The Sheikh Doc's Marriage Bargain

“I know you do, but maybe it’s time for a change. For you to get out of the lab and live a little. This could be your golden chance. Sometimes change can be a good thing.” Stewart was looking and sounding like the father figure she privately considered him to be.

“I don’t want adventure or change. I want to find a way to help hemophiliacs.”

Stewart looked over the rim of his black glasses at her. “You do realize the Prince is offering you an opportunity to do just that? You could go until funding comes through.”

Could she do it? Step out of her comfort zone? She had done it once before in college and still wore the scars. Yet she was so close. Only months away from finding the key to unlocking the secret to the gene. With the Prince’s offer it might be sooner. She really wasn’t left much choice. Laurel looked at Stewart for a long moment before releasing a resigned sigh. “Do you know how to get in touch with the Prince?”

* * *

Tariq had been expecting Dr. Martin’s call. He had known the night before she would not be receiving her funding. He had done nothing to make her lose it but he could not say he was not pleased. What he had done was put the word out that she had funding elsewhere so that no one else would step in and she would have to turn to him.

“Mr. Al Marktum...uh... Prince, this is Dr. Laurel Martin.”

“Yes.”

She sounded out of breath. “I...uh...was wondering if you were still looking for someone to oversee your lab?”

“I am.” He waited.

“I might be interested after all. And I’d like to meet to discuss it.” The words came out fast as if she was hurrying so not to stop herself.

“I am flying out first thing in the morning so we will need to talk tonight.”

“I guess that’ll have to work.”

She sounded unsure. Was she reconsidering? He could not have her do that. Tariq leaned back in his chair. “I’m at the Chicago Hotel. Come up to the Presidential Suite. We will not be disturbed while we talk.”

There was silence.

“I can tell by the pause that you are thinking of refusing. I would suggest the bar but I think it will be noisy and I do not know the area well enough to propose another place. My assistant is with me so you will be safely chaperoned.”

“I don’t require a chaperone. I’ll be glad to meet you.”

He smiled slightly. Had she bolstered herself to make that statement? “If you say so.”

“I’ll see you in an hour.”

“I look forward to it, Dr. Martin.”

As good as her word, one of his bodyguards announced her arrival right on time. That alone he could appreciate about her.

Meeting Dr. Martin at the door, he escorted her across the room to one of the two sofas in the center. She was a tiny thing. Not tall and leggy like the women he usually found attractive. He mentally shook his head. This was a business meeting. He needed her to run his lab and that was it. The color of her eyes or the length of her legs did not matter. “May I get you something to drink?”

“No, thank you, I’m fine.” She shifted her large bag cross her like it was a shield.

“Please, sit.”

Dr. Martin gave him a timid nod, then took a seat next to the arm of the sofa. She looked as though if he said boo she would run. That did not matter. What did was how good she was at her job. Tariq sat on the sofa across from her and crossed one ankle over the knee of his other leg. It was time to get down to business. “I understand you want to talk about my job offer.”

“Uh... I wanted to see if you’d consider a compromise on the position you offered me.”

“I’m listening.” He watched her. Her hair remained tightly pulled back and her glasses had slipped down her nose. She wore almost nondescript clothing and the big black bag remained hugged to her chest. Not a single piece of jewelry was visible. She seemed to dress not to be noticed. Did this woman live in a hole and crawl out to go to work in a lab?

“I have lost my funding. I was wondering if you’d consider putting funds into the lab here where I can continue my work with the understanding that your country would have first access to any of my findings.”

He stared, shaking his head before she’d even finished. “That will not do. I want someone working in my country. With my people.”

Her voice contained a tight, desperate tone. “But I can’t do that.”

“Why? I will see you have a place to live. A driver. All the comforts.” He leaned forward, watching her closely. She did have interesting eyes. There were tiny flakes of gold in them.

“I can’t just fly off to some place I don’t know.”

“We have already had this discussion. I am offering you a chance to continue your research. I do not think you will be disappointed in the lab I have set up. Wouldn’t you like to continue your research?”

