The Sheikh's Forbidden Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 1) (2 page)

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Stirling. Or may I call you Chloe?"

Zayed saw her eyelashes flicker. The hesitation told him she was finding the subterfuge as difficult to maintain as he was. Zayed glanced at Wilder and knew that the man was entirely ignorant of the fact that Zayed and Chloe were already acquainted.

"That would be fine," Chloe said, finally freeing her hand from his tender grasp. Zayed saw her reach up and shift the length of her cascading blonde hair away from the front of her shoulder. It was a simple gesture that made his chest tighten even more. He had to maintain his composure, but it was proving difficult.

"How was your flight?" Zayed forced himself to ask Wilder.

Wilder rolled his eyes. "Long. But worth it. We can hardly wait to get started. That's right, isn't it Chloe?"

Zayed saw that Chloe's attention was briefly on something other than Wilder's words. Zayed saw Chloe's eyes flicker briefly up and down his tall figure. Zayed felt a brief rush of pleasure knowing that she was examining him, scrutinizing him. He was sure he could see approval in her eyes. She would see changes in him. But, she had hardly changed. She looked as beautiful, as stunningly gorgeous as ever.

"Chloe? I said we're looking forward to getting to work," Wilder reiterated.

Zayed saw a flush of color appear on her pale cheeks. "Uh? Oh, yes. That's right," Chloe said. Zayed saw her drag her gaze away from him. It didn't look as if it was easy for her to do that. Maybe he'd been wrong in his assessment of Chloe. Maybe she still felt something for Zayed. Maybe he'd been wrong after all.
 

The idea of bringing her to Qazhar had taken so long to see through to its conclusion. He'd pulled every string imaginable; called in favors with everyone he knew back in Hollywood. Wilder was the typical Hollywood type. Zayed had met many like him over the years. Wilder was ambitious and after one thing. Permission to film his latest movie in Qazhar. And as Head of Cultural Affairs for Qazhar, Zayed was the only person who could give Wilder what he wanted.

Zayed was happy to give Wilder the permission. Provided Zayed had the chance to get what he wanted in return.

The opportunity to bring Chloe back into his life, once and for all.

"There's so much we'd like to see," Chloe said. "I've done some preliminary research and I've isolated a few locations we're particularly interested in."

Zayed smiled. "It must be a fascinating job, Chloe. Travelling the world. Scouting for movie locations. How did you choose that as a profession?"

Zayed saw Chloe's eyes narrow. "I've always wanted to work in the movie business. And I have an eye for detail. Or, so I've been told. I've always been interested in photography. It just seemed like a perfect fit."

"And it is," Wilder said. "Chloe's amazing. For our last movie, we needed a setting that looked like the Amazon jungle and she found these amazing locations in the Philippines. At a fraction of the cost, too," Wilder said with a smile.

"But I like things to be authentic," Chloe said. "A location has to look as real as possible. We have to stay true to the spirit of the script."

"Ah, yes. The script," Zayed said. "It's good that you brought that up. There are some issues with the script which you presented to us."

Zayed saw Wilder's brows narrow. "Really?" Wilder asked. "I thought we already had some approval on that."

Zayed shrugged. "We do approve of the script as it stands. But there are some cultural sensitivities which we might have to discuss."

Wilder glanced at Chloe. Zayed saw Chloe's mouth tighten and there was a brief, unspoken communication between herself and her boss.

"What kind of sensitivities?" Wilder asked.

"Let us say that not everyone in Qazhar is pleased with the prospect of an American film company working in the kingdom."

"I thought all of that had been discussed with the studio?" Wilder asked.

"Oh, it has. And we do have broad agreement. But there may have to be some changes."

Zayed saw Wilder frown. "Changes to the script?"

Zayed knew from his experience in Hollywood that the one thing a producer hated more than anything was making changes to a script.
 

"Not the script," Zayed said. "Having discussed it with some of my colleagues there is a feeling that certain locations may not be as suitable as first thought."

"What's wrong with the initial choices?" Chloe asked.

Zayed drew himself up and peered into Chloe's eyes, wanting to sink into their depths. "I know your department made some initial suggestions for locations. But, they have proved to be impractical, for a variety of reasons."

