ROMANCE: THE SHEIKH'S GAMES: A Sheikh Romance (16 page)

There was a quick gunfight, but for her it lasted a lifetime. John threw his gun at whoever was coming in and he tried to run. Aimee saw four men in full riot gear chase after. Two more men stopped at the closet and pulled her from it.

They didn’t bother with the duct tape, but instead just carried her out the door to safety. As they did, she saw John stuck halfway through the window of his bedroom. Half a dozen guys were there pulling him threw, and she knew there were the ones that had come up behind him. He had nowhere to go.

The men carrying her sat her behind a large armored truck. A spot right where Xavier was crouched and waiting. He pulled out a pocket knife and cut free her wrists and ankles, then pulled the duct tape from her mouth.

“You did this?” she asked.

“Of course,” he said. “I knew something was wrong, but I knew the police wouldn’t listen to me.”

“These men are yours?”

“What? Of course not. It’s illegal to employ a private standing army. I just know a few guys that owe me favors. Perpetually. That I donate money to.”

Her heart soared and she wrapped her arms around him. “It was John, he was the one that robbed the bank. The money is in the couch cushions. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”

Xavier nodded to the men around them and they ran back in the building, presumably to check the couch. “It’s okay,” he said to her. “I believe you. I’m sorry for my part in all of this. What say I take you home?”

Aimee swallowed, knowing she wouldn’t see him again. Xavier helped her to stand and they walked to his limo. Roland was there waiting for them.

She knew it wouldn’t be long before they were at her place, so she clung to Xavier and held to him as long as she had with him. He rested his cheek against the top of her head and stroked her hair softly. She felt so comfortable and safe that she didn’t even realize she had fallen asleep.

Xavier nudged her gently with his elbow. Aimee woke, surprised she’d slept, and looked around. She was not at the café. They weren’t even in the town anymore.

“Where…?”

“Home. Our home.”

She looked at him.

“I want you to come stay with me.”

“Xavier, you can’t be serious.” She studied his features. “Are you?”

“Absolutely serious. Look me in the eye. Tell me you don’t
want
to be with me and I’ll have Roland take you wherever you like.”

“I can’t do that,” she said. “It would be a lie. But Xavier, I don’t fit in your world.”

“Stay with me,” he said, taking her hands. “We’ll make a new world together. I can’t imagine my life without you. I finally found the one person I truly connect with. I’m not letting you go.”

Aimee relinquished all doubt. She never felt like it could be real, that he could really want her. After what he’d done for her, and now begging her to stay with him, she had no more excuses. She tried to talk herself out of it to convince herself this wasn’t real, but that voice was gone.

All that remained was Xavier, and the way he looked at her now. She knew that she didn’t want anyone else to look at her the way he did. He was everything for her, just as she was to him.

“All right,” she said. “I’ll stay.”

It was the first step in a long and happy life together.

THE END

“You have to ask him. Go right up to him and say, you’re absolutely gorgeous and I want to take your picture. Shirtless. It’s perfect!”

Ava laughed at her friend’s exuberance. “Sophie you’re crazy. If I say that I’ll sound more like a horny stalker than a photographer.”

Sophie shook her short brown curls. “That’s where you’re wrong. It’s because you’re a photographer that you can say things like that. Call it a…professional observation,” her hands flourished to make her point.

Ava shook her head at Sophie. She could really use the help of someone like Kade Steele to get her revamped photo studio, Bow & Arrow, off the ground. She’d been open for three months and all she’d done were portrait studios for anniversaries, first birthdays, headshots and the like. Ava loved being a photographer but an actual photographer not a human tripod. Her grandmother loved studio portraits because she loved the controlled environment and documenting special occasions. She spent two years traveling the globe capturing the most spectacular images of poverty in Africa, war in the Middle East, natural disasters everywhere and all the beauty the world had to offer. Those two years revitalized her and fostered her love of photography and she was on her way to becoming a great photojournalist. Then grandma got sick and she had to return to Rainbow Springs. “I don’t think that will work Soph.”

She shrugged, tucking her hair behind her ear. “It’s worth a shot. What else are you going to do?”

Wasn’t that the million dollar question? She had a few ideas swirling around in her head but she had to pick one and figure out how to make it work. “As soon as I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know. I promise.”

“You better figure it out soon girlie, you can’t afford another three months without making a profit.”

Ava groaned. That was the problem. She knew she could come up with a good idea and make it work. Eventually. She needed a great idea that would work almost immediately and only one man in Rainbow Springs could do that. Kade Steele. “I guess I better go see Mr. Steele.”

Three days later Ava was dressed in her best outfit to meet the billionaire who could save her business. She’d worn all white because it complemented her cocoa brown skin, a fitted white tank dress with a trendy white half jacket. Her stilettos were a vibrant sexy red, the only nod to color. I look good, she thought as she twirled in the mirror to make sure she looked like a respectable businesswoman. Her brown waves were still sun kissed a dark gold color from the years spent in warm climates and she let them hang free. “Okay we’re ready to go.”

She was nervous about her meeting with Kade. Not only was he more handsome than any man ought to be, he was as rich as an oil sheik and as ruthless as any psychopath. She’d never met anyone like him, ever. In her travels she’d come across dignitaries and celebrities but out in the field the job was to focus on those who needed you, needed resources, so they were all equal. Actresses wore ponytails and khaki pants, and slathered their skin in sunscreen, they didn’t worry about makeup and designer clothes.

Ava needed this to work. She needed to keep some form of her grandma’s studio thriving to maintain a connection to her and to this town that had taken in a young distraught and instantly orphaned Ava and welcomed her. She couldn’t fail.

She wouldn’t.

“Dammit! Violet get in here, now.” When he didn’t hear the familiar shuffle of her nude colored pumps, Kade added an annoyed, “please.”

