The Sheikh's Second Chance Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 5) Read Free

embrace. But, as the flat of her hand settled on his broad chest, something softened within Lana, and she felt her body settle against his. In response, he drew her firmly against him and his kiss became even more devouring, if that was possible.  
    Every nerve in Lana's body quivered. The years of neglect simply fell away. All the wasted years when she had done everything possible to avoid moments like this.
    But, this was so delicious, so enticing, so tempting.  
    Lana's hands drifted to the man's wide shoulders, and she felt the sheer strength, the cords of powerful muscle. So much promise, a distant voice said somewhere amongst the waves of sensation that had taken hold of her.
    His breath was suddenly quick and harsh. She felt his powerful hands draw her toward him, pulling her closer with an urgent need. His fingers clutched the fabric of her dress. His body felt taut with barely contained strength. His scent was overpowering, an intoxicating miasma that made her senses reel.
    Then, somewhere in the far distance, as if in another world she heard a voice calling out her name.
    Lana froze, and the man wrenched his lips away from her. His gaze met her bewildered expression. She saw frustration there, almost an anger at the person calling for Lana from the top of the stairs.
    Lana spun around, the man releasing her. She straightened her dress and tried to compose herself.
    Ellie, one of the office assistants, stood at the top of the stairs. Lana could tell that Ellie had seen everything that had been going on down at the foot of the stairs. Ellie shifted awkwardly from side to side, averting her gaze from the scene below.
    "Ellie. What can I do for you?" Lana said hesitantly, trying to slow her rapid breathing. She realized her voice was quivering no matter how hard she tried to still her rapidly beating heart.
    "You're wanted," Ellie said bluntly. Lana knew what that meant. The boss would want to have words and Lana had learned in her short time at the company that when the boss called, you jumped.
    Lana heard footsteps behind and started to turn. She was about to say something to the man, make one final attempt at finding out the name of the man who had driven her senses so inexplicably wild.
    Her words froze at the back of her throat when she saw the figure of the man striding away from her. By the time she started to force out a disbelieving cry the man had already stepped into the revolving doors and made his way out into the cold New York night.
    "Lana?" Ellie said. "Who was that?"
    Lana shook her head and watched the man's broad shoulders dip as he ducked into the rear of a black limousine. The door shut, and the limo slid away.
    "I don't know, Ellie," Lana replied. "I don't really know who he was."
    Lana tried to mask the tone of regret in her voice. But, as she turned and started to make her way back up the stairs, she vowed that she'd think twice before ever acting so impulsively toward a man.  
    Not even a man as gloriously handsome as the tall stranger who had just kissed her like no man had ever done before.

CHAPTER TWO

    SIX MONTHS LATER

    QAZHAR CITY AIRPORT

    "There she is," Mia cried out. "I can see her getting ready to disembark."
    Malik Al Kharif leaned casually against the side of the limousine on the tarmac of Qazhar airport. He folded his arms and wondered how long it would take before they could all start back to the palace. Collect Mia's friend and then head home. That was the plan. But, the plane had already been delayed, and Malik was starting to feel impatient.
    The limo had just brought himself, his brother, Rafiq and Mia the soon-to-be new member of the Al Kharif family all the way from the family palace on the outskirts of Qazhar City. The Al Kharif private plane had just drawn to a halt on the tarmac in front of them.
    Malik smiled in spite of the gloominess of his spirits and the tiredness he felt after yet another long night on the town with his friends. He ran a hand through his thick,