“Ah, Khalid, you and your brother have once again surprised me. The antics you used to do. Your grandmother would be so happy today—both her precious grandsons embarking on a lifelong partnership with such beautiful women.”
“You are most kind,” Ella said.
“Ah, and you my dear, already speak our language.”
“I’ve lived in Alkaahdar for several years. Studied the language before that.”
“You speak it well.”
“Thank you. My reading is not as proficient.”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Have Khalid read to you. The evenings my wife and I enjoyed reading from the classics. I do miss that.”
She glanced at Khalid, a question in her eyes.
“We all miss her, Hauk.”
“So how did you two meet. I’ve heard about Bethanne’s piloting.”
“She lives on Grandmother’s estate, the one I inherited.”
“So he inherited me,” Ella said.
“Are you the artist? The glassmaker? Alia told me about your excellent work. I saw the vase you made for her. It looks like captured sunshine.”
Ella smiled. “Thank you for telling me. I miss her so much.”
Hauk studied her a moment, then looked at Khalid. “You, also, have found a treasure. See you treat her appropriately.”
Khalid bowed slightly. Ella saw the amusement in his eyes. For a moment she wished this was real. That he would treasure her and treat her appropriately. The thought startled her. This was one evening to get through, not let their pretense slip. Soon things would go back to normal.
By the end of the evening, Khalid’s temper was held by a thread. His mother was pushing for a wedding date, pushing to learn more, pushing period. The minister watched Ella more than Khalid thought wise. His wife had been unable to attend, and Khalid did not like the way he eyed Ella. Rashid teased him, which normally he’d accept in good stead. But tonight, it rubbed him wrong.
He and Ella spent most of the evening together, except when she was visiting with her friends. It was growing late when she came over to him and smiled sweetly at the couple he was talking with.
“Will you please excuse us?” she asked, drawing Khalid away.
With the same smile on her face, she leaned closer, to speak only to him.
“My feet hurt, my cheeks hurt, I’m getting very cranky so suggest we leave very soon.”
He leaned forward, breathing in the scent of her perfume, something flowery that he had grown familiar with over the last few weeks.
“I was ready to leave about two hours ago.”
“I could have gone then. We’ve been here long enough, right? Your mother can’t complain.”
“She will, but that’s her way. Come, follow me.”
He led the way down a corridor and in moments they were in the primary hallway of the building. In seconds they descended in the elevator and were outside.
Ella leaned her head back and drew in a deep breath. It was all he could do to resist leaning over and kissing her. But standing in front of the building with the doorman and valet parking attendants standing mere feet away wasn’t conducive for such activities.
Ella was tired. The strain of pretending she was wildly happy with a new engagement, and the anxiety over her brother, was wearing on her. To make matters worse, she almost wished she and Khalid were engaged. He had been most attentive tonight, hovering over her like he couldn’t stay away. He even seemed the tiniest bit jealous when he spoke to the finance minister. He was so good in his role he almost had her convinced.
What would it be like to be engaged to him? Fabulous. She knew that without a doubt. He would lavish attention on the woman he chose for wife. She sighed softly, wishing she could imagine herself as his wife. To share their lives, to have his support of her art would be beyond wonderful.
Suddenly she was jealous of the unknown woman who would one day see past his own barriers and find a way into his heart. She would be the one to receive his kisses and caresses. She would be the one to share nights of passion and days of happiness. Ella could see them living on the estate his grandmother had left him—with a half dozen children running around, laughing and shouting with glee.
“Are you all right?” Khalid asked.
Ella hoped he couldn’t read minds. “Of course. Just tired.”
“So no walk along the beach tonight?”
Did he enjoy their shared time as much as she did? Unlikely. He probably liked walking and didn’t mind if she accompanied him. The darkness hid all things. Was that special for him?
