She’d had a splendid time at the market. It had been long years since she had been around so many people. It had been invigorating. Why had she hidden herself away for so long? Not all people were jerks like Larry or her schoolmates. Surely some of those kids who had been so cruel to her in school had mature
d into decent human beings.
Tariq returned with their drinks. He placed a tall glass filled with something orange in front of her and sat on the bench beside her.
She twisted the cool glass in her hand. “This looks good. What is it?”
“It is Omar’s special. He does not share the recipe.”
Laurel took a sip. “It is delicious.” There was a taste of orange and melon and something else she couldn’t name.
“I thought you would like it.” Tariq appeared satisfied with himself. “So, did you get all the gifts you needed for your family?”
“I did. They’ll be so excited. I really enjoyed the market. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to one.”
Tariq leaned back against the wall and crossed his ankles. He looked every bit at home there in that simple café as he did in the palace. Maybe more so. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
A man, smiling broadly with few teeth and dressed in a multicolored striped robe, shuffled toward their table as if his limbs weren’t co-operating well.
Tariq sat forward. “Laurel, I would like you to meet Omar. He is a long-time friend and the owner of this establishment.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Omar.” She raised her glass. “Your drink is very good.”
Tariq translated for her then said, “I have told him you are my wife and a doctor in our new clinic.”
Laurel hated lying to this man and misleading the rest of the country about their marriage. It was wrong. But she had agreed in order to do her research. For the sake of her work she would make a small sacrifice of minor ethics.
“He says congratulations. It is about time Prince Tariq found a woman,” Tariq said.
Laurel smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“Omar has hemophilia,” Tariq said.
Laurel looked at Omar anew. “He does?”
“Yes, I have the blood disease. I must be careful all my life,” Tariq translated.
Now she understood why Omar walked as if in pain. Hemophilia had damaged his joints, severely she guessed from his awkward gait. “I see.”
Tariq spoke to her. “Omar has agreed to talk to you if you would like.”
“Yes, I would like that.” She hated being excited about meeting someone with a disease. Still, her research was important. “Could you ask him if he would mind coming to the clinic one day and answering some questions? I would also like to take some blood.”
Tariq spoke to the man. “He has agreed to come this week.”
Omar nodded and backed away.
“Thank you, Omar,” Laurel called, watching him limp away.
With the man gone she turned to Tariq. “Omar has agreed to come in, what about you?”
“When would you like me to be there?”
His casual response was a marked contrast to his earlier reaction. What happen to the man who had fought her a week ago? “That easily?”
“You are right, I brought you here for that purpose.” Tariq finished his drink as if their tense “discussion” had never happened.
Laurel looked at him. “I can understand why you would be weary of someone asking personal questions. You are a private man. I respect that. Could you come in Monday?”
“I’ll make it work. Now, how about we go and see the beach?”
“That sounds wonderful.” Laurel emptied her glass. “That was good. I’ll have to remember how to get here.”
Tariq stood and offered his hand. He seemed to want to always be touching her. She liked the thrill it gave her when he did. “I would be glad to bring you anytime.”
Laurel allowed him to help her to her feet just for the momentary pleasure of physical contact. They strolled back to the car. Tariq answered her questions about items in stalls as they passed. He took time to explain everything. He made the perfect tour guide.
She loved riding in his little sports car as he maneuvered through the narrow streets of the city. The scenery turned rural after a while and they had to stop a few times for farmers to herd livestock across the road. As they continued downward on a winding narrow road she caught glimpses of water and white beach. The shoreline came into view. A few minutes later they were traveling parallel to it. “It’s beautiful.”
“It is not the only thing that is beautiful.”
Laurel looked at Tariq. He was watching her. “I think you need glasses.”
Tariq turned his attention back to the road. “I see more clearly than you think.”
Did he see her insecurity? How little confidence she had where men were concerned? That she was out of her element and floundering to find stability?
They continued down the road a few miles before Tariq pulled off to the side in a spot hardly large enough for his car. Huge rocks broke the view of the sea.
“The royal beach house is not far from here but this was my brother’s and my favorite stretch of beach. The boulders were our fort when we played pirates.”
Laurel liked hearing him talk about his childhood. His voice and demeanor relaxed as his mind traveled through pleasant memories. This Tariq she didn’t see enough of. Wanted more of.
