The Sheikh's Island (Sheikh's Wedding Bet Series Book 4) (5 page)

“Wynifred,” he murmured as he slowly moved his hands down her body.

When he molded his palms around her ass, she gasped and stepped back. Cold air rushed between them, and just like that, the spell was broken. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

“What do you mean?”

The fancy dinner. The roses. The music and dancing. This isn’t about talking. Are you trying to seduce me?”

Stepping back, he squared his shoulders and glared at her. “First of all, I didn’t plan any of this. This was all Haris’ doing. Obviously he’s trying to seduce you.”

“He’s not the one here dancing with me,” she snapped. Her cheeks colored. “Kissing me.”

“Were you not enjoying it?”

“That is not the point, Rameez. We were supposed to talk. You say that your mother is important to you, but you’re treating this like a joke. I could help you. I think deep down, you know that. But instead of actually trying to work on this, you take pleasure in humiliating your cousin and doing whatever possible to avoid actually working with me.”

“Not everything, habibti,” he said in a silky voice. “Maybe if I get a few more things out of my system, I’ll be ready to talk to you.”

He knew he’d stepped over the line, but his pride wouldn't let him stop her as she stepped back and stared at him with a look of pain on her face.

“Food is here,” he said quietly as the waiter walked towards them with the tray of food.

“Funny, I’m not hungry anymore,” she muttered as she stalked across to the table and grabbed her purse. “You want to paint Haris as the bad man in this feud of yours? Maybe you should take a good hard look in the mirror.”

“You’re not allowed to take sides,” he called out to her as she walked away, but she didn’t even slow down.

“Sir,” the waiter asked hesitantly.

Rameez turned to look at the table. The flames from the candles had died out in the breeze, and the rose petals were scattered. The musicians continued to play, but for some reason, it didn’t seem magical anymore.

“Change of plans,” he said with a sigh. “Pack it up to go, please.”

“Of course.” The waiter bowed his head and turned with the tray to head back into the restaurant. Rameez didn’t even bother to wait as he tossed some money on the table and stalked out.

He had no idea what his intentions were when he’d asked her out, but he recognized the guilt that had settled in his stomach. Was he pushing her away because he didn’t respect her ideals? Or was he pushing her away because he didn’t like his gut reaction to her?

Not that it mattered. She’d probably pack her bags and head out as soon as she got to the hotel. He’d never have to worry about her again.

H
aris leaned back
at his desk and closed his eyes in an attempt to get rid of the headache that throbbed behind his eyes. Squeezing the bridge of his nose, he tried to clear his mind. There was too much going on. One side was Rameez, arguing that the feud was his fault and demanding that it stop. On the other was Anton, pressuring him for the island. And in the middle was Wynifred.

Thinking of the beautiful woman did nothing to ease his anxiety. It was important that she be on his side, but no matter how hard he tried, she kept him at arm’s length. He couldn’t help but obsess what went on with her and Rameez at dinner the other night. Did they keep things professional? What must they have thought of the plans he had made at the restaurant?

Was Rameez once again trying to take something that Haris wanted?

He’d tried calling her, but she didn’t pick up. Work wasn’t making anything easier. He had a merger that he needed to push through, but the other company was resisting the new terms. The paperwork piled up on his desk, but his personal life kept getting in the way.

“Mr. Molamid? There’s a Mr. Negatin here to see you?”

Immediately straightening, he pushed the speaker button on his phone. “What did you say?” he hissed. “Never mind. Send him in.”

Sweat collected at his shirt collar, and his hands shook. Squeezing his fists, he tried to release some energy so he didn’t look so nervous when the man walked in. Rather than standing to greet Anton, Haris glared at him.

“What the hell are you doing? I work here!” he growled. Anton intimidated him, but Haris still fought to stay in control of the situation but it looked as though Anton had the upper hand showing up like this.

“I think you know exactly what I’m doing here,” Anton said easily as he sat down and smirked.

Haris hastened to close the door and exhaled slowly. “Rameez isn’t going to give me the island, no matter what bait I dangle in front of him. He’ll withhold it because I’m the one asking for it. That’s the kind of person that he is. I don’t understand why you want it so badly. There are plenty of properties for sale that are more developed, and you’ve got plenty of money.”

