldsneak

cateredfoodintoherpurse,butthefriedgoatcheesewithhoneybasildressingwasreallymakingher

reconsiderthatstance.

Whenthecrowdhaddieddownalittle,shereluctantlyputthefoodasideanddovebackintothe

cause.Therewasnorestwhenyouweretryingtodoagoodthing,andevenlessifyouweren'texactly

playingbytherulestodoit.

***

MAKEENWASWONDERINGwhethergoingtodinnerwithNaseerwouldhaveactuallybeen

lessirritatingthanhobnobbingwithabunchofout-of-touchacademicswhenagleamofgoldcaughthis

eye.

Therewasawomaninasapphire-bluedresstalkingtothepresidentofthelocaluniversity,a

frowningoldmanwholookedlikehewouldratherbecarryingalancethanabook.Despitetheofficial's

grimgaze,thewomanseemedtobekeepingupaspiritedconversation.Finally,theoldmanbrokeintoa

grin,noddingatsomethingshesaid,andMakeen'seyebrowsrose.

"Whoisthatoverthere?"heaskedoneofthesocietymatrons,andshesmiledindulgently.

"Oh,she'sarepresentativefromsomekindofAmericanliteracyprogram,"shesaidtolerantly.

"She'scampaigningveryhardforthemtonight.Notexactlythesortthatusuallygetsinvitedtotheball,but

Isupposeonemustmakeallowances..."

Makeenfrownedatherwords."Ihaveneverbeentooneoftheseballsbefore,butI'malittle

surprisedthatyouinviteforeigninterestsintooureducationsystem."

Thewomanseemedawarethatshehadmadesomekindoffauxpas.Makeenwasaprogressive,but

hehadnevermadeitasecretthathewasn'tinterestedinhavingAkramturnintoacarboncopyofEngland

orGermanyorAmerica.Hewasalltooawarethatthepeoplefromthosecountriesoftensawthepeople

oftheUAEaslittlemorethanbarbariansandsavages,andwhentheyofferedtheirhelp,itwasoftenmore

taintedwithpityanddisgustthaneventheyknew.

"Well,Imean,literacyisanimportantthing,"thewomanstammered,"andaninternational

approachis...is..."

"IthinkImightneedtocometotheseeventsmoreoften,"Makeensaid,hisvoicestillslightlytight.

"Afterall,Ishoulddefinitelybetakingagreaterinterestinwhatisbeingtaughttotheyouthofmy

country."

Itsoundedalittlelikeathreat,whichwashardlysomethinghecouldmind,andthematronmade

herexcusesandhurriedaway.Makeenhaditinmindtowalkrightovertotheblondewomantoaskwhat

sheintendedandwhathadbroughthertotheUAE,butthentherewasonemorewell-wisherathiselbow,

onemorepersonwhowantedtochatwithhim,andbythetimehelookedup,shewasnolongerinsight.

Herememberedherandhisirritation,however,andasheprowledtheball,bynowcertainthat

goingtodinnerwithNaseerwouldhavebeenthelesseroftwoevils,hethoughtgrimlyaboutwhatit

wouldtaketomakesurethatinterferingforeignersmindedtheirownbusiness.

Itwasalmosttwohourslaterwhenhespottedheragain.Thepartywaswrappingup,butitlooked

asifhewouldstillhavejustenoughtimetogiveheradressingdownifshesoundedtheleastbit

disrespectfulofhiscountry.Hestartedtowardsher,andthenshehalf-turned.

Hisbreathcaughtinhischest,anditwaslikelyagoodthingthatsomeonegrabbedhishandfora

shakeandapicturebecauseotherwisehewasgoingtoendupgapingather.

TherewasnowayitcouldbeRose,thespitfirehehadmetinNewYorkweeksago.No,nowayat

all.Surelyitwasbecausehewastiredandhisbrainputthingstogetherwrong,orperhapsitwasbecause

hehadfoundhimselfthinkingofherearlier,wonderingifshehadhealedfromthatparticularheartbreak.

Thenhelookedagainandrealizedhehadbeenrightthefirsttime.Heartbrokenornot,Rosewas

justshakinghandswithasocietymatron,smilingandlaughingwithawarmththatcouldn'tbefaked.It

reallywasthatgirl,andseeingherinhisemirate,onhisownterms,wasstrangelyworld-breaking.

Foramoment,somethinginMakeentoldhimtoletitbe.Therewasnoneedtoconfronther,not

really.Therewasnoreasonnottosimplyslipoutthefrontandgetintohiscar.

However,nomatterhowsensiblethatwouldbe,somethingpulledhimtoher,andhefoundhimself

followingherout.

***

ALLINALL,bythetimeshewasfeelingdeadonherfeetandreadytocallitanight,Rosedecided

thatshehaddoneagoodjob.Oneofficialwasgoingtostopbytoseewhatshewasdoingnextweek,and

ahalf-dozenmorehadpromisedtocontacther.Perhapstwoorthreeoutofthatnumberreallywould,but

thatwastobeexpected.

Shewalkedoutofthedoorsoftheeventasifshewasjustgettingabreathoffreshair,waving

awaythevalets.Theycouldthinkshehadaridepickingherup;itwouldberatherstrangeifshehadbeen

tothisfunctionandtheyfoundthatsheneededtotakeabus.Thetaxiridetothedoorhadbeenanecessary

partofherlittledeception.Nowitwasjustaneedlessexpense,andthebuswouldbefine.

"Thereyouare."

Thewordswereinnocuous,buttherewassomethingaboutthemthatraisedthehaironthebackof

herneck.ShewasanativeNewYorker,andshehadawell-honedsixthsensefortrouble,butthiswasn't

that.Nothingtoldherthatshewasindangerorthatsheneededtorun.Instead,thiswasasifsomeonehad

litthefuseonafirecrackerdeepinsideher,andnowshewashearingthefizzbeforetheskylitupwith

fire.

Sheturned,andwhenshesawwhohadfollowedheroutoftheevent,herjawdropped.

"You?"sheasked,andMakeengrinned.

SheknewhehadbeendressedexpensivelywhenshemethiminNewYork,butthatwasnothing

comparedtowhathewaswearingnow.Inamidnight-blacktuxedo,thefrontgleamingwhiteandhishair

expertlystyled,helookedlikehehadsteppedoffthepagesofafashionmagazine.Somehow,hewaseven

handsomerthanshe’dremembered.

"Quiteacoincidencetocometoalittleeducator'spartyandfindyouthere,"hesaid,tiltinghis

head.

"We'rehalfwayaroundtheworldfromwhenwelastmet,"shesaid."Ican'tbelieveit."

Hechuckledalittle,butshewonderediftherewasanedgetoit."NorcanI.Shallwekeepupthe

traditionandfindsometerribleall-nightplacetotalk?"

Apartofhertoldherthiswasdangerous.Shewasn'tevensurehow,butitfeltlikeshewas

somehowsealingherownfateifshetookhisarm.Anotherpartofher,theonethathadsenther

catapultinghalfwayaroundtheworldinthefirstplace,wasperfectlycomfortablewiththat.

Rosetookhisarmwithagrin."Allright.Gotanyotherall-nightplacesupyoursleeve?"

Asamatteroffact,hedid...asleepylittlekebabplacewithjustfourboothsupholsteredincracked

redpleather.Thepeoplebehindthecounterlookedsurprisedtobeservingacoupleineveningwear,but

theytooktheorderimmediatelyandleftbothofthemwithcupsofsteamingstrongtea.

"Iliketofillupalittlemorethaneventslikethatgenerallyallow,"Makeensaidwithaslightsmile.

"Ilikethembecausetheyprovidefreesmallmeals,"shejoked."So...areyouaneducator?"

Forsomereason,thequestionseemedtocatchhimoffguard.

"No,"hesaidafteramoment."Isimplygetaninvitationeveryyear,andthisyear,itwasgotothis

orenduptrappedatdinnerwithsomeonewhoisquiteinsufferable."

"Ah,invitedeveryyear?"sheaskedbrightly."CanItakethattomeanthatyouarefairlywelloff?"

Shegrinned,completelyawareofthecrassnessofherquestion,andthoughhelookedtakenback,

therewasstillsomethingamusedonhisface.

"IthinkyoucanassumethatIamdoingfairlywellformyself,"hesaidwithaslightsmile."What

plansdoyouhaveforthat?"

"Well,"shesaidwithagrinascharmingasshecouldmanage,"I'mworkingforLiteracyforAll,

andwehaveaplaceintheOldQuarterthat..."

"Ah,that'syou,"hesaid,andtherewassuchadegreeofdisgustinhisvoicethatforthefirsttime

thatevening,shestutteredtoahalt.

"Excuseme?"sheasked,thebrightpublicsmilestillonherface.

"Iwouldn'tusually,butsincewehaveahistory,perhapsI'llletitslide."

Roseheldupherhands,becausewhileshewasusedtodealingwithpeoplewhowerereluctantto

helporcouldn'tgetbehindwhatevermessageshewastryingtogetout,sheneverallowedherselftobe

abused.

"Allright,obviouslyyouhavesomekindofproblemwithme,andIdon'tknowwhatitis.We're

gettingkebabstogether,soIthinkthatmightmeanthatIcanholdoutforsomekindofexplanation."

Whenheraisedhiseyebrowsatherbluntpronouncement,sheshrugged.

"Ihavebeendoingthiskindofthingfartoolongtoputupwithpeoplewhojustwanttotearastrip

outofme.Nothingpersonal,butit'sreallynotafunnight,andthatmeansthatIshouldgetoutofhereif

that'swhatyou'regoingtodo."

Heshrugged,andforsomereason,sherelaxedalittle.Heprobablyhadbroughtherherejusttorip

intoher,butforsomereason,shewasfeelingcurious.Shewantedtohearwhathehadtosay.

"First,IwantyoutopulloutyourphoneandGoogleme,"hesaid.

Shescowledatthat,raisinganeyebrow."And...whywouldIdothat?"

"IhavebeendoingwhatIdoforaverylongtime.Ithinkthemoreclearlywecommunicate,the

betteroffwearebothgoingtobe.Ihaveanideawhoyouare,andithasfinallyoccurredtomethatyou

actuallydon'tknowwhoIam."

"You'rethemanwhostoppedmefromspillingrearoverteakettleinNewYork,andwhoboughtme

chickenwingslaterthatnight,"shejoked."Butallright.WhoshouldIbelookingup?"

"MyfullnameisMakeenAbdul-Hakam,"hesaidpeaceably,andshereachedforherphone.

"Look,justtellmethatyou'renot,like,aserialkillerorsomething,allright?"shesaid,typingthe

nameintothesearchbar."Thatwouldreallyruinmynight."

"Foranumberofreasons,Iimagine,"Makeensaidwithamusement.

Whentheresultsstartedcomingin,hereyebrowswentup.Surelyhecouldn'tbe...

Shelookedatafewofthefirstlinks,theoneswithpublicityshotsandtheonesontheredcarpetof

placesasdiverseasCannes,VeniceandNewYork.Roselookedup,confirmedforherselfthatitwasthe

sameman,andshookherheadslowly.

"I..."

"Yes...?"

"SheikhMakeen,"shesaid."Wow."

"Youknowenoughtousemygivennamewithmytitle,"hecommented."Thatsayssomething."

Somesmallpartofhermindwasthinkinghowstrangeitwasthathelookedjustasglamorousin

run-downdinersashedidinpublicityshots.Rosehadworkedinmarketinglongenoughtoknowthat

nothinglookedasgoodasitdidinthemagazines,buthonestly,SheikhMakeenAbdul-Hakamcamepretty

darnedclose.

"Ireallydon'tknowwhattodohere,"Roseconfessed."IfIknewaboutyourrank...well,Idon't

know.IprobablywouldhavestillletyoutakemetothedinerinNewYork."

"Generousofyou,"Makeenresponded,"butIdidn'ttellyouaboutmyranktomakeyouscrapeand

bowbeforeme.WhenIwantthat,believeme,IcanhaveitatanytimeIlike,Ipromiseyou."

Hiseyesnarrowedandhistonedropped.Shefeltachillrundownherback.

"IamthesheikhofAkram.Thisissomethingdifferentfrombeingthepresidentofacountry,or

eventheking.MemoriesandbloodgobackaverylongtimeintheMiddleEast,andAkramisno

exception.Myfamilyhasruledthislandformorethanthreehundredyears,standingofftheGreeks,the

Turks,theFrench,theGermansandtheEnglish,amongothers.Weareproudofwhoweare,andasthe

protectorofeverythingthatisAkram,Ihavenoloveformeddlers."

Slightlyshocked,Rosepointedatherselfquestioningly,andMakeennodded.

"Yes.Meddlersjustlikeyou,Rose.Ihavedealtwithyourkindbefore.Youthinkthatyouseea

problem,andfreshoutofAmerica,youchargeovertopointsunknownforanexoticexperience.Youdon't

lookwhereyouaregoing,youcometofeelgoodaboutyourselves,andinmanycases,youstayonlylong

enoughto'makeadifference'beforeyouleaveagain."

Rosefrownedathim.Therewasahintoftruthinwhathesaid,butsurelythatwasnotthewholeof

it,wasit?Wasshereallyjusttheretofeedheregoandhersenseofboredom?

"I'mnot..."

"Idon'tcare,"hesaid,andthesmilehegaveherwasslightlychilling."Stop."

Thesilencebetweenthemwasbrokenbythearrivalofateenagerwithatrayoffoodforthem.

"I'lladmit,"Rosesaidaftertheteenleft,"Idon'tknowquitewhattosayaboutallofthat..."

"Don'tsayanything,"Makeensaid,aslightsmileonhisface.Whenhesmiled,itwasactually

difficulttorememberhowdarklyferocioushecouldlook."Wedon'thavetotalkaboutthat.You'renot

alwaysaprofessionaldo-gooder,andIdonotalwayshavetobethesheikh."

"Thatissomeimpressivecompartmentalization,"shecommented,butthenhewasplacingoneof

thekebabskewersontheplateinfrontofher.Thesmellfromthespit-roastedmeatwasdarkandlushand

spicy,andafterall,themealfromtheballhadn'tbeenmuchmorethanasnack.

"Ohmygod,thissmellsamazing,"shesaid.Atthefirstbite,themeatturnedouttobeevenbetter

thanitsmelled,andthatwassayingsomething.

"It'salwayseasiertocompartmentalizewhenyouhavegoodfoodinfrontofyou.Thisshophas

beenoperatingforalmostacentury,andIthinkexperiencedoesmeansomethinghere.Noonereallydoes

kebabsliketheydo."

"Haveyoubeencomingherelong?"sheaskedaroundmouthfulsoffood.Itseemedunlikely,the

sheikhoftheemiratecomingtoalittlehole-in-the-wallrestaurant,butthenhehadtakenhertoan

unassuminglittleplaceinNewYork,too.

"Anuncleusedtotakemehere,"Makeensaid."Hewasabitofacharacter,andthoughheandmy

fatherwereclose,heandmymotherdidnotgetalongallthatwell.Whentheyfought,hewouldbringme

here,becauseifshehadknown,shewouldcertainlyhaveobjectedtoheronlychildeatinginaplacethat

doesn'tevenhaveawinelist.However,Ilovedit,andIknowmyfatherthoughtitwashilarious,sothe

traditionstood."

"Andyoubringforeignersheretochastisethem?"sheasked,unabletoresist,andtohersurprise,

hewinkedather.

"IbringwomenIthinkareattractivehereinordertocharmthem,"hesaid."Also,Iremembered

howmuchyoulikedchickenwings,andIthoughtyoumightwanttotrythelocallate-nightequivalent."

HiswordsmadeRoselaughalittleassheshookherhead."Seriously?You'regoingtoflirtwithme

afterallbuttellingmeI'mnotwelcomeinAkram?"

Heraisedaneyebrow,shruggingslightly."AsItoldyou,Icancompartmentalize.Icanespecially

compartmentalizewhenthere'ssomeoneaslovelyasyousittingacrossfromme."

Atthat,Rosehadtolaugh,shakingherheadandholdingupherhandsinsurrender.

"Allright,you'relayingitonprettythick,"shesaidwithasmile."Remember,yousawaguydecide

thatitwasperfectlyallrighttokissaco-workerofminerightbeforewehadananniversarydinner.Iam

undernoapprehensionsabouthowlovelyImaybe.I'mallright,andthat'saboutallI'mwillingtogive

it."

Insteadoflaughingwithherorevenjustconcedingherpoint,Makeenleanedin,hisdarkeyes

intent.

"Iwouldgiveitfarmorethanthat,"hesaid,hisvoicehusky."Iwouldsaythatyourhairgleams

brighterthangoldandifHelencouldlaunchathousandships,youcouldlaunchtenthousandmorein

answer.Iwouldsaythatthemanwhodecidedtobetrayyouwasafool,andIwouldsaythatanyonewho

couldnotseeyourbeautywasblind,buteventheblindcouldtouchyourfaceandknowyoufora

wonder..."

Somewhereduringhisrecitation,shefeltasifthebreathhadentirelyescapedherbody.Whenhe

trailedoffandhisfingerscameuptolightlycaressherface,shedidn'tpullaway,butinsteadleanedinto

histouch.

Thesparkthatawokeinherwhenhegentlytracedthelineofhercheekwasfamiliar;she

remembereditfromwhenhehadsavedherfromafall.Itwasasifsomethinginsideherwokeupwhenhe

touchedher,asifshehadbeenwaitingforhimtoappearallthistime.

Hereacheduptotuckastrandofherhairbehindherear,andsherecoveredenoughtopullback.It

feltlikeeverypartofherbodyresentedbeingpulledawayfromhistouch,butsheignoreditforthe

moment.

"Sodoyousaythattoallthegirls?"shemanaged,andhesighed,sittingback.

"Idon't,"headmitted,"butgivenyoursuspicions,youhavenoreasontobelieveme.Icandefinitely

seewhereyoumightnot."

"IwishIcouldbelieveyou,"Rosefoundherselfsaying."Iwanttobelieveyou...”

"Youshould,becauseIambeingutterlytruthful.Iwonderwhatitwouldtakeforsomeonetoreally

convinceyouofyourbeauty."

"Morethanashishkebobdinner,nomatterhowgooditis,"shesaidbriskly.“Andthisreallyis

quitegood.Thankyou."

Theyfinishedtheirmeal,speakingofthingsthatwerelesschargedanddifficult,andMakeen

refusedtoletherpayforherportion.Shesupposedthatasthesheikh,hecouldcertainlyaffordit,buta

partofherstilldidn'tquitebelieveit.Shewasn'tthekindofgirlthatsheikhstookoutfordinner,andshe

wasn'tthekindofgirlwhogotcomplimentsliketheoneshepaidher.

Thentheywereonthestreetagain,andshewaslookingupintothehazynightskyabovethecity.

"Sometimes,whenIgettiredandhomesick,Ijustlookup,"Rosefoundherselfsaying."Akramisn't

muchlikeNewYork,butthere'sapassingsimilarity."

"Doyoumisshomeagreatdeal?"heasked,andtherewasasympathyinhisvoicethatshecould

warmherhandson.

Rosethoughtaboutitforamoment,andthensheshookherhead.

"Imisssomethings,maybeafewpeople,butthetruthisthatthereisjustsomuchhere,somuchto

doandsomuchtosee.IfeellikeI'monsomekindofgreatadventure,andthere'snotmuchIcanbesad

aboutthere.IknowthatIamveryluckytobeabletoenjoythethingsIdo,andItrynottotakethatfor

granted."

Shegaspedalittlewhenhetookherhand.Shecouldfeelhowwarmhisfleshwas,andshehalf-

turnedtohiminsurprise.

"Ithinkthatnomatterwhyyouarehere,youcanhavetheadventureofalifetimeinAkram,"

Makeensaid,andtherewassomethingthrillinglysmokyinhisvoice.Shecouldfeeleverypartofherlean

towardshim,andittookeveryounceofherwillpowernottosimplythrowherarmsaroundhim.

"Ohreally?"sheasked,andsheknewhervoicewashuskierthanitshouldhavebeen."Likewhat?"

Hemovedasifhehadallthetimeintheworld.Makeentouchedthepointofherchinwithhis

finger,drawingherfaceup.Shewassoclosetohimsuddenlythatshecouldfeelthewarmthofhishand,

smellthescentofhisbriskcologne,andbreatheinamuskthatwasdistinctlyhim.

Shefeltasifhermindwentblankthemomenthetouchedhislipstohers.Itwasasperfectakissas

shecouldimagineforthatmoment,sweetandsoft,askingnothingandgivingeverything.Hewaitedfor

herlipstopartforhimbeforeheslidhistongueintohermouth,andeverytouchwasaquest,agentle

probetoseeifhecouldgofarther.Theanswerhefoundwhenshethrewherarmsaroundhimwasan

unquestionedyes,andshecouldfeelsomethingwithinhercryoutforhim.

ThisisthemanIhavewanted,shethoughtinadaze.Thisoneandnoneother...

Thethoughtwassuchastrangeonethatitbrokethespellshehadbeenplacedunder.Withasoft

cry,shepushedhimaway,steppingback.Whenshewasawayfromthewarmembraceofhisbody,she

feltasifshehadbeensomehowexposedandrevealed.Shestoodonthestreet,armswrappedaround

herself.Shefeltasifhereyesweresurelytoobright,andherlipstingledastheyshimmeredwithflame.

"Makeen,"shewhispered,andshesawhiseyesdarken.

Therewasnootherwaytosayit;afterkissingher,Makeenlookedhungry.Hewasagoodlooking

man,handsomeandentirelyincontrolofhisenvironment,butnowwhenhewaslookingather,helooked

famished,asifhewoulddieiftheydidnotstartkissingagain.Evenasshewatched,shesawhiseyes

dropdowntoherlipsbeforemeetinghergazeagain.

"DidItakealibertyIshouldnothavetaken?"heasked,andsomethingbecameverycleartoher.

Ifshesaidno,thatshewelcomedhistouch,hewouldbeonheragain.Hisarmswouldgoaround

her,hislipswouldcoverhers,andquitepossibly,shewouldlightonfirefromtheinsideout.Itwould

consumeher.Shewouldfallintohimlikeawomanfrommythfallingintothedeepnightsky,andthey

wouldneverseeheragain.

Ifshesaidyes,itwouldbealie.

Intheend,shecouldnotsayeither.Rosestumbledbackasifshehadtouchedsomethingshocking--

inaway,shehad.

"I...I...youhavegivenmeagreatdealtothinkabout,"sheexclaimed."Ishouldgethome...Idon't

haveclasstomorrow,soItoldmyselfthatIwould...Iwould..."

Inspirationranout,butfortunatelyacarappeared.Shehadintendedtotakethebus,butrightthen,

shewaswillingtoeatnothingbutbeansforthenextweekjusttogetoutofthissituationwhereshehad

somehowlostallcontrol.

"Rose..."

Hadheeversaidhernamebefore?Shehadalwaysthoughtshehadanugly,old-fashionedname,

onethatshesharedwithelderlywomenwhopinchedcheeksandgaveoutbadcandy.Somehow,inhis

mouth,itbecameasong.

"Ineedtogo,"sherepeated,turningtoopenthetaxidoor.Foramoment,shethoughtthatitwas

stuck,butthenthedoorpoppedopen,andshestumbledinasbestasshecould.

MaybeshemanagedtosaygoodbyetoMakeen;shereallywasn'tsure.

"Areyouallright,miss?"askedthedriver,andshenoddedathim.Ittookheramomenttogivehim

heraddress,butwhenhestartedtodrive,sheglancedbacktoseethatMakeenwasstillstandingonthe

curb,watchingafterherwiththoseenormous,darkeyes.

ChapterFour

Rosesleptinasmuchasshecouldthenextday.Herdreamswerestrangeandshort,andfinallya

littleafternine,shegaveupentirely.Sheputteredaroundhersmallapartment,alreadyusedtothestrange

creaksandgroansthatdistinguishedit.Shewascomingawakeslowly,butsheknewthateventuallyshe

wouldhavetowakeupcompletelyandconfrontwhathadhappenedthenightbefore.

First,therewastheissueofwhatMakeenhadsaid.Wasshejusttouringtheworldtofeelgood

aboutherself?Washerorganizationdoingmoreharmthangood,takingoveraggressivelyfromlocal

agencies?Thosewerethingstoresearch,andtheywereimportant,butthethingsthathadhappenedwith

Makeenwererightunderneath.

Itseemedalmostunbelievablethattheyhadtouchedthewaytheyhad,letalonekissed.Thataman

likeMakeenwouldwanttokissherwasalmostlaughable,butstillithadhappened.

Hehadtoldherthathewasgoodatcompartmentalization,andsheguessedthatwasverytrue.She

couldrememberwhathe’dsaidaboutneedingsomeonewhohadanagreeablelevelofpassion,andshe

blushed.

Didhethinkofherpassionassomethingthatdidn'tneedtobecontrolled?Hecouldhardlycourt

herashiswife...didthatmeanhedidn'thavetoworryabouthowpassionateshewas?Wasshethinking

aboutallofthistoomuch,andallhewantedwasanightofflirtation?

Itwastoomuchtothinkabout.

Still,shecouldn'tdenythefactthatapartofherstilltingledfromhisembraceandfromhiskiss.

Shestilllongedtofeelhimtouchheragain,andthefactthatshecouldn'tactuallygotohimandhavehim

pullherintohisarmsagainfeltsomehowwrong.

"Ican'tworklikethis,"shemuttered,andtakingherlaptop,shewenttoworkatanearbycafe.

Still,despitethechangeinsceneryandevenassherealizedthattherewasatleastagrainoftruthto

whathewassaying,shecouldn'tconcentrate.Nomatterwhereshepausedorwhatshewasthinking

about,shefoundherselfthinkingabouthimandwhathehaddonetoher.Itwasasifhehadsomehow

gottenintoherbloodstreamandchangedher,forbetterorworse.Whenshethoughtofhisdarkeyes,when

sheimaginedhislipsonhers,apartofherwhimperedwithneed.

Shewonderedwhatitwouldbeliketokisshimmoredeeply,toletherhandsroveoverhisbody.

WhenRoserealizedshewasimaginingwhatitwouldbeliketofeelhisstronghandsundressingher,she

nearlywhimperedbeforecominguprightagainwithsurprise.Rosefeltadeepblushcomeoverher

cheeks.Aquicklookaroundsuggestedshewastheonlyonewhohadnoticedherbrieflapse,butstill,she

gatheredupherthingsinahurry.

It'snotlikeitmattersmuchanyway,shethought.Thatwaslikelyasinglenightofflirtationfor

him.Hewouldn'treallywantanythingtodowithme.I'mjustfoolingmyself...

Atleast,that'swhatshethoughtuntilshegotbacktoherapartmentbuilding.Therewasauniformed

manatthedoor,andheheldanenormousbouquetofwhiterosesinthecrookofonearm.

Hownice,shethought.Someone'sgettingflowers.

Shewonderedifitwasforanewromanceorpossiblyiftheflowersweresentbetweenacouple

whohadbeenmarriedforages,justbecause.Somewhereinthebackofherhead,shehadalwayswanted

arelationshiplikethat,onewhereevenafterdecadestogether,peoplecouldsendflowerstoeachother

justbecause.

Sheletthemaninwithasmile,butthatsmilequicklystartedtofallwhensherealizedhewasn't

stoppingatanyoftheotherfloors.Shelivedonthetopfloor,andassheclimbed,themanjusthalfaflight

ofstairsbehindher,shebegantofeelnervous.

Hadsheletacriminalintothebuilding?Hadhesimplybeenwaitingatthedooruntilsomeonelet

himin,andnowhewasgoingtofollowhertoherapartment?Wassomethingterriblegoingtohappento

her?

Sheenteredthehallwaytoherapartment,andshewasonthevergeofspinningtowardshimand

shoutingthatshewoulddefendherself.Thensherealizedhewasfrowningandlookingatatagonthe

flowers.

"Idonotsupposeyouarein615,areyou?"heasked,andsheblinked.

"MissRoseMalone?"hepressed,andoutofoptions,shenodded.

Hegrinnedhalf-heartedlyather."IsupposeIcouldhavesavedmyselfthatclimbifIhadaskedthat

first.Here.Theseareforyou."

Shelookedathiminconfusion,butno,hereallywasofferingherthatenormousbouquet.

"Theremusthavebeensomemistake,"shebegan,butheshookhishead.

"IfyouareMissMalonein615,thereisnomistake,"hesaid."Ifyoudon'twantthem,IsupposeI

cantakethemback,but..."

"Iwantthem,"shesaidimmediately."Ido.Um,here,I'lltakethem."

Thenshehadanarmfulofwhiteroses,whichshesomehowmanagedtogetintoherapartment.

Theywerelovely,butwhatimpressedherwastheirscent.Shefoundmostroses,especiallytheonesin

theflowerarrangementsshesentoutforhermarketingjob,hadaplasticky,surprisinglyartificialscent.

Theserosessmelledunexpectedlylushandlovely,makinghertremblealittle.

Sheactuallydidhaveavase,adustyglassthingshehadfoundatthebackofherkitchencabinets.

Sherinseditoff,anditwasjustlargeenoughtoholdhernewflowers.Shestaredattheprofusionof

bloomsforamomentbeforereachingforthetag.Shewasn'tquitesurethatanyofthisfeltreal.

Toawomanofpassion,Isendmybestregards,thenotesaid.Iamsorrythatlastnightendedso

early,butperhapsthenexttimeweseeeachother,thatwillnotbethecase.Ihavewrittenmyphone

numberbelow.Ifyoucaretoreviveouracquaintance,callthatnumber.Icanleavepoliticsatthedoor

ifyouwish,andIamcertainwecanentertaineachother.

Itwasn'tsigned,buttherewasnodoubtinhermindofwhotheflowersweremeanttobefrom.

Absently,Rosestrokedthecard.Themessagehadbeenhandwritten,andshenotedinthebackof

hermindthatMakeen'shandwritingwasexactlywhatshewouldhaveexpected,darkandasboldasthe

manwhohadpennedit.

Ibetthatnumber'sarejectionline,orarecordingofsomeoneplayingasirenorsomething,she

thought,butevensheknewthatwasn'ttrue.Therewassomethingincrediblysincereaboutthis;Makeen

didn'tseemlikethetypetobotherwithpranks.

Didshecall?

Didshedare?

Withfingersthatshetoldherselfwereabsolutelynotshaking,shereachedforherphone.

***

MAKEENHADSTAYEDuplateafterhehadseenRoseoff,andhewouldhavebeenlyingifhe

hadsaidthathisthoughtswerenotfullofher.Therewassomethingabouther,eveninherrather

distastefulguiseasthesavioroftheMiddleEast,thatcalledtohim,thathadinfactechoedthroughhim

eversincehemetherinNewYork.Hecouldn'tunderstandit.

Hehadknownmanywomeninhislife,andmanyofthemhecouldhonestlysayweremorebeautiful

thanshewas.Hehadbeenwithmodelsandmoviestars,withwomenwhoflatteredhimwitheverywink

oftheireyes,whocateredtohimwitheverygestureoftheirbeautifulhands.

RoseMalonewasdifferent,andsomepartofhimhadrecognizedthatrightaway.

Perhapsitwasthatshehadnointerestinpleasinghim.Perhapsitwasthatwhenhehadfirstmet

her,therewasnothingmorethankismetthathadliterallythrownherintohisarms.Perhapsitwastheway

shelookedathim,achallenginglookthatcouldmeltintoadelightedsmile.

Rosewascertainlyoneinamillion,andifhewerehonestwithhimself,hehadnoideawhattodo

aboutit.

Hehadstayeduplatethinking,finallyfallingstraightintobedafterremovingnothingmorethanhis

shirtandjacket.Hemadeafaceathowlateitwasgrowingintheday,andhestrippedtohisskinto

shower.Hewasbarelyoutoftheshower,nakedanddripping,beforehisphonerang.

Therewereonlyahandfulofpeoplewhohadthatnumber,andtherewasonlyonepersonwhose

namewouldn’tshowuponhisownphone.

Withaslightsmile,heansweredthecall."Goodafternoon,Rose."

Therewasapausewhereheimaginedheradorablefacelitupwithconfusionandconcern.

"Doyouhaveyoursecretservicefollowingmeorsomething?"sheasked."Howdidyouknowit

wasme?"

"Iliketokeepmyaffairsprivate.Idonotofferthatnumbertojustanyone,andIfiguredtheflowers

wouldbegettingtheresometimeatthispointanyway."

Therewasapausethatcouldhavemeantanything,butwhenshespokeagain,therewassomething

softerandmoregentleaboutit.

"They're...fartoobeautifulforme,"shemurmured,andhechuckledinreturn.

"Theyarenot.Iwouldsay'aroseforarose,'butIamverymuchafraidthatyouwouldrollyour

eyesathowtriteitwas."

Thelaughshegavehimwasslightlystilted."Noonehaseverusedthatlineonmebefore,butyes,

thatisprettybad."

Therewasapausewhereheimaginedtheywerewonderingwhattomakeofeachother.

"Thankyou,"shesaidatlast."IsupposeIshouldhavesaidthatfirst."

"Onlyifyougenuinelylikethem,"hesaidwarmly."Ihopeyoudo."

Finally,hewonasmalllaughfromher,andsomehowthatmadeallthetroubleofgettingtheroses

worthit.Itwasasmalllaugh,buttherewassomethingtrulygenuineaboutit.

"They'reamazing,"shesaid."ButIneedtoask,whydidyousendthem?"

Makeenwonderedthenifheshouldbecoy.Somewomenhehadknownlikedthat,likedtheideaof

beingteasedandbroughtoutslowly,likedtheslowburnofachasethatcouldtakemonthsbeforeit

reachedthefinalfruition.

ThenhethoughtoftheappointmenttomeetupwithNaseer,andthehandfulofverysimilarother

appointmentsthatSafirwasliningupforhim.Hemightnothavethevirtueofalongseduction,andwhen

heconsideredit,hecouldnotimagineitbeingathingthatthedirectandstraightforwardRosewould

enjoyanyway.

"Iwouldhavesentthemtoyoufornoreason,"hesaidatlast."Youareabeautifulwoman,andif

mygrandmotherwastobebelieved,beautifulwomendeserveroses.Butthatiscertainlynotalltherewas

toit.MayIbefrankwithyou,RoseMalone?"

Herreplywasnearlyinstantaneous."Igenerallypreferit,yes."

"Good.Ihadthoughtyoumight.ThetruthisthateversinceIsawyouinNewYork,Ihavenotnot

beenabletogetyououtofmymind.SometimeswhenIgotosleep,Ifindyoulurkinginmydreams,and

sometimeswhenIwakeup,IwonderifIcanfeelyourweightnexttome."

"Thatsoundslikeaproblemforamedicalprofessionaloraspiritmedium,"Rosejoked,buthe

ignoredher.Thewomanwaslovely,buttoomanyofthewordsoutofhermouthwerestrangejokes

againstherself.

"Idonotdoubtmyownblood,Rose,"hesaidsternly."Andthesheikhsofthedesert,weare

certainlynotknownforourpatience.Isawyou,andIwantedyou.ThereisabsolutelynothingatallthatI

amashamedofinthat."

"I'mnotashamedofwantingyou,either."Thatsoftadmission,almostbreatheditwassogentle,

madehisheartjump,butinsteadofsingingwhatfeltlikeavictorytotheskies,herestrainedhimselftoa

slightnod.

“Thatisgood.Sowearebothattractedtoeachother.Iseenoreasonnottoactonthatattraction."

"You'remakingitsoundlikeyouwantagirlfriend,"shesaid,andtherewasarisingsuspicionin

hervoicethathehurriedtodispel.

"Iam,infact,notlookingforagirlfriend.ItoldyouthetruthinNewYork,andithasnotchanged.

WhenImarry,itwillbewithdutyinmindandforthebenefitofmyfamilyandmycountry.Youwould

serveneither,althoughsomepartofmewouldverymuchliketoputacrownonyourheadandallowyou

tobethequeen."

"Sowhatareyouproposingthen?"sheasked,andhealmostfeltsorryforthebewildermentinher

voice.

"Iamproposingthatwebecomelovers.Wemeet,wesharefoodanddrink,weenjoyeachother's

company,nomatterwhatthatentails,andifyouarewilling,Iwouldliketotakeyoutobed.Whenthe

timecomes,weseparate,andwehaveagrandpassiontolookbackoninlateryears."

Therewasashockedsilenceontheotherendoftheline.

"Youcan'tbeserious,"shesaid,chokingslightly."Youcan'tpossiblybesayingthesewordsto

me?"

Therewassomethingstrangelyenjoyableaboutherconfusion.SomethingtoldMakeenthatshewas

notawomanwhospentalotoftimeconfused.

"Iamsayingthemtoyoubecause,asIamsureyouhavelearned,Iamamanwhospeakshismind.I

ambeginningtothinkthatyouhavenothadanyonewhohasdonethisverysimplething."

"Youhavenoidea,"shesaidautomatically,andhesighedalittle.AwomanlikeRoseshouldhave

beensnatchedupbysomeclevermanlongbeforenow.Butatthispoint,allhecoulddowasbenefitfrom

thewoefullackofforesightinthemenoftheUnitedStates.

"IseewhatIwant,andIgogetit.Iseeyou,RoseMalone,andIfindthatIwantyou.Itisvery

simple.Iamnotaskingforanythingmorethanyourcompany.Meetwithme,allowmetotakeyououtfor

theevening.Ifyouarenotpleased,wecansimplycallourassignationtoanend.Weareadultsand

beholdentonorulesexcepttheonesthatwehavemadeforourselves."

"So,justtomakesurethatIhavethisright,"shesaidthoughtfully,"Areyouaskingmetohavean

affairwithyou?Allpleasure,noromance,nostrings?"

Helaughedalittleatherbluntwords,buthehadtoadmit,thepleasureofawomanwhospokeher

mindwasarareone.

"Yes,thoughIwilladmitthatIamofAkram.Romancerunsinourblood,andevenifyoutellme

therewillbenone,Icannotguaranteeit."

"Aslongasyoudon'tmindthefactthatIamgoingtoguaranteeitformyself,thatsounds...well,like

somethingIwanttotry,"Rosesaid,hervoicegainingstrength."Giventhewaymylastrelationshipwent

withRoger,itmightbetimeformetostepbackandassessforalittlewhileanyway.Attheveryleast,

you'llbeapalatecleanser."

"IthinkIwillchoosetotakethatasacompliment,"hesaid,onlyalittlemocking."SoIwillask

youonceagain,areyouinterested?"

Therewasstillachanceshewouldsayno.Anywell-broughtupAkramgirlwouldhavedoneso.

Anaffairwithnopromisebutpleasurewouldn'tbeenoughforalocalgirlwhohadmarriageonthemind,

butRosewasnolocalgirl.Instead,shewasaworldlywomanwhoknewwhatshewanted,andasit

turnedout,shewantedthis.

"Allright,"shesaid,hervoiceclearandsteady."I'llletyoutakemeout.Fordinneronly,no

guaranteesofanysortforwhat'sgoingtohappenlater.Theminute,andImeantheminuteyoudecidethat

buyingmeadinnergetsyouanythingelse,I'mgone,andI'llgiveyournumbertoeverycelebrityhoundI

canfind.Isthatclear?"

"Crystal,"Makeenrespondedwithalaugh."DoesthatmeanIcancomepickyouupfordinnerhere

inalittlewhile?"

Therewasashortpausewhileshepresumablycheckedhercalendar.

"Tonight'salittlebusy,"sheadmitted."Ihavetogetsomecrammingdone.Tomorrow?"

"Done.I'llbringmycararoundtomorrowateight,andwecanfindaplacethatwillpleaseus

both."

"I'mjustgoingtopretendit'sokaythatyouknowmyaddresseventhoughInevertoldittoyou.I

assumethat'sthankstoyourinvestigators?"

"Actually,IjustcalledtheLiteracyforAlloffice,andtheyweretoohappytoletmeknowwhere

youlived.Shockinglypoorsecurity,butnothingthatneedstobediscussedinthehereandnow.Tomorrow

ateight?"

Shelaughed,andheimaginedhershakingherheadathispersistence,aslightsmiletuggingatthe

cornerofherlips.

"Allright.Tomorrow,eighto'clock,andIwillcomepreparedtobeseduced."

"Iwillgiveitmyutmost,"hepromisedsolemnly.

Whentheyhungup,therewasahungercurlinginthebottomofhisbelly.Thehungerwasvery

familiar,butitwasmatchedwithakindoftendernesshewasn'tsurehehadeverfeltbefore.Somepartof

himwastryingtotellhimthatthisgirlwasmorethansomethingtobepursued,buthebrusheditaside.

RoseMalonewasanoriginal,andofcoursebeingwithherfeltlikebeingwithnooneelseinthe

world.Ofcoursebeingwithherwouldfeeldifferentandslightlybreathtakingandadventurous.

Heshookthethoughtoff,becausenowhehadalmostafulltwenty-fourhourstoplan.Thiswasno

stuffydinnerwherehewasgoingtomeetapaleandinsipidgirlwhowantedhisthronemorethanshe

wantedanythingelseintheworld.

Rosewassomethingelseagain,andheknewinstinctivelythatheshouldbepreparedtoimpress.

***

WHENSHEGOToffthephone,Rosehadtorepressahugegrinonherface.

Whatdidshehavetogrinabout,anyway?Wasshereallysostarvedforattentionthatamansaying

thathewantedtosleepwithherwassospecial?Thatwasacomplimentshecouldhavegottenjustfrom

walkingdownthestreetinNewYork,anditwouldhavecomewithsomecatcallsthrownintoboot.

Rosebitherlip.

Makeenwasdifferent.Sheknewitdeepinherbones.Shehadnevermetamanlikehimbefore,and

ifshewerehonestwithherself,sheknewshemightnevermeetonelikehimagain.Itwasasifhewas

fashionedoutofsomethingdifferentfromthemenshehadknown,somethingmuchdifferent,something

finer,somethingmoresavageandatoncemorecivilized.

Sheshookherhead.Shewasbeingfoolish,andifshewasn'tcareful,shewasgoingtofindherself

rushingheadlongintodisaster.Therewassomethingdangerousaboutthiswholesituation,asifshewere

playingwithfire,butrightnow,shecouldn'tresist,notwhentheglowwassobright,notwhenitlitsucha

heatinsideher.

IfIdon'tlikewhathehastooffer,Iwillsimplywalkaway,shetoldherself.Shehadnoreasonto

believethathewouldstopher.Makeenwasamanofhonor,andhewashandsomeandrichbesides.Ifshe

toldhimshewasn'tinterested,hewouldbackawayandfindsomeoneelse.Shehadtoassumeitwouldbe

easyforhim,andwhenshethoughtthat,shecouldn'thelpbutwince.

Somewheredownverydeep,inaplacewhereshecouldbenothingbuthonestwithherself,she

thoughtthatwouldfeelalittlelikedying.Itwasfoolish.Shehadonlymethimahandfuloftimes,buta

partofherwasconvincedthatifshehadtoseehimwithsomeoneelse,somethinginherwoulddie.

Rosetookadeepbreathandtoldherselftogetundercontrol.Therewasnothingheretobeafraid

of.AfterherdisastrousrelationshipwithRoger,wouldn'titbeacleverthingtohaveanaffairwhere

everythingwaslaidout?TherewouldbenolieswithMakeen,nopaleprotestationsofalovethatshehad

neverentirelybeenconvincedofinthefirstplace.Therewouldbenosad,fidgetydateswhereshewas

neversurewhattodowithherhands,andtherewouldbenolongmomentsatnightwhereshewonderedif

therewassomethingmorewaitingforher,someonewhocouldgivehereverythingthathersecretheart

craved.

No,havinganaffairwithMakeenmightbebriefanditmightbewild,butitwouldneverbe

tedious,thatmuchsheknewforsure.Instead,aslongasshecouldholdon,allthatmatteredwasgoingto

behowmuchfunsheallowedherselftohave.

Shepausedinherpacing.Itsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatshewouldhavetofindsomethingto

wear,andhehadalreadyseenTheDress.

ChapterFive

"Youlookbeyondamazing,"hesaidwithaslightsmile,openingthecardoorforher,andsheshot

himaslightlyruefullook.

"YouwouldhavesaidthatifIwerewearingaburlapsack,"shesaidwithaslightsmile,andhis

grinwasundimmed.

"Iwouldhavesaidthatbecauseyouwouldhavemadeevenaburlapsacklooklikeaballgown,

butinthiscase,Idomeanit.Youlooklovely."

"Thankyou,"shesaid,finallyrememberinghermanners."Iboughtitthisafternoon."

Shehadtriedtoworkthatmorning,butthespecterofthatnight's...date,ifshecouldcallitadate,

hunginfrontofher.Finally,shehadthrowndownhertabletandwenttowalkthroughtheOldQuarter.

Despitethename,theareashewaslivinginwaslively.Shehadheardthatithadbeenpoorand

strugglingnotsoverylongago,butnowartistsandothercreativesweremovingin,givingitanewlife.

Shecouldn'ttellifthewomanoperatingtheusedclothingstoreonthecornerwaspartoftheoldguardor

therenaissance,butshehadbeengratefultofindawidevarietyofclothestotryon.

Shehadn’tbeenhavingmuchluckatall,andbythreeintheafternoon,she’dbeenresignedto

wearingsomethingdullfromherwardrobe,butthenaflashofwhitehadcaughthereye.Itwasaskirtand

blouseincottongauze,andwhenshegotcloser,shecouldseethatithadbeenembroideredandhemmed

withlittleblueflowers.Shehadboughtitonthespot,evenifitwasdifferentfromanythingshehadworn

inherlife.Itwasaslightasacloud,andbreezy,perfectforthedryevening.Ofcourse,shehadn't

realizedhowshortthetopwasuntilshehadwornitdowntomeetMakeenandseenhisgazelandonher

midriff.Itwasn'tquitebare,butsheknewifsheraisedherarmsatall,itwouldbareherbellyquite

swiftly.

Onceinhiscar,shetookamomenttoluxuriateinthefrigidairconditioningandleatherseats.He

tookthedriver'sseatwithagracebornoflongpractice,andasmall,practicalpartofherwasimpressed

thathishandfellconfidentlyonthestickshift.

"Sowherearewegoing?"sheasked."Imean,I'llbehonest,I'llbehappywithdinnerandamovie,

butsomethingtellsmeyouaren'treallyadinnerandamoviekindofman."

Heshotheralookthatwasbothsecretiveandpleasedwithitself."Youwouldguessright.Ifyou're

sogoodatit,whydon'tyouguesswherewe'regoing?Thereisacatch,however."

"Andwhatkindofcatchisthat?"sheasked.

"Thecatchisthatwheneveryouguesswrong,you'llowemeakiss."

Shelaughedandfoundherselfslightlybreathless."AndifIguesscorrectly?"

"Well,you'llstillowemethekisses,butIwillgiveyousomethingyouwant.Somethingyoucan

nameatalaterdate."

"Veryrisky,SheikhMakeen,"shesaidteasingly."Veryriskyindeed."

"That,orIamsimplyconfident,"hesaid."Inoticethatyouhavenotguessedyet.Perhapsyouare

theonewhoisnotallthatconfident?"

"I'mgettingthere."Shethoughtforamoment."Youstrikemeasamanwholovestheclassics.Are

youtakingmetoamusicalofsomekind?Likeanoperaoraballetofsomekind?"

"Isomehowfeelasifthatshouldcountasthreequestionsinsteadofone,butno.Iamnottakingyou

toashowofsomekind."

"Hmm,allright,Isupposethatwastooobvious.Let'ssee,thesheikhsofAkramwereknownfor

theirhorsemanship.Areyoutakingmetoseesomekindofridingexhibition?"

"Iamnot,"hesaid,glancingather."ButIcouldatsomepointifyouwant.Westillhaveoneofthe

bestridingschoolsonthecontinent,andIspentayearortwothereasateenager.Wouldyouliketosee

that?"

"Iwould.ButitsoundslikeI'mstillwrong,soIshouldkeepgoing."

"Thatorconcededefeat,"Makeenoffered,andsheshothimadarklook.Shewasnotsomeonewho

likedtoadmitdefeat,andheshouldhonestlyknowthatbynow.

"Notlikely,mylordsheikh,"sheretorted."Letmethink."

Shedidthink,becauseshehadtoldthetruth.Shedidn'tlikelosing,butshehadafeelingthatshe

wasgoingtolosethisone.Beyondthatfailurelayherforfeit...herlipsonMakeen's,warmfleshpressed

againstwarmflesh,butshecouldn'tthinkofthatwhenshewastryingtowin.

"Allright,areyoutakingmebacktoyourhousetoimpressmewithwhatyouownandtohopethat

I'llfallintoyourarms?"

"Wouldthatwork?"askedMakeenwithinterest,andwhensheshookherheaddecisively,he

shrugged.

"Ashame.Butno.I'mnotsoconsumedwithmyownimportanceastothinkthatthatwouldimpress

you."

Roseshookherhead."Andthat'sthree,andIthinkI'mdone,"shesaid,concedingdefeatandhating

itjustalittle.However,shecouldn'tsaythatshehatedtheideaoftheforfeit,notatall.

"Well,it'sjustaswell.We'rehere,anyway."

"Here"turnedouttobeagleamingwhitebuildingintheheartofthecity.Sheblinked.

"Youtookmeto...theNiaran?"

Evenwiththecursoryamountofresearchshehaddone,shehadheardoftheNiaran.Itwasoneof

themostexclusiveshoppingcentersintheworld.Thoughsomemightcallitanoverblownmall,itwas

stilltruethatithousedsomeofthemosttalentedcouturehouses,furnituremakers,andjewelersinthe

MiddleEast.Manyofthestoreswerebyappointmentonly,anditwassaidthatonlytheveryrichcould

affordtoevenbreatheinthere.

"Youhave...decidedtotakemeshopping?"

Makeengaveheralaughingglance,offeringherhishand.Whensherealizedshewasnotgoingto

getananswer,sheshruggedandtookit.

Onceinside,itfeltasifeventheairshewasbreathingwasexpensive,andsheclungalittlecloser

toMakeen.Rosefeltthatiftheysomehowbecameseparated,shewouldbesimplyandfirmlyaskedto

leave.Suddenly,shefeltveryshabbyinhernew-oldclothes.

Ifhenoticedtheincongruitybetweentheexpensivesurroundingsandthewomanonhisarm,he

gavenosign.Theywalkedthroughthewhitehallwaysuntiltheycametoaglasselevatorthatseemedto

shootupthroughtheheartofthebuilding.

Hepulledherintoit,andasthedoorclosedbehindhim,hisgrinturnedsharp.

"Ibelieveyouowemeaforfeitforyourthreeguesses,"Makeensaidsoftly."OramItounderstand

thatyouaresomeonewhorefusestomakegoodonyourdebts?"

Histauntingwordsmadeherliftherchin.

"I'mgoodforit,"shesaiddefiantly.

Rosethoughthemighthavechosentoteaseheralittlelonger,butthenhewasonher,pinningher

flatbackagainsttheglassoftheelevator,hismouthonhers,passionateandentirelywithoutrestraint.It

feltlikebeingkissedbyawhirlwindorafire.Allshecoulddowaswrapherarmsaroundhim,clinging

hard.

Therewasnootherwaytosayit;hiskissravishedherutterlyandleftherbreathless.Histongue

slidbetweenherlips,pressingbetweenthemwitharhythmthatleftherinnowayuncertainaboutwhathe

wasthinkingof.

Whenhepulledaway,shegasped,awarethatherhandswerestillclenchedinhischarcoalshirt

andhereyeswerelikelyaswideassaucers.

"Thatwasone,"hesaidwithgreatsatisfaction,andshewonderedalittlewildlyiftwowould

simplycrushthebreathoutofher.

Whenhemadenomovetoclaimasecondkiss,Roselookedathiminquiringly.

"IthinkI'llsavetheothertwo,"heexplained."Theysomehowseemsweeterwhentheytakeyouby

surprise."

Shemighthaveprotestedthat,butthentheysteppedoutontowhatlookedlikeadimgallery.When

thedoorsclosedbehindthem,Makeenranakeycardthroughahiddenslot,andalightthathadbeengreen

turnedred.

"I'mnotreallyinterestedinanyoneelsecominguphereforthetimebeing,"hesaid.

"Canyoureallydothat?"

"IfIcouldn't,Iwouldn'treallyownthisbuilding,andafterall,Ido."

ShewasstillshakingherheadoverthesheerwealththatthesheikhsoftheMiddleEastseemedto

possesswhenheledheraroundthecorner.

Therewasasoftlighton,anditlitupupasmalltablethatwasdeckedoutwithfood.

"Youarealwaysfeedingme,"shesaid,hervoiceoddlysoft,andMakeensmiledather.

"Aslongasitpleasesyou?"

"Itdoes,"shesaidwithagrin.

Hepulledoutachairforherthensatdownacrossfromher.Ittookheramomenttorealizethere

wassomethingmissing.

"Um,Idon'tseemtohaveaplateoranyutensils."

"ThisisEthiopianfood,"heexplained."WhileIwastravelinginItalynotlongago,Icameacrossa

littleEthiopianplace,andIdevelopedatasteforit.ThiswaspreparedforusbyachefIknowvery

well."

Hepointedatthesoftbreadthatsherealizedwasaslargeasthetabletopandbeingusedasaplate.

Shesawthatitrestedonalargemetalplate.Ontopofthebreadwereahalfdozensmallladle-fullsof

food,someinaredsauce,othersinasaucethatlookedagreatdeallikeayellowcurry.

"Thisiscalledinjera,anditisusedasbothaplateandautensil.Here,Icanshowyou..."

AsRosewatchedinfascination,hetoreoffasmallpieceofbareinjera,whichturnedouttobefar

softerandflimsierthanshethoughtitwouldbe,andusedittopinchasmallpieceofmysteriousfood

betweenhisfingers.

"Andthereissimilarlyaveryoldtraditionastohowonefeedsalovedone..."

Shewassostartledbytheword“love”thatshedidn'tthinktoprotestashebroughtthebiteoffood

toherlips.Theypartedautomatically,andhermouthwassuddenlyfullofdelicious,spicybeefandthe

softinjera.Somehow,shemanagedtoavoidchokingonthefood,insteadswallowingitwithpleasure.

"So...isitpermittedformetodothesametoyou?"sheasked.

"IthinkIwouldenjoythat,yes."

Takingadeepbreath,sherepeatedhismaneuver,pinchingupasmallamountofsomethingfragrant

andfilledwithlentils.Carefully,slightlyafraidshewasgoingtodribblesomeontohisclothes,she

placeditbetweenhissensuouslips.

Ifsomeonehaddescribedthistraditiontoher,shewouldhavethoughtthatitsoundedover-wrought

andslightlyridiculous.However,nowthatshewashand-feedingthemanshehadalreadydecidedwas

goingtobeherlover,therewassomethingridiculouslylovelyaboutit,sensualandwarm.Shecouldfeel

thatflutterofdesireinherbellyagain,somethingthatneverfeltallthatdistantwhentheyweretogether.

Hekepthisgazeonherhasheslowlychewedhisbite,andwhenheswallowedandsaid

“delicious,”shewasn'taltogethersurehewastalkingaboutthefood.

Theymostlyfedthemselvesafterthat,thoughmorethanonce,Makeenpausedtofeedheramorsel

ofsomethingparticularlygood.Somepartofherleanedintothefeeding,feelinglikealittlewildbirdthat

hewastaming.

Bythetimetheywerebothfull,shewasreadytocallthedateasuccess,buthestoodup.

"Thatwasthefirsthalfoftheevening,"hesaid,takingherhandandleadingheronward."Ihope

youlikethenextbitjustasmuch."

Heledhertowhatlookedlikealargeandemptyroom.Itechoed,andtherewasachilltoitthat

madeherwishshehadbroughtajacket.Therewasnothinginside,andshelookedathimquestioningly.

"Waitjustamoment..."

Hepulledasmallremotecontroloutofhispocket,andwithasinglepushofabutton,thewallsand

eventheceilingabovethemstartedtomove.Startled,RosegaspedandclaspedontoMakeen'sarm,eyes

wide.Inresponse,helaughedandlaidhisarmacrosshershoulders.Itwasstrange,butevenafter

knowinghimforsuchashortamountoftime,shefeltsafeinhisarms.

"Watch,"hesaidsoftly."Iwillbringtheheavensthemselvestoyou."

Enraptured,Rosewatchedasthesteelplatesslidbackandpocketedintothefloorwallsbehind

them,revealingaclearglassdomethatlookedoutoverthedarknightsky.Theywereattheverytopofthe

Niaran,thetallestbuildingintheemirate,andbelowthem,Akramwasspreadoutlikeablanketfullof

jewels.

"It'samazing,"shewhispered."I'veneverseenanythinglikeit..."

Heturnedheraround,andshethoughthewasgoingtospeak,butthenhewascradlingherfacewith

onehand,holdinghersteadyasheleaneddownforakiss.Thisonewasasdifferentfromthekissinthe

elevatorasnightwasfromday.Therewasnothingdemandingaboutit,nothingforceful.Itwasameeting

oftheirlips,nothingmore,butsomehow,itstillbroughtadeeppulseofpleasurethroughher.Thistime,

Rosewastheonewhodeepenedthekiss,pressingherselfagainsthimandkissinghimmoreaggressively.

Shecouldfeelthetremorthatranthroughhisbody,apulsethattoldherexactlyhowmuchhewantedher.

Somehow,theymanagedtopullapart,andheshotheraruefulgrin.

"Andthatwasthesecondkiss,"hemurmured,andshefeltablushhighonhercheeks.Thiswasn't

her,thiswasn'tsomethingshedid.ShedidnotflirtwithmenasgoodlookingandaspowerfulasMakeen,

butsomehowhereshewas.Shehadknownthathetookherbreathaway,butshehadneverguessedshe

couldtakehisbreathawayaswell.

"Comehere,"hesaid."Iwanttoshowyousomething."

Heledhertowardsthewindows,towardstheplacewhereshewouldbeborderedbyglassabove

andbelow.Heindicatedthatsheshouldkeephereyesonthegrounduntilhesaidtoraisethem,and

trustingly,herhandswrappedinoneofhis,sheallowedherselftobeled.