Chloe glanced at Wilder. Zayed could see that this was only bad news for the two of them. He imagined the amount of preparation which had already gone into provisional location choices. The movie business was all about planning and making the best possible movie for the least amount of money. At least that was the case with the kinds of movies that were Andrew Wilder's specialities. Big budget extravaganzas with action and romance.

Zayed glanced down at Chloe. She was as beautiful as he'd remembered. The truth was, her image had been burned into his mind for the last few years. There hadn't been a night when he hadn't struggled with the pain of being apart from her. The memories of their time together were etched in his mind, branded upon his soul.
 

Nothing he had done since he'd last seen her had been able to remove those passionate impressions. No amount of work; none of the casual encounters with other women had made one bit of difference. Chloe Stirling was still a part of him. She always would be.

If everything went according to the plan.

"Are you saying that we can't film here?" Wilder demanded.

Zayed shook his head. "Not at all. Merely that there has been a change of plans."

Chloe looked up at Zayed. "What kind of change?"

There was still something undeniably attractive about the way that she lifted her chin with that same familiar defiance. Zayed looked at Chloe accepting the challenge in her gaze, welcoming the brief connection, savoring the rebellion on her features.

"Necessary changes," he declared slowly.

Both Chloe and Wilder sighed impatiently.
 

"Are you saying we came all this way for you to tell us that the movie can't go ahead?" Wilder demanded.

"I'm not saying that at all," Zayed replied. "In fact, what I am about to suggest will result in you gaining access to even more unique locations which have never been used in any movie production."

Zayed saw Wilder's eyes light up."Can you tell me more?" Wilder asked.

 
"We can go into the details later," Zayed said. He turned and gestured to one of his brothers who was standing patiently behind him. "For the moment, may I introduce my brother Raz."

Zayed's brother stepped forward and welcomed Chloe and Wilder.

"Raz has agreed to be a liaison while you and Chloe are here in Qazhar."
 

Zayed looked at Wilder. "In fact Raz has some very important people he'd like you to meet. Isn't that right Raz?"

Right on cue, his brother nodded and agreed with Zayed's suggestion. Zayed felt Raz's agreement was a little too rapid to be entirely convincing. Raz never had been a convincing liar. Strictly speaking Raz wasn't lying, merely ensuring that Zayed would have Chloe all to himself. Zayed had only had a few seconds after seeing Chloe to instruct his younger brother to keep Wilder busy.
 

It was a necessary ruse that would allow Zayed to speak with Chloe.

Raz nodded. "That's right Mr. Wilder. If you'd like to accompany me, I have some people I'd like to introduce you to."

Wilder seemed surprised and opened his mouth as if to speak. Zayed interrupted him with a courteous offer of a hand. "It's a delight to see you, Andrew. We will talk later."

Momentarily caught off balance, Wilder glanced at Chloe.
 

"If I may, I'd like to speak with your location manager," Zayed said hurriedly. He saw Chloe's mouth open as if she were about to object. "I have a few details which she might find of professional interest," Zayed said.

Raz stepped forward and led Wilder away. Zayed saw Chloe look at her boss with what looked like an expression of mild panic. Did she find the prospect of being left alone with Zayed so objectionable? Zayed felt a momentary stab at his heart upon seeing those wide open eyes, that look of barely contained indignation on Chloe's face.

Zayed watched Raz lead Wilder into the throng of guests. A waiter with a tray offered champagne.

Zayed reached across and took Chloe's empty glass, placing it on the tray. "This champagne is exquisite," he said handing her a full glass and taking one for himself.
 

Zayed saw Chloe watch the departing waiter. Once he was gone, she looked straight into Zayed's eyes.

"How dare you!" she hissed, her voice low enough that not even the nearby guests could hear.

Suddenly there was fury in those eyes that peered up at Zayed. Her jaw was set firm and her lips were a tight line of barely contained wrath. Zayed could see her fingers tighten around the stem of the champagne glass. He feared she would break it.
 

He forced himself to smile at Chloe. It truly was a delight to see the real Chloe at last, the woman filled with passion and an inner heat that could hardly be cooled. He'd been right in his decision to bring her here. The fire was still there in her, burning as hot as the same fire within himself.

