The Sheikh's Determined Lover (Zahkim Sheikhs 2)

He took her in his arms, kissed her, stroked her. Every touch sent fire along her skin, sparked desire low in her belly, left her wanting and wanton. He teased with his lips and teeth, seemed to worship and adore her with every touch. She sighed, and when he rose to get a condom, she wanted to pull him back. But he was wise to be cautious, and she was crazy to think about abandoning herself to fate.

When he came back, she spread her legs wide, opened for him. With a smile, he knelt between her legs. He put his mouth on her first, licked into her, sucked on her clit, and sent her soaring. When she could bear no more, she touched his shoulder, and he rose to cover her body with his. He came into her slowly, carefully, sweetly. She smiled and rode the waves of pleasure, warm and safe and feeling utterly loved.

He came with a long breath pushed out and held utterly still. She hung onto him, felt his heart beating hard and fast against her, had his beard tickle her cheek. He rolled off her, onto his side and pulled her close. "Habibi."

Darling.

She propped herself up on an elbow and stared at him. Light from the gardens flooded the room through the windows. She could hear music, distant now, from the banquet. Her heart tightened in her chest. Stroking his beard, the sapphire ring glinting on her finger, she told him, "Arif, you call me habibi, you say all sorts of nice things, you talk about being in love, but not once have you said you actually love me. I think you're really more in love with the idea of being in love than you are actually ready to love someone."

Arif opened his mouth to reply, but his words seemed stuck somehow. She wondered why he couldn't say the words she wanted to hear. Christine's throat tightened. And then he said, his tone clipped, "You want what? Words?"

She pulled back. "Yes. Words are important."

Arif got out of bed, grabbed a pair of trousers off a chair and yanked them on. "Woman, you would drive any man to madness."

She frowned. What had she said wrong? She sat up. Arif spread his hands wide, but before he could say anything, someone pounded on the door, and a guard called out for him.

With a curse, Arif headed to the door. She heard the lock click and the hinges creak as Arif yanked the door open, muttering about people who thought to disturb him.

And then someone blurted out in a flow of rapid Arabic, "Sheikh, the books from the treasury are missing."

Christine went cold.

Chapter Fourteen

Arif's mouth dried, and his throat tightened. He glanced back into the bedroom but did not see Christine in his bed. He dragged a hand through his hair and looked at the guard. He almost asked if the man was certain, but of course he must be. He gave a nod.

"Did you search the entire suite?"

The guard nodded. He seemed to be resisting looking toward the bedroom door. Good man.

Arif glanced upward for Heaven's help, but he doubted it would come. This was a sign—this was a doomed relationship. He ought to have known that from the very first obstacle. Well, this was his fault for having given in to her pleading gaze. This was on his head, and Tarek would be justified in stripping Arif of his position, his wealth, and his place within the family.

He told the guard, "Search the palace. Every room." The guard's eyes widened. Arif knew why—the palace was huge, with a thousand hiding places for something as simple as two books. Straightening, the man gave a salute and went off to do his duty.

Closing the door, Arif turned to find Christine standing in the bedroom doorway dressed in one of his shirts, her arms folded over her chest and her face pale. "The books…Arif, I swear I left them in my room. They were on the desk. They can't just disappear."

He spread his hands out. A cold knot had settled in his heart. He had given up everything for this woman, who loved books more than she loved him. "They have. That man has no reason to lie. The palace guards are known for their honor."

She put a hand over her mouth and then dropped it. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have left them. I should have waited. I didn't think they'd be at risk in the palace."

He came over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up suddenly. "My notes? She ran for the door and slipped out before he could stop her. He started after her, glanced down at himself, went back to yank a shirt over his head and put on shoes. He found Christine in her sitting room, the door open behind her. She stood staring at an empty desk.

Turning, she wet her lips. Her voice came out ragged. "Gone…they're gone. I hadn't emailed anything to dad for a couple of days. It's all…I'm…" Lifting a hand, she bit down on a knuckle. Arif came to her, but she moved away from him, hugging herself. "It's all been a waste of time."

Arif winced. Ah, so she thought him not worth anything. Not even worth her time. The truth was a hard thing to bear, but it was best he open his eyes at last. Tarek had been right—he should have found out at once what was in Christine's heart.

She kept talking, her words pounding into him like spikes. "I should just go…I should never even have come. I can't even help you look for them. I'd have no idea where to start—I have no idea where they might be. Dammit. This is what I get for not staying focused on the work. It never goes right for me."

He had no idea what to do. She would not allow his touch—not allow him to console her. Not allow anything. She was still focused on her father and no one else. He gave a nod a

nd turned to walk out the door, saying, "I will call a car to take you to the airport."

Chapter Fifteen

Christine packed with the nagging feeling she was missing something.

Yeah, all my notes.