"Allright,"hesaidquietly."Lookstraightupandout."

Shedidashedirected,andshegasped.

Theywereupfarenoughthatitlookedasifshewereswimmingamongstars.Thelightsofthecity

werefarbelow,andshecouldseethestarsofthedesertskywithstunning,achingclarity.Theylooked

closeenoughtotouch,andindeed,shealmostreachedforonebeforesherememberedherself.

"Ohmygosh,"shewhispered,tryingtoseeeveryglowingpointoflight,toimprintitonher

memory."I'veneverseenthestarslikethisbefore..."

Makeencametostandbehindher,hisarmsdrapedaroundherfrombehind.

"Ihave,"hesaidquietly."WhenIwasquiteayoungman,andverymuchinterestedinearningmy

father'sire,Iusedtogoforverylongrides,onesthatwouldlastforalmostaweekatatime.Iknow,not

veryresponsiblebehaviorforayoungheir."

"Yourparentsmusthavebeenterrified,"Rosewhispered,butinhermind,shehadanimageof

Makeen,younger,angrierandperhapsevenbolder,saddlinghishorsebynightandracingitacrosstheflat

desertsands.

"Lookingback,Icanseethatnow,andIamsorryfortheconcernitcausedthem.However,Icould

notbesorryforthewonderofwhatIsaw,andthenightskywasoneofthem.Untilthatpoint,Iwasacity

boybornandbred,butwhenIwasridingthroughthedesertsthatmyforefathershadclaimed,IknewI

wouldneverbelongtoanythingbutthenightsky.Intimesoftrouble,Iwouldrideouttothedeserttorest

underthestars,starssobigandbrightthattheylookedasiftheyhadtobesomekindoftrickorillusion.I

fellinlovewiththosestars."

TherewassomethingaboutthewayhespokethatmadeRoseholdherbreath.Itwassomething

closeandprivate,andsuddenly,shewasverysurethathehadnevertoldthistoanyoneelse.Aflashof

insightmadehersigh.

"Andthenyoubecamethesheikh,"Rosesaidsoftly,andhechuckledslightly,confirminghertheory.

"Yes,andthenIbecamethesheikh.Sheikhscannotraceawayacrossthedesert,nomatterhow

irritatedorgrievedtheymightbe.Icouldnolongeractlikeafecklessprince,butmustinsteadbereadyto

takeupthereinsofgovernance.Iwasfortunateandmyparentswise;itwasnotaterribletransitionto

make,butheavensabove,Imissedmysky.

"ThatwaswhyIorderedthisplacebuilt.Whenthingsbecametoohardortooaggravating,Icould

nolongersaddleupmyfavoritemareandracethenightshadows,butIcouldcomeuphere,andforafew

minutes..."

"Forafewminutes,youcouldswimamongthestars,"shefinishedforhim.

"Yes,"Makeensaid,hiswordlittlemorethanabreath."Yes,exactly."

Somehow,inthatmoment,Roseknewwhatshewasgoingtodecide.Shehadtoldhimtoseduce

her,andperhapswithoutevenknowinghowwellhehaddoneit,hehad.Shehadtohavethismanina

wayshehadneverhadtohaveanyoneelse.TherewasonlyoneMakeen,andthismomentwouldnever

comeagain.Shewasresolvednottoletitgoby.

Sheturnedinhisembrace,andwithherarmsloopedaroundhisnarrowhips,shelookedupathim.

"I'mgivingyouyourthirdkissnow,"shesaid,andhertonesoundedlowandhuskyeventoherown

ears.Shedidn'twaitforananswer.Instead,shereacheduptokisshim.

Thekissstartedoutsweetandalmostsoft,butitcertainlydidnotstaythatway.Itwaslikesetting

firetodrybrushwood,itwaslikewavingaredflaginfrontofanangrybull.Thefirethatleapedwithin

herwhenevershewasclosetothismanfoundanansweringflameinhim,andafterthat,therewasnoway

tostopwhatwascomingnext.

Thekissdeepenedmomentbymomentuntilherbodywasdrawnflushagainsthim.Shecouldfeel

hisresponsetoher,slowandsafenow,butsheknewthatwouldn'tlast,notwhensheneededhimasmuch

asshedidnow.

"Doyou..."Shehadtoswallowtomakesureshecouldshapethewordscorrectly."Doyouhavean

apartmentinthisbuilding?IamnotsurethatIcanwaituntilwegetbacktomyplace..."

"Noneed,"hegrowledintoherkiss,andsuddenlyhishandswereonherclothes.

Foramoment,reasontriedtoassertitself.Theywereinaglassroomthatlookedoutoveroneof

therichestcitiesintheMiddleEast,andtheyweresohighup.Shestilledhishandsbyplacinghersover

them,andshelookedupathimwildly.

"Surelywecan't!Nothere!"

Thegrinhegaveherwaspositivelydevilish."Ifyoudonotwishtodoso,wecanadjournto

anotherlocation,butthink,lovelylittleone.Wearehigherthananyotherspotinthecity.Peoplecanonly

lookuptowardsthetower,notlookintothisveryhighestspot.Ihavelockedtheelevator,sonoonecan

gettousforanyreasonshortofanemergency,andIpromiseyouthatallvideocamerashavebeen

disabled.Andalso..."

Hisvoicedroppeddownlow.

"IfIenduptearingthoseclothesfromyourshoulders,Icandescendintothemallandbringyouup

somethingnew..."

Thethoughtofhavingherclothestornoffmadeadeepshudderrunthroughher,andafterthat,she

waslost.

Rosefeltasifshewasweightless,asiftherewasnothingstoppingherfromfloatingupintothe

starsabove.Theonlythingholdinghertothisplaceandtimewasthedarkmanwhostoodbesideher,

whosehandsweredrawingmaddeningpatternsalloverhershoulders,backandhips.

"Thereisnothingtostopmefromhavingmywaywithyouexceptyou,"hewhisperedinherear.

Hishotbreathinthatsensitiveplacemadeherkneeswanttobuckle,butsomehowshestayedupright.

"Willyousayyestome?"hewhispered."WillyougivemewhatIwantsothatIcangiveyouwhat

youwant?"

Therewereadozenreasonswhysheshouldn't.Shehadonlyknownhimashortamountoftime.She

wastechnicallystillrecoveringfromwhathadhappenedwithRoger.Hewasthemostpowerfulmanin

theemirate,andshewasaforeignnationalwhowaspartofaprogramthathehadalreadysaidhedidn't

carefor.

Still,theonlywordonherlipswasalonging,crimsonyes.

"Yes,"shewhispered."Yes,yes,please...Iwantyoutotakeme..."

Itfeltlikefallingwhenshetoldhimthat.Itfeltasifsuddenlyshewastumblingthroughtheair,

heedlessandcarelessofwhereshemightland.Somehow,despitethevertigo,shewasn'tafraid.He

wrappedhisarmsaroundher,lettingherfeelhispowerfulframealongherbody,andsheknewshewas

thesafestshehadeverbeen.

Hetiltedherchinup,andthekisshegaveherwasintenselyclaiming.Iteradicatedeverykissthat

hadcomebeforeit,anditchallengedeverykissthatcameaftertomatchitintermsofheatandpassion

andneed.Whenhistonguethrustdeepintohermouth,Rosefeltclaimed.Shefeltathome.

Hishandsslippedherblouseupandoverherheadthenfoundthezipperonthebackofherskirt

withease,andinamatterofmoments,botharticlesofclothingwerebillowinggracefullydowntothe

floor.Rosehadamomenttofeelalittleself-consciousaboutherunderwear.Makeenwasamanwho

musthavebeenusedtowomeninallkindsofelegantlingerie;rightnow,Rosewasjustrelievedthatshe

waswearingabeigebraandpantiesthatsortofmatched.

Ifshewasworriedaboutherunderwear,however,hehadnosuchqualms.Hestrippeditfromher

withanassurancethatwasalmostfrightening.Rosedidnothavealotofexperiencewithmen,butevery

singleonethatshehadbeenwithhadalwaysfoundthemselvesconfoundedwhenfacedwithbrafasteners.

Makeen'sfingerswereasnimbleasherown,andinamoment,shestoodinfrontofhiminnothingmore

thanherheels.Instinctively,herhandswentuptocoverherbreasts,tohidethecurlofsecrethairbetween

herlegs,buthegraspedherwristsgently,keepingherexposed.

"No,"hesaid,andtherewasnothingbutcommandinhisvoice."Iwanttoseeyou."

Hiswordsweresimple,buttherewassomethingsopowerfultherethatshefeltalumpinher

throat.Suddenly,shedidn'thavetothinkabouthowshelookedorhowsheappearedtothisman.Allthat

matteredwaswhathewanted,andshesunkintoitwithakindofreliefandpleasureshe’dneverreally

experiencedbefore.

Hehelpedherstepoutoftheringofherclothing,thenhepositionedhersothatshewasbordered

onallsidesbytheenormoussky.Shehadn'texpectedafullinspectionwhenhesaidhewantedtoseeher,

butashecircledher,keepingahandonherwaistortouchingherhair,sheknewhewasdoingthat.He

waslookingatsomeonewho,forthismomentaloneatleast,belongedentirelytohim,andshefelt

somethingwithinherselfrespondtothat.

Rosehadtolickherlipstwicebeforeshethoughtshecouldspeak,andeventhen,hervoicewas

strangelyhusky.

"Well?"sheasked."DoIpassmuster?"

Hischucklewasearthyandwarm,arousingherinawayshecouldbarelyimagine.

"Thiswasneveraboutyoupassingorfailing,"hemurmured."IknewIwantedyoufromthemoment

Isawyou,fallingintomyarmslikesomekindofshootingstar.No,thisisabouttakinginyourbeauty,

drinkinginthegraceandelegancethatyouhavetooffer."

Rosecouldhavepointedoutallofherflaws,themarks,thescars,theplushnessofherwaistorthe

curveofherbelly,butsherealizedthatwouldbedismissingMakeen'sopinion,andshecouldnotdothat,

notnow.

Instead,shetookadeepbreathandlookedupintohiseyes.Theywereasdarkasthenight,but

dreamilyshewonderedifshecouldseestarsthere,secretpointsoflightthatpointedthewaytoaweary

travelerlikeher.

"Willyoutouchme?"shewhispered,hervoicelittlemorethanahusk."Please?"

Hisanswerwasagroanthatseemedtocomefromtheveryheartofhim.

"Icouldneverresistyou,"hemurmured,andtohersurprise,heledhertotheglass."Notafraidof

heights,areyou?"

"No,I'vealwayslovedbeinguphigh..."

"Good."

Shegaspedwithsurprisewhenheturnedheraroundtofacethecityscapefarbelow.Shefelther

stomachdropforamomentatthefeelingofhavingnothingbetweenherandanincrediblefall,butthen

shemadeherselfrememberthatthereweretwothickpanesofsafetyglassbetweenherselfandanything

frightening.

"Here,givemeyourhands..."

Hetookherhandsandplantedthemflatontheglass,slightlyaboveherheadandshoulderwidth

apart.Withagentlenudgeofhisfeet,hepushedherbackuntilshewasstandingatleasttwofeetfromthe

glass.Herbodywasarched,herfeetslightlyapart,andshewhimperedalittletoknowthatthiswasall

forMakeen'spleasure.Somethingaboutbeingpositionedanddisplayedmadethefiresinsideherruneven

hotter.

Mygod,andhehasn'teventakenoffhisclothes,shethought.

"That'smybeautifulRose,"hemurmured,almosttohimself.Hewaswalkingbehindher,stroking

herbodywithahandthatwasalmostmoresoothingthanitwassensual.Thenitdippeddownbetweenher

legs,andshegaspedslightly.

Shewasn'tsurewhatsheexpected.Athisfirsttouch,Rosewonderedifhe’dhadenoughofwaiting

andwassimplygoingtotakehisplacebehindherandenterher.However,heseemeddisinclinedtodo

anythingsoquickly.Instead,hepressedherlegssothattheywerespreadalittlemorewidely,andhe

easedhishandalongherslit,investigatinggentlyuntilhefoundherclit.Whensheshivered,Makeen

chuckledalittle,butnowshecouldheartheedgeoftensiontoit.Nomatterhowcalmhewas,nomatter

howironhiscontrol,thiswasaffectinghim,anditmadesomethinginheryearnforhim.

"That'sbeautiful,"hemurmured,feelingherresponsetohisgentletouch."That'swhatIwantedto

feel."

Shegaspedashesunkafingerandthentwoinsideher,asifgaugingherreadinessforhim.Thenhe

sweptthatwetnessuptoherclit,massagingthefleshthereuntilshewaswrithing,pressingherhands

againsttheglass.

Whensheopenedhereyestolookoutoverthecityscape,itfeltforafewmomentsasifshewas

flyingonwingsgivenbyecstasy,wheelingthroughthenightairwhileanunconcernedcitycontinuedits

businessbelow.

"Mygod,youcouldtakethebreathawayfromastone,"hegrowled.

Whenheremovedhishandfromherbody,shegaveacryofprotest,butthenshecouldseehim

reachforhisownclothingintheshadowedreflectionsontheglass.Captivated,Rosewatchedwithher

breathheldashestrippedoffhisclothingwithruthlesshaste.Witheverygarmentthatwasremoved,he

wasfurtherrevealedasthepowerhousethatshehadalwayssuspectedhewas.Clothingwasacivilizing

factor,madehimlooklikeastatesmanandabusinessman,butwhentheycameoff,whatwasleftwasthe

scionofthelordsofthedesert,amanwhotookwhathewantedandruledbymight.Rosewantednothing

morethantoreachbacktohim,totouchhimwithneedandtomeasurehisshoulderswithherhands,but

insteadsheshiveredandrestedagainsttheglass.

Heworenothingatallwhenheturnedbacktoher,andthenhewassteppingupbehindher,running

hishandsfromhershouldersdownherbacktothecurveofherwaist.Shecouldfeelthebluntheadofhis

manhoodprobingagainsther,butforthemomentheseemedcontenttopressagainsther,makingthemboth

groan.

"Iamgoingtoenjoythis,"hemurmuredcontemplatively,"butIwanttomakesurethatyouenjoy

thisaswell..."

Shestartedtostuttersomekindofresponse,butthenhewastakingafirmergriponherhipsand

drivingintoherwithonesurestroke.Shewasn'tsureshehadeverbeensocompletelyfilled,andshe

gasped,eyeswideandlookingupatthestars.

"Ohgod,"shewhimpered,andhegrowled,handsflexingonherhips.

"Areyouallright?"Makeensaid."Tellme."

"I'm...I'm,yes,ohgod,justdon'tstop,"Roseheardherselfsay,andthenMakeengrowledina

mannerthatcouldonlybecalledtriumphant.

"Thenyou'llenjoywhatcomesnext..."

Takingafirmergriponherbody,hestartedtothrustintoher,long,slow,heavystrokesthatmade

heronlymoreawareofthepowerofhisbodyandhowsmallshewascomparedtohim.Allshecoulddo

wasbraceherselfagainsttheglassandpushbackagainsthim,feelingarushofpleasurewithevery

stroke.

Onehanddriftedupfromherhiptoherhair,wrappingherblondehairinhisfist.Farfrombeing

painful,thepleasureofhavingherhairslightlypulledonlyincreasedthesensationsthatwerebeginningto

rampupthroughoutherbody.

"Ilovethewayyourbodygripsme,"hegrowleddeepinhisthroat."Mygod,itfeelsasifyouwere

madeformeandonlyforme.You'reperfect,tightandwetandhot..."

Shefeltasifsheshouldhavegoneupinflamesathiswords,butrightthen,theyonlyservedtoadd

morefueltoherfire.Somehow,shecouldfeelherselfpulseathiswords,andatthethrustsofhisbody.

Somethinginherwaswindingupsotightlythatshecouldbarelytakeit.Rosealmostwantedtorunaway,

butshehadbuiltherlifeoutofstandingherground,oftakingwhateverlifewantedtodishoutather.

Rightnow,shesimplytriedtoridethesensationsthathewassendingshootingthroughherbody.She

refusedtogiveup,ortoadmitdefeat,andsoonerthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible,shecouldfeelthe

firsttremorsofherorgasmsweepthroughherbody,makingherlegstremble.

Whathewasdoingtoherfeltsogood,sogoodthatshewantedtomakeitlastlonger.Shefound

herselffightingagainstthepleasure,wantingtodrawitout.

ThenMakeenleanedoverherback,pressinghischestalongherframe,andshefeltthesharpnessof

histeethonhershoulder.

"Givein,"hegrowled."Iwanttoseeyouovercomecompletely."

Theedgetohiswordsandthesharpnessofhisteethmadeherhelpless.Shecouldnomorehave

stoodagainstthemthanshecouldhavestoodagainstthesea.Hisgentlebitefeltlikeaclaiming,andin

thatmoment,shebelongedtohim,utterlyandcompletely.

Athiswords,herbodystartedtoshake,andthenshewasgroaningasshetippedoverthathigh

peak.Herorgasmfeltlikeafirethatwasconsumingherutterly,makinghershakeandcryoutdesperately.

Herhandsflexedontheglass,herlegswereshakinghard,andsheknewshewasmakinghimfeelitas

well.Shewassomehowtransmittingherpleasuretohim,andshecouldhearhisgroansinsomedistant

placebehindher.

Thepleasureconsumedher,andRose,forperhapsthefirsttimeinherlife,gaveherselfuptoit.

Sheallowedtheorgasmtoblotouteveryotherthought,andshegaveherselfpermissiontoburnuntilshe

wasnearlysobbingwithrelief.

Shecamedownfromherpeakslowly,herhandsandMakeen'ssuregriptheonlythingsthatwere

keepingherupright.HereyesdriftedopenjustintimeforMakeentostartthrustingintoherharder.His

movements,sosmoothandeasybefore,acquiredarougheredge,somethingmoredesperate.Shecould

seethathehadbeenmovingforherpleasurebefore.Nowhewasmovingforhisown,andtherewasa

sparkofansweringfireinsideher.Asmuchasshecould,shepushedagainsthim,whisperingencouraging

wordsthatwereoftennothingmorethansoftmoans.Shecouldfeelhimrespondtoher,however,and

whenhepushedintoheronelasttime,groaningasifhehadbeenstruckamortalwound,shefeltthe

echoesofhisneedandhisreleasepulsethroughher.Shefelthimdeepinsideher,thehotessenceofhis

pleasurepulsingwiththeireverybreath.Hermindwasemptyofanythingexceptthesweetnessofwhat

theyhadtogether,andwhattheyhaddone.

Makeentookalongmomenttogethisbreathback.Hewasaspatientwiththisashewaswith

anythingelse,asateaseinsideherhighonaskyscraperashewasataball.Whenhefinallypulledaway,

therewasacareandagentlenessthattouchedhersomehow.Thenhetookherhandsofftheglass,helping

herstanderect.

Roselookeddown,smilingalittleandshakingherhead.

"Whatisit?"

"I'mstillwearingshoes,"shesaidwithaslightlaugh."Somehow,inallofthat,Ikeptmyshoeson."

Thesmilehegaveherwasperfectlypredatory,anditmadeanothershiverofpleasuregothrough

herbody.ItmadeherrealizewithabsolutecertaintythatifMakeenwantedheragain,shewouldsimply

placeherhandsbackontheglass.Shewassated,buttherewasapartofherthatwantedtobenothing

morethanclosetoMakeen,nothingmorethansmellinghisskinandbreathinghisbreath.

"Iknewthatyourshoeswerestillon,"hesaidwithasmile."You'requiteabitshorterthanme.I

figuredthatifyouworehighheelsandIwasinmybarefeet,wehadachanceofdoingwhatwedid

withouthurtingeachother.Thatsaid,doyoufeelallright?"

Shegrinnedathim."Maybedon'taskmetorunamarathonrightnow,butyes,I'mfine.Ifthere'sa

placetositdownandperhapstorecoverforamomentbeforewegetbackontoabigglasselevator,that

mightbegood.”

Therewasinfactasurprisinglyplushredcouchpushedupagainstthewall,amodernand

impressivelycomfortablething.Makeenhelpedhertothecouch,lettingherstretchherlengthonitbefore

climbingbehindhertocupherbodywithhis.Withhisarmdrapedoverherhipandhisbreathinherear,

Rosewasn'tsureifshehadeverfeltmorecontentafterasexualencounter.

Inwardly,sheshookherhead.LovingMakeenwasdifferentfromhavingsexwithanyotherman.

Noothermanshehadevermethadhadhiscompassion,hiscontrolorhispower.Therewassomething

hereshehadneverfeltbefore,andifshethoughtaboutittoolong,itwouldtakeherbreathaway.

"Stillwearingmyshoes,"shemurmured,andhechuckled.

"Thenyoushouldtakethemoff."

"Slightlyhardtodowhenyouwon'tletmeup."

"Itis,"hesaidsolemnly."Perhapsyouwilljusthavetosuffer."

Shetoedhershoesoff,andfinallyshewasasnakedashewas.Shecouldhavedriftedofftosleep

thenandthere,butallshewantedwastobewithhim,totreasureeverymomentwhiletheyhadit.

"Wasthisallpartofyourplan?"sheaskedsoftly."Tobringmeuphere,charmmeandmakeloveto

me?"

"Ihoped,"hetoldher."IwouldneverdoanythingsocrassastosaythatIcanreadyouandtell

whatyouwanted,butthetruthwasthatIhopedyouwouldcaretodowhatwedid.Areyouangrywith

me?"

"Notatall,"shesaidwithaslightsmile."BecauseifI’mhonest,Ihopedaswell."

Makeendidn'treply,butinsteadhepressedhisfaceagainstthenapeofherneck,kissinghergently

there.Somehow,thatsentanotherpulseofpleasurethroughher,shootingfromtheplacewherehekissed

herstraightdowntoherbelly.Shetensedslightly,andsheknewhecouldfeelitaswell.

Makeenshiftedslightly,andthenshecouldfeelhiserectionagain,pressingagainstherthighand

makingherpurrwiththesensation.

"Doyouwantme?"Makeenaskedsoftly,andforsomereason,shewonderediftherewasmoreto

itthansimplyaskingherifshewantedtomakelovetohimagain.Theimplicationsofitmadeherhead

spin,andshepushedthemaway.Itwaslikelythattheendorphinsshootingthroughherweremakingher

sillyandstrange.Therewasreallyonlyonewayhemeantthat,andsheknewit.

"OfcourseIdo,"shewhispered.

Shethoughthewouldturnheroverorperhapsleadherbacktotheenormouswindows.Instead,he

hookedonehandunderherknee,liftingherlegsothatshewasopentohim.

"Oh...ohMakeen,"shewhispered,andthenshecouldfeelhimpressingagainsther,asoftchuckle

inherear.

“Justwait,beautifullove,”hemurmured.“Youhaven'tseenanythingyet...”

ChapterSix

Itwasalmostdawnbeforetheyfoundtheirclothesagain.Theyhadmadeloveandthenfallen

asleepinatangleoflimbsonthatcouch.Thethirdtimetheymadelove,itwasRose'sfault;shehad

awakenedinthedimlightofthegallery,andwhenshe’dlookeddownatMakeen'sbarebodynexttohers,

shecouldn'tresisttouchinghimuntilhewasawakeenoughtotouchheraswell.

“Youarealittleminx,MissAmerica,”hesaidashezippedupherdressforher.

Rosetiltedherheadathim.“MissAmerica...Whyintheworldwouldyoucallmethat?”

Heshrugged,turningtohisownclothing.“Becausesheismeanttobetheloveliestladyinallyour

country.Andbecausewithyourblueeyesandblondehair,itmakesmethinkofsomeoftheAmerican

moviesthatIusedtowatch.Doesitoffendyou?”

Shebitherlip.Sheknewthatacosmopolitanwomanwouldsimplyhavelaughedoffthereference

andreveledinitnomatterhowinaccurateitwas.

“Maybealittle,”sheadmitted.“IknowI'vegrownupallright,butIwaskindofanuglyduckling.

Itfeelslikesomethingapopularboywouldhaveteasedmewithonceuponatime.That'sall.”

Shethoughtthatwouldbetheendofit,butthenhisarmscircledaroundherfrombehind.

“Iwouldneverhavesuspectedsuchathing,”hesaidfiercely.“Andanyonewhowouldhaveteased

youlikethatisapettymonster.I'llstopifitbothersyou,butIswearitwasneveranythingmorethana

compliment.”

Forsomereason,Rosefelttearsinhereyes,whichshepalmedawaybeforetheycouldfall.She

wascertainshelookedabitlikearaccoonanywayaftereverythingtheyhadbeenupto,andalittlemore

smudgingwasn'tgoingtomakeadifference.

“Nofairmakingmeallsniffly,”shesaid,pullingawayslightly.“Ihaveworktogettotoday.”

Helaughedalittle,buttherewasaruefuledgetoit.“Ahyes,thesavingofthepoorsavageAkram

children.”

Sheturnedtohim,feelingabitmoreincontrolofherselfnowthatshewasfullydressed.Hewas

stillbuttoninguphisshirt,butshecouldn'timagineapointwherehewasn'tfullyincontrolofthings.

“YouknowthatI'mnottheenemy,right?”sheasked,andheshotheraslightlysharpgrin.

“Iknowthatyouarenottheenemy,yes.Iknowthatyouonlymeanwell,andthatyougenuinely

wanttohelp.However,Ialsoknowmyhistory,andI'lladmitIhaveabitofahairtriggerwhenitcomes

topeoplefromEuropeandNorthAmericadecidingthattheywanttocometoaplaceintheMiddleEast

andimproveit.”

Hewasreferencinggenerationsofcolonialismandabuse,allexcusedunderanumbrellaofcharity,

andshewinced.

“You'reright,”shesaid,andshesawthathewassurprised.“Whatdidyouexpectmetodo?”

“Honestly?Fightmesomemoreonitbeforestormingoffinahuff.”

“Yeah,thatsoundsaboutright.Well,Ithoughtaboutwhatyousaid,andI'mnotreadytostop

helpingpeopleatall,butwhatyousaidstuckwithme.I'mexploringmyoptions.I'dliketobringmywork

moreintolinewithwhatAkramactuallyneeds,notwithwhatIliketothinkitneeds.”

Hegazedatherforalongmomentbeforeshakinghishead.“Well,itseemsasifyouhavetowork,

andIdoaswell,butwestillhavesometimebeforethathappens.CanIinterestyouinaquickbreakfast

somewhere?”

Rosegottheideathathewasdodgingthesubject.Shewonderedwhattheproblemcouldbewhen

shehad,afterall,decidedthathewasright,butshefigureditwassomethingtheycouldalwaysreturnto

later.

Whenshenodded,heofferedherhisarm,andtheydescendedintheglasselevatortogether.

***

WHENMAKEENWASattheNiaran,healwaysfavoredalittleFrenchbistroononeofthefloors

withabalcony.Thisearlyinthemorning,theoppressiveheatofthedayhadnotsetinyet,andtheywere

seatedunderasunshadethatwasbothdimandcool.

HesmiledasRosetalkedaboutherplans,abouthowwelcomingshehadfoundAkram,andwhat

shemightliketoseesomeday,buthismindwasstillspinningfromherrevelationabouthowshefelt

aboutherworkthere.

Hehaddealtwithmanyforeignerswhobelievedveryfirmlythattheirwayswerebest.Nonethat

he’ddealtwithhadeverdecidedtochangetheirminds.LookingatRoseacrossthebreakfasttable,he

wonderedhowthiswouldend.Sheseemedlikeafairytalemadeflesh,smilingathimwiththeraysofthe

morningsunglancingoffofherhair,thewarmthofadesertdayinherblueeyes.

Hecautionedhimselftobewary.Beautifulwomen,whethertheyknewthemselvestobebeautiful

ornot,hadbeenthedownfallofmanyofthemenofhisline,andjustbecauseRoseseemedassweetas

thedaywaslongwasnoreasontoletdownhisguard.

“EarthtoMakeen,”shesaid.“Idon'tthinkyou'vebeenlisteningtoasinglethingI'vesaid.”

“Ihave,”heprotested,awarewithacertainamountofguiltthatthatwasnotthecase.

“Iamnotsurethat’strueatall.ItoldyouIwouldbehavingspacealiensinforguestspeakersfor

thestudentssometimethisweek,andyousaidthatitsoundedjustfine.”

“Well,Idon'tknowanyspacealiensthatwouldleadtheEnglish-learningyouthofAkramastray,”

hesaidwithapokerface,andhergrinfeltlikehoneyonwarmbread.

“Iseverythingokay,though?”sheasked.Hecouldtellhervoicewasdeliberatelylight,anditmade

himlookalittlecloser.“Imean,amIboringyou?”

“Notatall!”hesaid,shocked.“OfcourseIamnotbored.HowcouldIbeboredofyou?”

Sheshruggedalittle,thatsameself-deprecatingsmileonherface.Whointheworldhadsaidshe

wasboring?Worseyet,howhadtheysaiditinawaythatmadeherbelieveit?Hecouldfeelhishands

flex,asifachingtoteachwhoeveritwasalesson.

“It'sathingthatcanhappenwhenIamverypassionateaboutwhatI'mworkingonrightnow.You

maynotliketheprogramitselfverymuch,butLiteracyforAllisreallyimportanttome,andIamstill

convinceditdoessomegood.ButIhaveafeelingthatwhenpeoplehavetolistentomefortoolong,it

canmakethemever-so-slightlyfrustrated.”

“Never,”hesaidfirmly.

Withaslightlysuspiciouslookathim,shestartedspeakingagain.

Whentheyhadfinishedtheirexcellentbreakfast,theymadetheirwaytohiscar.Sheseemed

strangelydelightedwhenheopenedthedoorforher,andforsomereason,itbrokehisheart.Whenhehad

metRose,therewassomethingsobraveandsodefiantaboutherthathecouldneverhaveimaginedher

beingnervousorupsetlikethis.Nowthattheyhadspentsometimetogether,however,anotherviewof

herwascomingout,aviewthatwassosoftthatitthreatenedtotakehisheartaway.Thewarriorhada

softerside,itseemed,anditawokeinhimanurgetoprotectitandkeepitfromharm.

Makeencouldwellimaginehowshemightlookathimifheactuallysaidanythingaboutit,though,

soherestrainedhimselftoakissonthehandwhenhedroppedheroffatherapartment.

“Likeaprinceoutofafairytale,”sheteased,buttherewassomethingwonderfullysoftandsweet

there,somethingsogentlethathefeltapartofhimselfopenupwithit.Shedidn'treachacrossthecarseat

totouchhim,butthelookshegavehimwasenough.Itmadesomethingfeellightinsidehim,asifshehad

litafirethatwouldwarmhimuntilhesawhernext.Shehadasmilethatcouldwarmastone.

Makeenfoundthathecouldn'tgetheroutofhismindthroughouttheday.Hedrovebacktohis

penthouse,hechangedashespoketoSafirabouthismeetingwiththerepresentativesfromDubai,andhe

preparedforhisday,butsomehow,inthebackgroundofitallwasRoseandhergorgeoussmile.

Hehadtoseeheragain.Hehadneverintendedfortheirtrystlastnighttobetheendofthings,but

nowheknewthathecouldn'tletitlie.Shewasawomanwhowassimplytoobright,toospecial,andtoo

determinedforhimtooverlook,andhedecidedasheworkedthatheowedittohimselfnottooverlook

her.

ChapterSeven

Rosewaspleasedtoseethatherclassroomwasfullthatafternoon.Apparentlyatleastsomeofthe

childrenhadbeentellingtheirfriendsthatsherewardedthemwithAmericancandy,andwhetheritwas

thepromiseofnoveltycandyorjustthesugaritself,shecouldn'tsay.Buttheclassroomwaslively,andby

theendeveryonecouldatleastintroducethemselvesandsaysomethingaboutthemselves.Inthelongrun,

Rosewasn'tsurethatitwasgoingtodomuchgood,butthepeoplewhohadtrainedherhadsaidthat

acclimatizationwasthemostimportantpart.

TherewereshoutsofgleewhensheputonthenewestDisneyoffering;apparentlytheywere

familiarwithit,buthearingitinEnglishwasanewtreat.Shesmiledandgavethemathumbsupbefore

takingamomenttoresthereyes.

Lastnighthadbeenexciting,engaging,andpassionateinawaythatshebarelyunderstood.Rose

almostwonderedifitwouldbebetterifitwasleftasaonenightstand,butthenherentiremindrebelled

againstit.Thatcouldn'tbetheonlytimehetouchedher,theonlytimeshefelthisskinlightonfireforher.

Itcouldn'tbe.Sheturnedherthoughtsawayfromthatroadinahurry.

Rosewishedshecouldbeasconfidentinloveasshewasintheclassroomorwhenshewasata

socialgathering.Whenshewalkedintotheclassroom,shewasconfrontedbychildrenwhowantedto

learn.Whenshehadbeenattheeducator'sball,shehadknownexactlywhathergoalwas,knownexactly

whatbuttonssheneededtopushtogetherway.NowwithMakeen,however,sheknewnothingofthesort.

Finally,herdayintheclassroomended,andshewavedatthestudentsonherwayout.Teaching

wasdefinitelynotaskillshehad,butshehadlearnedtoenjoyit.Itexhaustedherandleftherinvigorated

allatonce,andhermindwasfulloflessonplansandhopesforabetterclassroomasshemadeherway

backtoherapartment.

Waitingforhertherewasamaninadarksuit,andshewasn'tevensurprisedanymorewhenhe

noddedather.

“AreyouMissRoseMalone?”heaskedpolitely,andthistimeshedidn'tworryaboutitbefore

answeringyes.

“Good.Myemployerhassentmewithadeliveryforyou,andIwillneedyoursignature.”

Feelingasenseofdejavu,shesignedforthepackage,whichturnedouttobesmall,nolargerthan

thesizeofherhand.Whenshestartedtotearthepackageopen,themanstoppedherwithapolitecough.

“Excuseme,miss,butitmightbebestifyouwaiteduntilyouwereinyourhometoopenit.”

Sheblinkedathim,butwentintoherapartment.Sheonlywonderedforanothermomentwhyhe

suggestedshegoinside,becausethenshesawwhatitwas.Insidethepackagewasavelvetbox,and

whensheopenedthebox,shegasped.

Sparklinginthebedofvelvetwasagoldengemofsomekind,facetedtoshowoffthedeepamber

color.Surroundingitwasaringofsparklinggemsthatshewouldhavebetwerediamonds,andaftera

moment,sherealizedthepieceatthecenterwaslikelyadiamondaswell.Itcouldhavebeenafake,but

shewasfairlywellconvincedthatshewasholdingseveralthousandsifnotseveraltensofthousandsof

dollarsworthofjewelryinherhand.

Therewasasmallslipofpapertuckedintothebox,andwhenshepulleditout,sherecognized

Makeen'shandwritingrightaway.

Iwasthinkingofyou.Yougleamlikethesun.

Itwasabeautifulsentimentandagorgeouspieceofjewelry,butshecouldn'teventakeamomentto

enjoyit.Instead,shewasconsumedbydoubtsandfears,andshehadtositdowntoeventhinkofthem.

Sheknewshewasmeanttofeelpleasedandflatteredthathehadthoughtofher,meanttobe

touched,andperhapsshewas,butatthebottomwasaseriesofdarkeremotionsthatshehadneverhadto

wonderaboutbefore.

Washepayingheroff?Thisfeltlikeathingthatrichmendidwiththeirmistresses.Itwasfartoo

expensiveforknowingeachothersuchashortamountoftime.

Washeshowingoffhiswealthforher?

Didhereallythinkthiswasavaluableuseofhismoney?Shethoughtoftheclassroomwhereher

studentssat,andshewinced.Shelovedhowbeautifulthependantwas,butshehadtoclosethevelvetbox

atthatthought.

Anotherthoughtstruckher,slightlydarkerthanthepreviousones.Didheseethisjewelryassome

kindofinvestment?Whatwasshegoingtohavetodotopayforit?Somepartofherwantedtobelieve

thathesimplywantedtogivehersomethingpretty,butshehadcirculatedinenoughexpensivecirclesto

realizethatprettygiftsoftencamewithpricetagsthatwerelessthanpretty.

Hisphonenumberwasstillinherphone.Shemadeadecision.Ifheexpectedhertocoooverhow

beautifulhisgiftwas,hewasgoingtobedisappointedtosaytheleast.

Foramoment,shedidn'twanttodisappointhim.Shewishedshewasawomanwhocouldtakethe

gestureasitwas,asifhewereamanwhowereofferingawonderfulgift,anditwasagiftshewas

delightedtoaccept.

Shetookadeepbreath,setthejewelryonthetableandcalledhisnumber.Asitrang,Rosecouldn't

stopherselffromwatchingtheboxasifitwasatinysnake,readytorearbackandstrikeher.

Makeenansweredonthefourthring,andwhensheheardhiswarmtone,shewishedagainthatshe

wasawomanwhocouldaccepthisgiftwithoutworryingaboutit.

“Goodevening,lovelyone,”hesaid,andshesmiledinspiteofherself.“Howareyoudoing

today?”

“Good,”shesaid,andthoughshewishedshecouldsimplychataboutherdayandtalkwithhim

abouthis,sheknewtherewasnowayshecouldcontinuetoputofftheinevitable.

“Look...thependantyousentmeisbeautiful...”

“Doyoulikeit?”heasked,soundingpleased.“ItwassomethingIsawatmyfamily'spersonal

jeweler,andIthoughtitwouldbeperfectforyou.”

Jesus,howdoesanyoneintheworldhaveapersonaljeweler?Rosethought,andthensheshook

herhead.

“It'sgorgeous,butIcan'tacceptit.”

Therewasapauseontheotherendoftheline,andwhenhefinallyspoke,therewasanoteof

bafflementinhisvoice.

“Is...itnottoyourtaste?”heasked.

Rosesighed,shakingherheadagainbeforesherememberedthathecouldn'tseeher.“No,it's...

Look.ThereareafewreasonsIcan'tacceptit.”

“Goon,”hesaid,andtherewasaresolutenotetohisvoicethatmadeherstrangelynervous.She

hadnoideawhatheexpectedhertosay,butallshecoulddowasplungeforwardasbestshecould.

“It's...it'sreallyfartoosoonforanythinglikethis,”shesaid.“I'vemetyouahandfuloftimes.

We're...we'renotdating,arewe?Ifweare,youshouldtellme...”

Hetriedtosaysomething,butsherushedahead.Roserealizedshedidn'twanttobetoldthatthey

weren'tdating,andthoughitwascowardly,shebreezedpastitasquicklyasshecould.

“Butthat'snotevenagiftforpeoplewhoarecasuallydating,isit?Thatfeelslikesomethingyou

offera,Idon'tknow,afiancéeoralong-termprospect.It'snotsomethingthatyoucanofferme.”

“Isee,”hesaidslowly.Shetriedtofigureoutwhatwasinhisvoice,butitwasneutral.“Isthatthe

onlyreasonthatyouwouldn'tacceptit,then?”

Rosetookadeepbreath.

"It'sperhapsthebiggestreason,butit'snottheonlyone."God,didshesoundasmuchlikeaprude

asshethoughtshedid?Themoreshelistenedtoherself,theworseitsounded.Itfeltasifshewas

lecturinghimandnotturningdownanexcessivegiftthatmadeherheartbeatfaster.

"Thenpleasedocontinue,"hesaid,hisvoicesoftandeminentlyreasonable,andshenodded,asif

shewereapuppetonstrings.

"It's...Thisisanexpensivepiece,isn'tit?"sheasked,hervoicethinandstrained.

"Itis."Therewasutterlynoshameorembarrassmenttohiswords.Foramoment,shewondered

whatitwasliketoliveashedid,soclosetotheobjectsofhisdesirenomatterwhattheywere.Atany

moment,hecouldreachoutandhavewhateverheliked.

"YouneedtocomeseetheclassroomthatI'vebeenworkingin,"shesaid."Therearethesechildren

thatwanttolearn,wanttolearnsobadly,butthenalltheyhaveisoutdatedtextbooksandthingsthatmake

mefeelexhausted,andIspeakEnglishasmyfirstlanguage.Idon'tknowwheretheygettheenergyto

keepongoing,buttheydo,andIendupteachingthemasbestIcan,butitcouldbeso,somuchbetter."

"Soyou'returningdownagiftbecause...becauseagroupofschoolchildrendon'thavenice

accommodations?"

"Yes...no...Idon'tknow,itjustdoesn'tfeelright,"shesaid."WhatwouldIbeifIshowedupto

workwearingapendantthatcouldpurchasethemcomputersandopportunitiesthatcouldchangetheir

lives?"

Atthelastmoment,shewonderedifherpassionatewordsweregoingtoirritatehim.Shehad

essentiallycalledhimselfish,andshehadworkedwithwealthymenenoughtoknowthatsheshould

nevercallthemthat.

Insteadofexplodingasshehalf-expectedhimto,however,hewassilentforawhile.

"Allright,"hesaid,andtherewassomethingcarelessinhisvoice.Shefeltalittlestrangeaboutit.

Shewasgratefulnottobeharassedorberated,butanotherpartofherwonderedifshewasso

unimportantthathedidn'tcaretofightoverherstrangewhimsandwishes.

"Allright?"sheaskedcautiously."Whatdoesthatmean?"

"Itmeansexactlywhatitsays,"hesaidwithwhatsoundedlikeanoteofamusementinhisvoice.

"I'llhaveacourierreturntopickupthependant.PerhapsthenexttimeIpurchaseyousomething,Iwill

havethewisdomtochoosesomethingthatdoesnotoffend."

"I'mnotoffended,"Rosesaidmiserably."Ijust...Ijustcan’t."

"It'sallright,"Makeensaidsoothingly,andshewaspleasedtohearanoteofgenuinecomfortinhis

voice."Tobehonest,Iwasexpectinganentirelydifferentproblemwhenyoucalled."

Sheblinked,distracted."Really?Whatotherkindofproblemcouldyouhaveoveragiftlikethat?"

"Well,youweretheonewhodecidedthatthegiftwastoofine,foranumberofreasons.Allofthe

otherwomenwhoturneddownmygiftshavedonesobecausetheythoughttheywerenotfineenough."

Foramoment,shewasconvincedthathewasjoking.Ofcourse,noonewouldeverbesohorrible

astotellagiftgiver,especiallyagiftgiveraskindandgenerousasMakeen,thathisgiftswerenot

enough.

Thensherealizedthathewasnotjokingatall,andshesawredattheedgesofhervision.

"Areyouserious?"shesaidindignantly."That'sabsolutelyhorrid.Whointheworldsaidthatabout

yourgifts?Ihopeyoudon'ttalkwiththemanylonger--"

ShequicklycutoffhertiradeatthesoundofMakeen'slaughter.Itwasanopenandhonestsound

thatwarmedhertothecore,butshehadnoideawhyhewaslaughing.

"I'msorry,I'msorry,"hechuckledwhenthelaughterhadmostlypassed."Youjustsoundedso

protectivejustthen,asifyouwerewillingtoflyinthefaceofanyonewhohadeverrejectedagiftthatI

boughtthem."

Rosehuffedforamoment,andthenshehadtocrackasmile.

"Ireallydon'tthinkofmyselfasmuchofawhiteknight,"sheadmitted."Butwhenyoutoldme

aboutpeoplewhowerelookingdownonapresentyouboughtthem,Ifeltasifsomethinginmyheadwas

goingtoexplode.Asitturnsout,Ihatetheideaofanyone...insultingyouortellingyouthatapresent

you’vegiventhemisnotworthy.Itjustseemstomakemespittingmad."

Therewasasilenceontheotherendthatlastedsolongthatshewonderediftheyhadbeen

disconnected.Shepulledthephonefromherheadtocheckthescreen,butjustwhenshewasgoingto

ventureacautioushello,Makeenspokeagain.

"IfIeverhadanydoubtsthatyouwereaspecialwoman,theyarecertainlygonenow,"hesaid.

"Thankyou."

"IamstillnotcertainaboutwhatIhavedone,"shesaidinconfusion.“Butyou'rewelcome?"

Themomentseemedtohavepassed,becausewhenhespokeagain,Makeenwasallbusiness."SoI

willsendacourierforthering,orbetteryet,whatareyoudoingtomorrownight?"

"Tomorrownight?Likelyjustmakingplansfortheclassroomandperhapsgoingtograbfalafel

fromthestandouthere.Why?"

"Well,itoccurstomethatperhapsIcouldcomepickthetrinketupmyself,andthenwecouldspend

sometimetogether."

"Oh,thatsoundsgreat,"shesaid."Letmecheckmycalendar,andIcantellyouwhenthingswrap

upthatday.I'llwarnyouthoughthatyou'veseenthetwoprettydressesIown,andI'mgoingtoeitherstart

recyclingthemorI'mgoingtostartlettingyouseemeintheregularclothingIweartowork.I'mnot

buyinganewdresseverytimeweheadout."

"Oh,doesthatmeanyoupurchasedadressthelasttimeyousawme?"heaskedinnocently,andshe

mutteredacursethatmadehimlaugh.

"Don'ttakeitsohard,"hesaid."Ifithelps,Ifinditendearing.Isupposecouturegownsarealsooff

theacceptablepresentlist?"

"Asamatteroffacttheyare,"shesaidfirmly."Just...let'skeepthingsniceandlowkey,allright?"

"Agreed,"hesaid,buttherewasstillsomethinginMakeen'svoicethatsoundedquiteamused."I

willletyoutaketheleadinallthings."

Somehow,thatdidn'tcomforther.IfMakeenwasgoingtoaskherhownormalpeopleoperatedin

dating,shewasprobablytheleastlikelypersontoask.Shewasn'tsureanyoftherelationshipsshe’dhad

weregoingtoqualifyasnormal.

Still,despitehermisgivings,shefoundherselfsmilingasshewenttodohergradingthatnight.

Fromtimetotime,sheglancedatthevelvetboxandresistedtheurgetotakeitintoherhands.Apartof

herhatedtogiveitup,butsheknewthatnomatterwhatshefelt,itwaslikelytherightthingtodo.

Latethatnight,longaftershewasmeanttobeasleep,shegotoutofbedandturnedonthelightin

hertinybathroom,adimandyellowlightagainstthedarknessoftherestoftheapartment.Shecouldn't

resistslidingthependantoutofitsboxandlatchingthegoldchainaroundherneck.Thegoldinthecentral

gemcalledoutthehoneygoldinherhair,thediamondssurroundingitglitteredlikestars.Foralong

moment,Rosestaredatherownreflection,enthralled,andthenwitharegretfulsoundthatwas

somewherebetweenasobandasigh,sheplaceditbackintheboxandreturnedtobed.

Roseknewwhoshewas.Shewasafighterandascrapper,someonewhofoughtforhercause.She

wasn'taprincesswhowasgivengems,andthesoonersheandMakeenrememberedthat,thebetter--the

safer--thingsweregoingtobe.

***

Makeenwokeupinastrangemood,andforseverallongmoments,hesimplylayinbedthinking.

Mostofthetime,heleapedoutofbedreadytofacethedayandeverythingitbrought,butsomethingabout

todaywasdifferent.

Aftertheirconversationonthephonethenightbefore,hehadbeenunexpectedlyrestless.Hehad

beenonhiswayhome,butinstead,he’dturnedaroundandheadedbacktowork.Forsomereason,

despitethefactthatalmosteveryonewouldsaythattheconversationhadgonewell,itfeltstrangeand

empty.Ithadfinallycametohimsometimeaftermidnightthat,althoughshehadsaiditwasn'tarejection,

notarealone,itstillfeltlikeone,andshemeantitlikeone.

Rejection?

Itshouldmeanabsolutelynothingcomingfromsomeonewhowasasfarfromhissocialstatusas

Rose.Sheseemedawareofthedifferenceintheirstandingintheworld,andifanything,shewastryingto

understandandrespectit.Stillthough,itrankled,andhehadn'twantedtofaceitimmediately.

Eventually,however,he’dhadtogiveupandgohome.Somewhiskeyhadhelpedhimsleep,but

thismorning,hefeltunusuallygroggyandtired.Itwasn'tthealcohol,heknew.No,itwassomethingelse,

andhecouldn'thelpbutthinkthatRosewasatthebottomofit.

Hecheckedthetimeandcursedalittle.Hewasalreadyrunninglate,soafterheshoweredandas

hewaseatinghisbreakfast,hecalledSafir.

"IwanttoknowwhoIhaveonthedocketforthenextfewdays,"hesaid."Iftheyarenotessential,I

thinkI'mgoingtodropthemforthetimebeing.Makemyexcuses,ofcourse,andmakeitsoundgood,but

I'mnotinamoodtodealwithanyone'snonsense."

"Ofcourse,"Safirsaid,andbehindherwell-modulated,professionaltone,heknewshewasirked

withhislackofresponsibility.

"I'lldobetterinalittlewhile,"hesaidwithasigh."I'vehadalotonmyplatelately."

Makeenwasgratefulwhenshedidn'tpursueit.Shekneweverypartofhisschedule,andshe

certainlyknewwhenhehadalotonhisplate.

"Allright,Icandothat.Itstillmeansthatyouneedtogetyourselftoameetingwithsomeoil

investorsfromtheNetherlandstoday,andtoatechmeetingwiththeChinesefoundationtomorrow."

"Allright.Ifiguredthosewerestillon."

"AndofcoursethereisthematterofSayyidal-Khanandhisdaughter."

Makeenwincedoutofhabit.HeknewSayyidal-Khan,ahawk-nosedformermilitarymanwhowas

ascionofoneoftheoldestfamiliesintheUAE.Hewasgenerallyamanwhokepttohimselfandminded

hisowncounselwhenitcametoaffairsofstate,buthewasalsosomeonewhohadacertainamountof

ambition.

Currently,thatambitionrestedwithhisdaughterFira.Makeentriedtosummonupavisionofthe

girl,andonlycameawaywithanimpressionofsleekblackhair,bigeyesandarathertimoroussmile.

HestartedtotellSafirtocancelthatmeetingaswell,butthenhepaused.

"Keepthatone,"hesaidshortly.

"ThemeetingwithSayyidal-Khan?"Safiraskeddelicately,andMakeenalmostgrowledather.

"Ofcourse.Ihaveafondimpressionofhisdaughter,andthere'snothingwrongwithseeingwhat

shemighthavetoofferasthesheikhaofAkram.OristhereanissueIwasunawareof?"

"Ofcoursenot..."

"Good.Letmeknowifthereareanyproblems.Otherwise,Iwillbeintheofficeinhalfanhourand

preppingforthemeetingwiththeNetherlandswhenIgetthere."

Hehungup,pushingtherestofhisfoodawayandgoingtohiswardrobetogetdressed.Ashe

shruggedintoasharplytailoredWesternbusinesssuit,hefeltapangofguiltforhowhehadtreatedhis

assistant.Itwasn'therfaultthathewasinafoulmood,afterall.

Withoutwillingit,histhoughtsfoundtheirwaybacktoRose.Roseofthegoldenhair,Roseofthe

goldenmorals.Rosewhocouldtakehisheartapartwithoneglanceofherprettyblueeyes.

Therewassomekindofdangerhere,heknew.Menhadwreckedlivesandcountriesonthesharp

shoresofwomenasappealingasRose,andMakeenhadnointerestinlettingithappentohimorto

Akram.

Whenshe’dhadaproblemwithhim,shehadn'tbeatenaroundthebush.Instead,shehadcome

straightoutandtoldhimwheretheissuewasandwhathehaddone.Therewasatruthinherthatgrewas

straightasapoplar,andnomatterwhattheresultwasforhim,hecouldrespectherforthat.

ThenthatmeansthatIshouldtreatherwiththesamerespect,hethoughtgrimly.Tonight,we

shouldlayallourcardsonthetable.

ChapterEight

"Verygood!"Rosesaidwithabigsmile."ThatisexactlyhowyouapologizeinEnglish."

Todayhadbeenalivelylesson,withanemphasisonhowtomakethingsrightaftertheyhadgone

wrong.Halfwaythrough,RosewaspainfullyawareofthedifferencesinculturebetweenAkramandthe

UnitedStates.IntheUnitedStates,apologieswereofferedascommoncourtesiesformerelybrushing

againsteachother.InAkram,acertainamountofdiscomfortwasignored,butwhenanapologywas

tendered,itwasofferedsincerelyandwithagreatdealofelaboratelanguage.Bridgingthegapwas

difficult,butafterexplainingthedifferencetotheclassandseparatingeveryoneintogroupstopractice

apologiesinEnglish,justabouteveryonewasgettingit.

Theclasswasalmostover,andattheendofeveryclass,Roselikedtotakeimpressionsonwhat

theywouldliketolearnnext.Someoftheolderchildrenwantedtolearnpopmusic,whileoneyounggirl

talkedaboutlearningtoreadanimalstories,whensuddenly,allofthechildrenfellsilent.

Foramoment,Rosewasconfused,andthenshefollowedtheirgazestothedoorbehindher.Toher

shockandsurprise,shefoundMakeenwatchingherwithavid,darkeyes,aslightsmileonhisface.

"You'reearly,"sheblurtedout,andhissmilewidenedalittle.

"Iam.Iwantedtoseewhatthisclasswaslikeandhowthingsweregoing."

"Oh,actually,goodtimingthen,"shesaid,herenthusiasmcomingback."We'redoingaclass

commentarynow,talkingaboutwhatwe'vedonetoday,andwhatpeoplelikeordon'tlikeaboutit."

Makeen'sgrinwaspositivelydevilishashesteppedintotheclassroom.Shehadnoideawhathe

wasgoingtodountilheturnedtowardsthestudents.Shehadaclassofaroundtwentythatday,andevery

singlepairofeyeswasintenselyfocusedonMakeen.

"Allright,"hesaidinEnglish."Whydon'tyoutellmewhatyoulikeanddon'tlikeaboutthisclass

asawhole?"

HeglancedbackatRoseasifexpectinghertoobject,butsheonlyliftedherchinslightly.She

wasn'tashamedofwhatshewasdoing,andalthoughtherewasacertainamountoftrepidationoverbeing

soobviouslycalledout,shewasconfidentinherstudents.

Foramoment,thestudentsglancedaroundateachother,andthenonetinygirl,thegirlwhohad

askedformoreanimalstories,raisedherhandtriumphantly.Makeennoddedatherwithgravecordiality,

andshehoppeduptostandnexttoherdesk.

"IlikethisclassbecauseitteachesusaboutEnglishandthepeoplewhospeakit,"shepronounced

carefully,andwhenhenodded,shesatbackdown,grinningproudly.Rosewantedtocheer,lessbecause

thelittlegirlhadpraisedherandmorebecauseshewasn'tsureshehadsaidanEnglishsentencethatlong

before.

"Verygood,"Makeensaid."Whoelse?"

"MissMaloneshowsusawesomemovies!"saidanotherstudentfromtheback,anolderone,and

Rosewaspleasedthatherlessononslanghadn'tgottenwastedalongtheway.

Afterthat,itwaslikeanavalanche,studentstalkingaboutwhattheygotoutofthisclass.One

studenttalkedabouthowhismotherhadmadehimattend,andhowhehadstartedtolikeitonhisown.

Anotherhopedthathecouldbringhislittlecousinalongwhenshemovedtotheneighborhoodinthenext

fewweeks.

"That'sallgoodtohear,"Makeensaidwithalaugh."Butdoesn'tanyonehaveanythingbadtosay

aboutMissMalone?"

Rosewasabouttohaveatrulysmugmomentwhenonestudent,ateen,raisedhishand.

"Yes,youintheback?"

"She'salreadyovertwenty,andshedoesn'tevenhaveaboyfriend,"hesaid,andtheentireclass

burstintolaughterasRosepretendedtohideherfaceinmortification.

Itwasn'tasbadasitsounded.Theyhadbeentalkingaboutrelationshipslastweek,andbeing

childrenandthusintenselynosy,theyhadbeenintentlycuriousaboutwhatherfamilywaslike.Whenthey

foundoutthatshewasalonewithoutevenaboyfriendonthehorizon,theyhadbeenshocked.

Makeenshookhishead,handingcontroloftheclassbacktoRose,andshehurriedlyfinishedthe

lesson.

Whenthelastchildfiledout,shecouldn'tseemtofigureoutwhattodowithherhands.Firstshe

busiedherselfwithorderingtheworksheetstheyhadleftbehind,andthenshefoundherselfmurmuring

aboutwhatadayithadbeen.Makeen,forhispart,hadnoneofhershyness,insteadrovingtheclassroom

asifheownedit.Shecouldtellthathisdarkeyesmissednothingatall,fromthebrokentilestothewater

damageinthecorneroftheroomthathadsoworriedherwhenshe’dstartedworkingthere.

"Youweren'tjokingwhenyousaidthisclassroomcouldusesomehelp,"hesaidabsently."I'mnot

sureIwouldhostadog'sobedienceschoolhere,letaloneaschoolforactualchildren."

"Wedogetbywithwhatwehave.Butyousawthechildrentoday.They'rebrightandeagerto

learn,butevenalittlebitcouldmakeahugedifference."

Sheknewfromlongexperiencenottopushtoohard.Peopletendedtogivemorewhentheythought

theideahadbeentheirstobeginwith,whichmighthavebeenacynicalthing,butitwastrue.

Almostasifhecouldreadhermind,heglancedbackather,aslightsmileonhisface."Thisis

exactlywhatyouhopedwouldhappen,isn'tit?"

"Howdoyoumean?"Roseanswered,butshecouldn'tpreventaslightsmilefromtuggingather

lips.

“Thisiswhatyouweredoingattheeducators'ball.Youweretryingtogetpeopleintothe

classroom,becauseoncetheywerehere,youknowthestudentswoulddotheworkforyou."

"IprefertothinkthatIammatchingupgenerousandinterestedpeoplewithachanceforthemtodo

somerealgood.Butthere'sagrainoftruthtowhatyousaidaswell."

Hewassilent,lookingoutthewindow,hishandsclaspedbehindhisback.Shefoundthatshecould

notlookathishandsfortoolongwithoutthinkingofwhattheyhaddonetoherjustafewnightsago.

Insteadshecametostandnexttohim,herownarmswrappedaroundherself.Despitehavingdonefund-

raisingworkforyears,apartofherwasnervous,asifshehaddonesomethingwrong.

