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The Sheikh's Bought Wife
Sharon Kendrick
The desert king’s outrageous proposal!Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Shy researcher Jane Smith would normally have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba’s handsome face. Except it’s only for six months and the money will rescue her sister who’s mired in debt…Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah’s neighbouring oil-rich lands, even wed plain Jane: he’ll never long to consummate a marriage with her! But Zayed hasn’t bargained on Jane’s frumpy clothes hiding delicious curves… Or that her quick mind and untouched beauty could tease and tempt him beyond his wildest imaginings!
The desert king’s outrageous proposal!
Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Shy researcher Jane Smith would normally have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba’s handsome face. Except it’s only for six months and the money will rescue her sister who’s mired in debt...
Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah’s neighboring oil-rich lands, even wed plain Jane: he’ll never long to consummate a marriage with her! But Zayed hasn’t bargained on Jane’s frumpy clothes hiding delicious curves...or her quick mind and untouched beauty teasing and tempting him beyond his wildest imaginings!
‘Unfortunately the bequest comes with a condition—which is that I must be married in order to inherit. And although the very idea is abhorrent to me I want that piece of land for my people,’ Zayed said, his voice growing deep with fervour. ‘So much so that I’m prepared to marry in order to get it.’
‘Then why not ask one of your many girlfriends?’ Jane questioned archly.
‘Because I don’t want love and I don’t wish to be tied to one woman—at least not until it is time for me to produce an heir. The union I propose with you will be nothing other than a means to an end. A brief union which I intend to be dissolved after six months.’
She looked at him curiously. ‘On what grounds?’
‘Non-consummation, of course.’ He shrugged his powerful shoulders.
Jane nodded, her heart pounding painfully against her ribcage, her mind working over the facts as she pieced together the intention behind his bizarre request. ‘So you decided to pick a woman to whom you were not in the least bit attracted?’
‘Exactly.’ He sat back in his chair, his black eyes lasering into her.
‘And I am that woman?’
‘You most certainly are. I cannot think of a more ideal candidate.’
Wedlocked! (#ub7f1d007-cce9-5ee7-ba56-04970b5f13e9)
Conveniently wedded, passionately bedded!
Whether there’s a debt to be paid, a will to be obeyed or a business to be saved…she’s got no choice but to say ‘I do!’
But these billionaire bridegrooms have got another think coming if they think marriage will be that easy…
Soon their convenient brides become the object of an inconvenient desire!
Find out what happens after the vows in
Wedded, Bedded, Betrayed by Michelle Smart
Expecting a Royal Scandal by Caitlin Crews
Trapped by Vialli’s Vows by Chantelle Shaw
Baby of His Revenge by Jennie Lucas
A Diamond for Del Rio’s Housekeeper by Susan Stephens
Bound by His Desert Diamond by Andie Brock
Bride by Royal Decree by Caitlin Crews
Claimed for the De Carrillo Twins by Abby Green
The Desert King’s Captive Bride by Annie West
Look out for more Wedlocked! stories coming soon!
The Sheikh’s Bought Wife
Sharon Kendrick
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
SHARON KENDRICK once won a national writing competition by describing her ideal date: being flown to an exotic island by a gorgeous and powerful man. Little did she realise that she’d just wandered into her dream job! Today she writes for Mills & Boon, featuring often stubborn but always to die for heroes and the women who bring them to their knees. She believes that the best books are those you never want to end. Just like life…
Books by Sharon Kendrick
Mills & Boon Modern Romance
A Royal Vow of Convenience
The Ruthless Greek’s Return
Christmas in Da Conti’s Bed
The Greek’s Marriage Bargain
One Night With Consequences
Secrets of a Billionaire’s Mistress
Crowned for the Prince’s Heir
Carrying the Greek’s Heir
The Billionaire’s Legacy
Di Sione’s Virgin Mistress
Wedlocked!
The Billionaire’s Defiant Acquisition
The Bond of Billionaires
Claimed for Makarov’s Baby
The Sheikh’s Christmas Conquest
At His Service
The Housekeeper’s Awakening
Desert Men of Qurhah
Defiant in the Desert
Shamed in the Sands
Seduced by the Sultan
Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk) for more titles.
