The Sheikh's Island (Sheikh's Wedding Bet Series Book 4) (11 page)

"Are you going to stay?"

With a chuckle, she lifted her head and rested her chin on his chest. "Are you going to wait for me?"

"Until I'm old and withered," he promised her.

She grinned and raised herself up on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. He wouldn't have to wait long for her. She’d be back once she fulfilled her obligations to her publisher. Her heart was with him.

"
Y
ou're late
," Haris growled over the phone. "She's going to kill you."

"I know," Rameez muttered. "There was something I had to do first. I'm pulling into the driveway now." Disconnecting the call, he grabbed the present and bolted from the car. Everyone was already seated and stirring in the backyard. Their heads turned as he hurried down the aisle. Haris had his arms crossed and glared at him.

Ignoring his cousin, Rameez stopped at the first row of chairs and bent down to kiss his mother's cheek. They were much rosier than they had been, and she'd even gained some weight. She looked stunning in her traditional blue gown and jewels. "Mother," he said in a low voice.

"I did not raise you to keep us waiting like this," she said softly, but there was a twinkle in her eye. "You look so handsome."

Bending down, he put the present in her lap. "Can you hold on to this for me? I didn't think it would take me so long to get ahold of it. Keep it safe for me until after the ceremony."

She raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"A present," he said vaguely as he winked at her. Joining his cousin, he adjusted his tuxedo and waited. Next to his mother sat the Khalidizack family. The Sheikh winked at him, and his sons smirked. He knew they were all happy to see him finally settle down.

The music began, and Rameez felt time stand still when his eyes landed on his beautiful bride. Her green dress hugged her hips and cascaded to the floor. She'd opted for something that showed off her creamy bare shoulders, and his mother's wedding necklace was nestled in her cleavage.

It wasn't only the dress that captivated him. She radiated with happiness. She would soon be his forever, and it had erased all the stress and worry lines that had gathered in her face. She knew that he would take care of her, that he would love her.

And he would. Everything in his life paled for this moment.

When they reached the front, Qaura took her bouquet and winked at Rameez. "You did good," she whispered.

Taking Wynifred’s hands, he tuned everything else out as the officiate began to speak. He'd already lost his heart to her, vowed to love and be faithful to her, promised to cherish her. He would have been just as happy signing a piece of paper, but the ceremony was for his mother.

When it was finally time, he gathered her in his arms and drew her close. "There's no escaping me now," he whispered.

"Shut up and kiss me," she giggled. As loud applause broke out in the crowd, he bent down and kissed her deeply. He lost all track of time until he felt someone tugging at his elbow.

"Come on cousin. You have to let her breathe. Besides, there's a party to attend," Haris said loudly.

The guests were already standing and cheering. His mother wiped the tears from her cheeks with a tissue, and the Sheikh held out his arm to escort her out.

"Ready to start the rest of our life together?" he whispered in Wynifred’s ear.

She intertwined her fingers in his and nodded. Squeezing her hand, he led his wife out.

His wife.

How did he get so lucky?

* * *

T
he party was finally dying
down. Rameez had snuck off with Haris and the Khalidizack men, and Wynifred had no doubt that they were talking about Anton Negatin. The slippery man had escaped once again, and she knew that Rameez wasn't going to stop until the man was behind bars.

Or dead.

Pushing the unpleasant thought away, she focused and smiled as Qaura joined her. "I'm not sure I actually recognize you without your husband by your side," she teased. "I don't even think he's stopped touching you since the ceremony."

Wynifred blushed and smiled. "You're one to talk. Don't think I didn't see that dance between you and Haris."

Qaura waved her hand. "I think he feels bad for everything that he's done."

"Then he would be dancing with Rameez," Wynifred said dryly. "He's smitten with you Qaura. Surely you can see that."

“He hasn’t said anything to me,” Qaura said wistfully. “We both know that he knows how I feel about him. How I’ve always felt about him. If he loved me in return, he would tell me.”

“Qaura, when we were in danger, you were the one he protected. He loves you. You need to give him some time. Everything is different now. He and Rameez are trying to put the past behind them. Haris is trying to come to terms with his mistakes. I think he’s still trying to understand how he feels about you. I don’t think he’s ever been in love before.”

Qaura blushed. ”Maybe you’re right. Well, I’ve been patient this long. A little more time won’t hurt me.”

“So you’re going to stick around?”

