The Sheik's Virgin Lover (The Sisterhood) (11 page)

Emma shook her head. “You’re manipulating me, Dharran. Again.”

“Nonsense. All I’m doing is creating a situation where you’re finally doing something you should have done a long time ago.”

“And?” she prompted once again, knowing there was more to this than he was letting on.

“Goodbye Emma. Until we talk again, be sure and dream about me.”

He hung up on her without answering her question and she was terrified of the hidden meanings behind his words. He was a master politician and strategist. If he wanted something, no one would know what it was until he’d already gotten it.

She sat back in her chair, feeling exhausted once again. Conversations with Dharran were stimulating and challenging and she knew that, deep down, she really loved sparring with him. But they definitely drained her of energy. Things he took for granted, such as trying to figure out what the other person may or may not do, and the impact of those actions, were new to her, and exhausting. Any sort of interaction with him was sort of like being in the middle of a chess game.

She smiled despite her fatigue though. Going to London, despite the fact that she was sure Dharran would show up, would be a fantastic opportunity.

Emma refused to admit that the bigger excitement was seeing Dharran once again. She wasn’t going to see him, she was going to learn new ideas, and share her own with the other committee members. That was all. She wouldn’t see Dharran, he was too busy running a country and selling lots of oil. There was no way he could fly up to London just to see her.

One week later, getting off the plane with her carry on baggage and purse, she looked around, hoping to easily find a taxi to take her to the hotel. She’d researched hotels carefully and had found one that was perfect for her needs, ignoring the suite Dharran had told her he’d booked her in. Her choice was small, and cozy and definitely in her price range. She had tonight to relax before the initial meetings tomorrow that were being held at one of the larger, fancier hotels in the main district of London. She thought it was a bit hypocritical to meet at a large, exclusive hotel, when the kids they would be discussing sometimes couldn’t stand on the floor of their apartments because of roaches or rats.

As soon as she stepped out of the international arrivals area, she saw several drivers standing in front with signs. Since she wasn’t expecting a driver, she walked around them, but a man stepped directly in front of her and bowed. “Ms. Emma Knightly?” he asked formally, his British accent melodic after the long, crazy airplane ride.

“Yes.” She looked around, sure this man was looking for someone else.

“I’m here to take you to your hotel.”

He started to reach for her luggage but she pulled back. “I’m afraid there’s a mistake. You’re probably looking for someone else. I’ll just get a taxi,” she said and started moving forward again.

“His Highness suggested that you might be resistant and asked that you read this note.” A heavy, embossed envelope was handed to her and Emma took it with shaking fingers.

She peeled back the sealed flap and looked inside, almost afraid of what was inside. The note was simple.

With a sigh, she closed the envelope. Smiling at the waiting gentleman, she asked, “So you’re my driver?”

“At your service,” he said with another small bow and a professional, polite smile.

“And a taxi would be out of the question?”

“If you would prefer a taxi, I will obtain one for you and follow behind,” he said smoothly.

Emma knew the futility of arguing if he was going to follow her. “Okay. That sounds awfully silly when I can simply walk or take the subway, but lead the way,” she finally said.

The man reached for her luggage and this time she allowed him. She followed him through the airport, amazed at how crowded, and large, the airport really was. The airports in Washington were all painfully busy as well, but she’d flown in and out of them so often she knew where she was going. The familiar rarely seemed as huge as the unfamiliar.

The man walked out the front entrance and stowed her bags in the elegant black car. Thankfully, Dharran hadn’t gotten a limousine for her and she was grateful for the ride through the bizarre and alien streets. No matter what she said to the driver about her own hotel destination, he ignored her and went his own way. The hotel he drove her to was definitely not the one she’d reserved for this stay. It was, in fact, the hotel where the meetings were to be held and was just as fabulous as she’d expected.

At the hotel, her luggage was pulled out of the trunk and she was instantly led through the lobby and given directions to take the elevators to the twentieth floor. Her luggage would be delivered directly to her room.

Emma really didn’t like being this out of control, but since things were such a whirlwind, she had no idea how to stop it. As soon as she opened her mouth to protest, the elevator doors closed and she was being whisked to the top floor of the hotel.

With a sigh, she leaned back against the mirrored interior and tried to get a grip.

The doors opened and, instead of a hallway, she was inside a stunning hotel suite complete with marble columns, a sitting room that was bigger than the gymnasium at the center and a breathtaking view of London’s city skyline.

“You’re late.”

Emma shivered as Dharran’s deep voice came to her. She looked around and found him off to the side, pouring a soda for her, and some amber liquor for himself. “And you look quite worn out.”

She accepted the glass gratefully, careful not to touch his fingers. “I am. But more than that, I’m curious about how I came to be here. Is this conference real?”

He put a hand to the small of her back and smiled while he led her to one of the plush, maroon sofas. “Of course it’s real. Didn’t you get the literature?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t have a hand in making it all come together.”

“The only thing I did was to suggest that your name be added to the invitees. The committee reviewed your credentials, with hesitation, I might add because of your age, but you were included because of what you’ve accomplished in so short a period of time and with limited experience. Your name was unanimously voted onto the committee after your accomplishments had been reviewed.”

