Free The Return of the Sheikh by Kristi Gold

worse than a donkey. “For your information, I am not hiding. I am only taking a brief sabbatical to gather my thoughts.”
    She frowned. “Forgive me for pointing this out, but you have always been one to withdraw from the world when you lose control. The role you will soon assume requires continuity. Are you certain you are willing to bear that burden?”
    Though he did not appreciate her commentary, he reluctantly admitted she was partially right. “I have prepared for this opportunity for many years. Once I am established, I will commit fully to my duties.”
    She smiled and patted his hand. “I know you will. Now if you will follow me, I will show you to your quarters for the evening, where you can rest and fantasize about that special consultant who has obviously earned a little piece of the king’s heart.”
    Maysa knew him all too well, yet she was wrong about his feelings for Madison. She did not—nor would she ever—have any claim on his heart.
    *
    After Zain’s twenty-four-hour absence, Madison finally located him on the palace’s rooftop. He sat on the cement ground with his back against the wall, hands laced together on his belly, one long leg stretched out before him, the other bent at the knee. He seemed so lost in his thoughts, she questioned whether she should give him more alone time. Regrettably, time was a luxury they didn’t have. Not when she required answers to burning questions in order to circumvent the gossip. Provided it was gossip.
    Before moving forward, she paused a few moments to ponder his atypical clothing. The standard white tailored shirt, Italian loafers and dark slacks had been replaced by a fitted black tee, khaki cargo pants and heavy brown boots. He reminded her of an adventurous explorer ready for travel—and in some ways dressed to kill. His rugged appearance was unquestionably murdering her composure.
    Madison shored up her courage, walked right up to him and hovered above him. “I see the sheikh has finally returned.”
    He glanced up at her, his expression somber. “How did you know where to find me?”
    “Elena mentioned you might be here. She said you and your brothers used to hide from her up here when it was time for your lessons.”
    He smiled but it faded fast. “I should have known she would give my secrets away.”
    Madison wondered what other secrets he might be keeping. “Mind if I join you?”
    He gestured toward the space beside him. “It’s less than comfortable, but be my guest.”
    She carefully lowered herself to the ground and hugged her knees to her chest, taking care to make sure the hem of her dress was properly in place. “The next time you decide to do a disappearing act, do you mind letting me in on it?”
    “I assure you, it will not happen again.”
    “I hope I can trust you on that. You wouldn’t believe how frantic everyone was until Mr. Deeb told us you were safe.”
    “I was never in danger,” he said as he continued to stare straight ahead. “I stayed with a friend at a house in the foothills.”
    She could only imagine what that might have entailed if that friend happened to be female. “How did you get there? And how did you manage to evade your bodyguards? Rafiq is still furious over that.”
    “I took one of the all-terrain vehicles, and Deeb was aware of my departure. Guards are not necessary when I take care to disguise myself.”
    She noticed a camouflage baseball cap resting at his side. “So that’s the reason for the casual clothes?”
    “They serve me well in hiding my identity.”
    They served him well in highlighting his finer points, and that sent her straight into a fishing expedition. “And this friend had no qualms about concealing the future king?”
    “Maysa understands my need for privacy. She made certain I was not disturbed.”
    As she’d gathered—a woman friend. “Does this friendship come with or without benefits?” She hated that she sounded like some jealous lover.
    “Without benefits,”