She tightened her arms around her bag. “I would. It’s important. I’m very close to a breakthrough.”

Laurel wasn’t sure to what he was referring. She wasn’t planning to stop her research. Her new discovery was so close. Did he know something she didn’t? Quitting now would be impossible. She narrowed her eyes. “Why are you asking that?”

“It was you who came to me saying that you needed funds to continue your work.”

“That doesn’t mean that I am giving up. I can’t. I’m too close to an advance. I’ll find funding somewhere since you won’t consider providing it.”

“I am sorry, I cannot. My funds are my people’s. I don’t have any to give you.”

He must be a wealthy man. After all he was a prince. “You don’t have personal funds that could be used?”

“I do not. They were invested in the lab. You should reconsider coming to Zentar.”

She glared at him as panic grew. Why couldn’t he understand? “I cannot. I have explained that.”

“I have only heard excuses. I have what you need. You no longer have a lab to work in here and I am offering you one. I do not understand the problem. Perhaps you do not care as much as you say you do.”

That statement couldn’t have hurt more if he’d slapped her. Okay, that did it. He’d gone too far. She jerked to her feet, mindful of the fact this was his hotel suite. Keeping her voice low, she asked, “How dare you?”

His look remained steady. “I dare because I need you leading my lab. There is important work to be done.”

Laurel had been on the verge of losing her temper. The idea of going halfway around the world terrified her. What would her parents say, her siblings, about her living in Zentar? She just couldn’t do it. Or could she? The Prince wasn’t leaving her any choice. Laurel released a heavy breath.

“We can agree on the need for more research. Since you’ll not relent I will come to Zentar and set up your lab. In return you will see to it that I get to do a study of your families that have two generations of the disease. Beyond that I make no promises.”

“Excellent.” His smile reminded her of a conquering hero’s. “I will delay my return one day so that you can get your affairs in order.”

She gaped at him in disbelief. “One day?”

He put his foot on the floor. “I am sorry but that is all the time I can allow.”

Her lips formed a tight line and her gaze went to somewhere over his shoulder. She had so much to do.

“My assistant can help you with anything you might need.”

She blinked. “I won’t have time to see my family.”

“I’m sorry. Once the lab is operational you may return for a visit.” At least he sounded sincere.

Straightening her shoulders, Laurel moved to the edge of the cushion. “Well, if I’m to be ready to go then I need to be headed home. I have a lot to do.”

Tariq followed her toward the door. “There is just one more matter.”

She looked at him. “Yes?”

“You will need to marry me.”

CHAPTER TWO

“WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY?” Laurel stood with her mouth gaping open. There was no way she was going to marry him! It was taking all she had in her to even travel to Zentar. Marrying some man she didn’t know was out of the question. “What do you mean, I have to marry you?”

“My country still holds to traditional values. They expect a single woman to be under the care of a man. No one is going to answer your personal health questions without you having a man’s name associated with yours. Our social rules have not changed that fast.”

“You have to be kidding.” Her bag swung at her side.

He gave her a direct look. “I assure you I am not.”

“You don’t want to marry me.” Laurel couldn’t believe the turn this conversation had taken.

“It’s true. I had no plans to marry. Ever.” His words came out flat and to the point.

“Then why would you marry me?”

“Because I know your work is important and I know what must be done to get you to come to Zentar.”

“And you’re willing to put your personal life on hold?” This man was unbelievable.

“If that is what is necessary.”

She watched him closely. “If I agree, this will be a marriage in name only. You understand?” The idea of getting tangled up with the Prince made her shudder. She was so out of her depth. Once before she’d been in this position and she’d vowed never to go there again. Who would have thought lightning would strike twice in the same place?

“I would expect nothing less.”

He made it sound like the thought had never crossed his mind to treat it as a real marriage. Or had it? Laurel wasn’t sure she liked being dismissed so easily. The hot sizzle of attraction she felt apparently didn’t go both ways. That suited her just fine, or did it? “Couldn’t we just say we’re married and not make a further deal of it?”