Two seconds later the grey haired dynamo who was the keeper of his secrets, his life, his business and his schedule scurried in with an amused glint in her eye. “Yes, Mr. Steele?”

He tried to fight it but the smile at her impertinence broke free but his smile quickly faded. “Bruce Henderson is considering selling Cakes A-shakin’ to Jax Barrington, can you believe that? All because Jax has a pretty little fiancé and they’re planning a big society wedding.” He scoffed, “There’s no society in Rainbow Springs.” He wanted to buy the chain of bakeries because they’d shown tremendous promise in the last few years, and with a growing customer base the opportunity to franchise was right there waiting.

“One could argue having five billionaires in a town this small is high society.”

Kade rolled his eyes at her comment. He hated those over the top, ostentatious displays of money. He wore tailored designer suits to work and his clothes were expensive but after work he wore jeans, t-shirts and board shorts. He didn’t wear a tie when he didn’t have to and he had no plans to settle down with some gold digger just to please an old fashioned dinosaur. But if he wanted Bruce to at least consider him, he needed to look like he wasn’t a playboy. Then he would sell Henderson on his skill and personality to the old man. “Do we know anyone appropriate to play the doting girlfriend?”

Violet’s laugh was melodic as it carried on longer than it should have. “I’m sure any girl in town would love a chance to be on your arm Mr. Steele.”

“True but my usual dates won’t satisfy Henderson. I need someone sweet and wholesome, a girlfriend who looks like the settling down type, without stars in her eyes about actually settling down with me.”

She stood and straightened her grey wool suit, patted her bun to ensure not a hair broke free. “Maybe you ought to consider taking time to get a real relationship.”

“Not a chance.” Women were too much work and much too complicated to make any one of them permanent. They either wanted to spend his money or take up all of his time, neither of which he was prepared to give. So he stayed happily single, easily able to secure a date or bedmate when he needed one. Violet shook her head and walked out but he was sure she said something about seeing the show when he fell. Fat chance of that happening, he thought bitterly.

Half an hour later Violet escorted his next appointment into the office. Ava Nelson was a 25 year old photographer in town and he had no idea why she wanted to meet with him. He didn’t recognize her and he was certain if he’d ever met this goddess with brown sugar skin he’d have remembered. She was a breathtaking beauty and he was captivated by her from the moment he set eyes on those plump pink lips and those toned legs looking endless in the sexiest pair of red heels he’d ever seen. “Ms. Nelson,” he stood and put on the smile that was guaranteed to make women melt, his hand extended to hers.

She smiled and prayed her smile didn’t falter at the sight of his gorgeous smile at full wattage. Goodness the man looked even better up close than he did in pictures. His sandy hair was slightly tousled, his green eyes sparkled like emeralds and diamonds and those dimples said he wasn’t all bad boy. She didn’t believe that for a second. Those dimples lied. “Mr. Steele, please call me Ava.”

“Ava,” her name rolled off his tongue.

Her body shivered at the sound of her name in his mouth. Control your hormones, this is a meeting not a date! She couldn’t allow herself to become distracted. There would be plenty of time to fondle his male beauty with her eyes during the photo shoot. “Thank you for meeting me today Mr. Steele. I really appreciate it.”

He hadn’t even heard her, only knew she was talking because his eyes were riveted on her full mouth. Perfect for kissing…and other things. The smile her gave her this time was placid, professional. “How can I help you today Ava?”

Ava smiled, nervous. His rich deep voice made the question seem a lot dirtier than she was sure he’d intended. “I’d like your help.”

He groaned inwardly. Of course she did. Beautiful women didn’t just show up at his office to take him out to lunch or out of the goodness of their hearts. “We have a charitable donations department, perhaps they can help you.”

Ava was confused. “Why would I need them? I need you.” Her eyes widened at the slip. “I mean I need you, uh, okay let’s start over. I’m not here for charity, not really.” She went on to explain, mostly without a stutter, what she needed from him and why. For his part he listened intently for which she was eternally grateful.

Kade leaned back in his chair and looked her over, an idea forming in his head. She could be perfect. “You want me to model for you?” Although well hidden under her dark brown skin, her innocent blush made Kade smile and want to do other things that would make her blush. “Why?”

Come on Ava. This is it. She could tell he was having fun at her expense and she didn’t mind. Especially if it persuaded him to agree to model for her. “Because you are incredibly good looking,” her eyes widened again, “You are attractive” he cut her off with a slice of his hand in the air.

“You said ‘incredibly good looking’” he teased.

“Attractive, single, and a high profile man in Rainbow Springs. You’d be perfect.”

“For what?”

“My ad campaign and calendar.”

“Calendar?” His brows rose in suspicion. She nodded. “Yes businessmen bachelors would be the calendar and then there’d be some studio shots of you for the marketing campaign.”

“You’re asking quite a lot, you know.”

She nodded. She did know she was asking a lot, probably too much. But she hoped his sense of philanthropy would make it difficult to say no. “Yes I’m aware it is a lot. However I’d be willing to hire you for your time and provide you with free professional headshots.”

He thought about it. He wasn’t a model that was for sure but he knew he was attractive, incredibly good looking, he amended with a smile, and he could use more headshots. But he also needed something else. “I’ll do it.” He’d said the words before he could fully think them through.

Her eyes widened, the gold flecks highlighted in the midday sun. “You will? That’s great!” She stood and bent over his desk, her hand reaching out to him. “Thank you so much Mr. Steele, I truly appreciate it.”

“But I require something in return.”

Her smiled dimmed at the tone in his voice. Surely he wouldn’t be requesting that, she thought. He was Kade Steele and he always had a beautiful woman on his arm. “Sure. What is it you require Mr. Steele?”