Fire and Desire (Arabesque) Read online

Rasheed blinked at the unexpected news. He stood. “What man?”

  “The American who arrived before my men could do anything. And according to them, the man seemed to be a close friend of Ms. Avery. Possibly even her lover. He handled her with too much familiarity to be anything less.”

  Rasheed frowned. According to Joshua Avery, his sister was not romantically involved with anyone. “And your men couldn’t handle one man?”

  “Not this particular man. He’s had extensive military training.”

  Rasheed’s frown deepened. “And how do your men know that?”

  “Because he wears the ring.”

  “What ring?”

  “The Force Reconnaissance ring.”

  Any military man, no matter what country he was from, had heard about the Force Recon group. They were an elite, highly skilled, specially trained group of men in the United States Marine Corps. A special breed of warriors, they were a close-knit group, almost like a brotherhood, who proudly wore their signet rings to prove it. To anyone else’s observant eye it would look like just another signet ring. But to another military man, no matter what branch of service and no matter from what country, that ring had significant meaning.

  “Are you sure?” Rasheed asked quietly, thoughtfully.

  “I’m positive. The two men who reported back to me are former military men with the Argentine government. They would know.”

  Rasheed’s mood darkened. “This changes nothing. I won’t be satisfied until I receive the news that Corinthians Avery is on her way to Mowaiti.”

  “And the American protecting her?”

  “He’s your problem. You deal with him.”

  Santini shook his head. “You’re taking a big chance, Monty.”

  “Am I?” he challenged. “Can you say you wouldn’t do the same to save your country if given the chance, big or small?”

  Santini thought about his love for his own country and knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his people. “No.”

  Rasheed smiled. He knew his friend understood. He walked over to him and touched him on the shoulder. “Once I have Ms. Avery and she finds oil, Mowaiti’s troubles will be over. Out of friendship and honor, please continue to help me on this.”

  Santini nodded. “I will.”

  Trevor glanced around the crowded banquet room. Most of the people present had attended today’s meeting and represented more than fifty major oil companies from around the world. They were people who were well-trained in scientific and technical skills in ways to extract oil reserves. The purpose of the all-day meeting had been to share as much of that knowledge as possible without leaking any company secrets.

  He couldn’t help but be proud of the way Corinthians had handled herself. He hadn’t missed the look of admiration and respect in a number of the men’s eyes. She had done something a lot of them had yet to do, and that was to use her vast knowledge and skill to locate an oil basin. As far as he was concerned, that said a lot for someone who was the only female head geologist in the group. When she had given her presentation, a lot of eyes had been on her. Some, he’d noticed, for reasons other than the information she was providing. Her physical beauty had entranced them. And he had to grudgingly admit, he hadn’t liked it one bit. At first he had convinced himself that he hadn’t cared that other men were looking at her with male interest. But later he’d been man enough to admit he’d lied to himself.

  He had cared. More than he had wanted to.

  He was reaching for another glass of wine off the tray of a passing waiter when the room suddenly became quiet. He turned to see what had caused the silence and felt his stomach tighten. Corinthians stood in the doorway and she looked absolutely gorgeous. Trevor took a quick glance around the room. Some of the men were openly drooling. His anger heightened. You would think they had never seen a beautiful American woman before. Even Armond Thetas appeared spellbound.

  Trevor’s gaze hardened as he looked at Corinthians again. A sudden knot formed in his throat. He himself had seen numerous beautiful American women, but never like this. She had really outdone herself tonight. He blinked once, then twice, to make sure he was seeing straight. She was dressed in—of all things—a virginal white, flowing evening gown. The gown’s color was a stark contrast against the dark hue of her skin. But the combination of coloring made her look absolutely stunning, breathtaking.

  Trevor glanced back around the room. A number of the men, although married, had not bothered to bring their wives with them on this trip. They were the main ones slobbering at the sight of Corinthians. The sight was totally disgusting.

