The Sheikh's American Bride (The Sharqi Sheikhs Series Book 2) (3 page)

During their meeting yesterday, Claire and Taleb settled on a schedule for him to tour areas of Cambridge and the Harvard campus. Since his primary focus was to find a wife, Claire suggested places that might serve as a good location to meet someone based on the requirements he wanted while still fulfilling the Dean’s expectations.

The next morning, they met outside the Harvard Arts Museum. Claire showed up in her usual baggy pants and a t-shirt. She preferred comfort over style, plus it was easier than spending time worrying about what she was going to wear and taking the extra time to put on makeup when she could sleep those extra few minutes.

Mounting the steps to where Taleb waited, she saw that he was dressed in tailored khaki trousers and a fitted polo shirt, which set off his toned physique well. He still sported his short beard and today he was wearing dark sunglasses, giving him a mysterious look. His expensive Rolex sat loosely on his wrist as he glanced at it at what Claire assumed was impatience but since she couldn’t see his eyes, she couldn’t be sure.

“Hey, ready to look at the museum?” Claire asked.

“Yes, I’ve heard much about your museums and I’m looking forward to seeing the exhibits.” Claire nodded and gestured for him to follow her into the building.

Entering the first exhibit room, Taleb surged forward as he excitedly walked around the room to view the different artefacts. Claire trailed along behind him but she didn’t have much interest. Looking over his shoulder, Taleb realized that she wasn’t paying attention.

“This is not of interest to you?” he questioned.

Shrugging her shoulders, “It’s a bunch of old things dug from the ground.”

Taleb reached out and grabbed her wrist drawing her closer to him. Claire resisted the urge to snatch her wrist away from the tingling sensations that seemed to echo in other parts of her body simply by his touch.

“Look there,” he told her gesturing to the small statues. “Those statues once stood guard over someone’s body. They’ve resided buried in earth for more than four thousand years and probably look close to what they did when they were first buried.”

“So, you like old things,” Claire replied finding it difficult to concentrate with his hand still on her wrist.

Sliding his hand down to her waist, Taleb guided Claire to the next exhibit, as he stood behind her and talked with his head against her ear. “It is not about old things. We are looking at ancient art that was never meant to be seen again. These are phenomenal finds that cultures today cannot appreciate their value.”

“You mean money?” It had become difficult to speak with his hand on her body. The warmth that he created was growing and beginning to churn inside her in ways that never happened with Daniel.

“Not everything is about money,” Taleb replied.

“Says the man driving an Aston Martin.”

Ignoring her comment, Taleb continued, as he guided Claire to the next exhibit. “Look there,” he told her, as he pointed to the smaller and simpler items in the glass case. His arm brushed up against her body causing Claire to close her eyes at the mini fireworks shooting off in her body.

“Those are items that were found inside the graves of average people. While they are not overly ornate or covered in gold, they tell a story as to who they were. America is a very young country that is a mix of cultures and religions. While it is something that I can appreciate, you also seem to lack any sort of appreciation for
old things
, as you put it.”

The combination of his deep voice and touch was too much for Claire as she felt herself falling down that rabbit hole. She swore to herself that she would not fall for someone unattainable again. Much less so soon.

He’s arrogant and you don’t fit his profile
, she reminded herself as she stepped out of the shelter of his arms under the pretense of looking at the items in the case. Resting her hands on the cool glass, she tried not to think about the sudden feeling of loss she felt at no longer being so close to him. 

As they walked around the museum, Claire couldn’t resist asking, “What is wrong with other types of women?”

“They don't do it for me.”

She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. It was true that everyone had their preferred type in terms of whom they were attracted to, but his seemed way too specific. They paused in front of a painting of a couple standing at the water’s edge on the beach.

“But what about commonalities?” she asked.

“What?”

“Things in common. Simply because a woman is tall and blonde doesn’t mean that you will like the same things.”

“Well, she will like what I like,” Taleb answered arrogantly.