“My interest in Murharraq Island is none of your business. I don’t care how you get it, but if you don’t, you’re going to be sorry.”

“Are you threatening me?” Haris asked angrily.

“It was a reminder, but if a threat will better motivate you, I can guarantee that I’m not above hurting the people that you love to get what I want.”

Slumping his shoulders, Haris shook his head. “In case you haven’t noticed, there’s no one left that I love.”

Anton chuckled. “I think you’re underestimating your feelings for your aunt and your cousin. Not to mention that delicious little mediator of yours seems to have captivated your attention. Maybe I’ll start with her and leave your family for last.”

Haris wanted to snap back, but he held his tongue. Anton was a dangerous man. He wouldn’t hesitate to make good on his threats. “Get out,” he said softly. “I’ll get you what you want, but you have to give me time. Otherwise the only way you’ll get the island is to kill us all.”

Standing, Anton smirked. “That won’t be a problem for me.” He walked past Haris and gave him a cool smile before throwing open the door and exiting. Shaking with fear, Haris closed the door and sank back into his chair behind his desk.

“What have I done?” he whispered to himself. He should have never gotten involved with that man. It was foolish of him to think that he could control Anton, and now he’d put everyone in danger.

He had to get Rameez to give him that island.

Determined, he grabbed the phone and dialed Wynifred’s number. It went to voicemail. “Wynifred? It’s Haris. I thought maybe we’d try to meet again. I know Rameez and I are continually at odds, but I think if I have better control of my temper, he’ll have better control of his. Don’t give up on us yet. Please.”

Hanging up, he blew out his breath and shook his head. He’d only meant to hire Wynifred to get what he wanted, but now she might be their only hope.

* * *

R
ameez focused
on staying calm as he waited. His body was wired, and he wanted to pace, but he didn’t want Wynifred or Haris to know that he was bothered. Ever since dinner with Wynifred, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He still remembered the way she had felt in his arms. The way her body had matched perfectly with his when they danced. It had rocked him to the core.

He finally saw her taxi pull up and straightened. It was a good thing that she showed up before Haris. He really wanted to fix this whole mess.

Wynifred averted her eyes when she approached him. “I’m glad you decided to join us,” she muttered as she turned her head.

Crossing his arms, he smirked. “Did we really have to meet here?”

“The Gardens are a perfect place to talk. It’s quiet, calming, and there’s no way you two can compete over anything.”

She still didn’t meet his eyes. “Wynifred. This talk isn’t going to work if you don’t look at me.”

“You’re right.” Meeting his gaze, she drew herself up to her full height. “The last time we saw each other, I wasn’t very professional, and for that, I apologize. From here on out, we’ll simply forget the whole thing ever happened.”

A dull ache spread in his chest, and he grimaced. “That’s not quite how I imagined this conversation going. Wynifred…”

Haris’ car pulled up, and she shook her head. “There’s nothing else to discuss, Rameez. My job here is to make sure this feud ends. Whatever happened the other night, whatever we think could have happened, doesn’t matter.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Besides, you’re not my type.”

“What is your type?” he asked quietly.

“Someone who believes in love.”

Anger swelled in him, but before he could respond, Haris joined them. His cousin looked skeptically at the entrance and shook his head. “Really? Here?”

“You two are more alike than you’ll admit,” Wynifred said in a disgusted tone. “Come on. I already have your tickets. We are going to have a calm discussion about things while we walk through the peaceful and public gardens. So keep your tempers in check and remember the end goal.”

Rameez shared a look with Haris, but they took their tickets and followed her in. The Gardens was one of the most beautiful places in the city, but it was usually deserted. There were school tours that came, and the weeks after school let out were always popular, but here, in the middle of the day, only the die-hard fans walked around the space.

Plants from all over the world grew in the huge greenhouse, and the path continued out the building and into acres of carefully maintained grounds. Butterflies fluttered through the area, and a creek meandered through the lush greenery. A small waterfall filled the place with sounds of rushing water, and the sound system played different sounds of birds chirping and rain falling. It was a place of peace. An oasis in the middle of sand.

