The Sheikh's Hesitant Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 7) by Cara Albany Page A

she planted her feet on the soft carpet, straightening in front of him, tugging nervously at her dress. Her gaze flashed up at him, and he saw more than a hint of awkwardness, a flicker of the same regret that had flamed inside himself.
    Rachel cleared her throat and tidied her tousled hair.  
    Zarif sucked in a deep breath and straightened himself, desperate to regain some measure of composure. He glanced at the closed bedroom door and suddenly felt that being anywhere would be better than standing here like this.
    Zarif glanced back toward the sitting room. "Would you like another drink?" he asked awkwardly realizing just how cracked his voice sounded.
    Rachel nodded quickly. Too quickly he thought.
    Zarif headed back into the sitting room and turned, expecting to see Rachel following him. But, she was still standing in the hallway. Her features were set firm, brows furrowed, lips thin, jaw tight. He knew what she was about to tell him.
    "You know what, Zarif? I'm a little tired," she said starting to move toward him. "I think it would be best if I get going," she added.
    Zarif merely nodded, accepting the inevitable.  
    He watched Rachel pause, as if expecting him to make the next move.
    "Of course, Rachel," he blurted out. "I'll call the limo." He looked questioningly at her. "Assuming you want the driver to take you home?"
    Rachel nodded but said nothing.
    He called the driver and watched Rachel fetch her clutch. He could see the tightness in her fingers with the way she held onto the purse.
    Zarif moved toward Rachel. "Rachel. Can I explain...?" he started to say but she cut him off with a look.
    "It's okay, Zarif. You don't need to explain anything. It's been a wonderful evening. I've enjoyed it very much," she said.  
    He could hear the emotion in her voice, see the lingering embers of desire that hovered in her gaze. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he knew they had moved beyond that with the idiotic way he had handled the whole situation.  
    He followed Rachel out of the apartment and along the hallway to the lift doors. Rachel pressed the button and turned to Zarif. "I think we have an appointment tomorrow, don't we?" she said.
    Zarif felt his brows furrow. "Appointment?"
    "That apartment in Mayfair?"
    Zarif recalled they'd arranged a viewing for the next day. It all seemed so trivial now, especially after what had almost taken place back in his apartment.
    "Unless you'd prefer that Abby shows you the apartment," she said.
    Zarif frowned. "Of course, I expect you to carry out the viewing with me, as we arranged," he declared.
    Was that relief he'd just seen flicker across her features?
    Rachel nodded, obviously trying to restore some order to the proceedings.  
    The lift door opened, and Rachel glanced at him. Was she waiting for him to kiss her goodnight? He leaned forward and she twisted, transforming the gesture into a mere air kiss, just like the one they'd exchanged on her arrival.
    Then she was inside the lift, and the doors were closing and all Zarif could think of was what a fool he had been, and what he had to do to truly claim the woman he'd just foolishly let slip through his fingers.

     

CHAPTER EIGHT

    "Rachel, I need you to get ready. We're taking a trip tomorrow," Abby announced.  
    Rachel looked up from her desk. "A trip?"
    Abby nodded and dug a hand into her hip. "We're going to Paris to meet a potential client."
    "Paris?" Rachel asked almost incredulous.  
    There was an edge to her boss' voice. Rachel wondered what could be causing that. She'd noticed it since arriving late this morning, but she'd done the only sensible thing she could think of by keeping her head down and working hard.
    Rachel was puzzled about Abby's suggestion that she accompany her to Paris. On overseas visits, Abby normally took Alice with her. So, why was Abby taking Rachel?
    Rachel knew she should have been excited at the prospect of a trip to Paris. But she wasn't. It meant she'd be separated from Zarif.