"Areyouangry?"sheasked,andshewaspleasedthathervoicewassteady,eveniftherewasa

slightlythreadyqualitytoitthatbetrayedhernervous."Becauseifyouareangry..."

Shedidn'tevengetachancetovoicewhatsheguessed,becausesuddenlyhisarmswerearound

her,draggingherintoaroughembrace.Onearmcurledaroundherwaist,pullingherinclose,andthe

othersmoothedherblondehairbackfromherface.Whenshelookedupathim,shockedandarousedand

franticallatonce,hisfacewassplitinanenormousgrin.

"God,youareacleverthing,"hemurmured."Soverycleverandsmartandstrong..."

Shemighthavedemurred,buthegavehernochancetodoso.Instead,hismouthcoveredherswith

assuranceandeasyauthority.Foramoment,shenearlyflailedawayinshock,butthenpassionovercame

herinitialsurpriseandshelockedherarmsaroundhim,surethatifhepulledaway,apartofherwould

shrivelupanddie.

"Ican'tbelieveyou'rekissingmeinmyclassroom,"shemurmuredthicklywhenhepulledawayfor

amoment.

"Icanbelieveitjustfine,"hesaid,hisvoicesoftandhusky."Andyoudon'thavetoworryaboutme

findingyouanylessattractiveinyournormalclothes.Iseeyouinthose,andIwanttoremovethemjustas

muchIwanttoremoveyourpartydresses."

Foramomentshewasembarrassed,thinkinghemeanthedidn'tcareforeithertypeofgarmentand

thatshewashopeless.Butthensheunderstoodhismeaningandblushedtothetipsofherears.Thesound

hemadewhenhesawthatsheunderstoodhisjokewasclosetoapurrofpurepleasure.

"Yes,Iwanttoseeyouentirelynaked.Iwanttokeepyounakedfordays,doingnothingbutfeeling

asmuchpleasureasIcangiveyou,waitingformetocometoyouandtotouchyou,lickyou,showyou

howgoodyoucanfeel..."

Howwashedoingthistoherwithjusthiswords,shewonderedfrantically.Rosecouldremember

thefirehehadcalledupwithhishandsandhislipsonherbody,butforhimtohavethispowersimplyby

whisperingintoherearaswellfeltunfairtosaytheleast.

"AndRose,Idefinitelywanttoseehowgoodyoucanfeel.Andperhapsthisclassroomisn'titfor

educationalpurposes...butmaybeit'sgoodforalittlegamebetweenthetwoofus..."

Shenearlygroanedatthewordshewassaying,andwhenshecouldfeelhismemberwakeupand

gohalfhardagainstherthigh,shewantednothingmorethantogiveherselftohimrightthereandthen.

"What...whatgame?"

"Well,anynumber,Icouldimagine,"hesaid,histeethfeelingsharperthaneverashekissedthe

cornerofherjaw."Youwouldmakeadarlingcollegestudentwhowastryingtoraisehergrade,or

perhapsyoucouldbeateacherwhohasathingforthecollegesoccerstar..."

Shewantedtolaughathiswords,buttheycaptivatedher.Shecouldfeelherheartbeatingfasterat

theidea,andhecouldseehowattractedshewas.

"Golockthedoor,"hemurmured."Wehaveatleastsometimetoexplore."

Helethergo,andshemighthavestumbled,buthecaughther,givingheralittlepushtogoonher

way.Shewasthinkingofnothingmorethanthebuzzofpleasurethatwasringingthroughherwhenshe

heardapairofvoicesinthehallway.Shefrozeforamoment,handonthedoorknob,andshesoonsawa

childandanadultturnaroundthecornerandheadstraightforher.Sheimmediatelyrecognizedthechild

asoneofherstudents,thoughshehadnevermetthewomanaccompanyinghimbefore.

"Oh!Walid!Itissogoodtoseeyouagain!"Sheusuallyspokeloudlyandslowlysothatthe

childrencouldunderstandherandfollowalong,butnowithadadualpurpose.Shehadtosmileatthem

sotheywouldn'tsuspectthatanythingwaswrong,butshewantednothingmorethantogestureatMakeen

andtellhimthatsomethingwasup.Shehopedherwordswereenoughtogethimdecentagain.

"Thisismyauntie,"Walidsaidwithabrightgrin.Hewasactuallyoneofherbetterstudents,she

suspected,andshecouldalwaysmaketimetohelphim.Still,Rosecouldhavewishedthathistimingwas

alittlebetter,atleast.

"Oh,Iampleasedtomeetyou,"RosesaidcarefullyinArabic."MynameisMissRoseMalone."

ThewomanlookedhopefulatthatandreleasedatorrentofwordsthatswambyRose'shead,

makingherholdupherhandsindismay.

"Iamsosorry,butIdonothavethatmuchArabic..."

"Iwilltranslate,"Walidsaideagerly."Shesaysthatshehasworkedatahotelfortwenty-five

years,andsheknowsshewouldgetmorepayifshehadsomeEnglish.Shewantstoknowifshecantake

lessonswithus."

Rosebitherlip."Iwanttohelpyou,Ido,"shesaid,lookingatWalid'sauntasthelittleboy

translatedforher."Andofcourseyouarewelcometocomeandsitinonlessons;theyarefreeforanyone

whowantstoshowup,andthatisnevergoingtochange.ButIhavetosaythattheclassesherearebest

forpeoplewhoalreadyhavesomeEnglish,and..."

Beforeshehadevenfinished,thewoman'sfacefell,andshenoddedtiredly.Rosecouldmakeout

thefactthatthewomanwasthankingherforhertime,butthentheolderwomanturnedaway,readyto

leaveindefeat.Walid'ssunnyexpressionturnedtosadnessonadime,andRosewasatalossathowto

help.

"Wait,please,canyouaskyouraunttowait?Maybethere'ssomethingwecando..."

"Wedon'thaveenoughmoneytopayforbetterclasses,"Walidsaid,andhesaidsomethingin

ArabicthatRosedidn'tunderstand,butsheunderstoodthegistofitquitewell.Moneymadetheworldgo

round,andforpeoplelikeWalidandhisaunt,whohadnone,theworldsimplystayedrightwhereitwas.

"Therearegoingtobeotherteachersinthisprogramsoon."

ThewordscamenotfromRosebutfromMakeen,whostrodeovertostandbyherside.

Walidandhisauntlookedupinsurprise,andRosefeltaboutthesamewaytheydid.Whileshefelt

asred-facedandpricklyassomeonewhohadgottencaughtwithherhandinthecookiejar,Makeen

lookedcalm,coolandcollected,everyinchtherulerhewas.

"SheikhMakeen,"Walid'sauntexclaimed,andtoRose'sshock,shetriedtodipintoadeepbow,

herhandsfolded.

Makeensmiledalittle,buthecaughtherlightlyaroundthearms,keepingherinastandingposition.

Theentiretime,hespoketohergentlyinArabic.ItsoundedtoRoseasifhewereaskingherquestionsof

somekind.Thewomanansweredtentativelyatfirst,butthenwithmoreconfidence.Bytheend,shewas

evensmiling,andherfacewentfromtiredtolovely.

Bytheend,Walidwassmilingtoo,andthoughRosehadnoideawhatwasgoingon,shefeltsome

ofthejoyandhappinessintheroom.Finally,Walidandhisauntleft,andshewasalonewithMakeen

again.

"SodoIgettoknowwhatthatwasallabout?"shedemanded,andMakeengrinnedather.

"Unlessyoufeelliketakingasecondattemptatlockingthedoor,IthinkIshouldtellyouallaboutit

overdinner.Ihavetoadmit,oneismoreappealingthantheotherforme,butsomemattersperhapsshould

waitformybedatthepenthouse."

Itwasn'taneasychoiceforRoseatall,butafteranagonizedmoment,shenodded.

"Firstnewsanddinner,"shesaidresolutely."Andthen..."

"Andthenwe'llseewherethingstakeus,"Makeensaid,andtherewasaglintinhiseyethatmade

hershiverallthewaydowntohertoes.

***

"YOUARENEVERgoingtostopsurprisingme,areyou?"sheaskedwithasmallsmile.

"ItrytomakesureIamnotlivingapredictablelife,buthowdoyoumean?"

"Well,aftertwoverygooddiners,Imighthavethoughtthatourthirdmealwouldalsobeatadiner.

Instead..."

WhenMakeenhadpulleduptothesmallbrickbuildingtuckedintoawarehousedistrict,Rosehad

thoughttheyweregoingtoanotherout-of-the-waygem.Asamatteroffact,shewasright,butshecouldn't

haveguessedthattheyweregoingtobehavingsuchanavantgardeexperience.

Whenshehadsteppedintotherestaurant,ithadbeensodarkthatshehadinstinctivelyreachedfor

Makeen'sarminsurprise.Therewerevoicesallaroundthem,speakinginArabic,French,Hindiand

English,andafterafewwordswithMakeeninArabic,theserverswitchedtosmoothEnglish.

Astheywereescortedtothediningarea,sherealizedtherewassomerelieftotheblackness.Each

diningareahadaverysmallpoolofsoftlight,intenselyfocusedonlyontheplatesinfrontofthem.

Otherwise,therestoftherestaurantwascastintoblackness,andallaround,thoughshecouldn'treallysee

them,shecouldhearpeopleeating.

"Whatisthisplace?"sheaskedaftertheywereexpertlyseated."Ididn'tevenseeanameaswe

camein."

"Idon'tknowifithasanofficialone,"Makeensaid,andshecouldhearthegrininhisvoice."I

heardaboutthisfromafriendofafriend,whogavemedirectionsandtoldmetheownerscalleditD'arc,

withanapostrophe,thoughthatmightsimplybeajokehemade.It’sdesignedtointensifythetasteand

sensationsofthefoodthattheyserve.ThereareafewplaceslikethisinNewYork,butIhavenever

been."

"Thisseemsfascinating,"murmuredRose,leaninginclosetostudythemenu.

Aftertheyhadordered,shegingerlyfoldedherhandsinherlapandwishedsheknewhowMakeen

looked.Therewassomuchshewantedtosaytohim,butinsteadsheallowedherselftotaketheslightly

cowardlyrouteoftalkingaboutWalidandhisaunt.

"Theyseemedsohappywhentheyleft,"shesaid."Whatwasityoutoldthem?"

"Itoldthemthattheprogramwouldbeexpandingshortly,"Makeensaideasily."Thatwewould

havemoreteacherswhocouldteachformallyaswellasatanimmersivelevel,andthatofcourseit

wouldremainfree.Itwouldalsobeopentomorestudentsofvaryingagegroups,withteacherswhoare

skilledathelpingwiththeiruniquesituations."

Shelaughedwithdelight."AndIcertainlyhopeyou'llbeputtingsomemoneyintothis?BecauseI

reallydonotthinkIcanpullallofthatoutofthinairlikesomekindoffairygodmother."

"Ofcourse.Aslongasyouaretheoneoverseeingitall."

Herlaughterdriedup,andshestaredathim."What?"

Eveninthedarknessoftherestaurant,shecouldtellhewassmilingthatdangerousgrinofhis,the

onethatmadeherfeelasifsheshouldshiverandruntheotherwaywhileherentirebodywastellingher

theopposite.

"Ihappentobelieveinreciprocalcommitment,"hepurred."Youtoldmethatyouwantmyhelpfor

yourproject?IamstillnotcertainhownecessaryLiteracyforAllisformycountryoreventhat

neighborhood.Butfornow,Ihaveseenalotofveryhappychildrenandaneedforthiskindofeducation.

Thatspeakswellforyouraims,butIdonotoffermoneytopeoplewhoarenotcommittedtotheircause."

"Areyousayingthatyouaregoingtomakeallthesewonderfulchanges...ifandonlyifIamwilling

tostayinAkramtooverseeallofit?"

"Yes.Itmaysoundlikeblackmail,butthetruthisthatIdonottrustcorporations.Idonottrust

countriesorcommittees.Ifindthatputtingmyfaithinthemoftenendsupwithmeneedingtopullaway,

ofteninrage,frequentlyindisgust.No,Rose,whatItrustarepeople,andaslongastheoperationisin

yourhands,beinggivenyourattention,Iwillsupportit,atleastuntilIseewhatkindofresultsithas."

Rosesatalittlestraighterinherseat.ShewasawarethatMakeencouldn'tseeher,butsheknewthe

confidenceshefeltwascarriedoutthroughhervoice.

"Ifyouarewillingtogiveitthatkindofsupport,thenwildhorsescouldn'ttearmeaway."

Makeenlaughedatherdetermination.

"Good,"hesaid,hisvoicewarmwithapproval."Thenallthatremainsistotalkaboutus."

Inthespaceofaheartbeat,herconfidencedisappeared.Hershouldersslumpedinward,andher

heartstartedtobeattwiceasfast.

"Us?"sheasked,wincingwhensheheardthelittlesqueakinhervoice.

"Yes,us,"Makeenresponded."Youmademeveryawareofsomethinglastnight."

"Andwhatwasthat?"

"Youmademethinkofduty,bothtothecausesthatIshouldbeholdingparamountandalsotomy

country.Asthesheikh,IhaveagreatdealofpowertodoexactlyasIplease,butontopofthat,Ialso

haveagreatdealofresponsibilitytothepeoplewholooktome.Mostly,I'lladmit,Iseepeoplelikethe

onesattheeducators'ball.Today,IwasremindedofthepeoplelikeWalidandhisaunt."

"Itsoundslikeagreatdealofpressure,"Rosesaidsoftly,andhislaughwasslightlyrueful.

"Itis,evenonthebestofdays.Thepleasuresandprivilegesthepositionbringsareimmense...some

ofthesorrowsareaswell.Rightnow,however,Iamnotspeakingofasorrow.Ineedtogetmarried,

Rose."

Forasingle,solitarymoment,Rose’sheartleapt.Somanytimes,shehadthoughtoftheirmeetings

likeafairytale,somethingmagicalandlovely.Couldthisactuallybetheculmination?

Thensherememberedherself,rememberedthatshewassimplyamarketingprofessionalfromNew

YorkwhohadfoundherwaytotheMiddleEast.Shemadeaface,pleasedthatthedarknesscovereditup.

"Andwhoistheluckygirl?"sheasked,andifhertonecameacrossasarch,Makeendidn'tseemto

notice.

"Well,therearesomelikelycandidates,"hesaid,anditoccurredtoherthathewasspeakingasif

hewaslookingtointerviewsomeoneforatopspotinanimportantcompany.Perhapswhenyouwerethe

sheikh,thatwashowyouhadtolookatthings?“Butthat'snotsomethingthatisimportanttomeright

now.”

“Thatsoundslonely,”shefoundherselfsaying.Rosewasn'tquitesurewhyshehadsaiditlikethat,

buttherewassomethingtruetherethatshedidn'tunderstand.Instead,itwassomethingthatshefelt,

somethingdeepinsideherthatshewouldhavebetherlifeon.Therewasnoworldinwhichitwasnot

true,andshewouldhavemethiseyesinthedarkandinthelight.

“Itcanbe,”hesaid,nodding.Rosecouldn'thelpbutnoticeathreadofyearninginhisvoiceas

well,somethingsoftthatshewantedtocloseupinsideherhandsandprotect.“Itis,however,theplace

whereIamstanding,andIamtellingyouthisrightnowbecauseIwanttheretobenomisunderstandings

betweenus.Willyoulistentome?”

Roseswallowedhardandnodded.Somehow,itfeltasiftheworldwastwistingonitsaxisforher.

Thingsweregoingtochange,andtherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutit.

Makeenpausedforalongmoment,andshewonderedifhewashavingtroublefindingthewords.It

feltstrangethatamanaswonderfullyconfidentandassertiveasMakeenwouldbethisnervousabout

talkingtosomeonelikeher,butthereitwas.

“There'ssomethingbetweenus,andIdonotevenknowwhattocallit.IspeakArabic,English,

FrenchandsomeChinese,andstill.Ihaveneverfoundawordthatwouldworkforus.Letmebefrank.I

feelakindofpassionforyouthatIhaveneverfeltbefore.Ihavebeenwithmanywomen,brilliantas

wellasbeautiful,andallIcanseeisyou.Ithinkaboutyouwhenwearenottogether,andwhenweare

apart,thereisahungerinsidemethatwillneverbesated.”

Shefeltherbreathcatchinherlungs.Therewasnothinginherthathadanticipatedthis.Shehad

knownthatsheburnedaroundhim,butshehadalwaysassumedthattheburnwouldbeonethatshe

sufferedalone.Itwassomethingthat,ifMakeenfeltatall,itwouldbefainter.Here,though,wereher

wordsonhislips,spokenoutofthetruthinthedark.

“Iamamanwhorespectshiswoman.Iwouldnevertrytoforceyouintoanythingyoudon'twant,

orevenanythingthatmadeyouuncomfortableorthatyoudidnotunderstand.ThatiswhyItoldyouabout

mysituationandwhereIamcomingfrom.

“Somedaysoon,Iwillneedasheikha,awomanliketheoneItoldyouaboutwhenwefirstmetin

NewYork.”

“Yes,someonewhohasjusttherightpedigreeandjusttherightamountofpassion,”Rosesaid,

unabletokeepherdistasteoutofhervoice.

Makeennodded.“Exactlyso.Thiswoman,well,Ihopeshewillprovetobeagoodsheikhaanda

friend,butIdonotexpectmorethanthat.However...IcannotoverlookthepassionIfeelwithyou.I

cannotturnawayfromyouunlessyoutellmeyounolongerwishtoseemeorhaveanythingtodowith

me.Instead,Ihaveanoffertomaketoyou.”

Roseswallowedhard.Surelythiswasn'tathingthathappenedtowomenlikeher?Surelyshe

couldn'treallybeinthissituation?Itwasn'tafairytale,itwassomethingelse,andshewasgrowing

increasinglycertainthatshewasatseaandwithoutamap.

“Yes?”sheasked,hervoicelittlemorethanacroak.Shewonderedifhecouldheartheuncertainty

andedginessinhervoice.

“Iwanttobewithyou.Iwantyoutobewithme.Untilmymarriagearrangementsarecomplete,I

wantyouineverywayamancanwantawoman.IwanttogiveyoueverythingIcangiveyou,Iwantto

helpyou,andIwanttomakesurethatyouwantfornothinguntilsuchtimeaswehavetogiveeachother

up.”

“Andafter?”

Forthefirsttime,shecouldhearatroublednoteenterhisvoice.Untilnow,hehadsoundedutterly

incontrol,completelyawareofwhatwasgoingonandwhathewasoffering.Nowhewasuncertain,and

itstruckachordinsideher.

“After...IfIhadyou,Iwouldnotwanttogiveyouup.AnywifeIhadchosenwouldhavetobe

comfortablewiththat,wouldhavetoallowmetokeepsomepartsofmylifeseparatefromher.She

wouldhavetoagreenottointerferewiththat.”

Rosenarrowedhereyes,frowningbecausesheknewwherethiswasgoing.“Andafteryouwed,I

wouldbeyourmistress.Iwouldbesomeonethatyoukeptontheside.”

“No,”heresponded.“Youwouldbe,asyouarenow,oneofakind,andtherewouldbenothing

aboutyouthatwasdisposableoronlyforentertainment.ShemightbethenewsheikhaofAkram,butyou

wouldbethequeenofmyheart.”

Therewasalongpausewheretheyconsideredeachotherinthedarkness.Rosewouldhavegiven

agreatdealtobeabletolookathisfaceandfindoutwhatexpressionshewasmaking.

“AndifIdonotwanttobeamistress?”

“Thenwemakewhatwecanofthetimewehavetogether,anditwillbeaspassionateandas

beautifulasweexpectittobe.Oryoucansayno,andwecanendthisnow.”

Itwasonthetipofhertonguetotellhimno.Shewasn'tanyman'smistress,andwithoutadoubt,

sheknewthatwaswhathewasaskinghertobe.ShehadseensuchwomeninNewYork,beautifully

dressedandcoiffed.Theyweregorgeous,theywereawareofwhattheywereworthandwhatthey

wanted,andthethingthathadalwaysoccurredtoRosewhenshesawthemwasthatshecouldnotbeone

ofthem.Shedidn'thaveitinhertolookataman,togiveheralltohim,andthentofindoutthathehadhis

ownlife,hisownambitionsandplans,thathadnothingtodowithher.

Sheopenedhermouthtotellhimso,butthen,shyly,almostasifhewereashamedofhisdesire,his

handcrossedtheoasisoflightcenteredonthemiddleofthetabletotouchhers.

“Please,”hesaid,andsheknewinthatmomentthatshecouldneverdenyhimthis.Therewasa

worldofneedthere,sostrongthatittuggedatherlikeatide,buttherewasalsoakindofpassionforher.

Sherefusedtocallitlove,becauseitcouldnotbe,buttherewassomethingthatburnedsobrightthatit

tookherbreathaway.

“Yes,”shewhispered.

Hishandclosedonhers,andsomehowitwasasifRosecouldfeelthereliefthatranthroughhim,

andthetriumphaswell.Sherealizedthattohim,shewasaprizetobewon,andthatrealizationsatvery

uneasilywithher.

“Good,”hesaid,andwhensheheardtheundercurrentofdesireinthatsingleword,itseemedto

answerthefireinherownbelly.

“Thenwearegoingtohaveamealhere,becauseIhazardthatyouhavenoteatenforhours,and

afterthis...LetusgotoahotelthatIown.Icouldtakeyoubacktomypenthouse,ofcourse,butitis

fartheraway.AndIdonotthinkthatIcanwait.”

Therewassucharichsenseofpromisetohiswordsthatshefeltherselfblush.Shewouldn'thave

knownwhattosay,butfortunatelyjustthentheservercameoverwiththeirfood.

EatingatD'arcwasmeanttobeasingularexperience,butshecouldn'tkeephermindonthefoodat

all.Instead,sheate,andwitheverybite,shethoughtofMakeen'shandsonher,hismouth,hisskinhot

againsthers.Onceortwice,shesworethatthelightsomehowcaughthiseyes,makingthemglitterinthe

dark.

Thehunterhadher,sheknew,andnowshewasgoingtobedevoured.

ChapterNine

Whywasnothingevereasy?

OfcoursethemomenthegotRosebacktotheeleganthotelnotfarfromD'arc,hisphonerang.Rose

laughedwhenhesworeatit,butshealsonoddedwhenhereachedforit.

“It'sfine,”shemurmured,slippingbyhimintotheroom.“I'mgoingtotakeaquickshower.Come

andfindmewhenyou'redone...”

Despitehisgrowlofacknowledgment,Safirwasundeterred.Heshouldhaveknownthatifshewas

contactinghimafterhours,thenitwasimportant.Soalthougheverypartofhimlongedtobewatching

Roseasshetookhershower,hestayedinthesuite'slivingroom,ironingoutissuesthatprobablyshould

neverhavebeenissuesatall.IttooktwoincreasinglyangrycallstoBeijingandathreattobeonthenext

flightoutbeforethingswerestraightenedout,butfinallyheendedthecall,tellingSafirtogiveherselfa

bonusforstayingontopofthings.Andthenhesimplystoodstillforamoment.

Apartofhimwasalreadysayingthatthiswasabadidea.Roseburnedsobright,sohot,his

warriorgirl,andwhatwouldhappenwhenhepossessedthatflame?Worse,whatwouldhappenwhenhe

lostit?

Hehadtoldhertheunvarnishedtruthwithallofitswartsandflaws,andsomehowshehadseen

throughittotheheartthatlayunderneath.Whenhe’dheldherhandinthedark,hecouldsensethatshe

understoodwhathewasreallyasking.Heneededherinwaysthathedidn'tevenunderstand,andno

matterhowunwiseitwas,nomatterhowmuchwouldchangewhenthetimecameforhimtowed,hehad

tohavethis.

Makeencouldhearthattheshowerwasshutoff,andbeforehewenttofindhisbeautifulgolden

girl,hestoodstillforamoment,hiseyesdriftingclosed.Hesworeinthatsilentmomentthatshewould

nevercometopainthroughhim.Shewouldneverfindherselfhurtorlostthroughwhattheydidtogether,

andhewouldbeasgoodtoherashecould.

Then,takingadeepbreath,hewenttolookforthewomanwhoheldhisheartinhersmallhands.

***

THESHOWERWASimpressive,easilythesizeofherfirstapartmentinQueens,andRosealmost

feltasifshewasn'tallowedtodirtythemarblesurfacesandwhatshesuspectedwererealgoldfixtures

bytakingashower.

Onceshewasunderthehotspray,however,itfeltsogoodthatshedidn'twanttogetout.Thespray

didn'tcomeoutfromashowerhead,whichstartledheratfirst.Butthensherealizedthatthewaterfell

fromapanelthathungovertheshower,bathingherinafallofsoft,warmrain.

ThiswaswhatMakeen'slifewaslikeallthetime,shethought.Endlessluxuryandwealthand

somehow,underneathit,alonelinessthatwassothickshewasstartledshehadn’tsenseditbefore.

Whenshegotoutoftheshower,shecouldstillhearhimonthephone,hisvoiceswitchingfrom

EnglishtoArabicwithpracticedease.Foramoment,Rosewantedtogoouttohiminthenude,dampand

shiningandgrinning,andseeifshecouldmakehimsoundalittlehappier.Butdespitethefactthatthe

lookonhisfacewouldhavebeenamazing,sheheldherselfback.Shehadneverhadaloverwhodecided

foreignpolicywithawordbefore,andsomehowshedoubteditwouldbeagoodideatodisrupthim

whilehewasonthephone,nomatterhowmuchhappiershethoughthewouldsound.

Shefoundanivory-whitesilkrobehangingoffofadiscreethookinthedimbedroom.Whenshe

slippeditonoverhernakedskin,sheshiveredalittle.

Theroomhadanold-worldcharm.Itfeltasifithadwithstoodthetestoftime,lastingthroughwar

andtrialwiththesamekindofelegancethatithadalwayshad.Therewasanold-fashionedvanitysetup

inonecorner,andthoughshecastaspeculativeeyeattheenormousbed,shecouldn'tquitebringherself

towaitforhersheikhthere.Instead,shesatdownatthevanity,smilingalittlewhenshesawasilver-

backedbrushsittingonthecounter.Allthecomfortsofhome,ifyourhomewasinthenineteenthcentury,

butshewasn'tcomplainingatall.

Roseranthebrushthroughherhairuntilitwassoftandgleaming,shininginthedimlightofthe

hotelroom.Shelaidherbrushasideandstartedtoturnaway,butthensomethingaboutherreflection

caughthereye,andsheturnedbacktostudyherself.

Shehadneverreallybeenavainwoman,andformostofherlife,shehadn'tspentalotoftimein

frontofthemirror.Mostly,allshedidwaschecktomakesurethatherhairwasn'tanactualbird'snest

andthatshehadn'tgottenherlipglosssmearedalloverherface.Tonight,though,wasalittledifferent,

andshesatstudyingherfaceasifitwereastranger's.

Afterafewmoments,sherealizedwithamixtureofreliefanddisappointmentthatithadn't

changed.Itwasstillherface,herlips,hereyes,hernose,herchin.Itwasafacethatshehadbeentold

waspassablyprettyherwholelife,nothingtocelebrateordeplore.Andyet...

Andyetsomehow,ithadcapturedtheattentionofamanlikeMakeen.Somehow,itwasherface,

andnowhereshewas,livinginastoryshecouldbarelyunderstand,letalonemakesenseof.Sometimes,

itallfeltlikeadream,andthatatanymoment,shewasgoingtowakeupandbesimplyherselfagain.

WhatwouldhappenwhenthatoccurredandMakeenmovedontonewerpasturesandwomenwho

weresurelymoreglamorousthanshewas?Wouldshebeabletocope,goingbacktoherlifewithnothing

morethanaresignedshrug?

Sheshivered.

Orwoulditdestroyher?

Hehadbeensobluntatdinneraboutwhathewanted.Rightnow,hewantedher,andthatmuchshe

knewwasthetruth.Together,therewasakindofelectricitytothemthatcouldneverbestoppedor

silenced.Rightnow,shethoughtshewouldneverfeelthatwayforanotherman.Butdidhefeelthesame

way?Whataboutwhenhedecidedtofindthewomanwhowouldstandbyhissideashissheikha?

Still,anotherpartofhercouldn'tgetthelonelinessthatshehadheardinhisvoiceoutofhermind.

Therewassomethingsadandterriblethere,andsheachedtofixit.

Asoftsoundatthedoorwaypulledheroutofherdarkthoughts,andsheturnedtoseeMakeen

watchingherwithathoughtfullook.

“You'rethinkingtoomuch,”heobserved,steppingintotheroomandclosingthedoorbehindhim.

“Areyousure?”sheaskedwithaslightsmile.“Imean,maybeI'mjustworriedthatI'mbreaking

out,orthinkingthatmynoseisalittleoff-center.”

Helaughedalittle,comingtostandbehindher.Hishandsrestedgentlyonhershouldersbefore

reachinguptostrokehercheek.Withoutthinkingofit,Roselethereyesdriftclosedandtiltedherhead

towardshishand.Therewassomethingsoachinglygentlewhenhewaslikethis,soverysweetandkind.

Sometimes,itwashardtoimaginethathewasanyothermanthantheonehewaswithherhereinthe

dark,eventhoughsheknewhecouldbeverydifferenttotherestoftheworld.

“No,Iwouldneverthinkthatofyou,”hesaid.“There'sacertain...artlessnesstoyou.Something

sweetandunaffected.”

Roselaughedalittle.

“Areyousureyoujustdon'tmeanthatIamalotmorenaiveandcrudethanmostofthewomenyou

know?”shejoked.“Becausethatsoundsalotclosertoaccurate...”

Tohersurprise,hishandslidfromhercheektocupgentlyoverhermouth.Therewasabrief

momentwhenshewonderedifhewasgoingtostopherbreath,buttherewasnoforceofpowertohis

grip.Instead,shecouldfeelthestrengthofhisarmoverher,buttherewasalsothespicyscentofhisskin,

andthebaresttouchofhispalmoverherlips.

“Ithink,”hesaidwithconsideration,“youaredonetalkingnow,andthinkingaswell.Youarea

gorgeousandintelligentwoman,Rose,butitdoesnotseemtomatterhowoftenIoranyoneelsetellsyou

this.Youneverbelieveme,andIwillsaythatasamanofaction,itbothersmenottobebelieved.”

Therewasjustabarethreadofmenacetohiswords,buttherewassomethingelsepulsingright

thereunderthesurfacethatmadeherpause.Shewasn'tafraid,butshecouldfeelherheartbeatingfaster,

andunderneathitwasthedesirethatseemedtobeapartofthemtogether.

Shemadeaquestioningsound,andhekissedthetopofherhead.

“Shh,littleone.Ithinkitistimethatyoulaywordsaside.Youdon'tneedthemwhenyou'rewith

me.Youdefinitelydon'tneedthemtotellmehowIshouldseeyouorwhatIshouldthinkaboutyou.Iama

manoftheworld,andIknowwhatIthinkandsee.Ilookatyou,andIseeawomanthatIwantvery,very

much.Itisnotyourplacetotrytodenymeofmyownjudgment,isit?Nodifyouunderstand.”

Somethingabouthiswordstookherbreathaway,andshealmostforgotherselfuntilhegavehera

command.Shenodded,andMakeenchuckled,thesoundalmostasoftpurrinherear.

“Good.Thatisaverygoodstart.Now,Icameinherereadytotreatyoulikeaqueen,butperhaps

thatissomethingthatyouwouldn'tlikeatall...”

Rosefeltsomethinginherselftremble.Sheknewshewassupposedtowanttobetreatedlikethat,

tohaveeverywhimcateredtoandtobeinutmostcommand,butthatfeltoddlyemptyandsadtoher.She

wassureshewouldhavetakenpleasureinit,butitwouldn'thavemadeherpulseinthisdowndeepway

thathiswordsweredoingnow.

“Rightnow,”Makeensaid,hisvoicestilllowandthoughtful,“Ithinkthatwe'regoingtomakeitall

aboutwhatIwanttodowithyou.Because,beautifullittleRose,thereisnoendtothethingsthatIwantto

dowithyou.Thereisnothing,nothingatallthatIdon'twantwhenitcomestoyouandyourgorgeouslittle

body.Sotonightthisisallaboutme,andyoushouldsimplyacceptthat.Youbelongtometonight...”

AdeepshudderranthroughRose'sbodyatthosewords.Somehow,afteronlyknowingherfora

shorttime,hehadopenedupsomethinginsideherthatshehadbarelybeenawarethatshewanted.Now

thatsheknewshewantedit,however,shecouldn'tmakeherselfstopcravingit.

Yes,shewantedtobewanted.Shewantedtobedesired.Shewanted,justforalittlewhile,just

withthismaninthisplace,tostopthinkingaboutthingsandworryingandbeingterrifiedthatshewasn't

good,orthatshewasn'tgoodenough,orbeautifulenough,orcleverenough.

Makeenpulledheruptoherfeet,pressinghisbodyagainstherswithallthecasualstrengthinhis

frame.Hewasstilldressed,butshewasonlywearingasilkrobe.Whenshefoundherbodylaidagainst

his,shecouldfeelhowverythinitwas,andhowveryvulnerableshewasunderneathit.Herbreathing

grewslightlyfaster,andMakeengrinneddownather,allwhiteteethandappetite.

“Youareabeautifulwoman,Rose,”hepurred.“Idon'tthinkyoureallyknowit.Isupposeitisup

tometotrulyshowthistoyou.Iamtoointelligenttothinkthatitcanhappeninjustonenight,

but...perhapswecanstarttonight.”

Hedroppedhisheadtokissher,andtherewasutterlynohurryinit.Hetookhistime,passinghis

lipsoverhersuntiltheytingledwithsensation,andthenwhenshewasmorethanreadyformore,he

deepeneditslowly,onlygraduallypartingherlipswithhistongue.Therewassomethingalmost

hypnoticallysensuousaboutit.Shefeltasifallofthenervesinherbodyweretunedtohiskiss,and

somehowwithhiskissalone,hewassensitizingherskin,makingherfeelthedesirethroughoutherself,

fromherbreaststoherbellytoherthighsandbeyond.

Whenhefinallypulledaway,shefeltdazed,asifshewereshakyonherlegs,buthedidn'tleave

herunsupportedforverylong.Withastrengthandspeedthatmostpeopleprobablyneverevensuspected

hehad,Makeenscoopedherupinhisarms,takingthefewstridestothebed.Helaidherdownonthe

broadexpanseofthemattressbeforereachingunerringlyforthetiesofherrobe.

“Thisisbeautiful,”Makeenrumbled,“butIhavealwaysthoughtthatyourownfairskinsuitedyou

farbetter.”

Sheheldherbreathasheopenedherrobe,breathingdeeptokeepherselffromcoveringherbody

withherhands.Itwasnothinghehadn'tseenbefore,butmorethanthat,hehadsaidthatshebelongedto

himfortonight.Hewasdoingnothingmorethanlookingoverhisproperty,andthethoughtmadeher

breathealittleharder,broughtadelicateflushtoherflesh.

Heliftedhersoshelayontopofthesilk,entirelybaretohimandwaiting.Whenhewaslookingat

herwiththatkindofhunger,itwasimpossibletofeelembarrassedorasifshewaslesserortoeventhink

ofmuchofanythingatall.Instead,allshecoulddowaslookupathim,awarethatthehungershewas

feelingwasclearinhereyes.

“Suchabeautifulwoman,”hesaid,passinghishandfromhershoulderdowntoherhip.Therewas

somethingproprietaryabouthistouchandhisconfidence,andshefeltadeepthrillrunthroughher.

Hestrokedherlikethatforawhile,histouchlightandalmostimpersonal.Hegrazedhishands

overhernipples,whichtightenedhardastheylongedforhistouch.Thenwhenherbodywasnearlylitup

withwantinghim,hedroppedhismouthtoherskinandstartedtokisshereverywhere.Itbeganchastely

enough,withgentlekissesthatraineddownonherthroat,hershouldersandherarms,butslowlyit

becamemoreintimateandmoredemanding.Shegroanedashelappedatherearandthentraileddownto

hermouth,thrustinghistonguebetweenherlipswithamoreintenseneed.

Hishandsgrewrougher,andashismouthfoundhernippleandsuckledit,hishandkneadedthe

otherbreast,makinghergroanforevenmore.Shecouldn'tseemtostopherselffrombuckinguptohis

hands,writhinghelplesslywithneedforhim.Bythetimehekissedhiswaydowntohermons,shewas

whimpering,ahigh,desperatesoundinherthroat.

Hespreadherlegswithlittlemorethananudge,andperhapsearliershewouldhavebeen

embarrassedtobefoundsoneedy,butnowtherewasnothingshecoulddobutbowtohiswishes.He

tracedhisfingertipsalongherslit,drawingthembackwetwithherdesire.

“Soperfectforme,”hegrowled.“Youneedme,andyouneedthis,beautifullittleone.Don'tyou

daredenyit.”

Thesoundshemadeathisshamelesswordswashighandwanting,andallshecoulddowasnod

franticallyathim.Whenshecapitulated,hedeepenedhistouch,testingherwantingdepthsandsliding

upwardstoreachthenoduleofherpleasure.Makeenpressedhertherelightlyatfirst,andthenwitha

pressurethatmadethepleasureinsideherrisehigherandhigher.

Shewasnearlydesperatewithneedforhim,butinsteadofdeepeninghistouchorrisingoverherto

takeher,hecontinuedthepressure,onlylighteningupwhenitfeltasifshehadstartedtotremblewithher

climax.

“Please,”Rosesaidatlast.“Please,Makeen!Ineedyousomuch,please!”

Therewasatraceofstraininhislaugh,butwhenhespoke,hisvoicewasperfectlylevelandeven

amused.“Really?Tellmewhatyouwant...”

Shestutteredoverthewords.Sheknewherfacewasasredasatomato,butshecouldn'tstop

herself.Shecouldn'tstopthenextwordsfromspillingoverherlipsevenasshescrewedhereyesshut

tightagainstherpurevulnerability.

“Ohgod...OhMakeen,Iwantyou,Ineedyou.Iwant...oh,Iwantyourhands,andyourbody,andI

wantyourmouth,and...and...”

Shesobbedfranticallyashishandpressedharder.Hehadheardher,andhehadseeminglydecided

thatitwasenough.Shethoughtthathewouldstopthenandtakeher,butinstead,heonlypleasuredher

withhishand,sealinghismouthoverherstodrinkinhercries.

“Perfect,beautifullittleone,”hegrowledintohermouth.“Comeforme.Iwanttoseeyouonfire

withdesirebeforeItakeyou.Iwanttoseeyoucompletelydoneinwithneedandunabletodoanything

besidesfeelwhatIwantforyou...”

Shetriedtoholditoff.Thepleasurewassogoodandsointensethatshecouldn'tbeartoletitstop.

Shecouldfeelthequakinginherlowerbelly,thewayherlegstrembled,butshetriedtopushitaway

untilshethoughtshewouldgocrazy.Then,betweenonemomentandthenext,shecouldnotbearitany

longer,andshespilledrightovertheedge.

Thepleasurewentscreamingthroughher,makinghergroanwithneedandwantandfinallywith

satisfaction.Sheshookwhileherdesireracedthroughher,digginghernailsintohisshouldersasshe

shoutedhersatisfactiontotheroof.Shefeltasifshemightsnapintwowiththefinalculminationofher

desire,butsomehowthatdidn'thappeneither.

Instead,thepleasureechoedthroughher,gettingsofterandsofteruntilshewasspentandlimpon

thebed.ItwasonlythenthatRosenoticedhishandwasstilllightlycuppedaroundhermostdelicate

parts,warmingher,keepingathinthreadofpleasurerunningthroughherassherecovered.

“You...youhaven't...”

Hervoicewashoarseinherownears,butMakeensilencedherwithakiss.“No,shush,Iwilltake

careofmyself...”

Shestartedtoaskwhathemeant,butthenhewasrisingfromthebedtostripslowly,takinghistime

andlettingherseeeveryinchofhisperfectbody.Modestymighthaveoncemadeheraverthereyes,but

therewassomethingsobeautiful,socompellingabouthim,thatshecouldnotlookaway.Shewatchedas

herevealedhimselftoherwithoutshame,andshetookineverythingfromthepowerfulmusclesofhis

chest,tohisflatbelly,tohismanhood,darkanderectbelow.Shefeltherselfflushwithreneweddesire,

andthenhecamebacktobed,makinghergaspjustalittle.

Makeenliftedhimselfoverher,comingtokneelbetweenherspreadlegs.Inthedarklight,he

lookedlikesomekindofgodcomedowntomatewithahumanwoman,andshetookadeepbreath,

calmingtheexcitementthatflutteredinherlikeabird.

“Ihavegloriedinseeingyourpleasure,”hesaid,hisvoicepracticallyagrowl,“butnowIwill

havemyreleaseaswell...”

Hishandsscoopedherupbythehipsuntilonlyhershouldersandupperbackwereonthebed.He

heldherinplacewithastrengththatcouldalmostbecalledbrutalasheenteredherforcefullywitha

singlethrust.Shegroanedattheintensityofthesensation,buttherewasnopaintoit.Itwasonlysovivid

andpowerfulthatitmadeherentirebodysingwithrenewedneedandpleasure.

Whenhehadenteredher,Makeenlostnotime.Hestartedtothrustintoherhard,overandover

again.Shefeltlikeatoyinhisarms,andallshecoulddowassubmittothepowerofhisbodyandhis

uttercommandoverher.Shewascallinghisnameoverandoveragain,andafteramoment,sherealized

thathewascallinghersaswell,callingherbeautiful,callingherprecious,callingherhis,anditwasthis

lastthatstruckstraightthroughher.

Shecouldn'tbelieveitwhenherbodystartedtoshakeagain.Rosedugherfistsintothecovers

underneathher,archingup,hereyesshuttightandhermouthopenwithhercries.

“Oh...Oh,I...!”

Hersecondclimaxwassomehowmorepowerfulthanthefirst,tearingthroughherwithakindof

remorselessnessthatshecouldn'thaveheldoffifshetried.Itfeltasifeverythinginherwastensingup

andreleasingallatonce,andshecouldn'tstopherselffromcryingoutwiththepowerofit.

Herpleasureseemedtotriggerhis;asshewasrecoveringinadazefromthepowerofwhatshehad

gonethrough,Makeen'shandstightenedonherhips,andhestartedtothrustintoherwithevengreater

strength,evengreaterneed.Finally,hepushedintoheronefinaltime,roaringwithsatisfaction.Inthat

moment,hereyesopenedtolookathim,andshehadneverseenamanmorebeautifulthanhewas.He

wasarchedoverherlikeagodclaiminghismate,andrightthen,sheknewtherewouldneverbeanyone

elseforher,notlikehim,andnotlikethis.

Makeenfellforwardwithhishandsoneithersideofhershoulders,herhipsrestingonhisknees

andherweightsupportedbyhisbody.Sheknewthatthepositionwouldbecomeuncomfortableaftera

while,butrightthen,allshewantedwastobeevenclosertohim,tofeelthepulseofhisbody,tofeelthe

rhythmofhisheart.

Afteramoment,hepulledawayfromhergently,comingtorestnexttoheronthebed.Shecould

smellherselfonhim,couldfeeltheslicksweatbetweenthem,andinthatmoment,shethoughtshecould

neverfeelmorepleasureinalltheworld.

“You'rebeautiful,”shemurmured,andsheheardhimpurrwithpleasurenexttoher.

“Somehow,IfeelasifIshouldbesayingthattoyou,”hesaidsoftly.“Butthankyou.”

Hegatheredherinhisarms,andalthoughafewminutesagoshewouldhavesaidshehadneverfelt

moreawake,shecouldnowfeelhereyesstarttodriftclosed.Therewasnotimeafterthis.Therewas

onlythismomentwiththisman,whereshefeltasifnothingcouldeverdisruptthepowerofwhattheyhad

together.Hewashersinthismoment,andshewantednothingelse.

ChapterTen

Roseawokethenextdayaloneinthebed.Foramoment,shewonderedhowshehadendedupina

hotelroom,butthenhermemoriesreturned.Shefeltafaintwispoftrepidationassheclimbedoutofbed,

scoopinguphersilkrobefromtheflooranddrapingitoverhershoulders.

Whatwastheworldgoingtolookliketoday?ThefirsttimeshehadmadelovetoMakeen,ithad

beenabeautifulthing,wonderfulunderthebrightnightsky.Ithadseemedtocomeoutofnowhere,almost

likesomekindofamazingvisionsentfromabove.Thissecondtimewassomethingelse.Theyhadtalked

aboutwhotheywereandwhattheyneeded.Theyhadcometogetherastwoadultspulledtogetherby

passion.Sheunderstoodthathewouldmarrysomeoneappropriatesomeday,butperhapsuntilthenthere

couldbesomethingspecialandprofoundbetweenthem,somethingthatneitherofthemwouldeverregret.

Inherrobe,shewashedherfaceandbrushedherteethinthebedroom,andthensheraisedherhead

highandstrodeoutintothelivingroom.Ifhewascoldandstrangetoherthismorningaftereverything

theyhadbeentoeachotherthenightbefore,shewaspreparedtofight.Shemayhavebeenhislover,but

shewasn'thiswhore,andshewouldnotbebowed.

Anyimageshehadofhimdismissingherortreatinghercoldlydissolvedwhenshecameouttothe

livingroom,wheretherewasabreakfastfitforaqueenwaitingforher,andamanwhowasahundred

timesmorehandsomethananyprinceshecouldhaveimaginedwaitingforher,alookthatshecouldonly

callshyonhisface.

“IwashopingIwouldn'thavetowakeyou,”hesaidbywayofgreeting.“Butthefoodcame,andI

didn'twantittogetcold...”

“Italllooksamazing,”shesaidwithagrin,comingtositbyhimandexaminethefeast.She

selectedabagelwithanexoticspreadthatturnedouttobesomethingpepperyandwarm,andsheglanced

athimasshebitintoit.

“Howareyoufeeling?”sheasked,andhelookeddown.

“Alittleirresponsible,”heconfessed.“Lastnight...andthelasttimewemadelove.Wenevertalked

aboutprotection...”

Rosestaredathimforamoment,andthenshelaughed,shakingherhead.“Isthatall?”

Heblinkedather.“Is...thatnotanissue?”

“Well,Idon'trecommendassumingthatthingsarejustgoingtoworkoutwellforyou,butthetruth

ofthematteristhatI'mafull-grownwomanwhohashadtothinkaboutthatsortofthingsinceIstarted

havingsex.IhaveanIUD.We'refine.”

Itwashardtoreadtheexpressionsonhisfacethatfollowed.Shehadexpectedrelieforperhapsa

joke,buttherewassomethingregretfulthere,somethingthatfinallyresolvedintoaruefulsmile.

“Youareaspreparedasalways,”hesaid.“Asanygoodwarriorwouldbe.”

Shemighthaverespondedifshehadn'tsuddenlybeenstartledwithanimageoftwolittlechildren

withMakeen'sdarkeyesandwarmskin,hissmileandhisdarktousledhair.Themomenttheimage

occurred,itfaded,leavingherslightlyshakenandtryingtohideit.

Hell,whataterribletimeformybiologicalclocktoshowup,shethoughtindismay,shakingthe

fragmentsofthatfeelingoffofher.

“Idotrytofightthegoodfight,”shesaid.“Speakingofwhich,Iwanttotalktoyouaboutwhatyour

plansmightbeforLiteracyforAll.Itsoundsamazing,butnowweneedtotalknutsandbolts,andthat

meansIneeddetails...”

Bythetimeshehadtobebackintheclassroom,theyhadhashedoutavarietyofthings,including

moreadvancedclasses,computerprogramsthatmightbeofuse,andfindingteacherswhowerededicated

tothesubjectmatter,bothfromAkramandabroad.Makeenlookedlikeheexpectedhertofighthimwhen

itcametothelocalteachers,butRosethoughtitwasanamazingidea.

“AndthatwaytheycanengagethekidsonalevelthatImightnotbeabletogetto.Soundsfantastic

tome...”

Hehadlookedsurprisedandthengratefulashepulledherintohisarms.

“Thankyou,”hesaidsoftly.“Perhapsnotallforeignersareselfishpeoplewhowantonlyto

forwardtheirownagendas.”

“Andmaybenoteveryonewithpowerwantstokeepeveryonewithoutitinthedirt,”shesaid

sweetly,makinghimlaugh.

“It'salmosttimeforyoutogettoclass,beautifulone,”hesaid,shakinghishead.“Unfortunately,I

willbeinmeetingsuntillate,andafterthat,IammeetingwithinvestorsinDubai.Imightnotseeyou

againuntiltheweekend.”

“Aw,I'msorrytohearthat,”shesaid,makingaface.“Ifit'sokay,Icouldsendyouirritating

messagesabouthowmyday'sgoing...”

Tohersurprise,hisfacelitup,andhegrinned.“Nothingwouldpleasememore.”

Andthatwasthat.Sheranhomequicklytoputonfreshclothes,andafterthat,hedroppedheroffat

theschool.Thestudentscouldtelltherewassomethinggoingonwithher,butshefigurednoneofthem

couldhaveguessedthatshewasthinkingaboutthesheikh.Afewofthegirlsaskedherinawehowshe

hadgottentoknowhim,andwithaslightsmile,shegavethemaneditedversionoftheirmeetinginNew

York.

Itwasaslightchallengeovercomingthelanguagebarrier,butbytheend,thestudentshadlearneda

fewnewphrases,andRosecouldactuallyseethatnightforhowhilariousithadbeen.Andoddly,ina

certainway,itwasromantic.Justwhenshewasreadytoswearoffoflovealtogether,Makeenhad

appeared,takingherbreathaway.

Thewordloveechoedinhermind,andwhilethestudentswerebusyingthemselveswiththe

worksheetsshehadprintedupforthem,shepausedtothinkaboutit.Forwhatfeltlikethefirsttime,she

thoughtaboutitwithoutflinchingandwonderedwhatitwouldmeanforherfuture.Atsomepoint,perhaps

whenhewastouchingherorkissingher,orperhapswhenhewasmerelysmilingather,she’dknownthat

shelovedhim.

It'sallright,shetriedtotellherself.Lovecanlooklikealotofdifferentthings.Itmightnotlast,

butitisrealnow,andthatiswhatmatters.

However,whenRoselookedaheadtoatimewhenshemightnotloveMakeenanylonger,shecame

upempty.Shecouldn'timagineit.Theideaofatimewhenshewouldnotbeabletolovehimwas

somethingthatmadehershyaway.

Whatwasshegoingtodo?

Oneofthestudentsraisedhishand,andshewenttohelphim.Afterthat,heranswerwasalittle

clearer.

I'mgoingtobemyself.Iwillfightforthisschoolandthesestudents,andIwillnotbackdown.I

refusetobackdown.

Hehadcalledherhiswarriorgirl,andthetermofendearmenthadmadehersmilethen.Nowit

madeherfeelmoredeterminedthanever.Herfirstcausewasn'therownpleasureorevenherownlove.

No,shehadthrownherselfintothegoalscitedbyLiteracyforAll,andshewasgoingtostickwiththem.

WithMakeen'shelp,theyweregoingtobeamazing,andshewasgoingtobethereeverystepoftheway.

Thestudentscheeredwhenclasswasover,andasshesawthemdisappearingintothestreet--

some,sheknew,togohomeandteachtheirlittlesiblingsandtheirparentswhattheyhadlearned--she

knewthatshehadtobestrong,nomatterwhathappenedbetweenherandMakeen.Hewasherally,but

shewastheonewithacause.

***

ROSEEXPECTEDTHATshewasn'tgoingtohearmuchfromMakeenwhilehewasinDubai,but

tohersurprise,thatwasn'tthecase.Theysaidgoodmorning,theysaidgoodnight,andinbetween,hesent

herplentyofobservationsaboutwhathewasseeinganddoing.Sheenjoyedhistextstothepointof

almostlaughingoutloudwhileherstudentsweretryingtotakeatest,andthenshetextedbacktohim.

You'retextingalot.Agirlcouldgetthewrongidea....

Shemeantittobefunandflirty,butthentherewasalongpausebeforehestartedtypingbackto

her.Inthefewsecondsthatittookforhismessagetoappear,herheartflutteredinherchest,makingher

feelworriedandflustered.Hadshesaidsomethingincrediblyimpolitewithoutknowingit?Hadshe

endeduprevealingtoomuchofherself?

DoyoufeellikeyouareapartofmylifeandthatIcarewhatyouknowaboutit?

Shepausedforamoment,andthenhesitantlyansweredintheaffirmative.

Good!

Forsomereason,thatresponsebroughttearstohereyes.Itwasn'tfair.Themenshehadbeenwith

beforeweren'tterrible,buttherewassomethingmissingintheirinteractions.Theykepttheirlives

separatefromhers,andsome,likeRoger,weredownrightsecretive.Rogermadeherwonderwhatthe

otheroneswerehiding.Butnowshe’dmetamanwhocouldneverbehers,andyethetreatedherasifshe

reallywereafairytaleprincess.

Sometimes,inthedarknessofherroom,shewantedtocry.Moreoften,though,whenshesawatext

thathehadsenther,orapictureofsomethingthathethoughtwouldamuseher,shesmiledinstead.She

countedthedaysuntilhegotback,andthensuddenly,rightbeforeherweekendhewasthereagain.

WhenMakeenappearedatherapartmentdoor,shethoughtshehadneverseenhimlookso

handsome,despitetherumpledclothinganddarkcirclesunderhiseyes.

“Itookthejetback,”hesaidwithatiredsmile.“Butthereweresomemechanicalproblems,and

wesatontherunwayforalmosttwohours.”

“Oh,sonoteventhegreatsheikhofAkramcanforcetheplanetoflywhenitdoesnotwishto?”

Roseaskedwithateasingsmile.Shehookedafingerintohisbeltloopanddrewhimintoherapartment,

latchingthedoorbehindhimwithafirmclick.Shehadalwaysbeenawomanwhocaredverymuchwhat

wasgoingoninthegreaterworld,butrightnow,withthemanshewantedlikeshewantedfreshwater

rightinfrontofher,allshecoulddowasshutitallout.

“ThegreatsheikhofAkramwouldlikeverymuchtobewiththewomanhehasbeenthinkingabout

forthepastweek,”heretorted,andwithastrengththatwasn'tlessenedatallbyhistiredstate,heswept

herintoadeepkiss.Shecouldfeeleverypartofherbodylightupathispossession,andsheknewthat

waswhereshewantedtobe,foreverandever.

***

THENEXTFOURmonthspassedasifshewereinadream.ChangesattheLiteracyforAllcenter

beganveryquickly,andwithinamonth,anotherpairofteachersjoinedher.Theclassesgrewwhile

remainingfreeforallwhowantedthem,andtherewasoneeveningclassforolderpeoplewhowantedto

comeinandlearnaswell.Rosehadhopesthattherewouldbeenoughinterestinanotherclassthatcould

meetintheveryearlypartsofthemorning.Shewaspleasedthatshedidnothavetoteachit,sinceshe

wasnevermuchofanearlybird,buttheideaofhavingmoretimeswherepeoplecouldlearnappealedto

heragreatdeal.

And,ofcourse,therewasMakeen.

Theywerebothbusy.Toacertainextent,Makeenhadmademoreworkforherthanever.Shewas

alwaystrackingdownsomeresourceorother,talkingwithpeopleaboutwhattheywantedandhowthey

couldgetit,teachingherclassortrainingtheotherpeopleinit.Therewasseldomadullmomentwhen

shewasontheclock,butwhenshewasdonefortheday,shelikedtobedone.

Onenight,sheandMakeenweresnuggleduptogetherinaprivaterooftopjacuzzi,oneofthemany

benefitsofhispenthouse.Shefeltfartoodulltoenteritwearingheroldblackone-pieceswimsuit,butin

theend,thecallofthehotbubblingwaterandMakeeninnothingbutapairofswimshortswastoomuch.

Whenshehaddroppedintothewater,shehadgaspedfirstattheheat,andthencuddledupnextto

himwithasoundofpurepleasure.

“BackwhenIwasworkinginManhattan,thingsweresotense,”shefoundherselfsaying.“IthinkI

wasworkingsixtyhourweeksthereforawhile,andIwasprettysureIwasgoingtoburnoutbeforeIhit

twenty-five.Isawpeoplewhowereworkingatleastasmuchasme,butforsomereason,theyjustkept

ongoingstrong.Mymentorwasoneofthose,andoneday,whenIthoughtthatonemoresetbackwas

goingtomakemeburstintotearsorstartbeatingpeoplewithmybriefcase,Iaskedherhowsheand

otherscopedwithit.”

Shepaused,shakingherheadandsmilingslightly.

“Howdidsheandtheotherscopewithit?”

“Well,thefirstwordoutofhermouthwascocaine,butwhenIlookedather,shocked,shelaughed

atme,andthenshetoldmewhathersecretreallywas.Shesaidthekeytobeingabletoworkhardandto

keepworkinghardwastoplayhardaswell.Workaslongasyouneedto,andshealwayssaidthatweall

neededtoworklonghours,butthetruthwasthatwhenyouweredone,youshouldbedone.”

Hepressedakisstoherforeheadandgrinnedather.God,hecouldlighttheworldwiththatgrin.

“Soyouaredoneworkingtoday,mywarriorgirl?You'redonefightingfortherightsofothers,and

youaredoneturningLiteracyforAllintoalastinginstitution?”

Shesmiledathim.“Theworkisneverdone,butIamdefinitelydonefortheday.Timetostop

working...timetostartplaying.”

Herhanddriftedunderthewater,trailingalonghischestanddowntothehardmuscleofhisthigh.

Shecouldfeelhisbodyrespondtohers,andboldly,moreboldlythansheeverhadbefore,shesqueezed

thehardeningfleshbetweenhislegs.

“Woman,youwillbethedeathofme,”hegrowled,teethclenched,butsheonlylaughedathim

softlyandwithdelight.

“Ithinkitmightbeadeaththatwouldleaveyousmiling,though,wouldn'tit?”

Hestartedtoanswerher,butanticipatinghim,shesqueezedagain,laughingwhenheswore.

