Her Desert Protector, page 2
“You take precautions to a new level,” she commented as she passed him.
Khalid couldn’t help but grin. “Making sure your room is secure.”
Zoey shook her head, but worry flashed over her features. He wanted nothing more than to gather her into his arms and make sure she stayed safe. He barely knew this woman, but his protective instincts were on high. Why?
“It is.” She dropped her backpack on the bed and turned to stare at him. “I’m safe now, and you can be on your way.” She waved her hands in the air.
“Do you have a mobile phone?”
“Yes.” She stood without moving.
“May I see it, please?” Khalid held out his hand. This woman was suspicious of everything. Not that it was a bad thing.
“Why?”
He took a deep breath. “I’d like to make sure you have our local emergency numbers in case you need them.”
She unzipped the pocket of her backpack, pulled her phone out, and dangled it in her fingers.
He plucked it from her. “Hey,” she protested.
He unlocked the phone since she had no security on it, found the contacts, and input his name and number. “If you have any problems or issues, call.” He handed her back her phone.
“I won’t need to.” Her tone was firm as she lifted her chin and stared at him, feet apart as if ready for a fight. He wanted to chuckle at her stance.
“I hope not.” He turned and left the room with Ryan following.
Zoey shook her head as she shut the door and locked it behind her escorts. She disliked overprotective men; she’d had enough of that growing up. Though Khalid’s dark looks sure added to his air of mystique, and also made her heart pound. There was something about his commanding voice that made her shiver.
She rolled her eyes. Pushing all thoughts of Khalid out of her head, Zoey slipped off her backpack and put it on the bed, then picked up her duffel and set it on the luggage rack, opening it to pull out clean clothes.
A quick shower and then she’d download the photos she’d taken today and make sure everything was backed up to the cloud. She glanced at her watch. After she did that, it would be time for dinner.
Zoey worked for a few hours until her stomach protested. She hadn’t eaten much that day. An early flight from Iraq had meant a quick breakfast, and she’d only grabbed that apple for lunch.
Picking up her backpack, she made her way out to the street and began walking. The sun was still out, but it was not as hot as before. People were making their way home from their jobs or to the marketplace to get supplies for dinner. She stopped in front of a small restaurant. Mashawai’s, the sign said. It was like a lot of the buildings, a mixture of old and new. Older stone facades, but the awning and signage were new.
She glanced at the menu in the window, then peeked inside. This was a nice-looking, quaint restaurant. It was small, holding no more than maybe ten tables. It appeared to be family run, and several locals were dining there. She loved eating where the locals did.
She stepped inside. The smell of roasting lamb filled the air, along with spices. Her mouth watered.
“Welcome to Mashawai’s. Table for one?” a young woman in a long green dress greeted her.
“Yes, please.” Zoey followed the young woman to a simple wood table, covered by a white cloth, and with a menu, napkin, and utensils already set out. Zoey pulled out the chair and sat down.
“Your waiter will be right here. Please enjoy your meal.” The young woman walked away.
Zoey placed the napkin in her lap and picked up the menu. Everything was listed in Arabic and English, which was good. Her reading of Arabic wasn’t the best.
“Good evening, I’m Yasir, your waiter. Would you like something to drink?”
Zoey glanced up. She noticed the resemblance between the waiter and the hostess who had seated her. Her guess was right about the place being run by a family. He also wore a pair of green pants the same shade as the hostess’s dress and a white shirt.
“Fruit juice.”
“We have several; how about a nice pineapple and melon blend?” he suggested.
“Sounds perfect.” She set her menu down. “What do you recommend for dinner?”
His dark brown eyes widened, and she hid a smile. He wasn’t expecting her to ask that. “For an appetizer, tabbouleh; main dish, shawarma; and for dessert, pistachio and walnut baklava.”
Already Zoey’s mouth was watering. “Sounds perfect.” She grinned at the waiter.
