The Sheikh's Secret Past: The Botros Brothers Series, #3

By Leslie North

Two brothers. Two women who love them. One secret that threatens to destroy their family…

 

Soraya's heart melts when she's around Amir. She has never felt so attracted to any man. No matter how much she tries to fight it, she can't resist Amir's playful charms. And nobody had ever seen Amir care so much for a woman. Even his brother, Tariq, jokes that Amir, an infamous playboy, is falling head over heels in love.

 

Then there's Sara… Her bond with Tariq strengthens every day. When he is near she feels feverish, like she is on fire. Just his touch, or a whiff of his cologne, sets her heart racing. He may seem stubborn and intimating on the outside, but his tough exterior disappears around Sara and their child. With another Botros baby on the way, and a wedding on the horizon, their relationship has grown even more passionate.

 

But when the Botros matriarch, invites the whole family to visit an exotic paradise in the heart of the desert, a woman from Amir's past is waiting for them.

 

And she carries a secret that could tear the Botros family apart…

 

Previously published as The Sheikh's Demanding Fiancée.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relay Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498961226

Book preview

1

A mir, we’re going to be late, Soraya whispered against his mouth. He groaned in response and pressed a small kiss on her neck. Soraya sighed with pleasure and closed her eyes. He trailed kisses from her neck down to her chest. He caressed her back as his hands continued their languid journey around her hips before he cupped her bottom. He loved how firm it was. He slipped his hand under her dress and squeezed her thighs.

Okay…we…really… Soraya was struggling to string a sentence together. Pushing him away, she jumped up from the sofa and cleared her throat. She blinked a few times before she said anything. Amir was still sitting on the sofa looking at her with so much desire in his eyes. We have to go, Soraya finally managed to say.

Do we? Amir asked as he got up from the sofa and walked toward her.

Yes, she said and ran out of the room. Amir laughed. He was pleased he could affect her so much. Not so long ago, it had been difficult to get a simple smile out of her. He straightened his tie and slipped his suit jacket back on.

Moments later, Soraya reentered the room. She had adjusted her makeup and managed to put herself back together. They had to be at Fiddah’s charity fundraiser dinner party and were already running late. By the time they arrived, everyone was already seated. They joined Sara and Tariq at their table. Amir kissed Sara on both cheeks before he took Leylah in his arms. Her face lit up when Amir picked her up. He kissed her, and she laughed in response.

You guys are so late, Sara pointed out.

Blame him, Soraya said. Amir raised an eyebrow at her. Sara laughed.

She just threw you under the bus, Sara said.

Malik joined them at the table. He greeted everyone before he pulled out his chair and sat down. He pinched Leylah’s rosy cheeks. Turning his attention to Amir and Soraya, Why so late? he asked.

Traffic, Amir said.

The waiters served the starters. Sara frowned and pushed her bowl of soup away. Tariq held her arm gently and asked her if she was okay.

Smells awful! she complained. Tariq laughed softly and asked the waiter to remove both their bowls.

And the pregnancy journey begins once again, Amir said as he smiled at Sara. He enjoyed teasing her over how soon she’d become pregnant after having Leylah. Seemed like she and Tariq could not take a break from each other. Sara rolled her eyes. Some parts of being pregnant were not so pretty. She was not looking forward to it at all. Then there was her supercharged sex drive. It was ridiculous how easily she was aroused when she was pregnant. That was Tariq's favorite part. He liked seeing her in that state and begging for attention.

How are you coping so far? Soraya asked Sara.

Morning sickness is already screwing me over, Sara complained. She sighed and reached for her glass and drank from it. Malik gave her a sympathetic look and rubbed her hand.

Halfway through dinner, Fiddah made a speech thanking all the donors. They had managed to raise a lot of money for the children’s community center she sponsored, and Sara cherished the time she had spent there.

Music filled the room, and people started dancing. Sara got up to make her third trip to the bathroom within the hour. Tariq rubbed her back before she left. He turned his attention to Amir, who was still holding Leylah.

I'll take her. You and Soraya go dance, Tariq said to Amir. Amir looked at him, obviously wondering what he was up to. Ley, Tariq called out. She turned her head in his direction and smiled as she stretched out her arms toward him. He took her from Amir and kissed her. She smiled and touched his face.

She's so adorable, Soraya said and smiled.

We can have an adorable one too, Amir said and winked at her. Malik and Soraya both frowned at him.

Slow down, Malik said. Tariq couldn't help but laugh. His brother's humor wasn't always warranted. Amir simply smiled and held out his hand to Soraya.

