Beauty and the Sheikh by Shelli Stevens Page B

huskily. “I have to know he’s all right.”
    “Still you think he has been mistreated?” Irritation flashed across his face. “He is quite well, Holly, and he is only being allowed to see you—and briefly at that—because I have made the allowance.”
    She swallowed her pride and gave an acquiescent nod. “Of course. Thank you.”
    “Holly!” Her brother’s voice carried through the halls of the palace. Strained and angry.
    “Rafiq.” She tugged at her arm, trying to free herself. “Please.”
    “Remember, habiba —” he quieted his words, “—that you must be very convincing in your appearance that you are my lover now.”
    He couldn’t be serious. Her stomach sank. “Even to my own brother?”
    “Especially to him.” Rafiq leaned closer. “If he suspected for one moment what the truth is, who’s to say he wouldn’t take it to the nearest media outlet?”
    There was truth to Rafiq’s words, she acknowledged silently. Also, if Andrew realized what she’d given in exchange for his freedom, he’d never agree, would probably demand to be placed back in jail instead.
    “All right. I’ll be…convincing.” She nearly choked on that last word.
     “I have no doubt.” His gaze slid to her mouth. “One thing before we see him.”
    “What is it?”
    “This.” 
    His mouth covered hers. Hard and demanding, no slow seduction this time but a blatant move to show her she was truly his possession now.
    So shocked by the suddenness of the sensual attack, Holly couldn’t even bring herself to struggle against the heat and need that spilled from the broken dam inside her. She forgot where she was and the circumstances that had brought her here. For just a moment she drowned in Rafiq’s incendiary kiss.
    When he lifted his mouth from hers, she had to tighten her grip on his shoulders to keep from stumbling.
    His gaze was dark with heated possessiveness. “Perfect. That will help the situation appear more believable.”
    Ouch . For a moment she’d thought he’d been caught up with the need to touch her again, that maybe he’d thought about her throughout the day as much as she had him. 
    But no, he’d simply wanted to give the appearance of a lovers’ tryst interrupted, and now with her swollen mouth and flushed cheeks, it was entirely believable.
    “Come.” He tugged her from the room and closed the door behind them. He called out instructions in Arabic, and a moment later her brother rushed down the hallway, bracketed by guards.
    Relief seeped through her and she cried out his name and ran into his arms.
    “Holly, sweetheart.” He caught her immediately, drawing her into a protective embrace. 
    “Are you okay, Andrew?” She pulled away after a moment to glance him over. 
    His clothes were rumpled and his eyes were bloodshot, but he looked otherwise well. Had he been drinking since his release? Her stomach knotted at the possibility.
    “God, Holly, what are you even doing in Raljahar?” Andrew’s gaze slid over her, lingering on her mouth. “What has this monster done to you?”
    His choice of words did have her flinching this time, and without turning around she could feel the dangerous ferocity radiating off of Rafiq.
    “Done to me?” She tried to keep her tone light and followed it with an easygoing laugh. “Nothing. Rafiq is a friend.”
    “A friend?” Andrew’s mouth twisted and he gave a snort of disbelief. “I don’t believe that for a second, little sis.”
    “Then for once you are wise,” Rafiq’s steely words cut through the air. “Because our relationship exceeds the bounds of friendship, wouldn’t you agree, habiba ?”
    Holly bit the inside of cheek, then gave a slow nod. Of course he would accept nothing more than her agreement that she was his lover. She turned to face Rafiq once more and when he held out a hand in a clear gesture for her to return to his side, she really had no other choice.
    It was meant to display power, to prove his hold on her. And it