Page 17 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

Aliyah saw Shahid glance back up toward the palace. She glanced up, saw Nadyah on the faraway balcony and instantly knew they were being watched. What did everyone think they were doing? Couldn't they just leave Aliyah and Shahid alone, at least for a little while?

Nadyah lifted her hand to the side of her head as if she was holding a phone and then pointed to Aliyah. She saw Nadyah mouth the words, "I'll call you." Aliyah nodded to Nadyah and turned to Shahid. She saw him glance up toward Nadyah and shake his head, smiling with good humor written on his features. He already knew what his sister was like.

Aliyah strode to Shahid's car, trying hard to make it look as if she was visibly impressed with the car. Appearing as calm and disinterested as possible, Aliyah slid into the low seat and watched as Shahid closed the door. The car smelled deliciously of fresh leather. She watched as he walked casually around and got into the car by her side, closing the door with a resounding, soft thump.

Shahid smiled at Aliyah. "Ready?" he asked.

Aliyah nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess," she replied.

Shahid powered up the engine and hit the accelerator, picked up speed and steered the car away from the palace and out the open gate. The road stretched ahead of them, a thin, straight asphalt line that reached to the distant horizon. Aliyah glanced back at the palace. It looked like a shining jewel amongst the broad expanse of the desert.

Aliyah thought of Lucy and the new life that awaited her in that palace as Azim's wife. She thought about how amazing it must seem to someone from a small town in America. Marriage could transform people's lives in ways that were almost unimaginable, she told herself. She'd seen that miracle happen so often in recent years. She wondered, for a moment, if she would ever experience it for herself.

Aliyah glanced at Shahid and saw that his attention was fixed firmly on the road ahead. His brows were dark ridges of concentration. He looked thoughtful, and she wondered if he was preparing something, trying to find the right words for some purpose. What did he have in mind?

Aliyah gazed out through the windows at the golden sands stretching as far as the eye could see. The bright sun made the landscape shimmer like something out of dream. Aliyah felt herself pushed back into the seat as Shahid pressed his foot down.

"What do you think?" he asked over the noise of the engine.

"Of the car? Or what happened back at the palace?" she asked.

Shahid glanced at her and raised a brow. "My siblings, of course," he replied.

"Who knows," she replied. "Your sister's not stupid. She won't be fooled that easily."

"I wasn't aware we were trying to fool anyone," he said softly.

"I thought we were trying not to do anything to distract attention from Azim and Lucy," she said.

"Looks like we failed at the first attempt," he said.

Aliyah smiled. "I think we were being watched."

"Why are they so interested in us, do you think?" he asked.

Aliyah shrugged. "Why wouldn't they be?" She laughed. "Maybe they're thinking they can do to me what I've done for so many people."

Shahid looked at her quizzically. "What's that?"

Aliyah felt a stab of panic at the realization she had probably gone too far by hinting at what Nadyah might be up to.

Marriage? With Shahid? What was she thinking of, even mentioning that?

She felt her throat tighten and she drew in a sharp breath. Time to change the subject. Immediately.

Shahid was glancing back and forth from the road ahead to Aliyah, waiting for her response.

"Maybe they'll forget all about us once the wedding preparations really kick in," she said, grateful for the change of subject.

Shahid's brows furrowed, as if he hadn't been entirely convinced by her reply. Then he shrugged. "I guess you're right. We'll see." He gazed ahead. He cleared his throat and then his voice assumed a bright tone. "In the meantime, can I make a suggestion?"

Aliyah looked at Shahid. "Sure," she said wondering what he was going to say.

"Dinner?"

Aliyah felt the nerves in her stomach tingle at that suggestion. "Dinner?"

Shahid nodded. "At my place?"

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