Free The Sheikh's Pretend Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 2) by Cara Albany Page B

she said eventually.
    Raz took a few steps toward the bed. Ella tried to scoot back up the bed and lift her shoulders up, eager to show him that she was fine. But, again that pain and stiffness halted her attempts at sitting up.
    Ella saw Raz's eyes narrow. "Looks like there're one or two issues there," he observed.
    "It's nothing," Ella stated, knowing it wasn't true, but determined not to have him think she was in need of help.
    Ella watched Raz move, panther-like, to the side of the bed. He drew up one of the chairs and sat down next to her bed. His movements were careful and steady, as if he didn't want to do anything to disturb her.
    "How long have I been sleeping?" she asked.
    "A day," he replied simply.
    "A day?" Ella exclaimed.
    Raz nodded. "The doctor has already seen you. Says everything's normal. You just need to rest."
    "Doctor?" Ella replied. "When did the doctor see me?"
    "You don't remember?" Raz asked.
    Ella shook her head and sighed. "No," she said indignantly. "Of course, I don't."
    "I see you haven't lost your ability to be annoyed," he said. "That's encouraging," he teased.
    Ella squinted at Raz. "That's not funny," she said.
    Raz nodded. "I know. I'm sorry."
    Ella gave him a look, and she saw the corner of his mouth crease appreciatively.
    "The doctor drove here to check you."
    "From the city?"
    Raz nodded.  
    Ella glanced out at the balcony. "Where exactly am I?"
    Raz leaned back in the chair and looked firmly at Ella, his chin raised defiantly. "My palace," he replied curtly. There was a note of pride in his voice.
    "Your palace?" she asked, trying not to sound incredulous.
    Raz nodded. "It's where I come when I want to get away from the city." He grinned. "And my family."
    "I can hear the sea," Ella said.
    "I had the palace built on the coast. You could say these mountains are the perfect hideaway."
    Ella frowned at him. "What do you have to hide from?"  
    Raz smirked. "Nothing. I just like my privacy. A bit like yourself," he said, reminding her of what she had told him previously.
    Ella shifted and couldn't avoid flinching at the discomfort she suddenly felt. Raz noticed her expression and stood, coming to the side of her bed. "Are you in pain?" he asked frowning.
    Ella shook her head emphatically. "No. Why would you think that?"
    "It seems you are in some discomfort."
    "Well, I'm not," she said firmly. "And who was this doctor who saw me?"
    "Our family physician." Raz explained. "She was satisfied that you only need some days of rest. And then you'll be fine."
    Ella recalled waking from sleep to see an attractive, elegant woman peering down at her. There had been a genuine compassion in the way the doctor had treated Ella.
    At least, the doctor had been a woman, Ella thought.  
    "Some days of rest?" Ella protested.
    Raz nodded. "Doctor Irena thinks you've just suffered a few contusions. The stress of the accident will wear off after a few days."
    "And where am I to recuperate?" Ella asked, although she already knew that answer.
    Raz made a casual gesture with his hand. "Why, here, of course," he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
    "In your palace?" Ella asked with a frown.
    Raz grinned. "Of course. You're not ready to be taken back to the city."
    "I feel fine," Ella protested. Who did he think he was? He couldn't just force her to stay in his palace like some prisoner. That wasn't how the world worked in this century.
    "The doctor's orders are clear. You need rest and then once you've regained your strength, we can drive you back."
    "I feel okay," Ella insisted. She tried to push herself up from the pillows, but for some odd reason, the muscles in her arms just wouldn't co-operate.
    Raz leaned closer and rested a hand on the side of the bed. Ella caught his scent and saw the dampness in his hair. He must have showered just before coming to check on her.  
    His eyes were filled with concern. Ella settled back against the pillow and sighed. "Maybe I just need to close my eyes a