“Youhaveaveryinterestingdefinitionofplaying,”Makeengroundout,butthenbeforeshecould

squeezehimagain,heliftedherclearofthewater,walkingbothofthemdrippingtowardsthedoor.

Rosesquealedasthecoolerairhither,andthenshecouldn'tstoplaughing.“Youcan'tcarryme

insidelikethis.We'regoingtogetwateralloveryourapartment!”

“Fine,”Makeenretorted.“That'swhatIpaymycleaningstafffor.”

Shestartedtooffermoreobjections,butthenhethrewherlightlydownonthecouch.Somehow,the

factthatheneededhertoomuchtoevengettothebedroomtookherbreathaway,andthenhewaspeeling

herswimsuitdownherbody.

“IthinkIamgoingtoburnthis,”hesaidconversationally.“Ihavethejacuzzihere,andperhapsnext

weekwewillgotomyhomeinthecountry.Itisveryisolated,andthereisaveryhighfencearoundthe

pool.Veryprivate.Idon'tseewhyyouneedaswimsuitatall,ifIambeingperfectlyfrank...”

Shestartedtoretortthatofcourseshewouldneedaswimsuit,butthenhishandcuppedher

betweenthelegs,drawingthesamecryfromherthatshehadfromhim.

“Turnaboutismorethanfairplay,Ithink,”hesaidwithapurr.“AndIbelievethatyouwerejust

tellingmesomethingaboutworkinghardandplayinghard,Ithink...”

Therestoftheeveningdissolvedintoablurofpleasure.Atonepoint,shelookedupathim,and

shecouldn'tpreventthejoythatshefeltfrombubblingupintolaughter.

“Whatisit?”heaskedwithasmile,andallshecoulddowasshakeherhead.

Iamsohappywithhim,Rosethought.

ChapterEleven

Thesamementorwhohadtoldheraboutworkinghardandplayinghardalsohadadarkersaying,

oneconcerningfun.

“Itdoesn'tlast,”shesaid,shakingherhead.“Whenyouhavesomethinggood,hangontoitwith

bothhands,butmaybedon'tbesurprisedwhenit'stornfromyou.Orwhenitwalksaway.”

HerwordsechoedinRose'sears,butsherefusedtoheedthem.Ongooddays,shethoughtthings

werefartooperfecttoeverend,andthatofcourseMakeenagreedwithher.Ondarkerdays,oneswhere

sheorMakeenweretoobusytomaketimeforeachother,shewouldthinkthatthishappinesswasenough.

However,thewordswereneverlouderinhermindthanonedaywhenshesuddenlypausedwhile

brushingherteeth.Hermindhadbeenfocusedonnothingatall,butsuddenlyandwithafeelingthatshe

wasfallingthroughthefloor,shewonderedwhenherlastperiodshouldhavebeen.

Roseforcedherselftocalmlyfinishbrushingherteeth.Therewasnosituationthatwouldbe

improvedbyherrunningheadlongintoitwithherfacesmearedwithtoothpaste.Sheknewthat,atthevery

least.

Soshefinishedbrushingherteeth.Butthensherantoherphonewhereshepulledupthecalendar.

Shecouldseewithasinkingheartthatshewaslate,andthingsbeingasbusyastheywere,ithadactually

takenherafewmonthstonotice.

Thisdoesn'tnecessarilymeanwhatyouthinkitmeans,shethoughttoherself.You'vebeenunder

alotofstress.You'reonbirthcontrol.Thereareamillionreasonswhythingsmightbealittleless

regularthantheyshouldbe...

ShewasalmostrelievedthatMakeenwasgoingtobeoutoftownforafewdays.Shehadseenhim

offthenightbefore,andthenshehadthoughtshewouldbedriventodistractionbyhisabsence.However,

nowshewasgratefulforitasshedecidedwhatsheneededtodo.

Itwasoneofherfreedayswhereshewasmeanttoberesearchingmoreoptionsandopportunities

fortheschool,butshedidn'tthinkshewouldbegettingverymuchworkdonethatday.

Therewasadrugstorearoundthecorner,andshesilentlythankedherluckystarsthatshewasin

thebigcitywherenoonewouldremarkonherpurchaseatall.Still,shekepthereyesdownandpaid

quicklywithcashuntilshegothomeandcouldtearopenthecardboardcasewithshakinghands.

TheinstructionswerethankfullyprintedinbothEnglishandArabic,andtheywerestraightforward.

Afterward,shecouldn'tstandtobeinthebathroomtofindoutwhatwashappening.Instead,shewentto

paceinherlivingroomandthenturnedbackwhenherphone'stimerrang.

Theresults,twolinescrossingtheabsorbentwindow,madeherkneesshake.

Shesatdownontheedgeofthetub,staringatthetestinherhand.Sheknewtherewerethingsthat

couldalterthetestresults.Thetestevencautionedherthattherewasnorealconfirmationuntilshehad

spokenwithadoctor.

Still,therewaswhatshehadtoconfirmandwhatsheknew,andsomewheredeepinsideher,the

knowledgechimedlikeabell.

Shewaspregnant.Shewasgoingtohaveababy.ShewasgoingtohaveMakeen'schild.

Shefeltlightheaded,asifshewerefloatingaboveherselfandlookingdownatthewomanwho

stoodaloneinherbathroom.Shenotedhowsmallshelooked,howshetriedtomakeherselfsmallerby

hunchinghershouldersandpressingbackintothewallbehindher.

Afterafewmoments,herbreathingslowedandshewasmoreaware.Rosenotedthatshehad

strappedherarmsacrossherbelly,asiftoprotectthelifethatshewassuddenlycertainwasgrowing

insideher.Sheloosenedherarms,butshekeptherhandsoverwhatshenowrealizedwasaveryslight

rise.

WhenRoselookedupintothemirror,shesawthatinadditiontoterror,therewasalsowonderon

herface.Shehadthoughtaboutmotherhoodoffandon,ofcourse.Shewouldbesurprisedifeverywoman

didn'tatleastthinkaboutit.However,shehadalwaysthoughtitwouldbeathingthathappenedlater,that

wouldoccursomedaywhenshewassettledandreadyandplanningforit.Shehadneverthoughtthatthis

wouldbehowithappened...

Herthoughtswerestilltangledinamessofhissingsnakeswhenthephonerang.

Foramoment,shefrozelikeahuntedanimal,andthen,herhandshakingslightly,sheansweredit.

Sheknewwhoitwaswithoutevenglancingatthenameonthescreen.

“Hello?”

Therewasthesoundofpeopletalkinginthebackgroundandsilverwareclinkingonplates.She

heardhimchuckle,asoundthatneverfailedtowarmher.

“Thatdoesn'tsoundveryalert,”teasedMakeen.“DidImanagetogetyououtofbedonyourday

off?”

“Yeah,”shesaidwithaslightlaugh.“I'mstillfeelingprettygroggy.”

Lateron,shewouldthinkabouthoweasilythelieshadcometoher,andshewouldbeashamed.

Rightnow,however,allshecoulddowashangontothephone,herknucklesgoingwhiteandherfree

handpoisedprotectivelyoverherbelly.

“I'msorryaboutthat,sweetheart,”hesaid,slightlycontrite.“Areyoufeelingallright?”

“I'mgoingtobefine,justtired,Ithink.”

“Well,Ican'ttalklong,Ineedtogetbacktothisbreakfastthey'reholdingforallthedelegates.If

youdon'tstrictlyneedtowork,maybethiswouldn'tbeabadtimetocrawlbackintobed?”

“IthinkI'lldothat,”shelied.“Pullingthecoversovermyheadsoundsprettyamazingrightnow.”

“Poorthing.Makesurethatyougetplentyofwaterbeforeyoutuckintobed,allright?Ifyouare

sick,plentyofrestandwatermightbeenoughtoturnitinitstracks.”

“Thankyou,”shesaid,andshemeantit.Itdidn'tmatterthatherailmentwasactuallyfardifferent

fromwhathethoughtitwas.“ButIshouldn'tkeepyou.Imissyou,though.”

ThelastcameoutofRose'smouthalmostwithoutherwill.Itwasthetruth,perhapstheonlytrue

thingshehadsaidduringthisconversation,andshedidn'tregretitatall.

“Imissyoutoo,darling,”hesaidafterapause.“I'llletyousleep,butifyouthinkaboutit,giveme

acalltonight,allright?EvenifIcan'tanswer,I'llbehappytohearfromyou.”

Sheagreed,andthen,thoughRosegenerallylikedlingeringovertheirphonecalls,shequicklyhung

up.Shewasworriedthatthemoretheyspoke,themorelikelysomethinginsideherwasgoingtobreak

andthenthetruthwouldcomespillingout.

Rosefeltasifshewasgoingtoburst,andshestartedpacinginherapartment.Onceortwice,she

caughtherselfstrokingherbelly,andnowshecouldfeelthattherewasdefinitelyaslightrisethere.Her

breastshadbeenfeelingalittlesoreaswell,andwhenshethoughtaboutit,thefatigueshefeltlatelywas

frommorethansimplysettinguptheprogramsforLiteracyforAll.Allthesignshadbeenthere,and

somehowshehadbeentoobusytonoticethem.

No,notbusy,shethought.Tooinlove.

Thatwasthecruxofit.Shewasinlovewithamanwhowasgoingtomarrya“proper”woman

someday,awomanwhodidnothaveherproblematicpassionsandwhowouldstandnexttohimasa

beautifulpropforhispublicperformances.

Ifshechosetostay,shewouldbeamistress,andifshechosetogo,shewouldlosethemanwho

hadshapedhowshesawtheworld,howshefeltneedandpassionandcare.Shewouldleavethefatherof

herchild,andwhoknewwhatwouldhappenthen?

Shethoughtoftheconversationthatshe’dhadwithhimaftertheirnightathishotelroommonths

ago.Hehadaskedheraboutbirthcontrol,butnowshewonderediftherehadbeensomethingelsethereas

well.Whatwouldhedoifhefoundoutthatshewascarryinghischild?Whatwouldhesay?Inthat

moment,itstruckherthatthereweresomanythingstheyhadnevertalkedabout,andacoldfearran

throughher.

“Iwon'tlethimtakeyou,”shewhispered,lookingdownatherbelly.Shetriedtotellherselfthat

shewasbeingsilly.Makeenhadalwaysbeenareasonableman,andhehadalwaysbeensomeonewho

wouldlistentoher.Butnowthattherewasachildontheline,ababywhomightevennowbesleepingin

herbody,sheneededtobemoresurethansure.

Afterall,shethought,dressingherselfmethodically.Hehasalwayscalledmehiswarriorgirl.He

shouldn'tbesurprisedwhenIdecidetofightformychild.

Shedressed,andafterabriefsearchonherphone,shewasoff.Therewasaclinicthattookwalk-

insashortdistancefromherapartment,andtwohourslater,shewassittinginfrontofatired-faced

womanwholookedasifshehadbeenworkingforfartoolong.

“Well,thetestisconclusive,”thewomansaid.“Youarepregnant.”

Rosehadbeensittinginthewaitingroomforhours,thinkingaboutthisprobablemoment

happening.Whenthenewscametoher,shewasasstillasastone.Thedoctorlookedlikeshewas

expectingsobsorcheers,andwhenshegotneither,shepausedandthencontinued.

“ThefirstthingImustaskisaboutthefather.Isheinthepicture?”

Rosefoundherselfshakingherhead.“No.Iamonmyown.”

Thewoman'sexpressionshiftedslightly,andRosewonderedifthedoctor'svoicebecamemore

curt,moreclipped.Itwouldn'tsurpriseher.TherewereplentyofcliniciansinAkramwhowouldnever

approveofachildoutofwedlock,andthingswerenodifferentintheUnitedStates.

“Thisisnotanofficethatwillprovideregularneonatalcare,”shesaid.“Instead,thereceptionist

cangiveyoualistofpractitionerswhoaregoingtobeavailabletoyou.”

“Thatwon'tbenecessary,”Rosefoundherselfsaying.“IamplanningongoingbacktotheUnited

Statesveryshortly.”

Thedoctormadeafewmorecommentsaboutflyingwhilepregnant,butaftershesaidthosewords,

Roseheardeverythingasthoughitwasthroughtheroaroftheocean.Atsomepoint,sheimaginedthatshe

managedtobidthedoctorgoodbyeandpaythereceptionist,butbeyondthat,itwasallablur.

Suddenly,Rosewasstandingonabusysidewalk,peoplestreamingaroundeitherside.Therewasa

babbleofvoicesallaround,peoplespeakingEnglish,peoplespeakingArabic,andshecouldn't

understandanyofit.Eversinceshehadspokenthosewordsinthedoctor'soffice,itwasasifapartof

herhadswitchedoff.

Becauseitwastrue,wasn'tit?

Ifshewasgoingtoact,sheneededtoactsoon,andthatmeantgoingtotheUnitedStates.Inthe

UnitedStates,andwithherchildbornasacitizenoftheUnitedStates,shewouldhavemorecontrolover

thesituationthanshewouldifshewereaforeignnationalinAkramandhersonwerebornintheUAE.

Shedidn'tknowwhatthelawswerethatgovernedsuchthingsinAkram,butsheknewshehadtoactfast.

Roseclosedherhandsoverherbellyagain,feelingforthesparkoflifethatshenowknewwas

there.

“Iwilltakecareofyou,Iwillloveyou,andIwillprotectyou,”shesworefiercely.“Iwillnever

letanyonetakeyouawayfromme.Iwillneverletanyoneharmyou.”

ShecouldfeelthepartofherthatMakeenreferredtoasherwarriorspiritriseup.Hehadalways

sensedinherapowerfulurgetogetthingsdoneandtohelpthosewhocouldnothelpthemselves,and

nowifhecrossedher,hewasgoingtobearthefullbruntofit.

Shelovedhim,butnow,beyondashadowofadoubt,sheknewshehadresponsibilitiesthatshe

couldnotshirk.

AsRosestartedtowalk,hermindwaswhirlingwithplans.Sheneededtomove,sheneededto

movefast,andsheneededtomovebeforeMakeengotbacktoAkraminfourdays.

Thatwasenough,shedecided.

Itwouldhavetobe.

***

WHENMAKEENENDEDhiscallwithRose,hefeltstrangelyunsettled.

Hereturnedtothemealandthepeoplewhoweretryingtocourthisfavor,butattheendofit,he

couldtellthathismindwasn'tonit.Instead,hismindkeptflyingbacktoAkramlikesomekindofworried

bird,desperatetocheckonRose.Hewasn'tsurewhenhehadbeguntomovetowardsthinkingofheras

hiswoman,butitwasthere,evenifhesuspectedthatshewouldn'tnecessarilylikeit.

Shewashiswoman,andinhisworld,thewayhehadbeenraised,andthemanhewas,thatmeant

thathehadtolookafterher.Hesmiledtohimselfathowmuchitmadehimsoundlikeacaveman,a

barbarian,buttherewassomethingaboutitthatsimplyfeltrighttohim.Shewashis,andsoitwashis

dutytotakecareofher.

Heknewshewasastrongwoman,andofcourseshecouldtakecareofherself.Thatwasoneofthe

thingsthathaddrawnhimtoherinthefirstplace.Shewasfierceandindependent,andshefoughtfor

whatwasright.

However,somepartofhimcouldn'tquitegettheimageofherlyingsadandmiserableinbedoutof

hismind.Duringameetinglaterthatday,hethoughtabouthowisolatedshewasinherlittleapartmentall

byherself.Didshehavefoodinthehouse?Hadshegottenthemedicationthatsheneeded?

ThoughtsofRosealoneplaguedthedayandthatevening,especiallywhenallhereceivedwasa

shorttextsayingshewastootiredtochatbutthatshehopedhehadagoodnight.

Bymorning,afteronlyreceivingasinglemessagefromher,hewasgettingevenmoreconcerned,

butunfortunatelytherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutitimmediately,evenifhewantedto.

WhenSafirhadtoldhimaboutatapedtalkshowappearancethathehadcommittedtoayearago,

hehadsworn.Shehadwaitedhimoutpolitelybeforesheaskedhimwhetherhehadagoodsuittowear.

Thankheavensforgoodassistants,becauseotherwisenoonewouldknowhowhelooked,he

thoughtwhileputtingonhissuitmutinously.

MakeentoldhimselfthattherewasnoreasontodrawoutthingsinDubailongerthantheyhadto

go.TherewasnoreasonnottocutthingsshortandheadbacktoAkramearly.Perhapstomorrow,orthe

dayafterifhewantedtomakesurethateveryonewashappy,hecouldbeonthejetbacktoAkram,back

tothearmsoftheonlywomanwhohadevermadehimtremblewithpassion.

Theridetothetelevisionstationwasshort,buthecouldn'tkeephismindonthetaskathand.

Instead,heonlythoughtofwherehecouldgotogetRoseadecentbonebroth,somethingthatwouldbe

nourishingtoherifshewasillforverylong.

Hewasstillthinkingofherwhenthestudiorepresentativewasgettinghismicpinnedtohisjacket.

Hedidn'tlookupuntilhewasalmostdoneandthereptoldhimthathisaccompanyingguestwasgoingto

bethereinjustafewmoments.

Makeenfrownedreflexively.Hehadn'tbeenpreparedforanotherguest,andhecertainlywasn't

preparedforonewherehemighthavetoargueordebate.

HewasjustaskingwhoitwasgoingtobewhenKamalaben-Issanblewintothestudio,

apologizingforhertardiness.Shepausedasastudiorepresentativegotamiconher,butthensheturned

toMakeenwithsurprisedeyes.

“Ididn'texpectthattheotherguestwasgoingtobeyou,”shesaid,andhesmiled.

“Well,Iwillsaythatthisisaverypleasantsurprise,”Makeensaid,grinningwithrelief.

Kamala'smotherandhismotherhadbeengoodfriends;theywenttothesameuniversityinDubai,

andheandKamalahadallbutgrownuptogether.HerememberedKamalaasayoungfirebrandinpunk

jacketsandwithherheadhalf-shaved,butthecomposedandelegantyoungwomanwhonowtookhis

handwarmlylookednothingliketherebelshehadbeen.Hehadheardafewyearsbackthatshehad

decidedtoactmoresubtly,puttingherskillstouseforwomenandunderrepresentedpartiesintheUAE

whilelookingelegantinsteadofradical.Asfarashecouldtell,itwasworkingquitewell.

“Youlookmarvelous,”hesaidwithagrin.

“What,youdidn'tliketheshreddeddenimandtornleather?”Shelaughed.“Mymotherdidn'tlikeit

either.Shelikesthisbetter,butshe'sstillnotcrazyaboutmypolitics.”

Theyhadtoquietdownastheshowstarted,andthentheywerebeingbroughtoutontothestagefor

theirterriblydullanduninformativeinterview.Theonlygoodthingaboutdoingtheseinterviews,Makeen

thought,wasthatitmeanthecouldputoffdoinganotheronelikeitforquitesometime.

Thehostwaslobbingthembothsoftballquestions...whattheyweredoing,howtheywereenjoying

theweather.Makeenwasslightlycynical,Kamalawascharming,anditwasgoingwell,oratleasthe

thoughtitwasuntilthehostleanedalittlecloser.

“Nowyoutwoneedtostopbeingsocoy,”hesaid.“We'veallheardtherumors.Areyou,oraren't

you?”

Thiswasstandardpracticeforhosts,Makeenthoughtprivatelywithdisgust.Therewerenorumors,

oratleasttherewouldn'thavebeenanyuntilthisshow.HestartedonhisusualspielofKamalabeinga

beautifulwoman,evenifhewasn'tlookingforasheikhaquiteyet,butthenthehostturnedtothestudio

audience.

“Itsoundsalotlikethey'rebeingshyaboutit,”hecried.“Perhapsweshouldgivethemsome

encouragement?”

Thecrowdcheeredwildly,andthankstoahastilyscrawledsignfromsomejuniorinternwho

Makeenbetternotcatchaftertheshow,theystartedchantingkiss,kiss,kiss!

HeglancedatKamala,whowascomposedandseemedevenamusedbyallthis.Notterriblylong

ago,hewouldhavebeentoo,buthethoughtofRosewithdismay.Kamalaglancedathimwiththetiniest

ofshrugs,andheknewthattherewasreallyonlyonewaytogetoutofthesituationgracefully.

Tothecheersoftheaudience,hepeckedKamalaonthecheekthensatbackasshelaughed,

coveringherfacewithherhandsanddoingacrediblejobofbeingembarrassed.

Heturnedtothehostwithacoolsmile.

“Asamatteroffact,thereisnothingtothoserumors,”hedrawled.“Ijustcouldn'tresisttheurgeto

kissthebeautifulKamala.”

Theaudiencelaughed,andheknewhowitwouldgodown.Kamalawouldbelaudedforher

beauty,peoplewouldeyerollathisanticsbecausehewasarake,andbynextweek,noonewould

rememberit.

Also,assoonashegotofftheset,hewouldtellSafirnevertobookhimonthisnetworkagain,but

thatwasforthefuture.

Aftertheyhadgottentheirmicsremoved,Kamalaturnedtohimwithabriefsmile.

“Thatwasneatlyhandled,”shesaid,andhesmiledather.

“Hopeitwasn'ttoounpleasant.”

“Notatall,”sheconfirmed.“Infact,itwassopleasantthatIwaswonderingifyoumightlikemeto

havemyfathercallonyou.”

Ittookafewmomentsforhimtofigureoutwhatshewassaying,andthenhehadtolookather

again.

“Itakeityou'renotaskingyourfathertogetaftermewithadogwhipforthatlittlestunt...”

“Notatall,”shesaidlightly.“Ihavejusthadmyeartotheground,andtherearemanypeoplewho

aresayingthatthegreatsheikhofAkrammightbelookingaboutforasheikhaatsomepoint.Iamnot

sayingyestoanythingexceptperhapsspendingsomemoretimetogether,aswedidwhenwewere

younger,butperhapsthatcanleavedoorsopentootherventures,no?”

Shewasgonebeforehecouldprocesswhatitwasshewassaying.Hestaredafterher.Then,

shakinghishead,hegotintohiscaranddrovebacktothehotel.

Kamalawasabeautifulwoman,elegant,poisedandexperiencedinthegamethesamewaythathe

was.Shewouldbeasheikhathatanycountryorsheikhcouldbeproudof,andsoundingsomehow

damning,hecouldhearinthebackofhisheadthewordshehadspokentoRoseallthosemonthsago.

Kamalawasperfect.Inanotherworld,hewasalreadycallingSafir,tellinghertomakearrangementswith

Kamala'sfamily,andbeingpleasedthatlifewasgoingwell.

However,helivedinthisworld,andinthisworldhiswarriorgirlwassickinbed.

Tomorrow.HewouldbeinAkramtomorrow,andthenhecouldreassurehimselfthatshewassafe

andhappy.Thatwasallthatwasimportant.

ChapterTwelve

Ifshehadn'tbeenrunningaroundpanicked,Rosewouldhavebeenimpressedathowshemanaged

togetthingstogether.Aftershemadeherdecision,thefirstpeopleshecalledweretheoneswhowere

runningLiteracyforAll.Theyhadbeensaddenedtoloseher,butshehadmadesurethattherewasnoway

forAkramorMakeentotakebackthethingshehadprovided.Ittookseveralhoursofconferencing,but

afterthat,sheknewshecouldleavetheschoolandthestudentsingoodhands.

Apartofherfeltadeepwrenchtobeleavingitatall,butwhenitcamerightdowntoit,everypart

ofherwastellinghertogetbacktosafety,tohaveherchildinaplacewheretheywouldbothbesafe.

Inthebackofhermind,itfeltasiftherewasaweepingwomanthatshehadlockedaway.Ifshe

listenedtothatwomanfortoolong,shewouldhearthesoundsofsobbingandbegging,everyinsidious

voicetryingtoconvincehertostayandtalktoMakeen.Surelyhewouldunderstand.Surelyitwould

changehismindaboutwhathewantedwithawife.

Sure,therestofherjibed.Sure,he'llchangehismindandmarryalittlenobodyfromNewYork.

That'sexactlywhatrichmendowhenthey'veknockeduptheirgirlfriends.

Shehadseenthestoryhappentimeaftertime,anditneverseemedtochange.Atbest,shewould

endupwithahouseandsomemoneybeingpaidtoheraccountaslongasshepromisedtonevermakeany

kindofwaves.Atworst...

Sheshivered.

Atworst,hewouldkeepherandthentakeherchild.ThepowerthatthesheikhsoftheUAE

wieldedwasimmense,andmorethanonceshehadseenMakeenwieldthatpowerhimself.Shehadseen

himuseitforgreatgood,butshealsoknewthathecouldhaveatemperwhenhewascrossed.

Thesobbingwomaninthebackofherheadpoundedonthebarsatthethoughtthatshewouldnever

seehimagain,butinsteadshefocusedonthechildinsideher.Shehadmoneysavedupstill,andwhileit

wouldn'tbeagreatdeal,itwouldbeenough.

Herpreparationscontinued,andsheknewwithconfidencethatshewouldbeoutofthecountry

beforeMakeenreturned.

Herdeterminationtoleavewasonlybolsteredwhenshehappenedtocatchatelevisionspot

featuringMakeenandawomanshedidn'trecognize.Shehadcaughtitwhileflippingthroughthechannels

lookingforsomethingduringapackingbreak,andshewasstoppeddeadbythesightofherlover.She

almostreachedouttotouchhisfaceonthescreen,shewassohungryforhim,butthensomethingseemed

tobehappening.Helookedirritatedandthenamused,andthenasthecrowdchantedinArabic,heleaned

overtokissthewomansittingnexttohim.

Rosehadn'tbeenpayinganyattentiontothewomanuntilthismoment,butafterthekissshecouldn't

lookaway.Undertheriotofsadnessandfuryandconfusion,apartofhercoollyacknowledgedthatthis

waslikelythewomanthatMakeenhadbeenlookingforallalong.Thiswashissheikha,awomanof

wealth,beautyandgoodbreeding.Shelookedlikeshebelongedathisside,andneverhadRosefeltmore

likeacast-off,themistresswhowaspregnantwithhisbaby.

Ifshehadn'tbeenresolvedbefore,shewasnow,andshere-attackedherto-dolistwithgrim

vengeance.

Onthenightbeforeherflight,whenshewasaloneinheremptyapartment,shefinallygaveherselfa

momenttothinkaboutwhatMakeenwouldthink.Tohim,shewouldsimplyhavedisappearedwithouta

trace.Shehadbeenmostlysilentontheirtextexchanges,pleadingatiringdayoraheadacheorthe

intensepaceofherjobfortheliteracycenter.Theyweren'texactlyuntrue.Eversinceshehaddecidedon

hercourseofaction,shehadbeenplaguedwithfeelingsofsadnessandgriefthatoccasionallymanifested

asachesandpain.Hehadbehavedliketheperfectboyfriend,askingherifshehadgottenwaterandfood,

tryingtolookafterherevenwhenhewasaway.Apartofherlovedhimforit.Anotherpartofherwanted

toscream.Whycouldn'tthisallbeover?

Inthedarknessofherstrippedtinyapartment,shefinallyletherselfbreakdownandcry.She

coveredherfacewithherhandsandsobbedasshehadonlywhenshewasveryyoung.Tomorrow,she

wouldbestrong,andshewouldbeabletomoveon.Tomorrow,shewoulddowhatneededtobedone.

Tonight,however,shewouldsimplycryherselftosleep,andthatwouldhavetobethesalvefor

herwoundedheart.

***

MAKEENWOULDHAVEthoughtthatnothingwouldhavestoppedhimfromgettingonthejetto

getbacktoAkram,buthehadn'tcountedonthecrowdedstreet.

"Atthisrate,Iwouldbebetteroffwalkingtotheairport,"hegrowled.Hethoughtabouttexting

Roseandtellingherhewouldreachhersoon,butthetrafficmadethingsdicey,andhewasloathtomake

apromisethathecouldn'tkeep.Inadditiontothat,shehadsaidshewaslyingdownwithaheadache,so

heshouldlikelyleavewellenoughalone.

Glancingoutthewindow,Makeenhappenedtoseeayoungwomansellingjewelryfromacasethat

shecarried.UnlikeotherDubaihucksters,shelookedmorelikeanartistthanacon-artistsellingrip-offs

ofgoodbrands,andcurious,herolleddownthewindowofhisstoppedcartogestureherover.

Shegrinnedathimandshowedhimacleverdisplayofcarvedwoodenpendants.Noneofthem

resembledpeopleoranimalsoranythingsoprosaic.Instead,theywereroundedorganicformsthatmade

himthinkatonceoftwistedtreebranches,oflovelyplants,ofsmoothformsthatonecouldonlyclearly

seeindreams.

Therewasoneinparticularthatcaughthiseye,abeautifullittlecarvingmadeofwoodthatwasa

richbrownincolor,smoothandsoothingtotouch.Hepaidthefullpricewithoutbotheringtohaggle,and

sentheroffwithalittlemorebesides.

Aftershewasgone,Makeenfoundhimselfexaminingthelittlependant.Thefirstnecklacehehad

givenRosewasstillalittlebitofasorespot.Heknewnowthatithadbeentoomuchtoosoon.Hehad

beenintenselyattractedtoher,buthehadknownhersolittle.Shewasnotawomanwhocouldbebought,

andthatwaswhathehadbeentryingtodo.

Nowheknewheralittlebetter,however,andwitheachdaythatpassed,hehopedhewouldgrow

toknowherevenbetter.Heknewshewouldlovethislittlependant,evenifhehadspentfarlessonit

thanhemighthaveonagoodlunch.Heknewthatitssoft,organicformwouldappealtoher,andshe

wouldsmileandlaughwhenhegaveittoher.

MakeenreflectedthathistriptoDubaihadbeeneye-opening,ifirritating.Whenhewasconfronted

withawomanwhowaseverythingthathewaslookingforinasheikha,everythingthathehaddescribed

toRosesolongago,he’drealizedveryquicklythatshewasn'twhathewanted.Shewasbeautiful,but

Rosewasmorelovelybyfar.Shewaskind,butRosewaskinder.

Hedidn'tknowquitewhattodowiththisinformation,butitdefinitelymeritedagreatdealof

thought.Heknewbeyondashadowofadoubtthathecouldnotcontinueashewasbefore,assumingthat

hecouldhaveRoseandawifetokeepupappearances.Themorehethoughtofit,themoreitmadehim

sick.

Hewasthesheikh,anddamnconventionsanddamntheworld.Thereweresomethingsthathe

wouldnotpermittobedeniedtohim.Rosewasoneofthem.

HethoughtofherallthewaybacktoAkram,andtheninsteadofgoinghomefirst,heslippedthe

pendantintohispocketandgotintohisownsleekblackcar,readytoheadovertoRose’sapartment.He

thoughtaboutphoningahead,buthedidn'twanttowakeherup.Hehadhisownkey,sohecouldeasily

slipin,getinbedwithher,possiblyslidethependantoverherheadsoshecouldwakeupwithiton.

Histhoughtswerefullofher,andsoitseemedalmostlikeanexplainablethingwhenhethoughthe

sawherappearatthedoorwayofherapartmentbuilding.Hewasjustgettingoutofhiscar,buthefrozein

surprise.Hereyesdidn'tlightonhimatallasshehurrieddownthesteps.Hisfirstconfusedthoughtwas

thatsheshouldn'tberunningaroundifshewasfeelingill.Thesecondwasarealizationthatshewas

pullingasuitcasebehindher.

Whatthehellisshedoing?

Hestartedtoapproachher,butashewatched,ayellowcabpulledup,andshegotin.Hebarely

hadtimetogetbackintohiscarbeforethecabpulledawayfromthecurb,andhehadtospeedtocatch

up.

Thewholetimehefollowedthecab,hismindwasariot.Whatwasshedoing?Wherewasshe

going?Increasinglyfrantic,hisbraincameupwithdozensofthingsshecouldbedoing,eachmorefar-

fetchedthanthenext.

Atthebottomofitwasthestone-coldfearthatbecameanachingcertaintywhenherealizedwhere

thecabwasgoing.Itwasheadingstraighttotheairport.Shewasleavinghim.Shehadhiddenthisfrom

him,andnowshewasleaving.

Makeenfelthotandcoldbyturns,buthecouldn'tmakehimselfstopfollowingher.Ifsomeonehad

toldhimaboutthissituation,aboutawomanwhowantedtoleavesomuchthatshehadhiddenan

internationaldeparturefromhim,hewouldhavesaidtolethergo.Butnowhefoundthathecouldn'tdo

that.Thiswasnotanywoman.ThiswasRose,hiswarriorgirl,andhecouldn'timaginethatshewould

leavewithoutafight.

Hefollowedhertotheairport,andwhenthetaxicabdroppedheroffattheterminal,helefthiscar

double-parkedwhereitwasandfollowedher.Somehow,shemanagedtomissthecacophonyofhonking

andirritatedshoutsandcontinuedonherway.Foramoment,Makeenalmostmissedherinthecrowds,

butthenhespottedherbrightblondehairagain.Before,itwouldhavebeenamusingtothinkthathecould

pickheroutofacrowdofdozensalmostinstinctively,butnowheonlyfeltthegrimsatisfactionofa

successfulhunt.

Finally,whenhewascloseenough,hishandclosedonherupperarm.Hehadalwayssaidthatshe

wasawarrior,andhewaspreparedforherreaction.

Rosespunaround,teethbaredandreadytofight.Itwarmedhimtoseehereyeslitupasiffor

battle,herhandsupandreadytostrikehim.

"Nowisnotthetime..."Rosesnarled,butthenwhenshesawhimstandingthere,herfacewentgray

asifshehadseenaghost.

Whathadbroughtthischangeinher?Whatthehellhadhappened?Inthatmoment,hethoughthe

wouldhaveforgivenhereverythingifitwouldtakethatawfullookoffofherface.

Thensomehow,itwasasifeverythingbecameincrediblyclearandbright.Almostasifinslow

motion,hewatchedherdropbothhandstoherbelly,sawthefearcrossherface,andinthatmoment...he

knew.

Therewerenowordsfortheechoinginhisheart,forthewayitfeltaseverythingintheworldwent

gray.Hishanddroppedfromherarm,butshedidn'tmoveaway,andshedidn'tsayasingleword.

Itwasastrangemomentofperfectunderstanding,andsomehow,itwastheworstmomentofhis

life.

"Youaregoingtocomewithme,"heheardhimselfsay."Wearenotgoingtotalkhere.Doyou

understand?"

Hiswordsfeltascoldasiceinhismouth,andwhenhesawtearsinhereyesandherliptrembleas

shenodded,hedidn'tcare.

Itfeltstrangetotakeherbythehand,buthedidso,andtheywalkedbacktowardshiscar.

Therewasanofficerthereinspectingit,butatasingleglancefromMakeen,hebackedoff.

MakeenopenedthepassengerseatdoorforRose,takingherbagandstowingitinthetrunkbefore

heenteredthecarhimself.Throughoutit,hecouldn'thelpbutkeepaneyeonher,afraidthatifhedidn’t

shewassomehowgoingtodisappear.

Ashedroveawayfromtheairport,theywerebothsilent,andhestartedtothinkaboutwhatcame

next.

ChapterThirteen

Whenshe’dlefttheapartmentandcametotheairport,everythinginherhadfeltasifitwere

screaming.Shecouldn'tfocus,shecouldbarelygivedirectionstothecabdriver,andatanymoment,

she’dfeltasifshewasgoingtoscream.

ThenRosehadfeltsomeonegrabherarm,andallofherinstinctswerechanneledtofight.She’d

beenreadytoripandteartodefendherselfandherunbornchild.Butthenshehadturnedaroundandsaw

themanthatshewasleaving.Suddenlyallofthatwasgone,leavinginitsplaceadeadlycalm.

Whenheorderedherintohiscar,shehadgonewithoutaprotest.Intellectually,sheknewtherewas

nothingshecoulddo,butherheartwasn'tintheideaofescapeanylonger,either.Sheknewnowthatshe

couldhaveleftifshehadn'thadtoseehim,butnowthatshehad,thatpowertoflyawaywasgone.

Instead,shewasquiet,waitingtoseewhatwouldhappennext.

Astheydrove,Rosecouldseehimsneakinglooksather,glancingatherbelly,whichshecradled

protectively.Shecouldn'treadhimatall,andsoshewatchedthescenerypassbyinstead.

"Iamsosorry,"shestarted,buthecutheroff.

"Bequiet,”hesaid."Therewasatimeforapologies,andIhaveafeelingthatwassomedaysago.

Rightnow,youaregoingtodoasIsay."

Shewentquiet.Hewasright.Shedidn'tknowwhatwascoming,andshewouldbedamnedifshe

allowedanykindofharmtocometoherchild,butrightnow,shewastheoneinthewrong.

Hedidn'tdriveherbacktoherapartment,whichshesupposedwassomekindofrelief.Itwould

havebeenunbearabletobebackinthatshuttered,strippedplace.

Instead,hedrovehertohispenthouseintheheartofthefashionabledowntownarea.Hegavehis

carkeystoavalet,andastheyascendeduptohispenthouse,henevertookhiseyesoffofher.Insteadof

makingherfeelhunted,theysimplymadeherfeelashamed,asifshehadbeencaughtlikeaguiltychild.

Makeenwasoddlygentlewhentheygotuptothepenthouse.Hesilentlydirectedhertositonthe

couch,andaftershewassettled,hestartedpacing.Shewatchedhimmovebackandforth,anditonlytook

afewmomentsbeforeheturnedtoher.

"Areyoupregnant?"heasked,histonerestrained.Sherealizedthatthoughhewaslookinginher

direction,hewasn'tlookingintohereyesatall.Instead,hewasgazingthroughher,asifhecouldn'tbear

tofocushiseyesonher.

"Yes,"shesaid,hervoiceasdryasadeadtreebranch."Yes,Iam."

"Isitmine?"Thequestionwasaskedwiththesamecalmtone,andthatstruckherenoughtobreak

heroutofherlethargy.

Shelookedupathim,appalledandshocked."Ofcourseitis!Howcouldyouthink--"

"IthinkthatIamallowedtothinkwhateverIplease,"heshotback."WhenthewomanthatI

am...thatIhavebeenseeingformonthssuddenlystartslyingtomeaboutillnesses?WhenIcomeearly

happytoseeherandfindthatsheisactuallyleavingthecountry?IthinkIgettoaskasmanydamned

questionsasIplease!"

Thetensiontrembledintheairbetweenthem,andshefinallydroppedhereyes,becauseattheend

oftheday,hewasright.

"No,"shesaid,hervoicefainteveninherownears."No,thereisnooneelse.Makeen...Makeen,I

amsosorry..."

"Saveit,"hesaidbrutally."ThatisnotwhatIcaretohearrightnow.Ithoughtyousaidthatyou

weretakingcareofmatters.Thishardlyseemslikesomethingyouplanned...”

Herlaughwasahalf-heartedandemptything.“Icertainlydidn'tplanthis.Asitturnsout,IUDscan

falloutorbecomedamaged.IguessIwasintheunluckyminisculepercentile.”

Afaintlookofworrycrossedhisface,butthenheseemedtoshakeitoff.Shewonderedsuddenlyif

hewasfightinghimself,ifhewastryingtobewhoheneededtobewhilesimultaneouslycaringabout

whatwasgoingon.Itshockedher,butsheremindedherselfthatshecouldn'tallowherselftodropher

guard.

Whenhenextspoke,hisvoicewassternagain,asifhehadrecoveredhimself.“Whohaveyouseen

aboutthis?"

"TherewasawomanattheclinicwhoconfirmedthatIwaspregnant,"shesaiddully."Ihavenot

spokentoanyoneelse."

"BecauseyouknewyouwouldbeintheUnitedStatesbeforeyouneededto,"hesaid,histonerich

withdisgust."Mygod.Youplannedthisallout."

Hepacedforanotherfewmoments,andthenshecouldseethathisfurywascalmingitself,being

replacedwithanicinessthatseemedsomehowworse.Finally,hetookadeepbreathandcametostand

beforeher.

Forsomereason,shethoughtdistantly,Iamnotafraidofhim,evennow.

“Whatyouhavedoneisabetrayalofthehighestorder,”hesaid,andshewonderedifmenspoke

likethiswhentheywereorderingexecutionsordirectinggravemattersofstate.

“Iunderstand,”Rosewhispered,andthegrinthatcutacrosshisfacehadnohumorinit.

“No,Idon'tthinkyoudo.Iamgoingtotakesometimeandconsiderthis.Ifyouleavethis

apartment,therewillbepeopleafteryou.Youwillbehounded,andbelieveme,youwillwishthatyou

hadjuststayed.Sostay.Dowhateveryoulikeaslongasitisintheconfinesofthispenthouse.Ihave

muchtothinkabout.”

Therewassomethingaboutthelastwordshespokethatfeltstrangelywoundedtoher.Without

thinking,RosereachedforMakeen.Somehow,instinctively,shewantedtomakethingsallrightforhim,to

tellhimthatitwouldallbefineatsomepoint.Atthefirsttouchofherhand,however,hejerkedback

viciously,lookingasifhertouchwassomehowacontaminatingforce.

“No,”hesnarled.“Notnow.Perhapsnotagain.Butnotnow.”

Hebackedawayfromher,almostasifhewereafraidofher,andwithrapidstrides,heleftthe

penthouse.

Foramoment,Rosewasinshock,butthengriefpouredthroughher,hotasariveroflava.Shehad

stakeditallonherescape.Nowshewasutterlyathismercy.No,notjusther;herandherchildaswell.

Whatintheworldwasgoingtobecomeofthem?

Shewrappedherarmsaroundherself,foldingherselfupassmallasshecouldgo.Fromwhereshe

sat,thefuturelookedasdarkasamoonlessmidnight.

***

ASSOONASheclosedthedoor,atorrentofpainwashedthroughMakeen.Hecouldn'tbelieve

whathadjusthappened,butasthefirstburnwentdown,hestartedtoacceptit.Therewerenowordsfor

whathefelt.Ragewastoosmall.Griefwastoominor.Itfeltasifhisbloodhadbeenreplacedwithfire,

asifhishearthadbeenturnedtostone.

NowthatRosehadsoclearlyshownhimwhoshewas,hecouldseeit.Helovedher,hadlovedher

formonths.Hehadneverallowedthosewordspasthislipsorevenacrosshismind,butnowthathe

couldseeit,hewouldneverunseeit.Helovedher,andhewasgoingtobeafather.

Hehadalwaysknownthathewouldhavetobegetanheir,butithadneveroccurredtohimthatthe

feelingsthatnowcoursedthroughhimwouldbethisstrong.HelovedRose,hehadtoprotecttheirchild,

andhehadnoideawhattodoaboutanyofit.

Slowly,hestraightenedup,puttingonthemaskthathehadalwayswornforhispeopleandthe

public.Hewoulddowhathehadtodo.Healwayshad.

ChapterFourteen

Thenextmorning,Rosewasrousedfromherbedbyaphonecall.

“Hello?”

“There'sbreakfastwaitingforyou,”saidMakeen,hisvoiceclippedandangry.“Youhaveanhour

toeat,dowhateveryouneedtodo,butafterthat,youneedtobereadytomakeatripbycar.”

Shecouldheartheauthorityinhisvoice,andherheartbeatalittlefasteratit.Shecouldfeelher

fingerstightenonthephone.Whateverwashappening,itsoundedasifMakeenhadmadeadecision.

Therewereadozenreasonstobeafraid,butforsomereason,herheartclungtohowwidethe

distancewasbetweenhistonenowandhowhehadalwaysgreetedherbefore.Howmuchjoyand

laughterwassimplygonefromhisvoice.

Shehadtoswallowtearsbeforeshecouldspeak.“MayIaskwhereIamgoingto,please?”

Therewasapause,andwhenhespokeagain,therewasatleastsomehumanitythere,something

thattoldherhewaslisteningandthathewasstill,insomeway,himself.

“Iamtakingyoutomyfamily'shome,theMansionoftheMoon,”hesaid.“You'llbesafethere,and

thefamilyphysiciancanattendyouthere.Thereisahospitalclosebywhereyoucanreceivetreatmentif

youneedanything.”

Shetookadeepbreath.Sheknewshewaspressingherluck,butRosestillhadtoask.“Andwhere

willyoube?”

“Thatremainstobeseen.Iwillspeaktoyoulater.”

Afterheendedthecall,shehungontoitforamoment.Therewassomethingintenselywrongabout

thefactthathecouldsimplyendthecallwithoutthelovingwordsthattheyusedtoexchange.She

wonderednowifallofthatcarewassomethingthatshehadimagined,somethingthathaddisappeared

afterwhatshehaddone.

Itdidn'tmatter.

She’ddonewhatshethoughtshehadtodo,andnowtheybothhadtolivewiththat.

Therewasbreakfastinthediningroom,justashehadsaidtherewouldbe,andthoughshehad

neverfeltlesslikeeating,sheforcedherselftodoso.Rosetoldherselfthatherunbornchildwouldsuffer

ifshedidn't,andsomehowshemanagedabreakfast,evenifitwasarathersmallone.Thefoodwas

excellent,asitalwayswas,butwhensheplaceditinhermouth,ittastedlikenothingatall.

ExactlyanhourafterMakeencalled,amanappearedinthepenthouseelevator.Hewaskind,

completelyprofessional,andcompletelyunyielding.Therewasamomentofbitteramusementwhenshe

realizedthathersuitcasehadneverbeenunpackedatall.Instead,itwassittingbytheelevator,waiting

forhertogoasifshehadneverattemptedhermadflightinthefirstplace.Itwasenoughtomakehercry

orscream.

Asamatteroffact,shedidneither.Instead,shefollowedthemanthatMakeenhadsentwithas

muchdignityandself-controlasshecould.Inturn,hetreatedherwiththeutmostsolicitousness,asking

heriftherewasanythingsheneeded.Thebackseatofthelimousinehedrovewasspacious,andRose

surprisedherselfbycurlingupandpromptlyfallingasleep.Shewouldhavesaidthatshewasfartoo

nervousandupsettosleep,butthetruthofthematterwasthatshewasexhausted.Shedidn'tknow

whetheritwastheemotionalexhaustionthathadcaughther,orwhetheritwassimplythefactthatshewas

carryinganotherlifeinsideher,butonemomentshewasgazingdespondentlyoutovertheAkram

cityscape,andthenshewokeupwithastart,lookingoutovermilesofdesert.

Rosewasjustbeginningtogetanxiouswhensuddenly,withaviolentshiftthatsheknewhadtobe

man-made,thescenerychanged.Suddenly,insteadofrollingdesertdunes,shefoundherselfconfronted

withwhatlookedverymuchlikearesorttown.Thereweregreentreesandbusheseverywhere,andin

somespotsshecouldseethetelltalegleamofwater.Itwasashockingdeparturefromthedesert,andshe

lookedaroundinconfusion.

Soonenough,thelimousinewasclimbingtheroadstoaserenemansionthatoverlookedallofthe

unexpectedgreenery,andsheknewshewaslookingattheMansionoftheMoon.Itwaspossiblythemost

beautifulhousethatRosehadeverseen,elegantandcraftedtolooklikeaSpanishhacienda.Theroof

tileswereacooljadegreen,andeverywheretherewasgreeneryandlife.Foramoment,shewassotaken

bythebeautyoftheplacethatsheforgothersituation,forgotallaboutwhyshewashere.Inthatmoment,

shecouldonlydrinkinthebeautythathadbeencarvedoutofthedesertbyMakeen'sancestors,her

respectforthechainthathadproducedhimonlygrowing.

Thenthelimousinepulledtoahalt,andthedriverletherout,graciouslyguidingheruptothedoor

inthecourtyard.Heescortedherintothefoyerbeforenoddingtowardsoneoftheopenroomsthat

branchedoutofit.

“Heiswaitingforyou,”wasallthemanwouldsay,butfromthelookonhisface,hewishedhe

couldhavesaidgoodluckaswell.

Rosetookadeepbreathandwalkedtowardswhatfeltlikeanexecution.

Hisinstructionstookhertoanopendiningroomthathadanenormouswindowlookingdown

acrossthetown.Itwasagorgeousview,butRoseonlyhadeyesforthemanwhostoodwithhisbackto

her,hishandsclaspedlooselybehindhim.Therewassomethingsevereabouthimthatday.Heworeasuit

asifitwereasuitofarmor,andwhenheturnedtowardsher,therewassomethingdistantabouthisgaze.

“WelcometotheMansionoftheMoon,”hesaid.

“It'samazing,”shesaidsoftly.“Didyoucomehereoftenasachild?”

Hepaused,andshecouldsensewithapanghowhewasweighingeverywordhespoketoher,asif

hewasworriedaboutweaknessorgivingheranopeningshecouldexploit.Shewasn'tsuresheblamed

himatthispoint.

“Idid,”hesaidatlast.“Iandmycousins,weranaswildaslittleanimalsaroundthisplace,

stoppingonlyforabiteorsotoeatbeforegoingbacktoourgames.IfIthinkclearly,weonlycameup

hereforaweekorsoatatime,butitfeltlikewefityearsofplayandgamesintothoseweeks.Itwasa

magicaltime,withalloftheadultswatchingoveruswhilechattingandgettingreacquaintedwitheach

other.IhaveveryfondmemoriesoftheMansionoftheMoon.”

Rosesuddenlywishedfiercelythattheywerehereforothercircumstances.Shewishedhehad

broughtherupheretoshowherwhathislifehadbeenlike,andthatalltheyneededtotalkaboutwashis

pastandthemomentshelovedbestfromit.

However,thatwasnotthecase,andRoseknewsheshouldgetbacktobusiness.Soshetookaseat

atthetable,lookingupathimcalmlywithherhandsfoldedinfrontofher.

“Sowhatnow?”sheasked.

Makeen,forhispart,lookedrelievedwhenshegavehimanopening.Insteadofstandingoverher

likesomekindofmedievaltyrant,hecametositacrossfromher.Hisfacewasstillstern,butgraduallyhe

begantolookmoreandmorelikethepersonsheknew.

“TheMansionoftheMoonisyoursforthenextwhile,”hesaid.“Youwillhavetherunofit.There

areplentyofluxuriestokeepyouentertained.There'sahometheater,agarden,alibrary,almost

everythingthatyoumightlike.Whenyouwishtoleavethehouse,thereareguardswhowillgowithyou.”

Hepaused.

“Thisisasmuchforyoursafetyasitisfor...whathappenedpreviously.Mytimeassheikhhasbeen

mostlypeaceful,butmyfamilyhasalwayshaditsenemies.Ifsomeonelearnsthatyouarepregnantwith

mychild...itcouldbedangerousforyou.”

Shewinced,becausethatwasgenuinelysomethingthathadnotoccurredtoheratall.

“Thereisaresorttownthatyoudrovethrough,andyoulikelysawthatitisquitelovely.Thatis

wherethehospitalisaswell.Thereisanexcellentdoctorwhowillcomeheretomakesurethatyouare

ingoodhealth,butyoumayalsochoosetomakevisitsyourself.Youcandeliveratthathospitalaswell;it

isoneofthebestinthecountry.”

Thesilencebetweenthemstretchedout,andshefinallyhadtointerruptit.

“Sothat'sit?”sheasked.

“Doyouhaveanyotherquestions?”heasked,hisvoicecool,andshehadtofightbackhertemper.

Shewantedtodemandwhothewomanshehadseenhimkissontelevisionwas.Shewantedto

knowifheintendedtokeephercaptiveherelikesomekindofprincessinatoweraftershedelivered

theirchild.Shewantedtoknowifheexpectedhertobethankfulforwhathehadgivenher,despiteallbut

beingkidnappedoutoftheairport.

Instead,Rosetookadeepbreathanddidnotlookathimagainuntilshewascertainshecouldbein

controlofheremotions.

“WhathappensafterIhavemychild?”sheasked,andshecouldtellthatheruseofthepossessive

pronountherecaughthisattention.

“Wecandiscussitfurtherthen,”hesaid.“Therearearrangementsthatcanbemade.Perhapswe

shallsplitcustody,orperhaps,ifyouarewillingtostayhere,IcanvisitasIplease.Therearemany

thingsthatpeopledowhentheyhavechildrentogetherandarenottogetherthemselves.”

Roseflinchedslightlyathiswords,butshenodded.

“Iamtellingyou,Iwillnotallowyoutotakemychildfromme,”shestarted,andthenshejumped

whenheslammedhishanddownonthetable.Therewasnoindicationofangeronhisface,butnowthat

shelookedcloser,shecouldseehimtrembling.

“Asyoutriedtotakemychildfromme?”hegrowled.“Becausemakenomistake,Rose,thatis

exactlywhatyoutriedtodo.Youtriedtospiritmychildoutofthecountrywithoutmyknowledge,totake

themtoaplacewheretheywouldbeacitizenofalandthatisnotmine.Also,Iimagine,thiswouldmake

yourclaimonourchildmuchstronger.Hell,ImightneverhaverealizedIevenhadachild.Wasthatyour

plan,Rose?Wasit?”

Rosefoundherselfshakingbytheendofhisspeech,becausehewasright.

“Ineverthoughtofitthatway,”shewhispered.“Not...notlikethat.Iwasactingoninstinct.Iwas

afraid...”

Itwasalltrue.Whenshehadseenthewomanhekissedonnationaltelevision,ithadaddedsome

powertotheplan,butotherwise,shehadbeenactingonblindanimalinstinct,unabletotrulyfigureout

hernextstepbeyondgettingherandherunbornchildtosafety.

NowMakeenwasupandpacing,movingawayfromher,notlookingather.Shewonderedifhe

wasalmostafraidtolookather.

“Ifyoustillhaveanyideasofrunningoff,Isuggestyoudropthem,”hesaid,hisvoiceicyasthe

arctic.“WhenItoldyouthatItrustedpeopleandnotagencies,thatwasverytrue.IseenowthatLiteracy

forAlldoesgoodwork,evengreatwork,butwithyougoneandoutofmyfavor,ithasverylittleusefor

me.”

“Youwouldn't...”shebreathed,andheshotherasharplook.

“Wouldn'twhat?Wouldn'twithdrawmysupportfromanorganizationthatcannotevenkeepitsmain

representativeinoneplace?Wouldn'ttellotherstoavoidsupportingitbecauseIhavefoundittobe

faithlessineverysenseoftheword?Ifyoutrytorunfrommeagain,Rose,Isweartoyouthatisexactly

whatIamgoingtodo.”

“Butthatwouldgutit!”

“Exactly.Ifyoustayrightwhereyouare,ifyoudoasIsayandtakeadvantageofthemedicalcare

andluxuriesthatIcanprovide,nothingwillhappentoLiteracyforAll.Iwillevenletyouappointyour

successor.Butcrossme,Rose,andyouwillfindthatitwillbetheendofthisorganizationinAkram,and,

ifIhavemyway,perhapsevenintheUAE.”

Rose'sminddartedbackandforth,butintheend,sherealizedtherewasnothingshecoulddo.This

wasn'tjustasurrender,itwasanall-outrout,andsheknewshehadtolaydownherweaponsorthings

wouldgoworseforthepeopleshehadsworntohelp.

“Allright,”shewhisperedsoftly.“Youwin.”

Shecouldfeelhisgazeonher.Shewonderedifhewasgoingtocrowabouthisvictoryortrytoget

somethingelsefromit,buthiseyeswereoddlykind,ifsad.

“WhathaveIdonetoyou?”heasked,hisvoicesoft.“WhathaveIdone?HaveIfrightenedyou?

WastheresomethingIsaidtoyouthatmadeyouthinkmeamonster?Iftherewas,Rose,Iamsorry,butI

cannotrecallit.”

“We'renotforthelonghaul,Makeen,”Rosesaidsoftly.“We'renot.Youtoldmethatinnouncertain

termswhenwefirstmetinNewYork,andonewayoranother,youhavesaiditeverysingletimewehave

meteachother.Iamawomanwhohasalwayshadaneyetowardsthefuture.Whenyoudon'tgrowup

fabulouslywealthy,youhaveto.Ihavetolookataworldwheretomorrowisuncertainandmakesurethat

IandthoseIamresponsibletowillbefine.Ineededtomakesurethatmychildisallright.”

Thesilenceafterthatwascharged.Itwasasifanythingcouldhappenthere,andRoseheldher

breath.Shedidn'tevenknowwhatshewashopingfor.Thingscertainlycouldnotgobacktothewaythey

werebefore,butperhaps....perhaps...

“IhopeyoucanseethatiswhatIamdoingaswell,”hesaidquietly.

Rosesatbackinthechair,feelingthetideofdefeattugather.Thatwashowshefeltrightnow,

defeatedandconquered.Thehandshekeptonherbellywasmeanttocomfortherasmuchasitwasmeant

toprotectherchild.

“Andwherewillyoubeinallofthis?”Roseasked,feelingasifshehadagedathousandyearsin

justafewminutes.“WillIseeyouatall,orwillyousimplybeamysteriouspresenceinthebackofthe

world,remindingmeofallIhavedonewrong?”

“Unlessyouorthedoctorfeelthatitwouldbeharmfultoyourhealthandthatofthechild,Iwould

liketostayhere,”Makeensaidquietly.“Thisisabigplace.Thereisnoreasonforustorunintoeach

otherunlesswewishto.Iwouldliketobethereforthedoctor'sappointmentsandtoseeformyselfthat

thereisnothingwrong.Beyondthat...Iamnotsurewhatwehavetosaytoeachother.”

Somehow,Rosemanagedtokeepherselffromcrying.Instead,sheonlynodded.Shecouldn'tmeet

hiseyes,aterriblefateforawarriorgirl,butsheknewthatrightnowshewasdefeated.Makeenlooked

asifhehadlostaswell,butthatwasacoldcomfort.Deepinherheart,shedidn'twanteitherofthemto

loseanything,butthatmightnolongerbepossible,notanymore.

ChapterFifteen

Thefirstdaywassilence.Makeentoldhertochoosearoom,suggestingoneofthemaster

bedrooms,butsomethingaboutthegrandsuitesbotheredher.Theywerelargeandimpressive,withbeds

thatmighthavefilledthefloorofherlittleapartmentbackinNewYork.Howeverbeautifullytheywere

decorated,though,andhowevergorgeousthesunlightwascomingthroughtheirwindows,shecouldn't

helpbutfeeladeepstaboflonelinesswhenshesawthem.Ifshelookedatthebedsforlong,itwastoo

easytoimaginehowsheandMakeenmighthaveplayedinthem,touchedandloved,andthatwassimply

toomuch.

