The Sheikh's Contract Bride

She’d always said, What’s he going to do? Not care about me? But when he had indeed stopped caring about her, the pain of being cut off had been far worse than she’d realized. So Beth understood Addie’s hesitation to stand up to him about the marriage. When her sister had begged Beth to fill in and give Addie a little time to see if she’d met “the one”, time to find out if he was worth the price she would have to pay, Beth had agreed. Because she knew how hard it was to lose the only family you had.

Malik leaned his shoulder against the fence and stared down at her. “I do not know what is troubling you, but it is my wish that in time you will feel comfortable confiding in me.”

“I appreciate the offer.” He had no idea how tempted she was to do just that. If it were only about her, she’d confess in a heartbeat. But the truth wasn’t hers to tell, and it could deeply hurt her sister. “Thank you, Malik.”

“Something else I wish to point out is that there are worse things than having a map of one’s life. Having things in perfect order is not a negative.”

“Oh?” She met his gaze. “This from the man who likes surprises?”

“There can be surprises even in the context of a well-ordered life,” he defended.

“So you like surprises as long as you’re in control?” she observed.

“You say this as if it is a bad thing.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No.” The sparkle in his eyes hinted at unexpected wonders, and her heart skipped twice before a deep breath steadied her.

“How’s that working for you?”

The sparkle disappeared for just a second before he answered. “It works well. And, while we are on the subject, are there any surprises that you wish me to provide for you?”

“I don’t know if it’s a surprise, exactly.”

“What is it you wish?”

It was the other reason she’d agreed to come here. “I’d like to find my mother.”

“Even though she has not been a part of your life for many years?” he questioned.

So he knew about that. “Probably because of it. I just need to talk to her.”

“Then I will arrange it,” he said, without a moment’s hesitation.

“Just like that?”

“Indeed.”

“Thank you. I’m very grateful.”

The mischievous twinkle reappeared in his eyes as his white teeth flashed in a heart-melting grin. “Might your gratitude include a kiss?”

It might, and all he had to do was stand there looking like sin for the taking. Her lips tingled with the temptation he offered. Jumping off the fence, she turned away and started to walk.

“I don’t think so.”

He followed. “Have I offended you?”

If only. “No.”

“But I have made you uncomfortable?”

Oh, yeah. “Not really.”

He wrapped his fingers around her upper arm to stop her, then turned her to face him. “Tell me the truth.”

“I am not offended.”

“Good.” His smoldering gaze was like a magnet, refusing to release her. “Because there is something you must know.”

“What?” she whispered.

“I will kiss you. And soon.”

“Oh?” The single syllable was almost a squeak.

“When it happens, I wish it to mean something.”

It would mean that she was going straight to hell. Do not pass go. Do not collect wings and halo. She was going to lose her soul.

“When it happens,” he continued, “it will be because you cannot get me out of your mind. When our lips finally touch, you will feel it everywhere. The meeting of our mouths will be so sweet and deep and passionate that you will never want it to end.”

Beth was speechless. And breathless. The intensity in his eyes, along with his words, removed any doubt that he meant what he said. When it happened, she wasn’t sure she would be able to resist him. And that was a big problem, because he was romancing an imposter.

She was finding a lot to like about Malik, and lying to him was becoming harder and harder to defend. Agreeing to the ruse had been easier before she’d met him. She knew how it felt to be lied to, and as far as she could tell Malik didn’t deserve it.

She had to talk to Addie.

With a cup of tea delivered by the palace staff in one hand and her cellphone in the other, Beth sank into the couch in her suite. She set the cup and saucer on the coffee table, then flipped open the phone and pressed commands until she got to her world clock and checked the time in Los Angeles.

“Too bad, Addie. We’ve got a crisis and it’s worth losing sleep over.” She hit speed dial and waited for the ring, then heard an answer.

“Hello?” Addie’s sleepy voice came through loud and clear.

“Hi, Ad. It’s me.”

“Beth.” All traces of drowsiness in her voice were gone. “Are you all right?”

“Physically, I’m fine. Everything else—not so much.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I have to tell Malik the truth—that I’m not you.”

There was a silence on the other end of the line that had nothing to do with the distance delay. Beth could almost hear her sister thinking that over.

“What’s going on?” Addie finally asked. “Is he suspicious?”

Beth grabbed a turquoise throw pillow and clutched it to her chest. “If he wasn’t before, he probably is now. He gave me—you—a horse, and wanted to ride with me.”

“Oh, my.”

“No kidding, oh, my. You know how I feel about horses.”

“What did you do?”

“I pretended to be tired from the trip and the time change.” She was getting awfully good at pretending, and it wasn’t something she was particularly proud of.

“Did he believe you?”

“I think so. I’m not sure.” She plucked at the nubby pillow material. “I almost told him the truth.”

“You can’t, Beth.”

Her stomach clenched. “I hate this. He seems like a really nice man, Addie. Romantic. Handsome. Kind. He’s going to help me find our mother.”

“Are you sure you want to confront her?” Addie asked.

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