AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Enough already,” she whispered. “Just let it go and get some sleep.”
Turning off the water, she dried herself off and grabbed a robe. Throwing her wet hair up in a hairband, she wiped the steam from the mirror and stared at herself.
Wet. Naked. Vulnerable. It was so much easier to hide from life when she was miles in the air. Here, in the bathroom, everything felt exposed.
Slowly opening the door, she peered out. Jarik had closed himself off in the bedroom. Breathing a sigh of relief, she skipped over to the couch to grab her pajamas and hurriedly stepped into the sweatpants and sweatshirt. Hanging the robe back up, she lay down on the couch and closed her eyes. Despite everything that had happened, she still had adrenaline pumping through her veins.
When the bedroom door opened, Maria was still wide-awake, but she kept her eyes screwed shut. Even in the dark, she could feel Jarik staring at her.
“Goodnight, Maria,” he whispered. Something heavy fell across her body, and she heard him shuffle back into the bedroom and shut the door. Opening her eyes, she lifted her head to see the heavy blanket lying across her.
Warm and comforted, Maria finally fell asleep with a smile on her face.
5
Before breakfast, Maria insisted on checking on her plane. Jarik wanted to remind her that the mechanic said it wouldn’t be ready until late this afternoon, but she looked a little lost in her oversized sweats, swallowed up by the large pillows on the couch.
“Okay,” he said, knowing there was an indulgent smile on his face. When she went into the bathroom to change, he pulled out his phone and made a few phone calls.
Halil, his main bodyguard, answered gruffly. “Please tell me that you changed your mind,” he growled.
“I have not.”
Halil sighed. “Melka called. Apparently, there was a situation dealing with a death threat against Samir. Melka believes it might be a jealous husband, so rather than going to Europe, he has your brother at one of the safe houses. I’ll keep an eye on the situation. Kashif reported in to say that he’s in Alaska. I’ve been avoiding your father but I won’t be able to do that for much longer. Are you in Lebanon?”
“Not yet,” Jarik said vaguely. “I apparently have to make a pit stop in Syria.”
“Your father and brothers are going to kill you when they find out. None of this is your fault, Jarik. It’s best if you drop it and distance yourself from the situation.”
“You have been with me long enough to know that isn’t going to happen, Halil. So keep your mouth shut.”
His guard said a few choice words under his breath. “You’re going to get me fired.”
“You don’t answer to my father, Halil. You answer to me, and you’re going to be fine if you do as you’re told.”
“You may be my boss, but he’s my crowned sheikh,” Halil growled. “And I’m more worried about your life than my job. You should have brought security with you.”
“Having security with me would only call attention to my whereabouts, something I prefer to remain unknown until I get to Lebanon. I want to see his face when the reason for my presence is made known,” Jarik said calmly. “I have no doubt that I’m going to be fine.” He deliberately left out the part of the plane’s fuel line. Halil was a loyal man, but Jarik knew that the man wouldn’t think twice about ratting out Jarik if he thought his life was in danger.
When the bathroom door opened, Jarik casually slipped the phone back in his pocket. She’d left her hair down, and it was a mess of curls spilling over her shoulders. She wore a tight black long-sleeve shirt over a pair of green cargo pants that hugged her curves. When she reached up to pull her hair into a ponytail, her shirt slid up to reveal several inches of smooth, creamy skin.
Every nerve in his body woke up, and he cleared his throat. It was way too early in the morning to think about ravishing the fiery beauty.
“Did you sleep okay?” He could feel the anxiety rolling off her in waves last night, and he’d spent all night long wondering if she was okay. It was on the tip of his tongue to suggest that they both share the bed, but that would be dangerous. Not only was he sure he’d never keep his hands off her, but also he wasn’t entirely sure how she’d react.
She wanted him. He knew that for sure, but he also suspected that she hated herself for wanting him.
“I slept fine,” she told him. “Thanks for the blanket.”
Did she know what he was thinking when he had draped the blanket over her? That he’d wanted to protect her, comfort her, keep her safe from men like the ones she’d met last night? He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Can we grab a cup of coffee on the way to the airport?”
“You can grab coffeeatthe airport,” she said as she reached for her bag. “How much do I owe you for the hotel room?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her the truth. Instead, he stuck his tongue in his cheek and tried not to smile. “Given that you slept on the couch, I really don’t see the need for you to reimburse me but if it will make you happy, I’ll deduct it from the amount I owe you when you get me to Syria.”
“Fine.”
“Maria. Tell me what’s wrong.” His voice was soft as he tried to coax the truth from her. He knew that it had to be more than just his presence.