Shewasbeginningtowonderhowhewouldfeelabouthersleepingonthecouchinthelibrary

whenshediscoveredasmallbedroom,slightlyhiddenandunexpectedintheeastwing.Thebedroomwas

strangelyhumbleforsuchalargehouse,discreetandoutoftheway.Thebedwaslarge,buttherewasa

cheerfulquiltthrownoveritinsteadofsilkorsatin,andtherewasaroundrugonthefloorthatRose

thoughtmusthavebeenhookedbyhand.Itwasagorgeouslittleroom,andcozy,butitstoodoutinthe

MansionoftheMoon,andsosheadopteditforherown.

WhenshetoldMakeentheroomshehadpicked,helookedsurprised.

“Thatisthelibrarian'soldroom,”hesaid.“Backwhenthemansionwasactuallyafulltime

residence,wekeptalibrarianinresidence.Thatwouldhavebeenherplace.”

Rosedecidedtotakeitasagoodomen.Once,therewasawomanwhohadbelievedinliteracyand

educationlivingintheroomwhereshewouldnowsleep,andshelikedtothinkthatnamelesswoman

wouldhavelookedkindlyonher.

Shesettledintotheroomasbestshecould,andthenshewentexploringinthehouse.Itwasjustas

graciousandbeautifulasshehadthoughtitwasfromthebeginning,butassheexplored,shefoundherself

wistfulforatimethatshehadneverexperienced.Shethoughtofwhatitmusthavebeenliketoseehordes

ofchildrenthunderingthroughthespace,indulgedandshoutedafterbytheirexasperatedparents.Would

herownlittleoneeverhavethatexperience?

Inaplacethisbig,shewouldhavethoughtthatseeingMakeenwouldbeunlikelytosaytheleast.

However,despitethesizeofthehouseandhisstatementthattheycouldavoideachothereasily,she

caughtglimpsesofhim.Sometimesshesawhimonthebalcony,andsometimesshesawhimwalking

aroundthecornerofahalljustasshecametoit.Itfeltasifshewerehaunted,andthoughshewouldn't

havethoughtitpossible,everytimeherheartbrokejustalittlemore.

Ihavetobestrong,Rosethoughtthatnightinherlibrarian'sbed.Iwillgetthroughthis.Wewill

getthroughthis.

Shekeptherhandsoverherbelly,butsomehow,deepinherheart,despiteeverythingthat

happened,sheknewshewasincludingMakeeninherthought.

***

THENEXTDAY,shecamedowntoseeabreakfastsetoutforherandaplain-facedbutefficient

womanenjoyingacupofcoffeewithMakeen.WhenshenoticedRose'ssurprisedlook,shegotupfrom

herchairandwenttoshakeherhand.

“Goodmorning,Rose,”thewomansaidwarmly.“IamDr.Bhola,andSheikhMakeenhasaskedme

tobeyourprimarycaregiverduringyourpregnancy.”

RosemighthavesaidsomethingtartaboutMakeenmakingthatdecisionforher,butDr.Bhola

continuedtospeak.

“Ofcoursethatisuptoyou,”shesaidserenely.“Iamgoingtoaskyouafewquestions,andafter

that,youcanaskmeasmanyquestionsasyoulike.Ifyouarenotcompletelycomfortablewithmeand

happywithwhatIhavetoofferyou,itisyourrighttofindanotherprimarycarepractitionerthatsuitsyour

needsmoreeffectively.”

Somehow,RosehadtheideathatthedoctorwasspeakingforMakeen'sbenefitjustasmuchasshe

wasforRose’s,andthatmadeRosewarmtoherjustalittlemore.Makeenfrownedbrieflyatthat,buthe

kepthissilenceasRoseandDr.Bholaspokeoverbreakfast.Itwaswithoutadoubtoneoftheeasiestand

leaststressfuldoctor'sappointmentsthatRosehadeverhad,andshethoughtwrylythattherewas

certainlyanadvantagetobeingasrichasMakeenwas.

Attheend,Dr.Bholasatbackfromtheexcellenteggs,givingRoseanexpectantlook.“Sowhatdo

youthink?”

“Ithinkwe'regoingtogetalongjustfine,”Rosesaid.“Whendoyouthinkwecandothefirst

exam?”

Thedoctorsmiledbriefly.“Thesheikhhasacquiredalloftheequipmentthatonemightneedtorun

adecentOB/GYNclinicandinstalleditinoneofthequieterwings.Wecanhaveyourfirstultrasound

wheneveryouareready.”

Rosenodded,butasthethreeofthemmadetheirwaytotheroomwheretheequipmentwasbeing

kept,shefeltabriefflutterofexcitementinherchest.Today,shewasactuallygoingtogettoseeherbaby,

thebabyshehadmadewithMakeen.Whensheglancedathim,helookedstoic,buttherewassomething

anticipatoryonhisfaceaswell.Hewantedtoseeasmuchasshedid.

Impulsively,Rosereachedoutforhishand,closinghislargefingersinhersmallones.Themoment

shedidit,shefeltastaboffear.Shewasn'treadyforthis,andhewouldn'thavewanteditinanycase.It

wouldhurtsomuchwhenhepulledaway...butsomehow,hedidn't.

Instead,helookedatherinsurprise,andafteralongmoment,hishandclosedaroundhers.The

warmthofhishandwasunmistakable,thestrengthsomethingshehadmissedforwhatfeltlikeasmall

eternity.Thiswasthewaythingsweremeanttobe.

Realistically,Roseknewthatnothinghadbeenfixed.Therewasnothingthathadbeendone,and

therewasagulfbetweenthemthatstretchedfartherthaneitherofthemcouldswim.Itdidn'tmatterinthat

moment,however.Inthatmoment,allthatmatteredwasthattheyweregoingtoseetheirbaby,andthat

theyweretouchingeachother,thrilledandexcited.Thewalktotheexamroomfeltasifitwasgoingto

takeforever,butwhenDr.Bholaopenedthedoorforher,itfeltasifitcouldneverbefarenough.

Rosewasofferedaplaceontheexaminationcouch,andsheletgoofMakeen'shandonlywith

greatreluctance.Tohersurprise,Dr.BholawasentirelyrightwhenshesaidthatMakeenhadfurnished

theroomaswellashehad.Itlookedlikeshehadjuststeppedintoadoctor'soffice,thoughitwasafar

nicerofficethananyshehadeverbeeninbefore.

Makeentookhisplacestandingnexttoher,andwhenshewassettledwithhershirtpushedup

underherbreasts,hetookherhandagain.HesqueezedherhandcomfortinglyasDr.Bholaspreadathick

layerofpetroleumjellyoverherbellyandpassedthewandoverit.Thedisplaywasturnedawayfrom

them,anditseemedlikeaneternitybeforeshemadeanapprovingsound.

“Well,Ihavegoodnews,”shesaidatlast.“Yourbabieslookhealthy.”

Roseblinked,andshefeltMakeenfreezenexttoher.Hisfingerstightenedreflexivelyonhers,but

hedidn'tlethergo.

“Excuseme,”Rosesaidfinally.“Did...didyousaybabies,asinplural?”

“IndeedIdid,”shesaidwithasmile.“Congratulations,RoseandSheikhMakeen.Youaregoingto

betheparentsoftwohealthychildreninunderhalfayear.”

Therestoftheappointmentfollowedinablur.Rosenoddedalong,doingasDr.Bholaasked,but

shedidn'tcomebacktoherselfuntilthedoctortoldhershewouldbebackinjustafewweekstoseehow

shewasgettingon.

ItwaslikeRosewasoperatingontwodifferentlevels.Ononelevel,shewasseeingtheworld

aroundher,answeringquestionsandthinkingaboutquestionsofherown.Sheimpressedherselfby

soundingamazinglycalmandincontrol.

Onanotherlevel,however,shefeltasifshewasmadeofstatic.Itpushedeverythingelsefaraway

asshetriedtofigureoutwhathadhappenedandwhatitmeant.Belowitwasabubblingofirrepressible

joy,somethingshecouldbarelycontain.

Shewasn'tjustgoingtohaveonechild.Shewasgoingtohavetwins.Wouldtheybeaboyanda

girl,ortwoboysandtwogirls?Wouldtheygetonwell?Howintheworldwasshegoingtocopewith

notonebaby,buttwo?Whatintheworldcouldshedotomakesurethatbothbabiesgottheirneedsmet

andstayedhappy,healthyandstrong?

WhenDr.Bholafinallylefttheroom,RoseturnedtoMakeentofindthathewasgrinningather.For

amoment,itfeltasifnothingterriblehadhappenedbetweenthematall,andthattheyweresimplya

couplecelebratinganextraordinaryevent.

“Well,”shesaidwithawidesmile.“Dotwinsruninyourfamily,becausetheydefinitelydonotrun

inmine...”

“Theydon't,”hesaid,andthensomethingchanged.Thesmiledroppedfromhisface,andhisguard

wasupagain.Itwasasifhehadsimplydisappearedbehindanenormousconcretewall,andonceagain

shehadnowaytoreachhim.

Shemadeasoftsoundofdismay,butsheshutitoffquicklyasheresumedhisunaffectedstance.

“Dr.Bholasaysthatallthingsconsidered,twinsmightmakeafewthingsmoreriskyforyou.

Thoughsheispositivethatyouareingoodhealthandwillhavefewproblems,youwillletmeknow

immediatelyifyoufeelthatthereisanythingwrong.Donotdelayatallifyouareworriedabout

somethingyouarefeeling.Doyouunderstand?”

Therewassomethingabouthishigh-handedtonethatsimplyrubbedherthewrongway.Sheglared

athim,drawingherspineupasstraightandtallasitwouldgo.Shetiltedherchinup,lookingintohis

darkeyeswithdefiance.

“Butofcourse,mysheikh,”shesaid,hervoicesmoothwithsarcasm.“Iwillofcourseletyou

knowabouteverylittleacheandtwinge,asyouorder.Itwouldbemyhonor.”

Foramoment,shethoughtshehadcrackedthroughhisfacadeoffuryandauthoritariantyranny.She

wantedhimtosmileagainsomuchthatshethoughtshecouldfeelitactuallyabouttohappen,butthenthat

walldroppeddownbetweenthemagain.

“Youwillnottakethislightly,”hesaid,hisvoicedeepandgrim.“Thisisyourhealth,andthe

healthofthechildrenyoucarrywithinyou.Youwilltellme.Therearenoalternatives.”

Thistime,shesighed,feelingmorebeatenthanshehadbefore.“Yes,Makeen,Iwill.”

Heeyedherforamoment,asifuncertainabouthersurrender,butseeingnorebellion,somethingin

himrelented.

“Thiswillbefine.Youwillbefine,”hesaid,andRosewonderedifhewastalkingtohimselfas

muchashewastalkingtoher.Forabriefmoment,hishandraised,reachingforherasifhewantedto

touchhershoulderorherhair,togivecomfortaswellastakeit.Sheheldherbreath,achingforthe

contactinawaythatshebarelyunderstood.

Atthelastmoment,however,herjerkedaway,asifhewererememberingthatfirewashotand

couldburnhim.

Hisfaceunreadableagain,henoddedandsteppedback.“Iwillbeinthestudyfortherestofthe

day.TherearemattersinAkramthatareawaitingmyattention.”

“ThenmaybeyoushouldgobacktoAkram.”

Thewordsslippedoutofhermouth,stillingthemboth.

Roseclaspedherhandsoverhermouthinsurprise,wishingshecouldcallthembackbetweenher

lips.Shedidn'tmeanit,ofcourseshedidn'tmeanit,butthenagain,perhapsapartofherdid.Beingapart

fromMakeenwasterrible,butperhapsitwasworsebeingcloseandnotallowedtotouchhim,tokiss

him,toseehowhesmiledwhenhefoundsomethingwonderful.

TherewasamomentofvulnerabilityonMakeen'shandsomeface,onlyamoment,butthenhe

covereditupagain,leavingbehindthecoldmanthatRosewasbeginningtodespise.

“Youdonothaveasayinmypresenceatthisplace,”hesaidgrimly.“Perhapsyouwouldhave

onceuponatime,butthosedaysarelongpast.”

Heturnedonhisheelandwalkedaway,notoncelookingbehindhim.

Rosehuggedherselftight,shiveringalittle.Everytimeshefelthimclosethedooronher,itmade

hercolder,madesomethinginsidehercryoutwithpainandsorrow.Howlongcouldshetakebeingshut

out?Howlongdidheintendtokeepher?Whatwasgoingtohappentothem?

Therereallywasnowaybackintohisheart,andperhapsitwastimesheacceptedit.However,a

partofher,thepartofherthathadnevergiveupnomatterhowlongorhardtheroad,thepartthathad

refusedtobackdownnomatterwhatwasfacingher,rejectedit.

No,shethought.No.Irefusetobelieveit.

Itmightnotmatter.Hewasstillgoingtomarrysomeappropriategirl,perhapsthatwomanshe’d

seenwithhimonthetelevision,perhapssomeoneelse.However,allthatmatteredwasthatshewashere

withhimnow.Shecarriedhischildandperhaps,justperhaps,thatgaveherachance.

Allright,Makeen,shethought.Youputmehere.Youwon'tletmeleave,andyouwon'tletyourself

leaveeither.Iwant...Iwantyou.Iwantwhatwehadbefore,evenifitcan'tlast.You'vesetupthe

playingfield,nomatterhowunknowingly,soyoucanhardlybeangrywhenIdecidetoplayonit.

Rosewondered,asshewalkedtoherroom,whethershewascommittingsomekindofgraveerror.

Wasshegoingtofindherselfmoreheartbrokenthanbefore?Wasshedoingsomethingthatseemedlikeit

mighthaveachanceofignitingevenmoreofastruggleoraconflictthatshecouldn'teasilystop?

Itwaspossible.

However...shecouldn'timaginethingsgettingworsethanhisindifference,thanthewallthat

repeatedlyfelldownbetweenthem.Thatcoldfeltliketheworstthingshehadeverfelt,andiftherewasa

chance,eventheslightestchancethatshemightbeabletomoveawayfromit,shehadtotakethatchance.

Allrightthen,shethought,alreadyplanningouthercourse.Don'tcomplaintoomuch,Makeen.

Youbroughtthisonyourself.

ChapterSixteen

Whenshewasatwork,Rosewasaconsummateplanner.Shecouldplanacampaignbudgetdown

tothetenthsofacent,shecouldkeepaseriesofcontactssortedclearlyandeasilyaccessibleinhermind,

andherabilitytorememberwhosheneededtoseeaboutwhatwasamazing.

However,whenitcametomattersoftheheart,shewasdiscoveringthatshewaswillingtooperate

agreatdealmoreoninstinct.Shehadnoideawhatthedaywouldbringwhensheleapedoutofbedthat

morning,butsheknewthatsherefusedtoenditwithoutgettingatleastonereactionfromMakeen.

That'sallIwant,shethought.Iwanthimtostopignoringme.Iwanthimtoseeme.Iwanthimto

lookatme,perhapsnotthewayheusedto,buthonestly,andwithsomethingrealinhiseyes.I'mnot

sureIcantakethisanylonger.

ShewasanativeNewYorker,andwhethershewaspregnantornot,shewasnotgoingtolaunch

intohercampaignlookinglikeamess.Thelastfewdayshadtakenatollonher,andwhenshelookedinto

themirror,shewinced.

Youknow,I'mnotgoingtolooklikeamodel.I'mgoingtolooklikeme.AndIamgoingtolook

likethebestversionofmethatIcan.

Thecoldshowerwasinvigorating,andthenshedugintohersuitcase.Mostofherclotheswere

hopelesslywrinkled,butshefoundapalebluedressthatMakeenhadalwayssaidcomplimentedhereyes.

Sheputiton,brushedoutherhairandleftitloose,andasanafterthought,appliedalittlebitofmakeupto

hereyesandmouth.

Thisisn'tforhim,thisisforme,shethought,lookingintothemirror.

Thewomanshesawthere,fromblondeheadtoslightlyroundedbellytotoe,lookedconfidentand

bold,likesomeonewhowasusedtogettingherwayandrefusedtoentertaindefeatasapossibility.Rose

straightenedhershouldersandnoddedatthewomanshesaw.Shemighthavebeenbeatenback,butshe

wasfarfromdefeated,andsoonenough,Makeenwouldseethat.

***

MAKEENWASBUSY.Ofcoursehewasbusy.Hehadadozencallsthatheneededtoreturnover

thecourseofthenextfewdays,andhehadmanyfilestogothroughinpreparationforsaidcalls.Hehad

alwaysbeenamanoflaserfocusandintensity.

Sowhywerethingssohardrightnow?

Hethrewthefilebackdownonthedeskonemoretime,shakinghishead.Thewordsneverseemed

tostayinoneplaceforhim,andhehadreadthedocumentfourtimeswithouteverbeingabletofocuson

whatitwassaying.Perhapshewasgoingmadfromthestress.Thatseemedaslikelyasanything.

Hemightnothavebeenabletofocusontheworkinfrontofhim,butthatdidn'tmeanhecouldn't

focusatall.Therewasaflashofblueandgoldthatcrossedinfrontofhisstudy'sopendoor,andwithout

thinkingofwhathewasdoing,hewasoutofhischairandstartingforitbeforehestoppedhimself.

Whatthehellwashedoing?Hewasamanofdisciplineandstrength.Hewasn'tgoingtogo

mooningafterawomanjustbecauseshepassedinfrontofhisdoor.

Makeensatbackdowntodohiswork,buthefoundhewasnobetteroffthanbefore.Thefigures

swaminfrontofhim,anditcouldhavejustaseasilybeenwritteninChineseasinArabicforallthe

sensehecouldmakeoutofit.

Ofcourse,thatwaswhenthatflashofbluecrossedinfrontofhisdoorwayagain,andagainhewas

movingwithoutthinkingaboutit.Surelyitwouldn'tharmhispositionorhisstandingtogocheckupon

her.Nomatterwhatelseshewas,thewomanwasthemotherofhischild...hischildren.Itwassurelyhis

dutytolookafterherandmakesureshewassafeandhappy...right?

Hehesitatedforseverallongmoments,andthenmentallythrowinguphishands,hewenttofind

her.

TheMansionoftheMoonhadalwaysbeenoneofhisfavoritesoutofallofthepropertieshis

familyowned.Itwasasiftheverywoodandstoneoftheplacewassoakedwiththeessenceofhisfamily

andthejoytheyhadfoundthere.

However,ashetrekkedthroughthehalls,hefoundhimselfwonderingaboutvisionsofthefuture.

Wouldhischildrenplayhere?Wouldtheyloveitasmuchashehad?Unbidden,hethoughtoftwo

children,theirheadsasdarkashisown,buttheireyesabrightandshiningblue.Theywouldracethrough

thesehallsjustashehadwithhiscousins,alternatelybeingshoutedattoslowdownandfedroastmeat

andsweetsuntiltheyweregroaningwithit.

Andwhatoftheirmother?

HismindsuppliedanimageofRose,standinguptogreethim,herarmsopenandhersmileas

sweetandcalmassunlight.Itmadehimacheinawaythatwasgrowingaltogetherfartoocommon,and

heshookitoff.Perhapsatsomepoint,hewouldbeasgoodatpreventingthoseimagesashewasat

stoppingthem,butifMakeenweregrimlyhonestwithhimself,hewasterribleateither.

Hestoppedshortatoneofthebaywindowswhenhesawthatsameflashofblueandgoldinthe

garden.

ThegardenhadalwaysproperlybeenthedomainofthewomenoftheAkramroyalhouse.Eachhad

tamedthegreenplants,talltreesandlushflowerstoherhand,anditwasasiftheircombinedforcehad

calledRoseintoattendance.

Thebluethatsheworemadeherlooklikeasongroamingamidstallthegreen,andforamoment,

hesimplytooktheopportunitytowatchherunobserved.Heavenabove,butshewasbeautiful.Hehad

neverseenawomansogracefulinherownskin.Whenhecalledattentiontoit,shemightstruggleand

stammer,butthemomentshewasfocusedonsomethingshecaredabout,shewaspuregraceandelegance.

Nowhewatchedherreachdowntostrokethepetalsofaflowerthatwassopaleitnearlyglowed,

andhesawhergentlesmile.

Perhapsshewouldlookatachildthatway,hismindwhispered,andhewonderedwhathehad

donetodeservethisparticularhell.

Shewasfine.Shewasobviouslyfine,sotherewasnoreasonforhimtokeepwatchingher.Hetold

himselfthatforafullminute,untilfinallyhewasabletotearhimselfaway.Workstillloomedinfrontof

him,butforsomereason,seeinghercalmedhissoulandhisspirit,madesomethinginhimbendandrelax.

Shewasfine.Hewouldgobacktowork.

***

ROSELOOKEDUPatthewindow,nowempty,withaconsideringgaze.Asinitialforayswent,it

wasasuccess,anditcertainlytoldherthattherewashopehere.Shehadgenuinelybeeninterestedinthe

garden;Dr.Bholahadsuggestedthatgettingtimeoutsideandbeingactivecouldstimulateherappetiteand

makehermoreengagedwiththeworldatlarge,andshedidfeelalittlebetter.SeeingMakeenstandingat

thewindowoutofthecornerofhereyehadbeentherealwinner,however,andshethoughtofwhatshe

wantedtodonext.

Sheconsideredforamoment,andthenshelookedupwithasmile.

Themanhadtoeat,didn'the?

***

MAKEENSCOWLEDREFLEXIVELYwhenRoseshowedupatthedoor,asmalltrayinher

hands.

“Idon'tthinkyou'vemovedfromthatspotsincebreakfast,”shesaid,seeminglyinnocentofhis

observationsatthewindow.“Itcan'tbegoodforyou.Here,Ineededlunch,andIthoughtIwouldbring

yousomeaswell.”

Itwassimplefare,sandwichesandsaladsofdarkgreens,butbeforehecouldprotestthathewasn't

hungry,hisstomachgrowledandsettledthemannerforhim.Insteadoftakingthevisitor'schairacross

fromhisdesk,shetookherplaceatasmall,overstuffedchairnearthewindow,placingherplateonher

lapandeatinghermealinsmall,neatbites.

“Youknow,IthoughtthatImightcrave,like,strangefoodsduringmypregnancy,”shesaid.“Asit

turnsout,Ijustwanttoeatallthetime.Iassumeit'sgoodthatI'mnoteatingpeanutbutterandpickle

sandwiches,butI'mnotsureifcravingfriedchickenallthetimeisareallygreatalternative.”

“Icouldcertainlyhireacheftocomeouthereifyoulike,”hesaidwithafrown.“Ishouldhave

thoughtofthatbefore,havingadedicatedchefratherthanstaffthatsimplyshopforusandwhowill

preparetheoddmeal...”

“Ohdon'tbother,”Rosesaidlightly.“It'sgoodformetohavesomethingtodoandtogivestructure

tomyday.Preparingfoodforuswasfun,inadomestickindofway.”

Hedidn'tknowwhattosaytothat,sotheyfinishedtheirmealinsilence.Despitehowstrangeitfelt

tohavehersocloseathandwhenhisfeelingsforherwerestillturnedupsidedown,apartofhimfinally

relaxed,asifconvincedthatshewassafeandoutofharm'sway.

Whenshefinished,shesighed,standingupwithherdishandthetray.

“Well,Isupposethat'llholdmeforthenextthreehours.Dr.BholasaidIshouldeatasregularlyasI

canwithsmallmealsbeingbetterthanlargemeals.Hopethatwasallright.”

“Itwasgood,”hesaid,stillslightlyconfusedasshetooktheplatefromhim.Asshedidso,the

edgeofherfingerbrushedagainsthisthumb,andhecouldn'tstophimselffromshiveringatthesensation

thatracedthroughhim.Damnthewomananyway,couldn'tshefeelwhatwasbetweenthem?Didn'tit

shakeheraswell?

Hethought,beforeshedisappearedoutthedoor,thattherewasafaintblushoverhercheeks.Itwas

acomfort,thoughacoldone,thathewasnotinthisalone,butperhapsthatwasthetragedyofit.He

wasn'tinthisalone,buthecouldn'tbewithher.

Couldhe?

Shehadbetrayedhimineverywaypossibleforhertodoso,andthatcouldn'tbeforgiven...could

it?

Hecradledhisheadinhishands.Hehadneverrunintoaproblemhecouldnotface.Hehadnever

metafoethathecouldnotdefeat.Buthere,intheheartofhiscountry,intheplacewherehehadgrown

up,hefeltridiculouslyhelpless.

Heneededtogetagriponthings.Heneededtobestrong.Hetookadeepbreathandletitout

again.Hecouldcontrolhimself.Heknewhecould.

Evenashewasmakingthispronouncement,however,hefoundhimselfthinkingofthewayRose's

blondehairslidoverhershoulderasshepusheditback,howsheglancedathimoutofthecornerofher

blue,blueeyes.Somehow,justasinglelookcouldtakehimapart.Therewassomekindofwitcheryin

her,butdeepinhisheart,wherehissecretslivedandwhisperedtooneanother,heknewitwasapower

ofanaltogetherdifferentsort,andthatitcouldbetheendofhim.

ChapterSeventeen

Roseawoketired.Dr.Bholahadtoldhertherewouldbedayswhereherenergywasjustsapped

andgone.

“It'syourcallwhatyoudothen,”thedoctorhadsaidkindly.“Eitherway,justremembertolistento

yourbody.Whenyou'vehadenough,itwilltellyou,butsometimesrememberthatthatkindoffatigueand

slightachecanmeanthatyouneedtobeactive.”

Okay,then,shethought.It'stimetogetactive.

ShedecidedshewasgoingtoputhercampaignwithMakeenonhold,becauseshewascertainly

notgoingtolookherbestormostalluringwhenshewastiredandgrumpyandsore.Sosheputonaplain

blackt-shirtandskirtthatshekeptforlazydaysaroundthehouse,andforashortwhile,shewastempted

tosimplystayinherroomandperhapswatchsomedumbcomedyshowsonherlaptop.

Rosehadalwaysbeensomeonewhoboredeasily,however,andsoonenough,shewasfeeling

restless.WhensherealizedtherewasnoLiteracyforAllworkthatsheneededtobedoing,shedecided

thatawalkwasprobablythebestoptionavailabletoher.Awalkwouldbelow-keyenoughthatshe

certainlywouldn'tover-strainherself,andifshefeltbetter,perhapsshecouldseeaboutvisitingthetown

below.

Sheventureddowntothekitchenforabitetoeat,andthensheamusedherselfbyexploringthe

housealittle.

“House”reallywastoohumbleatermfortheMansionoftheMoon.Whenshewalkedinthe

enormoushallwaysbythetallwindows,shecouldfeelthegraceofthedecadesgoneby.Wouldthe

peoplewhohadlivedherehavelikedheratall?Wouldtheyhavefoundhercharming,ormorelikely,

wouldtheyhavefoundheranirritatingforeignerwhoneededtobeaccommodateduntilsheleft?

Rosefeltashivergothroughher.

ShewantedtobelievethatMakeen'sancestorswouldhavelovedherchildrentocome,butshe

couldn'tconvinceherselfofit.Perhapstheywouldhavebeenaccepted,butsheknewenoughhistoryto

understandthattherewasachancetheymightsimplyhavebeentolerated.Rosemightnotknowmuch,but

sheknewshewouldalwaysneedfarmoreforherchildrenthantheirbeingsimplytolerated.Shewanted

themtobelovedandrespectedandcherished,andnomatterwhatwasgoingon,nomatterwhathe

threatened,sherefusedtoletMakeengivethemless.

Rosemadeherwaythroughalonghallwaythatwasadornedwithtapestries.Whenshegotcloser,

notdaringtotouch,shecouldseethattheweavingswereamazinglyintricate,fantasticallydesignedand

executedwithaskillthatitmusthavetakenalifetimetolearn.

Shewasjustthinkingwhatitwouldbeliketodedicateherlifetothatkindofartwhenthedoorto

theotherendofthegalleryopened,andMakeenstrodetowardsher.

Foramoment,allshecouldtakeinwashowgoodhelooked.Shehadknownthathewasa

handsomemanwhenthey’dfirstmet,butnowsheknewhowitfelttorunherhandsthroughhishair,to

touchhisbody.Sheknewhowwarmhewasandhowstronghewas,anditseemedterriblethatshemight

neverhavethatagain.

Thenshelookedathisface,registeringthedarkcloudsthere,andshestraightenedinsurprise.

Whatintheworldcouldshehavedonenow?

“Hello,”shesaidcautiously.“Youlooklikeyou'reinastate.”

Hepausedafewfeetawayfromher.Therewassomedistancebetweenthem,butshewasachingly

awareofhowlittleitwouldtaketostepintohisembrace.Howmanytimeshadshedoneitwithout

thinkingbefore?

“Inastate,”hesaidominously.“Isupposethatisanappropriatewaytoputit.Whatthehellisyour

gametoday?”

Rosehadtoblinkathimtwicebecauseshegenuinelyhadnoideawhathewastalkingabout.

Yesterday,shehadbeendressedinblue,droppinghintsandseeinghowcloseshecouldgettohimbefore

heflinched.Today,shewasdressedindullblack,hadn'tdoneanythingwithherhairbesidesthrowitinto

aponytail,andshecertainlyhadn'tdoneanythingwithherfacebesidesscrubitwithcoldwaterinthe

morning.

“You're...reallygoingtohavetobemoreclear,”shesaidcautiously.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“You!”hesaid,throwinghisarmsoutwide.“Allofthis!Walkingaround,lettingmecatchyouout

ofthecornerofmyeye,singingtoyourself,drawingmein.Whatthehellisgoingon,Rose?Whatcould

youpossiblywantfromme?”

Shefeltasifshehadspentthelastfewdaysholdingherselftogethersothatshewouldn'tsimply

losehermindandstartshouting.AsDr.Bholalikelywouldhavesaid,therewasatimewhenthatwould

workandatimewhenitwouldjusthavetostop,andrightthen,itjusthadtostop.

Shelookedatthemanwhowastoweringoverher,andshefeltapurifyingragewashthroughher.

Didhefeelconfused?Didhefeelasifhehadbeenheldhostage?Well,perhapsshehadsomethingtosay

aboutthat.

“Ican'tbelieveyou,”shesaid,shakingherhead.“Ihonestlycannotbelieveyou.Youthinkthatyou

havearighttobeangry?Youthinkthatyouhaveareasontobepissedoff?No,youdon't.”

Hervoicewasrising,andperhapsifthishadhappenedafewdaysago,orevenyesterday,she

wouldhavebeencalmer,butitwashappeningtoday,andshehadsimplyrunoutofpatienceorcare.

“I'mtheonewho’shavingtwochildrenwithamanwhodoesn'tseemtowantme.I'mtheonewho

hadtowatchtheman...themanIamhavingthosechildrenwithkissanotherwomanonnationaltelevision!

Canyouimaginehowthatfeltforme?CanyoupossiblyimaginehowitfelttobeinAkramandwatch

whileyoukissedanotherwomanontelevisioninDubai?”

Hewentsilent,andunderneathhisdarkcoloration,shethoughtthathepaledalittle.“Yousaw

that?”

“Whydon'tyoucallthetelevisioncompany?”sheaskedscornfully.“I'msuretheywouldtellyou

howmanypeoplewerewatchingyou.”

“Rose...Rose,youdon'tunderstand...”

“IthinkIunderstandjustfine.Ithinkthatyouwanttodoexactlyasyouwishwithabsolutelyno

consequencesonthelineforyouatall.Ithinkthatyouwanttomakeitsothatyouaretheonlyoneinjured

andtheonlyonewronged.YoutoldmeoverandoveragainthatIwasreplaceable,andthatIwouldbe

replacedsomeday.Icameupwithmyowndamnedanswerforthat,andIamgoingtoprotectmychildren,

Makeen,doyouunderstand?”

Shefeltasifherragehadfinallystartedtospenditself,allowinghertobreathe.Sheknewthatshe

likelylookedlikeagorgon,hereyesoverlybrightandherfaceflushedasshepanted,butshefeltfartoo

triumphanttocare.Thenextwordsoutofhermouthwereanadmission,butnowshewastootiredto

worryaboutit.Assomeonesheonceknewhadsaid,tellthetruthandshamethedevil.

“Iloveyou,andIthinkithasbroughtmesomeofthegreatestpainthatIhaveeverknown.”

Shesawthedisbeliefandshockinhiseyes.Shedidn'tknowwhatwasgoingtohappennext,but

shecouldn'tdenythatithadfeltgoodtogetitalloffofherchest.Maybethiswouldactuallyopentheway

forwardforthem,takethemtoaplacewheretheycouldspeakwithnothingbuthonesty,nomatterhow

muchthathonestyhurtorstung.

WhenMakeenremainedsilent,Roseturnedtowalkaway.Perhapsheneededtimetothinkaboutit,

orperhapshewassimplygoingtoignoreit.Ineithercase,itwashisproblemnow,andshecouldget

awayfromitforalittlebit.

Shegaspedwithsurprisewhenshefelthishandsclosegentlyoverhershoulders.Shecouldfeel

thestrengthandthepowerinhistouch,buttherewasnoforcethere,nothingbutalightpressureanda

kindofwarmththatshehadbeenwishingforforwhatfeltlikeyears.

“Rose...”

“Yes?”Theragehadgonefromhervoice.Allthatwasleftwasatiredwhisper.

“I...”

Hetriedtospeaktwice,buttohersurprise,nowordswouldcomeout.ShehadseenMakeenin

manystates,laughing,enragedandsorrowed,butthiswassomethingnew.Finally,heturnedheraround,

shakinghishead.

“Makeen,Idon'twanttomakethis...”

Herwordswereabruptlystoppedwithhismouthoverhers.Itwasanunbelievablygentlekiss,

sweetandkindinawaythatshefeltallthewaydowntothecoreofherself.Itmadeherfeelalive,andit

madeherheartstarttobeatharderthanithadbeenevenwhenshewasshouting.Tentatively,herhands

wenttotouchhisarms,andwhenhedidn'tflinchorpushheraway,shecouldhavecried.

“Makeen?”

“Hush,”hesaidsoftly,kissingheragain.“Thereismuchtotalkabout,butrightnow,inthistime

andinthismoment,IhaveafeelingthatIknowwhatyouneed,whatwebothneed.Willyouletmegiveit

tous?”

Afterthatsecondkiss,afterthatdeliciousglideofhistongueoverherlowerlip,aftershecould

tastejustalittlebitofhim,therewasnothingthatshewouldhavedeniedhim.

“Yes,”shewhispered,lookingupintohiseyes.

Itwasasifshecouldseetheentiretyofthenightskyinhistendergaze.Hiseyeswereasblackas

thedeepestocean;shecouldfallintothemforeverandbehappy.

Withasoftsmile,hescoopedherupinhisarms.Hehadalwaysbeencarefulwithherbefore,but

nowtherewasanextragentlenesstohismotionsthattoldherhewasconstantlyawareoftheprecious

childreninsideher.

“Wherearewegoing?”sheaskedsoftly,andthesmilehegaveherwassmallbutaswarmasthe

sun.

“Iamtakingyoutomybed,”hesaid,andhisvoicebrookedabsolutelynoobjections.

Sheshiveredatthepowerandassertivenessinhisvoice,andshecouldfeelsomethinginsideher

openuptohim.

Shewasenoughofanadulttoknowthatthisdidnotmeanthatthingswerefixed,butoh,thisfelt

rightandnatural.Theywerenottwopeoplewhoweremeanttobeapart.Theywerenotpeoplewho

shouldnotbetouching.Afterthelastfewdays,sheknewinherheartandinhersoulthatthiswasright,

andshewantednothingintheworldtochangeitatall.Inhisarms,shefeltsaferthansheeverhadbefore.

Heopenedthedoortooneofthefewroomsshehadn'texploredyet.Itwasenormousbutalmost

bare.Thedarkwoodofthefloorandthedeepforestgreenofthewallhangingsconspiredtogivethe

roomanighttimelook,buttheenormousbedandcoverstherewerepurewhite.

“Thisisbeautiful,”shemurmuredashelayherdownonthebed,andhesmileddownatherbriefly.

“Whenwefirststartedseeingeachother,Ithoughtaboutbringingyouheremorethanonce.Now,

well,thisisperhapsnotthecircumstancesthatIhadpredicted,butstill,Iamgladthatyouarehere.”

Rosedidn'tknowwhattosaytothat.Instead,sheonlypulledhimdownontopofherforalong

kiss.Thisonewasdeeperthanthekissestheyhadsharedintheroomoftapestries,buttherewasstillthat

sameinsinuatinggentleness,thatsamesweetnessthatshehadfeltthere.Therewasnohurryhere.

Everythingthathappenedwouldhappeninitsowntimeandnotamomentbefore.Rightnow,Rosecould

acceptthat.

Shewantedtokisshimandtotouchhim,butatthemoment,hesimplypressedhertothemattress,

keepingherstillwhileheranhishandsupanddownherbody.Hedroppedtenderkissesonhermouth,

hercheeks,herforehead,evenhereyelids.

"Ifeelithasbeensuchalongtimesincewehavebeentogether,"hesaidquietly."Iwanttorelearn

youalloveragain..."

Shemoanedalittleatthat,becauseitwassuchaperfectwayofcapturingwhatshefelt.Sheknew

hisbodyaswellassheknewherown,butrightnow,itwasbothnewandstrangetoher,perfectand

almostshockinglyforeign.

ShelaughedalittleashepulledtheT-shirtoverherheadandtheskirtdownpastherbarefeet.She

wasembarrassedattheplaintanunderwearsheworebeneath,butsoonenough,hewasremovingthem

fromherbodyaswell.WhenRosewasentirelybare,sheletoutasoftsigh.

"Thisfeelsright,"shetoldhim."Thisfeels...beyondperfect.”

"Good,"hemurmured,andheloweredhismouthtoherthroat.

Rosewhimperedasshefelthismouthmoveoverherpulsepoint,hislipswhisperingoverherwith

justalittlehintofteethbehindthem.Justthatgentletouchwasmakingherskinburstintogoosebumps,but

whenheleaneduptokisshermouthagain,morefullythistime,allshecoulddowasgroaninneedand

want.

"YouarepossiblythemostgorgeouswomanIhaveeverbeenwith,"hesaidsoftly,andforonce,

shedidnotdenyhim.Instead,shesimplygroanedwhenhepalmedherbetweenthelegs,rockingup

againsthimwithneed.

Hekissedheruntilshecouldfeelherskinheatupwithdesireandneed,andthenherosefromher

foramoment.Sheutteredamewlingsoundofprotest,butthenshesilencedherselfwhenshesawthathe

wasstrippingoutofhisownclothes.

Makeendidn'tmakeaproductionoutofit,butheremovedeachpieceofclothingwithakindof

soliddeliberationthatwasintenselyattractive.Witheverypieceofclothingthatwasremoved,shecould

seemoreofhisbronzeskin,seetheplayofskinovermusclesthatmadeherfeelfaintwithneedforhim.

Hedidn'tstopuntilhewasbeautifully,gloriouslynaked,andthenheclimbedbackintobedwithher,

leaningdowntokissheralloveragain.

"Ihavemissedyouso,"hemurmured,andwhenhestartedtouchingherbreasts,sucklingononeand

thentheother,shecouldgivenoreplybutakeeningmoan.

"Ihaveneverwantedyoumore.Please,Makeen,"shewhimpered,andhesmiled.

"Good,"hemurmured."Thenperhapsyoucanwaitalittlelonger."

Shestartedtoprotestthatshenevercould,thatshewouldsimplydie,butthenhewaskissingahot

trailoverthecurveofherbellydowntothefleshbelow.Herlegspartedforhimeasily,andsoonhewas

lyingbetweenthem,runningslowandleisurelykissesupanddownherthighsashestrokedherwithhis

warmhands.

Itwasalmostasifthepleasurehewasgivingherhadputherintosomekindofstupor.Shecould

thinkofnothingexcepthowgoodhefeltandhowmuchshewouldhavegivenanythingforittocontinue

longer.

Everytimeshethoughthewasgoingtotouchhermoredeeply,hedancedstraightuptothespotshe

neededandthenbackedawayagain.Thefourthtimehedidit,shewasmoaningandtossingherhipsin

dismay,movingsomuchthathehadtoplanthishandsaroundherwaisttoholdherstill.

"Youareusuallysoverypatient,mybeloved,"heteased."Can'tyoubealittlepatientalittle

longer?"

"I'lltry,"shesaid,knowinghowwoefulhervoicesounded,andhehadthenervetolaughather.

"Goodgirl,"hesaidwithawink,andthatfelttoogoodforhertotrytolodgeanykindofprotest.

Makeenteasedherforsomeimmeasurabletime,andthen,whenshethoughtthathewoulddriveher

madwithit,heleaneduptopresshismouthtoherflesh.Shealmostsatstraightupwhenshefelthis

tonguepressingagainstherclit,almostsurgedrightoffthebed,buthisstronghandskeptherfirmly

anchored.

Youarenotgoinganywhere,heseemedtosaywithoutwords.Thisisforyou,andyouwillfeel

everysinglebitofit.

Withanexquisitesenseofhelplessnessandpleasure,Rosesankbackdownontothebed,hercry

echoingthroughouttheroom.Rightnow,Makeencoulddoexactlyashelikedwithher,andshewould

neverstophim.

Atfirst,hisintimatetoucheswereasgentleastheonesthatcamebefore,buttheycertainlydidnot

staythatwayforlong.Instead,hestartedlappingatherfleshmorefirmly,andhishandsensuredthatshe

couldnotsquirmaway.Shehadnochoicebuttotakethetidalwaveofsensationsthathewasunleashing

uponher.Herhandswentfromclenchedbyhersidetoclenchedinhishair,andwithherincoherent

pleasuredcries,shebeggedhimformoreandmore.

Withaslightshift,hestartedthrustingtwofingersinsideheraswell,andthatsensationtuggedher

closertoherorgasm.Sheknewitwascoming,couldfeelitvibratingthroughherbody,andsheknewthat

therewasnoslowingit,nostoppingitatall.

Whenshestartedtoshake,Rosegaveherselfuptothesensations,shuttinghereyestightand

throwingherheadback.Itfeltbetterthananythingshehadeverdreamedof,andnowshecoulddonothing

butwhimperashestartedtostrokeherevenharder.Herbodyfeltasifitwasgoingupinflames,andshe

wascryingouthisname,tellinghimshelovedhim,wantingnothingmorethantohavemoreofhim,more

ofthis.

Hekepthismouthpressedtoher,allowinghertorideoutthelastofherclimaxassheshivered

hard,wringingeverybitofpleasurethatshecouldfromit.

Whenshefinallyopenedhereyes,shehadtopushsweat-soakedstrandsofhairbackfromherface.

Rose'svisiononlyfocusedslowly,andthenshecouldseeMakeenleaningoverher,adarkshapeinthe

dimroom.Hereachedoutonetenderhandtostrokehercheek,murmuringsoftwordstoherinArabic.

Shemadeasoftnoiseofprotestwhenhesettleddownnexttoher.

"Whataboutyou?"sheasked,hervoicescratchyandrough.

Heshrugged.

"I'mnotallthatworriedaboutmyownfulfillmentrightthismoment,"hebegan,butthenhegasped

whenhersofthandcamedowntobrushoverhiscock.Hisfleshwasalreadyhalf-erect,butathergentle

coaxing,itstiffenedfully.Shepurredwithpleasurewhenhewasshiveringinhergrasp,pressinghis

mouthagainstthenapeofhernecktohidehiscries.

"Idon'tthinkIlikethesoundofthat,"shesaididly."Imean,Iwasalwaystaughttobelievethatone

shouldgivewhatonegets..."

"Rose,"hesaid,hisvoicestutteringslightlywithdesire."I...IdonotknowifIcanresistifyoukeep

doingthat..."

"Idon'tthinkIwantyoutoresistatall,"shemurmuredsweetly."IthinkIwantyoutofeelatleastas

goodasIfelt.IwanttofeelyouutterlyhelplessinthegraspofwhatIamdoingtoyou..."

Shefelthishandstightenonher,andshethoughtthatshehadhimforamoment,butthenhepulled

himselfback.Damnthemananyway,andhisironcontrol,butinthisarea,Rosewasconfidentandhad

completefaithinherself.

"Rose,yourcondition...Idon't...wanttohurtyou..."

Shelaughedsoftly."You'renotgoingtohurtme.It'llbefine.Womenhavebeenhavingbabiessince

thebeginningofitall,andalittlebitoffunisnotgoingtohurtanything..."

Itwasasifhehadbeenkeepinghimselfonastrainingleash,andwithherwords,theleashsimply

snapped.Suddenly,shewaspushedontoherback,proneunderneathhimashekissedher.Thesekisses

werenearlyviciouswithneed;shecouldfeelitracethroughhimlikeawildfire.Nomatterhowmuchshe

hadwantedhim,itfeltasifheburnedforher,allofthatlongingstoredupandthenreleasedallatonce.

Rosegaveherselfuptoitwithoutasinglequalm.Allsheknewwasthatthemanshecravedlikeair

wastouchingherandkissingher,givinghereverythingshehadwanted.

Withanoisethatsoundedclosertoagrowlthananythingelse,heturnedheroveronherside,

takinghisplacebehindher.Shestartedtowonderwhatintheworldhewasdoing,butthenheliftedher

upperleg,separatingthemandleavinghervulnerable.Inamatterofseconds,hefittedhimselftoher

body,andshecouldfeelthetipofhiscocknudgingagainstheropening.Shewasstillwetandslightly

swollenfromthepleasurehehadgivenherearlier,andwhenhepresseddeepintoher,shegroanedatthe

intensityofthesensation.

Makeenfrozeinstantly.

"Areyouallright?"heasked,hisvoicegruff."DidIhurtyou?"

"No...no,"shewhimpered."No,just...please,don'tstop."

Hemadeanoisethatmighthavebeenalaugh,andthenheplungedallthewayinsideher,pulling

outquicklyandthenplungingdeepinsideheragain.Shegroanedfromtheswellofsensationinsideher,

fromtheabsoluterightnessofhavinghiminsideher,andthenasbestshecould,sherockedbackonhim.

Hestucktoarhythmthatwasjustslightlyshortofpunishing,andsheclungtothesheets,tryingto

makeitasgoodforhimashehadforher.

Roseknewwhenhewasclose;hisbodytensed,andhismotionsbecameshorterandsharper,

makinghercryoutwiththeirintensity.Withonefinalthrust,andadeepcrythatstruckherrighttoher

heart,helungedintoheronefinaltime.Shecouldfeelthefloodofliquidinsideher,shecouldfeelthe

wayheclungtoherandhishotbreathagainstthebackofherneck,hishandunderherraisedknee,and

suddenlyitwastoomuch.

Thetearsstartedslowly,butsoontheywerestreamingdownherface.Shecouldn'tstopherself

fromshuddering,fromsobbing,andthenshewascryinginearnest,toolostinheremotionstoeventhink

abouthowitlookedtohimorwhathemightthinkaboutit.

Makeenpulledawayfromhergently,butthenhewashugginghertightly,murmuringinherhair,

tellingherthatitwasallright,thatshewassafe.Shecouldn'tcatchherbreathtotellhimitwasfine,it

wasallfine.Instead,allshecoulddowassobuntilshewasdone,untilshewasdryoftearsandresting

quietlynexttohim.

"Areyouallright?"heaskedsoftly."WouldyouliketocallDr.Bhola?"

"Ohgodno,letthatwomandoherjob,"Rosemurmured."Itwas...itwasjustalittleoverwhelming,

that'sall."

"Herjobistobeherewithyouwhenyouneedher,"hesaidsternly."Butifyouareallright,Iwill

believeyou."

Shesighed."Iam,Ipromise.Isupposethatwasjust...averyemotionalexperience."

Inthesilenceafterward,theysimplyheldeachother.Thepeacebetweenthemfeltfragile,asifit

couldbreakatanymoment,makinghersighwithsadness.

Imaybeagreatfool,Rosethought.WhatintheworldcouldIhaveexpected?Whatwould

change?Hewantsthesamethingsthathewants,andIneedwhatIneed.Nothingaschanged.

"Youareprecioustome,"Makeensaidsoftly,sosoftlythatshecouldbarelyhearhim."Doyou

evenknowhowimportanttomeyouare?"

"Be-becauseofthetwins?"Itwasthefirsttimeshehadreferencedthemtohimlikethat,andhe

chuckledalittle,anoteofsadnessinhisvoice.

"Notatall.Thetwins...Well,Iamalreadyinlovewiththem.Ineedtobetheirfather,likea

sunflowerneedstoturntowardsthesun.Butno.Youalone.Youaresoimportanttome."

Theargumentwasonhertongue.Shewassoimportanttohimthathewouldgobackandmarry

someoneelse,keepherasamistressorsomekindofsadsecondwife.However,rightnow,therewasno

pointinruiningthepeacethatwasstretchedbetweenthem,gossamerthinascobwebs.

Instead,shesighedsoftly,closingherhandoverhis.

"Wedonothavetotalkaboutthisnow,"shesaidatlast,andforamoment,shethoughthewas

goingtofightheroverit.Itwasafightshewaspreparedfor,evenifshewasnotsurethatitwasafight

thatwouldhaveanykindofwinner.

Instead,sheheardhimsighaswell.

"Allright,"hesaid,hisvoicesoftandquiet."Wewillcomebacktoitlater.Inthemeantime...was

thereanythingelseyouwanted?"

Shestartedtoaskhimwhathemeant,butthenshefelthimpresshimselfagainsther.Rosecould

feelhismanhoodstirringagainstheragain,andthoughshewouldhavethoughtthatshewouldbetootired,

toowornout,shecouldfeelherowndesireriseupagainaswell.

Ashebegantokissher,Roseletherworriesandherfearaboutthefuturefadeaway.

Rightnow,nothingelsematteredbeyondwhatwashappeninginthisbedwiththisman.

ChapterEighteen

Thenextmorning,Rosewasslightlydisorientedwhenshewokeupalone.Thatdidn'tfeelright,but

thenwhensheblinked,lookingaround,shefoundMakeenpacingbackandforth,dressedonlyinalight

pairofpajamapantsslunglowonhishipsandhisphonepressedtohisear.Sheonlyhadamomentto

thinkabouthowhandsomehelooked,andthensheregisteredthetightsoundofhisvoice,theleashed

angerandcontrolthere.

Suddenly,Rosefeltstrangelyvulnerablestillinbed.Sheslippedoffofthemattressandaroundher

lovertothebathroom,andaftershehadwashedherfaceandbrushedherteeth,shefoundthematchingtop

tothepajamashewaswearinghungoverahookonthedoor.Afteramomentofhesitation,shetookit,

wrappingherselfinhisfamiliarscent.

Whenshegotbacktothebedroom,sheperchedontheedgeofthebed,silentlywillingthatthings

wouldgowellforMakeenandthateverythingwasallright.

Whenheendedthecall,however,hediditwithawordshewascertainwasacurseinArabic,and

heranalltenfingersthroughhishair.

"Makeen?"sheasked,hervoicewaveringlightly.

"Unfortunately,itlookslikeIneedtoreturntoAkram.IamsorryIwillnotbeabletostaybyyour

side."

Helookedsogrimthatshecouldfeelherheartbeatingfaster.Sheputherhandoverherbelly,

whichseemedtomakehercalmerthesedays,andglancedathim.

"What'sgoingon?"sheasked."Areyougoingtobesafe?"

Henodded,buthewasalreadystrippingoutofhispajamastochangeintohisformalclothes.Bitby

bit,hewaserasingthetendermanwhohadmadelovetoherthenightbeforeandreplacinghimwiththe

powerfulsheikhwhoruledovertheemirate.

"Icertainlywillbe,"hesaid.

Shewonderedifhewasgoingtorushoffwithoutsomuchaslookingather,butthenhesighed,his

handsstillingonhishalf-fixedtie.

"Ican'tlietoyou,"hesaid."TheproblemisLiteracyforAll."

Sheblinked.Ofallthethingsthatshemighthaveexpected,thatonewasprettyfardownthelist.

ThenshethoughtofallofthevulnerablepeopleshehadmetandservedatLiteracyforAll,andherthroat

seizedupwithfear.

"What'sgoingon?"sheasked"Isanyonehurt?"

"No,notatall.But...DoyourememberwhatIsaidaboutforeignersinAkram?Doyouremember

howIsaidthattheydidnotunderstandwhattheyweredoingwhentheyshoweduptohelppeoplewhile

onlyvaguelyunderstandingtheirneeds?"

"Yes,"shesaidinconfusion.

"Well,practicallyspeaking,Iamactuallyconsideredquitemoderate.Therearepeoplewhowould

liketoseeallWesternerspushedoutentirely,andwhowouldliketoseeallEnglishschoolspushedoutas

well."

"But...butEnglishisagreatskillforpeopletolearn,especiallyiftheywanttoworkinthe

internationalmarket,and..."

"Youdon'thavetotellmethat,"hegrumbled."Buttheyhaverecentlyhadanupsurgeofpublic

dissent,andnowthereisalargegroupthatislookingtoousttheschoolentirely.TheywantAkramforits

ownpeople,andthatissomethingthatcouldgetveryuglyveryquicklyifwearenotcareful."

"Iamgoingwithyou,"shesaidinstantly,almostatthesametimeashesaid,"Youarestayingright

here."

"No,"hegrowled."Iwillnothaveyouandourchildrenendangeredifthereistheleastchanceof

thatinAkram.Youwillstayherewhereyoucanbeprotectedaroundtheclock,andIwillkeepintouch

withyouasbestIcan.UndernocircumstancesareyougoingclosetoAkramuntil--"

"Makeen."

Hervoicewassharp,makinghimdrawupslightly.Shewasn'tsureifhehadeverheardherusethat

voicebefore.

"LiteracyforAllismine.Doyouunderstandthat?Itismine.Thepeoplewhoworkthererightnow

worktherebecauseofme.Iftheyneedhelp,itisuptometogetthathelptothem.Iunderstandyourfear,

butyouhavetounderstandmine.Youarethefatherofmychildren.Iamnotlettingyougobyyourself."

Shepaused,andshewasn'tsureifhereallyunderstoodwhatshewassaying.

"Ifyouthinkyoucankeepmehere...Well.Honestly,Iwouldliketoseeyoutry."

Hegazedatherforafewmomentswhileanumberofemotionsbrokeacrosshisface.Shesaw

surprise,fear,angerandmore,butbeforeshecouldfigureoutmorethanthat,hegaveashortnod.

"Allright.Icanseethatyouwillnotbedissuaded.Bereadytogowithwhateveryouneedinthe

nexttwentyminutes.Oncethecargetshere,Iwillbegettingintoitandleavingwithorwithoutyou."

Shesnorted."Ifyouthinkyoucanshakemethateasily,thinkagain.I'vedonethisbefore."

Shewasdressedinadarkgraybusinesssuit,thejacketleftunbuttonedoveraloosetoptoallow

forhergrowingstomach,andwaitingforhimasthecarpulledintothelongdrive.Heraisedhis

eyebrowswhenhesawher.

"Itfeelslikeit'sbeenawhilesinceIsawyoudressedtofight,"hesaid,andshegrinned.

"Thatfightingspirit'snevergoneaway.Maybeyoushouldrememberthat."

ThedrivetoAkramwaslongandbusy.Whenshegotonthephonewiththestaffatthecenter,she

foundthattheyweresafe,ifafraidtocometowork.Sofar,peoplewhowereprotestingtheirpresence

werejustatthebuilding.

"That'sfinethen,"shesaidoverandoveragain."Wecanreplaceabuilding,wecan'treplaceyou.

Juststaysafe,anddon'tworryaboutit.SheikhMakeenandIwilltakecareofeverything."

Throughoutallofthis,shecaughtMakeenglancingatheroverandoveragain.Rosewondered

brieflyifshewassimplyshowingherownincompatibilitywithhimasshedidthis.Afteramoment,she

decidedfirmlythatitdidnotmatter.Thiswasher,andnothingwasgoingtochangethat.

AstheydroveintoAkram,therewasapalpabletensionhangingoverthecity.Peopleweregoing

aroundlivingtheirlives,buttherewasdefinitelysomethingamissthere.TheclosertheygottotheOld

QuarterwheretheLiteracyforAllcenterwas,themorepeopleseemedtobeoutandangry.

ShewasamusedthatMakeenseemedtobefightingwithhisownsecuritystaff.Theywereintenton

himreturningtothepenthousewheretheycouldgivehimaproperarmedguard,andhewasintenton

goingrightdowntowherethetroublewas.Whenhehunguponthemandlookedupintohergrinningface,

hescowled.

"Don'tstart,"hesaid,andshelaughed,takinghishand.

"It'sgoingtobefine,"shesaid."You'llsee."

Whentheyfinallygottothecenter,shecouldseethatthesmallcourtyardinfrontwasfilledwith

millingpeople,peoplewithsuspicious,darklooksontheirfaces.Thosepeoplecouldseethedarkcar

pullup,buttheycertainlydidnotexpecttoseetheirsheikhcomeoutofit.

However,themurmurwasjustgoingupthatitwasMakeenwhenshesteppedoutofthecar,and

afterthat,itallseemedtogotohell.

TherewasashoutinArabic,thensuddenlythecrowdseemedtoturnasonetofaceher.Shewas

shockedtoseepeoplesherecognizedinthecrowd,facesthatshehadoncepassedwithoutathought,now

turnedangryandfurious.Peoplewerereachingforher,grabbingforherclothing,andshelashedout,her

heelsandfistsconnectingwithfaces,shoulders,anyonewhogottooclose.Theyweren'tseriousaboutit,

thatmuchshecouldtell,andwhenshegotherbreath,sheshoutedtomakehervoiceheard.

"Iamnothereasyourenemy,"shecried."LiteracyforAllisworkingwithSheikhMakeentomake

surethatourprogramisaccessibleandasrelevantasitcanbetoyourneeds.Justbecausewecomefrom

anotherlanddoesnotmeanthatwedevalueyours..."

