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

the privilege of being in. All around her were the trappings of wealth and luxury. Expensive furnishings; tasteful decoration and design; exotic rugs covered the floors. The doors to the balcony had been thrown open and from outside came a bewildering mixture of scents from the extensive gardens that bordered the palace.
    Lana sighed. "I can't believe I'm here," she said.
    Mia hugged Lana and smiled. "And, I'm so glad you're with me now."
    Lana smiled at her friend. She'd never seen Mia look so happy. Her friend had always had a reputation for being studious and enjoying the company of textbooks more than the delights of male companionship. And now here was Mia, about to be married to a real live sheikh.
    Mia had babbled excitedly once they had arrived at the palace, taking Lana on a brief tour of the extensive corridors and rooms of the palace. This was Rafiq's palace, and it would soon be the place where Mia would settle down to married life, and hopefully raise a huge family of children.  
    A tiny flicker of jealousy tugged at Lana. Just thinking about living in such luxury made her contrast the palace life with her own modest standard of living back home in New York. She didn't feel the slightest resentment toward her friend. It was obvious that Mia and Rafiq were deeply in love.
    Now, that was something to be jealous of. Wasn't it?
    And then there was Malik.
    That was his name. She knew that now. Ever since that kiss in New York, Lana had tried hard to forget the feel of being in his arms, the sensations that his devouring, demanding kiss had drawn out from somewhere deep in her soul.
    Malik.
    She had to admit that when she had seen him at the airport, she had been momentarily stunned. In fact, she'd been sure it must have been jet-lag or the burning sun which had caused her to see things. But, there had been no doubting the reality of Malik's presence in the limo. The way he'd pressed up against her had triggered the same intensity of feelings that kiss in New York had evoked.
    Malik.
    There was no doubt he was handsome. Dangerously gorgeous. That didn't even come close to describing how good-looking he was. And here, in his own domain, he looked even more delicious than he'd looked at the New York fundraiser. He looked like he'd just stepped out of a desert fantasy. His dark looks were a challenge, a proud, defiant dare for every woman who looked at him. He held himself with such confidence, such assurance. It was a familiar quality amongst the rich that Lana had met in her brief time working fundraising events.
    But, there was undoubtedly something different about Malik. He possessed an additional quality. He had an animal, primal sense about himself. He exuded sensual promise.
    Why was it so hot in this room? Lana fanned herself and smiled at Mia. Her friend's eyes narrowed. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
    Lana shook her head. She glanced up at the overhead fans. "It's just so warm in here," she explained.
    "You'll get used to it," Mia said.
    "I'm only here for a few days. Then, it'll be back to the grind in New York."
    Mia tugged on Lana's arm. "You must tell me all about your work. It must be so exciting to mingle with the elite."
    Lana waved a dismissive hand. "They're all the same, after a while. Money has a way of changing people."
    Mia nodded. "I know that," she said. Mia told Lana all about how she'd been called to Qazhar to sort out a financial problem that Rafiq had been having with money from his investment funds going missing. It had all turned out for the best since it had brought Mia and Rafiq together.  
    Mia threw open double doors. Inside was revealed a gloriously designed bedroom with the biggest bed Lana had ever set eyes on.
    "Wow. That's what I call a bed," Lana observed.
    "Everything in Qazhar is extra large," Mia replied and then seemed to realize just what she'd said. Her face colored slightly.
      Lana dug a friendly elbow in Mia's side. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that," she