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

about her, a delicacy that tempted Rafiq to engulf her in the most tender embrace. He wanted to care for her; felt a burning need to protect her, make sure she was safe.  
    Where had those urges come from? Had he been harboring those impulses since the day he'd walked away from her on the last day of that magical summer in England? Had he been trying to hide from the truth all this time? That Mia was the one for him. Her return had dealt him a body blow that had his emotions raging out of control.
    Rafiq frowned. He couldn't figure it out. Not right now when his pulse was racing fast and his impassioned blood was coursing through his veins. Mia's sudden appearance in his life had ignited something in Rafiq, and he was still reeling from the shock of the effect she had on him.
    He could see Mia was stunned at the intensity of Rafiq's abrupt and voracious hunger for her. Rafiq had never felt this about anyone else. All the other women in his life had suddenly become pale shadows compared to Mia.
    Rafiq reached the top of the staircase and gazed down at the entrance hall far below. He was slightly out of breath so he paused, eager to collect his thoughts, gather the loose tendrils of desire into himself so that he could regain some semblance of composure.
    Rafiq held onto the banister at the top of the stairs and wondered how he was possibly going to be able to cope with the frustrated desire that threatened his very sanity. He'd only been back in Mia's company less than two days and she was already making him feel crazed.  
    The time on the plane hadn't been easy, either. He'd seen how she had reacted to him before the meal, and had made the decision to respect her obvious need to keep things business-like between them both. He'd reined in his desire to maintain whatever sense of honor or integrity was left to him after his recent behavior toward Mia.  
    So, he had buttoned down his passion. Promised himself that, no matter what he would retain his dignity. Behave himself.
    At least that had been the plan.
    Until now.  
    Until he'd seen her standing there looking so unbelievably gorgeous. Seeing Mia in the confines of the palace had triggered something inside Rafiq; something surprising and perplexing all at the same. She looked so at home, as if she belonged in this place. He had felt himself firm with desire as he had watched the casual way she had stood there, the eagerness and excitement written on her face as she scanned the interior of her suite.
    Rafiq dragged a breath into his tight lungs.
    He needed to get away. Needed to put some distance between him and Mia. For his good and, especially for her benefit. She must already be feeling as if she'd entered a strange new world filled with extraordinary sights, new sensations.  
    The last thing she needed was to be subjected to Rafiq's uncontrollable desires. It was a thin line between satisfying unrequited affection and making a nuisance of himself. Rafiq had been taught to treat all women with the utmost respect. That lesson had been drummed into him by his parents. He wasn't about to turn his back on decency. Particularly with Mia now a guest in the family palace.
    Rafiq knew that he needed activity to distract him, take his mind off the incredible woman now inhabiting the bedroom back down the corridor.
    He heard a noise from downstairs, and it drew his attention back to the moment. Rafiq heard familiar voices and saw the front door open. In stepped both of his brothers, chatting excitedly, a noisy invasion of the palace, but one that caused sudden relief to sweep through Rafiq.
    From his vantage point atop the stairs, Rafiq saw Tazim and Malik stride into the hallway. Their laughter filled the cavernous space, reaching all the way up to where Rafiq was standing.
    Tazim paused as Malik closed the door behind them.
    Rafiq called out to his brothers. "What are you both up to, you rascals!" he roared starting to make his way quickly down the stairs.
    Both men looked up