“I’ll have the fruit juice and tabbouleh right out.” He picked up her menu and hurried away.
Zoey pulled a small notebook out of her backpack and made some notes. She had a good memory, but she still liked to jot things down. Once that was done, she dug out her phone. She’d found her blog readers loved when she’d share pictures of the food she’d eaten.
Yasir strode up to the table with a bowl and a pitcher of juice. He poured her a glass and set the bowl of tabbouleh in front of her. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.” After taking a photo, Zoey lifted her fork and took a bite. The mint burst upon her tongue, then the sweet taste of onion. The bulgur and tomatoes rounded out the dish. The spices were subtle.
A shadow fell across her table. She looked up and her eyes widened. Khalid stood there.
“I see you didn’t stay in your room,” he said.
She sat straighter in her chair. “Are you following me?” She winced at her accusing tone. “Sorry, that was rude.”
“You can make it up to me by allowing me to join you.” He gestured to the empty chair.
Zoey nodded and he sat down. “And to answer your question, I saw you sitting here alone and thought you might like some company.”
Part of her was suspicious, but another part of her was glad for the company. Hell, her woman parts had gone all perky and hard the moment he spoke. What was it about this commanding man that attracted her so?
She popped the last bite into her mouth as Yasir came rushing over with another place setting and poured him a glass of juice. “It’s a honor to have you here--”
“Thank you, Yasir.”
Zoey stared at Khalid. He liked cutting people off. Why was that? What was he afraid they might say? She liked puzzles, though this particular one might be more interesting than most.
“What may I get for you, sir?” Yasir asked.
“I’ll have whatever Miss Lacey is having.” Yasir nodded and left. He turned his attention to her, and Zoey found herself drowning in his eyes.
“So, Khalid, what do you do when you’re not escorting women to their hotel rooms or checking out their credentials or following them to restaurants?”
He laughed and that husky chuckle flowed through her veins. “As I said earlier, I’m head of security.”
“Yes, but security of what? The city? The country?” Something flashed in his eyes and Zoey bit back a grin. So he was hiding something.
“The security of the people of Bashir.” He picked up his glass and took a sip.
“That’s a big job.”
“You have no idea.”
Yasir walked up to the table with the shawarma. The meat was in a wrap, along with lettuce and tomato. Zoey snapped another photo, then picked up the hot wrap and took a small bite. Oh, my goodness. The garlic filled her senses. It was delicious. The lamb was tender and moist.
“Why did you take a picture of your food before you took a bite?” Khalid waved his hand at her phone.
Should she answer with the same elusiveness as Khalid? The man was basically a stranger, but Zoey had always preferred to play it straight. Besides, he actually looked interested. “For my blog. My readers enjoy seeing pictures of the food in the places I travel to.”
He took a bite of his own food and looked thoughtful. “Do you enjoy doing your travel blog?”
“Yes.” She ate a few more bites, the meat practically melting on her tongue. Then she sipped her fruit juice and, without taking her attention from him, she made a few notes in her journal.
Odd how she couldn’t take her attention from him. Maybe it was because she was enjoying his company even if he was a little controlling. He finished off his food, and she wondered how long it had been since he had last eaten.
“I am enjoying doing the blog.” She grinned. “But if I don’t take notes, I won’t remember everything. The tastes, the smell, the experience.” She polished off her meal.
“Did you enjoy it?” Yasir asked as he removed their plates.
“Very much so. My compliments to the cook.”
Yasir beamed at her. “Father will be happy to hear that. Your desserts will be right out.”
Zoey groaned. “I’ll never be able to eat dessert.” She was full now, so maybe she’d eat a bite or two and take the rest back to her hotel room.
“I thought all women loved dessert, no matter what.”
“I do.” Zoey took a sip of the juice. “But I’m stuffed.”
Khalid regarded her with disbelief shining in his eyes. “You barely ate anything.”
“I ate an appetizer, and then the main course. The food is very filling, and I have to keep in shape.”