“Last time we were together, you two couldn’t control that competitive streak in you. Let’s talk about why it’s so important for you two to outdo each other. There’s no one here to impress, so let’s be open and honest with each other.”

“Sure. Let’s be open and honest with each other, Wynifred,” Rameez said hotly.

“Haris,” she interrupted. “Let’s start with you.”

Instead of talking, Haris narrowed his eyes and studied them. “Is there something going on here that I’m not aware of?” he asked darkly.

“No,” Wynifred said quickly. “There isn’t.”

“Really?” Haris stopped and folded his arms. “Because it sure seems like there’s tension between you two. I’d hate to think that this isn’t strictly professional.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” she said softly, but she looked directly at Rameez, and he felt his throat tighten. There was something there, something between them, but he had no idea what to do about it.

Turning, she continued to lead them into the gardens. “We were talking about your competitive nature,” she said over her shoulder, not bothering to wait to see if they would follow.

“Right. Rameez was always a show-off when we were kids. Daring other people to do things and mocking them when they were too smart to fall for it. Always trying to be the best.”

“I wasn’t trying to be the best,” Rameez snorted. “I was the best. And you were always following me around like a damn puppy. It wasn’t my fault that you thought you could beat me.”

“Beat you?” Haris argued loudly.

“Calm conversation,” Wynifred interjected quickly. “We’re talking about the past, and we’re not going to let our tempers get the best of us over things that have already happened.”

“Fine. I wasn’t trying to beat you,” Haris hissed. Rameez lifted an eyebrow and waited for his cousin to continue. “I looked up to you. I wanted to be like you.”

“Some things haven’t changed,” Rameez chuckled.

“No. They haven’t. You’re still a horse’s ass.”

It didn’t upset him. Instead, Rameez couldn’t help but feel a little fond of his cousin as he remembered the way Haris had followed him around. There was a time when he had enjoyed his cousin’s company. For the first time in a long time, he couldn’t help but wonder what did go wrong between them.

“Well, I had a reputation to live up to,” Rameez said easily.

“Do you feel like you still have a reputation to live up to?” Wynifred asked. Her voice was tight, and he cast her a curious look. It was obvious that she was angry with him, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t suppress it.

“No,” he said tersely. “But I think some people might have the wrong impression about me.”

“What other impression..." She stopped and shook her head. “What I mean is that you were obviously trying to best Haris the other day on the boat. What do you think drove you to that?”

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her the truth. He wanted to look good in her eyes, but he knew that wasn’t the answer that she wanted to hear, and it certainly wasn’t something that he wanted to admit to yet. “Wynifred, I’m not sure if you realize this, but it’s fairly common for men to compete with each other. It’s in our nature. There’s nothing to dig up. Haris is competitive. I’m competitive. Men
are
competitive.”

“I think I’m inclined to agree,” Haris said mildly.

Wynifred spun around and crossed her arms. “Well, at least you two are agreeing on something,” she grumbled. "That doesn't solve the bigger problem, though. You two aren't simply engaging in friendly competition. You let your tempers flare, and suddenly nothing is more important than besting each other. Can't you see how that's hurting you? How that could hurt other people?"

"What other people?" Rameez growled suddenly. "If other people are getting hurt, it's because they're sticking their nose in places they don't belong."

"Maybe they care about you!" she shot back.

Haris stepped between them and shook his head in bewilderment. "Does someone want to tell me what's going on?"

Rameez felt the heat of Wynifred’s anger, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. He didn't really understand the source of her rage, and he certainly wasn't going to say anything to her with Haris standing right there. "Nothing. Ms. Fellows and I don't seem to see eye to eye," he said smoothly.

She narrowed her eyes but didn't disagree. Instead, she turned her head in disgust and marched farther into the gardens. He didn't know who was supposed to be relaxing here, but it clearly wasn't doing anything for her.

He had no idea what to do, but he couldn't stand the idea of her being so angry. She was like a breath of fresh air, and he was making her stagnant. The best thing he could do for her was leave her alone, get this whole thing over with, and let her go so she could return to her life.

Even if the thought of her leaving upset him.