Free Claimed by the Sheikh by Rachael Thomas

the expression on her face was so desolate, so untainted that he wanted to hold her hard against him and kiss her lips.
    â€˜Let’s just go back.’ She pulled on his hand, preventing him from going into the boutique, but he held her hand firmly, sensing she’d slip away into the crowded street if she got the slightest chance.
    â€˜Go back?’ He knew his tone was harsh, but exasperation mixed with heady desire rushed around him mercilessly. He let her hand go, pushing open the door of the boutique and leaving her little option but to follow.
    Glamorous assistants rushed forward and instantly his control returned as he told them what was required, watching as they took over, guiding Amber towards the dressing rooms of the boutique. She looked back at him, her beautiful face almost frozen with horror.
    He turned his back on her, unable to deal with the need to protect her from hurt and harm that just being with her ignited. It was as if he was a young boy again, protecting his mother from his father’s wrath, boldly standing between, glaring at his father. He sighed and, with arms folded across his body, he stared broodingly out at the street, wondering just how everything had suddenly become so complicated.
    He’d come on a mission to reclaim his wife but, as he surveyed the passing traffic, he begrudgingly accepted why it was so important. He wanted to prove, once and for all, to his father that he was worthy of his time, his respect. Failure wasn’t an option, even if it was what his father had cruelly taunted him with, despite his weakened state of health.
    Kazim had to succeed, he had to return with Amber and take up his role as heir, but he hadn’t expected to want Amber so intensely, nor had he expected the desire that hummed through him just thinking of her. But, worse, he hadn’t anticipated she’d open up his past, bringing back the heartache from childhood and making him think and rationalise things he’d rather forget.
    But something else wasn’t right—ever since the first moment they’d spoken, almost everything had come back to money. He’d sent her father money that would support her, but still it seemed it hadn’t been enough. Just what had she spent it all on?
    He pondered the question. Why live in such an appalling flat when he’d been more than generous? Was she really as broke as she’d just alluded to? Something didn’t quite make sense.
    Kazim turned his attention back to Amber, who was now watching as a seemingly endless bundle of bags were packed. He settled the bill and asked for the purchases to be delivered to the hotel without passing any comment. A discussion of what she’d done with the money could wait until later.
    â€˜Let’s go,’ he said quietly, an unmistakable firmness in his voice. He was all too aware of her standing close to him. He could feel the heat of her body as if he stood in the middle of the desert beneath the sun’s unrelenting heat. ‘We have a few matters to sort out, Amber.’
    â€˜Only your impossible attitude.’ She glared up at him as the heated words left her lips and he realised the assistant was tactfully looking down, studying the final bag just a little too much.
    â€˜We can discuss that too if it makes you happy, but not here.’ He kept his voice light, wanting to avoid a public discussion. He hoped the assistant would be discreet. The last thing he needed right now was extra attention from the press. Headlines about his marriage would not help anyone.
    He looked at Amber and she dropped her gaze, her face looking so young and inexperienced he fought against the urge to kiss her, as he had earlier. Not just a brush of the lips, but a kiss full of fire and passion. Maybe he should just do it and get it out of his system instead of wondering how she’d taste, how her lips would feel against his. That gentle brush of lips in the car hadn’t been