Page 8 of The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

Chapter Three

Shahid's sheer presence was overpowering, Aliyah told herself as they ambled across the lawn side by side. Her heart was pounding like it hadn't done since that time at the wedding reception. She hoped he hadn't noticed just how nervous and also how pleased she was to see him.

Why had he come to her? She'd been convinced that their encounter two months before had been all but forgotten. Especially by Shahid. Surely for someone like him, a night like that would have been commonplace. She was sure he had plenty of other things to do instead of thinking about her.

But, here he was. And she was walking by his side trying not to reveal the childish excitement she was feeling at being with him. As they walked, they didn't talk for a short while, and she had a chance to savor his masculine beauty. There was no doubting how handsome Shahid was. All the Al Mahrez brothers were special, sharing good looks that must have seemed unfair to other less blessed families.

Shahid was taller than Aliyah. His broad chest filled the plain white shirt and there was a hint of dark chest hair above his top button. Long, powerful legs moved easily, a panther-like casualness marking his every step.

But it was his face that was truly startling. Captivating.

Aliyah had never seen a man with such even features, such high cheekbones and a jawline that declared such strength and determination; lips that just demanded a feminine thumb trace a line along their fullness; the sharp, sculpted slash of a hawk-like nose. His entire presence exuded power, a dominating calm focus that she was sure some found utterly intimidating.

And then there were his eyes; dark, limpid pools that held quick intelligence, flashes of passion and good humor.

With a sudden flickering, his gazed settled upon her, just as she was looking up at him. She quickly wrenched her gaze away, feeling the heat on her cheeks, a childish embarrassment at being caught.

When she looked back at him, she saw the corners of his mouth had creased into a gratified smile. He'd caught her looking at him.

What a fool she was, she scolded herself. Of course she was interested in Shahid. What woman wouldn't be interested in Shahid?

No wonder there were so many stories about Shahid, she told herself. A man with such raw sexuality would be an irresistible attraction for any woman, and Qazhar had many women who would do whatever it took get as close as possible to Shahid.

So, why was he here, today, she asked herself. Was it simply to pay a polite call on Azim, find an excuse to come to Aliyah, and perhaps try to explain away the closeness they had both shared weeks ago?Because it had been a closeness. She was sure of that. She'd been certain about it every night since, as she'd lain in bed thinking about Shahid's firm body pressing against her, remembering how it had felt to have his arms enclosing her in a tight embrace.

She glanced up at Shahid. Unusually for Shahid, he looked slightly uneasy, as if he had things on his mind.

"Cat got your tongue?" she teased, grinning at him.

His brows rose and his gaze settled on her. "Huh?"

"What's going on behind those eyes?" she asked in a mischievous tone.

Shahid responded to her teasing, the corner of his mouth twisting with a grin. "I was just remembering all the fun we used to have here," he said.

"What? Me and Nadyah and you?"

Shahid's gaze darkened a little and he slowed the pace of his walking. "No, Aliyah. You and I."

She felt her mouth ease open in surprise. There was a real intensity in his voice. "You and I?" was all she could force out in response.

Shahid nodded evenly. "Just us. Don't you remember how good it was?"

Aliyah gazed away toward the distant wall that separated the garden from the desert. "Sure I do." She pointed at the tall wall. "Don't you remember how you tried to jump off that wall and onto a horse?"

Shahid scowled and she could see his eyes narrow as he tried to seize hold of the memories. Then his feature lit up and he gave her a broad smile, letting out a guttural laugh. "That damned horse," he exclaimed.

Aliyah laughed. "It didn't stay where it was supposed to and you landed on your rear-end. Luckily there was plenty of sand on the other side of the wall to break your fall."

Shahid reached a hand out and touched his bottom. Aliyah resisted the urge to look there, knowing that if she did, the inevitable change in her expression might betray her.

Shahid smiled. "I suffered for weeks after that," he admitted.

"Served you right," she said in a taunting tone of voice.

"What do you mean?" he said gazing at her disbelievingly.

"You always were trying to show off."

---