To the fabulous Janie Heard—super-sharp judge, sublime interpreter of Ottolenghi recipes, musician, most prolific reader in the bookclub and possessor of an earthy sense of humour.
Thanks for all your advice on the legal aspects of marital consummation—which provided an interesting and hilarious correspondence.
Contents
Cover (#ub9f5b190-862c-5cf7-81ae-c1504b4e458a)
Back Cover Text (#uc1242899-ab5e-52f0-8e50-df047b485e3a)
Introduction (#u308dad2c-39d6-5787-b233-241b3dcf2ad2)
Wedlocked! (#u2026c283-06ec-5f9d-880d-3a193c99ad60)
Title Page (#uc5605797-bc60-5bb2-ab20-ab7c023504cc)
About the Author (#u3bbf3ba7-a0a2-585a-b408-0d4d31828960)
PROLOGUE (#u8b0782e1-5260-5bd4-86fd-0eaa798f89ab)
CHAPTER ONE (#u404f7956-1617-55a6-9c48-8f2d5eeab24c)
CHAPTER TWO (#u1685dde4-849f-54fc-a0ea-b921541ce411)
CHAPTER THREE (#u64067979-5c6d-5e2f-b8fe-888405242d64)
CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
PROLOGUE (#ub7f1d007-cce9-5ee7-ba56-04970b5f13e9)
‘SO WHAT’S THE CATCH?’
Zayed detected the faint ripple of unease which ran through his advisors as he shot out his silky question. They were nervous, he could tell. More nervous than was usual in the presence of a sheikh of his power and influence. Not that he cared about their nerves. On the contrary, he found them useful. Deference and fear kept people at a distance and that was exactly where he liked them.
Turning away from the window which overlooked his magnificent palace gardens, he studied the men who stood in front of him—the guileless expression on the face of his closest aide, Hassan, not fooling him for a moment.
‘Catch, Your Most Supreme Highness?’ questioned Hassan.
‘Yes, catch,’ Zayed echoed, his voice growing impatient now. ‘My maternal grandfather has died and I discover he has gifted me one of the most valuable pieces of land in the entire desert region. Inheriting Dahabi Makaan was something which never even entered my mind.’ He frowned. ‘Which leaves me wondering what has prompted this gesture of unexpected generosity.’
Hassan gave a slight bow. ‘Because you are one of his few remaining blood relatives, sire, and thus surely such a bequest is perfectly natural.’
‘That much may be true,’ Zayed conceded. ‘But until recently he had not spoken to me since I was a boy of seven summers.’
‘Your grandfather was undoubtedly touched by your visit as he lay on his deathbed—a visit he must surely not have been anticipating,’ said Hassan diplomatically. ‘Perhaps that is the reason.’
Zayed’s jaw tightened. Perhaps it was. But the visit had not been inspired by love, since love had long departed from his heart. He had gone because duty had demanded it and Zayed never shirked from duty. He had gone despite the fierce pain it had caused him to do so. And yes, it had been a strange sensation to look upon the ravaged face of the old king, who had cut off his only daughter after her marriage to Zayed’s father. But death was the great equaliser, he remembered thinking bitterly as the gnarled old fingers had clutched at his. The stealthy foe from which no man or woman could ever escape. He had made his peace with his dying grandfather because he suspected it would have pleased his mother for him to do so, not because he’d been seeking some kind of financial reward.
‘Nobody gives something for nothing in this world, but perhaps this is an exception.’ Zayed’s eyes bored questioningly into those of his aide. ‘Are you telling me that the land is to be mine, without condition?’
Hassan hesitated and the pause which followed sounded heavy. Ominous. ‘Not quite.’
Zayed nodded. So his unerring instinct had not failed him after all! ‘You mean there is a catch,’ he said triumphantly.
Hassan nodded. ‘I suspect that you will see it as one, sire—for in order to inherit Dahabi Makaan, you need to be...’ nervously, he licked his lips ‘...married.’
‘Married?’ echoed Zayed, his voice deepening with a dangerous note, which made the aides shoot glances of increasing anxiety at each other.
‘Yes, sire.’
‘You know my feelings about marriage.’
‘Indeed, sire.’