“Not tonight.” She’d have to decide how to handle this. Everything was complicated. She was drawing closer and closer to Khalid and while he seemed to enjoy her company, she wasn’t sure he was seeing her as anything but the woman who leased his cottage. Who was an impediment to his selling the estate.
When they reached home, Ella dashed into the cottage even before Khalid got out of the car. She closed the door and hurried to her bedroom, already unfastening the necklace. She didn’t want to be thinking about kisses and caresses and dark nights alone with the man. He tantalized her with things she had thought lost forever.
Her life with Alexander had been all she ever expected. And when he died, she thought a part of her had, as well. But could she find another life, one unexpected but fulfilling nevertheless? Khalid was so different from Alexander it was amazing to her she could think of him in such terms. Alexander had been kind, gentle, thoughtful. Khalid was exciting, provocative, dynamic and intense. Yet she felt more alive around him than any other time in life. Colors seemed more vivid. Experiences savored longer. Nebulous longing rose, solidifying into a desire to be with him.
She put the pearls on the dresser and peeked out of her curtains. She could only see a small corner of the main villa from this room. Nothing to show Khalid had gone to the study or his bedroom. Or, would he take a walk on the beach tonight without her. That first night he’d not known she was there. Did he often swim alone after dark?
Suddenly she felt daring. Taking off her dress, she slipped on her bathing suit. Just maybe she’d go swimming in the dark. So much the better if he were there, as well.
Pulling on a cover-up, she hurried to the beach. The moon was waning, but still cast enough light over the beach to see a pile of material near the water. Scanning the sea, she thought she saw him swimming several yards offshore. Smiling at the thought of reading his mind, she dropped her own things by his and plunged into the warm water. It felt energizing and buoyant. Swimming toward him, she saw when he first realized she was there.
Treading water, he waited for her to get closer.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I didn’t want a walk. But a swim sounded nice,” she replied. When she drew closer, she also tread water. “Do you swim every night?”
“Not every night. But many. I like it.”
“Always after dark.”
“Easier that way.”
“How far do the scars go?”
Khalid stared at her for a long moment, then motioned her closer. When she paddled nearer, he reached out and caught one hand, drawing her up to him. Tracing the ruined skin down his right side, he tried to gauge her reaction in the dim light. Most women would be horrified. The scarring went across part of his chest and his upper arm. It no longer pained him, except to look at.
She kicked closer and brushed against him. Instant heat. It had been a long time since he’d slept with a woman. He was already attracted to Ella, but her touch sent him over the edge. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, kicking gently to keep them both above water. Then he forgot everything except the feel of her in his arms. Her silky skin was warm in the water. Her hair floated on the surface, tangling with one hand as he held her closer. Her kiss spiked desire for more—much more.
The water covering them both brought him back to sanity.
She broke away and laughed, shaking her head. Water flew from her hair, splashing against him.
“Romantic,” she said, pushing up against him again, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Unless you drown us.” Her lips were close, then she brushed against him, teasing, tantalizing. She trailed light kisses along his lips, across to his left cheek, then to his right one. He pulled away.
“Don’t,” she said softly, cupping his ruined cheek with her hand. “Khalid, you make me forget everything. Don’t pull away and bring reality back. This is a night just for us.” Again she kissed him and this time he didn’t hold back. He relished the feel of her in his arms, the length of her petite body pressed against his, banishing the loneliness of the last few years. He felt more aware of every aspect of life than ever before. All because she kissed him.
They were both breathing hard when the kiss ended. Khalid wanted to sweep her ashore and make love to her on the sand. He even began swimming that way, but stopped when he realized she was swimming parallel to the shore.
“It’s a glorious night for a swim,” she called out, swimming away with each stroke.
He’d been fooling himself. He knew what women saw when they looked at him. The night hid the scars, but light would expose them for the awful things they were. He’d take what he could get and ignore the vague yearning for even more.
He swiftly caught up with her.
“I thought you said it was unsafe to swim after dark,” he said, keeping pace with her.