  His gaze moved back to the doorway. He could gather from Corinthians’s expression she had also noted the fact that she was on display. She stood transfixed in place, scanning the group as if to make up her mind whether or not she really wanted to enter a den filled with salivating wolves.

  Trevor noticed she kept glancing around the room as if looking for someone. He suddenly realized she was searching for him. He was surprised, given the on-going feud between them. He quickly reached the conclusion that to her way of thinking, he was just one more brazen, salivating wolf among many, but he was the one Corinthians assumed she could handle.

  What the heck, he would let her assume whatever she liked, he thought, moving toward her. And he would let the people here tonight assume whatever they wanted to think, he thought further, picking up his pace. A few seconds later he was standing directly in front of Corinthians. He immediately saw the look of both relief and gratitude in her eyes.

  For the space of several timeless moments, he didn’t move. Then he leaned slightly and brushed his lips against hers in way of an affectionate greeting, effectively telling everyone present that Corinthians Avery was already taken.

  Corinthians had seen the kiss coming, but hadn’t had time to prepare herself for it. Although Trevor had barely brushed his lips against hers, her body had begun tingling all over. When he straightened his tall form, her gaze covered him from head to toe. If she thought Trevor had looked handsome in his dark suit at today’s meeting, he looked doubly so in his white dinner jacket and dark slacks.

  “For some reason, Trevor, I think you enjoy rescuing me,” she whispered.

  He smiled as he reached out and took her hand in his. “I do.” He looked down at her. “You look great.”

  “Thanks.”

  The room was no longer silent. People were once again engaged in conversations. However, Trevor knew those same slavering wolves were discreetly watching them. “I may have disappointed a lot of men here tonight,” he whispered to Corinthians.

  Corinthians looked up at him. “How so?”

  “When you entered the room dressed in all white, because of the customs, traditions and beliefs in their countries regarding women wearing white, they saw you as a maiden virgin. I may have destroyed that image with my kiss, especially since it was in front of everyone at a professional gathering. Rumors will probably begin circulating that we’re lovers.” He angled his head, studying her intently. “What do you have to say about that?”

  She smiled up at him. “Nothing, since you and I know better. Tonight, we’re merely playacting.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  Before she could answer, he led her over to the table where dinner would be served.

  Rasheed stood in front of the window in his Washington, D.C., apartment watching the rain. In Mowaiti, the rain was always welcomed. His people needed it for the growth of their crops. For the past few years, occasional drought had ravished the lands, making it harder for the people to earn a living, and making it harder still for them to feed their families. These things seemed to worry him more than they did his father, whose only concern was with gaining allies to keep the country safe. He had closed his eyes to the bleak circumstances surrounding his people. If it continued, Mowaiti would no longer exist as a country.

  The soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. A few minutes later, Swalar, his valet, announced
the arrival of Yasir Bedouins, a man who had been his father’s adviser and close confidant for a number of years. Rasheed had once loved this man like a father because when his own parents hadn’t had the time to listen to his youthful woes, Yasir had. But because of Yasir’s close relationship with Sheikh Amin Valdemon, and his strong sense of dedication and loyalty to him, their once-close relationship was no more, especially now since he was no longer a child, but a man with his own views and a mind to express them. Rasheed regretted that, like his father, Yasir’s ambition in life was not in making Mowaiti a stronger and powerful nation, but in keeping it safe and preserving its present state of existence.

  “Yasir, to what do I owe this visit? Is something wrong with Father?” he asked with genuine concern in his voice when the older man entered his office. Even with their differences, he loved his father deeply.

  “No, your father is fine. A little tired tonight more than usual, but he’s fine.”

  At that moment, efficient as ever, Swalar brought in coffee. And as Swalar went about pouring the brew in each of their cups, Rasheed studied Yasir, trying to decipher his mood and most importantly the reason for his visit. However, no words were spoken until after Swalar had finished his task and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  “How long has he been serving you?” Yasir asked before taking a sip of the coffee.