“I think your shape is just fine.”
Heat flared over her skin.
Yasir arrived, carrying the plate of baklava and accompanied by an older man dressed very much like him. She saw the resemblance, even thought the older man’s face was lined with age. “This is my father. He wanted to say thank you for the compliment on the food.”
Zoey nodded. “It is all very delicious,” she said in Arabic. “You are a great cook.”
The man’s brown eyes widened, and he smiled. He reached over and took her hand and kissed the back of it, all the while telling her she was beautiful and he was glad she graced his restaurant with her presence. Then he looked at the man sitting with her and gave a deep bow before he left.
Yasir was shaking his head as his father walked away. “You made his day. Not many Americans speak Arabic.”
“How did you know I’m American?” She wondered what that bow to Khalid meant. It seemed very odd the older man hadn’t spoken to him.
“No accent.” Yasir walked away, and Zoey laughed.
“Do I really not have an accent?” she asked Khalid.
“You don’t, but you are very fluent in our language.” He cocked his head. “Why?”
“In my travels it’s good to have a basic knowledge of local languages, but when I was in Iraq I picked up quite a bit.” She picked up one of the triangle-shaped baklava and put it into her mouth. The combination of pistachio and walnuts, with honey, sugar, and syrup, made her sweet tooth sit up and take notice.
Khalid stared at her as she swallowed. A shiver of awareness slid over her skin. Khalid finished off the baklava he’d put on his dish. After three more tastes, she pushed the plate away. “I can’t eat another bite.”
There were still six more pieces, but she couldn’t. Yasir grinned as he took the plate to box up what was left.
“What are your plans after dinner?” Khalid asked.
“What are you offering?” Zoey closed her eyes as her face heated. What the hell did she just blurt out? Her mouth was running away with her thoughts today.
He laughed. “I would be honored to show you around the town.”
She tilted her head and studied him. “Afraid to leave me alone?”
“No. I thought you might like a tour of sorts.”
“That is very nice of you.” It was a lovely gesture, but probably not wise, given her attraction to him. She needed some distance. “I really need to get back to my hotel room and work. So maybe another time.” Yasir placed the box on the table.
“I hope you enjoy your stay here in Bashir, and please come back to Mashawai’s.” He turned to walk away.
“Yasir, I need my bill.” She would never leave without paying.
Yasir looked at Khalid. “It’s been take care of.” He scurried off.
Zoey turned her gaze to Khalid. “Now, how did you manage to cover the bill when you haven’t left this table?”
“Yasir and I have an understanding when I come to Mashawai’s to eat.”
Zoey glared at Khalid. “I can pay for my own meals.”
“I’m sure you can.” He reached out and covered her hand where it lay on the table. “Allow me this one small favor.”
His tone was soft and eager. In a way he was telling her and not asking her, which irritated her. “All right, but you’ve used up your allotted favors.” She pulled out her wallet. “But I’m leaving the tip.” Zoey laid several bills on the table. Then she picked up her backpack and the box of baklava. “Thank you for keeping me company.”
“I enjoyed it.” Khalid rose to his feet.
“Have a nice evening.” Zoey walked to the entrance with Khalid following her. Not a good idea. Those dark eyes called to her, and if she got him near her hotel room again ... She held her hand up. “I’m fine walking by myself.”
Khalid looked as if he wanted to argue, but instead he nodded and leaned against the building, watchful as always. Zoey took several steps, but couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder at him.
His eyes were on her. She crossed the street and went into her hotel. Who knew being watched like that could be so darned erotic? Her heart pounded with awareness. Her whole body tingled. In her room, she glanced out the window to see him walk off. Maybe she should give him a chance if they met again.
After such a good meal, she wanted to sleep, but she’d do some more work tonight, then sleep. Better to start tomorrow on top of her work. She didn’t like to run behind, especially in a foreign country.