“No. If the media discovers that, my people would feel deceived.”

“They want this way?”

“How I live in my home is my business. They need not know.”

She couldn’t do that to her parents. “Can I at least tell my family? They can be trusted.”

“No. The media may ask them about it. I don’t want them to be forced to lie or for their faces to show something different from what our Minister of Communication may have put out.”

Her chest hurt with the thought of her mother and father. “My parents are going to be so hurt.”

“In time you can explain it to them.” He sounded determined rather than sympathetic.

There was no way they would ever understand. Maybe she could slip off and be back before they had to know much about what was going on. She could just tell them she would be out of town for a while for work. “What’s your family going to think when you show up with an American woman they have never heard of?”

“The King knows who you are. The others I will tell that I have chosen you as my wife and that will be it.” He said that like a man who didn’t make a habit of answering to anyone.

“You say your country is very traditional. Will they accept me with no questions?”

“I did not say there would not be questions. Many, I am afraid. But in the end it will not change my decision.”

“Me coming with you is that important?”

“It is. We are agreed?”

Laurel pursed her lips then finally nodded.

“Then I will make the arrangements. We marry as soon as we arrive in Zentar.”

* * *

Two days later Laurel gripped the armrest of the luxury airplane seat and squeezed her eyes tight. She questioned her sanity for the thousandth time, leaving all she had ever known for a far-flung kingdom in the Middle East to work for a man she hardly knew in a lab she’d never seen. And to top it off—marry him. What had happened to her happy, ordered life?

“We are in the air now,” the Prince said from the seat across from her. The mirth in his voice rang clear. “You can open your eyes.”

“I’d rather not.”

“So what is your plan? To spend the next ten hours with them closed?” His humor had turned to disbelief.

“Maybe.” She sounded childish but she didn’t care.

His hand came to rest over hers for a second. A shiver of awareness zipped through her. “You do not want to miss this view of Chicago.”

Laurel opened an eye a slit. She met the Prince’s look.

“Look out here.” He nodded toward the oval window but made the statement with enough authority she didn’t dare not do as he requested. With her eyelids raised only enough to make out the window, she leaned toward it.

Her fingers remained glued to the leather arms of the seat. To have recognized the material covering the chair was making progress with her terror. For the last thirty minutes she had been almost comatose. Slowly she opened her eyes until she had clear vision then peeked out the window.

He was right. The view was amazing. Below was the sparking blue of Lake Michigan. Along its bank were the glistening skyscrapers of Chicago in the afternoon sun. She could make out the river running through the center of the city. The picture was like nothing she had ever seen before. Her breath caught—in a good way.

She glanced at the Prince.

“Aren’t you glad you took a chance?” His eyes didn’t waver.

Was he talking about something more than looking out the window? “I am.”

He gave her hand a pointed look. “Do you think you could let go of my seat? I’m afraid you’re going to crush it to sand if you do not.”

She quickly clasped her hands in her lap until her knuckles hurt.

“I was just kidding you, you know,” he said in a dry tone.

Laurel hadn’t known. Had no idea what this man considered humor. They were strangers. The Prince studied the view out the window as well. It was dizzying to think that he would try to joke with her. He looked far too serious most of the time. She had seen a couple of breaks in his unbending expression but they were rare. He usually looked as if he supported the weight of the world on his shoulders. As the Minister of Health, he must carry a heavy burden.

“Prince Tariq, are you making fun of me?”

“No Dr. Martin, I’m trying to ease your mind.”

“Thank you, I think.” Had he really been that concerned about her?

“Try to sit back and relax, Laurel.”

She like the nuances of her name on his lips too much. He made it sound exotic and a little bit naughty. Until he’d used it she’d thought it a simple name and too sweet.

“By the way, you may call me Tariq when we are in private. I know my title is a mouthful. Would you like to have something to drink? Some crackers to settle your stomach?”

