The Sheikh's Forbidden Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 1) (3 page)

 
As they started to make their way toward the viewing gallery, Zayed reached out a hand and laid it gently upon her back. Chloe glanced at him and he saw a flicker of hesitation in her gaze. He was sure she had considered asking him to remove his hand. But, the fact that she hadn't told him one crucial thing.

Chloe still wanted Zayed.

CHAPTER THREE

How dare he!
 

Chloe watched Zayed close the glass door behind them, reducing the sound of the music and chatter of the guests to a muffled drone.
 

The viewing gallery was a long balcony that stretched around the external wall of this level of the building. Of course, it wasn't exposed to the outside. Chloe knew that would be crazy since they were so high up.
 
Chloe wrapped her arms protectively around herself. But, almost immediately, she wondered if she really did need protecting from Zayed.

Looking through the thick glass windows, Chloe saw a view that suddenly took her breath away. The glittering lights of the nighttime cityscape lay below them, stretching away to the distant wine-dark sea.

Chloe heard Zayed's footsteps behind her. She felt his hand once more against her back. In spite of herself, she allowed that hand to remain against the base of her spine.

"The city is beautiful," she breathed.

"Mine," he said quietly. For a moment, Chloe wondered if Zayed was talking about the kingdom or about her. She shook the thought away. Of course, he was talking about Qazhar. He couldn't be talking of possessing her.
 

Not again. Could he?

"Or at least it will be, once my father passes it on to me," Zayed continued.

It seemed faintly ridiculous that he could say such a thing. It reminded her of his authority, his inherited strength.

Chloe shook her head. Since the moment the door had closed behind them, there had been a sudden change in how she felt. Perhaps it had to do with being alone with Zayed for the first time in three years. During the entire flight, she had been trying to predict just what her reaction would be to being with him again. Chloe had failed utterly in anticipating just how he would affect her.

"Let's go round this way," Zayed said pointing the way toward the curving passage of the gallery. It led away from the guests. "It's more private."

Chloe realized that if she went there with Zayed no-one would be able to see them."I prefer to stay here," she said.
 

She tightened the grip around herself. Zayed moved around and stood by her side. She saw him frown.

"You don't trust me?"

Chloe shook her head. "It's not about that, Zayed."

Chloe saw his reaction to hearing her say his name. He looked so pleased. The corners of his mouth creased slightly, and then he seemed to take control of himself once more.

"What is it about then, Chloe?" he asked.

Chloe shook her head and said nothing in response.

Zayed's hand came up and he ran his fingers ever so slowly along Chloe's jaw. "So beautiful. Incredible," she heard him breathe. For a moment, she leaned into the touch. His touch created sensations that raced down her back and throughout her body. It was instant and irresistible, taking her completely by surprise.

Chloe took a step away and gave him a reproving glance. "Please, don't do that, Zayed."

"Why should I not caress your sweet face, habibti?" he murmured.

Chloe felt a rush of sensation at hearing that special word that meant so much in his own language. It was a word that expressed something she dearly needed to resist.
 

"There can be no love between us, Zayed. You told me so yourself."

Zayed sighed and took a step closer, but he paused upon seeing Chloe's steely gaze. "That was so long ago," he pleaded.

"And I have not forgotten one moment of those days, Zayed. Have you?"

"Of course I haven't. Not a day has passed when I haven't thought about you. You have filled my thoughts day and night."

Chloe gasped involuntarily. "Then why did you leave me like that?"

Chloe saw Zayed swallow hard. His brows furrowed into a familiar expression that she remembered all too well. It was the same look she'd seen on his face the last time they'd been in each others company.

"It is difficult for me to explain. You may not understand."

"Try me," Chloe ejaculated with a defiant shrug and tightening of her jawline.

Zayed sighed and turned away from Chloe to look out across the city. Chloe saw his reflection in the tinted glass window. She saw the dark expression on his features. It was every bit as dark as the night descending upon the city.
 