He stepped out of the car. “Come this way.” He offered his hand once again and helped her stand on the seat and cross to the other. Losing her balance when she put her feet on the ground, Tariq’s steady hands pulled her against a solid wall of male chest. The sensual aroma of citrus and coffee, and something special that was him alone filled her head. His hold tightened. She looked to see him watching her, questioning. In his dark, usually inscrutable eyes she saw clearly desire burning for her.
What would it hurt to have just one more kiss? To see if time would stand still again?
She leaned forward and his mouth found hers. That fire in his eyes sped along her nerves to burst into fireworks at the ends. All she could do was hang on. Tariq’s lips were firm and commanding. He brought her tighter.
The long soft moan bubbling in her throat brought her back to reality. She couldn’t do this. He was the wrong type of man for her. She’d made that colossal mistake before. Never again, she had promised herself. Gathering the few wits she had left, Laurel pushed against Tariq’s torso.
His lips left hers with exquisite slowness. So much so she was tempted to return for another kiss. But she hadn’t come to Zentar to become part of Prince Tariq Al Marktum’s harem. Her work was her sole focus in life. Nothing else mattered. She put space between them, murmuring as she moved away, “Thanks.”
“For the kiss or seeing that you did not fall?”
“Both.”
“That is what friends do.” The rich timbre of his voice had gone deeper.
What friends didn’t do was leave her wanting to cling to them, begging for more kisses.
Going to the trunk of the car, Tariq opened it and removed a basket and a bag. Handing the bag to her, he offered his hand. After a prolonged second she took it.
Laurel studied his large hand securely holding her much smaller one. They were so different yet they had so much in common. All day Tariq had either taken her hand or offered his and she hadn’t once pulled away or denied him. What was happening to her? Was she under a Zentaran spell or just under Tariq’s?
He led her down a path circling the rocks and out to the water. The Arabian Sea was a blue-green jewel before them. She kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the grainy sand. Tariq removed his as well.
“This is only the second time I’ve ever been to a beach. My family couldn’t afford to travel so far. I love it.”
“When my parents were alive we came here every weekend we could. This was my second home.”
“I’m so jealous.” She walked toward the water. What would it be like to have this opportunity all the time? She could learn to love it here.
“Don’t be. You speak of your family as if they are wonderful.” He joine
d her.
She turned in a circle with her arms out wide. “They are. I wish they could see this.”
Closer to the water, Tariq put down the basket and took the bag from her. He pulled out a blanket and spread it on the ground then placed the basket on it. “A walk first or food?”
Laurel rolled up her pants. “A walk.” She strode into the gently lapping waves and played until Tariq reached her. He had removed his shirt. Laurel could hardly think of anything but his toned chest and muscled arms. How would he react if she touched him? Just traced the dark line of hair down his chest with a swift fingertip?
“If you continue to look at me like that, our friendship will be over.”
“Then you shouldn’t be so handsome.” Laurel couldn’t believe she had just said that out loud. She hurried ahead of him, splashing at the water’s edge. She was on a deserted beach with a man she was attracted to and she’d just blurted out something very suggestive. Trouble she couldn’t handle was headed her way.
Tariq caught up with her. Grinning, he took her hand and kissed her palm. They continued down the beach.
She was experiencing those same out-of-control feelings she’d had when Larry had seduced her with actions and gifts. Forgetting who she was and who Tariq was wasn’t wise. She wouldn’t be treated that way again. What else could Tariq want but a fling? He would use her while she was here and be done with her when she was gone. She needed more out of a relationship.
Yet the day had been wonderful so far. Laurel didn’t want to give up this feeling right now. She was enjoying it too much. Glancing at Tariq, she’d never seen him look more peaceful. With the amount of stress that must go with his job he needed time like this. She wouldn’t ruin the day by being a naïve ninny. What she’d said was the truth. All the man had to do was look in the mirror to confirm it.
The warm water on her feet, the sun on her face, and her hand in Tariq’s made for a perfect moment. She was going to hold onto this feeling for as long as she could. Something in her had come alive again when she’d met Tariq.
“You are having a good time?” It was both a question and a statement from Tariq.
She dared to look at him. “I am. The best.”