He had even realized that? “Yes, that would be nice.” Laurel wasn’t much of an alcohol drinker and she certainly didn’t need to start now at ten thousand feet in the air with a man who had such an effect on her.

Tariq lifted a finger and the steward came to stand beside them. “Dr. Martin will have some—”

“Ginger ale, please.”

“And I will have the same. Please bring crackers as well.”

The steward nodded and left as quietly as he had approached.

Having relaxed a little, Laurel looked around the plane. It was decorated in pale gray with darker gray curtains on either side of the windows. Her fingers rubbed the arm of the seat. The leather felt ultra-smooth. She looked across the aisle at another seat. On the headrest was what she guessed was the Zentar coat of arms. It consisted of a blue emblem with a yellow dragon over it. Since this was her first time on a plane she had no others to compare it to but she thought this one had to be one of the most luxurious ever built.

Lauren couldn’t fathom living in a world like this all the time. The expense of it alone boggled her mind. Her upbringing didn’t allow for that kind of lifestyle. She was so out of her element. What was she doing here?

The steward returned. He didn’t have the expected can of soda. Instead he held a silver tray with two clear glasses and a china plate holding crackers. He unfolded a small table from within the arm of the seat. After placing a napkin on it, he put her glass and the plate on it. He did the same for the Prince then quietly backed away.

Could she feel more out of place? She glanced at Tariq. He had opened his laptop. Without looking up, he said, “Dinner will be served in a couple of hours. Feel free to roam the plane. There is a bedroom at the back if you would like to lie down. I have work to do so you will need to entertain yourself.”

Nothing like being dismissed. He’d gotten what he wanted in her coming with him to Zentar so he apparently felt no need to keep her happy any further. Not that he’d really been trying anyway. Most of their interaction had gone his way and not hers. With a sigh, she closed her eyes. It was just as well anyway.

Tariq. Would she ever get used to calling him that?

The last twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind of activity. Nasser, Tariq’s driver, had seen her home after her meeting with the Prince at the hotel. She’d phoned her parents and explained where she was going but had strategically left out the part about getting married. She hated lying to them by omission but she couldn’t find another way that made the situation any better. They had sounded confused, concerned and a little excited for her. She assured them she would video-chat regularly. Her brothers and sister were more enthusiastic. They all asked if they could come for a visit. Especially if the Prince would agree to send the plane for them. Laurel assured them she wouldn’t be asking him to do that.

She’d spent the rest of the day on the phone, arranging things and packing. Tariq had insisted that his assistant take care of the business end of her departure so she could handle the personal. Overwhelmed by the time crunch, she’d agreed. Once again he had gotten his way.

Winter was approaching in Chicago, where it could be bitterly cold, and now she was off to a hot, arid climate. What few clothes she owned that might suit, she’d stuffed into her ancient suitcase. She didn’t plan on being gone long so she would make do with what she had. Her heavy coats she left behind. She had to admit she wouldn’t miss the freezing windy weather of the upper mid-west.

By the time Nasser had pulled to the curb in front of her apartment just after midday, Laurel had been standing on the sidewalk with two suitcases and a box of books ready for him to load into the car. As a reluctant voyager off on a grand adventure, she had watched her apartment get smaller in the window.

Sometime later, a large warm hand on her shoulder shook her awake. Laurel jerked straight. She’d been asleep. As emotional as she had been about flying, and equally disturbed by being in Tariq’s presence, she wouldn’t have thought she could have fallen asleep. “Uh. What?”

“Dinner is being served when you are ready.” Tariq stood at her right shoulder. “The bathroom is down the hall toward the rear of the plane if you need it.” He moved away.

She looked back at him. He pulled out his phone and sank into a chair beside an elegantly set table, with the silent steward standing attentively nearby. Even high above the earth he ate well. Had the man ever had a hamburger?

Making her way to the bathroom, Laurel discovered it was twice as large as the one her family had shared growing up. Even this room was elegant, with gold fixtures and plush towels. Returning to the cabin, she took the chair across from Tariq.

