'You need to stay here with me,' Sharif argued.
She wanted his arms around her too badly to stay. She still felt isolated and unsure of herself. She, who took pride in standing alone at the head of her troops, felt as if the ground had been pulled away from her feet today.
'Are you frightened of being alone with me, Britt?' Cupping her chin, Sharif made her look at him and she stared back. He was a warrior of the desert, a man who had fought to restore freedom to his country, and who could have brushed her aside and taken over Skavanga Mining without involving her.
So why hadn't he?
'I asked you a question, Britt? Why won't you answer me?'
Sharif's touch on her face was so seductive it would have been the easiest thing in the world to soften in his arms. 'I'm not frightened of you,' she said, speaking more to herself.
'Good,' he murmured. 'That's the last thing I want.'
But if he could know how frightened she was of the way she felt about him, he would surely count it as a victory. And the longer Sharif held her like this, close yet not too close, the more she longed for his warmth and his strength, and the clearer it became that, for the first time in her life, being Britt Skavanga, lone businesswoman, wasn't enough.
'I've got an idea,' Sharif said quietly as he released her.
'What?' she said cautiously.
'I'd like you the think about working in Kareshi as well as Skavanga- Don't look so shocked, Britt. We live in a small world-'
'It's not that.' Her heart had leapt at the thought, but she still doubted herself, doubted her capabilities, and wondered if Sharif was just saying this to make her feel better.
'It's not that-' Her heart had leapt at the thought, even as doubt crowded in that for some reason Sharif just wanted to make her feel better.
'I have always encouraged people to break down unnecessary barriers so they can broaden their horizons in every way. I'm keen to develop talent wherever I find it, and I'd like you to think about using your interpersonal skills more widely. I know you've always concentrated on Skavanga Mining in the past, and that's good, but while I'm away- Well, please just agree to think about what I've said-'
'I will,' she promised as Sharif moved towards the door.
'One month, Britt. I'll send the jet.'
Anything connected with Sharif was a whirlwind, Britt concluded, her head still reeling as he left the room. He ruled a country- He was a warrior. He was a lover, but no more than that. But Sharif had placed his trust in her, and had put her back in charge of Skavanga mining where she could protect the interests of the people she cared about.
A month, he'd said? She'd better get started.
* * *
He had to give her time, he reasoned. He would see Britt again soon-
A month-
He consoled himself with the thought that in between times he could sort out his country and his companies-
To hell with all of it!
Without Britt there was nothing. He'd known that on the flight when every mile he put between them was a mile too far. Without Britt there was no purpose to any of this. What was life for, if not to love and be loved?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A MONTH WAS a long time in business, and Britt was surprised at how many of the changes were good. With new blood came new ideas, along with fresh energy for everyone concerned to fire off. The combination of ice and fire seemed to be working well at Skavanga Mining. The Kareshis brought interesting solutions for deep shaft mining, while nothing fazed workers in Skavanga who were accustomed to dealing with extreme conditions on a daily basis. Drilling was already under way, and even Britt's sisters had been reassured by how well everyone was getting on, and how much care, time and money the consortium was putting into preserving the environment. They had always taken their lead from Britt where business was concerned and so when she explained Sharif's plan to them, they were all for her trip to Kareshi-though their teasing she could have done without.
'Oh, come off it,' Eva insisted in Britt's minimalist bedroom at the penthouse, where the sisters were helping Britt to pack in readiness for the arrival of Sharif's jet the following day. 'We've seen him now. Don't tell me you're not aching to see your desert sheikh again.'
Aching? If a month was a long time in business, it was infinity when it came to being parted from Sharif. 'He isn't my desert sheikh,' she said firmly, ignoring the glances her sisters exchanged. 'And, for your information, this is a business trip.'
'Hence the new underwear,' Leila remarked tongue in cheek.
* * *
Business trip?
Business trip, Britt told herself firmly as the limousine that had collected her from the steps of the royal flight, no less, slowed in front of the towering, heavily ornamented golden gates that led into the courtyard in front of Sheikh Sharif's residence in his capital city of Kareshi. She had read during the flight that the Black Sheikh's palace was a world heritage site, and was one of the most authentically restored medieval castles. To Britt it was simply overwhelming. The size of the place was incredible. It was, in fact, more like a fortified city contained within massive walls.
It was one month since she had last seen Sharif. One month in which to prepare herself for pennants flying from ancient battlements, alongside the hustle and bustle of a thriving modern city-but she could never be properly prepared, if only because the contrast was just too stark. And those contrasts existed in the Black Sheikh himself. Respectful of traditional values, Sharif was a forward-thinker, always planning the next improvement for his country.
Excitement wasn't enought to describe her feelings. There was also apprehension. Until she saw Sharif's expression when he saw her again, she couldn't relax. She was prepared for anything, and was already steeling her heart-the same heart that was hammering in her ears as she wondered if Sharif would be wearing his full and splendid regalia-the flowing black robes of the desert king? Or would he be wearing a sombre tailored suit to greet a director of what he had referred to in the press as his most exciting project yet?
Exhaling shakily, she hoped the problems he had referred to in Kareshi had been resolved, because she was bringing him good news from the mine. They were ahead of schedule and there was a lot to talk about. Ready for their first business meeting, she had changed into a modest dress and jacket in a conservative shade of beige on the plane.
Her heart bounced as the steps of the citadel came into view. Somewhere inside that gigantic building Sharif was waiting.
Not inside.
And not wearing black robes, either, she realised as the limousine drew to a halt.
Sharif was dressed for riding in breeches, polo shirt and boots...breeches that moulded his lower body with obscene attention to detail...
'Welcome to my home,' he said, opening the car door for her.
His face was hard to read. He was smiling, but it could easily have been a smile of welcome for a business associate, newly arrived in his country. Forget business-forget everything-her heart was going crazy. 'Thank you,' she said demurely, stepping out.
He was just so damn sexy she couldn't think of anything else to say. Her mind was closed to business, and her wayward body had tunnel vision and could only see one man-and that was the sexy man who knew just how to please her. There was only one swarthy, stubble-shaded face in her field of vision, and one head of unruly, thick black hair, one pair of keenly assessing eyes, one aquiline nose, one proud, smooth brow, one firm, sexy mouth-
Pull yourself together, Britt ordered herself firmly as Sharif indicated that she should mount the steps ahead of him.
There were guards in traditional robes with scimitars hanging at their sides standing sentry either side of the grand entrance doors and she felt overawed as she walked past them into the ancient citadel. Every breath she took seemed amplified and their footsteps sounded like pistol shots in the huge vaulted space. Everything was on a grand scale. It was an imposing marble-tiled hall with giant-sized stained-glass windows. There were sumptuous rugs in all the colours of the rainbow, and the beautifully ornamented furniture seemed to have been scaled for a race of giants. She felt like a mouse that had strayed into the lion's den. The arched ceiling above her head seemed to stretch away to the heavens, and she couldn't imagine who had built it, or how the monstrous stone pillars that supported it had been set in place.
Attendants bowed low as Sharif led her on. Even when he was dressed in riding gear, authority radiated from him. He was a natural leader without any affectation, and-
And she was going there again, Britt realised, reining her feelings in. Each time she saw Sharif she found something more to admire about him, yet his insular demeanor irritated the hell out of her too, even if she accepted that hiding his feelings must be an essential tool of kingship.