The Sheik's Gentle Triumph Read online

  “I’ll go get Melanie, then,” she whispered sadly, and stood up.

  Thankfully, Melanie was standing right outside the door, a look of understanding on the kind assistant’s features. “I know that it’s hard,” she sighed as she passed through to her mother’s room. “But she’s doing well most days.”

  Danielle nodded, unable to speak past the lump of pain in her throat. Grabbing her coat and her purse, she turned to leave, but at the doorway, she watched as Melanie coached her mother through the nighttime bed preparations. This was something Danielle couldn’t do because her mother needed twenty-four hour care, but at least she could afford to provide an environment such as this so that her mother was well cared for. Thanks to Oz, Ryker, and Jayce, Danielle could pay for a place like this. Other families weren’t so lucky.

  Still, Danielle craved more time with her mother, even though she sometimes hated coming here. On nights like this when her mother was aware and alert, it was an evening that thrilled her. On the nights when her mother wasn’t as aware, it was painful, tragic, and heart-rending.

  Driving home that night, she made it all the way to her driveway before she gave in to the sadness that overwhelmed her. Danielle sat in her car for long minutes, weeping for the loss of the woman she’d known, anger that her mother had to deal with something like this at such a young age, and loneliness because she wanted her mother and best friend back.

  When her car door opened suddenly, she was in the middle of wiping her tears and realized that it was Mika crouched down beside her.

  “Come,” he urged, but didn’t wait for her to step out of the car. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and carried her into the house. Danielle gave in to the wonderful feeling of having someone else be strong for a few moments. Instead of telling Mika that she could handle this on her own, she leaned into his arms, wrapping hers around his shoulders and buried her face against the warmth of his neck.

  Tomorrow. Tomorrow, she’d be embarrassed about this pointless outburst of emotions. Tomorrow, she’d apologize to him. They might have kissed and lost themselves in the heat of that kiss earlier today, but she didn’t know him well enough to rely on him in this way. She didn’t know anyone well enough to rely on them so completely.

  But she’d worry about that tomorrow. She’d deal with apologies and regain her strength tomorrow.

  Tonight, she was going to revel in being sad because sometimes life sucked and sometimes she didn’t want to be strong. If she’d been alone, she would have eventually dragged herself inside her small house, pulled on her pajamas, and buried herself under the covers until her alarm woke her up the following morning.

  But Mika carried her into the house, and sat down on her sofa. He held her on his lap and allowed her to sob out her anger, frustration, and pain as well as her fury that life wasn’t fair, that she’d lost her mother to a horrible disease too early. If he pushed her off onto the sofa and walked out of the door, she wouldn’t care. But as long as he held her, she was going to take advantage of his kindness and just…cry.

  Mika had no idea what was going on, but he ached to help, needed to ease her pain in some way. She was crying so hard, her whole body shook with the sobs, her slight frame wrenching with the outpouring of emotion. Her small fists tightened on the material of his dress shirt and she inadvertently grabbed a few chest hairs with her fist. But he didn’t say anything. He only tightened his arms around her, holding her close until the torrent of sadness started to slow. And even then, he held her until he felt her body relax.

  He started to lift her up, but those hands only tightened, holding him in place.

  “I’m going to make you some tea,” he explained. “I’ll be right back.”

  It took him a few minutes to find everything in her small kitchen. But because it was such a small area, there weren’t a lot of places for tea bags and tea cups to hide. When the tea was ready, he brought it back to find her curled up on the sofa, clutching a pillow to her chest as she stared blankly out at nothing.

  “Here. Drink,” he ordered, handing her the cup of hot tea. “I added honey.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, but the usual spark wasn’t there. And because he didn’t like that, he took the tea from her hands, set it on the coffee table, then scooped her back up into his arms, setting her back down on his lap. “Now, drink your tea.”

  She started to slide off his lap, but he held her hips. “Just relax, Danielle. You can talk to me if you’d like and tell me what’s upsetting you. Or you can just sip your tea and not talk at all.”

