The Sheikh's Convenient Bride

“He probably said it was tradition. A word you’ve come to despise—and, in this instance, one I do, too.” Caz shuddered. “I’d much rather celebrate with a handshake than with cups of horse piss.” The muscle in his jaw tightened. So did the grip of his hands on her. “But it was worth it. You see, I found the one reason Ahmet can’t have you.”

Megan smiled. “I’ll bet it was creative.”

“It was.” He paused. “I told him that you couldn’t very well marry him when you were already promised to me.”

CHAPTER NINE

SILENCE. What was called a pregnant pause in bad novels, Megan thought wildly, but what could a woman say to a man after he’d just told her…after he’d said that she…that he…

Maybe she’d misunderstood.

“You told Ahmet,” she said carefully, “that I couldn’t marry him because—”

“—because you’re going to marry me.”

She waited for Caz to add something. When he didn’t, she nodded as if what he’d told her made absolute sense.

“Oh.”

“Is that all you have to say, kalila? Nothing but ‘oh’?”

Caz sounded annoyed. Annoyed? At her? For saying “oh” after hearing him say—

The room shifted out of focus. Caz tightened his hold on her wrists.

“Megan?” His voice was sharp. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m…” She cleared her throat. “Actually I’m surprised.”

His smile was quick and wolfish. “I don’t doubt it.”

“That you’d have to come up with such a lie, I mean. You’re the ruler of this kingdom. Ahmet is your subject. Surely you can simply tell him that what he wants is out of the question.”

“I did.”

“Well, then—”

“He laughed.”

“I really don’t follow this, Caz. You told him he couldn’t—that he can’t take me for his wife and he laughed?”

Caz let go of her. He dug his hands into his pockets and began pacing the room. He’d known this wouldn’t be easy. How could a man explain ancient customs of the east to a woman of the twenty-first century west? Ahmet and his followers were the last of his people whose feet were firmly planted in the past. Moving them forward required a deft touch. His father had proven that; he’d tried to institute change through royal decree and it had only led to bloodshed.

Besides, a royal decree was impossible without the force to back it. Caz had deliberately come to these mountains without a show of arms. He’d meant it as a good faith gesture, but now his plan was about to backfire.

And bringing Megan with him had been another error. He’d figured it would present some problems. What he hadn’t anticipated was that Megan would be a temptation to a man like Ahmet.

Now, Megan’s fate was in his hands. Her fate, and the fate of this peace mission. One false step and Ahmet would surely decide to take what he wanted and the consequences be damned.

If that happened, Megan’s future, and Suliyam’s, might both be lost.

“Answer me, damn it,” Megan demanded. “How can Ahmet even think he can get away with something like this? All you have to do is say ‘no!’”

Caz turned to her. Her stance said she was ready to take on the world, shoulders back, chin up, eyes bright with defiance…and yet, he could see something beyond all that.

Fear.

What a fool he was, he thought angrily, and he crossed the room in a few quick strides and caught her in his arms.