Claimed by the Sheikh by Rachael Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

walked around the car to her, his greeting rasping her already jittery nerves. Where was Kazim? Was he so sure she’d go back with him that he hadn’t even considered it necessary to fetch her personally?
    For a moment she wanted to bolt back inside the flat. If he couldn’t be bothered to greet her himself why was she even thinking of going with him? Did he assume he could just pack her up like a parcel and send her back to the desert?
    The driver took her bag and opened the back door of the car. Apprehension skittered over her as she stepped into the spacious interior. But it was already occupied. A startled gasp escaped her before she had a chance of regaining composure as Kazim sat, full of regal command, watching her.
    Calm, completely sure of himself and devilishly handsome, he sat and watched her as she froze, unable to sit or turn back. She could see the question in his eyes and wondered if he sensed the turmoil racing through her at top speed. Warily, she sat opposite him, not daring to get too close to the commanding presence that radiated from him and was sapping her strength.
    Nerves mixed with anxiety, making her irrationally angry. He hadn’t bothered to get out of the car, much less speak to her. She shot him a glare. ‘You could at least say good morning.’
    He smiled. A slow sexy smile that deepened his eyes to the colour of the midnight sky. He was far too sure of himself. ‘If it makes you feel better, I will. Good morning, Amber.’ His voice sounded deeper, more intense than she had ever noticed before. ‘It is, however, not long since we parted.’
    She refused to rise further to the bait and focused instead on the streets of Paris, the daily life she’d found so entertaining beginning around them. As the car moved silently, like a predator stealing her away, she glanced up at the magnificent buildings. Then the chic cafés that she’d always promised herself she’d visit passed before her, teasing her with all she hadn’t yet done.
    It didn’t seem possible that this man had managed to turn her life upside down again. Worse still was the fact that she’d given him all the ammunition he’d needed, by telling him about Claude. He wouldn’t have had any kind of lever if she’d said nothing. She should have just refused to go back with him. Insisted on a divorce.
    â€˜Not long enough,’ she said quickly, her tone flippant. ‘I just wish our next meeting had been for the purpose it should have been for—to arrange a divorce.’ She turned to look at his face and tried not to pay any attention to the way her body reacted to being so close to him. Those childish dreams of passion and happy endings needed to be stamped out once and for all—and quickly.
    â€˜Things have changed.’ He leant forward in the seat, coming too close to her, serving only to increase her irritation. His heady aftershave, potent within the confines of the car, caused her heartbeat to accelerate rapidly. She couldn’t allow him to affect her like this, to turn her insides to molten lava with just a look. She had to maintain control.
    â€˜It’s you who came to find me, Kazim. It’s
you
who needs
me
.’ She injected a steely edge into her voice, wondering why she’d ever agreed to his demands—but instantly reminded herself of Claude. This could be his only chance to get the treatment he needed. So, for Claude, she would go. She would protect her foolish heart and keep her distance from Kazim. It was the only option she could see right now.
    He sat back, the movement drawing her from her thoughts, and she watched as he reached inside his jacket pocket for his phone. What was wrong with him? He couldn’t even give her his full attention.
    â€˜No, Amber, it is you who needs me. You want funds for the child’s operation and, deep down, you must want to please your family, to build bridges. You need this