  She sipped her tea and he felt her relax into his arms. He held her close, his thumb rubbing up and down her arm. Danielle didn’t speak. She barely even breathed. But slowly, her muscles relaxed. Slowly, she allowed her body to lean into his.

  He didn’t push her to talk, suspecting that she was embarrassed by her loss of control. So he just held her for hours. He knew the moment she fell asleep. He took the now-empty cup of tea, setting it on the side table as he continued to hold her. With one arm, he reached out to flip off the light. He could feel her breathing, sensed her soft skin so close to his own. But he didn’t move. Not yet. Soon, he’d carry her up the stairway to find her bedroom. He’d tuck her under the blankets and walk out of her house, locking the doors and thinking about her.

  For now, though, he just enjoyed feeling her slight weight against him, enjoyed her trust that she hadn’t realized that she’d given to him. And he enjoyed the small sighs of her breath against his neck as she slumbered deeply.

  Mika had no idea what time it was, but he finally accepted that he needed to put her to bed. Reluctantly, he carried her up the stairs. Flipping the comforter back with one hand, he tucked her between the sheets. Took off her shoes and covered her up.

  When he walked out of the house, he chuckled to himself as he made his way to the limousine that had been waiting for him to emerge.

  Mika was all about taking care of the women who ventured into his life. But it had always been taking care of them in the realm of mutual pleasure. He loved feeling a woman climax in his arms, the soft sighs of her breath as they came down off that exciting high.

  But never before had he given so much to a woman. And even more astonishing, he’d enjoyed it. In fact, he’d like to do it again. Taking care of the lovely Danielle was a pleasure similar to sex, but…even better. He realized that he could really get used to doing that for her. Taking care of Danielle…that sounded like a lifelong pleasure he would love to learn how to do.

  He’d like to know what had caused her such sadness, but suspected that he’d have to get to know her significantly better in order for her to trust him with that secret.

  And equally astonishing, he didn’t mind doing so. In fact, just as he’d enjoyed holding her and taking care of her tonight, Mika knew that getting to know Danielle, understanding what made her tick was an adventure unlike anything he’d ever known before.

  He had no idea what made Danielle so different from the women in his past. But he knew with absolute certainty that chocolate chips would not have delighted the women in his past. They would have been insulted. And every one of them would have come to his bed after the diamond necklace.

  And he also suspected that none of them could bake as well as his Danielle. He’d tasted one of the cookies and was impressed with her talent. Was it difficult to make cookies? Since he wasn’t exactly sure where the kitchen in his palace even was, he definitely didn’t have any experience with cooking. Or any kind of baking, for that matter.

  Perhaps it would be interesting to learn, if the lovely Danielle would teach him, he mused.

  Chapter 11

  Danielle woke up and looked around, startled to find herself alone. And in her bed.

  With her clothes on.

  Had last night been a dream? Had she only imagined Mika helping her out of her car and carrying her into the house? She pushed the sheets away and padded to the bathroom, hurrying through her shower. She dressed with c
are this morning, wanting…needing…to look strong and confident after last night. Just in case she hadn’t dreamed about him caring for her.

  Instead of her normal sweater and skirt or slacks, she pulled on a long sleeved, black sheath dress, adding a set of gold chains to help her feel more polished and professional. Grabbing her black heels, she raced down the stairs to grab something for breakfast, realizing she was starving after missing dinner last night. But as soon as her bare feet hit the last step, she came to a skidding halt. The cup from last night sat on the side table, blatant proof that last night truly had happened.

  She’d cried out her anger, frustration, and sadness in the arms of the Sheik of Stilan! Good grief! The man ran a freaking country, sent troops into battle, improved the economy, and made decisions every day that could alter the balance of power within the world…and yet, he’d held her in his arms last night as she cried.