She leaned back, as far back as she could so she’d have a bit of space from his enticing scent. “I feel pretty old right about now.”

He looked down at her, one long finger brushing a stray curl off her cheek. “You look tired. You have dark circles under your eyes.”

“It was a long flight. I really need to get to my hotel and relax before the first meeting.”

He smiled and shook his head. “Always fighting it, aren’t you?”

She didn’t pretend to not understand. “Yes. I have to.”

“Why?”

“Because there’s no future for us. We shouldn’t be in the same hotel room.”

“But we are. Although you have your own room.”

She almost laughed. “Is it right next to yours?”

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t really work that way.”

“Are you afraid you might give in to your feelings and come to my bed?”

“Is that what you’re hoping?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to be disappointed.”

One side of his mouth went up in an odd sort of smile. “I’m guessing we both will. But at least I’ll be here to torture you and try and change your mind.”

“As long as you accept when I say no.”

“As long as you accept that I’m going to try and change that to a yes,”

She considered that for a moment. Her mind was telling her that she should run far and fast. Being near him was dangerous and she shouldn’t play with fire. But the rest of her, the part that wasn’t thinking too logically, was just so excited to be here with him, to see him again and feel his touch. She reached up and touched his cheek herself, curious as to what it felt like under her fingers. It wasn’t soft, and she almost laughed at the startled expression in his eyes as her fingers copied what he’d done to her so often. “You’re very rough,” she said.

“I’ll shave.”

With a sigh, she shook her head. “I like it.”

“I won’t shave then.”

She laughed but then was startled when he stood up. “You need dinner and rest if you’re going to be an active participant tomorrow. And I have early morning meetings as well.”

Dinner was brought to their suite and set out on the terrace, white coated waiters bringing one delicious course after another while Emma and Dharran talked and dined, and drank delicious wine. Emma loved talking with him, having her opinions challenged by his knowledge of world events and politics. She hoped she was also challenging him, because she didn’t always agree with him. He might have good points, but when it came to social issues, he didn’t let his heart interfere with the cost of a situation. And sometimes, she accepted that she didn’t take the statistics into account enough.

Before he let her disappear into her bedroom, he took her into his arms and kissed her, thoroughly arousing her to the point of extreme exhilaration. She was clinging to him as he lifted his head and she dropped her hands to her sides, gripping the door frame as she walked away from him.

Emma thought she’d have a hard time falling asleep after that kiss, but she woke up the next morning completely refreshed, the smell of coffee and something heavenly wafting to her bedroom. She showered and changed into a business suit quickly, pulling her hair into a tight chignon, hoping she wouldn’t look as young as she felt. She wanted to be taken seriously and looking the part was the first goal. Talking the part was step two but she was so nervous, she was afraid she might stutter and look ridiculous as she answered questions.

Dharran was sitting at the table, reading a newspaper and sipping coffee out of a delicate china cup as she stepped out of her room. As soon as she appeared, he stood up and held the chair for her. A waiter appeared instantly with a cup of coffee and Emma smiled her thanks.

Sitting down across from Dharran, she smiled nervously. “Good morning,” she said, as the first thing she could think of to break the silence.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. The bed was incredibly comfortable,” she said, then blushed.

“It would have been better if I was in it,” he said softly.

Emma couldn’t respond since the waiter came back in with a plate filled with cheesy eggs, ham, toast, fresh fruit, and place it in front of her.

“Goodness, I’m not sure if I can eat before today. I think I’m too nervous.”

“Have some protein, it will help you during the day. And think of me each time you get nervous.”

She laughed at that and shook her head. “That will make me even more nervous.”

“I know. And I’m working to resolve that.”

“How?”

“Marry me.”

Emma almost choked on her eggs with his statement. Coughing, she righted her food and took a sip of the ice water in front of her place, trying to get control once again.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I want you to be my wife.”

Her mouth dropped open and she tried to concentrate, but words failed her.”

“Marry you?”

“Yes. I want you in my bed badly enough. We should suit perfectly. You’re generous spirit and beauty will win over my people. We could accomplish great things together.”

Emma’s heart sank and she had to look away. “You want to marry me because we’d look good together.”

“You’re a beautiful woman but there’s much more to you than you’re looks. I want the whole package as my wife. Is something wrong with that?”

She pushed her eggs away, angry now. “Nothing is wrong if that’s the way you feel. I need to get my things together. My first meeting is in twenty minutes.”

She stood up and started walking away, but he stopped her by grabbing her arm. He looked down into her fiery eyes. “You’re angry with me,” he said, obviously stunned by her reaction.

Emma didn’t bother to deny it. “You certainly pull the emotions out of me,” she snapped. “Let go of my arm. I need to go.”

He pulled her closer instead of releasing her. Emma was trapped by the steel of his arms so she stood still in his arms, but turned her head away when he bent down to kiss her. Instead of kissing her mouth as he’d originally intended, his lips touched her neck, her ear, nibbling along the sensitive skin and causing a shiver to explode in her body. She didn’t want to react, but this man just seemed to know exactly where and how to touch her.