Page 1 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

Chapter One

Paige Gower walked slowly and nervously across the tarmac of the small, private airfield just outside New York. The cold night wind blew in her face.

October.

She drew her long coat around her body and steadied herself. Her heels sounded sharply on the tarmac's hard surface. She lifted her chin, determined to hide her nerves. Her loose blonde hair swept across her face. She tried, unsuccessfully to keep it under control.

This would all be over soon, she told herself. All she had to do was go through with the agreement. And then she would be free.

Of him.

In the near distance, by the lights of the huge open hanger, she saw the private jet.

His jet.

Razim Al Kharif would be inside there. Waiting.

Like a caged animal. Just like always.

Waiting for her. She figured he'd be sizing her up. Trying to decided when to make his entrance.

She thought about the endless battles with him. The demands. The disagreements.

It would be over soon, she told herself.

For a moment she was surprised when she realized that the twin engines were still running. The sound was a high-pitched whine that tortured her hearing. She asked herself why the engines hadn't been turned off. Surely Razim wasn't planning on leaving. There were too many details to confirm for him to even consider making a quick exit.

She looked around. There was no sign of a limousine. She would have expected there to be one. To race her and Razim off somewhere where they could be alone to sign the documents.

Their divorce papers.

Even as she said that to herself, she felt there was something unreal about it. It had been a year. Just as they'd both agreed. And, she had kept her side of the bargain. She'd visited Qazhar regularly, maintaining the illusion of a happily married wife to one of the most powerful sheikhs in Qazhar.

And now it was all about to end.

Just as he'd promised.

Paige had almost reached the jet. Suddenly, the engines abruptly shut off, creating a sudden, heavy silence.

She halted as she saw the jet's door open and small steps unfold. Light spilled out from inside the jet.

Paige had waited at the private VIP lounge area which was exclusively reserved for very special people. Very rich people.

And Razim certainly fitted both those descriptions. Special and very rich.

He was one of the richest sheikhs in Qazhar, along with the many family members of that particular extended tribe. And, it went without saying that he was important. He never stopped telling people just how important he was. How noble his family was. Their traditions. Their status.

Now that he was the head of his branch of the family tree, he made sure the whole world knew just how significant that was.

Of course, that was why Paige had married him.

Correction.

It was why Razim had taken Paige as a wife. Because, she knew that their marriage had been nothing but an arrangement. It had been born out of convenience.

For Razim's benefit. And for hers, she admitted. The arrangement had been mutually satisfying.

He'd needed a wife in order to succeed and become head of his family, after the sudden death of his father.

---