The Sheikh's Unexpected Wife (Zahkim Sheikhs 3)

"And this?" he asked. He wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and pulled her lips to his. She came willingly and gave in sweetly to his kiss. He licked inside her mouth, reached up and brushed a thumb over her breast. The nipple peaked at once, and he rolled it between his thumb and forefinger.

She gave a low hum but pulled back and stared up at him, her breathing uneven. "I'm not getting sand anywhere it doesn't belong." Her voice sounded husky with need.

He gave a low laugh. "A practical woman." Taking her hand, he led her back to the International. They drove several twisting miles, over a hillside and down to a tiny oasis that only a few knew about.

With a grin, she said, "Back home we'd call this a swimmin' hole."

Nasim waved at the small oval of blue-green water. "Feel free. But I didn't bring swimsuits."

She hopped from the International. "I'd take you up on the skinny-dipping if I wasn't worried I'd burn in all the wrong spots. Shade, however, is more than welcome. You fry eggs on these rocks at noonday?"

Pulling a basket, cooler, and blanket from the back of the International, he shook his head. "I've something far better." He spread the blanket in the shade of two crossed date palms, opened the cooler and pulled out two Bass ales. He popped the top on one and handed it to Ginni. Water condensed on the brown bottle.

She took a long drink and let out a sigh. "Nothin' beats beer on a hot day. Thought folks in Zahkim didn't go in much for alcohol."

He opened his ale, propped the basket near his feet and sat next to her. "Habits acquired at university. My cousins and I attended Oxford. I took to it far better than they did, however, and there are times I miss a cool English summer. Now, what is your pleasure—meat pies, cheese and fruit, or cold chicken salad?"

With a grin, she scooted forward to peer into the basket. "What, nothing exotic?"

"I asked for my favorites—I honestly do miss England."

She dug into the basket and pulled out a meat pie wrapped in paper. "Don't I know how that goes. At college, I'd have killed for a good gumbo like my mama can make. I was so homesick I almost quit."

Leaning back on one elbow, he sipped his ale and watched her eat. "You seem a smart woman. Educated. Why did you let Jasmine talk you into taking her place? You must have known it might not end well."

She dusted the crumbs of the pastry from her fingers. "Gotta take chances if I'm going to prove myself. Daddy always said a faint heart means not much of a checking account." She grinned. "Besides, it was just a touch of fun and adventure."

He tipped his head to one side. "Prove yourself? I don't understand. You're a beautiful woman. What must you prove?"

Ginni rolled her eyes. "There speaks a guy. Now you're sounding

too much like my daddy. 'Run along and play with your dolls, honey.' Or my mama, always saying I don't need to be smart, ’cause I'm pretty. I'll have you know I graduated with honors, took a degree in economics with a minor in business, and I've been working my butt off trying to show I'm ready to take over my daddy's company." She huffed out a breath. "Trouble is, I spent my first two years in college blowing off steam, almost flunked out for a couple of pranks due to me seeing that pirate movie—the one with the sexy guy wearing eyeliner—and talking my girlfriends into borrowing a yacht from a stuffy East Coast marina. Daddy still remembers that—and my last shopping bill in Paris—more than anything else."

Sitting up, Nasim smiled. "I know about that. I'm considered the family black sheep as well—the one who acts too much like I still live in England."

She lifted her bottle and clinked it against his. "Here's to us baa-lambs then. But you seem the responsible type to me." She waved her bottle at the oasis and picnic. "Got everything lined up and ticked off on your lists. Your wedding was sure as anything planned."

"Until you came along."

She grinned. "Yeah—guess I was a shocker."

"There is nothing wrong with plans. Even getting into trouble takes planning if you also wish to get out again. The story of Zahkim and the Ash Lands is a good example. Hundreds of years ago, my people were crossing the desert after a great famine. They wandered until, so it is said, heaven reached down and marked their new home with stars and a road to our lands."

"Those colors we saw."

"Exactly. However, I am of the opinion that if they had planned better, there would have been far less wandering and a much better homeland with coastal access."

Ginni burst out with a laugh. She punched his arm with her free hand. "If they'd planned more, they'd've missed seeing that rainbow in the sand. Sometimes life is more about enjoyin' the surprises."

Frowning, Nasim shook his head and dug into the basket for the chicken salad. "I can see why your father might be cautious about turning over his company to you, if that is your attitude to life—and work. The goal of a business is to minimize surprises. Here, try this." He pulled out a fork, dug into the chicken salad, and offered her a taste.

She eyed the salad but took the bite. Around a mouthful, she got out, "Lordy, that's about the best I've ever had. I've gotta get that recipe."

He stared at her. "You cook?"

She pulled a face at him, put down her beer and grabbed the bowl with the chicken salad. "Cher, New Orleans, remember? Not knowin' how to cook is close to bein' a sin. I suppose some folks may come out of Louisiana without learnin' much, but food's always a serious business for us." She dug into the chicken salad. Two bites later, she looked up to find Nasim watching her. "What? I got something on my mouth." She swept her thumb over the corner of her mouth.

Leaning forward, Nasim swiped the other side of her mouth, and then leaned in and wiped his tongue across that spot. "Hmmm…it tastes better on you."