Free The Sheikh's Hesitant Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 7) by Cara Albany Page A

discussions, and he couldn't help feeling that their sharing had reached a deeper level, something way beyond a mere professional sociability.  
    But, still, he hadn't told her everything about him. Especially about Alana, about his recent disastrous attempt at a relationship. He felt there was nothing to be gained by telling Rachel about that. There might come a time when it would be okay to talk about such things.  
    The truth was, Rachel herself had proven reluctant to open up about her own past relationship. Brief comments had led Zarif to conclude that there hadn't been that many men in Rachel's life. Especially recently.  
    She'd constantly talked about how she'd decided that her career was the only thing that mattered; that people just had to realize they would have to take a back seat in her life. He took that as code for Rachel having no time for lovers.  
    Having had time to assess Rachel more closely, Zarif had begun to nurture the suspicion that Rachel hadn't had much experience with men, at all. The more he'd thought of it, the more it had begun to make sense. It went a long way to explaining the innocent, untouched quality he enjoyed so much. There was something unspoiled about this young woman who had dug deep into his soul in such a short time. She possessed a quality of simplicity and directness which he enjoyed being around.
    The chef completed his preparations and announced that the meal was ready to be served. Zarif helped Rachel take her seat. Standing behind her chair as she settled down into it, Zarif gazed down at her upturned face. Her exquisite heart-shaped features were framed by the elegant tumble of her perfectly coiffured blonde hair. The bare flesh of her shoulders once again made something firm within him, caused a hardness to take possession of him in that brief moment.
    Rachel smiled up at him and then turned as the chef's assistant appeared wheeling a small trolley upon which was placed a large silver serving trays and dishes.  
    Over the next hour, they were served a delicious, even exquisite meal that exceeded Zarif's expectations. It was infinitely superior to the meal they had shared at the private club. But then, Zarif wouldn't have expected anything less.  
    More importantly, Zarif took delight in Rachel's reactions to the meal. The idea of being served an exclusive meal by one of the finest chefs in the world might have impressed some women, but Rachel seemed completely unfazed by the whole affair.  
    She obviously enjoyed the food, but she didn't do what Zarif might have expected someone like Alana to do. Rachel didn't put on any airs or graces when it came to pretending to enjoy the sumptuous, expertly crafted meal. In fact, at one point, and much to Zarif's delight, Rachel leaned forward and lowered her voice, whispering to Zarif that she thought the lamb on her plate was slightly overcooked.
    Zarif tried to contain his laughter but completely failed to do so. He guffawed so loudly that Rachel scowled at him with barely hidden good-humor. From that moment, for the rest of the meal, they shared their secret disappointments with the food, doing their best to hide their opinions from the scrutiny of the chef. By the end of the meal, the shared moments of conspiracy had brought them even closer together.  
    The chef and his assistant left soon after the meal. Zarif and Rachel went out onto the balcony and sat down side by side on the comfortable sofa. The view across the London rooftops was spectacular, another reason why Zarif liked this apartment so much. In the distance, he could see illuminated the tall, wheel-like structure of the London Eye and the iconic clock of Big Ben. Darkness had fallen, but the night air was still warm enough that they could sit outside. From below, the sound of traffic was a distant, steady murmur.
    Zarif glanced at Rachel. "Did you enjoy the meal?"
    Rachel smiled. "It was delicious, thank you."
    "Really?" he asked quirking a brow at her.
    "Apart