"How dare I?" he asked with a wry grin. "I'm the sheikh. I can do what I like."

Chloe glanced around apparently anxious not to make a scene in front of so many people. But, Zayed could see she was having difficulty containing her anger. Sometimes Zayed's natural inclination toward arrogance got the better of him. Maybe he shouldn't have been so cocky. But, a lifetime of getting his own way sometimes made it impossible to be modest.

Chloe took one step closer toward Zayed. He caught her scent, a heady mixture of lemons and her own sweet aroma. He inhaled deeply and saw that she had noticed his reaction.

"You can't do what you like with me," Chloe objected. "Not any more."

Zayed rolled his eyes. "I'm merely acting in my capacity as Head of Cultural Affairs."

"Is that the only affair you've been involved in since we last met?" Chloe challenged.

Zayed's mouth twisted into a sardonic sneer. "And you? Hollywood is full of the chaste and the pure, I suppose."

"What are you suggesting?" Chloe asked.

Zayed shrugged. "Nothing. Merely that it has been three years since we last met."

"A very long three years," Chloe explained.

Zayed nodded. "Indeed. A great deal could have happened during that time. We have some catching up to do."

Chloe frowned. "There is nothing to catch up with."

"Nothing? Are you sure?" Zayed asked peering into Chloe's beautiful eyes.

Chloe shook her head. "I am here to find locations for a movie. That's it. Nothing else."

"You're saying your visit here is merely professional."

"Exactly," Chloe said.

"Why don't I believe you?"

"You can believe me or not. That's entirely up to you. I'm here to help Andrew deliver the movie you and he have contracted with the studio."

Zayed quirked a brow at Chloe. "Is Andrew merely your boss? Or is there more to that than meets the eye."

Chloe gasped. "What are you suggesting?"

"Just that you and he seem very comfortable in each others presence."

"He's my boss. Nothing more. And quit trying to change the subject."

"What subject would that be?"

"The movie. The locations. That's the only reason I agreed to come to Qazhar."

Zayed moved closer and touched Chloe's bare arm. "The only reason? Surely you can't have forgotten the past. How we
 
once felt about each other."

Her skin felt soft and warm. He wanted to run his hand up along her arm, all the way up to her shoulder. He needed to slide his hand inside that tight strap and gently cup her breast. Zayed swallowed and gazed into Chloe's eyes. He saw that his touch had brought a halt to her tirade. Her lower lip was so moist. He felt his shoulders move down inexorably toward her. Chloe saw the movement and leaned back away from Zayed.

Chloe shook her arm loose. "Oh no! You're not going to do anything like that."

Zayed's eyes narrowed. "And what was I about to do?"

Chloe glanced at the nearby guests. "You'll just embarrass me if you try and kiss me."

Zayed's brows rose. "I was about to kiss you? Are you sure?" he said, teasing her with a curl of his lip.

Chloe nodded and drank some more champagne.

 
"Then, to avoid embarrassment perhaps you'd like to accompany me to the viewing gallery," Zayed said. He gestured toward the glass-walled partition that separated the guest area and the outside balcony. "We can continue our discussion without further embarrassment."

"I don't think so," Chloe said. She tried to twist away from Zayed.

"But your boss said we could discuss business," Zayed said grasping her elbow. He gestured toward the guests in the music-filled room. "This is hardly the place for such a discussion. In any case, I would like to show you my kingdom."

Zayed saw Chloe's mouth crease as if she were suddenly reminded of his power, his influence over the domain that lay thirty floors below them.

"Look, Zayed. Maybe it's time we got some things straight," Chloe declared.

He knew she was trying to convince him that she was determined to brush off his advances. Zayed saw the resolve in her gaze. She took one more sip of champagne and fixed him with a grim look.
 

Then, Chloe sighed and shook her head."Okay. If that's the way it has to be. Lead the way," she ordered him pointing toward the glass door.
 

Zayed smirked at her casual tone. He liked the way she'd spoken. It showed him that there was a spirit inside her that could be tamed. Something he would enjoy doing battle with, just as before.