Page 31 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

But, as he stepped out, he realized he'd misjudged the pace of her vehicle, because not only was the car already parked up, but Aliyah was racing up the steps toward him. The loose fabric of her white, cotton dress flowed around her petite body. His own body reacted instinctively to the sight of her fullness beneath the dress.

Her flat shoes slapped noisily against the marble steps. Her eyes flashed quickly to him, triggering a flush of heat in him.

"Aliyah. What a surprise," he said, feeling the hollowness of his words, but ignoring that sensation because it was just so good to see her.

She reached the top stair, and he could see she was slightly out of breath. He liked to see her aroused, even if he wasn't sure what she was going to say next. Something about those reddened cheeks, her chest rising with each breath made him feel transfixed looking at her.

She shook her head and peered at him, her eyes narrowing, her scrutiny penetrating him to the core.

"Really? A surprise?" she said, and he noted the light touch of acid in her voice.

"You should have told me you were coming, and I would have prepared some lunch."

Aliyah squinted at him. "You weren't expecting me?" she challenged.

Shahid took a step toward Aliyah, but the sudden glare she gave him made him halt immediately.

"Okay. Maybe I'm not that surprised," he admitted with a grin.

"I thought as much," she answered.

Shahid gestured inside the palace. "You want to come in?"

Aliyah sighed and peered at Shahid. "I can say what I need to say right here," she replied.

Shahid watched as she shifted a hip, propping one hand firmly against her side. She looked like she wasn't about to budge an inch.

Shahid smiled at Aliyah but she didn't respond, the fire in her eyes even brighter now that she'd decided to take a stand. Why was it that she looked so gorgeous when she was angry? Shahid felt a tingle of excitement. This was a new Aliyah, feisty and determined. One that he approved of mightily.

"What do you want to say to me?" he asked simply.

Aliyah ran a hand through her long, dark hair. It was another gesture that made him feel a shiver of delight. He saw her eyes narrow, watched as her lips pouted thoughtfully. Suddenly he wanted to close the distance between them, take her in his arms, and crash his lips down on hers. But he knew that if he did that, especially right at this moment, things might not go according to plan. It was better to allow Aliyah to let off some steam. She looked so indignant, almost enraged.

Aliyah glanced through the doors. "Do you have visitors?" she asked.

Shahid shook his head. "Just you and me. And the staff, but they're in a different part of the palace," he said glancing through the open door.

Aliyah ran her gaze across the front of the palace. "It's a nice place you've got here," she said.

Was she just buying time? It certainly looked like she was still trying to weigh up her words.

"Nadyah came to visit me, this morning," she said eventually.

"Really. That's nice," he said, realizing he sounded awkward.

"She mentioned that you'd called last night," Aliyah continued.

Shahid just looked at Aliyah and made no comment. Aliyah shifted from side to side. Her dark eyes burrowed deep into him. There was so much emotion in those eyes, he told himself. It had been a long time since he'd seen a look like that in Aliyah's eyes.

"She told me that you and she talked for a while about what happened yesterday," Aliyah said.

"What? At Azim's?" he asked.

Aliyah scowled at him, and he tried to laugh but saw that she was serious. He stifled the laugh.

"The beach," he admitted.

"Yes, Shahid. The beach," Aliyah countered.

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