ROMANCE: THE SHEIKH'S GAMES: A Sheikh Romance (121 page)

“This has always been my dream for you, Jada,” her father said softly. “I know you think I do this so that I can boast of a family connection, but I want to keep you close. There are men who would not treat you well. Kamal’s family has always been good to us, and I have no doubt that you will be able to find happiness there. And should you not, I will be near to protect you.”

Startled, Jada turned her head sharply to stare at her father. She couldn’t remember the last time he had said something so sweet to her. There was no underlying message in his words, and there was nothing but love in his eyes. He spoke the truth.

“Thank you,” she said honestly. It bolstered her confidence to enter into a union knowing that her father had her own happiness in mind.

The driver opened the door and held out his hand. Jada gathered her skirts in her one hand and swung her legs out of the car. The driver gently pulled out her out of her car, and the doors to the palace swung open. She recognized the current Sheikh and his beautiful wife. But as her gaze landed on Kamal, she inhaled sharply.

Time had been kind to him. Kamal Al-Basir had grown into a handsome man. Her fingers itched to run over the dark stubble on his face, and her heart skipped a beat when his eyes bore into hers. She saw the surprise in them and realized that he had also not known what to expect.

Immediately, she bowed her head and kept her eyes trained to the ground. A shadow crossed over her, and she heard Kamal clear his throat. “Jada, it’s pleasant to see you again.”

It took every bit of self-control not to wince at the strain in his words. He may have been surprised by her beauty, but it wasn’t enough to make him happy about her presence. Forcing a smile, she raised her head. “And you as well.”

Forcefully, he held out his hand. “Allow me to escort you in.”

“I would appreciate that very much,” she muttered as she took his hand. She nodded reverently at his parents as they passed, and several servants opened the door for them. She wasn’t the least bit surprised or impressed with the glittery affair before her. Parties, no matter how elegantly decorated, were not enough to hold her attention. “Your mother has done as excellent job,” she muttered, still playing her role.

He dropped her hand, and she immediately felt the loss. What was going on with her? Kamal stared straight ahead, and she turned and studied his profile. There was anger. “I didn’t mean to offend you,” she said carefully. What had she done?

“It’s not you,” he said abruptly. “I’m a busy man, and I think celebrating the fact that I survived to live another year is ridiculous. Still, you’re not wrong. My mother put a lot of work into this, and I’m sure she’ll appreciate your sentiments.”

Jada almost snorted. What Sheikh didn’t want to have a party? Voicing her opinion out loud would be offensive, so she kept her thoughts to herself. He turned to her and bowed her head. “I hope you find the party enjoyable. Perhaps you can save a dance for me later?”

Stunned, she tried to find her voice. Obviously Kamal wasn’t happy with the pairing. Every word out of her mouth was out of obligation, and it was almost painted in disgust. She should have been diplomatic and simply said yes, but she found herself slightly offended. “Only if you can find the time. I would want to keep you,” she said stiffly before walking away.

She could feel his eyes follow her as she left him, and she knew she should apologize, but he was being rude to her, and she couldn’t abide that. Jada had no doubt that he would complain to her father, but he wouldn’t dare drop out of the arranged marriage.

Would he?

“Jada?”

She turned her head sharply to see a familiar woman walking her way. The woman’s jaw dropped open. “It is you. You look fabulous!”

“Kay,” Jada breathed. “It has been forever!” The two women embraced, and Jada had to fight back a flood of memories. Kayla had been her childhood best friend. Before her sixteenth birthday, Kayla’s parents moved to America, and the two girls lost touch. She’d thought of Kayla often over the years.

“I had no idea that you were back!” Jada exclaimed as she hugged her friend tight.

“I just can’t seem to stay away,” Kay said with a smile. “No, my husband actually got a job with the Sheikh, so we moved back two years ago. What are you doing back?”

Jada made a face. “I was summoned back.”

Kay’s eyes widened. “There are quite a few women here. Rumors are that the Sheikh’s son is looking for a wife.”

Jada felt a stab of jealousy as she looked around the room. The women far outnumbered the men. They were all here for Kamal?