“I think I am. It's been so long since I've been home, and it's been so much fun to catch up with everyone. I can't believe all three Khalidizack brothers are married. I never thought that would happen. Of course, I never thought Rameez would marry either. Speaking of marriage, your husband is heading this way, and he has lust in his eyes. I think it's probably time the rest of us depart." She leaned over and kissed Wynifred on the cheek. "I'm so blessed to be able to call you my friend."

Wynifred was about to thank the woman for all she had done, but an arm snuck around her and pulled her back. As she pressed against Rameez, his heat wrapped around her, and she squirmed in his arms.

"I was starting to think we'd never be alone," he growled in her ear. "If we have to stay too much longer, I'm going to have my way with you in the corner."

"Rameez!" she protested with laughter. "This day is special. It's supposed to last long."

She turned in his arms, and he bent down and kissed her. "Happy?"

"Very."

"Good. I've got a surprise for you."

Before she could react, he grabbed her hand and began to pull her across the room. "A surprise? Rameez, where are we going?"

He led her up the spiral staircase and down the hall to the French doors that led out to the balcony. The setting sun sparkled in brilliant hues of orange and red as it reflected over the crystal waters. In the distance, Wynifred could see a boat and Murharraq Island.

"The view is beautiful, but I have seen it before," she teased him.

He growled and leaned down to nibble on her bottom lip. "Woman, you are going to be the death of me."

Laughing, she pulled away from him and put both hands on the railing. He placed his arms around her again, only this time he had a wrapped box in his hands. Curious, she glanced up at him. "You really did get me a present?"

"Open it."

Sliding her finger under the ribbon, she gently pulled the ribbon off and opened the box. Nestled inside the tissue paper was something she certainly didn't expect. "You got me a pair of binoculars?"

"I did."

There was something strange in his voice, and she blinked. "Is it supposed to symbolize something?"

With a wry grin, he took the box from her. "Take a look," he said as he held them up.

Peering through the glass, she adjusted the focus until she could see the island. The developers were already at work, and the island was covered with heavy machinery. Rameez guided her head to the west, and her gaze settled on the yacht in the distance.

Love Solves All.

Gasping, Wynifred pulled away. "Rameez!" she said breathlessly. There were absolutely no words.

"Wynifred, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met, and I know that you've had qualms about the book. You shouldn't. You have a message that the whole world needs to hear, and I'm going to make sure it does just that. Haris is going to keep an eye on the island for me, and we are going on a world book tour. You deserve your success, and I'm not going to hold you back."

Tears of joy blurred her eyes, and she reached up to pull him down for a kiss. She still couldn't believe that this amazing man was hers. "I love you so much. Thank you," she whispered. "I actually have plans for a second book."

"Really?" he asked softly as he rested her head on his chest. "And what's this one going to be called?"

"
Relationships Need Some Work, Too,"
she admitted with a smile.

Laughter rumbled in his chest. "That's a long title."

"It's a work in progress."

When she'd written the book, she believed in something that she'd never actually felt before. Now that she knew love, she wanted to help the world see how truly powerful love could be.

Even if it did require a little bit of work.

“
C
ome on
, Erin. Help me out here, just this once. It’s not like you have anything else going on tonight.”

Erin Malone watched her cousin, trying not to let the accuracy of her words cut like a knife.
No. She didn’t have anything else going on tonight – or any other night in recent memory.
Swallowing back the sarcastic retort that sprang to her lips, she stared at Shira, her wayward cousin whose social calendar didn’t know the meaning of a ‘night off.’

When Shira continued to smile at her, bat her eyelashes, and give her a knowing grin, Erin couldn’t help the smile that reluctantly pulled at her mouth.
What the hell! She probably owed herself a night of decadence and indulgence anyway.

Shira’s grin grew as Erin began to nod her head, “I knew you’d agree!”

“Hold on a minute,” Erin said, “I haven’t agreed to anything yet. Tell me what this party is for again?”

She watched as her cousin rubbed her hands together in glee. Shira was the assistant marketing director for a large advertising firm and tonight they were celebrating having landed the most sought after commercial contract in their history – Jewel Oil. Her firm had been after the contract for almost a year, and just this afternoon, the final contracts had been signed and now it was time to celebrate.

“I already told you, we’re celebrating winning the Jewel Oil contract.”

Erin nodded, “I heard that part. Tell me again why you need my help.”