Claire’s mouth dropped open as she turned to stare at him. Catching a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, she punched him lightly in the arm as he turned to stare at her.

“You know, Malil has killed men for doing far less,” he told her solemnly. Before Claire could utter an apology, he burst out laughing. “Oh, I wish I had taken a picture of that look on your face to send to Kim,” he told her as he continued to laugh.

“Not funny,” Claire pouted.

“It was a little funny,” he teased.

Exiting the museum, Claire saw an ice cream truck. “Ice cream!” Claire called out excitedly as she rushed toward it with Taleb following behind.

“Hello, what would you like?” the truck owner asked her when she approached.

“Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough, please.” Claire loved her ice cream. She turned to Taleb, “Would you like some?”

“Does it taste good?”

Claire's eyes flew open. “Have you never tasted it before?”

Taleb shook his head, “No.”

“Oh no, no, no, that is unacceptable.” Claire looked at the ice cream seller. “Make that two please?”

“Sure thing,” he said with a smile. He handed the small tubs of Ben and Jerry’s to Claire. She smiled and gave one to Taleb before happily opening her tub. Dipping her spoon in, she scooped some out and placed it in her mouth. Closing her eyes, she smiled as the richness of the ice cream melted in her mouth before she swallowed it. Opening her eyes, she watched Taleb take a bite.

“How does it taste?”

“Not bad. How many calories are in each tub?” he asked, as he tilted the ice cream container to read the side. Claire narrowed her gaze at him.
Did he seriously care about calories?

Shrugging her shoulders. “Does it really matter? It’s a hot day and this is a tasty treat,” she replied as she continued to eat hers. Finding what he was looking for, Taleb raised his eyebrows.

“This is way too many calories,” he stated before tossing his container in the trash.

Clare rolled her eyes. “Seriously, you are that bothered about calories? It isn’t as if you have to eat it all the time. This was meant to be a treat.” He looked at her with a blank facial expression.

“Maybe you should be more concerned.” he replied. Claire's jaw hung open.

“I am not even fat!” she protested. She knew that she needed to lose some inches off her waist and maybe tone up but that was none of Taleb's business.

“You are not fat but you are not slim, either.”

“So, what! It isn’t as if I’m tall, blonde or from a well to do family either,” Claire shot back.

“Which is a good thing since you have no appreciation of art.”

“What does that have to do with anything? I like other things. I’m not one of your groupies, Taleb, I don’t have to like what you do.”

“Groupies?”

“Yes, groupies. Look around. Every woman that walks past checks you out or tries to get your attention in some way and you are oblivious to all of it.”

“Everyone except for you.”

“Of course not, the Dean asked me to show you around. Look, I’m late for work and this conversation has gotten way out of hand. Next time someone decides to be nice and buy you something, try saying thank you.”

No longer wanting her ice cream, Claire tossed it in the trash and headed to the law library. She needed to put as much distance between him as possible before she did something stupid. Taleb was just another man in a growing list of men who wanted nothing to do with her. First her father, then Daniel and now this.

Okay, I get it. I’m not any-type-of-relationship material
, she told herself.

The next morning, Claire paced outside the Dean’s office waiting for him to arrive.

“Miss Anderson!” the Dean called out in surprise when he saw her. “What can I do for you?” he asked as he ushered her into his office to sit down. He drew open the blinds and slats of golden sunlight spilled across his mahogany desk.

“Dean Parker, I know I agreed to do this, but I don’t think I can keep it up. Taleb Sharqi is an insufferable, arrogant, impossible…man,” Claire finished as she sagged into a chair.

Masking his smile, “Well, you’ve been doing a great job. I am very impressed.”

Claire furrowed her brow, “Wait. Why are you impressed?”

“The previous guides I got for Taleb were fired within hours. The fact that he has not gotten rid of you is a good sign. Very good.”

Claire was surprised that Taleb had kept her around. They had nothing in common and barely got along.