Why wouldn’t they be? He was handsome, rich, and soon-to-be the Skeikh. “Great,” she muttered. She was hoping this would be a small affair.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about the competition,” Kay said hastily. “You’re beautiful. Actually, stunning is the word I’m looking for.”

Jada smiled. “Thank you, but I’m actually not worried about the competition at all. I have a feeling that my father and his father have already made the arrangements. Based on Kamal’s reaction to me, he’s already been ordered to make an offer for my hand.”

“You don’t seem happy about that,” Kay said carefully.

“Did you marry for love?”

Kay smiled softly. “I got lucky. I fell for a man that my father approved of. If I hadn’t, I’m sure my father would have arranged something.”

“I’ve spent most of my life fairly certain that I would be paired with Kamal. We’ve been pushed together since birth, but I’ve spent all of my adult life in Europe. I’ve heard that he fell in love in America, and I don’t know. I suppose for awhile I had hoped that I would have a chance to fall in love.” Jada smiled wistfully.

“Have you fallen in love?”

“No,” Jada said almost bitterly. “I have mostly found that men are pigs.”

Kayla’s eyes widened gleefully at Jada’s soft but spiteful words. “Careful,” she giggled. “Kamal will not want to marry a woman with such opinions.”

“Don’t I know it? Come on. Let’s check out the food table and catch up. If I’m to be wed to a man I don’t get to choose, I should at least be able to eat whatever I want.” She linked arms with her old friend and walked through the crowd. It felt nice to have Kay be her side again. At least she had a familiar face to spend some time with while she watched Kamal dance and speak with many women.

She couldn’t explain the jealousy when she watched him touch others, but it was easier to hide with Kay by her side. She simply turned her back and pretended that she wasn’t feeling such intensity towards her future husband.

* * *

Kamal spent most of his time with his father’s partners and talked business. Women made their way to him and wished him well on his day, and while he was polite and spoke to all who came his way, he noticed that woman didn’t come back to talk to him.

Jada.

He watched as her father went over and whispered something in her ear. She caught his eye and frowned, but she nodded her head. After saying something to her friend, she broke away and walked stiffly back towards him.

Even though he wanted to focus on work, his thought had strayed to her all night. After first greeting her outside the car, he’d found her completely boring. It wasn’t until she snapped at him and walked away that he felt his interest stirring. And then she had ignored him all night.

“Excuse me.” He interrupted whatever his father way saying and broke away from the crowd. It only seemed fair that he meet Jada half-way. “Care for a walk?” he asked as he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her away.

“I was actually going to get a drink,” she murmured as he pulled her through the crowd.

“Really?” he asked as he turned his head and gave her a wry smile. “Because it looked to me like your father asked you to come talk to me since you’ve been ignoring me all night.”

“I have not…” she suddenly snapped her mouth shut. “I apologize. You’re presence has made me shy.”

Her response angered him, and he moved faster until he finally flung the doors open and pulled her out to the balcony. There was a servant watering the plants, and Kamal cocked his head sharply to indicate that he wanted privacy. The servant moved quickly but quietly. “Let’s talk,” he said as he let go of her wrist. The doors shut firmly behind them, and it was just the two of them. No party. No pressuring family.

Still, she acted demure. Bowing her head, she practically curtsied. “Of course. What would you like to talk about?”

He almost pinched the bridge of his nose. She was only being respectful, as all the women in this country were raised to be, but it was frustrating. He wanted to truth from her. He didn’t want to be fed lines from her father.

“I’d like to speak only, Jada. You are aware that I am to ask for your hand in marriage tonight?”

“Yes.”

“And?” he asked impatiently. “How do you feel about that?”

She raised her head sharply and studied him. He could see the intelligence in her eyes, and he braced himself. Maybe now he would see the real Jada. “My father assures me that this a good match. We were friends as children. I’m sure our marriage will be a pleasant one,” she said toneless.

This time, Kamal couldn’t stop himself. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration and stared across the scenery. This is what his life had been reduced to. He’d been rejected from the woman that he loved and chained to a woman who would do nothing but say the words society had drilled in her head. This is how he was supposed to live.

