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

asked.
    Beyond his brother, Malik could see the excited reunion. The two women were obviously overjoyed to see each other. Malik felt his heart beat faster. He clenched his fists, the need for control urgent and immediate.
    It couldn't be!
    Malik squinted one more time. Just to be sure.
    Yes.
    It was her.
    In spite of himself, Malik frowned. He felt a sudden tightness in his chest.
    The blonde hair; the green eyes; the full figure.
    The woman he'd kissed at the New York fundraiser was Mia's best friend?
    Mia turned and gestured toward Rafiq. "Lana. I'd like you to meet the man who is going to be my husband," she exclaimed with barely concealed girlish excitement.
    Rafiq turned away from Malik and walked toward the two women.
    Mia and Lana parted, and Rafiq extended a hand to Lana. "Welcome to Qazhar, Lana. It's lovely to meet you. I've heard so much about you."
    "Oh, come now, Rafiq," Mia exclaimed. "You can do better than that. Give Lana a hug, Rafiq."
    Rafiq smiled and embraced Lana as warmly as his sense of decorum allowed.
    And it was as Lana gazed over Rafiq's shoulder that her eyes settled on the figure of Malik. Her smile froze. He saw her lower lip drop and her eyes widen. It must have seemed like Malik was some taunting apparition beneath the warm Qazhar sun because he saw genuine disbelief on her face.
    A hard knot settled in his middle as his gaze met the eyes of the woman whose lips he had claimed on a cold New York night months before.
    Mia turned to Malik. "Come say hello, Malik," she said enthusiastically. Mia was blissfully unaware that anything was taking place other than a tearful reunion. However, it was a reunion of a very different sort that made Malik's steps across the tarmac feel like he was treading through treacherous, tidal waters.
    Lana and Rafiq parted, and Malik strode up to them. Maintaining his composure was suddenly proving to be even more difficult than a few moments before.  
    Mia gestured to Malik. "Lana. I'd like to introduce you to Malik. One of Rafiq's younger brothers."
    Lana's features were frozen in a mask of obvious self-restraint. He could see her jaw tighten even as she forced a smile across her luscious lips.
    Malik straightened himself and bowed formally, aware of just how awkward that gesture must seem when everyone else was so determined to be friendly.
    Malik raised his head, and his gaze met Lana's. Lana extended a hand. Malik was sure he could see that hand shaking ever so slightly. Surely, she wasn't nervous. She remembered their encounter. He was certain of that. She was looking at Malik with visible apprehension in her eyes. Did she think he was going to reveal the fact that they had already met each other?
    "Malik," Lana said with a forced pleasant tone. There was even a questioning tone in her voice, as if at last, she had the information he had denied her. "Lovely to meet you, Malik." She seemed to place an emphasis on his name, sending him a message. Was it a challenge?
    Malik had to admit to himself that he liked the sound of his name on her lips. There was something about the way his name slipped off her tongue that made that hard knot in his middle twist even more.
    Malik took Lana's hand, savoring the feel of her skin against his. He squeezed her hand gently and saw her eyes flicker imperceptibly.  
    "Lana. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Malik said. He saw the corner of her sweet mouth crease with a smile at the sound of her name. He deliberately softened his voice, lowering it to a deep growl. It was something he often did when he wanted to make an impression on someone, make them understand immediately that he approved of them.
    "How formal," Mia exclaimed. "You'd think we were at some kind of dinner party or fundraiser," she said.
    Malik saw Lana's head whirl around, and he was sure her face had paled slightly. Beneath the bright sun, her skin looked seductively clear, almost untouched by the sun's rays. Her blonde hair was bright, highlights