Chloe thought Zayed looked as if he were in real pain. But, even with the anguish written on his features she couldn't help being filled with wonder at how astonishingly handsome he was. For almost every moment since he'd strode up to her in the room next door, she'd gazed in amazement at his beautiful features, his dark, penetrating eyes, luxuriant black, shoulder length hair.
 

Zayed's body had filled out and his shoulders seemed broader, his torso more muscular than she recalled. Watching him from the back she saw that his posture was defiant, even regal. He looked like a rebellious animal struggling to contain an intense energy within.

Chloe sighed and went to Zayed, laying a hand on his shoulder. His head whirled around and she saw that his eyes contained a manic expression.
 

Then, before she had a chance to react he seized Chloe, wrapping his arms around her, drawing her hard against his body. In an instant his head dipped and his lips were on hers, claiming her, devouring her.
 

Chloe hardly had a moment to resist before being drowned in a sea of sensation. His kiss was punishing and yet tender at the same time. It was as if he just could not contain himself any longer. Now that she was here, now that she was in his arms, Chloe felt like this kiss was inevitable, irresistible.

Chloe felt his hardness against her belly. She grasped his shoulders caught between the twin desires to push him away or succumb to his desperate need. Because, the truth was, Chloe had forgotten just how much she had needed Zayed. And now was a reminder of just how much she'd felt for him.

His mouth consumed hers, his tongue eagerly exploring and probing.

But as suddenly as she'd yielded to Zayed's desire, Chloe impulsively pushed against him. Zayed immediately responded, his mouth parting from hers, his eyes searching for an explanation.

Chloe glanced over her shoulder at the guests in the other room. "Please. Zayed."

He nodded and leaned away from her. She felt the sudden parting of their bodies and wondered why she still wanted to feel his hardness pressing against her. Heat had risen in her core and she lowered her eyes from his piercing gaze.

"Of course," Zayed said. He ran a hand through his thick hair. Chloe saw beads of sweat on his forehead. "I shouldn't have done that. Especially since I has been such a long time. I hope you will forgive."

Chloe felt like an embarrassed teen who'd been kissed at the prom. But then the man who was standing before her was so much more than a prom date. He was a sheikh whom she had loved.
 

Chloe glanced out the window at the city below. This world was so far removed from her life back in California. In fact, this whole kingdom was like a completely different planet.
 

Chloe guessed it must be the effects of the long journey that had caused her to succumb momentarily to Zayed's attentions.

"There's nothing to forgive, Zayed. Not this evening, anyway," Chloe said.

She saw his brows furrow. "You haven't forgiven me?"

Chloe drew in a deep breath. "How can I? You left without telling me why."

Zayed's eyes flashed and there was a hint of irritation, even anger there that made Chloe feel that the viewing gallery was suddenly a very small place.

"I've already explained as much as I can."

"You see that's the problem, Zayed. You haven't explained anything at all. One moment you were there, in California. We had the most wonderful time together. You made me believe..." Chloe said, her voice drifting away.

Zayed stared at Chloe. "Made you believe what, Chloe?"

Chloe waved a dismissive hand. "Nothing. It's all in the past. There's nothing to say. We've both moved on. I can see that life has been good to you," she said.

Zayed glanced out the window. "My destiny was fixed the moment I was born. That's something I don't expect anyone else to understand."

"What does that mean?" Chloe asked.

Zayed shook his head and, for a moment, said nothing more.

"Am I too lowly for your elevated status? Is that what you're suggesting?" she said.

"I said no such thing." Zayed drew in a sharp breath. Chloe saw his shoulders rise and become hard with tension. "In fact nothing could be further from the truth."

"You as much as hinted I was...unsuitable." Chloe peered into Zayed's eyes. "Is that why you left me so suddenly? Was I merely a fling? Was I just another of your many conquests?"

The muscle at the corner of Zayed's jaw started to twitch. His mouth was set as firm as the evenness of his stare. His features had suddenly become impassive and Chloe wondered if she were pushing too hard for an answer. But she needed him to explain. She wanted him to tell her the truth.
 