  “Good grief!” she muttered, grabbing the mug and taking it into the kitchen. Setting it down in the sink, she grabbed a cup of yogurt and hurried out of the house.

  She tensed as she stepped into the lobby, waiting for Mike to announce that she had another delivery. Oddly, she was earlier than normal and Mike wasn’t at the reception desk. With relief, she hurried through the quiet hallways and sank into her desk chair. Turning on her computer, it took her several minutes to lose herself in the work, but eventually, the numbers and invoices soothed her, balanced her mind, and eased her back into the real world.

  It was around ten o’clock that morning when her focus broke.

  Oz stepped into her office, glaring at her.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, wondering if she’d missed a deadline or forgotten to send out an invoice to a client. But Danielle was meticulous, thriving on the details. She never forgot to pay anything. And she had developed a precise system which ensured that every invoice that needed to go out to the clients was sent. She didn’t have to worry about those invoices because she’d created a system that sent them automatically, based off either milestones from the contract or for monthly service dates.

  “You forget something?”

  She leaned back, tapping her pen against her chin. “I don’t think so. Did I?” she asked. Spinning around, she flipped through the newest contracts, looking to see if she’d forgotten something. “Nope. Everything was input yesterday, Oz. Is there something that…”

  She trailed off when a box appeared from behind his back. A gold box. A box of Godiva chocolates!

  “Wow!” she gasped and pulled the box forward.

  Oz braced his hands against her desk, still glaring. “Danielle, you received a box of chocolate chips several days ago. Then a cheap, drug store box of chocolates yesterday. And now, today, you’re getting more expensive chocolates.”

  She lifted the lid of the box and admired the beautifully decorated chocolates. These weren’t just ganache-filled chocolate shells. These were works of art!

  “Want one?” she asked, hoping he’d drop the subject.

  His scowl intensified. “No. I want information. What’s going on?”

  “I’m not dating anyone,” she admitted, afraid to even touch one of the beautiful chocolate pieces, even though her mouth watered and her mind wondered about the secret flavors inside each beautiful chocolate candy. “But I’ll admit that I’m friends with a client.”

  The scowl morphed into confusion. “A client?”

  She popped one of the beautiful chocolates into her mouth, closing her eyes to savor the raspberry flavors that filled her mouth. “Oh my!” she sighed happily. Then she opened her eyes. “Yes. I’m friends with a client.” She licked her fingers. “Is that against the rules?”

  “Hell no! You can date anyone you want, as long as they are safe, Danielle.”

  She shook her head quickly. “We’re not dating. We’re just…friends.”

  He glanced skeptically at the box of expensive chocolates. “Right. Keep on telling yourself that. And give me a name.”

  “Mika,” she admitted, knowing that, after last night, she really couldn’t keep this to herself.

  Oz stared at her for a long moment and she saw the confusion in his eyes. “Mika al Jaffrir? Sheik Jaffrir?” he clarified.

  “Yes. He and I have become friends over the past week. He’s a nice man.”

  More staring and more confusion. “Nice?” Oz shook his head. “Danielle, he’s not a nice man. He’s a good ruler and fair to his people…but he’s not nice.”

  A deep voice interrupted her before she could argue. “Says the man who won ten million dollars off me last month,” Mika stepped into Danielle’s office.

  Oz straightened and frowned at his friend, and Mika frowned right back. Mika was the first to blink. “We’re friends. If you don’t like it…”

  “I don’t like it.” Oz’s stance relaxed slightly. “But I can’t stop you. She’s free to be friends with whomever she wants. But…” Oz moved closer, his body language threatening. “She’s a good person, Mika. Don’t hurt her.”

  With that, Oz stalked out of Danielle’s office. He paused in the doorway and looked back at Danielle. “If he hurts you in any way, I want to know about it, Danielle.” He looked at Mika before saying, “I can bury him in places no one will ever find.”

  And then he was gone, followed by the chuckles of Mika.