Khalid was going over parade route maps for Bashir’s anniversary party. Security could use the police force to help on the streets, but they were going to need sharpshooters.
His stomach tightened. He didn’t want to pull in more specialized sharpshooters. So many things could go wrong, but he had to do what was right to protect his family and the people of Bashir. He’d have Ryan put out some feelers and get his input. It would only be for a short period of time.
Khalid’s cell phone vibrated where it lay on his desk. He looked at the time; it was almost four in the morning. Who would be calling him? He glanced at the number. Zoey. She’d been on his mind since yesterday. Maybe she’d been thinking of him too, but it was so early. “Khalid here.”
“Ummm, it’s Zoey.” She was a bit out of breath, and he heard a slight tremor in her voice.
“Is something wrong?” His heart pounded.
“Yeah, sort of. I think you’d better get to my hotel room. The local police are here, and they’re not happy with me.”
“What?” Khalid jumped out of his chair and headed for the door. “Put the ranking officer on the phone.”
He found Ryan in the office kitchen brewing coffee. Khalid began speaking before Ryan even looked up. “We need to get to the hotel. Something has happened.”
“What? Where?” Ryan asked.
“Zoey. The local police are in her hotel room.”
“What did she do?” Ryan asked as they strode down the hallway to the front door.
“At four in the morning, I have no clue. I’m waiting to talk to the ranking officer.”
Ryan nodded, opening the front door, and they made their way to the SUV parked in front.
A voice came on the line. “Officer Saleem speaking.”
“Officer Saleem, this is Prince Khalid, what is going on? Is Zoey all right?”
“Sir, ummm, Prin—”
“No title.” Khalid cut him off. He didn’t want Zoey to know he was part of the royal family. It was better she didn’t. “What happened?”
“Someone broke into Miss Lacey’s room. We have him in custody, but he swears it’s his room.”
“Where is Babak?”
“He’ll be here any minute.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Do not let the man go. Make sure Miss Lacey is comfortable until I arrive.” Khalid ended the call. Another attack on Zoey? What the hell was going on?
They made it to Bashir City in record time. The roads were practically deserted, which made sense with it being so early in the morning. When the SUV pulled up in front of the hotel, Khalid bailed out and ran up the stairs to Zoey’s room.
“I’m telling you he’s lying.” Zoey’s irate voice carried into the hall.
Khalid entered the room. Two officers stood next to a young man who rubbed his head. Zoey was toe-to-toe with Officer Saleem, who looked very uncomfortable. Zoey, on the other hand, looked delicious in shorts and a tank top, her tan skin glowing in the light. “Will someone tell me what is going on?”
Eyes turned to him.
“Intruder,” Zoey said.
“We don’t know that,” Officer Saleem said.
Khalid looked at Ryan, who was with Babak. “Babak, this is Miss Lacey’s room, is it not?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Told you.” Zoey put her hands on her hips.
Khalid hid his smile and glanced at the intruder, who was looking at the floor, his shoulders slumped; he was shuffling his feet, but still rubbing his head. “What is wrong with him?”
“I hit him over the head.” She gestured to the broken lamp on the floor. “Sorry, Babak. I’ll pay for the damage.”
“What?” Khalid shook his head before taking Zoey’s hands in his. The slight trembling of her body made him want to comfort her. “You and I need to talk about your doing crazy things.” He released her hands to place his palms on her shoulders, enjoying the feel of her soft skin. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She shifted from one foot to the other, but the trembling stopped. “I woke to the sound of glass breaking.” She indicated the window. “I saw this guy climbing through the window, so I grabbed the lamp and hit him with it.”
Khalid glanced at the intruder, then to Officer Saleem. “Officer Saleem, if you would please take this young man down to the station, I’ll join you there shortly.”
“Yes, sir.” They hustled the man out of the room.
Glass crunched under his feet. He looked down, noticing Zoey’s uncovered feet. Why hadn’t someone gotten her a pair of shoes? “You need shoes.”