The steward efficiently served their meal. She smiled. To her humor and amazement the food being offered was less sophisticated than practical. There was breast of chicken, roasted potatoes and steamed broccoli with a roll. Despite the simplicity of the menu it was tasty and filling. Since she’d missed her other meals that day, the food was welcome.

Tariq was a charming dinner companion. He kept a light dialogue going about what he had done and seen while in Chicago, asking her small insignificant questions about her favorite things to do there. When he had finished with his meal, he leaned back in his chair.

Her body heated as he studied her with his piercing look. “So, were you able to get your affairs in order without difficulty before we left?”

“I did. It required numerous phone calls and asking two neighbors to take my plants.” She raised her starched linen napkin to her lips.

“Did you work things out with your parents?”

“I did.” Not that she liked deceiving her family.

His attention focused on her. “Tell me about them.”

To her further amazement he sounded as if he genuinely wanted to know. This part of his personality she’d not expected. She cleared her throat. “They live about an hour outside Chicago. Dad is a factory worker and my mother a schoolteacher. They’re very happy together. I have two brothers and a sister. I wish I’d had time to see them. I’ll miss them.”

“You obviously care about them. I am sorry I could not have allowed you more time. If you had taken the job when I first asked, you would have had it.”

So much for his charm. He was right, but she didn’t like him pointing it out. “Are you trying to start an argument?”

His mouth lifted slightly at one side. “I am not. Just stating a fact. So how is your family taking you being away?”

“To say that my parents were surprised is an understatement. Along with concerned, and maybe just a little excited for me. They’ve been telling me for years I need to get out more.” Why was she telling this dark, brooding man that? He should be the last person she would confide in.

“I too am sorry you did not have time to see them, to have been able to say a proper goodbye. Family is important.”

She lowered her chin and gave him a narrow-eyed look. “I appreciate that but I don’t plan to be gone long.”

His expression didn’t waver and he said nothing. What was he thinking? She turned her attention to her plate. “My brothers and sisters were jealous. They all wanted to come with me.” She leaned back as the steward removed her plate then the Prince’s. “About us getting married, are you sure there is no other way?”

The question hung in the air as the steward put a plate down in front of them with a decadent-looking chocolate cake on it.

“Positive.”

After the steward left, she said softly, “Sorry.”

“He is loyal and knows that nothing he sees or hears is to be repeated. But you should still be careful what you say.”

Laurel picked up her fork and concentrated on the cake. “I will be.”

“Good.” Tariq just looked at her a moment with those unreadable eyes. He blinked. “Did you have to give up any other commitments to come to Zentar?”

“You’re asking that now?”

“I just wanted to make sure some man wasn’t going to show up unannounced and create a problem.”

“You don’t need to worry about that happening.” She refused to let him know why it wouldn’t be an issue.

“That’s good to hear. I suspect you live for your work.”

That might be true but she didn’t like the way it sounded out loud. He didn’t think she had a personal life? His attitude made her think too much of her childhood years when she had been made fun of for reading all the time. She glared at him, which she seemed to be doing a lot of. “It would be my guess we both tend to do that.”

“Agreed.” He dug into his cake.

He made it sound like she had given him a compliment. “You mean I actually have something in common with a prince!” Laurel made her tone as cynical as possible. Who was she kidding? She had little in common with him and never would.

Tariq smiled. Her breath caught. Having it directed at her made her feel special, all warm and gooey inside. “It sounds like we do.”

This laid-back, easygoing aspect of his temperament she could learn to like.

“You know, I’ve been wondering about where I’m going to be living. Do I need to rent a car? Can I just walk to the lab?”

“You will be my wife. You will live on the palace grounds, in my apartments. All you have to do is ask for anything you need.”

Live with him? At the palace? She hadn’t thought this through. A palace wasn’t where she belonged. She wouldn’t fit in with royalty. She wasn’t like them. “There’s no other arrangements that can be made?”