  Danielle stared up at Mika, horrified that Oz would issue such a horrible threat. “He didn’t mean it,” she assured Mika, standing up and rushing around the desk. “Oz is just a bit…overly protective of me.”

  Mika’s laughter died down. “I am equally sure that he was completely serious. Not just that, but he is one of only a few men who could follow through on that kind of a threat.” His hand came up to cup her cheek gently. “And he’s one of very few men in this world I will allow to make such a threat.”

  She swallowed, not sure who she should protect now. Oz, Jayce, and Ryker were big, intimidating men, but they were like the big brothers she’d never had. While Mika was…well, he definitely wasn’t like a brother to her. He was…undefined was the only word that she could come up with.

  “Do you have another obligation tonight?” he asked.

  Immediately, Danielle stepped back, but he took her hands and gently tugged her closer.

  “Um…no. I don’t have that same obligation again until next week.”

  “Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

  Danielle knew exactly what he was asking. And after the past several interludes with this man, she was fairly sure that dinner would lead to sex. As much as that possibility excited her, she wasn’t psychologically ready yet.

  “How about coffee after work instead?” she offered.

  The slight upturning of his lips indicated that he knew exactly what she was thinking. And he agreed with her. “Fine. Coffee. We’ll take this slowly,” he promised. “I’ll pick you up at your place so that your protectors aren’t aware of our…” he hesitated and Danielle’s stomach tightened. As much as she struggled to define what they were together, she wanted to know how he would define their relationship. “Date.”

  She relaxed, feeling surprisingly happy. He walked out of her office, but glanced back at her. The look he sent screamed, “Soon!” and she knew that it was true. Very soon, she was going to stop fighting this chemistry between herself and Mika and she was going to enjoy every moment of it.

  So, why hadn’t she agreed to have dinner with him tonight?

  Because she really did need to know a man before she committed herself. As silly and old fashioned as it seemed, that’s just how she was made.

  Chapter 12

  The next week was more blissful than she could have thought possible. Mika was in the building almost every day, training with his guards. But he took time out of his training to have lunch with her every day. Sometimes, they went out for lunch and sometimes, she met him in her office. Either way, they ended up kissing until both of them were frustrated and ready to explode. But not once
did Mika push her unspoken limits. She could feel the restraint in him when he kissed her. He was always the gentleman, waiting for her to give him a signal that she was ready for more.

  Until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. He arrived in her office and frowned down at her as she shut down her computer.

  “You’re done for the day?” he asked.

  She leaned back in her chair, smiling up at him and feeling…happy. “Yes. But I’m not stepping around this desk with you on the other side. Not with that angry look in your lovely, dark eyes, Mika.”

  He laughed but leaned forward, bracing his hands on her desk. “You’re a smart woman, Danielle. I’m ready to…” he stopped, his lips pressing together as he considered what he would say next. “I’m ready to kiss you until you agree to have dinner with me tonight.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “I can’t have dinner with you.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “I have something to do. And,” she glanced at the time, “I’m actually late. But you’re welcome to join me, if you’d like.”

  He stood up, bracing his hands on his hips. “You have something better to do than have dinner with me?”

  Danielle grinned mischievously. “Absolutely! Come with me. It will be a lot of fun! I promise.”

  She grabbed his hand and led him out of the building.

  “Where are we going?” he asked, but followed behind her. She pressed the button to release the locks on her car, but he plucked the keys out of her fingers, handing them to one of his guards. “Whatever it is that we’re doing tonight, you’re coming with me. My guards will drive your car to your place and I’ll ensure that you are properly tucked into bed tonight.”

  She laughed, understanding the double entendre. “Whatever. If you’re coming with me, then we need to hurry.”

  He led her to his limousine and helped her in. As Danielle scooted over to the other side, making room for him, she wondered about his manners. He was so polite and solicitous with her. How had a man in his position grown up respecting women? Or just human beings? What was different about his life that others didn’t receive?