Claiming His Heir (Scandalous Sheiks Book 2) Read online

  Claiming His Heir

  By Elizabeth Lennox

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  Copyright 2021

  ISBN13: 9781950451500

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Any duplication of this material, either electronic or any other format, either currently in use or a future invention, is strictly prohibited, unless you have the direct consent of the author.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from “Midnight Seduction”

  Chapter 1

  Present Day

  “Mom, this is totally awesome!”

  Brielle smiled down at her four year old son, Luke, her heart soaring at his excitement. “Think so?” she asked, laughing when his dark eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

  “Look at that!” he whispered, blindly reaching for her hand. It wasn’t that he was afraid of losing her. Her little guy was fearless! Brielle understood that Luke’s need to hold her hand was simply so he could lean back and stare up at the “magical” ceiling filled with shimmering, almost hidden lights glistening through the elaborate design of mischievous mermaids and tyrannical pirates. The pirates seemed to be peering over the edge of a ship, holding lanterns as they searched, ostensibly, for the mermaids. The mermaids were holding stars and lurking under the ship, as if they could somehow hide from the marauding pirates.

  “Momma, look at that one!” Luke commanded in an awed whisper, pointing down the open air pathway where a beautiful peacock moved along the tiles of the open air lobby of the resort.

  Pulling her attention away from the ceiling, she looked in the direction Luke was pointing. “Is that…real?” she asked, squinting at the bird.

  Luke moved closer to her, his fingers tightening around her fingers. “I think it is!” he replied, nodding his head as if he were ‘knower of all things’. Which might be the case. Her son was shockingly smart, reading books far beyond what other four year olds were capable of. And his math skills were off the charts! As proud as Brielle was of her son’s intelligence, she also feared the day when she’d have to put him into a special school, some place that was able to keep up with his agile intelligence.

  “I think you’re right.”

  “Next?”

  Brielle looked over to find that the other guests checking in to the resort had finished and the receptionist was smiling politely at her. “We’re up, Luke!” she exclaimed, excited to be nearing the end of her journey.

  “Can I go pet it?” Luke asked, moving with his mother, but his attention was focused on the peacock and Brielle knew that his imagination was in hyper-drive at the moment.

  “I don’t think so, love,” she said, holding his hand with one of hers while digging through her massive tote bag with the other, trying to find their travel documents and hotel reservation number. It was hard to do with one hand, but Brielle knew better than to release Luke. Her son was curious about anything and everything and would be off like a shot if she released him!

  “Here it is,” Brielle sighed with relief when she found the travel documents she’d printed out yesterday. Handing them to the receptionist, she tapped her finger on the marble of the countertop, desperate to get out of her itchy sweater and wool slacks. It had been twenty-two degrees in Washington, D.C. when they’d boarded the plane. Brielle had anticipated the warmer temperatures here on this tiny island off of the coast of Belize and packed a change of clothes for Luke, as well as toys and books to entertain him on the plane, snacks to stave off a temper tantrum, even a life jacket, and their passports and…well the zillion things that one needed when traveling with a small child. But had she remembered to pack a change of clothes for herself? Had she thought to toss in a simple, easy, breezy sundress and sandals to her carry-on bags?

  Of course not! Was she ready to dive into a bed and sleep for the next twenty-four hours? Absolutely! Was that going to happen?

  Brielle snorted, causing the receptionist to look up from her typing.

  “Sorry, tired thoughts and no filter,” Brielle assured the pretty woman. Her name tag said her name was Andrea and she looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties. Same age as Brielle. And yet, the other woman seemed years younger. Or at least her attitude came across as carefree and lively.

  But Andrea hadn’t been traveling with an energetic and curious four year old who had the energy of the energizer bunny for the past ten hours. Nor had the pretty woman been woken up at the crack of dawn by that same energizer bunny who was too excited about this vacation to sleep in until a reasonable hour.

  In truth, she felt…old. Yes, Brielle was old and tired and she wasn’t even thirty! All the time, she was tired. Oh what she’d do for a full night of blissful sleep! Or to sleep in on the weekends! Just Sunday morning? Was that really so much to ask for?

  Alas, life as a single mother to an active four year old did not allow for a great deal of sleep. And sleeping in on the weekends was absolutely unheard of these days. Maybe when Luke was sixteen. She’d heard somewhere that teenagers love to sleep. Yes, that was something to look forward to!

  “Here you go, Ms. Capson,” the woman said with an understanding smile. “Your room number is four nineteen. You can take the elevators over there to the fourth floor and your room will be down the hallway on the left.” She leaned over the counter and caught Luke’s gaze. “And for you sir,” she smiled, handing him a plastic room key as well. “Here is your access key. Do you think you’re old enough to handle it on your own?”

  Luke’s mouth fell open with surprise. Reaching out with a reverence that only a four year old could achieve, Luke took the key, pressing it to his skinny chest. “Thank you!” he whispered.