Thereweremurmursofagreementfromthecrowd,butthentherewasanothershout,makingthe

entirelotofpeoplestiruneasily.

Itlookedlikethecrowdwasgoingtosurgeagain,andthensuddenlyshewasbeinglifted,liftedup

highenoughthatherfeetkickedhelplesslyintheairbeforesherealizedwhatwasgoingon.

BeforeRoseevenhadenoughtimetoreallypanic,herfeetsettledonsomethingsolid,andshe

realizedthatshehadbeenliftedtostandonthetrunkofthecar,Makeenstandingbesideher.

Suddenly,withalleyesonthem,thecrowdquieted,andMakeenlookedoutoverhispeople,his

facesternasstone.

Whenhespoketothem,hespokeinArabic,andwithapang,Roserealizedthatwashermistake.

Shemighthavethoughtthatshewasmakingafairexchange,showingduerespect,butbeyondafew

phrases,shehadnevermasteredanythingoftheelegant,ancienttonguethatherloverwasusingnow.

Ashetalked,shecouldseethecrowdgrowingquieter,andthegazesthatwereturnedtowardsher

weregettingdecidedlylesshostile.Someofthemevenlookedspeculative,andsherealizedthatMakeen

hadbeenspeakingforquitesometime.

Suddenly,Makeenturnedtoher."Doyouseethosenewscamerasthere?Acrossthesquare?"

Sheglanced,andyes,therewerereportersthere,theirlargecamerastrainedsquarelyonherand

Makeen.

"Yes..."

"Good."

Withoutanywarningatall,hewrappedonearmaroundthesmallofherbackandpulledherinfor

apassionatekiss.Somehow,eveninthemiddleofanangrycrowd,evenontopofacarwherethedriver

waslikelyhavingasmallheartattack,shewasabletomeltintoit,whimperingwithsurprise.Whenhe

finallypulledaway,thecrowdburstintoapplauseandcheers.Rosecouldseethenewscrewsdashing

aroundfrantically,andsheturnedtoMakeenwithwideeyes.

"Are...areyougoingtotellmeexactlywhatitwasthatyoudid,ordoIhavetoguess?"sheasked,

andnowitwashisturntogrinather.

"Itoldthemthetruth.Thatthisplacehasmyfullsupportandmyfullsupervisionbecausethe

womanwhoisrunningitismyfiancée.ThatshelovesmeandlovesAkram,andthatIwillbeproudto

wedawomanwhowillbenothinglessthanawarriorbride."

Shestaredathim,eyeswide."Youcan'tbeserious..."

"OfcourseIam.Iloveyou.Ihavebeenfightingthattoolong,andIwillfightitnolonger.Iwant

youfightingbesidemeforallourdays.Wewillfightthosewhowilldoharmtowhatisours,andwewill

fightforourchildren.Iamsurewewillfighteachotheraswellsometimes,butIacceptthat.Iloveyou,

Rose.Willyoumarryme?"

Withadeliriouslaugh,shejumpedintohisarms,staggeringhimslightlybeforeheregainedhis

balance.

"Yes,yes,ohgodyes,"shesaid,hereyesfilledwithtears."Yes,Iloveyou,andIwillmarryyou,

yes..."

"Good.Here."

Startled,shestoodstillasheloopedapendantaroundherneck.Whenshepickeditup,shecould

seethatitwasabeautifulwoodencarving,withlinesandcurvesthatcalledtotheeyesandthehands.

"Howlonghaveyou..."

"Foralittlewhilenow.IboughtitbackinDubai.Iwantedtogiveittoyou,but...well,nowIcan."

Foramoment,Rosewasalmostoverwhelmedbyhowtheysoeasilycouldhavemissedmeeting

eachother,howtheymighthavetouchedbrieflyandgoneon.Nowshecouldseetheluckandthejoyof

beingthem,ofbeingRoseandMakeen,andallshecoulddowashangontohimastightlyasshecould

whilehetoldherhelovedheroverandoveragain.

"Iloveyoutoo,"shesaidfinally,steppingback."Butlet'sgetdownoffthiscar.UnlessImissmy

guess,youhavesomeinterviewstogive..."

Epilogue

Roseawakenedfromadeepsleep,andimmediately,herhandwenttothesmallbedsettled

adjacenttoherhospitalbed.HerquestinghandimmediatelyfoundTaysirandAlyasleepingsoundlyafter

allofthecommotiontheyhadcausedwiththeirarrival.Theylookedsmalltoher,butDr.Bholahadsaid

thatthatwasnormalfortwinsandtheywouldstarttocatchupinnotime.

Herhandalsobumpedintothatofherhusband's,whohadhishandinthesmallbedaswell.

"Haven'tyousleptatall?"sheasked,andhegrinnedatherinthedimlightofthematernityward.

"Idon'tthinkI'llsleepforthenextyearorso,"headmitted."It'sbeentooexciting."

"Oh,that'sgood.Thenyou'llbehappytotakeonallnighttimefeedingsandchangingsthen,I'm

sure."

TheyhaddecidedearlierthattheywouldonlybecallingontheservicesofanannywhenMakeen

wascalledaway.Bothofthemknewthattheywouldsimplybetooinfatuatedwiththeirchildrenwhen

theygottheretogiveupanypartoftheircare.

"Howareyoudoing?"

"Aboutthesame,"Rosesaidwithatiredsmile."Readytobehome,really."

"Firstthingtomorrow,"hepromised."Justputupwithitalittlelonger.Getsomesleep,andbefore

youknowit,it'llbemorningandallfourofuswillbegoinghome."

Rosechuckled,shakingherhead.

"Itstillsoundslikesuchafantasy,thatweareafamilynow,"shewhispered."You,me,Alyaand

Taysir.We'regoingtobeafamily.Ihopewedoallright."

Herhandcreptuptothewoodenpendantthatshehadwornthroughoutherpregnancyandlabor.

Shestrokeditscurvesrestlessly,lookingforthecomfortitwouldalwaysgiveher.

"Ofcoursewewill,"Makeensaidwithconfidence."Iloveyouasdeepastheocean,andIknow

youlovemethesameway.Butmorethanthat..."

Helookeddownatthesmallbed,whereAlya'ssleepyeyesopenedandblinkedathim.Inanother

moment,shewasasleepagain,butthesheikhfanciedthathecouldseethesamefightingspiritinthattiny

bodythathecouldseeinhermother.

"Morethanthat,Iknowthatwewillfightforeachother,mywarriorbrideandI,andthatisallthat

matters.”

THEEND

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ChapterOne

WhenBerryCaineturnedthecornerofthesouk,dodgingamanwhowasladendownwithboxesof

pastriesandskirtingawomanwhowantedtosellherabeautifulgoldnecklace,shelaideyesononeof

themostbeautifulthingsshehadeverseen.

Itwasabrassstatueofacamel,andfromthedesignsthatshesawonitssaddleanditstack,itwas

wellovertwohundredyearsold.Justbecausesomethingwasold,however,didn'tmeanthatitwas

valuable,andshehadmorethanthreeyearsasaFarnsworthAntiquescuratortoknowthat.

Withalookofpoliteinterestonherface,shewandereduptothestandwherethebrasscamelwas

sitting.TherewasthecommondetritusofjunkthatshehadcometoassociateasstandardinanAlamun

vendorstall,includingsmallceramicdancingfigures,brassflowers,andvividbluesoapstonecarved

intoballs.However,amongthejunkwerepiecesthatwouldperfectforthestoreinBrooklyn,smallerand

notgreatforthegallery,butperfectfortheweekendantiquerwithtimeontheirhandsandawillingnessto

payagreatdealforsomethingnooneelsehad.

However,rightnow,thatcamelwastheonethatBerrydecidedwasabsolutelynotgoingtoescape

hergrasp.Theolderwomanworkingthestallcametomeetherwithawidesmile,followingherglance

tothecameleasily.

"Ah,youpickedthebestofthelot,"thewomansaidinslightlyBritishaccentedEnglish."Thatone,

mygreat-great-grandfatherbroughtoutofthedesert,andithasbeeninthefamilyforsometime."

"Oh?Andwhyareyousellingit?"Berryaskedpolitely.Itwasprobablybesttogetthesobstory

outofthewayearly,andshewasright.Thewomanspunatrulyimpressivetaleaboutagranddaughter

whowantedtogotoschoolandasickdaughter,andhowitwouldbreaktheirhearttopartwiththecamel,

butithadtobedone.

Berrylookedoverthecamel,pretendingtothink,andthennodded.

"Iwillgiveyoutwohundredforit,"shesaid,andthewomancriedwithsurpriseandoffense.

"Oh,twohundredifyouwishtomeltitdownforbrass!"sheexclaimed."Forathingthatcameout

ofthedesertonmyveryancestor'sback,youshouldbeashamedtospendlessthantwothousand!"

Berryallowedherselftolaughwithdismay."Oh,surelynot!"sheprotested."Whenyourancestor

broughtitoutofthedesert,I'msurehewasthinkingofmeltingitdownhimself…"

"Ah,perhapsIoverstatedthen.Eighteenhundred,then,andbreakmygrand-daughter'sheart…"

"Fivehundred,andI'dbehappytowriteherareferralletter."

"FromanAmericantourist?Wouldthatdoanygood?"scoffedthewoman,butBerrycouldseeher

eyesgrowingbrighter.

Lateron,perhaps,theycouldgettoknoweachotherandformarelationshipovershipmentofsome

oftheothergoods.Rightnow,though,Berryknewthatshewantedthatstatueandthatnothingwasgoingto

getinherway.

"Well,maybenotthatmuch,buttomakeupforit,sixhundred…"

Theywentbackandforthlikethat,drawingamusedglancesfromthepeoplepassingby.TheGreat

MarketplaceofAlamunhadbeenafamousMiddleEasterntradingpostformorethanfivehundredyears,

andfromthefirsttimethattwotravelerstradedpureglassbeadsforahandfulofsmallcopperingots,

verylittlehadchanged.

Itwasaninternationalplace,whereBerry,tall,chestnuthaired,andslender,didn'traisean

eyebrow.Unlikeinotherplacesintheemirates,womenworewhattheypleased,andtoday,Berrywas

dressedinalongsleevelessblackdress,herbrighthaircoveredwithadiaphanousdrapeoffabricthat

keptoffthesun.

Sheandthevendorfinallyseemedtosettledownsomewhereintheneighborhoodoftwelve

hundreddollars.Berrycouldfeelthestatueinherhands,andsheimaginedthewayherbosswouldadore

thecamelwhensuddenlyanewvoiceenteredtheproceedings.

"Fivethousandforthecamelstatue."

BothBerryandthevendorturnedtogapeinsurpriseatthenewcomer,butthevendorrecovered

first.

"Sold,"shecried,beforeglancingatBerrytriumphantly."There,yousee?"shesaid."Thatisaman

whoknowswhatvalueis."

Themanwhohadsteppedintosnipeherpurchasewastall,atleasttwoinchesoversixfeet,andin

thedesignerslacksandsilkshirthewore,shecouldtellthathewasmuscular.Hewasclean-shaven,but

shecouldn'tseehiseyes,whichwerecoveredwithapairofheavyblackshades.Whatshedidknowwas

thathisgrin—brightwhiteandsharp—wasmaddening.

"It'sabeautifulpiece,"hesaidasthewomanwrappeditupforhim.

"Yes,itis,"Berrysaidreluctantly."Ihopeyouenjoyit."

Themanmadeanoiseofagreement,butthemomentthewomangavehimtheneatlywrapped

packagetiedwithstring,heturnedtoBerry.

Shehadbeenwaitinguntilafterhehadlefttospeakwiththevendorsomemore—attheveryleast,

therewerethesmallerpiecesthatwereofquiteagoodquality—butthenthemanofferedherthestatue.

"Here,"hesaid,hisvoicelowandamused."Abeautifulpresentforabeautifulwoman."

Otherwomenwouldhavebeenflatteredorperhapsflusteredbyhisextravagantcompliment.Other

womenmighthavegaspedatthegift.Berryjustfeltatideofragecomingupoverher.

"Seriously?"shehissed,andtoherdismay,thevendorwaswatchingthemverycuriouslynow.

Berrycouldseeherchanceforgettingagooddealgoingrightoutthewindow.

Afterall,shecouldimaginethewomansaying,withamanwhowillspendsomuchcashonyou,

whyareyouevenhaggling?

Theremightbesomethingtosalvageherelater,whenshecouldcomebackwithouttheinfuriating

mangrinningafterher,butBerrycouldtellthatitwasalostcauserightthismoment.

"No,Ithinknot,"shesaid,herwordsbrutallyclipped,andturningonherheel,shestrodeoff.

Toherdismay,hefollowedheruntilshestoppedatastandsellinglimeade,wheresheboughtatall

glassoftheoverlysugarydrink.

"That'sverysweet,"heobserved,thecamelpackagestilltuckedunderhisarm.“Iwouldn'thave

thoughtthataforeignerwouldhaveatasteforit."

"Well,there'sperhapsagreatdealyoudon'tknow,"Berrysaidthroughgrittedteeth.Whenshesat

downatabenchundertheshadeofanoldtree,sherolledhereyeswhenhecametositdownnexttoher.

Insteadofbeingoffendedbyherirritablewords,heonlylookedcuriousinstead."Oh?Sowhydon't

youtellmewhatitisIdon'tknow?Perhapsyoucanstartwithwhyawomanmightturndownagiftthat

wasboughtwiththesolepurposeofsimplypleasingher?"

Berrylaughed,becauseafterall,shewasaBostongirlwhohadbeenfendingoffcatcallsand

sexualpropositionsfromtheleastappealingmensinceshewasateen.

"First,ifyoudroppedfivethousanddollarsonsomeonewithoutexpectinganything,youareeither

anidiotoraliar,"shesaid."Second,youmaywanttokeepinmindthatwhatyouseeisnotnecessarily

whatyouget."

Toherirritation,hedidn'tlooktheleastbitabashed.

"Soeducateme,"hesaideasily."TellmewhatIwasreallyseeing."

"Youwereseeingawomanwhowastryingtosetupadealwithavendorwhohasthingsthather

employersmightwant.Myjobistogetthebestdealpossible,andwhensomebiglunkheadwithmore

moneythansenseshowsuptooverpaypeopleforextravagantgiftsforme,thatsortofdefeatsthe

purpose.Ifwordgetsaround,I'mgoingtobepayingafiftypercentmarkupatleastoneverything.IfI'm

lucky.IfIhaven'tmanagedtomakethisentireplaceawashformybusinessatall."

Hewavedhishandindolently,wavingawayherconcernasifitwasnothingmorethanapassing

indulgence.

"Feh,Idon'tknowwhereyouhavebrowsedinthepast,buttheGreatMarketplaceofAlamunis

greaterthantherestputtogether.Itisfartoobigtobeworriedaboutthat."

"Ohreally?"sheasked,hervoicesyrupsweet."Andexactlywhatdoyouknowaboutallofthis?

What'syourexpertiseinantiquities?What'syourexperienceasabuyer?"

Helookedatherwithakindofamusedtolerancethatcoulddrivehermad.Partofit,shethought,

wasthatitwashardnottonoticewhatanexceptionallyhandsomemanhewas.Theattractionshefeltfor

himwasveinedwithfrustrationandirritation,whichsomehowmadetheirencounterevenmorecharged.

"Iknowenough,"hedrawled."Andmorethanthat,Iknowwomen."

Shestaredathim,unabletobelievewhatshewashearing."Oh?Dotell."

"WhenIwalkeduptothevendor,Isawtwowomen,oneolderandoneyounger.Theolderonehad

agreatfondnessfortheyoungerone,andtheyoungerone,well,shewasquitebeautiful,butalone."

Apartofherflutteredtobecalledbeautiful,butshestompedonthatimpulsehard."Goon,"she

said,hervoiceacidsweet.

"Shewantedthebestforyou,andpartofthatbest,asawomanoperatingalone?Wastohaveaman

showinterestinyou."

Berrycouldn'tstopherselffromlaughing."Ohright,becausethehighestthingthatawomancan

hopeforistofindaman."

"That'snotwhatIsaid,"herepliedwithagrin."InAlamun,awomanisknownbytheadmiration

shecommands.Amandoesnotownawoman,butinstead,amanworshipsawoman."

"Allright,that'sanewone,"sheadmitted."Areyousayingthatyouwereinterestedinworshiping

me?"

"Well,worshipmightbesomethingreservedforawife,someonewhoholdsthatplaceinyourlife,"

hesaidwithastartlingamountofearnestness."You?PerhapsIwaslookingtopaycourttoyou."

"That'sgettingawfullyaheadofyourself,"Berrysaid,andshewonderedwhyshewasgivingthis

manthismuchtime.Shetriedtotellherselfthathewaslittlebetterthantheconstructionworkerswhohad

hootedatheralongthestreets,butthemoretimeshespenttalkingtohim,themoreshesatwithhimand

listenedtohiswords,themoredrawntohimshefelt.

Helaughedather,noddinginapology."Soitisfartoosoonformetoofferyoumyhandandto

whiskyouawayfromallthis?"heasked.

Almostagainstherwill,shefoundherselflaughing."Yeah,Ithinkso,"shesaid."Becauseafterall,

youweretheonewhojustruinedthatdealforme.I'mgoingtobegrumpyforawhile."

"Ah,Isee.Thensomethingmorehumble.Perhapsyouwouldallowmetotakeyoutodinner.There

isanexcellentGreekplacehere,andifthereisabetterapologythangoodhummus,Idon'tknowit…"For

amoment,Berrywastempted.Shedidn'tknowwhy.Ifsomeonehadtoldherthatthiswasgoingtohappen

toher,shewouldhavesaidthathernaturalreactionwouldhavebeentostrideoffinself-righteousfury.

However,asshewassittingonabenchchattingwithamanwhoshewasbeginningtofindremarkably

charming,alotofthatsimplywentoutofherhead.

Reluctantly,sheshookherhead."No,I'msorry,notinterested,"shesaid.

"Well,perhapsIcanmakeupmyoffenseinamoredirectway…"

"Andwhatwouldthatbe?"

Inamatterofamoment,hisgazechanged.Hewentfromteasinghertosomethingmuchhotter,much

moreintimate.Heallowedhertoseehimscanherclosely,hiseyesrunningupanddownherslender

body.Suddenly,withouthimsayingawordortouchingheratall,hemadeherfeelcompletelynaked.

"Ihaveanapartmentcloseby,"hesaid,hisvoicehushed."It'salovelyplace,withaviewofthe

skyline,andthereisalargesoftbed.PerhapsIwouldnotworshipyou,butthereisatypeofappreciation

thatIwouldbehappytoshowyou…"

"Appreciation?"shesaid,barelyawareofwhatshewassaying.Shefeltasifthedayhadbecome

suddenlymuchwarmer,asifshewerehypnotizedbythisman,allwithoutseeinghiseyes.

"Yes.Iwouldremoveeachandeverypieceofyourclothing.Iwouldwanttorunmyhandsalong

thatfairskinofyours.IwouldwanttorunmymouthoveryourcurvesuntilIhadcometothesecretspring

atthecenterofyou,andoh,prettywoman,Iwouldmakeyoucryoutasiftherewashoneyonyourtongue

…"

Shepulledbackwithajerk,herfaceflushingwithheatnotbecauseshewasoffendedbutbecauseit

allsimplysoundedtoogood.Shewasaprofessionalonthejob,andthelastthingthatshecouldaffordto

dowastosimplywanderoffintothearmsofamanlikethis.

"Idon'tthinkso,"shesaidcrisply,standingup."AndIamleavingnow,andyouarenotgoingto

followme."

Hetiltedhisheadtooneside."Andhowdoyoufigurethat?Iamafreeman,andIcangowhereI

like."

"Easy,"Berrysaidbriskly."OnethingIbelieveisthatyouareterriblyproud.Ifaladyasksyoufor

athing,youwillobey,becauseitwouldhurtyourpridenotto.Sorightnow,Iamaskingyounottofollow

me."

Foramoment,itlookedasifhewasgoingtoprotests,butthenhelaughedslightly,shakinghis

head."Oh,youtrulyareagem,"hesaidwithadmiration."Anditonlymakesmewantyoumore.Allright

then.Youhaveasked,andIwillobey.Maymyobediencebringyouagreatdealofcomforttonightwhen

youareathomeinyourbed,beautifulgirl."

Shehadafeelingthatshewouldbethinkingabouthimalot,butsheshookitoutofherhead.She

wasworkinginAlamun,andshecouldnotaffordtohaveaflingwithalocal,evenifhewasimpressively

handsome.

"Andmayyoulearnthattherearesituationswhereyoudon'tneedtointerfere,"shesaidbriskly,

andashelaughed,shemadeherexit.

Berrydodgedthroughthecrowd,notstoppingtolookbackuntilsheknewthatshewaswellaway

fromwheretheyweresitting.Whensheturnedaroundanddidn'tseethemanwithwhomshehadbeen

havingsuchastrangeconversation,shefeltbothrelievedandslightlyregretful.Nomatterwhatelseshe

couldsayabouthim,hewascharismaticinawaythatshesimplydidn'tseeoften.

Oh,he'sgoneandyoucantellthetruthnow,shechidedherself.

Thetruthwasthathewasoneofthemostattractivemenshehadeverseen.Therewassomething

abouthimthatcapturedherattention,andwhenshethoughtabouthissmile,somethinginsideherfeltlike

ithadmelted.

Thetruthwasshehadn'thadaboyfriendinaverylongtime.Betweenfirstschoolandthenwork,

therehadbeenpreciouslittletimeforloveinherlife.

Thetruthwasshewasattractedtohim,andshewishedthatshewasn't.

Relax,shetoldherself.You'reprobablynevergoingtoseehimagain,andthat'sjustfine.Calm

down.

Thatworked,sortof,evenasitsentastabofregretthroughher.Shedidwanttoseehimagain,but

rightnow,shehadworktodo.Withasigh,shetightenedhergriponherbagandstartedwalkingalongthe

aisles,hereyesquicklylocatinganythingthatmighthavepromise.Itwaslikemarketplacestheworld

over,andmostofwhatwasavailablewassimplyjunk,buthereandthereweretreasuresthatsheknew

wouldsendherbossoverthemoon.

Shedidnotthinkofthehandsomemanshehadsatwith.Oratleast,Berrytoldherselfthatshe

wasn'tthinkingofhim.

ChapterTwo

"Ican'tbelievethatIhavetowearthisdress,"Berrymuttered,andherboss,MichaelFarnsworth,

shotheraraisedeyebrow.

"Surelyyoudidn'texpecttobeabletocometothispartyinoneofyourdeplorablerags?"hesaid

archly,andsheshothimanirritatedlook.

"Honestly,Iwasn'tsurewhyIwasgoingtobeatthispartyatall,"sheretorted."I'myourtreasure

hunter,remember?I'mreallynotoneforbigpublicfunctions."

Farnsworthsmiledatherwithadistinctlackofsympathy."Rightnow,treasurehunterornot,you

aretheonlyoneinmyemploythatIcanforcetogotothiseventwithme.Consideryourselflucky,I'mnot

askingforthedressback."

ThedressinquestionwasnotsomethingthatBerryexpectedtowear—ever.Itwasastunningsky

bluenumberwithalongbeadedsheathandjeweledstraps.Unlikeotherfancydressesshehadtentatively

triedoninthepast,itclungtoherslimfigure,ratherthanbaggingunattractivelyatthebustandmakingher

lookasifshewereachildwearinghermother'sformalwear.

"Istilldon'tseewhyyoucouldn'tjustgetyourwifetocomewithyou,"shesaidwithasigh.

"Well,Idon'tpayher,foronething,andthesethingsaredeadlydulluntilthey'renot.Andnowlook

alive,thingsaregettingstarted."

Theyhadbeenmillingaroundinthepublicareaofthehall,butnowthestaffwasguidingeveryone

towardsthetablessurroundingthestage.Foramoment,Berryhadapangofsympathyforoneofthe

ushers,whowastryingtoguideaguestwhodidnotcarefortheirseatingarrangements.Despiteher

positionatFarnsworthandhercurrentlyfancyoutfit,shewasmuchmoreathomewiththestaffthanshe

waswiththeguests.

ThetopicoftheeveningwasanultramodernmallthatwasbeingbuiltatthecenterofAlamun.It

hadbeenahottopicofdebateforthepastfewyears;somefeltthatitwouldbetheperfectinjectionof

moneyandelegancetotheemirate,whileotherssawitasaneyesoreandanaffronttothesame.

Farnsworth,whohadspentagreatdealofhiscareerworkingintheMiddleEast,washeavily

investedinmakingtheideatakeoff,andherefusedtomissasinglemeetingwhereitwasdiscussed.

Heguidedhertotheirtable,whichtheysharedwithsomeSaudiandsomeSwissinvestors.There

wereafewtediousspeeches,andthenamurmursweptthecrowd.

"What'sgoingon?"shewhispered.

"Supposedly,theSheikhisgoingtobehere,"hereplied."Bothsideshavebeencourtinghimfor

sometime,butsofar,hehasshownneithersideanyfavoratall.Hopefully,someonechangeshismindfor

himtonight."

"Andnow,presentingSheikhRasulibnAhmedSardan,toaddressthedistinguishedcompany…"

Thenamewascertainlyfamiliarenough.AlamunwasoneoftherichestemiratesoftheUAE,and

mostofitwasduetothefierceindependenceoftheroyalfamily.TheSardanDynastywereknownfor

beingiconoclastswhoknewverywellhowtokeeptheirwealthfortheirpeople,andthemostrecent

SheikhRasulwasknowntobegoodatit.

WhatBerryhadn'texpectedwastorecognizetheSheikh'sfaceaswell.Hehadbeenwearing

sunglassesatthetime,butshethoughthislipsandjawlookedsurprisinglyfamiliar.Whenhespoke,she

froze,becausenowtherecouldbenodoubt.Thelasttimeshehadheardthatvoice,itwasspeakingtoher

aboutworshipandthingsthatcertainlycouldnotbementionedinpolitecompany.

Nowitwastalkingtoheraboutthefutureandthepast,andtheneedtopayhonortoboth,andshe

feltasiftheworldwerefallingoutfromunderneathher.

"HowsooncanIgetoutofhere?"sheaskedFarnsworth,hervoicelow.

Heneverevenlookedather,keepinghiseyesandhissmilefocusedonthespeakeratthepodium.

"Unlessyouhaveliterallybrokenaleg,Iexpectyoutostayforatleastthreehours,"hesaidthrough

grittedteeth."ThereisameetandmingleafterdinnerandbytheloveofGod,Iwillnotbeseenwithout

anescort."

Berrysworesoftlyunderherbreath,buttherewasreallynoarguingwiththemanwhosignedher

checks.Instead,shelistenedasbestshecouldtothespeechtheSheikhgave,whichwassurprisingly

forwardthinking,andclappedwiththerest.

It'llbefine,Berrythoughttoherself.Thereisabsolutelynoreasontogetfreakedoutorupset.

Chancesarethathadbeenastunninglynormaldayforhim.Heprobablydoesn'tremembermeatall,

andGodknowsIlookdifferentenough…

Shetoldherselfthatoftenenoughthatshestartedtobelieveit,andwhenawaiterpouredhersome

champagneforatoast,shefeltevenbetter.TherewasnowaytheSheikhwasgoingtocomespeaktoher

anyway.Herbosswastheonewhoheldallthecards,shewasjustaprettypieceofarmcandy,evenifthe

jobwasasdumbashell.

Afterthespeechesdinnerwasserved,whichwasamazing,andafterthat,Berryrealizedthather

bosswaswrong.Itwasn'tameetandgreet;insteadthefloorwasclearedforsomedancing.

BerryandFarnsworthtouredthegroupforashorttime,butwhenhegotinvolvedinspeakingwith

somemenwhowereheadingupthemallproposal,shefeltcomfortabledoingabitofwanderingonher

own.Shewonderedhowsolidthatdeadlinewasandwhethertherewasanygettingoutofitanytime

soon.Afterall,itlookedlikeFarnsworthhadthingsfairlywellinhand.

Berrywasjustcongratulatingherselfongettingoutofapotentiallyriskysituationwithafairly

smallamountoffusswhensheheardasoftlaughthatwasabsolutelyfartoounfamiliar.

"Sowhenitcomestoworshipers,doyoupreferthemoldandrich?"heasked,aslightbitofacidin

hisvoice.

BerryspunaroundtofindRasulstandingbehindher.Inhistuxedo,helookedevenhandsomerthan

hehadatthesouk.Thistime,though,hissmilewasdefinitelyalittlelessfriendly.

"Ibegyourpardon?"shesaid,slightlybewildered.

"Isawwhoyoucameinwith,andIsawyouwhisperingtoeachotheratthetable,"hesaid,

steppingalittlecloser."Withyourideals,andthatclearsenseofrightandwrongthatyouhad,I'malittle

shockedatwhoyouarewith."

"Who,Michael?"sheasked.Shewasstartingtogetanideaofwhathewashintingat,anditwas

ugly.

"Yes,Farnsworth.Doeshepleaseyouwell?Iwouldhavethoughtthatifyouweresomeonewho

wouldbalkathavingmoneyspentonyouthatperhapsyouwoulddrawthelineatmarryingoldandrich

…"

Foramoment,shewassostunnedatwhathewassayingthatshecouldn'tthinkofaresponse.Then,

whentheshockblewaway,itleftbehinditaclearragethatmadehersmile."Oh,well,thetruthisthatI

wasjustunimpressed,"shecooed."Imean,fivethousand?Idon'tgetoutofbedforthat."

Somethingstrangecrossedhisfacethen.Shecouldn'ttellwhetheritwassadnessorfuryorsome

strangemixofthetwo.

"Ah,well,IsupposeIwasmorecuriousaboutwhatitmighttaketogetyouintobed,notwhatit

takestogetyououtofit…"

"Sorry,that'sformyhusbandtoknowandyoutofindout…"

Hestudiedherforamoment,andforthefirsttime,hemerelylookedbaffledinsteadof

contemptuous."Really,whatisit?Whyareyoutogether?"

"Well,itcouldbethatIlovehimnomatterwhathelookslike,butthetruthisthathe'sjustgreatin

bed,"Berrysnapped.Foraheartbeat,shehadnoideawhatshehadjustsaid,butthenitcrasheddownon

her.

OhmyGod,shethoughtdistantly.IjusttoldtheSheikhofAlamunthatI'magolddigger…

Thankfully,atthatpoint,Farnsworth,whohadalwayssaidthathehadasenseforthingsgoing

south,hurriedover.

"SheikhRasul,"hesaid."Iseeyou'vemetmyassistant."

Toherrelief,Rasulonlyraisedhiseyebrows.Shewasn'tsureexactlywhatkindofblackmark

baitingtheheadofacountrywas,butshecouldn'treallyassumethatitwouldbelessthangettingfired.

"Your…assistant?"heasked.

"Yes.Berryisoneofmymosttrustedagents,"hesaidratherfondly."Tonightshe'sactingasmy

assistantandmyescort,butmostofthetime,she'sabitofatreasurehunter.ThereisnooneItrustmorein

thispartoftheworld;shehasanamazingeyeforrealartandhistory."

"Well,whatacoincidence,"Rasulsaidsmoothly."Youknow,Ijustfoundthispieceinthe

marketplace,astunningpiecethatIthinkmightbetwocenturiesoldormore.Doyouthinkthereisa

chanceIcouldborrowherfromyou?"

Farnsworth'seyesshoneasifsomeonehadlithimupfrominside.Withawince,Berrycould

almostheartheold-fashionedcashregistersgoingoffinhishead.

"Well,ofcourse!Oneofthegreatthingsthathavingatrulyinternationalshoppingcenterwoulddo

isbringalongprofessionalsofallkindsandputthemrightatyourdisposal."

Berrycouldn'tstopherselffromstaringatRasul,whoforhispartcontinuedchattingamicablywith

herboss.Hecouldn'tbeserious,couldhe?Thiswasridiculous...

"Andofcourse,Berrywouldbehappytohelpyoudatethepiecethatyouhaveinmind,aswellas

anyotheritemsyoumightneedhertoexamine.Isn'tthatright,Berry?"

Berrycouldn'tbringherselftoagreeenthusiastically,especiallywhenshehadjustgottencaught

lyingtotheSheikhhimself.Insteadshenoddedwithasmilethatlookedmoresickthananythingelse.The

menwerehappytokeeponchatting,however.

"Awomanofsuchskillandambitionwouldbeawelcomeadditiontotheeffortsthatwearetrying

tomakecurrently,"hesaidwithasmile."Thankyousomuchforyourgenerosity,Mr.Farnsworth,andfor

youaswell,Miss…?"

"Berryisfine,"shesaidweakly.Somepartofherstillcouldn'tbelievethatthiswashappening.

"Um,ifyouwillexcuseme,it'salittlecloseinhere.Ineedtostepoutforamoment."

Withoutwaitingtoseeiftheyhadacknowledgedher,sheturnedandheadedforthebathroom.

Undertheharshfluorescentlights,shesplashedabitofcoldwateronherface,stillstunned.

Thisisnotgood,shethought.Ineedtofindawaytogetoutofthis.

WhenshemetFarnsworthinthecabridegoingbacktothehoteltheywerebothstayingat,

however,hewasadamant.

"Areyoumad,girl?"hesnorted."Thisisexactlythebestthingthatcouldhavehappened.Ifyou

thinkIamgoingtochangethisaroundforanythingshortofyouactuallygrowinganotherheadoutofyour

neck,you'rewrong."

"Ijustdon'tthinkthatI'mthebestpersonforthisjob,"shesaidlamely."WhynotaskBrooketo

comeinfromBrussels,orheck,William'sreallyclose,he'sjustinDubai."

"ApparentlyIhavenotmademyselfclear,"hesaidsharply."Youweretheoneatthedinnerwith

metonight,andyouweretheonewhocaughttheSheikh'sattention.Becauseofthat,youhavea

responsibilitytoyourjobtoseethisthrough.Hewantedyourexpertise,andheisgoingtogetit."

WhenBerrysawthattherewasnotalkingherbossoutofit,shesighed,slumpingbackagainstthe

seat.

"Anyway,what'sthematter?"Farnsworthaskedcrossly."You'regettingpaidtoappraiseafew

smallitemsthatareeithergoingtobeinoffensiveoroutrightamazing.Youaredoingitonthecompany

dime,andyouarespendingtimewiththeheadofthecountry.Surelyyourstandardsareabithigh?"

"Youwouldn'tunderstand,"shesaid,anditwastrue.Therewasnowaythatshecouldexplainthe

mess,firstatthesouk,andthenatthedinner.

Attheheartofit,herfastmouthhadgotherintothis,andattheendofit,shehopedthatherfast

mouthcouldgetheroutofitaswell.

Thatnightinhispenthouseapartment,Rasulwonderedwhatthehellhewasdoing.Hestrippedto

hisskin,stretchingoutonhiswideemptybed.

Itusuallywasn'tthisempty.Therewasatimenotallthatlongagowhenhewouldhavehada

differentwomaniniteveryweek,gorgeousblondes,sultryredheads,wide-eyedbrunettes.Thenatsome

pointinthelastyear,ithadallgonedull.Nothingwasexcitinganymore,andhewondered,morebored

thananythingelse,ifitwastimetogiveinandsettledown.

Justafewweeksago,Rasulhadstartedtoconsiderwhathemightlookforinasuitablesheikha,a

womantobebothhiswifeandtheladyofhiscountry,ashewasthelord.Heconsideredqualitieslike

birth,wealth,biddabletemperament,thingsthatwouldmakeforastableanduneventfulpartnership.

NoneofthosequalitieswouldhaveledhimtothewomanthathenowknewwascalledBerry.He

wouldneverhavethoughtthathewantedawomansotallorslender,withhairthatpickeduppointsof

brownfireandwhosecleargreeneyescouldsnapwithrage.

Hecouldn'texplainittohimself,notreally.Whenhehadafreeday,Rasulsometimeslikedtogo

downintothesouk.Itwassomethinghisfatherhaddone,andhisgrandfatheraswell.Themenofhis

dynastyhadalwayskeptacloseearonwhatwasgoingonamongtheirpeople,andhesuspectedthatthis

wasthetraditionthathadaidedtheminthatgoal.

Hehadbeenwanderingaround,thinkingofnothingmuch,whenheheardaspiritedbiddingwar

goingon.Rasulstoppedtocasuallyseewhatthefusswasabout,andhewassurprisedtoseethatthe

womanwhowascomingoutontopwasaforeigner.Forsomereason,whensheglancedoverathim,he

couldfeelhisheartbeatfasterinhischest,asifsomethingsubtlebutrealhadchangedhisworldforever.

Thatwaswhenhedecidedthathehadtogetinvolved,thoughafterward,hehadrealizedhemight

havedonesoinaratherfoolishway.

Whenheboughtthestatueforher,heexpectedhertobepleased.Inhisexperience,womenloved

gifts,thoughhehadtoadmitthatacamelstatuewashardlythemostromanticthingintheworld.Hehad

vaguelythoughtthatthestatuewouldbeajumpingoffpoint,wherehecouldtakehertodinner,andthen

perhapsmoreiftheywerebothsuited.

Ofcourseithadn'tturnedoutthatway.Insteadofanassignationwithastrikingwoman,hehad

endedupsittingonabenchdiscussingrelationshipswithher.Rasulcouldn'trememberthelasttimehe

hadspentsomuchtimewithawoman,speakingtoheraboutsomethingsoplacid.

Beforehewasevenvaguelyreadyforhertogo,shehadduckedthroughthecrowd,leavinghim

holdingacamelstatuethathehadnotwantedinthefirstplace.Asrejectionswent,itwasamildone,but

hefeltapangatneverseeingheragain.

Hehadthoughtabouthereverydayforthelastfewweeks,andwhenhesawherinthecrowd,his

hearthadskippedabeat.Hadhefinallylosthismindandendeduphallucinatingthebeautifulforeigner?

Thenhiseyestookintheexpensivedressthatseemedtoskimherelegantcurves,andhetookinthe

silver-hairedmanthatshewhisperedsoinsistentlyto.

Rasulhadnearlyskippedgivinghisspeechaltogether.Hewasn'tsurethathecouldgooutontothe

stageandseesuchabeautifulwomanchainedtosuchanoldman.Despitehercuttingwords,hehad

admiredherindependenceatthesouk,andtoseeherturnouttobesuchahypocritestunginawayhe

didn'tlike.

Rasulhadbeenplanningtoavoidherwhentheminglinganddancingstarted,butsomethingdrew

himtoherlikeanailtoamagnet.Hehadtoldhimselfthatheknewbettertogoconfrontawomanwho

boiledhisbloodlikethisonedid,butitwasinevitable.

Atfirsthehadbeenfurious,andthenwhenhefoundoutaboutherdeception,thatfuryhadspiked

andthenfinallyfadedtoconfusion.Hewasamanwhowaswellusedtowomenfallingdownathisfeet.

Ifhislooksdidn'tconvincethem,oftentimessimplyhisfameorhiswealthwoulddoit.Hehadneverbeen

inasituationwheretheydidn't.

Andyet…andyettherewasBerry.

Shewasasgorgeousinasimpledustydressatthesoukasshewasinasparklingcocktaildress,

andnomatterwhereshewas,shewasn'tafraidtoletthosegorgeouseyesspitfireatanyonewho

displeasedher.Thatalonewouldhavedrawnhisattention,butsomepartofhimwasbecomingconvinced

thattherewasmoretoitthanthat.

Ashedriftedofftosleepthatnight,hefoundhimselfdreamingofherlushmouth.Coulditcurve

intoasmileaswellasitcouldcurveintoasneer?Whatwouldshelooklikewhenthatsamemouthhad

beenfreshlykissed?

ChapterThree

Forafewdays,BerryheardnothingfromRasulatall.Shetoldherselfthatnowthathehadhadhis

fun,therewasnoreasonforhimtocontinuetospeaktoher.Likely,hehadgoneontoforgetallabouther.

Afterall,Iamaveryforgettableperson,shethought.Heprobablyhastonsofpeoplewhoare

afterhisattentionandwhodidn'tscreamathimashewenttotrytobuyhersomething…

ThatcomfortedherrightupuntilthatTuesdaywhenherphonerangasshewaseatingbreakfast.She

almostdidn'tpickitup,butdutygotthebetterofher.

"Hello,Berry,Ihopethismorningfindsyouwell."

Sheblinkedalittlebit,startledandblushingtohearhisvoice."I…Oh,SheikhRasul!"

Therewasthatfamiliarlaugh."That'squiteformal,don'tyouthink?"hesaidteasingly."Afterall,I

thinkweknoweachotheralittlebitbetterthanthat…"

"Isupposewedo,"shesaidreluctantly."HowcanIhelpyoutoday?"

"Well,IknowthatMichaelFarnsworthofferedyoutomeasifyouwereaprizehewasdanglingto

getmysupportforthemall…"

"Themanisnotsubtle,"shemutteredwithoutthinkingaboutit,andRasullaughed.

"Quite.AndthetruthisthatIamgoingtotakegrotesqueadvantageofhisgenerositybecausethere

aresomethingsthatIwanttohaveappraised,butIwouldrathernothavethathappenwhileyouwere

silentlycursingmeandwishingformydeath."

"Iwouldn'tdothat,"sheprotested.

"Well,Iamcertainlygladtohearthat,butIdoneedtoapologizetoyou.WhenIsawyouatthe

banquet,itseemsasifIlostmyhead.IsawyouwithamanthatIassumedhadtobeyourhusbandoryour

patron,andIcouldn'tstopmyselffromabusingyou.Nomatterwhathewastoyou,itwasnoneofmy

business."

Berryblinked.Whatevershehadbeenexpecting,itcertainlywasn'tthis.Shehadexpectedhimto

flyrightpasttheconversationthattheyhadhad,possiblytakingafewmorejabsaboutthingsthatshehad

donewithherbossbeforedoingthat.Thefactthathehadn'twasstartling.

"SoIapologize,andIhopethatyoucanfinditpossibletoforgiveme."

Shetookanotherbreath,andthenoneafterthat.Whenshespokeagain,shesurprisedherself.

"Thankyouforyourapology,butlook,Ijusthavetoapologizetoo.WhatIsaidwasrudeandill-

consideredwhenwesaweachotheratthebanquet…"

"Hmm."Heseemedtothinkaboutwhatshehadsaidforamoment."Andwhyareyouapologizing?

Isitbecauseyourbossaskedyoutodoso?Ifso,thatreallydoesn'tholdmuchwater…"

Shebitherlip,andthendecidedthatatleastatthispoint,sheshouldsimplytellhimthetruth."I

shotmymouthoffbecauseIwasirritated,"shesaid."AndifIamfranklyhonest,itsoundsasifyoudid

thesame.Doyouthink…doyouthinkthatmaybewecanjustagreetoforgiveandforget?Imean,Ihope

wecan…"

Shecametoastutteringstop,awarethatherexplanationwaslikelyjustmakingthingsworse.She

couldn'treallyfigureoutwhatshewastryingtosay,onlythatherstrangeattempttomakethingsbetterhad

somehowgottenverytangled.

"Allright,then,doyouthinkwecanstartfresh?"heasked."Comeatthingswithneweyes,and

maybetrynottobesoterribletooneanother?"

"Iwouldlikethat,"shesaidwithrelief.

"Good.Thenwhenareyoufree?"

Asitturnedout,shehadafreeafternoon,andsheagreedtomeethimathisapartmentindowntown

Alamun.Shedressedcarefullyfortheappointmentinalonglinendressthatwasspecificallynot

flirtatiousorinanywayrevealing.Therewassomuchgoingon,andrightnow,thelastthingthatshe

wantedtodowastosendthewrongsignals.Hemightbeconfusedoroffendedaftereverythingthathad

goneonwiththem.

Ormaybeyouarejustafraidthathewouldtakeyouuponit,andthenyouwouldn'thaveany

ideawhattodo,thevoiceinherheadjibed.

Sheignoredit.Ithadneverhelpedherinthepast,andshesawnoreasonwhyitmighthelpher

now.

Thecabthatpickedherupdroppedheroffinoneofthemostexpensiveareasinaveryexpensive

city.Eventhedoormanwasbettergroomedandmorepoisedthanshewas,andasshemadeherway

throughthelobby,sheheldhertabletinfrontofherasifitwereashield.

Beforeshecouldgettoopanickedaboutbeinglostandoutofplace,however,sheheardhername,

andturnedtoseeRasulcomeuptoher.

Todayhewasdressedinsomemoretraditionalgarb,withalongblacktunicofshinyblacksilkand

apairofnarrowtrousersmadeofthesamefabric.Theratheraustereattireonlymadehimlooktallerand

morehandsome,andBerryallowedherselfamomenttofeelslightlywistfulbeforegettingdownto

business.

"SheikhRasul…"

Hefrownedatherwithmockseverity."Ithoughtwewerebeyondthat.DoIhavetoorderyouto

callmebymygivennamewithoutthetitle?"

Sheblushed.Usuallyshewassocompetentandquickwittedwhenshewasworkingwith

customersorvendors.Whathadhappenedtothat?

"NowmayIhearyousaymyname?"hesaidsoftly,andshetookadeepbreath.

"Rasul,"shesaid,anditcameoutsofterandbreathierthanshehadintended.Foramomentthey

werebothstill.Shewonderedifthesameshiverthatwentthroughherhadgonethroughhim.Thismight

provetobevery,verybadforherobjectivityafterall.

"Good,"hesaidsoftly."Thatisafinestart."

Beforeshecouldaskhimwhathemeant,heledherintotheglasselevatorandpunchedthebutton

forthepenthouse.Whensheenteredhishome,Berrywasimpressedbythequietopulenceandeleganceof

theplace.Shehadhadplentyofrichclientsandbuyersbefore,butsofewofthemreallyknewhowto

makethingslookgood.Hishomewasaustere,perhapsevenalittlesparse.Thetexturesintherugs,the

furniture,andthewallhangingswereveryrich,however,andeverywhereshelooked,shewantedto

touch.

"TheitemthatIwantyoutoappraiseisonthetable,"hesaid."I'llorderussomefoodwhileyou

takealookatit."

Shewalkedintotheopendiningroom,notexpectinganythinguntoward,butthenwhenshesaw

whatwasinfrontofher,shefroze.

Occupyingprideofplaceatthecenterofthetablewasthebrasscamelstatuethattheyhadfought

overatthesouk,andBerrywassuddenlybesetwithawhirlwindoffeelings.

Finally,however,hilaritywonout.Sheslouchedintooneofthetallchairs,coveringherfacewith

herhandsastearsrolleddownhercheeks.Therewassomethingstartlinglyrefreshingandcleansingabout

herlaugh,andwhenshelookedup,Rasulstoodwithoneshoulderhitcheduponthedoorway,anamused

expressiononhisface.

"Iwaswonderinghowyouweregoingtoreacttothat,"headmitted,andsheshothimwrylook.

"Youknow,theotherreactionthatIwasconsideringwasallaboutrageandpitchingafit.Thatwas

animpressiverisktotake,Ithink."

Hegrinned,comingintotheroomwithher."I'vealreadytastedyourire,"hesaidwithchuckle."I

waswellbracedandpreparedforit."

Berryshookherhead."Allright.It'sprobablytimeformetostartearningmykeep,solet'stalk

camel.Ididn'tgetmuchmorethanacursoryglanceatthepiecebefore,soI'llgetabetteronenow."

Shepulledthecameltowardsher,tryingtobeasbusinesslikeasshecould.Therewassomething

justalittleunnervingaboutthewayhewasstandingbehindher,watchinghereverymoveasraptlyasa

hawk.Berrysupposedthatshecouldhavebeenflattered,butthewordthatcametohermindwasalittle

stronger.Somehow,shefeltasifshewerebeingseduced,somethingthatsurelycouldnothavebeen

happeningsimplybecausehewaswatchingherassheexaminedabrassstatue.

"It'saboutwhatIthoughtitwas,"Berrysaid,resolutelykeepinghereyesonthestatue."It'sagreat

exampleofAlamunbrassworkfromsomethreehundredyearsago,maybemore,butthewaythebrassis

scoredandrefinedsuggeststhatthat'sabouttherightvicinity.Alamun'sarthasalwaysbeenwonderfully

realisticandverydetailed,butthispieceisexceptionallygoodforitsage.Youcanseewherethesculptor

reallyknewcamels,knewtheirhabits,andtheirattitudes.Seehowtheheadisslightlytiltedandthelegs

arefoldedjustso?That'sthemarkofamanorwomanwhoknewwhattheyweredoing."

"Woman?Therewerewomenbrassworkersbackthen?"heaskedcuriously,andBerryshothima

warylook.

"Look,youaregettingmyexpertisefreeofchargethroughofferingmybossyourear.Youcando

whatyoulikewithmyinformation,butreally,don'ttellmethatit'sbad,notwhenI'vespentsolonggetting

itright."

Heraisedhishandspeacefully,butshecouldtellthattherewasstillsomethingamusedabouthis

expression.Someofthegoodfeelingsshehadgottenfromhimoverthelastfewminuteswere

disappearingagain.

"Ididnotmeantooffend,"hesaid."Itisonlythatmycountry'shistoryhasnotbeenonethathas

includedagreatmanywomeninit.Forbetterorworse,Alamunwomenhavealwaysbeenverymuch

attachedtothehome,whetherthathomewasacharcoalburner'shutorasheikh'spalace."

Berrythoughtforamoment.Ifthiswasaregularjob,shewouldsimplyletitgo.Antiqueswere

sometimesaremarkablyconservativeindustry,andshewouldrathermakeasalethanargue.However,

shewasn'treallymakingasalehere,andthiswastheSheikh.Ifhekeptonmakingassumptionslikethis,

theremightbesomesevereconsequencesdowntheroad.

"So…howoldareyou?"sheasked.

Rasullookedsurprised."Iamthirty-four,ifthathasanythingtodowithanything…"

"Thatmakessense.ThatmakesyoutenyearsolderthanmeandatleastfiveyearsolderthanFatima

al-HassanandMirahAdnan."

Hefrownedalittle,butshewaspleasedwhenherecognizedthosenames."Youmeanthe

professorsofwomen'shistoryattheuniversity?"

"Theyarehistorians,"shecorrected,"andoverthepastfewyears,theyhavedonesomevery

importantworkwhenitcomestorevisitingthehistoryofAlamun.Thehistorythatwethinkofasrealis

oftenwrittenbymen,andonethingthatIhavediscoveredinmytradeisthatmendonotoftenpay

attentiontowhatitisthatwomenaredoing.Atworst,theywillcertainlytakecreditfortheirwork."

Rasulscoffed,andshehungontohertemperwithgrittedteeth."OneofthegreatpridesofAlamun

manhoodisthatweprotectourwomen.Weofferthemthebest,andwedonotforcethemintotheworldto

workortobemadewearywithwar."

"Thatsoundspositivelywretchedtome,"shesaiddecisively,"butifyoureadtheworkdonebythe

professorsImention,thereisalonghistoryofwomenworkingandinnovatinginAlamun,ifonlyyou

knowwheretolook."

Onanimpulse,sheliftedthestatue,turningittoonesidesotheycouldseethebottom.Unlikethe

restofthestatue,thecamelwasflattheresaveforamaker'smark,astylizedflowerunderscoredbytwo

slashes.

"Here,whatdoyouthinkthisis?"sheasked,showinghimthemark.

"Amaker'smark,Iimagine,"Rasulsaidalittleimpatiently."Asigntotellyouthatitcamefrom

suchandsuch'sstudio."

"Itmightbe,"sheagreed,"butduringtheperiodinwhichthisstatuewasmade,itwasmorelikely

thatanindividualwouldleaveasignatureratherthanacompanyname,sotospeak.Mostofthese

signaturesweremadewithscript,sowewouldhaveapropername.Thisonedidn't."

Rasultiltedhisheadtooneside,andshecouldseethatinspiteofhimself,hewasinterestedin

whatshehadtosay."You'resayingthatthisisapseudonymofsomesort."

"Iam.Manywomenoftheerahadflowernames.Thiswouldhavebeenasubtlewaytoreference

herselfwithoutdrawingtoomuchunduesuspicion."

"Sothisstatuewascastbyarenegadefemalebrassworker?"Rasulsaidspeculatively.

Atthat,Berryhadtoshrug.Shedearlywishedthatshecouldtellhimthatthiswasthecase,butshe

couldn't,andattheendoftheday,shebelievedinherverycorethatyousoldpeopleantiques,notwild

stories.

"Ithinkthatitislikely,"shesaid."Ithinkthatthereisnowayforustoknowwhatreallyhappened

backthen.Itcouldbeasyousay,astudiomarkratherthanthatofaspecificartist.Thatisalways

possible.However,IknowwhatIbelieve."

Heranagentlehandalongthebackofthecamel,tracingthearchofitsneckandthetackandbridle

thatadornedit.

"Whoeverthesculptorwas,theywouldhavebeenveryskilled,"hesaidfinally,andthatwas

somethingthatBerrywasdefinitelywillingtoagreeto.

"Verymuchso.Youoverpaid,butnotbyallthatmuch."

Heshotheraninquisitivelook."Anddidn'tIseethatyouwereplanningtogivethatwomanjusta

fewhundreddollars?"

Berryshrugged,suddenlyuncomfortable.Shehadfiguredthatthewoman'ssobstorywasnothing

morethanastory,buttherewasalwaystheideathatitcouldhavebeenreal.Ifthatwasso,herhard

hagglinghadtakenawaymoneythatthewomanhadneeded,onlytoputthatmoneyintothehandsof

MichaelFarnsworth,whodefinitelydidnotneedmoreofit.

"It'sthewaywedobusiness,"shesaidhaplessly,andRasul'sgazegrewalittlesharper.

"Really?ItisyourbusinesstoswindlethepeoplewholiveinAlamun,whoareactuallyheirtothe

historythatyouhavejusttoldmeaboutsoeagerly?"

"Itisnotswindling,"shesaid."Shewouldhavereceivedafairpricefromme,onethatsheagreed

to.Itwasentirelyherbusinesswhethershewouldhaveacceptedmyofferornot.Iwouldnothaveforced

her."

"Butyouwouldnothavetoldherwhatthispieceisworth,wouldyou?"

Berrycouldfeelahotblushcomeuponhercheeks."Areyoukiddingme?AreyoutellingmethatI

needtobloweveryadvantageIhaveinthesouksandattheestatesales?AmIsupposedtoreallyjustsit

backandhopethatpeoplewantmetotakethingsofftheirhandseveniftheyareworthfarmorethanIcan

payforthem?"

Heranallhisfingersthroughhisthickdarkhair,andshecouldseeinthatsinglegesturethathe

trulywasfrustrated.Thiswasmorehonestthananythingshehadseenoutofhimsofar,though,anditwas

oddlyrefreshing.

"Theremustbesomesortofmiddleground,"hesaid."Somewherebetweenpreservingyour

businessandnotswindlingthepeoplewhoaresellingtoyou."

"Welltheminuteyoufindoutwhatitis,whydon'tyoutellmeallaboutit?"shesnapped.

Foramoment,itlookedasiftheyweregoingtogetintoanotherfight,butthen,theywere

interruptedbythechimeofthedoorbell.

"Thatwouldbeourfood,"Rasulsaidwithasigh."Let'stablethisfornow,yes?"

Berrynoddedwarilyashewenttoanswerthedoor.Shewonderediftherewouldeverbeapoint

whentheywerecalmwithoneanother,wheretheywereatpeaceratherthanconstantlyatcombat.Ifshe

washonestwithherself,however,therewassomethingterriblyengagingaboutthatcombat.Whenshe

stoppedtotakestockofherselfrightnow,shecouldfeelthathercheekswerehotandthatherheartwas

beatingharder.

Shewasnostrangertoconfrontation,butthiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverfeltsoveryexcitedfor

it.Berrywonderedwhatthismeantforthefuture,butshedecidedatthemomentthatsheandRasulshould

simplyfocusonnotkillingeachother.

ChapterFour

Fortyminuteslater,shepushedherselfbackfromtheremainsofherdinner,groaningabitasshe

didso."I'llbeperfectlyhonest,IdidnotexpecttoenjoythatasmuchIdid,"shesaid."Iwasexpecting

thatyouwerejustgoingtoorderusupaplateofkebabsorsomething…"

Hesmiledathergamely."Givemealittlecredit,"hesaid."Iknowthatthisisbeyondyourregular

duties,andnomatterwhatyoumightthinkofme,Ireallydowantthistobepleasantforyou."

"Why?"Blushingalittle,Berrywonderedifthesingleglassofchampagnethatshehadsippedwith

hermealhadgonetoherhead.Thatwashardlyaquestionthatyouaskedofamanwhosegoodsideyou

decidedlywantedtobeon.

Tohersurprise,heansweredherseriously."Because,ifIamperfectlyhonest,Ihavenotbeenable

togetyououtofmymindeversincewemet.IseeyouwhenIlookatart,andwhenIamincrowds,Ithink

Iseeyouallthetime."

Sheblinked,becauseifshewashonest,thathadhappenedtoheraswell.Itwasunnervingtofind

outthattheyhadbeenhavingthesameexperiences,butitwasalsosurprisinglycomforting.

"Iguessyoudon'tfightwithmanypeopleinthesouk,"Berrysaid,tryingtomakelightofit,butthe

lookhegaveherwasfranklybrooding.Insteadofansweringher,hestoodupoutofhischairtocome

standclosetoher.Hewascloseenoughthatitstartledherforamoment,butthenitstruckherthatshewas

feelingnofearatall.Therewassomethingcalmaboutthismoment,evenasherheartstartedtobeat

faster.

"Idon'tthinkitisthat,"hesaidsoftly."Withyourpermission?"

Hisrequestwassomild,soeasy,thatshenoddedwithoutthinkingaboutit.Oncehehadher

consent,however,hemovedfasterthanastrikingsnakeashepulledherupintohisarmsforakiss.

Foramoment,shewastoostunnedtorealizewhatwasgoingon,butthenshesankintothekissas

ifshewassinkingintoabathofwarmwater.Berryhadneverhadakisslikethisonebefore,neverhad

onethatthreatenedtoconsumeeverythingshewasandmakeheranew.

Hismouthexploredherswithakindofruthlesspowerthatlefthergasping,andwhenhepressed

histongueintohermouth,shewasleftwhimperingwithneed.