  Rasheed frowned. “Who? Swalar?”

  At Yasir’s nod, he answered, “Since I was thirteen years old. Why?”

  “I think he’s getting too old for the task. You need a younger, more able-bodied man to—”

  “I don’t want anyone else,” Rasheed interrupted. “I like Swalar just fine, and he still serves my needs extremely well.” He took a sip of his own coffee before adding, “He and I understand each other.”

  Yasir lifted a brow. “In other words, he’s still very efficient in keeping your secrets.”

  Rasheed knew better than to play cat-and-mouse games with Yasir. The man was too sharp-witted for that. But tonight, just to humor him, he would make an exception. “I suppose he’s as efficient at keeping my secrets as you are in keeping my father’s. Should I try and guess why he’s so tired tonight?”

  Yasir met his gaze directly and unswervingly. “Your father has special needs.”

  Rasheed smiled faintly. “Evidently. But isn’t it enough that he has a harem full of women back home in our country. Does he have to create another one here in this country, as well?”

  Yasir shrugged. “The American women are willing enough, and he’s not hurting anyone.”

  Rasheed snorted. “No one but himself. He turns sixty-one this year. How many women a night is he up to now? Last count it was five.”

  Yasir shifted in his seat, not out of mortification or disgrace, Rasheed concluded, but merely to find a more comfortable position. “I don’t keep tabs on such matters,” he replied gruffly.

  “Maybe you should. He’s not immune to AIDS you know. And I love my mother very much. I wouldn’t want my father’s private, sordid affairs to ever cause harm to her health.”

  “I take care of such matters.”

  Rasheed shook his head, not doubting that he did. A part of him couldn’t help wondering just to what extent Yasir did so. “Are you going to tell me why you’re here, Yasir?”

  The older man sat back in his chair. “I’ve heard things…” Yasir said slowly. “Senator Joshua Avery has boasted to others of your interest in his sister. Your father and I saw the two of you together last month at that dinner party for Senator Nedwyn Lansing.”

  Rasheed took another sip of coffee. “So, what of it? She’s very beautiful. And I happen to like American women…like my father.”

  Yasir’s smile was slow. “If anything, you would not like them because of that very reason. So I’ve been curious as to why Ms. Avery has interested you. To appease my curiosity, I did some checking into her background. What I discovered is very interesting.”

  “And just what have you discovered, Yasir?”

  “Knowing your modern views on how you believe you can save Mowaiti, I think your interest in Corinthians Avery speaks for itself.” Yasir leaned forward. “But don’t be a fool, Rasheed. Take this advice from someone who cares for you like a father. Whatever you’re into, get out of it. The United States is one of our biggest allies. We don’t need you to bring bad blood between our countries because of your foolish, boyish dreams. Are you determined to destroy the good, solid relationship we have with this country that your father has worked years to cultivate?”

  Rasheed leaped out of his chair. “Is it foolish and boyish to want better for our people?”

  “No, but you have no proof there is oil anywhere in Mowaiti. If there were, don’t you think it would have been discovered by now?”

  “Not necessarily. Look at Libya, and how—”

  “I don’t want to hear about Libya. When are you going to realize we are a totally different country?”

  Rasheed narrowed his eyes. “And when are you and Father going to get your heads out of the sand and out from underneath the American women’s skirts, and take note of what’s really happening in Mowaiti? You’re so busy keeping Father’s secrets and he’s so busy creating more secrets for you to keep that neither of you can see what’s happening. Neither you nor him have been to Mowaiti in months.”

  Yasir stood. “I refuse to continue this conversation with you, Rasheed. I expect you to take heed of my advice. If I have to, I will alert your father of what you’re about. I take my job as his confidant and adviser seriously.”

  Without saying another word, Yasir Bedouins turned and walked out of the room.

  Corinthians finished packing the overnight bag she was taking to Buzios, and placed it next to her bed. According to Armond Thetas, the chartered bus that would take them to the airport would arrive at dawn. She had decided to pack tonight instead of rushing about doing the chore in the morning.