For the last three years, she had tormented herself with every possible explanation about why he had left her the way that he had. She had thought the worst of Zayed, and also the best of him. Perhaps, as she had just accused him, she had just been a casual partner, someone to pass the idle hours with. She had almost convinced herself she had been simply another notch on his bedpost.

But, in her loneliest hours, she had also thought that his duties as a sheikh had forced his departure. Chloe knew she could never fully comprehend what it meant to be born with the weight of destiny on your shoulders. She could only guess at the obligations and expectations involved in being the next in line to the throne of a kingdom.

Chloe wrung her hands, desperately seeking words. Zayed's silence continued. Finally, she spoke. "I felt abandoned, Zayed," she said softly.
 

There was a long pause and the only sound was the muffled thumping, rhythmic sound of the music from next door.

Upon hearing her words, Chloe saw Zayed's mouth open in shock. His eyes fixed on hers and she saw a dark determination settle in his gaze. She heard him draw in a deep breath and he came to her, seizing her hands and peering down into her eyes. Chloe felt her throat tighten. Her heart was racing as she looked up into the fierce eyes of the man who had, moments before, claimed her with his kiss.

"I have made a decision, Chloe," Zayed said. His gaze contained a burning fury that made Chloe feel like she was on fire.
 

"I have decided to put that right. I have decided to correct the mistakes of the past."

Chloe frowned. "But, I don't want you to correct them," she declared.

Zayed continued as if he hadn't even heard Chloe speak. "I will prove to you that you belong to me. I will show you that I am the only man for you."

Chloe felt her mouth open in shock. "There's nothing to prove, Zayed. We're history."

Zayed released Chloe's hands and seized her by the shoulders. He drew her close and for a moment she thought he was preparing to kiss her once again. But he peered into her eyes. She had never seen such burning sincerity in another person's gaze before. There was a frightening intensity in those eyes that was unsettling and beguiling, all at the same time.

"We have history, Chloe. But we are not history, as you so amusingly put it."

Chloe continued to peer up into Zayed's impassioned gaze. She was lost for words in the face of his intensity, his sheer determination.

Zayed quirked a brow. "History can be rewritten. Nothing is set in stone."

Chloe shook her head. "This is just business. I'm here to do a job, and I intend to do it to the best of my ability. Please don't confuse things by making this personal."

Chloe tried to turn away from him, wrench her gaze away from him. She felt that, at any moment, his lips would descend upon hers once again, and she would lose all hope for self-control. She could not allow that to happen.

Zayed sighed and looked suddenly serious. He looked at Chloe and she felt a stab of unease. There was that intensity again. "Since this is business, then you realize you need my co-operation to carry out your purpose while you are here. In my kingdom," he concluded emphasizing the last few words.

"Is that some kind of threat?"

Zayed shook his head. "Merely a declaration. You and your employer need my help if you are to see your project to its conclusion."

"The studio might see it another way," Chloe countered.

"I have many friends at the studio," Zayed replied. "We go back a long time. I'm sure they will be disappointed if this project were to fall through because the people involved could not conduct themselves in a professional manner."

Chloe rounded on Zayed. "You cannot seriously be suggesting that you would kill this project with the studio if I don't comply with your wishes."

"These are not only my wishes, Chloe," Zayed said, leaning closer. "You know that as well as I do. You cannot deny that we still are attracted to one another. That there is something deep and true between us," Zayed said firmly. His brows had a hawk-like intensity.
 

Chloe whirled on her heels and glanced back into the other room. "I wonder what Andrew would think about this?"

She heard Zayed's footsteps behind her. "He is a professional. He's been in the business long enough to know that compromises have to be made from time to time."

Chloe thought about Andrew. What Zayed was saying was probably true. Andrew Wilder was first and foremost a movie producer. He would do whatever it took to ensure that his latest project was completed on time and on budget. He lived for the adulation that making hit movies provided.