  Andrea smiled, nodding back at Luke. “You’re very welcome, sir,” she replied with mock seriousness.

  Pulling back, she turned to Brielle. “All drink and food are included, Ms. Capson. So if you’d like to stop by the bar, which is right over there,” she explained, pointing to the right, “I can call ahead and have a glass of white wine or something fruity waiting for you before you head up to your room.” She again peered over the counter. “Sir, would you prefer mango juice or banana milk?”

  Brielle wanted to kiss the woman! Obviously, Andrea was well acquainted with the wants and needs of both small children and single mothers.

  Luke wasn’t sure what to say. He’d never heard of either option!

  “You like bananas,” Brielle offered. “How about if we try the banana milk now, and then you can have some mango juice with dinner?”

  Luke’s eyes widened even more. “Okay!” he said, then grinned. Every time her little Luke grinned like that, she thought back to his father. And every time, she pushed the image away. Nothing positive came from thinking about Tazir, she reminded herself for maybe the ten thousandth time in five year
s.

  “Excellent choice, Sir,” Andrea replied with a nod, then turned her eyes to Brielle. “And for you?”

  Brielle sighed, feeling the stress beginning to dissipate from her body. “A glass of white wine would be absolutely perfect,” she breathed.

  Andrea grinned. “I’ll have the bartender get those ready for you!” She lifted her phone. “Your bags are already on the way to your room. They should be there before you arrive.”

  Brielle wanted to cry with gratitude! The reviews for this resort weren’t exaggerated! “Thank you!” she whispered, then turned and headed for the bar.

  Luke tugged at her hand and Brielle laughed.

  “Come on Momma!” Luke urged.

  “Eager for your first taste of banana milk?” she asked, teasing her precious little boy.

  He didn’t bother to reply. Instead, he untangled his fingers from her hand and raced ahead.

  Normally, Brielle would have called him back. But the area was pretty open and she could see all the way to the bar. Sure enough, a bartender was placing a glass of chilled white wine and plastic glass filled with something that looked decadently creamy onto the counter.

  “Oh, she’s good!” Brielle muttered, eyeing the glass of wine as well as her son who was already up onto the bar stood and reaching for the creamy glass. The bartender nodded to her with a smile, then moved off to take care of another guest.

  Tazir blinked, then leaned forward slightly. That couldn’t be her! Dark eyes narrowed as he watched the woman walk slowly across the marble expanse of the resort lobby, a beautiful smile slowly curling her soft, enticing lips.

  “Your Highness, the others have already arrived,” his aide reported, in an urgent tone.

  Tazir ignored him, continuing to watch as the woman he’d never forgotten sauntered across the lobby. She was still incredibly beautiful, he thought. Brielle. Five years ago, she’d been a stunning woman with a smile that made his heart race. Now, watching her walk as if she knew every man in the lobby was watching, she was even more breathtaking!

  “Your Highness, the elevator?” his aide prompted.

  Tazir wanted to deck the guy. Of course, Mortimer had no idea that the woman he’d never gotten out of his mind was walking across the lobby, taking his thoughts back to those nights when she’d been in his arms.

  The doors to the elevator closed behind them and…and she was gone! He started forward, intending to tell his staff to stop the elevator and let him out. He needed to see her, talk to her, and…and what? Tell her that he might still have feelings for her?

  Tazir sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. Impossible! He’d walked away from Brielle five years ago, because…he couldn’t remember the reason now. At this particular moment, all he could think about was the way she’d walked. The way she’d smiled, almost as if she were smiling at someone…someone sitting at the bar?

  Every muscle in his body tightened, shifting into battle mode. Someone else touching his Brielle?!

  It took a great deal of effort to remind himself that she wasn’t “his” Brielle. He’d left her five years ago. He couldn’t remember the reason now, but it had been valid at the time. It must have been.

  Why had he left her? She’d been so damned beautiful! So warm and giving! She’d laughed with him, talked with him. She’d shared her body with him. Brielle had been a virgin when they met five years ago. When he’d discovered the truth, he’d been humbled.

  Damn it, why hadn’t things worked out between them? What had pushed them apart?

  He couldn’t remember now. All he could remember was the way she’d smiled at some stranger at the bar.

  “Damn it!” he muttered fiercely.

  “Is everything okay, Your Highness?” Mortimer asked.

  “Fine!” he snapped. “Everything is fine!”

  He’d just remembered why he’d left her five years ago. Paul Rosenberg. The bank manager at the time.

  Tazir let out a stream of curses as the elevators opened to the penthouse suite. It was nice enough, he supposed. But it looked like a thousand other hotel rooms. Rubbing a hand over his face, he forced his thoughts away from Brielle. She’d clearly done well for herself, he supposed. Her clothes were expensive and, if she were staying here at this resort, she must earn a good salary.