Berry'shandslandedonhisarmsinadesperateattempttostabilizeherself.Shefeltasifshewas

offbalance.Herworldhadshiftedaroundher,andwhenhefinallypulledback,shewasbreathinghard.

"Youare…incredible,"hesaidsoftly.

Dumbly,Berrylookedathim,hereyeswide.Howhadshenevernoticedbeforethathiseyeswere

gray?Theywereassilveryasmirrors,brightinhisdarkfaceinawaythatshehadneverseenbefore.At

themoment,theywerefocusedonherinawaythatshehadneverhadamanlookatherbefore.

"Whydidyoudothat?"sheasked,hervoicesoundingdistanteventoherownears.

"BecausewhenIlookatyou,thatisallIcanthinkof,"hesaid."Iwonderifitiswhatbroughtus

togetherinthesouk,aswell—akindofattractionthathasnoname."

"It'sonlysomethingwecanfeel,andsomethingthatactsonus,"Berrysaid,andthensheheard

herself.Beforeshecouldfallintohisarmsagain,sheshookherself,standingupstraightandtall."No.

That'sfoolishsuperstition,"shesaiddecisively."Thatwas…thatwaschemistry.Justchemistry…"

Rasul'sgazeturnedamused,andshecouldfeelhertempersparkagain.Whatwasitaboutthisman

thatcouldenrageherjustmomentsafterhemadeherfeelasifhersoulwouldflyoutofherbodyifshe

wasnotabletotouchhimagain?

"Chemistry,somekindofspiritualpull,itdoescomeouttooneandthesame,doesitnot?"he

asked."Youfeltitaswell."

"WhatIfelt,"sheretorted,"wassomethingthatwasbornofaverydestructiveurge.Look.Thisis

notsomethingthatisgoingtowork."

Hesatdownagain,andfeelingawkwardstanding,shedidthesame.Hefoundasmallcookie

leftoverfromthedetritusoftheirmealandofferedittoher.BecauseBerryneededtogatherherthoughts,

shetookthecookie,takingatinynibble.Itwassweetandspicy,sugarandanise,aflavorshedecidedshe

quiteliked.

"Whydoyouthinkthatthiscouldneverwork?"hesaid,utterlypractical.

"Well,amongotherthings,you'retheSheikh,"shesaid.Whywasshegraspingforreasons?The

reasonsthattheycouldnotbetogetherweremanyandmanifold.Weren'tthey?

Hisgrin,ifanything,grewwider."Ah,butinAlamun,thatmeansthatIhavethemostpowerandthe

mostauthorityofanymaninthecountry.ImaydoasIplease."

"Onlythemostpowerfulman?"Berrycouldn'tresistjibing."Doesthatmeanthattherearewomen

whoaremorepowerfulthanyou?"

Helaughed,buttherewasakindofwarmthtohiseyesthathadn'tbeentherebefore."Well,one

day,therewillbeawomanwhoismorepowerfulthanme,whowillrulemethewaythatIrulethe

country…"

Sheswallowed.Forsomereason,suddenly,itwashardtomeethiseyes."Whoisthat?"sheasked.

"Thatwillbemywife,"heanswered."ThecountryanswerstotheSheikh.TheSheikhanswersto

hisSheikha.Itisthewayithasalwaysbeen."

Berrytookadeepbreath,deliberatelynotlookingatRasul.Apparently,therewassomethingabout

themanthatmadeherreactionsuntrustworthy.Itwouldhavebeenonethingifshehadfoundhiskiss

disgustingorifshehadbeenangeredorafraid.Theproblemwasthatforsomereason,shewasn't.

Instead,whenevershelookedathim,allshecouldseewashismouth.Whenshelookedathismouth,she

onlywonderedwhatitwouldfeelliketokisshimagain.

"Besides,"shesaid,"Wedon'tevenlikeeachother."

Themomentshesaidit,shewonderedifitwastrueatall,andforthefirsttime,Rasullooked

startled."Really?Wedon't?"

"God,Imeanlookatus,"shesaidwithawaveofherhand."Seriously.I'mnotsurewe'vemanaged

tohaveasingleconversationwithoutsnappingateachother.Wefightlikecatsanddogs,andIthinkthe

onlypeacefulmomentwe'vehad…"

Shetrailedoff,andhefinishedforher."Waswhenwe'vebeenkissing?"

"Yeah—that.Soitonlymakessensetomethatwekeepourdistance,"shesaid."Everythingwedo

feels…combustible."

Helaughedalittleatherwords,butheshookhishead."Iwouldliketoproposeadifferenttheory,"

hesaid."MayI?"

"Um,sure,goforit,Iguess."

"WhatIthinkishappeningbetweenusisfartoomuchforouracquaintanceshiptobearatthe

moment.Wemet,andtherewerefireworks.Thisirritatesandfrustratesbothofusbecausewedonothave

astablefoundationtobuilditon."

Shebitherlip.Therewascertainlysomethingtowhathewassaying.Thefeelingsthatshehadfor

himsimplyseemedliketoomuchatthistime,toopowerful,tooheavytohangoffofamanshehadonly

knownforsuchashorttime.

"IthinkIseewhatyoumean."

"ThenIthinkthattheobvioussolutionistomakesurethatweactuallydohavemoreofastructure.

Iwanttogettoknowyou,Berry,verymuch.Perhapswhatwehaveisabonfirethatwillsimplyburnout

ofcontrolnomatterwhatweputinfrontofit,but…well,letussaythatIhavehopesformore."

Berrywasn'tsurewhattherightanswerwas.Ononehand,everypartofherheartandherbodytold

herthatthethingshewantedwastobecloserwithhim.However,herheadwascautioningheragainst

whatwasessentiallyanentanglementofherpersonalandprofessionallives.

"Itmightmakeworkingwithmealittleeasierforbothofus,"hecontinued."Afterall,thereare

manythingsthatIwouldlikeyoutotakealookat,andperhapsitwouldbebetterifwecoulddoso

withoutbaitingeachother?"

"I'llthinkaboutit,"shesaidfinally,andifhelookeddisappointedthatshehadn'tagreedwitha

fullheartedyes,healsolookedconfidentthatshewouldcomearoundatonepointoranother.

"Andthatbeingsaid,"Berrysaidhastily,"Ishouldbeonmyway.TherearesomethingsIshould

getbackto,afterall."

ThewayRasulsmiledathertoldherthatshewasn'tfoolinghimatall.Rightnow,whatsheneeded

wasspacetofigurethingsout.Shehadtomakesurethatshehadherheadscrewedonstraight,nomatter

what.Theprofessionalpartofitwasreallyonlyabelatedconcern.Rightnow,itwasherheartthatfeltas

ifitwasindangerfarmorethanherjob.

"Asyoulike,beautifulgirl,"hesaidsmoothly.

Withanold-worldcourtlinessthatshehadseenthatwasmuchmorecommoninAlamunthanitwas

intheUnitedStates,hewalkedherdowntothelobby,wherehiscarwaswaitingforher.

"Iwillbeoccupiedforthenexttwodays,"hesaid."Butafterthat,thereisanartifactthatIwish

youtoseeatoneofmyresidences.Canyouclearyourscheduleforthatentireday?Travelwilltakesome

time."

"Yes,Icandothat,"shesaid."Thatsoundsjustfinetome."

Afterward,shewasn'tsurewhyshedidwhatshedid.Shecouldhavecalleditanimpulse,butit

wasfarmorethanthat.Itfeltlikeacompulsion,somethingthatshehadtodo,andwhensomethingfeltthat

powerful,shedidn'tbothertothinkaboutit.

Whenhegaveherhishandtohelpherintothecar,shemovedforwardinstead,untilshewasflush

againsthisbody.Hewasbentslightly,makingiteasierforhertowrapanarmaroundhisneckandpull

himdownfartherforakiss.

Thekisstheyhadsharedbeforewasafastandfierything.Thisone,whereshewasawareand

readyandwanting,wasdizzying.Shefeltasifherstomachwasfullofbutterflies,shefeltasifherentire

bodywasignitingwiththatsingletouch.Inthatmoment,shewantednothingmorethantogobackuptohis

apartmentandtoreallyfigureoutwhattheycouldbetoeachother.

FromthelookinRasul'seyeswhentheysplitapart,hethoughtthesame.Suddenly,however,that

wastoomuch.Toomuchcontact,toomuchintensity,simplytoomuch.

"Thankyou,"shesaidsoftly,andsomehow,shemeantformorethanjustdinnerorevenjustforthe

kiss.Itwasathankyouformakingherfeelmorethanshehadeverfeltbefore.

"You'reverywelcome,"hesaid,andinthehuskinessofhiswords,shecouldtellthatheunderstood

exactlywhatitwasshemeant.

Desperatetosaymore,andatthesameterrifiedoftheverysame,sheduckedbackintothecar,and

hecloseditafterher.

Onceshewasensconcedintheluxuriousleather,metal,andglassofhiscar,shefeltsafer.

Idon'tknowwhatIamdoingintheleast,Berrythoughtdisconsolately.

However,whensheglancedouttherearmirrorasthecarstartedmoving,shecouldseeRasul

standingatthecurb,watchingafterherasshedroveaway.

Whatevershewasfeeling,sheknewhewasfeelingittoo.Atleastshewasn'talone.Nowallthey

hadtodowastomakesurethatthepoweroftheirattractionforeachotherdidn'tdestroythemboth…

Rasulwentbackuptohispenthouseasifhewereinadaze.Thefirstkisshadbeenbreathtaking.

Thesecondkiss,whereshehadclungtohimasifheweretheonlyrealthingintheworld,asifthey

woulddrowniftheyleteachothergo,wasworldchanging.

Throughouttheworld,Alamunwasknownforitswealth,itscommandingleadinthetechnological

field,itsimpressiveachievementinpoliticsandinthepast,atwar.However,whenyouactuallyspoke

withtheAlamunpeoplethemselves,theywouldsaythattheywerebestknownfortheirromanceandtheir

passion.

Hisparents'marriagehadbeenarranged,buttherewasnodenyingthattherewasapowerfullove

therethatboundthemtogether.Theymaynothavestartedtheirmarriagelovingeachother,buttherewasa

greatfoundationofcareandrespectthere,onethathadbloomedtolovelongbeforehewasborn.They

hadhadalmostfortygoodyearstogetherbeforeaplanecrashtookthemboth,andhestillsawtheir

marriageassomethingthateveryoneshouldaspireto.

Andthenthislittlespitfirecameintohislife.

Ifhewashonestwithhimself,therehadalwaysbeenmoretothemthanhissimpleattractionfor

her.Evenwhenhesawherinthesouk,heknewthatshewasmorethanafling,morethansimple

flirtation.

Thismightbethewomanwhowasdestinedforhim,theonewhowouldrulehisheartandhishome

evenasheruledhiscountry.

But…sheissoforeign.

Helovedforeignwomen,butforthemostpart,theywerecasualacquaintanceships,briefflings,

andassignations.Hehadalwaysassumedthatwhenhemarried,hewouldbelookingforsomeonewitha

similarbackground,asimilarwayoflookingattheworld.ThislittleAmericanwasgoingtofighthim

everystepoftheway,andsofar,whattheyseemedtohaveincommonwasapassionthatthreatenedto

makethemforgeteverythingelse.

Rasullookedoutoverthedarkeningcitysky,pensiveandalmostbrooding.Hehadmeantwhathe

saidaboutwantingtoknowherbetter,butwheredidthatstop?Washelookingforsomethingmore

serious,andifhewas,couldhehaveitwithher?

Hesighed.Atthemoment,hedidn'tknow.

Allhedidknowwasthatthenextfewdaysweregoingtobepainful.Hewasgoingtobeattending

atradeconferenceinDubai,andtheentiretime,hewasgoingtobethinkingofacertainwillowywoman

withacrownofcopperychestnuthair.Whenshewaswell-kissed,hereyesweresmokywithdesire,and

allhecouldthinkofwaskissingthatwarm,redmouth.

Rasulcouldhavecursedtheworldforintroducinghimtoawomanwhostirredhisheartandbody

likethiswhilebeingsoverydifferentfromhimandhisworld.Atthemoment,however,allhecouldthink

ofwasthetasteofherandthesweetnessofherbody,howmuchhelongedforher.

Hesighed.Heknewthatfatewasastrangething,andwhereitdecreedthatyouwouldburn,you

certainlywould.However,hehadneverexpectedhisfatetocomeforhimwithsuchbeauty,suchpassion,

andsuchabeautifulsmile.

Asdestructivefateswent,hewasn'tsurehecouldchooseabetterone.

Twodays,hethought.Twodays,andthenIwillseeheragain.Afterthat,weshallseewhatwe

mighthaveincommonandwhatwecandowithoneanother.Perhapsthistime,wewillnotstopso

hastily.

ChapterFive

Berrymadeitapointtokeepherselfbusyoverthenexttwodays.Shedeliberatelyoverbookedher

scheduletomakesurethatshecouldnotconcentrateonwhatwouldhappenwhenshenextsawRasul.

However,despiteherbestefforts,heandthekissesthattheyhadsharedkeptcreepingintohermind.

Forawhile,itdrovehercrazy.Shewouldbetypingupabriefforaspecificitemthatshehad

found,andsuddenlyshewouldimaginewhathisdarkhandwouldlooklikepushingupherskirt,sliding

alongherthigh.Shewouldbeorderingherselfsomethingsweetforlunch,andshewouldimaginefeeding

himatinymorselofit,touchinghislipswithherfingertips.

"Youlookdifferent,"FarnsworthcommentedontheirSkypecall.Hehadgonetocheckonafew

thingsinDubai,buthelikedtokeepincontactwithallofhisagents.

Berrywasirritatedtofeelherselfblushinglikeayounggirl."Oh,really?Ihadn'tnoticed.Iwonder

ifit'sjustbecauseitisgettinghotdowninAlamun…"

Farnsworthshotherastrangelook,butheallowedhertochangethetopictootherthings.

ThetruthwasthattherewassomethingaboutRasulthatsimplywouldnotleavehermind.Itwas

morethanjusttheintensephysicalitythattheyshared.Therewassomethingabouthisfacethathaunted

her.Shewonderedforawhileifitwasbecauseheremindedherofsomeonethatshehadmetbefore,but

thensherealizeditwasactuallysomethingthathehadsaid.Itwasasthoughhewassomehowfamiliarto

herwithoutherhaveknownhimbefore.

Bythetimeshegotthecallthathewassendingacarforher,shewasfeelingmorenervousthanshe

hadinyears.

Berrydressedwithcare.Shealmostconsideredwearingclothesthatwerewhollyprofessionaland

demure,butsomethinginherprotestedtheideaofcomingbeforeamanwhomadeherheartbeatfaster

dressedasifshewereadrablittleaccountant.

Instead,shewentthroughthemeagerclothesthatshehadbroughtwithherfromtheStates.Inthe

end,thereweresimplynotthatmanyoptionsavailabletoher,whichshesupposedwassomethingofa

mercy.

Sheputonalightcottonsundressinthepalestshadeofwarmgreen,andoverhershininghair,she

pinnedascarfofdeepestemerald.Foramoment,lookinginthemirror,shefeltliketheawkwardand

gawkyseventeenyearoldwhohadneverbeenaskedtodance,tootallandtooskinnyforanyonetolook

attwice.

Forasinglemoment,Berryalmosttoreofftheclothesthatsheworeandputonherprofessional

clothesagain,butthensherememberedthewaythatRasulhadlookedather.Helookedatherasifallof

thelightintheworldwasheldinherbody,andnomatterwhat,ithadtomeansomething.

Toherrelief,shegotatextthatthecarhadarrived,andshecouldn'tthinkofitanylonger.Checking

herselfinthemirroronelasttime,shewenttothecarandgotin.

Shewasalittlesurprisedwhenthecartookheroutoftown.Therewereafewvillasoutthere,

luxurioustobesure,butthecardidn'tstopatanyofthem.Inthedistance,shecouldseethemountains,tall

andpaleblueinthemorninghaze.TheyborderedtheemirateofAlamun,keepingthecountrysafefrom

thewesternapproach.

ToBerry'ssurprise,thecarstoppedatasmallairfieldwhereadarkhelicopterwaitedforher.

"What'sgoingon?"sheaskednooneinparticularasshegotoutofthecar.

"Well,Iaskedyoutocomeouttomyhouse,andIthoughtthatitwouldberudeofmetoletyoufind

yourownwaythere."

ShespunaroundtoseeRasulcomingupbehindher,wearingaflightjacketoverhisfashionable

clothes.

"We'rebeingflownouttothemountains?"Berryaskedinsurprise.

Hegrinned."Almost,"Rasulsaid."I'mflyingusouttothemountainsinthis."

"You'reahelicopterpilot?"Berryasked.ShehadbeenawarethattheSheikhwasarichman,butin

herexperiencerichmenhaddriversandPorsches,nothelicopters.Itwasstrangetorealizethatmostof

hermostvaluableclientswerepeoplewhosefortuneswouldbeinconsequentialtotheSheikhofAlamun.

"HavebeensinceIwassixteen,"hesaid."Myfatherwasmyfirstteacher,thoughIdidendup

gettingnationalcertificationwhenIwaseighteen.Areyoufeelingnervous?"

Shecouldhearabitofchallengeinhisvoice,anddefiantly,Berryliftedherchinandlookedhim

rightintheeyes.

"Certainlynot,"shesaid."I'mreadytogowheneveryouare."

Ofcoursethatwaswhatshesaidbeforethebladeskickedup.Eveninsidethehelicopter,thesound

wasstunning,andshehadtotouchherharnesstomakesurethatshewasbuckledinsecurely.Shecould

seethatRasulhandledtheinstrumentpanelinfrontofhimwithgraceandcompetence,nowastedmotion

atall.

"You'regoodatthat,"shesaidasthehelicopterliftedstraightupinagustofwind.

"Thankyou,"hesaid."Ihavetakenpainstobe."

Afterasteadyrise,thehelicopterbeganitsflightacrossthedesert.Nowthathernerveswerea

littlelessfrazzled,Berryfoundthatshecouldenjoythesmoothflightofthecraftaswellastheswiftway

itcovereddistances.

"Thisisamazing,"shetoldhim,watchingthehelicopterraceitsownshadowoverthegolden

sands."I'veneverdoneanythinglikethisbefore!"

Helaughedalittleatherexuberance,butnowshecouldtellthathewasonlysharingherjoy,not

mockingheratall.

"Good!Iwantyoutoenjoyeverythingjustlikethis."

Hepushedthehelicopterintoasteepdivebeforepullingitupagain,makinghergasp.Insteadof

beingterrified,sheonlylaughed.Therewassomethingaboutthisflight,sofreeandsoveryeasywith

Rasulatthecontrols,thatmadeherfeelmorealivethanshehadinwhatfeltlikealongtime.

"Again!"shedemanded,andwithalaughinreturn,hecomplied.

Thesmallcraftateupthedistance,andsoonthebluemountains,whichhadlookedsodistantfrom

thecity,wereloomingdeepanddarkinfrontofthem.

"Yourhouseishere?"sheasked,lookingaroundwide-eyedatthesharppeaks."Doyouliveinthe

mountainitself?"

"Almost,"hesaid."You'llsee.Justkeeplookingoutthewindow.You'llknowwhenitappears."

Shecouldhaveaskedwhathewastalkingabout,butthenshegasped.Firsttherewasaglintof

gold,andthenwhenthehelicopterbankedlower,shecouldseethatitwasahousesetstraightintothe

mountainside.Theroof,liketheoniondomesshehadonceseeninRussia,wasgilded,givingthatgolden

glow,andtherewasahelicopterpadsetofftotherightofthehouseitself.

"Mygreat-grandfatherhadadreamthathisfamilylinewouldliveforeverifhebuiltahomefor

theminthemountains.Ittooktwogenerationsandmoreplanningthanyouwouldbelievepossible,but

thisistheresult.Ithasaname,somelonglineofpoetrythatIhaveneverreallybeenabletolearnby

heart,butmyfamilyhasalwayscalleditNuriran—theshiningplace."

"Icanseewhy,"shesaid,hushedastheymadethefinaldescent."It'slikeajewelsetupinthe

mountain.Isitevenpossibletogettoitwithoutflying?"

"Itis.Thereisaroadthatyoucantake,thoughtome,ithassomeratherterrifyingtwistsandturns

upthesidesofthemountain.No,Imuchprefertofly,becausewhenyoudo,youcanseethehouseallat

once."

"It'sanamazingplace,"shesaidsoftly."Thankyouforsharingitwithme."

"It'salwaysgoodtocomeupherewithsomeonenew.Whenmyparentswerealive,Imadethistrip

atleastonceamonth,anditcanlosesomethingofthepleasureithadwhenyouaredoingitsooften."

Shelookedathim,startled,ashelandedthehelicopterwithadefttouch.Shehadknownthathis

parentsweredead,butshehadn'theardhimspeakofthembefore.

"I'msorryaboutyourparents,"shesaid."Havetheybeengonelong?"

"Severalyearsnow,"hesaidpractically.Therewasaneasetohisstatementthattoldherthatthe

griefwasmostlydealtwith,buttherewasadeepersadnessthattoldherthathestillmissedthem."They

diedinaplanecrashcomingbackfromafunctioninDubai."

Somethingaboutthewayhesaiditclickedwithhisexpertiseinthehelicopter.Shewonderedifhis

expertisewiththesmallcraftgavehimsomekindofcontroloverthetragedythattookhisparents.

Thentheywerelandingonthehelicopterpad,andtherewerefarmorethingstofocuson.Shesat

withhimashetookcareofthelandingprocedures,andthenhehelpedherdownfromthecraft.

Berry'slegswereunsurprisinglywobblyaftertheirflight,andshemighthavepitchedforwardifhe

hadn'tbeentheretocatchher.

"Poorthing,wereyoumoreafraidthanyouleton?"heteased,andshetossedherheadathim.The

motionmadeherscarffalldown,sprayingherchestnuthairoverhisarm.

"Hardly,justcramped,"shesaid."Nowlet'sseewhatyouhaveformetosee…"

Heledherthroughthehallsofthemountainmanor,pointingoutthingsthatmightinteresther,like

theviewoverthemountainsandachairthathadbeeninthefamilysinceitbecametherulingdynastyof

Alamun.However,whatfascinatedBerrythemostwasthefactthatdespiteitbeingaveryrich,very

lavishplace,itwasalsoahome.Therewerehintshereandthereoftheindividualswhohadlivedinit;

alongonewallwereblackandwhitephotographsthatshehadtostopandpeerat.

"Ohmygoodness,isthatyou?"sheasked,pointing.

Reluctantly,Rasulpeeredoverhershoulderandthennodded.

"Ah,ofcourseyouhavefoundperhapsthemostawkwardpictureofmeyoucouldhave.Yes,itis

me."

ShecouldseewhyRasullookedsochagrined.Theboyinthepicturewasperhapstwelve,and

thoughhewasdressedinahandsomesilktunicandtrousers,therewasamutinousexpressiononhisface

thatwascertainlynothelpedbyhisswollenlowerlipandhisblackenedeye.

"ThatwasmycousinMori,"hesaiddarkly."Idonotrememberwhatwewerefightingabout,but

weweredefinitelyfighting."

"Isee,"Berrysaid,amused."Didyouwin?"

Rasulsighed."Isupposeitdependsonwhoyouask.Thesedays,IamtheSheikh,andMoriisa

verysuccessfulinvestmentbankerinDubai.IliketothinkthatIhavethepowertoretroactivelydeclarea

victory."

"Iamnotcertainthatitworkslikethat,"shesaid,movingontothenextpicture."Isthisoneyou?"

Rasulonlyhadtoglanceatitbeforeshakinghishead.

"Notatall.Thatisapictureofmyfather,takenwhenhewasjustayearortwoolderthanIamright

now.Istillhavehisclothes,andIsupposethatifIputthemon,that'swhatIwouldlooklike."

BerrywasjustbeginningtowonderifshehadtrodonsomesensitivegroundwhenRasulsmiled

andpointedatanotherphoto.

"Mymotherandfatherontheirweddingday.Theyarequitesolemn."

Rasullookedsomuchlikehisfatherthatshewouldhavethoughtthathewouldlooknothinglikehis

mother.Thenwhenshelookedcloselyatthewomaninthetraditionalrobesandthetallgildedheaddress,

shecouldseethathereyeswerealmostshockinglypale.

"Isshewhereyougetyoureyesfrom?"sheasked,andhenodded.

"Thatsideofmyfamilyisverywelloff,butinthedistantpast,itwassaidthattheonlythingthat

theyhadtobargainwithwasthebeautyoftheirdaughters.Mymotherwasquitebeautiful,andallmy

auntsaswellassomeofmycousinshavethesameeyesaswell.It'salittleaggravatingreally.Iamthe

onlymaleinthefamilywhohasthem,andbelievemewhenIsaythatthatwassomethingthatwas

remarkedonagreatdealwhenIwasyoung."

"Ithinkthattheyarebeautiful,"shesaidsoftly.

Foramoment,shethoughtthathehadn'theardher.Perhapsthatwasforthebest.Forthemostpart,

menlikedtobecalledhandsome,notbeautiful,didn'tthey?Thenheturnedtowardsherwithaslight

smile,thosegrayeyesbright,andyes,thismanwasbeautiful.

"Thankyou,"hesaid."Idon'tknowifIwouldlikethatfrom…well,anyoneelsebesidesyou."

"You'regettingaheadofyourself,"shesaid,strivingtoputalittledistancebetweenthem."I'llbet

youhearthatfromallofthewomenthatyou'vebroughtuphere."

"Actually,youarethefirstwomanIhavebroughthere,"hesaid,hisvoiceoddlysoft."Thishas

alwaysbeenafamilyplace.Iwouldn'tbringupawomanwhowasnotfamily.Atleastnotwithouta

damnedgoodreason."

Foramoment,listeningtohiswords,herheartbeatalittlefaster.Washesayingthatshewas

somehowspecial?Thatshematteredinawaythatthoseotherwomenhadn't?Thefantasywas

intoxicatingforamoment,butthenshecrashedbackdowntoearthwhenshethoughtaboutthe"damned

goodreason."Hemighthavebeeninterestedinher,sensedthechemistrybetweenthem,butthegood

reasonthathehadtobringherherelikelyhadeverythingtodowiththeantiquesthathewantedherto

appraiseandverylittletodowithhowspecialshemightormightnothavebeen.

"Allright,"shesaid,steppingbackfromthewallofphotos."That'senoughsatisfyingmycuriosity.

What'supherethatyouwantedmetolookover?"

"Iwillsatisfyyourcuriosityaboutanythingyouwish,"hesaid,andshewasn'tsurewhattrickofhis

voiceorfacemadeitsoundpositivelydirty.

Whenshegavehimaskepticallook,however,hesighedandsteppedawayfromthewallaswell.

"Allright,thisway."

Thepiecesthathewantedtoshowherweresituatedinalonghallwaywithaglassceiling.When

Berryfirstenteredthespace,shecouldn'thelpbutstareupattheblue,blueskyasseenthroughtheglass.

"Howbeautiful,"shesaidsoftly."Thismustbeamazingwhenitsnows…"

"Likeamagicallandfromafairytale,"hepromised."Tonight,wecancomebackifitisclearand

youcanseethestars."

Foramoment,shewassoelatedbytheideaofseeingthestars,sopureandclearfarawayfromthe

city,thatshemissedthepartaboutstayingthenight.

"Youmeanwe'renotgoingbacktoday?"

"Notunlessyouabsolutelyneedtogoback,"hesaidwithashrug."It'snotreallyaneasyflight,and

itisbetterdoneindaylightanyway."

"Oh."Whenheputitthatway,itmadesensethattheywouldstaythenight."OnlyIdon'thaveany

clothesorsupplies…"

"Icantakecareofthateasilyenough,"hesaidwithashrug."Manyofmyfemalerelativeshave

stayedhere,andtheyhaveleftathousandyears'worthofclothingandofcoursetherearetoiletries.Itis

convenientenoughforustospendtherestoftheweekendhereifyou'dlike."

Heoffereditinsuchanoffhandwaythatshewastakenbysurprise.Beforeshecouldcommenton

it,hegestureddownthehall.

"ThemarblefiguresaretheonesthatIhavebroughtyouheretoexamine.Theywerecollected

piecemeal,andallthatmyfamilyknowsisthattheyareallmarble."

Berrynodded,gettingouthertabletandgettingreadytogettobusiness.Thiswasherjob,afterall,

anditwouldlikelyhelpsteadyher.TherewassomethingintoxicatingaboutRasul,andifshewas

unoccupiedfortoolong…well,thiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverreallyunderstoodthesayingthatidle

handswerethedevil'splayground.

"Allright,"shemurmured,asshestartedwalkingdownthefirstlineofmarblesculptures."I'm

goingtotakeaquickanddirtylookatallofthemandgobackandgettheonesthatlookinteresting."

"Surelytheyareallinteresting?"heasked,followingbehindher.Shesmiledruefullyathim.

"Well,thesefirsttwoareVictorianfakes."

"Oh?"

"Yup.MostfamilieswantedtohaveHellenisticstatuesintheirhomes,andthemarketforancient

marblechippedjustlastweekwentsky-high.Ifyoulookcarefully,you'llseethatthemarksarefromtools

thatarecomparativelymodern."

"Ah.Mygreat-auntwillbedisappointed."

"They'restillVictorianpieces,though,ifthisisanyconsolation.Allright,thisoneofthehunteris

onlyalittleolder,butthisoneofthewomanandthedoemayverywellbetherealthing…"

Shecontinued,concentratingonmakingherverbalnotesasshewent,asafterall,shewasvery

goodatthis.Thepiecesweremostlyunremarkable,buttherewereafewthatstoodout.Shehadtoadmit,

however,thattheywereallquitebeautiful,andinacollectionputtogetherbyawidevarietyofpeople,

thatinitselfwasanotableachievement.

Attheend,however,shestoppedandstaredatthelaststatue.

"I'lladmitthatthatisonethatI’vewonderedabout,"Rasulsaidfrombehindher.Somehow,during

hertourofthestatues,hehadgottenmuchclosertoherthanshehadthoughthehad.Nowhewasnearly

directlybehindher,hisbreathsoftinherear.Ifshehadwantedto,shecouldsimplyleanbackandfind

herselfinhisarms.Sheswallowedinstead,focusingonthepieceinfrontofher,tryingtothinkofwhat

shewantedtosay.

Itfeaturedawomaninlooserobes,herhairunboundinawaythatwassurprising.Thewoman

leanedback,onearmraisedtotheheavensandtheotherarmlimpbyherside.Hereyeswereclosed,her

lipswereopen,andshelookedexactlylikeawomaninecstasy.

"Ithink…"shestarted,andthenshetriedagain."IthinkthisoneisactuallyaRenaissancepiece.

Thewaythefigureiscarved,thequalityofthemarble,ithasmoretodowiththeRenaissancethanitdoes

withtheclassicalperiod.BeforeIdoanyresearch,IwouldsaythatthislooksalotlikeSt.Theresato

me."

"And,ah,herexpression?"

Berrytriedtokeephervoicelevel,becauseifshegaveittheleastchance,itwouldabsolutely

shake."Er,well,St.Theresawasawomanwhoexperiencedthemiraculousas…asecstatic.Sheleft

behindwritingsthatspokeofthedivineasenteringherasabeamoflight,leavingherimpaledinakindof

religiousagony."

Rasultiltedhisheadtolookupatthestatue."IamnotsurethatagonyisthewordthatIwoulduse

forthiswoman,"hemused.

Berryknewthatsheshouldletthematterdrop.Religiousagonywasaperfectlygoodwayto

describewhatthesaintwasgoingthrough.Ithadbeenusedinmanyacademictextstodescribethatexact

lookonherface.However,Berryknewthatshewasgoingtocontradictthat.

"Well,itcanmeanseveraldifferentthings.St.Theresahadvisions.Somesaythatthevisionswere

aresultofmigraines,thattheburstsoflightandfaintnesswereduetopain.Others…well,otherssaythat

itwasaresultofspontaneoussexualrelease."

"Spontaneous…sexual…release,"Rasulrepeated,andwhenhelookedather,shefeltbutterflies

inherstomach.

"Yes,"shesaid,hermouthsuddenlydry."That's…atleast,that'swhattheysay."

Helookedupatthestatueagain,andthenglanceddownather.Inaheartbeat,itwascleartoher

whathewaswondering.Wasthatwhatshewouldlooklikewhenshecame?Wouldsheclosehereyes

andarchherback,longingformoreevenasthesensationsdrovethroughheruntilshewasspent?

"I,um…Okay,I'mgoingtostartfromthebeginningagain,anddosomeproperwrite-upsforyou.

Thisway,webothknowthattherearenotgoingtobeanysurprises.Doesthatworkforyou?"

"Yes…"hesaidslowly."Thatworksjustfineforme."

Shedidasshesaid,butastheywenton,shecouldfeelhiscleargrayeyesonher.Nomatterhow

innocuoushermotionsorhowquiethisreply,shecouldfeeltheelectric,eroticundercurrentrightbeneath

everythingthattheydidtogether.

Finally,Berryhadtoexcuseherselftothebedroom,justsoshecouldgetthebreatherthatshe

needed.Inthecoolair-conditionedroomthathehadtoldherwashersforthelengthoftheirstay,she

threwherselfonthebed,staringupatthesilkcanopywithunseeingeyes.

Ican'tevensayhowmuchtroubleIamin,shethought.Iwanthimsomuch…

Butthesamebarriersthathadbeentheretheentiretimehadn'tchangedintheleast.Theywerestill

there.Hewasstillamanwhowastoousedtogettingwhathewanted.Shewasstillawomanwhoneeded

herownway.Somepartofherwonderediftherewasawayforthemtomeetinthemiddle,whileher

commonsensewastellingherthattherecertainlywasnot.

Oneofthereasonsthathehadbroughthertothismountainretreatwastofindouthowcompatible

theyreallywere.However,theclosertheygottofiguringthatout,themorefrightenedshebecame.She

wonderedif,inlovingthisman,shewouldloseherselftohim.Nomatterwhattheyagreedon,attheend,

itwouldbeaflingforhim.Shewasbecomingmuchmoreafraidthatitwouldturnouttobesomething

muchmoreforher.

Shewasn'tproudofherself,butshespenttherestofthedayhidinginthebedroom.WhenRasul

appearedtotemptherwithdishes,sheclaimedthatshewastoobusytostop,thoughshedidacceptthe

foodthatheoffered.Whenshewentbacktoherdeskwiththesandwichandappetizershehadmadeher,

shefeltevenguiltier.

Howmanywomenwantedtoberightwhereshewasnow?Howmanywouldlovetohaveaman

likeRasulplyingherwithfoodandcharm?

Berryshookherheadhard.Shecouldn'tletthefeelingsthatwereoverwhelminghertakeover.

Evenasapartofherwantednothingmorethantobeclosewiththisman,therestofhertoldherthatit

wasdangerous.

However,evenasshelaydowninthecoldbed,shecouldn'tstoprememberinghowhehadlooked

atherinthehall,howhiseyeshadseemedtobelitfromwithinwithabeautifulglow.Thedesirewasso

powerfulthatitwarmedherevennow,andthoughshetriedtosleep,shecouldnotresistthinkingabout

thoseskilledhandsrunningoverher,settingheronfire.

Please,sheimaginedwhisperingtohiminthenight.Pleasetakeme…

ChapterSix

Rasulpacedinhisownroom.Outsidethedarkwindow,thewindkickedup,howlingthroughthe

mountainpeaks.Itsuitedhismood,andhetriedtokeephismindawayfromthebeautifulwomanthathe

knewsleptjustafewroomsaway.

Whyhadsheacceptedthisinvitationifshewasgoingtohide?Didshetakesomekindofpridein

makingasheikhdanceonattendanceonher?Hehadcertainlyknownwomenwhohad.However,

wheneverhetriedtogetangryaboutit,heonlythoughtofBerry,withhersnappinggreeneyesand

unaffectedgrace.Shewasfartoodirecttoengageinthegamesthathewasaccustomedto.Hecouldn't

imagineherwantingamantobeconsumedwithangerandfrustrationoveractions.

However,thatonlytookhimbacktowherehehadbeenbefore,whichwasconfusion.Whatwas

shethinking?

Therewasamomentinthehallofstatueswherehehadfeltsomethinghehadneverfeltbefore.

WhentheireyesmetoverthestatueofSt.Theresa,hehadfeltsomethingpassbetweenthemthattookhis

breathaway.Awomanwhohadlivedcenturiesagohadhadhersensualthrillimmortalizedinmarble,

andsuddenly,hehadwantedmorethananythingtoseeBerryinjustsuchapose.

ToRasul'sdistress,shehadbackedawayasiffrightened.Surelyhecouldn'thavefrightenedher?

Thethoughtwasabsurd,butitlingered.

Therestoftheday,nomatterhowhehadtriedtoenticeher,shehadhiddeninherroomlikea

scaredrabbit.Heractionsdidnotmakesensewiththeboldandspiritedwomanthathehadmet,theone

thathewashalf-convincedhewasfallinginlovewith.

Hewasnotmakinganyheadwayinthisfashion,sothatmeantthatitwasuptohimtochangehis

luck.Afishermanwhowasnotcatchinganyfishchangedhisbait;ahunterwhowasnotfellinganygame

changedhislocation.Hemustadapt,andoverthecourseofthenight,hewonderedwhathewasgoingto

do.

Byaroundelevena.m.thenextmorning,Berryhaddoneeverythingthatshecouldpossiblydo.She

hadfinishedthewrite-upsandbackedthemup,shehadshowered,andshehadfoundtheclothesthat

Rasulhadpromisedintheclosets.Aftersomedeliberation,shefoundalightdressinasummerygreen

thatfitasifitwastailoredforherslenderness,andasanafterthought,shebraidedherchestnuthairand

letthebraidhangdownbehindher.

Whenherstomachrumbled,sheknewthatitwastimetogiveupandcomeoutofherhidingplace.

Walkingthroughthehallsofthemansion,forthatwastheonlywordshecouldcomeupwithto

describetheplace,Berryfeltverysmall.Rasul'sfamilyhadbeeninpowerforhundredsofyears,and

theirfamilylinewasdistinguishedforitswealthanditspride.Whenshewentpastthesurprisinglyhomey

walloffamilyportraits,shestoppedtolookattheoneofRasul'sparentsagain.Whatwouldhisfather,so

sternandlikehisson,havethoughtofher?Wouldhismother,solovelyandserious,havelikedher,or

wouldshehavethoughtthathersonwaschoosingsomeonebeneathhimself?Therewasnowaytotell,

andfinally,shesimplywalkedon.

Thekitchenwasanairyandsunnyplace,andBerrywasonlyalittlestartledtofindRasulthere.He

lookedupfromhisphonewhensheentered,andsmiledslightly.

"Sothesleepingbeautyhasemerged,"heteased."Didyousleepwell?"

Abruptly,hisinnocentwordsmadeherblush.Shethoughtofherdreams,whereadarkmanwith

lighteyeshadtouchedheralloverbeforemakingherhis,andsheshookthemaway.

"Yes!Thatis,Idid,"shesaid,alittlemorecalmly."Idid.Didyou?"

Heshrugged."Itwasperhapsalittledull,"hesaid."Iwashalfhopingthatyouwouldfinishwith

yourworkearlyandwecouldentertaineachother."

Thereweresomanywaysforhertotakethat.Shefoughtbacktheblushdecisively,smilingalittle

athim."Well,I'mhappytosaythatI'mcompletelydonewiththewrite-upsnow,andIamatyour

disposal."

Heraisedaneyebrow,andshewasremindedalloveragainofherowncowardicewhenitcameto

howshehadhiddenalldayyesterday.

"Really?"

"Really,"Berryinsisted."Infact…IdecidedIlikedyourideaofstayingfortheweekend."

Ifanything,Rasul'seyebrowwentevenhigher."Iwillwarnyouthatneitherofuswillbe

entertainedifyoustayinyourroomwiththedoorclosed,"hesaidmildly,andhearingtheimplicit

challengeinhisvoice,Berryliftedherchin.

"Iwon't,"shesaid."Andunlessyouhavemoreantiquesformetotakealookat…well,I'mall

yours."

Sofar,sheandRasulhadbeenchattingtogethermildlyenough,theflamesbetweenthemlowand

easytoignore.Whenshesaidthosewordstohim,hiseyeslitup.Itwas,shethought,likewavingared

flagbeforethebull,andnowsheknewhowthematadorsofSpainfelt.

"Thatiswhatyouwish?"heasked,hisvoiceintentandlow.Afteramoment,shenodded,her

tonguetiedandherthroatdry.

Asshewatchedinanagonyofanticipation,hestalkedtowardsher.Shebackedupuntilshehitthe

wallbehindher,andcouldgonofarther.Stillhecameonuntilhewaslightlypressinghertothewallwith

hisbulk.Shewhimperedalittleashetouchedherchin,makingherliftherfacetohis.

Withoutaword,withoutawarningoranythingelse,heloweredhismouthtohers.Thekissesthat

theyhadenjoyedbeforewereroughandhurriedthings,powerfulfortheirspeedandstrength.Thiskiss,

however,waspowerfulsimplyduetotheslownessanddeliberationofit,tothesweetnessofbeingable

toenjoyeachother.

AsRasulkissedher,Berrylostallofthefearandhesitationthatshehadbeenharboring.Instead,

underhismasterfultouch,shegaveherselfuptothekissandtothepowerofhisneedthatmadehersrise

upsohigh.Hekissedherthewaythatshehadalwayswantedtobekissed,andwhenhepulledback,she

lookedathimwithasmalldegreeofshock.

"Rasul?"

Hesmiledslightly.Shesawwithafascinatedglancethathislipswereredwithwhattheyhad

done,andsheknewthathersmustbethesame.

"ThatisjustthestartofwhatIwanttodowithyou,"hemurmured,"butbeforewedoanything,I

wantyoutobesure.However…Ihavestartedtowonderifpartofthemisunderstandingbetweenusis

howyouwanttomoveforward."

"HowIwantto—"

"Itisasimplething,"hesaidwithaslightsmile."Forthenexttwenty-fourhours,youmaysaynoto

anythingthatyouwish.Ifyoutellmeno,thanIwillstop.However,IamfreetodoasIlikeuntilyousay

no.Isthatclear?"

Foramoment,shewassostruckbythesheereroticismofhisplanthatshewassilent.ThenBerry

nodded."Yes,"shesaid,andifhervoicecameouthuskierthanshethoughtitshould,neitherofthem

commentedonit.

"Good,"hesaid.

Foramoment,shethoughtthathewasgoingtostartinwiththeirstrangeexperimentthatvery

moment,butthenhesteppedbacktotherefrigerator.

"Itisabitlateforbreakfast,butperhapsyouwouldlikeanomeletforbrunch?"

Foramoment,shedidn'trealizewhathewasasking,butthensheheardhimandlaughed."Yes,

eggssoundverygood,"shesaid.

Whathadshebeenthinking,afterall?Nomatterwhatherfantasieswere,Rasulwasarealman

wholivedintherealworld.Shecouldn'texpecthereroticfantasiestotakeovercompletely.

Atleast,thatwaswhatshethoughtuntilhegavehersomegreenonionsandaknifeanddirectedher

toacuttingboardatthekitchenisland.Shewasthinkingofnothingmorethangettingtheonionschopped

fortheirmealwhenhecameupbehindher,hisarmswrappedlooselyaroundherwaist.

"Idonotthinkthatyouhaveanyideahowbeautifulyoutrulyare,"hewhispered."Idonotthinkthat

youunderstandhowverymuchanymanseeingyouwouldwantyou."

"I…IthinkIhavehadmanymenlookatmeanddecidethattheydidn'twantme,"shewhispered

self-consciously."I'mtall,andmyhairisdullandI'msoflat…"

"Youareelegant,"hecorrected,"andyourhairshineslikeararewoodandasforyourfigure…"

Sheheldherbreathashishandswandereduphersidestocuphersmallbreastsinhishands.The

tinglesfromhistouchwereenoughtomakehergasp,andthenhesqueezedgently,makingherpressback

againsthimformore.Hermindwasfilledwiththeideaofhimsweepingtheonionsaside,bendingher

over,liftingherskirt,and…

Toherintenseregret,however,hesteppedback."Themenwhoturnedyoudownwerefools,"he

saiddecisively.

Andthen,asherfacewasflushedwithheatforhimandasshewasclosetowhimperingwithwant,

hereturnedtotheheatingskillet.

"Icantellyou'relookingatme,"hesaidcalmly."Hadn'tyoubettergetbacktothegreenonions?"

Foronebriefanddeliciousmoment,shewonderedwhathewoulddoifshethrewthosegreen

onionsathishead.Wouldhecomebackandpinheragainstthekitchenislandagain?Wouldhegrowlher

nameandkissheruntilshefeltfaint?

Instead,Berrytookadeepbreathtogetherselfbackundercontrol,andsmiledalittle."Rightaway,

chef,"shesaidjauntily,andgottowork.

OnethingthatshehadrealizedwasthatitwassimplybettertostepbackandtoseewhereRasul

went.Atthemoment,therewassomethingintenselyfreeingaboutleavingthenexttwenty-fourhoursupto

him.Hewasgoingtobetheonewhodecidedwhattheydid,andshehadafeelingthatshewasnotgoing

tobeusinghernoverymuchatall…

ChapterSeven

TherewereoneortwomoreantiquitiesthatRasulwantedhertotakealookat.Heledherthrough

themanor,stoppingtopointoutrarebitsofhisfamily'shistory.

"Whatisitlike?"sheaskedfinally,afterseeingalancethatadistantancestorhadusedinthe

cavalry.

Heglancedather."Whatdoyoumean?"

"What'sitliketohaveallofthishistory,allofthisfamily?Ibarelyknewmygrandparents,and

mostofmyfriendsintheUnitedStates,whenwestandup,weonlystandupforourselves.NooneIknow

haseverhadtorepresentafamilyname,oranythinglikethat."

Rasulthoughtforamoment,runninghisthumbalongtheroundedhandleofthelance.Generations

agoamanwhoperhapslookedagreatdeallikeRasulhadmountedhishorseandrodeintobattlewith

onlyalancemadeofwoodtoensurethathecoulddefendhimselfandallhehelddear.Nowhis

descendentstoodindesignerclothesinahousehighonanimpassablemountain,awomanfromhalfway

acrosstheworldathisside.Ifshethoughtaboutittoomuch,shecouldbecomeoverwhelmed.

"Youmaynotbelieveme,"hesaidfinally,"butitsometimesfeelsveryempty."

Sheblinked.Thathadn'tbeenwhatshethoughthewasgoingtosayatall."Lonely?"

"Yes.Icancountmylineagebackforgenerations,backtoatimewhenpeopleweredefinedbywho

theywererelatedtoandwhattheirlegacieswere.Myfather,beforehedied,wasalwaysverysternabout

howIrepresentedthepeoplewhocamebeforemeandwhohaddied,sothatIcouldstandwhereIstood

thatday."

Berryconsidereditforamoment."Thatsoundslikeagreatdealofpressureforayoungchild,"she

saidcautiously,andhesmiledather.Itwasabriefandfleetingthing,buttherewasabitofoldpainthere

thatshelongedtosoothe.

"Itcouldbe.ButIthinkoverall,Iwasgratefulforit.Itis…incredibletolookbackoverthelong

listofpeoplewhomademewhoIam.Itmadesomeofmymoreawkwardteenmomentsparticularly

embarrassing,butwhenIthoughtaboutitduringmyvictories,itmademefeellikeastronglinkinachain

thatgoesbackcenturies."

Themomentpassed,butasitdid,Rasulreachedoutandsqueezedherhandgently,atouchthatwas

thereandgonebeforetheymovedon.Forsomereason,thatgentletouchstuckwithher.Despitethe

physicalintimacythatsprangupbetweenthematamoment'snotice,despitethepoweroftheelectricity

betweenthem,therewassomethingalmostshockinglypersonalabouthowthatgentlesqueezehadfelt.It

wassomethingthatwaspassedbetweenpeoplewhokneweachotherwell,andwhocaredabouteach

other.

Thatday,shehelpedhimcalculatethevalueandhistoryofasetofarmorthathadbeeninthefamily

solonghedidn'tevenknowwhenithadappeared,andasmallchairthathadsimplybeenleftintheroom

ofalong-deceasedgreat-aunt.SeeingthechairhadmadeBerrylaughuntilshecried.

"Onlyyou,"shesaid,whenRasulhadlookedalarmed."Onlyyouwouldhaveanoldchairthat

belongedtoagreat-auntthatturnedouttobeworthsomefiftythousanddollars."

Hehadlookedatherskeptically."Thatseemstrulyunlikely,"hesaid."Areyoujustteasingme?"

Sheshookherhead,andreachingforhertablet,shepulleduparecentauctionfromSotheby's.A

chairidenticaltotheonethatwasreposingindustanddrapesinfrontofthemhadsoldforalmostsixty

thousanddollarsatauction.

Rasulraisedhiseyebrows."That'simpressive.Isupposemygreat-aunthadbettertastethantherest

ofusknew.Mygrandfatherwasalwaystryingtogetridofthatchair…"

"Andnowyoucansimplysellit,andendowaresearchorganizationorsomething,"shesaidwitha

giggle.

Therewassimplysomuchhistoryaroundthem,somuchtoseeanddo,butthroughouttheday,

Rasulwouldreachforher.Histouchmightbealightbrushofafingertipacrosshercheekbone,oritmight

beasignificantlylongerkissthatmadehersigh.Theonlythingthosekisseshadincommonwasthefact

thattheyendedlongbeforeshewasreadyforthemtodoso.Wheneverhepulledback,shewouldfeela

momentofdisbelief,andthensheonlywantedhimmore.

Whenthedaywasover,andtheshadowsweredeepinthehouse,theyspenttheeveningwatching

thetelevisionintheden,assheshowedhimridiculousclipsfromthecartoonsthatshehadwatchedasa

younggirl.Hehadmissedallofthem,andlaugheduproariouslyattheanticsoftheshowsshehadloved.

Everynowandthen,shewasstruckbythestrangenessofit.Theyweresoverydifferent,butthis

wassomethingtheycouldshare.Inthatmoment,itseemedasiftheywerenotsoverydifferentatall.

Ofcourse,mostofherthoughtfulrealizationswerecompletelytotaledbythefactthathekepthis

armoverhershoulder,hisfingersticklingalongherbareskinthere.Somehowduringthecourseofthe

day,shehadbecomecompletelysensitivetohim.Hislighttouches,hisgentlecaresses,andthe

occasionalheatedkisshadtwistedherintosomethingthatcouldonlyfocusonthemansittingnexttoher

now,watchingherfavoritecartoonsfromwhenshewasagirl.

Whenthehourgrewlate,Berrythought,allright,surelynow…Butinstead,hegotup,stretched,

andwalkedheralmostsedatelytoherroom.

"Thankyouforagreatday,"shesaid,becauseafterall,ithadbeen.Herbodymighthavebeen

twistedintoknots,andherheadmighthavebeenswimmingwithdesire,butthedayhadbeenwonderful,

oneofthebestshehadspentinalong,longtime.

"Iamgladyouenjoyedit,"hesaid,andifhewasawareofherdisappointment,hemadenomention

ofitatall.Instead,heleanedintogiveherasweet,almostchastekissonthecheek.Thenhedrewback,

andwhatsheheardhimwhisperinherearmadeherfreeze.

"DidyouthinkIwouldreallyleaveyoulikethis,beautifulwoman?"

"I…"

"Iwantyou,"hewhispered."Iwanteverypartofyou,andsomepartofmeurgesmetosimplytake

youonthegroundhereandnow."

Theimageofthemrollinglikewildanimalsontheground,bitingandclawingateachother,licking

anddesperate,madeherblush,butshewantedit,ohshewantedeverybitofit.

"Iamgoingtogiveyousometime,"hesaid,"andIwantyoutothinkofyourresponsevery

carefully.Gointoyourroom.Closethedoor.Thinkforhalfanhour.Ifyoudonotwantwhatcomesnext,

lockthedoorandIwillgoaway.Itisthatsimple."

Shetriedtospeak,butherthroatwassimplytoodry.Shehadtoswallowtwicebeforeshecould

makeherselfunderstood."What…whatifIdonotlockthedoor?"

"Thenyouwillhavelostyourlastchancetosaynotowhatcomesafter,"hesaid.

Thistime,whenhekissedher,therewasaslowburntoit,andshecouldfeelthedeepwellofheat

underneatheverythinghedid.Itcalledtoadeeperfireinsideher,onethathadbeenburningallday,

stokedbyhisgentletouchesandsweetwords.

"Choosewisely,"hesaid,andthenhewasgone.

Intheluxuriousconfinesofherroom,Berrywonderedwhatsheshoulddo.Sheknewwhatshe

wantedtodo,butapartofherwonderedifitwastrulywise.Todayhadpunctuatedthedifferences

betweenthemveryclearly.ShewasasimplegirlfromtheUnitedStates.Hecamefromgenerationsof

wealthandnobility.Shehadonlyknownhimforashorttime,andmostofthetimeshehadknownhim,

theywerefighting.

Andyet…

Noonehadeversetheronfirethewaythathehad.Noonehadevercomeclose.Therewas

nothinginherthatdidnotwanthistouch,hismouth,hishands.Theonlythingthatshefearedwasthe

consequenceofwhatwouldcomeafter.

Beforehertimewasup,shewenttolockthedoor.Berry'shandwasactuallyonthelatch,but

somehow,shecouldnotmakeherselfturnit.Shecouldnotforceherselftobarthedoortosomeonethat

shewantedthatmuch,thatshecravedwitheverybitofherbeing.

Intheend,sheleftthedoorunlatched.Shewenttothebathroomtosplashcoldwateronherface.

Shehadthoughtthatshewouldbepale,butinsteadtherewasarosinessinhercheeks,andherlipswere

redfromwhereshehadbittenthem.Shesatdownontheedgeofthebedandwaited.

Halfanhourlater,tothesecond,shewouldlaterthink,thedooropened.Suddenly,theenergyinthe

roomchanged,andapartofherrealizedthatalloftheobfuscatingcivilitythatRasulworelikeacloak

wasgone.

Thewell-consideredcharmerwasgone,andinhisplacewasamanwhoexudedcontrol,who

wouldnolongerbedenied.Anotherwomanwouldhavebeenafraid,butinthismoment,Berrywasonly

excited.

Shestoodupfromthebed,andhewatchedher,aslightsmileonhisface.

"Youdidn'tbarthedoor,"hesaidsoftly,andperhapstherewasabitofamusementonhisfaceata

womanwhohadbeensoverycareless.

"Ididn'twantto."Berrymeantforthewordstocomeoutdefiantly,buttherewassomethingsmooth

andalmostvulnerableaboutthem.Shehadn'twantedto.Intheend,theurgetohavehimtouchherwas

simplytoostrong.

"Somemightcallthatfoolish,"heobserved.

"Maybe,"shesaid,regainingsomeofhercomposure."AllIknowisthatwhatIwantisstanding

beforeme,andyet,hestillwillnotcomenear…"

ThesoundthatRasulmadewasnearlyagrowl,andsherealizedthattherewasnoturningback

now.

Berryfrozeashestalkedtowardsher.Sheknewthatsheshouldstophim.Sheknewwhathappened

whentheytouchedeachother,becauseoncetheystarted,theywouldnotstop.Itwasliketheycouldn't

stop.

"You'reinmyblood,"hegrowled,hisvoicelowandterrifying."NomatterwhatIdo,Icannotstop

thinkingaboutyou…"

Sheswallowedhard,becauseitwasthesamewithher.Nomatterwhereshewentorwhatshedid,

hewasalwaysthere,inthebackofhermind.

"Atnight,Icanstillfeelyourtouch,"sheconfessed."Sometimes,Ilieawakeandthinkthatyou

havebeenkissingme,touchingme."Shewonderedifshesawhiseyessoftenalittle.

"Itisthesamewithme,"hesaid.

NowRasulwasonlyseparatedfromherbyafewfeetofspace.Insteadofclosingit,however,he

reachedforherinstead.Hishandstrokeddownhercheek,runninglightfingertipsoverherear,herneck.

Hetwinedhisfingersthroughthesoftwispsofhairthatfelloverherears,andthenhereachedbehindher.

Ittookheramomenttorealizewhathewasdoing.Shefelthimpickupherbraid,rollingtheelastic

holdingitdownandflickingitaway.Thenshefelthisfingers,cleverandsmooth,glidingthroughherhair,

smoothingthebraidoutintosoftwavesassheclosedhereyes.Herbodyrememberedthepleasurethathe

hadgivenher,anditwasalreadycryingforhistouch.Sheclenchedherfistshelplessly,becausesheknew

ifsherelaxedforamoment,shewouldsimplybeinhisarms.

"Ifyoudonotwantthis,Iwillgo,"hesaid."I'llleave,andIswear,Iwillnevertouchyouagain

…"

"That'snotwhatIwant,"shewhispered,andshefelttheshuddergothroughhisbodyasclearlyas

ifithadgonethroughhers.

"Ifyoutellmeyes,Iwilltakeyou,"hesaid,hisvoiceasroughasamidwintersea."Iwilllayyou

down,andIwilltakewhatIwantfromyouwhilegivingyouasmuchpleasureasIcan.Onceyoutellme

thatIcan,Iwillnotstop,doyouunderstand?"

"Yes,"shewhispered.Shecouldfeelthepullofhim,likegravity,likesomedarknaturalforcethat

couldnotbedenied.Ifshewashonestwithherself,sheneverwantedtodenyhim,notthis,notanything.

Hishandscradledherface,makingherlookupathim.Hewasatallman,powerfulandfast.Many

womeninherplacewouldhavebeenafraid,ifnotofhisbody,thenoftheragingpassionthatshecould

seetherenow.

"Well?"heasked.

"Iwantyou,"shewhispered."IwantyoumorethanIhaveeverwantedanything,Please…takeme

…"

Shecouldseethemomentwhenthedesireignitedinhiseyes.Shecouldseenowthattherewasno

goingback,andsheleapedforwardatthesamemomentthathereachedforher.Theforceoftheirkiss

wasanalmostbruisingclashofmouthandteeth,butsheknewthathefeltthatpleasureandthatpainjust

asshedid.Theyweretwoheartsthatbeattothesamerhythm,andtonight,atleast,theywouldnotbe

separated.

