Free The Sheikh's Reunion Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs 4) by Cara Albany

herself.  
    He looked suddenly ravenous as if the combination of seeing Mia and the bed had triggered something elemental inside his body, something over which he had hardly any control. Rafiq's nostrils flared and one brow quirked, his gaze making her feel rooted to the spot. Heat flamed in her middle, a sudden surprise. There had been nothing she could have done to prevent it, even if she had been inclined to do so.
    Mia saw his gaze ease down the length of her legs all the way to her petite feet. She shifted awkwardly for a moment. That broke the tension between them and Rafiq turned away from her. He took a few steps toward the door and paused. He looked back at Mia and she could see emotion on his features, the same emotion she had seen burning in his gaze mere moments before.
    "It's good to have you here, Mia. I hope your stay is pleasant."
    "I've got work to do, Rafiq. You know that."
    He nodded. "About that. We can pick up where we left off," he said and she briefly wondered to what he was actually referring. Was he talking about the distant past that now seemed like it belonged in another universe? Especially, as Mia was standing in this fairy-tale palace trying to withstand the hot gaze of Rafiq's burning desire for her. Because that was what written on Rafiq's even features; a fierce, feral passion that made Mia feel as if she could be claimed at any moment. Possessed by her own irrational, furious desire that was trying to drag her into Rafiq's arms.
    But, she knew she had to resist, had to fight the impulses and urges that threatened to overtake her. She knew she was strong enough to keep Rafiq at bay, but did she really want to keep a lid on her own tempting urges?  
    Get the job done and leave, she told herself firmly. Remember why you're here.
    Rafiq nodded to Mia and strode quickly out the room.
    Suddenly alone, Mia twisted around and gazed at the sight of the exquisite room. Now that Rafiq was gone, Mia felt strangely empty. Could it be that this man who had once tormented her, had once played her like just another casual fling, was now finding a route into her heart?
    Mia sighed and folded her arms around herself. She could not allow that to happen. No matter what the temptation, no matter the pleasures that awaited her in Rafiq's strong arms, she knew she couldn't succumb, should not submit.
    There was a job to do, and that was going to be her sole focus. Once she had done that, she would leave Rafiq once and for all.

CHAPTER SIX

    Rafiq strode down the corridor away from Mia's room. His heart was racing and he could feel the blood coursing through his veins. Every nerve in his body was aflame, tingling with frustration. His body was quivering with desire, his steps faltering as his muscles tried to regain their poise and balance.
    Mia had unhinged Rafiq. It was that simple.  
    Just seeing Mia standing there in the middle of the room had driven him into a sharp, almost manic delirium. He had wanted to engulf her in his embrace, hold her tight against him and crash his lips down onto her sweet mouth.  
    Rafiq sighed heavily, the sound of it echoing in the corridor.
    It had taken every ounce of his self-restraint to hold back the torrent of desire that had threatened to sweep over him. The bed had been so inviting, almost as alluring as the expression on Mia's face when he had gazed deep into her eyes. How he would have loved to lift her up and stride across to the huge bed, lay her down on her back and claim the pleasure he knew awaited him, driving her to heights of passion.
    Rafiq swallowed at the thought of Mia beneath him, moaning with ecstasy, clutching at his shoulders, pulling Rafiq closer to her.
    Mia was simply beautiful. Just beautiful.
    There was no other way to describe her. He'd known it in London, had been truly surprised by it, even shocked. But here, in his own domain, in the place that he called home, Mia seemed possessed of a beauty that transcended all description. There was a purity