“Are you not pleased with the choice?” she asked tentatively.

He turned back to her and drank her in. “You’re very beautiful,” he said and was annoyed at the hitch in his voice. It was true. She was gorgeous, and that only angered him even more. No doubt she had gotten everything she wanted because of her looks. She was probably a spoiled brat.

“For most men, that would be enough,” she said dryly. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, and she immediately bowed her head. “I apologize for that comment. I merely would like you to be happy with the pairing.”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” he said tonelessly. “I’ll speak to your father now and get it over with.”

He turned and heard her snort. Freezing, he looked over his shoulder. She was shaking her head in disgust. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“Of course not,” she said as a fake smile spread across her face. “I completely understand that this is a burden on you. I understand that you would want to complete the matter as quickly as possible.”

Kamal waited, but she didn’t elaborate. Narrowing his eyes, he felt his anger rising. “Speak your mind,” he snapped.

“This is an arrangement for two to become one. I feel as though you’re forgetting that there is another party involved. And she might feel a little slighted that you want to complete the matter as quickly as possible.” She stared boldly into his eyes, and he felt the stirring of desire. This is what he wanted. A challenge.

“I was assured that you were taught to be respectful,” he said as he took a step towards her.

“Once again, I apologize. I was merely speaking my mind, as you asked.” Just like that, the assertive and bold woman was gone. Kamal almost sighed out loud as her eyes lowered.

“And I’m sorry that I wasn’t considering your feelings. I’ll do better next time,” he murmured as he turned and reached for the doors.

“I know you love another.” He stilled as his hands wrapped around the door handle. Her words washed over him, and he closed his eyes to the pain. “I just want you to know that I have no romantic notions of this affair. I will be the pleasant and respectful wife. All I ask is that you be pleasant and respectful in return.”

It was almost a relief to know that she wasn’t expecting love from him, but at the same time, he felt the emptiness inside him grow. Without a word, he opened the doors and went in search of her father.

“Kamal, we’ve been through this.” She sighed when she lifted her eyes to stare at him. “You have responsibilities back in Morocco. Your family expects you to return in a few weeks.”

He felt his heart breaking as he stood in the doorway and watched her. She’d already been packing up her room. “There is a way we can be together,” he said softly. He couldn’t stand the thought of leaving her behind. He loved her. Surely they were meant to be together.

“Like what? Your family would freak out if you didn’t come straight home, and I can’t come with you.”

“But that’s just it,” he thrust his hands out as he stepped into the room. “You can come with me.”

She snorted and finally turned to face him. “As what? The American tart that you’ve been sleeping with all semester? Please. Your family would have me banned from the country.”

Angry, he reached over and grabbed her arm. “Do not ever call yourself that. You know what you mean to me. Don’t cheapen our relationship like that. You would not return as my girlfriend. You would return as my wife.”

Sara’s head shot up, and her jaw dropped. “Kamal, did you just propose to me?”

“Sara, I love you. I would spend the rest of my life with you if you would have me. If you returned as my wife, there is nothing my family could do. They may not approve, but they will respect you.” He felt almost desperate as he waited for her to reply.

She tugged at her arm, and he released her. To his dismay, she took a few steps back and shook her head. “Kamal, I am twenty-four years old. I’m not ready to be anyone’s wife. I’m certainly not ready to be a princess. You’re destined to be a Sheikh. Doesn’t that put boundaries on who can you can and can’t marry?”

His heart broke at her words. Feeling his dreams slip through his fingers, he advanced. “I don’t care about that. Sara, I know you’re scared. But we can be together. Isn’t that what you want?”

Sadly, she smiled softly. “Kamal, I’ve had fun with you. We’ve had an amazing time together. But I think it’s best if we just say goodbye here. I will miss you, but we both know that we aren’t meant to be together.”

She turned her back, and he clenched his fists. Heartbreak. It was a new sensation for him, and he didn’t know what to do. Part of him wanted to throw pride out the window and beg for her to stay with him, but that wasn’t how he was raised. He didn’t chase after women.