Hishandstangledinherhair,knottinghisfingersthroughthesmoothstrandsandholdingherstillas

hekissedher.Shecouldn'tgetenoughoftouchinghim,herhandsfranticallypullinghisshirtfromwhereit

wastuckedintohistrouserssoshecouldtouchhisflanks,hisbelly,hismuscularback.

"Iwantyou,"shepanted."Godabove,Iwantyousomuch,Rasul…"

Hisgroanwasalltheanswershegot,andthensomehow,hehadbornehergentlytothefloor.On

herback,shelookedupwithwideeyesashisroseaboveher,strippingawayherclotheswithonlyafew

shortmovements.Hisbodycalledtoher,makingherwanttomarkhimasherssomehow.Therewas

somethingdeeplyprimalaboutthewaytheymovedtogether.Shedidn'tcareifhewasbruisingher,she

didn'tcareifshewasleavingmarksonhim.Allthatmatteredwasgettingasclosetohimasshecould,

feelingthewayhemovedoverherandmakinghimfeelhowhothewasmakingher.

Theirfrantickissesstalledonlysohecouldstripoffhisownclothes,andnowtheywerewrithing

nakedtogether,pressingtheirbodiesascloseastheycouldgetbecauseanythingelsewasunbearable.

"Beautiful,beautifulwoman,"Rasulcrooned."AllIwant,allIhaveeverwanted…"

Whenshenippedathislip,hegroanedwithneed,fistinghishandinherhairtoholdherstill.That

smallbitofrestraintdroveherwild,andshebithimagain,harderthistime.Whenhedrewback,she

snappedherteethathim,makinghimgrin.

"Youthinkyou'resotough?"hegrowled."Well,let'sseehowtoughyoureallyare…"

Shegaspedoutloudwhenheflippedheroverontoherstomach,pinningherdownbysheer

superiorweight.Shestartedtotrytoleverherselfup,butRasulheldherdownwithonehandpressed

againstherback.Thenshefelthissoft,wetmouthlappingatthenapeofherneck,andsuddenly,shehad

muchlessinterestintryingtogetup.Instead,shelaystillasonehandruffledthroughherhair,theother

holdingherinplace.Heneverstoppedtracingmaddeninglylightkissesalonghershoulders,thebumpsof

herspine,thecurveofherflank.Histouchwassolight,butitstoppedjustshortofbeingticklish.Instead,

itmadehersquirm,thepleasurelacedthroughoutherbodyinchingupwitheverypassofhismouth.

Slowly,heworkedhiswaydowntothecurveaboveherrear,andbythen,shehadnointerestin

strugglingatall.Instead,shelayflatonthefloor,herhandscurlinganduncurlingashelayeredsensation

oversensationonherskin.Hekissedthebackofherthighbeforemovingdowntothesensitiveskin

behindherknee.Hisskilledhandsrubbedthefirmmusclesofhercalvesandthearchesofherfeet,

makingherawareofthosepartsofherselfinawaythatsheneverhadbeenbefore.

Whensheturnedherheadtolookathim,shefoundhimwatchingher,aslightsmileonhisface.

"Giveup,"headvisedher."I'mgoingtodoexactlywhatIlikewithyou,andyouaregoingtowant

allofit."

Somethingaboutthecommandinhiswordsmadehermelt.Suddenly,allofthefighthadgoneoutof

her,andallshewantedwastogiveintohim.Shemoanedalittleasheliftedheruptoherknees,resting

herweightonherforearms.Foramoment,shethoughthemeanttotakeherrightthenandthere,but

instead,hishandslidbetweenherthighs,probinghergently.Hefoundherwetandreadyforhim,butit

wasn'tenough,notforRasul.

Shemoanedasheslidhisfingersinsideher,rockingherbackandforthwithafirmstrokethatonly

madethefireinsideherroarhigher.Whenhisfingerswerethoroughlywetwithherarousal,heslidthem

forwardtostrokeagainstherclit,pinchingthatsensitivespotgentlybetweentwofingersbeforestroking

morefirmly.

Therewasnothingshecoulddobutsubmittothepleasure.Shestartedtoshakeasthefeelings

insidehergrewstronger,andthenshewasshoutingasshespiraledintoapleasurethatwascompletely

beyondhercontrol.Herentireframetensedhardasthefirecoursedthroughher.Hisfingersstayedfirmly

onhersensitiveflesh,forcingherclimaxtostretchoutaslongasitcould.Whenthepleasurefinally

subsided,shewouldhavefallentothegroundinabonelesstumbleifitweren'tforhishandsholdingher

up.

Shewhimperedasshefelthimtakehisplacebehindher.Therewassomethingpurelyanimalistic

aboutit.Therewasnothingcontrollingthemnowbutinstinct.Foramoment,shecouldfeeltheheatofhis

cockpressedagainstherwarm,wetflesh,andthenheplungedintoherwithasingle,certainmotion.They

criedouttogetherathowperfectthefeelingwas,andthenhewasmoving,plungingintoherwithlong

strokesthatfilledhercompletely.

Shebracedherarmsagainstthecarpet,leaningbackashepressedforward.Inthatmoment,she

needednothingmorethantobeutterlyfilledwithhim.Whentheheatstartedtoriseinheragain,she

followedit,concentratingonhowgooditfeltandhowthismanpushedherhigherandhigherstill.

"Oh,ohGod,please…"shecried,andsomehow,heunderstood.Hethrustintoherharder,and

withadeepgrowl,hebentforwardtoslidehisfingersagainstherclitagain.Thattouchwaswhatshe

neededtofeelherclimaxbuildingagain.Shefeltasifshewerearopestretchedthin,andthatany

moment,shewouldbreakentirely.

“Iwantyoutocome,”hegrowledinherear.“Iwantyoutofeelsogoodthatyoucan'thelpit,no

matterwhatIamdoing,nomatterhowtenderyouarefromcomingagainsosoon…"

Hisharshwordsonlymadethepleasureinherroaruphigher.Shethrewherheadback,givingher

bodyovertotheintenseheatbetweenthem.Shewasbuffetedbysensations,thrownbackandforth,but

theykeptgrowingmoreandmoreintense.

Finally,justwhenshewasconvincedthatitwouldn'thappenagain,herbodylituplikeafireworks

display.Shedugherfingersintothefloorbeneathherasshearchedherback.Sheknewthathecouldfeel

herpleasurethesamewaythatshefelthisamomentafter.Theybothfroze,theircriesechoinginthe

room.Shefelthimthrustintoheronelasttime,thatfrissonofpleasuredrivingherownclimaxjustthat

muchfurther.

Whenshefinallycamebacktoherself,shewaspanting,helduponlybythelaststrengthinher

bodyandhishands.Slowly,Rasulloweredhertooneside,comingtoliebehindher.Theonlysoundwas

theirbreathing.Therewerewordsthatweremeanttogointothissilence,onesthattrembledonherlips,

butshecouldn'tsaythem.

"Areyouallright?"heasked,hisvoiceslightlyhoarse.

"OfcourseIam,"shesaid."Thisfeels…"

Right,Perfect.LikeIloveyou…

"Amazing,"shefinishedlamely.Ifhecouldtellthattherewassomethingshewasholdingback,he

didn'tsay.Instead,heletherrelaxintohim,lullingherwithagentlehandstrokingoverherhairandher

shoulder.

Finally,justwhenshewasbeginningtogetstifffromlyingonthefloor,heclimbedtohisfeetand

helpedhertohers.

"Comeon,"hesaid,andapartofherwonderediftherewasalreadysomedistancebetweenthem.

Still,hishandsweregentleashepulledherintotheenormousshowerwithhim,thewaterfallingfrom

abovelikerain.Shestoodperfectlystillasthewarmwaterfelldownaroundher,relishingthewayhis

handssoapedherbodygentlyandworkedtheshampoointoherhair.

Whentheyweredone,heglidedthesofttoweloverherleanbody,dryingherandmakingher

squirmwithpleasure.Whensheleaneduptokisshim,however,shefoundherselfoverwhelmedbya

waveofwearinessthatmadeherleanagainsthim.

"Tomorrow,"hewhispered.“"Whenyougetyourstrengthback.Thenwewillenjoyeverythingthat

Ihavepromisedyoutoday."

"Iwillholdyoutothat,"shemurmured,andshebarelymadeasoundwhenhescoopedherupand

tookherbacktobed.Theyfellasleepcurledagainstoneanotherasiftheyhaddoneitforyears,andas

shedriftedoffintothatsweetpeacefulslumber,shewonderedwhyintheworldtheyhadn'tdonethis

sooner.

ChapterEight

Theyspentthenextmorninginbed,makingloveandleisurelylearningeachother'sbodies.Berry

learnedtodelightinthepowerofhisframeandthewaythathecouldmoveherexactlyasheliked.For

hispart,Rasulshowedeveryevidenceofadoringherleanfigure.Everytimeshemadeaself-deprecating

commentaboutbeingtoothinorsimplynotcurvyenough,hescoffed.

"Youareperfect,"hesaidoverandoveragain."Perfectforme.Perfectformymouth,formytouch

…onlyperfect."

Bytheendofthemorningshewasbeginningtobelievehim,andfinally,soreandhappy,thetwoof

themshoweredtogetherandsharedalightmealbeforetheyreturnedtothehelicopter.

"Isitalittlelessterrifyingthistime?"heaskedteasingly,andshelaughed.

"It'sstrange,"Berrysaid,settlingagainsttheseat,"butmanythingsarelessterrifyingnow."

Hischucklemadelowripplesofpleasurerunthroughherbody.Shenowknewwhatcouldcome

afterthatsweetsound,andherbodywasprimedtorespondtoit.

AstheyflewthereturnjourneytoAlamun,shedidn'tsleep,butshediddrowse,lettinghermind

takeherwhereitwished.Shethoughtoftheworkthatshehadwaitingforher.Shethoughtofhowgoodit

wouldfeeltotouchhisstrongbodyagain.Shethoughtofwhatelseshewantedtosharewithhim.

Ilovehim.

Thethoughtappearedinhermindasbrightasabeacon,makingherstartupwithasoftstartled

sound.

Rasulglancedatherquestioningly."Areyouallright?Wasitastrangedream?"

"No…no,I'mfine,"shesaid,settlingbackagainsttheseat.

Berrytriedtoremaincalm,butthewordsthatblaredthroughhermindwerestillthereandthemore

thatshelookedatthem,themoretruetheywere.

Shehadfalleninlovewiththemanwhowasmeanttobeafling.No,evenworse,shehadfallenin

lovewithamanwhoshewasboundtoprofessionally.Whentheirprofessionalengagementended,would

thisendaswell?

Itwasonthetipofhertonguetoaskhim,butshemadeherselfgostill.Askingwherearelationship

wasgoing,whetherhecaredforheratall,thatwaswhatuntriedgirlsdid.Itwasnotsomethingthat

sophisticatedmenwantedtohear.

Withgrowingdismay,Berryrealizedthatherquestionswouldlikelybenothingshortofirritating

forRasul.Hewasamanwhohadbeendrawntoherindependenceandherspirit.Togocrawlingand

cringingtowardshim…nothingwoulddisgusthimmore.

Shetriedtoclosethetopicinhermind—attheendoftheday,itsimplydidnotmatter—buther

heartcriedoutasifitwereinpain.Onceortwice,toherhorror,shecouldfeeltearsthreaten.Withsome

effort,shewasabletohideheremotionsunderthecoverofdrowsinginherseat.

Whentheylandedattheairstrip,however,shewasanervouswreck,andwhenRasulpulledher

closeforakissonthetarmac,hecouldfeelhowstiffshewas.

"Berry?Areyouallright?"

"Iam,"shesaid,andsomewhereinthebackofhermind,shecouldappreciatethefactthather

voicewaslevel."Iamjustverytired,andtherewassomeworkIneededtodothisweekend."

Hefrowned,andforamoment,shethoughthewasgoingtochallengeher.

"Iamsorry,"hesaid."IfIhadknownaboutyourwork,Iwouldhavetriedtogetyoubacksooner.I

wishyouhadtoldme."

Foronebriefmoment,thedarkcloudthathungoverherheartbroke,andshewasabletofeelthe

deepwarmthhehadcreatedinhershiningthrough.

"Oh,no,pleasedon'tbesorry,"shesaid."Ihad…anamazingtimewithyou.Neverbesorryfor

that."

Rasulbrightenedupatthat,andthistime,theirkisswasfarmorenaturalandwarm.

"Sointhatcase,canIconvinceyoutoplayhookywithmeforalittlewhile?SurelyFarnsworth

can'tbethatmuchofaslavedriver?"

"Iamverymuchafraidheis,"shesaidwithawrysmile."Ijust…reallyneedtogetthingsdone."

Toherintenserelief,hedidnotkeepherlonger.Instead,hedroveherbacktothecityinhissleek

blackcar,andwhenhewalkedheruptoherdoor,hegaveherakissthatboiledherblood.

"Takecare,"hesaid."Iwillcallyoutomorrow,yes?"

"Yes,please,"shesaid.

Herheartclungtothefactthathewantedtoseehertomorrow,butwhenthedoorclosedbehind

him,shesquashedthathopeasmuchasshecould.

Thisistoomuch,shethought.Thisistooreal.Ican'tlethimaffectmelikethisanymore.

Thenshetookoffherclothes,turnedhershowerupthehottestitwouldgo,andsteppedunderthe

streamtocry.Nomatterwhatshehadsaidinthehelicopter,rightnow,shewasterrified.Whatwasgoing

tohappenwhenherworkwithhimended?Whatwasgoingtohappentothem?

Backathisownpenthouse,Rasulwasalreadynoticingthathemissedhislittleantiquarian.After

spendingthelastfewdayswithher,shehadsomehowcometooccupyaspaceinhisheadaspersistent

andnaturalasthecolorofhishairorhislefthand.

Youaremovingfast,hismindinformedhim,buthisheart,whichhadbeenraisedonstoriesof

pitchedbattlesforloveandhonor,disagreed.

HewaspreparedtospendthenightthinkingaboutwherehewantedtotakethelovelyBerrynext,

wheretoeat,whattosee,whenhereceivedacallonhisprivateline.Hefrowned.Therewereonlyten

peopleinthecountrywhohadaccesstothatline,andnoneofthemwouldhavecalledunlessitwasan

emergency.

"Hello?"

Tohissurprise,itwastheMinisterofFinance,MafusaAlgol.Algolwasatall,mustachioedman

whohadservedhisfather,andhewasnotamanwhoruffledeasily.

"Iamverysorry,"Algolsaid."Butyouwillwanttocometothecapitolimmediately.

ThatwasnotastatementthatAlgolwouldhavemadelightly.Swearing.Rasulturnedaround

withoutsittingdownatall,andmadehiswaydowntohiscaragain.

"I'menroute,"hesaidshortly."Tellmewhat'sgoingon…"

AsAlgoltoldhimabouttheirregularitiesinthemarketthatwereshakingthefaithinthecountry,he

hadamomenttothinkregretfullyofBerry.FromthewayAlgolwasmakingthingssound,itmighttake

sometimebeforehewasbackinhersweetarms.

IwillbebackassoonasIcan,hepromisedinhismind.Andsoon,perhapswewon'thavetobe

apartatall…

ChapterNine

Berrytoldherselfthatshewasnotwatchingthephone.Watchingthephonewassomethingthat

teenagersdid,orwomenwhohadnothingelsegoingonintheirlives.Shecertainlywasn'tthat.

Instead,shegotthingsdone.Shewentbacktothesouk,lookingfortreasure,andshedidafew

write-upshereandtherefordifferentartifactsthatshehadbeenmeaningtotakecareof.Generally,she

didherjob,shediditwell,andsheneverthoughtaboutRasulatall.

Thatwasalie,however.Shethoughtabouthimallthetime,tothepointwhereseeingsunlightglint

offofsilverjewelryinthesoukmadehertearupoverhiseyes.

Shewaitedtoseeifanymessagewouldcomein,butexceptforonehurriedmessagesayinghe

wouldseeheragainsoon,therewasnothing.Thatmessagehadgivenhersomehope,butwhennonecame

afterit,shehadtoassumethatitwasmerelypolitenessthathadspurredit.

Threedaysaftershegotbackfromthemountain,Farnsworthwantedtospeakwithher,andhiscall

onlymadeherfeelworse.

"Whatthehellareyoudoingoutthere?"hedemandedassoonasshepickedupthephone.

"Myjob?"Berryaskedacidly.Farnsworthgotlikethatsometimes,andsometimes,allthatwas

necessarytomakehimmorecivilwastobejustasrudetohimashewastoher.

Farnsworthsnorted."I'mnotsureIbelieveyou.Listen,IsentyoutoworkwiththeSheikhfora

reason…"

Ontopofheralreadyfrayednerves,hisreprimandwaslikebeinglightlygrated."Yes,"shesaid,

"andIworkedforhim.Idatedeverythinghewantedmetodate.Igavehimhistory,andItoldhimwhich

ofhispieceswerecrap,justasIwastoldtodo."

"Ifthatisallyouseriouslythoughtyouweretheretodo,Ibetonthewronghorse,"Farnsworth

snarled."Seriously,useyourhead,Berry."

Shecouldfeelherstomachdropdownsomewhereinthevicinityofhershoes.Sheknewthatshe

shouldhangup.Farnsworthhadoftenwalkedthelinebetweenbeinganacceptablelevelofcrankyto

beingoutrightabusive,butrightnow,hehadvaultedoverthatlineandthensome.Ifsheweresmart,she

wouldhangup,andthenseriouslythinkaboutquitting.Instead,shefrozeinplace.

"Whatareyousaying?"shesaidthroughstifflips.

"IamsayingthatwhenIputanattractivewomannexttoapowerfulmanwithagoalinmind,

everyoneknowswhat'sgoingon.Iknewwhatwasgoingon,heknewwhatwasgoingon,itseemedasif

youweretheonlyonewhowasn'tonboard."

Berrywasalreadyshakingherhead."No,no,listen,thatwasn'twhatwashappeningatall!You've

gotitallwrong,wehadmetbefore…"

"Ohplease,Berry,getoveryourself,"Farnsworthsneered."Hewasdroolingalloveryouatthe

gala.Hewantedtomakesurethathegotacrackatyou,andhedid.Itlookslikeyouweren'tableto

completethejob…"

"YouthoughtIwasgoingto…togetyournameinthedoor?"sheasked."Icannotbelieveyou."

"BelievemewhenIsaythatthatwasthegoal,"hesaidsourly."Andsinceyou'venotdelivered—"

"Iquit,"shesaid,hervoicetrembling.

TherewasapauseontheotherendofthelinebeforeFarnsworthstartedtolaugh."Whatthehelldo

youthinkyou'redoing?Freshoutofschool,andbelievemewhenIsaythatIwillmakeyourlifehellin

thisindustryifyoukeeponlikeyouare.You'llneverworkinantiquitiesagain."

"Don'tcare,"shesaidabruptly."Fuckyourself,Farnsworth.Idon'tneedyou,Idon'tneedhim,andI

don'tneedthis."

Hersmartphonecertainlydidnotgiveherasatisfyingwaytoslamdownthecall,butendingit

helpedherheartbeatsomewhereatitsusualrate.

Foralongtime,shesimplystoodinthemiddleofherapartment,tryingtofigureoutwhathadjust

happenedtoher.Sheshouldhavebeenterrifiedthatshehadjustlostherjob,andthatshewasnowina

foreigncountrywithnowaytomakemoney.

Instead,shewasconsumedwiththenewinformationthatFarnsworthhadgivenher.Shehadknown

thatshewasbeingofferedupasakindofbribe.Sheknewthatherexpertiseandheravailabilitywere

meanttomakesurethatRasulwasdecentlyinvestedinhelpingFarnsworthmakehismovetoprominence

inAlamun.Whatshehadneverexpectedwasthatsheherself,herpersonality,herspirit,andherbody,

weredesignedtobringFarnsworthalittleclosertohisgoal.

Berrytriedtotellherselfthatitdidn'tmatter.Nothingshedidhadbeenoutofdutyoranykindof

mercenarysensibility.Ifanyoneshouldfeelashamed,itwasFarnsworthforthinkingthatsuchathing

wouldwork.

HerthoughtstouchedonRasul,andherhearttwistedasifsomeonehadsqueezedit.No.He

couldn'thaveknown,shouldn'thaveexpected.Buthadhe?Fromthebeginning,hehadtreatedher

capitulationasasurething.Hehadbeenkindandthepleasureshehadexperiencedinhishandswas

honest,evenifnothingelsewas.

Withasinkingheart,Berryrealizedthatwhatevershehopedfor,whatevershehadfelt,itwasallto

furtherFarnsworth'sgoalsandRasul'sappetite.Shestaredattheceiling,willinghertearstorecede.

Despiteherbestefforts,someofthemstillmanagedtoflowdownhercheeks,andtheyleadtoaflood.

Finally,overcomebyemotion,shecurleduponthefloor,sobbinguntilshefeltasdryandwornout

asahuskofcornafterharvest.

Well,wheredoIgofromhere?Berrywondered,butatthemoment,shehadnoclue.Allshecould

dowastotrytoholdherselftogetherasbestshecould.

Inalittlewhile,whenshefeltcalmer,whenshewasmoreincontrolofherownworldandherown

tears,shewoulddecidewhatcamenext.PerhapsshewouldtrytofindajobwithoneofFarnsworth's

competitors,orshemightgototryherluckinDubai.PerhapsitwastimetoreturntotheUnitedStates.

AllsheknewwasthattherewasnowayintheworldthatshecouldstayinAlamun.

Everytimehethoughtthatthemeetingwasgoingtoend,anotherrepresentativeneededtogetup

andvoicehisdissentingopinion.Bythethirdday,Rasulwasreadytostranglethenextpersonwhogotup

tosaysomethingirrelevanttothematterathand.

Attheveryleast,hisincreasingangerwaskeepingthingsgoing.Morethanonedelegatesittingnext

tohiminDubainoticedthathewastense,justshortoffurious,andhewouldnothavedisagreedwiththat

assumption.

Theworstpartoftheexperiencewaswhenhedraggedhimselfbacktohishotelafterthefinalnight

oftheconference,onlytofindthathismessagestoBerryhadbeenattemptingtosendfordays.He

discardedthem,anddebatedcallingher,butthehourwaslate,andchancesweregoodthatshewas

alreadygettingtosleep.

I'llmakeituptoher,hedecided.I'lltakeherforacruise,orperhapswecansimplyfinda

resortwherewecanbeperfectlyatpeace.

HeleftDubaiassoonashecould,andtheentireplaneridebacktoAlamun,hethoughtofBerry.If

hewashonestwithhimself,herface,hervoice,andhertouchhadhauntedhimfortheentirefinancial

emergency.Hecouldn'twaittohaveherinhisarms.

Rasulhopedthatshewouldforgivehimforneglectingherforawhile,buthopefullysomepresents

wouldmakeitupforher.Heflippedthroughsomeoftheonlinecatalogsthathiscousinsfavored,and

selectedafewscarvesandafewpiecesofjewelryforher.HesmiledtothinkofBerrywearinghis

things.

Hisfeelingsforherweretumultuous.Allheknewwasthatnoonehadevermadehimfeelthisway

before.Evenbeforehehadgottentoknowherwell,hewouldhavesaidthatBerrywasoneinamillion.

Nowthathehadspentthenightwithher,sleptinherarms,andbaskedinthebrillianceofhersmile,he

knewthatsomeonelikehercamealongonceinalifetime.

Rasulthoughtheknewwhatluckwasbefore,butnow,afterhavingstartedperhapsthemost

importantrelationshipofhislifeoveranargumentinthesouk,heknewthathewasincrediblyblessed.

Itwaspastoneinthemorningwhenhegotofftheplane,andasmuchashewantedtoknow,he

couldn'tgoovertoseeher.No.Itwasbesttosimplywaituntilmorning,whentheirreunioncouldbe

everythingitwasmeanttobe.

Berrywasutterlycalm.Shedidn'tthinkthatshehadeverbeenthiscalminherentirelife.Sheknew

whatsheneededtodo,andshewasn'tgoingtoletanyonestopher.ShehadblockedFarnsworthfrom

beingabletocallher,whichhadreducedtheamountoftroubleshewasdealingwith.Shewashardly

perfect,however,Wheneveranewtextormessagecamein,sheglancedatithopefully.However,it

alwaysturnedouttobethepeoplewhohadarrivedtolookatsomeofthefurnitureshewasselling,orthe

travelagencythatwantedtoconfirmhertickets.

ItwasneverRasul,andasthedayswenton,sheknewthatitneverwouldbe.Shewasdoingwhat

sheneededtodo.Duringherbrightermoments,shecouldeventellherselfthatshewaslookingforward

togettingbacktotheUnitedStates,butinthedarkofnight,sheknewthatitwasalie.

Thebestshewasabletodowastomaintainsomekindofcalmasshewentaboutthebusinessof

shuttingdownherapartment,gettingridofherthingsandpreparingforthemove.Shewascalmforso

longthatwhenRasulshowedup,shecouldactuallyfeelitcrack.

Foramoment,Berrysimplystoodinthedoorway,staringatthemanwhobeamedatherfromthe

otherside.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"sheasked,hertoneholloweveninherownears.

Helookedsurprisedatherquestion.Shewonderedifhehadthoughthersoboughtandpaidforthat

hewouldhavenoproblems.Unexpectedly,forthefirsttime,shefeltalickofrageappeardeepinher

heart.

"Ihavecometoseeyou,"Rasulsaid,asiftheanswershouldhavebeenobvious."Here,Ihave

broughtyousomethings."

Numbly,sheallowedhimtoguidehertohercouch,wherehehandedherseveralpackages.

"Iorderedtheseforyou,"hesaid,"andmyassistantsbroughtthemtomethismorning.Berry…

whatisgoingonhere?"

Hewaslookingaroundatherhalf-packedapartment.Berryignoredhimassheopenedthe

packages.Sheknewthatsheshouldn'ttortureherselflikethis,butshecouldn'tstopherself.Whatwasshe

worth?WhatdidRasulthinkhecouldusetobuyher?

Therewasasilkscarf.Therewasasilverringwithanenormousruby,andtherewerenotonebut

twopairsofearrings,onewithgoldandonewithpearls.Thepiecethattrulyfinishedheroffthough,was

asilverbangle.

"Thatcameoffofanantiquitiessite,"hesaidproudly."It'smorethanfourhundredyearsold…"

"AnditwaswornbythewivesoftheSheikh,"shesaidflatly."Itwasgiventoyounggirlsnewto

theharem,abitofmusictogowiththemwhentheywalked."

Shejingledthebangle,andthemusictothejewelrywasastruenowasitwaswhenitwasmade.

Thiswaswhathethoughtofher.Howcouldshehavebeensoblind?

Rasulwatchedinconfusionassheshovedthegiftsbackintotheirpackages.

"Idon'twantthem,"Berrysaid,doingeverythingthatshecouldtokeephervoicelevel,Onthelast

word,hervoicecracked,andRasulmadeanoiseofconcern.Hereachedouttotouchher,andBerry

knewthatifhedid,shewouldloseeverythingshewas.Shewouldlethimconvinceher.Shewouldlisten

tohissweetwords,andshewouldfallintoadreamwithhim,whereshewasnevermorethana

concubineorawhore.PerhapshewouldevengiveFarnsworthhisdeal…

"No!"shecried,yankingaway."No—stop."

Hepulledhishandback,buthelookedatherwithcompletedismayandsurprise."Berry,what'sthe

matter?You'vebeenactingstrangelysinceIarrived,youdon'twantthethingsIgotyou?"

"DamnstraightIdon'twantthem,"shesnapped."Doyoureallythinkthatthisiswhatmypriceis?

Abitofsilkandjewelry?MyGod,doyouknowwhatIthoughtwhenweweretogetheruponthat

mountain?DoyouknowwhatIalmostbelieved?"

Toherfury,hewasstillmaintaininghisinnocence."Berry,IsweartoyouthatIhavenoideawhat

isgoingon.Fortheloveofheaven,sitdownandspeakreasonablywithme…"

"No!"shenearlyshouted."No,I'mnotlisteningtoyouanymore.Idon'twanttohearanythingmore

about…aboutworship,ordevotion!Iwantyoutogetoutofhere."

Hefrownedatherwords,standinguptomatchher.Apartofhernotedthatevenatthispoint,she

wasnotafraidofhim.Sheneverwouldbe.Sheknewthathewouldneverhurtherphysically.Shewas

learningthatemotionally,however,wasadifferentstory.

"Berry,sitdown.Ihavehadalongfewdays,andIsincerelydon'tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout

orwhyyouaresoangry…"

Shelaughed—anuglysoundthatmadehimflinch."Really?Really,youhavenoidea?Wellletme

spellthisoutforyou,sinceit'ssoconfusing.Iamnotforsale.Idon'thaveaprice,andyoucannotbuyme.

Isthatclearenough?"

Rasulwentpaleandthendarkwithanger."Areyouserious?"hedemanded."Isthatwhatyouthink

thesegiftsare?That'salltheyare,Berry.Theyaregifts,tokensofmyregardforyou…"

"Don'tyougetit?"sheraged."Idon'thaveapricetag.YouandFarnsworthdon'tseemtoknowthat.

There'snopriceyoucanputonme,nofavor,nothingthatassuresyoutheabilitytobewithme,totouch

me…"

Rasullookedthunderstruck."Berry…"

Withoutthinkingofwhathewasdoing,hereachedforher,andBerryknewthatshecouldnot,under

anycircumstances,allowthattohappen.Sheslappedhishandaway,thesoundanechoingshotintherest

oftheroom.

Thatphysicalcontact,nomatterhowlight,seemedtogetthroughtoRasulinawaythatnothingelse

hadyet.Hebackedaway,andifsheweren'tconvincedofhowhehadtriedtobuyher,shewouldhave

beenshockedatthepainandsurpriseonhisface.Shetensedtoshoutmore,todefendherselfifshehad

to,butitseemedasifhehadgottentheidea.

Withoutasingleword,heturnedonhisheel,andstrodeout,leavingthethingshehadbroughther

scatteredonthefloorasiftheyweretrash.

Foramoment,Berrycouldn'tbelievethathewasgone.Apartofherwasscreamingtogoandbring

himback.Justseeinghimforthoseshortmomentshadbroughtbackeverythingtheyhadsharedtogether.

Somehow,shemanagedtopreventherselffromrunningafterhim.Instead,withalloftheresolutionthat

shecouldbringtobear,sheresumedpacking.

ChapterTen

TheAlamunairportwasbusyandbustling.Berryhadgottentherequiteearlyandfoundherseat

nexttohergate.Shehadjustanothertwohoursinthecountry.Afterthat,shewouldbebackintheUnited

States.Berrytoldherselfthatitwasforthebest,butdespitethat,shefeltadeepwrenchingattheideaof

leavingAlamun.Intheshortamountoftimethatshehadbeenthere,ithadcometofeelmorelikehome

thananyotherplaceontheplanet.

ShedeliberatelypreventedherselffromthinkingaboutRasul.Somehow,shehadshippedoff

everythingsheneeded,packedwhatwasessential,andgottenridoftherest.Atthemoment,however,

therewasnoplacewhereshecouldputherneedandloveforhim,notyet.Sheprayedthatatsomepoint,

shewouldbeabletogetthedistancesheneeded,butitwasnothappeningyet.

IdlyBerrywatchedthepeoplearoundher.Somelookedanxiouswhileothersweresimplyexcited.

Oneortwolookedworried.Shewonderedwhowaswaitingforthemontheotherendofthevoyage.

Wouldtheyreturntofamiliesthatlovedthem?Tolovers?Tonooneatall?

Shewaswonderingifsheshouldtrytogetanapbeforetheycalledthedeparturewhentwomen

walkeduptoher.Dressedindarksuits,theystoodoutfromthecrowdatthegatelikesorethumbs.

"Ms.Caine,youwillneedtocomewithus,"oneofthemsaidastheycametoastopinfrontofher.

Berrywasawareofeveryeyeintheseatingareaonher.Sheliftedherchindefiantlyatthem."And

underwhoseauthorityareyoudetainingme?"sheasked.

"UndertheauthorityofSheikhRasul,"theothermansaidbluntly."Hereisthewarrantifyouneed

it."

Heofferedherapieceofpaperthatshescanned.Itwasaveryimpressivedocument,andatthe

bottomwastheboldblacksignatureofRasulhimself.

Themurmursbeganallaroundher,andwithasinkingsensation,Berryknewthatshewasnotgoing

togetanyhelpfromanyone.

"Isee.Andthereisnothingtobedoneaboutthis?"

Themenlookedapologetic,buttheonewhohadspokenfirstnodded."Thatiscorrect.Ourorders

aretobringyoutotheSheikh."

Berrycouldseethatshehadachoice.Shecouldfightthesemen,causingaspectaclethatwouldno

doubtfrightenallofthepeopleatthegate,shecouldburstintotears,orshecouldsimplygowiththem.

Theydidnotlookliketheyweremenwhowouldbemoved,andfinally,shesighed,standingup,and

givingthemenafrostylook.

"Allright,let'sgo,"shesaidasshefollowedthemout.

Inthecarride,sheseethed,wonderingwhatRasulthoughthewasplayingat.ShewasanAmerican

citizen,andevenifshewasonewithnorealstanding,surelytheycouldnotsimplytakeherwhenthey

wishedtodoso?

Berrycouldfeelhertemperboilingandsimmeringastheydroveherfartherandfartherawayfrom

herflight.Shehadknownthatshewasnotgoingtomakeit,butsomethingaboutthissimplyfeltwrong.

Howdarehe,shethought.Howdarehethinkthathecoulddictateherlifelikethis,misusehis

powerforthispurpose?Rasulwasmeanttobeamanwhoputhisnation'sprioritiesfirst.Whatkindof

prioritywasbeingservedwhenshewastakencaptivelikesomekindofwarprize?

Berrycameoutofherreveriewhensherealizedthattheywerenolongerintown.

"Wherearewegoing?"sheasked,unabletokeepabitoffearfromhervoice.

Themaninthepassenger'sseatglancedbackather,hisgazemorecompassionatethanshethought

itwouldbe.

"WearetakingyoutooneoftheSheikh'sprivateresidences,"hesaid."Iunderstandthatyouare

alarmed,butpleasedonotbe.TheSheikhhassaidthatundernocircumstancesshouldyoubeharmed.

Resteasy,Ms.Caine,thatallwillbewell."

Sheshookherhead,tooexhaustedtotrytotalktohim.Shethoughtthatifshehadherheadscrewed

onstraight,shemighthavetriedtobargainwiththemen,tohavethemhelphermakeanotherflight.Once

shewasbackintheUnitedStates,surelyRasulcouldn'treachher,couldn'ttouchher.Surelyhisreach

didn'textendthatfar?

Severalhourslater,aftertheyhadbeeninthedesertforsometime,theyfinallycametoanabsurdly

greenspotinthedesert.Sherealizedthatithadtobeanoasis,aplaceofgreenbeautyinthewastes.

Atfirstshethoughtthattherewasnohabitationatall,butthencomingaroundarockyoutcropping,

shesawasmallmanortuckedagainstthetrees,itsfronttowardsthedesert.

"Whatisthisplace?"sheaskedinsurprise.

"AnoldretreatfortheSheikhandhisfamily,"saidoneofthemen,handingheroutofthecar."Itis

aplaceforfriendsandfamilyalone."

Shehadtoadmit,shewasn'tfeelingtoofriendlyorfamily-like.WhenBerrywasoutofthecar,the

mengotbackinandleftinacloudofdust.Shesupposeditmadesense.Withmilesofkillingdesertall

around,therewasnowaythatshewasgoingtoescapeonfoot.

Withasigh,shepickedupherbagandbegantowalktowardsthemanor.WhenBerrywasclose,

thedooropenedandRasulappearedinthedoorway.Shelookedupathim,andsuddenly,shefeltadeep

andpowerfulrageovercomeher.

"You'vegotsomenerve,"shegrowled,lookingupathim."Youhadnorighttotakemeoffthat

flight."

Hegazedathercalmlyandwithsomesadness.Shewasstruckbyhowstoicheseemed.Ifshewas

aragingforestfire,hewastheimperturbablerockface,theonethatcouldnotbeswayed.

"Ihaveeveryright,"hesaidsoftly."IamtheSheikhofAlamun,andmywordislaw."

Berry'seyesflasheddangerously."Youhavedecidedthatyouaregoingtoholdmeinthiscountry

againstmywill?"shesaid."Praytell,whatelseareyougoingtoforceonmewhetherIwantitornot?"

Heflinchedalittleatherhardwords,buttoherinnerdismay,helookedresolute."Nothingelse,"

hesaid."Berry,whatwehavebetweenusdoesnothappenveryoften.Someonemightgetluckytohaveit

onceinathousandyears…"

Berryshookherheadhard."No,Idon'twanttohearit,"shesaid."Iknowallaboutconnections,all

aboutpassion,allright?Incaseyouforgot,youweretheonetoteachme.Youweretheonewhomademe

wakeuptoallofthosepossibilities."

"Andnow?"

"AndnowIknowwhoyouareandwhatyouwant.Iamnolongerlisteningtoyou,orto

Farnsworth."

"Youwilllistentome,"hesaid,hisvoicebrookingnodisagreement."Soonerorlater,youwill."

"Notlikely,"sheretorted.

Whensherealizedhewasn'tgoingtorelentandcallbackthecar,shewalkedintothehouse,her

facesetlikeastone.Sherefusedtogivein.Shewouldnotlisten,shewouldnotheedhim.

Rasullookedafterherstiffback,wonderingwhathadhappenedtothebeautifulwomanwhohad

laidallpliantinhisarms.Hewonderedalloveragainifheweren'tmakinganenormousmistake,onethat

wouldcosthimeverythinginawaythatwascompletelyirrevocable.

Hehadthoughtaboutthiscourseofactionlongandhardthough,andheknewthatifhedidnotat

leasttry,hewouldneverforgivehimself.Thetruthwasthathewasnotsimplydoingthisforhimself.He

wasalsodoingitforthebeautifulwide-eyedwomanwhohadlaidinhisarms.Shewasstillinthere

somewhere,buriedunderwhatfeltlikeconcretelayersofhurtandpain.

Hehadtofindawaytogetthroughtoher,butshecertainlywasnotgoingtomakeiteasy.Hewas

preparedforthat.Atleast,hethoughthewaspreparedforthat.

Fortherestoftheday,shesatinstonysilence.Nomatterwhathedid,shewouldnotlookathim.

Whenheenteredaroom,shetriedtoleave.Ifhewouldn'tletherleave,shewouldsimplyglowerupat

him,hereyesbrilliantemeraldfire.

Thatnight,assheresolutelyclosedherbedroomdoorbehindherandlockedit,hesatonthecouch

inthelivingroom,headinhishands.

Hedidn'tknowhowmuchofthishecouldtake.Itwasonethingbringingherhere,butdealingwith

herfuryandherrecriminationswasphysicallypainful.Rasulknewwithsomepainthathischancesfor

successwerelikelyverylow.

Allheknewthoughwasthathehadtotry.

ChapterEleven

SunsetswerelengthyaffairsinAlamun.Fromthescreenedporchofthemanor,Berrywatchedthe

sundescendintothedesert,theskygrowingdarkerandricher.Whentheskyoverheadwasadeepindigo

andpurple,andthesunamerestreakoforangeagainsttheclouds,Rasulcameoutofthehousetostand

behindher.Itoccurredtoherthatshewasexhausted.Forthefirsttimeinwhatfeltlikeasmalleternity,

herrageebbedtowhereshecouldspeaktoRasulagain,evenifthepainwasanundercurrentthatfouled

everythinginher.

"Itisbeautiful,"shesaidsoftly,notturningherhead.Sheknewwherehewas.Shecouldfeelhim

asiftherewasamagneticpullbetweenthem.Shethoughtthatthisattractionwouldalwaysbethere,no

matterwhathappenedorhowmuchspacecamebetweenthem.

"Notasbeautifulasyou,"hesaid.

Rasulcametostandbehindher,makingtheskinatthebackofherneckstandonend.Hedidn't

touchher,andshecouldn'ttellifshewasdisappointedorgrateful.

"Idon'tknowwhattothink,"shesaid,hereyesfocusedoutoverthedesert."Notaboutyou,but

moreso,notaboutmyself.WhoamI,tohavethefeelingsthatIdo?They'resopowerful…theyfrighten

me."

Hissighwasassoftasapuffofwestwind."Youdon'thavetothink,"hesaid."Nottonight.Youare

powerful,strong,andclever,buthere,youdonothavetobeanythingexcepthappy.That'swhatIwant

youtohave."

Afteramoment,shetiltedherheadback,restingitagainsthisgentlehand.Hestrokedherhairfora

momentbeforesendinghisquickfingerstoundoherbraid.Inamoment,herhairwaslooseandflowing

downtohershoulders.Berryclosedhereyesasheranhisfingersthroughthelengthbeforecomingupto

strokethetensionoutofhertemples.

"Iwant…"Berrybitherlip.Whatshewantedwasimpossible.Shetoldherselfthat.Shetold

herselfoverandoveragainthatthedecadentSheikhofAlamuncouldneverbethemanthatshewanted

himtobe,theoneshewantedtowalkbesideherthroughherlife.Thethoughtcontrastedwithhisactions,

andsuddenly,itwassimplytoomuch.Shecouldn'tstandtoturnquestionsthathadnoanswersoverand

overagaininherhead.Herexhaustionrolledoverherlikeatide,andwhenitwasgone,itleftbehindthe

rawnessofherdesire,likeanexposedseabed.

"Berry?Areyouallright?"

Shelaughedalittleasshestood,turningtofacehim.Herwhitedressfellinsoftfoldsdownaround

herankles,butsheknewhowsheeritwas.Hecouldseetheshadowsofhercurvesthroughthefine

fabric,andforamoment,hisdarkeyesflickereddownherbody.Hewasasensuousman,andthefactthat

hewasdrawntohermadeherheartbeatfaster.

"Iam,"shesaid."Rightnow…rightnow,Iwantyoutotouchme."

Helookedmomentarilyeager,butsheheldupahand,stoppinghim."Butthiswillchangenothing.

Youarestillwhoyouare.IamstillwhoIam.Nothingwillchange.Only…Iwanttotouchyou."

Hehesitated,andforonemoment,shethoughtthathewouldrefuse.Amomentofpaincrossedhis

handsomeface,butthenhenodded."Iunderstand."

Thosewordswereallsheneeded.Inanotherheartbeat,shewasinhisarms,andhismouth

descendedonhersasifhewasstarvedforher.Inhisarms,shecouldfeelthebeginningofthepleasure

thathadalwayslivedbetweenthemsparkpurefire.Inthatmoment,sheknewthattherewouldneverbe

anothermanwhomadeherfeellikehedid.Therewouldneverbesomeonewhocouldmakeherfeelasif

hersoulhadbeensetonfire.

Theirkisswasslow,buttherewasapassiontoitthatmadeherwarmfromtheinsideout.His

stronghandsranupherbackbeforesweepingdownagaintocupherrear,squeezinggently.Whenshe

liftedonelegatthekneetorunitalonghis,shefeltthetremorrunthroughhisframe.Hewasasaffected

asshewas,anditthrilledhertoknowit.

Shecouldhearthefirstcriesoftheoasis'snightbirdsashescoopedherupinhisarms.Shethought

hewasgoingtotakehertothebedroom,butinstead,helayherdownonthetallswingingnestinthe

cornerofporch,herlegsdanglingdownovertheedge.Beforeshecouldaskwhathewasdoing,he

flippedaswitchandthechainsupportingtheswingshorteneddrawingheruphigheruntilherlegswere

swingingfreeoftheground.Shestartedtoaskwhathewasdoingwhenhecametostandbetweenher

legs.

"Doyoulikethis?"hesaid,pushingtheswingjustslightly.

"It'slikebeinginzerogravity,"Berrymurmured,lookingupathim."Likeasingletouchcould

movemewhereveritwantedme…"

Hechuckled."That'stheidea,"hesaid,andhereachedforthehemofherdress.Shethoughtthathe

meanttoremoveitentirely,butheonlyskimmedituptoherwaist,revealingthelonglengthofhertanned

legsandthewispylacypantiesthatcovereduphermostsecretflesh.Hebentdowntorunhismouthover

thesoftskinofherthighs,sendingtremorsofdesirethroughherbody.Withoutthinkingofwhatshewas

doing,shereacheddowntotangleherfingersintohishair,tugginggently,alwaysaskingformore.

Thoughshecouldfeelthathisneedwasasintenseashers,hetookhistime,nibblingatherthighs

andatthesharpbonesofherhipsbeforeheevenstartedtopressagentlepalmagainsthermound.Witha

softgroan,shestartedgrindingupagainsthim,growingincreasinglydesperateforthepleasurethatshe

knewhecouldbringher.Shehadneverknownamanlikehimbefore.Sheknewsheneverwouldagain.

Onlywhenshewaswhimperingwithneeddidhepullherpantiesdown,throwingthemsomewhere

behindhim.Nowshewasentirelybaretohisfingers,hishands,andhismouth.Whenhebentdowntolap

athersoft,warmflesh,shenearlylevitatedoffoftheswing.Berry'sslightmotionsmadetheswingrock,

andshecouldfeelhermindspinatallofthepowerfulsensationsthatwereblazingthroughherbody.

Rasulrefusedtohurry.Hetookhistime,firstlappingatherslit,andthendippingtwofingersinto

herwarmth.Herhipspresseduptowardshimdesperately,butherefusedtogivehertheclimaxthathe

knewhecouldgiveher.Insteadheteasedher,bringingherrightuptotheveryedgeofclimaxbefore

pullingaway.Shedidn'tknowhowmuchtimehadpassed,andshedidn'tknowhowlongshehadbeen

clenchingherfistsinhishair,butshewasadesperatethingwhenhefinallystood.

"Please,Rasul!"shecried."Please,please,Ineedyou…"

Foramoment,ashelookeddownonher,shewonderedifthiswassomekindofrevenge.Wouldhe

simplybringhertothepointofclimaxtowalkaway?

"Ineedyou,"heresponded.

Withnomorewarningthanthat,hisdarkhandfistedinherdress.Withtwosharp,focused

moments,hetoreitopen,andleftherlyingintheshredsofwhathadoncebeenadress.Hereached

behindhertounhookherbra,throwingitwhereverhehadthrownherpanties,andnowshelaynakedfor

himlikesomekindofoffering.Thesunhadsetfully,andthesoftlightoftheporchmadeherskinglow

silvery.Foramoment,theywerefrozen,asiftheywerepartofsomekindofhistorictableau,atalethat

hadbeentoldathousandtimes.

Withagrowlthatwasbarelyhuman,hefelluponher,hishandseverywhere.Theroughnessofhis

clothingagainstherbareskinonlymadeBerrymoreexcited,andshethrewherarmsaroundhim,hooking

herlegsaroundhishipsintheneedtohavehimcloser.

"Takeme,takeme,takeme,"shechantedinhisear,andthistime,thetremorthatranthroughhis

bodyturnedintoafull-scaleshudder.

Hestoodtostripawayhisclothes,andnowheroseaboveherlikesomeancientsheikhcometo

claimhisprize.Shehadtimetolookatthedarknessofhisshapeaboveher,theheavinessofhisarousal,

andthenhefelluponherlikeawolfonadoe.Hishandswrappedaroundherhips,dragginghertothe

edgeoftheswingashestood,feetplantedwithhishipsangledtomeether.

Hecan'tbethinking…

Hewas.Rasul'shandslandedonthechainsthatattachedtheswingtothecentralchainthatreached

uptotheceiling.Withasinglemotionofhishands,hecoulddragherforwardandpushherawayashe

chose.Withonehandonachain,theotherreacheddowntourgeherlegsapart,runningafingeralongher

wetslit.Hetoyedwithherclitforamoment,butthenhepulledawayagain.Shewouldhavewhimpered

withneed,butthenthebluntheadofhisbarecockwaspressedagainstherentrance.

"Doyouwantme?"heaskedhoarsely."Doyouwantme,Berry?"

"Ido,please!"shecriedout,andwithasinglemotion,heenteredher.Shefelthisfulllength

pressinginsideher,andhedidn'tstopuntiltheywerejoinedascompletelyastheycouldbe.Shegasped,

makinghimpause.

"Berry?Areyouallright?"

"Yes,Iam,justplease…pleasedon'tstop!"

Hischucklewasdarkandfullofmasculinesatisfaction."Ihaveabsolutelynointentionofdoing

so,"hesaid,andhestartedtomove.

Keepinghishipsalmostperfectlystill,hereacheduptograspthechainsholdingtheswing.Witha

gentlenudge,hesettheswingintomotion,andeventheslightmovementsmadehercryoutwithpleasure.

Shewasutterlyweightlessbutsupportedbytheswing.Itwasdirectingthemotionofherbodyandhowit

metRasul's,andthedelicioussensationofbeingutterlyhelplessinthefaceofitmadehergroanwith

pleasure.

Thepleasurethathadbeenburninglowinherbellyflaredupasifhehadthrowngasolineonit,and

inamatterofmoments,shecouldfeelherselfstarttoshake.Shecouldn'tbelievethatshewasdrawingup

toaclimaxsofast,butneithercouldshestopit.Shereachedforhimdesperately,andlettinggoofthe

chain,hecamedownoverher,gatheringherupinhisarms.

"Come,"hesaidsoftlyinherear."Givemethatpleasurethatyouhavepromisedme…"

Sheflungherarmsaroundhim,andalmostasifbyhiscommand,herbodyseemedtotearitself

apartwithpleasure.Thesensationsstartedlowinherbellybeforeexpandingouttosweepovertherest

ofher,shakinghertopiecesasshewailedherpleasuretotheemptydesert.

Heshookoverher,andBerryknewthatsomehow,Rasulwasfeelingherpleasureasifitwerehis

own.Herclimaxdrovehimovertheedge,andasshestartedtocomedownoffofthepowerofher

arousal,hismotionsspedupuntilhewaspoundingintoher,theswing'smotionsfastandjerkyashe

pushedintoheroverandoveragain.

Whenhefoundhisownclimax,hisshoutechoedthroughthenight,andshecouldfeeltheheatofhis

releasefloodher.Sheclungtohim,wantingtowringeverybitofpleasurefromthewaytheirbodieswere

together,fromtheelectricitythatexistedbetweenthem.

Whenhestoppedshaking,hefelldownontopofher,hisweightapleasureallonitsown.She

knewthatsheshouldgetup,butthisintimacy,onethatwasjustaspotentaswhattheyhadjustdone

together,washardtoresist.

"Please…"

Shethoughtthatitwasjustherimaginationatfirst.Thewordwassmall,almostbroken,andit

couldnothavecomefromtheproudmanwhohadsparredwithherfromthefirstmomentthattheyhad

met.Berryshiftedslightlysothattheycouldliesidebysideontheswing.Theporchwasdark,butitwas

stillpossibletomakeouttheexpressiononhisface.

"Rasul?"

"Ineedyou,"hesaidsoftly."IamnotsurethatIhaveeversaidthosewordstoanotherperson

before.Ineedyou,andbyGod,ifyoumustgo,thenIwillallowit,becauseaboveallIwantyour

happiness,butIamtellingyounowthatifyoustay,IwillgiveyouthebestIcan,everydayfortherestof

mylife.Iwillonlyloveyoumorewitheverydaythatpasses,andIwillmakeyoumyqueen."

Suddenly,Berryfeltasifherthroatwastootight.Shecouldfeeltearsstingingatthebackofher

eyes,andshewasterriblyafraidthatifshesaidwhatwastrulyinherheart,shewouldsimplybreak.

"Rasul,itisnotthateasy…"

"Itcanbe,"hesaidinsistently."Ifyouwillsimply…bewithme,ifyouaresimplybymyside,then

everythingisdetails.Everythingelsecanworkitselfout.Isweartoyou,Berry.Youaretheonelightin

mylife,andthethoughtoflosingyoutearsmyheartoutofmychest."

Shetookadeepbreath,andshemadeherselfstandup.Deliberately,Berryfoundherclothes.She

couldn'tlookatRasulwhileshesaidwhatcamenext.

"Youdon'thavetolieanylonger,"shesaid,hervoicesmall."Iwaspartofyourbargainwith

Farnsworth.My…companyinreturnforyourfavor.Don'tlieandtellmethatI'mwrong,orthatIam

mistaken."

Hestoodupfromtheswing,standingbeforeher.Hepaidnomindtobeingutterlynaked,andhe

stoodbeforeherwithoutfearorregret.

"No.Farnsworthgaveme…anexcuseandalever,Isuppose,butitwasneveraboutusingyou,

Berry,Isweartothat.Ifanything,IusedFarnsworth.Ilethimbelievewhateverhewantedtobelieveso

thatIcouldspendsometimewithyou."

Hetookadeepbreathbeforecontinuing."Iwillbehonest,Iamnotproudofthat.Iwasonly

desperateforyou…"

"Andwhenwecameback,whenyouignoredme?Whywasthat?"

Insteadofresponding,hereachedforhisphone.Afterafewflicksofhisfinger,heshowedittoher.

Bemused,shefoundthathehadturnedthescreentoaninternationalheadline,onethatread

"FinancialDisasterAvertedbySwiftActionofUAETalks."Theblurbtalkedaboutacrisisthathad

involvedmostoftheUAEalongwithmanyneighboringcountries,andinthephotothatwastakenofthe

accords,shecouldseeamanthatshequicklyrecognizedasRasulstandinginthecenter,addressingthe

delegates.

"That'syou,"shesaidwithsurprise.

"Itis,"hesaid."AndwhenItriedtocontactyouwhenIcould,mymessageshungup.Theywereall

undeliveredwhenIfinallythoughttocheckonit."

"You…duringallthis,youtriedtocontactme?"

"Idid.ItwasaspecialkindofterriblewhenmyMinisterofFinancecontactedmebeforeIhad

evensatdown.Mypresencewasneededimmediately.Ihadhopedyouwouldunderstand."

Berryfelthercheeksburnassherealizedexactlywhathadhappened.

"ButIdidn't,"shesaidslowly,"Becauseofmyowndamninsecurity,andbecauseFarnsworth…

OhmyGod…"

Suddenly,shecouldn'tstopshaking.Itfeltasifalloftheemotionsthatshehadbeentryingto

controlforthepastfewdayscameroaringuponher.Shecouldfeeltearsinhereyes,butshecouldalso

feelacertainlightnesstoherheartaswell,asifaweightthathadbeenonithadfinallyliftedaway

forever.

Rasul'sarmscamearoundher,holdinghertight,andheloweredthembothdownuntiltheywere

sittingintheswingagain,thistimewithheronhislap.

"Willyoulistentomenow?"heasked,andunabletoreply,shenodded.

"Youwerealwaysmoretomethanwhatwecoulddotoeachotherinbed.WhenIfirstsawyouin

thesouk,Iwouldhavedoneanythingtogetyourattention,tomakesurethatIcouldseeyouandspeak

withyou.Wespoke,andwesparkedoffofeachotherlikeflintonsteel.Youdisappeared,andIthought

thatIwouldneverseeyouagain.

"Thenattheparty,Ifeltmyheartbeatingoutofmychestbecausethereyouwere,butwhenIsaw

youonFarnsworth'sarm,Ithoughtyouweredoublylosttome.Then,miraclesofmiracles,therewasa

chancetoseeyou,tospendtimewithyou.

"PerhapsitwasfoolishandcrudeofmetoseizeonthechancethatwasofferedthewayIdid,butI

didasmyhearttoldmetodo,andrightnow,Ihavenoregrets."

"Rasul…"

"Shh,alittlelonger,andIwillletyousaywhatyouneed.Rightnow,simplylistentome."

Sheswallowedhard,subsidingintosilence.Somethinginsideherfeltasifitwerebreakingapart.

"IknewwhatFarnsworthwastryingtodo.Iknewfromthebeginning.Menlikehimmakeoffersto

meallthetime,andthoseoffersareworthnothingtome,nothingatall.Whatwasfarmoreimportantwas

thewomaninfrontofme,and,Berry,please,youmustbelievemewhenIsaythattherewasnothinginmy

headaboutbuyingyouortakingyou.Ionlywanted…toworshipyou."

Berrysuckedinherbreathathisuseofthatword,theonethathadcausedthemtofalltogetherin

thefirstplacewhilebitingandsnappinglikecatsanddogs.

"Worship,"shesaidwithwonder,andhesmiledalittle.

"Yes,worship.Because,Berry,whenIlookatyou…IseeafutureIhadonlyimaginedbefore.I

seethewomanIwanttotreatasthesuninmyskyandthemooninmynight.Iwanttoloveandprotectyou

forallofmydays,ifonlyyouwillallowit.Sincethebeginning,Ihaveknownthatyouwerespecial.

Afterjustalittlebitoftimewithyou,Iknowhowtrulyspecialyouare."

Hetookadeepbreath.Foramoment,Berrywasremindedofwarriorsbracingthemselvesfor

battle.

"Berry.Iloveyou.Iloveyouwithallofmysoul.Please,willyoustayinAlamun?Willyoubemy

queen?"

Tearsstartedinhereyes,andblindly,shereachedforhishands.Shewasshaking,andatfirst,she

couldbarelygetthewordsout.

"Yes…ohyes,Rasul,Iloveyou…withallmyheart.Iloveyou,Iloveyou…"

Shefoundherselfcrushedagainsthisbroadchestasheembracedher,tiltingherfaceupsohe

couldkissher.

Wewilldothisforever,sherealized,herheartopeningwithjoy.Thisisforever…

Asshelookedupintohiscleargrayeyes,sheknewthatthislovewouldonlygrow,thatshehad

finallymetthemanwhowouldtreatherashisgoddess,thelightofhislife.

THEEND

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Document Outline

Table of Contents
Sheikh’s Twin Baby Surprise
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
ANOTHER STORY YOU MIGHT LIKE
Sheikh's Possession
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven

Sheikhs Twin Baby Surprise Sophia Lynn

Document Outline