Looking at her cousin, she was proud of the fine young woman she had become. After having lost both of her parents in a house fire when she was only ten, Erin’s parents had welcomed her into their home. Shira had been like a younger sister before, and as she grew into a teenager, they had become best friends.

Only four years older than Shira, their bond never wavered after Erin left for college. When Shira graduated and started college, Erin had been in her second year of law school, and living on her own. She had insisted that Shira share her small condo with her and the two women had kept the arrangement for the last five years.

“I need you to be my wing-woman tonight.”

Erin watched her cousin for a moment, wondering at the uncertainty she could see lingering in her eyes. Shira was the most confident woman Erin knew, and though she wouldn’t admit it, she was often jealous of the ease with which she interacted with men. Seeing the apparent crack in her confidence was foreign in Erin’s experience.

“What’s happened?” she demanded, willing and eager to come to her cousin’s rescue.

Shira shook her head, “Nothing. That’s the problem. The execs from Jewel have been over here so many times in the last few months, and even though I’ve made it known I would gladly accept Kale’s advances, he’s keeping me at arm’s length. With the contracts signed, I don’t know how many more opportunities I may get to see him.”

“Who’s Kale?”

“Kale is one of the execs from Jawhara. I’m not sure exactly what his connection is to their leadership, but he’s always got at least two bodyguards with him. Although, several of the men traveling with their group this time around have personal bodyguards. Maybe that’s the custom over there, I don’t know.”

“So what, you expect me to help you get this guy alone – away from his henchmen?”

Shira shook her head, “No. Nothing like that. I just need you to be there. Maybe you could figure out why he’s playing this cat and mouse game with me. I’m missing something; I just can’t figure it out.”

She sounded so miserable; Erin knew that she would end up going with her this evening. “Is he married?”

“No!” she exclaimed, and then added, “I did check that out. He’s not married and according to the rumors, he doesn’t even have a steady girlfriend.”

“Well, don’t worry about it. Doll yourself up and stay focused tonight. I’ll come and help out however you need me.”

Shira smiled before jumping up from the couch where she had been sitting, “Great. I’ve got to get ready. Hey, we’re at the Whittemore.”

Erin raised an eyebrow at that, “Really? Damon and Rick must really want to celebrate to have dished out that kind of money.”

Shira giggled, “Well, I think Jewel Oil is picking up the tab, at least for part of it anyway. I overheard Kale talking with Rick earlier, and they’ve rented out the entire facility.”

“Wow.” Erin had to admit she was impressed. Whittemore House was an old historic mansion; located only a block from the White House. The rooms had been restored and were now rented out as meeting rooms, banquet rooms, or for private parties. Erin hadn’t been inside the building since she toured it in high school, but she remembered being impressed by the interior décor.

Shira nodded as she backed towards her room, “Yeah. Wait until you see the entourage from Jawhara. Kale may be gorgeous, but his countrymen aren’t that hard on the eyes either. Who knows, maybe someone will catch your eye tonight. You’re due for some fun.”

Shooing her away, Erin headed for her own room, deciding she might as well make the best of the evening.
How long had it been since she had done anything for fun? Just for herself? Six months? A year? Had she allowed herself to have fun since the incident with Steven?

Shaking her head at where her thoughts had been headed, she mentally closed that door and headed for the shower. Maybe she would take Shira’s advice and see if she couldn’t catch the eye of a nice looking foreigner tonight. A little flirtation; exchange a few kisses and hugs. She gave her reflection in the bathroom mirror a self-deprecating smile as her libido jumped to attention.

Erin had locked it away more than a year ago – when she had to find out through social media that her fiancé had been seeing someone else on the side for more than two years. Luckily, they had yet to discuss marriage, let alone make plans, but the betrayal still hurt. After the incident that had brought her dreams crashing to the ground, Erin immersed herself in work, stuffing away any ideas of relationships and the concept of a bit of fun had her libido anxious to come out and play again.

Well, maybe she would loosen up and play this evening. It wasn’t as if she was going to find Prince Charming running around DC anytime soon. He
was
out there somewhere; and while she knew that he existed, she also knew that her chances of finding him in a city full of visiting dignitaries and tourists were slim.

Tonight would be about fun. Nothing more. Nothing less. She would spend the evening flirting with men she would never see again, and tomorrow she would pick her boring little life back up again.

Erin Malone knew how to have a good time, and that’s exactly what she intended to do.