The Return of the Sheikh by Kristi Gold

“I’m not too fond of surprises.”
    He leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. “You will enjoy this one. We do need to hurry to reach our destination on time.”
    “Which is?”
    “On the outskirts of the village. It will take us a while to arrive there.”
    Could he be any more vague? “As far as I know, the village is only a mile or so from the palace, which is about a two minute drive. Are we going by camel?”
    He had the gall to grin. “No. We are going by foot.”
    He’d evidently lost his royal mind if he honestly believed she’d agree to traipse down a mountain in the dark. She was basically a klutz on level ground in broad daylight. “You’re proposing we walk down to the village at dusk.”
    “Yes, and if you will stop talking and start dressing, we might be there before dawn.”
    He apparently wouldn’t give up until she gave in, and she wasn’t quite ready to do that. “I refuse to go unless you give me details.”
    He streaked a hand over his chin. “All right. I want you to see the village with me serving as your guide. I want you to know the people and understand why my position as their king holds great importance.”
    “Why didn’t you just say that in the first place?”
    “Because you are quite beautiful when you are not in control.”
    And he was quite the cad. An incredibly sensual cad. “I’ll go, but only on one condition.”
    He released a rough sigh. “What would that be?”
    “You say please.”
    He took her hand and gave it a light kiss. “Would you please do me the honor of allowing me to show you my world?”
    How could she refuse him now? “Fine. Just give me a few minutes.”
    “Wear a waterproof jacket, since rain is predicted for later tonight.”
    Great. “You expect me to walk back up the mountain in the dark all wet?”
    He grinned. “There is no guarantee you will be wet, but chances are you very well could be, whether it rains or not.”
    The innuendo wasn’t lost on Madison, or her contrary libido. “If you don’t behave, I’m staying here.”
    His smile faded into a frown. “I will arrange transportation for our return if that will satisfy you.”
    “That will.” She could only hope he made good on his word. “Wait here while I change.”
    “I may not come inside and wait?”
    How easy it would be to say yes, but if she did, they might forgo their little expedition for a different kind of journey. In bed. “No, you may not wait inside.”
    “You still do not trust me.”
    “Not when my underwear happens to be involved.”
    After closing the door on him, Madison piled her hair into a ponytail then quickly changed into a T-shirt, jeans, her lone pair of sneakers and an all-weather lightweight coat. Probably not the best in the way of hiking clothes, but they’d have to do.
    She returned to the veranda to find him leaning back against the wall, a military-green jacket covering his black tee and beige cargo pants, the camouflage baseball cap set low on his brow. For all intents and purposes, he could be an ordinary man on a mission of leisure. Yet there was nothing ordinary about those pensive dark eyes.
    He held out his hand to her. “Are you ready for an adventure?”
    That depended on what kind of adventure he had in mind. Only one way to find out. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
    After Madison clasped his offered hand, Zain led her down the side stairs leading to the labyrinth of courtyards on the ground level. He came to a small iron gate and opened it to a rock path that led away from the rear of the palace. The stone soon turned to dirt, and the trail soon took a sharp downward descent.
    “Are you sure this is safe?” she asked when they reached a rocky place that looked way too precarious to go forward.
    Zain released her, stepped down and then signaled her forward. “Take my hand and I’ll assist you.”
    She would rather ride down on his back but that could be a bit awkward. “Okay, if you say so.”
    Slowly, steadily, they