May I have this dance? he asked her. She didn’t respond right away. She looked up, as if she was thinking about it. Amir kissed her on the cheek. She always makes me work for it, he said, but he stood patiently and waited for her to move.

I don’t know, Amir. I’m not sure dancing with you is the best idea, Soraya said teasingly.

As if you don't want to dance.

I don't.

Lies.

Proving Amir right, Soraya took his hand and stood. Snaking his arm around her waist, he guided her to the dance floor. She placed one hand on his shoulder and the other in his palm. Their bodies moved to the rhythm. Amir was looking at her with such intensity. Being so close to her set him off. She was so beautiful, everything he wanted in a woman. He could not stay away from her.

Soraya avoided his gaze. She acted tough, but the truth was she melted in his presence. She tried to hide it from him, but she was not always successful.

What are you thinking about? Amir whispered in her ear.

Nothing, Soraya replied.

You're thinking of me.

Absolutely not, she lied. All she could ever think about these days was him.

Malik watched his little sister dance with Amir. It had taken him time to accept the relationship, and he was unsure where it was going. Whenever he tried to ask Soraya, she told him to stay out of it. She was really into Amir, and it surprised Malik. He never thought his sister would fall for someone so quickly.

They look good together, Tariq said, interrupting Malik's thoughts. Malik took a sip of his drink before answering.

I don't know what to think, Malik replied.

You still don’t trust my brother.

Malik paused for a moment. I trust him with everything else.

But not your sister, Tariq finished for him.

I want to. He has always been like a brother to me.

I understand. Give it time. Your sister likes him, and he clearly likes her more than he has any other woman he’s dated in the last few years.

Malik silently admitted that Amir did seem to like Soraya. He’d worried that Amir was only pursuing her because she’d initially resisted his flirtations. But they’d been together for a month now, and Amir seemed more dedicated to her than ever. Malik had never seen him pay this much attention to a woman or care as much as he did for Soraya. He’d certainly never looked at anyone the way he looked at Soraya. None of the girls he’d dated in the last few years had held his attention the same way. It made Malik relax a little, but he couldn’t completely forget Amir’s past. He worried Amir might return to his old ways. He sighed and took another sip.

Sara returned with Fiddah on her arm. The two were laughing together. Tariq lifted his head up as his grandmother drew close. She kissed him on both cheeks and then picked up her great granddaughter. Sara sat down next to Tariq. He kissed her on the forehead and asked if she was well. She simply nodded in response.

Amir is too cute, Sara said.

What do you mean? Tariq asked.

The way he looks at Soraya. He's really into her.

My grandsons, Fiddah said and laughed. Tariq turned his attention to her.

What about us? Tariq asked her.

You're pieces of work, both of you.

Sara laughed and agreed. Fiddah looked down at Leylah, who was falling asleep, her head dropping and jerking back up as she fought her tiredness. It almost looked to Sara like she was headbutting the air.

I think that’s our cue to leave the party, she said. This little one does put a damper on our social life. She took Leylah into her arms for a brief snuggle and then stood. Oh, Malik, if you can pull your eyes away from your sister for more than three seconds, you might notice that a young woman has been ogling you from across the room.

Sara kissed Fiddah goodbye. She held Leylah in one arm and Tariq’s hand with the other. She waved at Soraya and Amir as they left.

Malik looked around the event. He didn’t see anyone special, and no one was looking at him at the moment. The only single person he saw was one of the secretaries from the Botros Oil office; Fiddah had recruited her to help organize this event. Sara was probably imagining things. She fancied herself a matchmaker, and her success with Amir and Soraya had gone to her head.

2

The next morning, Tariq woke up in an empty bed. He got up and headed to the bathroom, where he found Sara sitting on the floor. He crouched down to bring his face level with hers and stroked her back.

Morning sickness? Tariq asked. His voice was still hoarse.

It’s so much worse this time, Sara complained.

I'm sorry. He wasn't sure what the correct response should be. He helped her to her feet and opened the medicine cabinet to take out her morning sickness medication. It didn't really cure it, but it made it better. He switched on the shower and brushed his teeth while he waited for the water to heat up.

Tariq turned his attention to Sara. She stood there rubbing her belly. Her hair was unkempt, and she was wearing only an oversized T-shirt. He couldn’t help but smile. He found her so adorable in the morning. He kissed her forehead and rubbed her shoulders.

It will get better, he whispered against her forehead.

Sara just sighed. It wasn’t going to get better until after the baby was born, she thought. It did get better temporarily, at least, after her first session of the morning. While Tariq fiddled with the shower—getting all three million shower jets angled just right and spraying with his preferred intensity—she moved to the sink and brushed her teeth. She should be all right for a while, as long