“Really? He got rid of them within hours?” Then Claire remembered how obsessed he was with time and calories, not to mention his criteria. “He is picky.”

“That’s an understatement. Fortunately he has kept you around.”

“For now,” Claire sighed. If he got rid of the others so easily, there was a high chance that he would get rid of her too. There was nothing special about her. “There is something I must tell you though.”

“What is it?” the Dean asked, cocking his head to the side.

“He’s not at Harvard for an education. He’s here for a wife.”

The Dean’s mouth fell open, “What do you mean he’s here for a wife?”

“I mean that he has no intention of spending any time here. He is searching for a wife and will leave as soon as he finds one.”

Sitting back in his chair, “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. But we still need to keep him around until at least the fundraising dinner,” he stated.

“I am sure the dinner will go well with or without his presence.”

The Dean shook his head and turned his gaze to the window. “With the different building renovations, the University is in need of funds. If he is present at the dinner, then there is a good chance that he will donate a lot of money. And if others see him doing so, they may as well.”

Claire frowned. The Dean was nothing but an opportunist. He was holding Claire hostage so he could get a hefty donation from Taleb.

“So that's the only reason you want to keep him around?”

“Of course. We need these donations.” The Dean was clearly not embarrassed by his motivations.

“Well, he seems to have some sort of timeline that he’s keeping to. He’s made it clear that as soon as he finds a wife, he is gone.” She frowned at the realization that Taleb would soon leave her.
Leave her?
She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

The Dean brought his attention back to Claire as he leaned forward in his chair, “This is where you come in.”

“Excuse me?” Claire straightened suddenly.

“Yes. You’re going to sabotage his dates.”

Claire raised an eyebrow. That was something she was not capable of doing and even if she was, she did not feel comfortable doing it.

“No. That is ludicrous,” she said, shaking her head.

“Now, listen,” the Dean fixed his eyes on her and paused for a second. “I am presuming that you still want that transfer, right?”

“I do, but not like this.”

The Dean sighed. “It’ll be hard. He is a handsome, rich, young man. He is the most eligible bachelor around.”

No, he is not!
Claire's subconscious screamed out. Yes, Taleb Sharqi was handsome but he was not the most eligible bachelor around. Surely, there were others. She just had to find them.

“He’s okay.” Claire replied with a half shrug.

“He is more than okay. He is very popular with the ladies.”

As much as Claire wanted to deny it, she couldn’t. Taleb was very popular with the women. His fan club was obvious along with all the stares they received when they were together.

“So, are you going to give me a transfer or not?” Claire asked, changing the subject. She was not about to discuss Taleb's looks with the Dean.

“I will definitely give you a transfer but first you have to do what we discussed.” Claire felt herself withdrawing. She wasn’t sure she was up to the task.

“That is if he doesn’t get rid of me first.” 

“He’s kept you around longer than any of the others, Miss Anderson. I have every faith in you that he will continue to do so.”

“How?”

“Taleb is a very decisive man. He knows what he wants from the start. He would not stick with something that he did not want.”

The Dean's words made sense to Claire. Taleb had thrown the ice cream in the bin within seconds of finding out its calorie content. She thought it was a bit dramatic, but it showed how quick he was to get rid of something that he disliked. He had not even taken a second taste.

“I suppose you are right,” Claire said slowly.

“Brilliant!” the Dean replied, clapping his hands together. “Now, what’s on the agenda today? The library?” he asked, but it sounded more like a request.

“I guess so.”

“Good.” The Dean nodded and smiled. Claire sighed as she rose from her chair. “I shall wait for an update,” he added.

“So will I.” Claire really wanted that transfer.
Now, more than ever.

“Until next time, Miss Anderson.”

“Goodbye.” She needed to sort herself out before meeting Taleb for another tour around campus. It was times like this that she wished Kim was nearby. Looking at her watch, she realized that it was still early; maybe some girl talk would put her in a better mood.