Page 24 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

Chapter Eight

From Shahid's perspective, the drive to Aliyah's home was passing too quickly. There was so much he wanted to say to her, so many questions he wanted to ask about what had just happened back there on the beach.

Driving in the late afternoon, with only a few miles until they reached the Al Kharif palace, Shahid knew he had to say something. But, Aliyah had been quiet since they'd left the beach. She looked like she was lost in her thoughts, and he worried that he had gone too far, taken things too quickly. But that was who he was, right? Shahid Al Mahrez, the man no woman could resist. Maybe that had been the case in the past, but it certainly hadn't been the case today.

At first Aliyah had seemed more than happy for him to kiss her. He'd even caught her looking at him with what looked suspiciously like want, even desire. That was a new for Aliyah, at least as far as Shahid was concerned. He'd never seen her look like that before. Aliyah had a reputation that lay in stark contrast to Shahid's damaged one. Aliyah was the upstanding young woman with impeccable manners and values that would make her parents proud. Maybe her parents would have been surprised if they'd seen the way Aliyah had behaved with Shahid as they'd stood in the water.

He thought about how it had felt to hold her in his arms; how her lips had tasted; the warmth of her body against his. Her eagerness. And then, when he had lifted her, crushing her hips against him, his need pressing against her core, he'd been sure he was going to explode with the passion that had coursed through his body. Even sitting here, driving toward Qazhar city, he could still feel the remnants of the desire he'd felt. Every nerve in his body vibrated with need.

Shahid glanced across at Aliyah. She was biting her lower lip again. Why did she have to do that? Didn't she know what it did to him? Of course she knew, he told himself. Well, it looked as if Shahid had finally found a woman who could quite comfortably keep him at bay.

They came to the gate to the Al Kharif palace. The gates were open, and Shahid drove the car up the long, tree-lined driveway. In the near distance, he could see the palace. It was one of the largest in Qazhar, reflecting the power and status of the Al Kharif family.

Then, something occurred to Shahid. Was that the reason why Aliyah was being so reluctant with him when it came down to it? Was there something about Shahid's background, his family being of more modest social position in Qazhar society. Everyone knew that was the case. Shahid had been made to feel just how humble his family background on more than one occasion over last few years.

Wasn't he good enough for Aliyah?

But hadn't she already given him more than enough reasons to believe they might have a future together? Was he just wasting his time? Had he completely misjudge the situation?

Shahid pulled the car to a halt in front of the steps which led up to the massive, ornately decorated front doors. He felt a tug of irritation as he regarded the sumptuous palace, the obvious display of wealth and authority. He had to admit that the Al Kharif residence was something special. Was Aliyah just a spoiled daughter, someone who would pass her years here, eventually easing into a comfortable spinsterhood?

One look at Aliyah as she started to bring her attention back to the present told him that such a thing would be a waste not worth thinking about. He couldn't imagine this beautiful princess passing her years in the confines of the palace, missing out on love, missing out on everything that came with a passionate relationship with a man like Shahid.

No.

He was good enough for Aliyah. He had no doubt about that.

Aliyah looked at him. "Thank you, Shahid," she said softly.

"What for?"

"For a lovely day," she replied.

Shahid saw the emotion in her eyes, saw that she was trying to shield something from him.

"Is that all?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

Shahid turned away from her and shook his head. "I've been thinking," he said.

"Oh. That's new," she joked, smiling at him, and for a moment he thought she had regained her composure. She looked suddenly brighter and he didn't want to do anything to spoil that.

Shahid laughed. "I walked into that one, didn't I?"

Aliyah nodded. "You did rather," she said.

"But I have been giving it all some thought," he continued.

Aliyah's eyes widened. "So have I. Maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves."

Shahid felt concern twist in his gut. Where was she taking this, he thought suddenly.

Aliyah continued. "It's all been very fast. Too quick. I'm not used to this kind of thing. Maybe you are," she said.

"What are you saying?" Shahid asked.

Aliyah sighed heavily. "I'm not sure." She paused and he could see the thought in her eyes, as if she was searching desperately for just the right words.

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