  Furiously stalking to the double doors, Tazir shoved them open and stepped onto the elegant balcony that looked out over the resort’s main pool as well as the ocean further out. For a long moment, he stood there just breathing in the thick, salty air, calming his temper and trying to banish Brielle from his thoughts.

  It was late enough that the pool and beach area were deserted, most of the guests having gone to their rooms to shower and change for drinks and dinner. Off to the right, he noticed a line of children ranging in ages from…well, he didn’t have children himself, so he couldn’t gauge accurately how old the kids were. But he suspected the youngest to be about five and the oldest, maybe ten years old.

  Kids. Brielle had wanted children. He’d laughed when she’d told him that. His amusement had been more about her blush than her words. He’d always wanted kids too. Lots of kids. He liked kids and, at thirty-seven, Tazir had always thought he’d have a wife and several children by now.

  If Paul hadn’t said what he had, would Brielle be his wife now? Would she be smiling at him as she gracefully walked across the lobby? Would she be coming towards him with that exquisite smile and that delectable figure?

  Something occurred to him and he stiffened. Looking around, he searched the pool area, hoping to confirm his suspicions.

  She’d looked tired. Yes, she’d been smiling at someone in the distance, but as he thought back to her eyes, he wondered why she was so tired. Was it the long flight? Was her work being difficult? Did she have a challenging boss? Was she still working for that ass? Was she married to Paul now? Or was she still having flings? What had Paul said that last day? He couldn’t remember the man’s exact words, but he knew that they’d meant something along the lines of how Brielle wanted to have a few lovers before she settled down.

  Had she done that? Was she using other men to get her kicks or had she finally settled down to marry Paul? Did they have kids? Were they blue eyed, blond assholes like Paul? Or did they look like Brielle with her soft, brown hair and those sparkling golden eyes?

  Mortimer walked up behind Tazir and started listing off topics for tomorrow’s meetings. Tazir barely listened, still thinking about Brielle. Still thinking and wondering. He’d thought she’d been so innocent and pure five years ago. But then he’d discovered that she’d been engaged to Paul! Damn her! Damn her for…for playing games!

  And damn his ridiculous body for even reacting to the sight of her!

  Turning away from the ocean view, he forced his attention on the present. The negotiations this week would be difficult and he didn’t have time to wonder about a woman he’d known five years ago.

  No matter how beautiful she was!

  Chapter 2

  “What do you want to eat for dinner?” Brielle called out to her son who was in the smaller bedroom of their suite.

  A moment later, Luke appeared, wearing his swimming suit and jumping around eagerly. “Can we go swimming before dinner?” he asked, staring up at her with desperate hope as he bounced with excitement. “I’m not hungry yet,” he explained. “Not even a little.”

  Brielle laughed, delighted with his enthusiasm. “How about this,” she offered. “We’ll stop by one of the snack bars and grab a little something to eat. Then we’ll go for a short swim before we head to dinner?”

  Luke’s chubby cheeks pushed out as he grinned his agreement. “Yes!” he yelled, punching the air. He raced back into his bedroom to find…something that was obviously necessary. Please don’t get the squishy balls that he’d begged her to buy for this trip.

  Brielle was good with numbers, excellent with the sometimes grouchy or angry customers and knew how to put a financial deal into place so that all part
ies came out winners. But playing catch with her son? Good grief, her efforts were embarrassing.

  Unfortunately, Luke had been so desperate for those stupid balls. And it didn’t matter that she’d warned him that she wasn’t good at catching balls, or throwing them. He’d accepted her warning at the time, but he was four. Luke might be an excellent reader and scary good at math, but he was still only four. He couldn’t extrapolate a warning one day to the reality on another day.

  With a sigh, she walked into her bedroom and pulled out her bathing suit. As swimsuits went, this one wasn’t very risqué. In fact, she’d lucked out and found a two piece where the top had an underwire “bra” and the bottoms were more like a skirt. Well, a skirt with a regular bathing suit bottom underneath. The skirt covered her bottom, the part of her body she was the most self-conscious about.

  When she walked out to the living area of their suite, she’d pulled on a sarong style cover up over her red two piece suit, plopped a hat on her head, even though it was late enough that the sun wouldn’t be an issue, and filled up her big tote bag with Luke’s toys.

  “Slow down, sweetie!” she called out, chuckling when he rushed over to the coffee table and stuffed his personal key into the pocket of his swim trunks. Brielle grabbed her own key and tucked it safely into the side pocket of her tote bag, looked around to make sure she had everything she needed, then headed for the elevator.

  Luke had already pressed the elevator button by the time she pulled the door closed. Which meant that she had to run to catch him before he stepped into the elevator.

  “Luke!” she gasped, stepping into the elevator just as the doors started to close. “Honey, you know that you’re not allowed to get so far ahead of me!” she snapped. “Don’t ever get into an elevator unless I’m with you. Understand?”

  He was bouncing in his flip flops, staring up at screen that indicated which floor they were on. His nod of agreement was less than convincing.