Claimed by the Sheikh by Rachael Thomas Page A

but snatched his words away as he got out of the car, tossing them around the airfield, and he saw a frown of confusion furrow her brow.
    â€˜Why did I have to come now?’ Amber got out of the car, the wind pressing her blouse against her, and he savoured her slender figure until she glared at him. She stepped closer to him, her chin lifted in defiance and, although her height didn’t quite match his, she was still tall for a woman. ‘I’m not a wayward pet that needs bringing to heel.’
    â€˜This way,’ Kazim said, touching her arm and guiding her towards the plane, determined not to rise to her provocation. At his side, she kept pace with his strides and it felt strangely right to be walking with her, as if they were matched and meant to be so.
    â€˜We will stay in London this evening. Tomorrow, we will attend a polo match where I am due to meet with several other rulers. Once my business is concluded we will return to Barazbin.’
    He climbed the steps into the small private jet, turning as he entered it. ‘From the small amount of luggage you have, I’m assuming you don’t have evening wear or anything suitable for a polo weekend.’
    â€˜Weekend? This is getting worse by the minute, Kazim. Why can’t I just travel back to Barazbin with you?’ Her eyes were wide as she stood on the threshold of the jet, looking like a startled animal. A flicker of guilt pulled at him but he couldn’t afford to heed it now, not when so much was at stake. If emotional force was needed to keep her at his side then so be it.
    â€˜Do you really need to ask?’ He pushed aside all notions of guilt, needing to remain focused.
    â€˜Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.’ Indignation made her stand tall and he met her gaze, seeing the challenge in her eyes.
    â€˜You could refuse to go.’ She would have every right to do so. He knew that, just as he knew how he’d handled things on their wedding day would be enough to make any woman turn and run. But she hadn’t, because last night he’d seized the one thing that meant something to her and used it to his full advantage. She’d made it all surprisingly easy for him.
    â€˜As long as you keep your side of the bargain and send Claude to the States, I will go with you. For a time, at least.’ Her eyes hardened and deepened to mahogany as she looked at him, defiantly laying down a challenge. He held her gaze and something zipped between them—something more than just attraction and desire. Again, he ignored it—for now.
    â€˜The child will have his medical treatment; you have my word. I will send the one person I trust above all others to ensure that.’ The flight attendant halted any further discussion on the subject as she showed them to their seats and carried out the necessary safety checks in the cabin. He sat and relief rushed over him as Amber did too, but she didn’t look at him, pretending instead to be engrossed in a magazine.
    * * *
    Amber wanted to get up and run out of the plane. She watched as the flight attendant closed the door, its heavy clunk ominously final. Was it final? Was she leaving to go back to Barazbin for good? No—she shook her head in silent denial—she couldn’t do that.
    As the jet soared up into the sky she gripped the seat, keeping her attention focused directly ahead of her. Could Kazim really appear out of nowhere and blackmail her to go back and be his wife—forever? She didn’t think she had the strength to resist him for long. His kiss just now had proved that. She’d wanted to push against him, but instead had yielded. What would have happened if the driver hadn’t opened the door at that moment?
    The plane levelled off and she turned to look at him, finding he was watching her intently. ‘How long am I expected to be in Barazbin?’ She was amazed at the calm tone of her voice and, judging by his expression, so was