  She had left the dinner party more than an hour ago. Trevor had remained close by her side the entire evening, and she had appreciated that. At the end of dinner, he had escorted her back to her room. She’d been mildly surprised when all he’d done was brush a kiss on her cheek before saying good-night. She refused to admit she was disappointed he hadn’t taken her into his arms and kissed her senseless like he’d done the night before.

  Corinthians was so absorbed in her thoughts that the shrill ringing of the telephone startled her. She reached out and grabbed it before it could ring a second time. “Hello.”

  “Corinth? What’s going on, girl?”

  Corinthians smiled. Her best friend, Brenna, was just the person she needed to talk to. The two of them had been friends since childhood and had no secrets.

  “Brenna, when did you get back?” For years Brenna had been a Fashion Fair model, but had given it up a couple of years ago after complaining of being burned out and getting up in age. Photographers were looking for younger women these days, Brenna claimed, and not women who were hitting thirty. However, she had jumped at the opportunity when Ebony contacted her six months ago to coordinate the fashion shows for them. Although it meant constant travel, it had been an opportunity for her to remain a part of an industry she loved.

  “I got back yesterday, but let’s cut the small talk. Tell me, how’s Trevor Grant?”

  Corinthians laughed as she stretched out on the bed. “Trevor Grant is doing fine, I guess.”

  “Did you see him today?”

  “Yes, we attended the same dinner party tonight.”

  “Umm. And you’re alone now?”

  Corinthians raised a brow. “Yes, why?”

  “Then I bet the brother isn’t doing fine. I bet he’s taking a cold shower about now.”

  Corinthians smiled at Brenna’s assumption. She could actually hear the shower running in Trevor’s room. But that didn’t necessarily mean the shower he was taking was a cold one. “All right, Brenna, let up, girl. Pull back.”

  “If you insis
t. But if I were you I wouldn’t let him get away, Corinth. Good men are hard to find.”

  Corinthians chuckled when she remembered something Trevor had said yesterday. “I bet I know where a few of them are.”

  “Really? Where?” Brenna asked, more than mildly curious.

  Corinthians scooted over in the bed to the side closest to the wall. Trevor’s shower, she noted, was going full blast. “In the Marines.”

  Nothing like a cold shower to cool a man off, Trevor thought as he dried off his wet body before placing a towel around his waist. There was only so much temptation that a sane man could take. And tonight he had nearly reached his limit. His lips twisted into a smile as he made his way out of the bathroom. Tonight Corinthians had been all grace, finesse and elegance. It hadn’t been the flowing gown that covered, yet tantalized every curve of her body. Nor had it been the way she’d had her hair fixed atop her head in a bevy of curls that crowned her features with innocence. To his way of thinking, it had been the way she had carried herself, so vibrantly alive yet the carefully controlled, dignified and proper lady.

  The envious looks he’d receive from numerous men had stunned him with the knowledge of just what he hadn’t realized until tonight. There were two sides to Corinthians Avery. One was the wanton seductress, who had appeared half-naked in his hotel room that night, and the other was the prim-and-proper Ms. Avery. He couldn’t help but wonder which Corinthians Avery he liked best. He then decided he liked them both. And deep down he knew he wanted them both.

  Trevor bit back a groan when thoughts of having her sent blood rushing through his veins. When he had walked her to her room, it had taken all the control he could conjure from years of military training not to take her into his arms for a repeat of last night. He couldn’t run the risk of tasting then devouring the sweetness of her mouth again, without being tempted to taste the rest of her.

  He leaned back against the wall to get his bearings. This kind of sensual attraction was a first for him. Never had he been so captivated with a woman. And if that didn’t beat all, this magnetic pull had lasted nearly two years. Even knowing that she was in love with another man—a man who happened to be his best friend—hadn’t stopped him from desiring her, hungering after her. And that realization cut him to the core.