The Sheikh's Second Chance Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 5) by Cara Albany Read Free Book Online

her glass down on the marble balustrade and rested her hands on the cool stone. She realized she was relieved to be away from the hubbub of the reception. Mia was the real center of attention and not the strange American woman who must seem so out of place. Because that was what Lana felt like. Like a fish out of water.
    Malik moved slightly closer to Lana, laying one of his hands next to hers on the balustrade.
    "This is a very beautiful place," she said.
    "The whole kingdom is wonderful," he replied.  
    "You must be so proud of your brother," Lana said.
    Malik's brows furrowed. "Why is that?" he said looking at Lana.
    Lana squinted at Malik. "I mean, with his upcoming marriage. It's such an important thing, don't you agree?"
    Malik turned and gazed out across the garden. He paused for a few moments and then spoke in a flat tone. "I suppose marriage is good for some people."
    Lana frowned at Malik trying to catch his attention, but he continued to stare resolutely out across the garden. "But not for everyone?" she asked.
    Lana saw Malik's lips tighten into a thin line. Was he smiling? Was he being sarcastic?
    "I guess it has its advantages," he said evenly. "It depends on the people involved. Everyone has their reasons for marrying."
    "That sounds cynical," Lana said.
    Malik nodded. "Perhaps it does." He turned and looked at Lana and there was a curious expression in his eyes that she couldn't quite fathom. "But, marriage is usually about mutual gain."
    Lana's body stiffened. "What about love?"
    The word sounded so strange on her lips and the moment she had uttered it she immediately regretted using such language. She saw Malik's reaction, saw the effect on him. He looked suddenly more pensive, more thoughtful. The hardness of a moment before had disappeared.
    "What about it?" he asked. He leaned an elbow against the balustrade and studied Lana, waiting on her response.
    "If there's no love, then people shouldn't marry," Lana declared.
    "Not even if there are other considerations?" Malik asked.
    "Like what?"
    He shrugged. "Convenience? Necessity?"
    Lana frowned. "Are you suggesting that Mia is marrying Rafiq for some reason other than love?"
    Malik shook his head. "I can see that my dear brother is very much in love. And it's plain that Mia loves Rafiq, too. But, they are an exception."
    "How so?" Lana asked.
    Malik sighed. He gazed out across the garden and it seemed to Lana that his mind had drifted to somewhere very different, to some place where memories stung him with barely hidden pain. There was so much she didn't know about Malik. Mia had hinted that Malik was a playboy, that he had a "reputation" as Mia had described it. Lana didn't really know what that meant in Malik's case, but she guessed that a handsome, powerful man with his wealth and privilege might lead a life that Lana could barely imagine.
    After a few moments, he turned and peered at Lana. "I've seen too much to really believe that true love even exists. The world is full of people who merely seek out their own selfish interests."
    The statement startled Lana. If she was honest, it was actually a shocking statement. He didn't believe in love? How could someone like him say such a thing?
    "Are you telling me that you don't think true love exists?" Lana asked, trying to contain the incredulity in her voice.
    Malik shrugged. "I don't think it's such a shocking thing to say."
    Lana exhaled. "I don't think life is worth living if there's no love."
    Malik's eyes narrowed. "Really?"
    Lana nodded. "I only have to see how happy Mia is to be convinced that love is everything."
    "More important than money and wealth?"
    Lana scowled at Malik. "Of course, it's more important than those things. Plenty of poor people fall in love and live happily ever after."
    She saw his jaw tighten and there was a hint of mischievousness in his eyes. "You'd be surprised at how many people I've known who would laugh at such a view of life."
    "I don't care about those kinds of people.