Bound to the Sheikh by Clare ConnellyMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
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Zero treats our Zeroine very badly and keeps a mistress in the courtyard of the palace and makes a point of showing contempt for Zeroine.
(view spoiler)
Afida nodded with impatience. “It is a sacrifice. I do not wish to tether myself to any woman, particularly not this one.”
“So why is Laurena marrying you then? Is it out of love for her father?” “Money.” She could practically hear the Sheikh’s shrugged shoulders. “She is motivated by little else, I believe.”
“She does not need to make me happy. I have May, I have my title. My fiancé is nothing to me. A means to an end that I must learn to tolerate.”
But this creature before him was both unkempt and wild. Oh, her figure was pleasing enough – she was petite with enough curves to hold his interest, but she was not the kind of woman he usually went for. Out of nowhere he pictured May, with her legs that went forever and her mane of silky blonde hair, her skin as smooth and soft as caramel fudge.
“Dressed like this, you are every man’s fantasy. Bookish yet sexy; Miss Moneypenny meets Hollywood starlet. Of course you were an excellent escort.”
She was to marry a man who despised her, and it was all based on misunderstandings.
But never, no matter how I might act in the presence of others, allow yourself to believe my attitude towards you has changed. To the day I die, I will think of you as the worst example of humanity. A daughter who has betrayed her father is not worth the air she breathes.”
“How many men, like me, have given you money in exchange for yourself.” Her footing stumbled a little, but his vice like grip around her waist kept her in place. “How many times do I have to tell you that it isn’t like that?” “You can say it until your breath expires and I will still not believe it. Smile, zivzel.”
“But you would never be to me what May is.” How did he do it? His ability to pinpoint the very worst thing to say and sledge her with words was a cruel gift.
I realised that I do not have to like you to find you desirable. In fact, I can still despise you, and want you.”
“It does not matter. I have transferred the money to your father. So far as I am concerned, you are bought and paid for. This deal is final, and there is no longer any backing out.”
“Are you going somewhere?” Elon was reclining thoughtfully, a smile quirking on his lips. “Yes. I’m going to May. Good night, friend.” He left without a backwards glance, and so missed the searing look of fury on Elon’s features. 5 True to his word, in the presence of their closest family and friends, he played the part perfectly.
“Would servants have prevented her from going to May’s cottage, as she was intending to?” Afida’s skin paled beneath his golden tan. “She was? Does she know?” “No. I told her it is a diplomatic residence.”
Elon slashed a furious hand through the air. “Laurie is worth a thousand Mays, and yet still you go to that woman?”
Never, no matter how I might act in the presence of others, allow yourself to believe my attitude towards you has changed. To the day I die, I will think of you as the worst example of humanity. A daughter who has betrayed her father is not worth the air she breathes. He had said that to her.
“But he will never belong to you.” The woman taunted silkily, her beautiful face tormented by the depth of her emotion. “I’m … sorry…” Laurie repeated with a murmur, for lack of a more suitable rejoinder. “I’ve no idea who you are, nor what you want.”
“I am May.” The woman’s green eyes flared in her stunning face. “And I can see by your expression that you have heard of my role in your husband’s life.” Laurie’s face paled, but she held herself steady. “Yes.” Why deny it?
“And do you also know that your husband,” another spit, this time with actual bubbles of lava detonating from her lips, “has spent every night with me since you arrived? Did you know he spent last night in my bed? Making love to me? His body moved within mine, his hands roamed my flesh, he took of me as he has done for two years. Do you know this?”
“I do know that Afida has no intention of ending things with you because of me.” She spun away from May, no longer able to mask her sadness. “I’m his wife in name only, May. You’re welcome to him.”
May. Her invitation to attend the wedding had been automatic, but now Afida greatly wished she wasn’t there to witness this.
She shook her head, ignoring the attempt at humour. “I won’t get in the way of you and May.” She ignored the painful thumping in her chest. “You should talk to her. She’s very upset.”
“I don’t care that you’re sleeping with her. I don’t care if you’re sleeping with an entire harem. But I don’t want to be put in the middle.” “You are not in the middle. You are nothing to do with May.”
“And that’s what I told her. She needn’t feel threatened by me. I might be your wife, but that’s just a stupid title. It doesn’t mean anything.” He closed his eyes briefly. “You told her this?”
“You stayed with May last night and now you expect me to treat this like a real marriage?” A muscle in his jaw was flexing frantically. “I expect you to stop thinking about my mistress.” “I can’t.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “Maybe if I hadn’t met her. But I can’t do this to her.” “To her?” He was incredulous. “Yes, to her. Not after I’ve promised her.”
“Wouldn’t you?” She queried. “Of course not. For whatever reason you’ve remained … innocent … your first time should have been with a man who both loves and respects you.”
“I regret this,” he said seriously, sombrely. “I am sorry.”
Even though it’s a sham, I still don’t condone infidelity. You have a lover. Maybe more than one, I don’t know. But I’m definitely not the kind of woman who can share a man.” “I am not asking you to.” “No. You’re expecting me to do so without the courtesy of asking. And I won’t do it.
“But I don’t want her speaking to my father.” Afida froze. “To David? May is speaking to David?” “In the garden. I was just jogging,”
“And I saw them in the quince grove. May was laughing at something he’d said. I watched them for ten minutes. They looked like old friends.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “I know you don’t intend to give her up. I heard you say as much, and I know I don’t have the right to ask you to. But this is too much.”
My father cannot find out about us. He can’t know that this marriage is fake. I won’t have her make a fool of him the way she is of me.”
“I did the test three times. I am with child.” Laurie stood slowly, wary of making any noise that might alert them to her presence. “This is going to destroy Laurie,” his words were soft. Even in that moment, Laurie took heart from the fact that he thought of her. True, not enough to stop sleeping with his mistress. And not enough not to get his mistress pregnant. But on some level, he did care.
The problem they faced was hardly simple. This baby would be a constant reminder to his wife of what he’d shared with May. May would forever more be in their lives, despite what he, or Laurie, might have wanted. He needed Laurie to understand.
This was not a love match, despite her stupidity in falling in love with her husband. Yes, they’d developed a very healthy sexual relationship, but that was just convenience. He’d obviously been with May too. Her stomach clenched at the thought. The betrayal!
“My father and your mistress are having a baby together.” She said, her mind reeling. “Your lover is going to raise my half-brother or sister. Our child’s cousin will be its uncle or aunt as well.”
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