She broke her gaze and looked across the water. What to believe? She wished she could return to Quraim Wadi Samil and search for the grave herself. What if he was there? Who could she trust? Who to believe?

The flight home was conducted in almost total silence. Bethanne was trying to figure out how to find out for sure if her father had crashed. Rashid seemed to have dismissed the other man's revelation without a care. Would he if it were true?

Or would he try to stop her if she suggested another visit to Quraim Wadi Samil?

After lunch at the villa, Rashid invited her to go swimming. Bethanne's first response was a yes! She'd love to spend more time with him. But the situation with her father loomed between them.

"I'd like that. I'd also like to learn more about my father."

"Very well. Today we swim. I'll have someone contact Hasid and ask for details. I think you misunderstood him. We have no knowledge of where your father is, or the plane. Do you think a plane crash could be hidden?"

Put that way, she doubted it possible. Still, she had understood what the man said. There was no denying he said he spoke to Rashid.

There was nothing more to be done today. If she didn't get a satisfactory answer from Rashid's questioning, she'd see if she could get back to the oil rig and speak with him again.

The small boat Rashid drove to was larger than a runabout yet easily handled by one. The marina not far from the villa, it didn't take long to be on their way.

Once out on the water, Bethanne seated in the seat next to his, he turned south. The homes along the sh.o.r.e were varied, from tall and austere, to low with lush gardens and fountains sparkling in the sunlight. Some were set back from the water, some bordered the beach. The farther south they went, the more s.p.a.ce grew between homes. Finally he nodded to the thick foliage. "Can you see the villa?"

She caught a glimpse of the roof and a tiny corner of the veranda.

"That's where we eat," she said. It looked smaller from this vantage point. She sighed in pleasure. "It's as pretty from the water as the view is from balcony."

"My grandmother loved beautiful things. This is only one of her homes. They all had gardens that gave her such pleasure."

"My grandmother loves roses. She's a longtime member of the rose society in Galveston and wins prizes for her blossoms year after year."

"Yet another thing we have in common," Rashid said, cutting the engine and letting the boat drift. "Care to swim?"

"I'd love it." She quickly shed the cover-up and reached into the pocket for a band to hold her hair back. Tying it into a ponytail, she waited while Rashid went into the small cabin to change. "Ready when you are," she called.

Rashid stepped out a moment later, clad only in swim trunks. Bethanne almost caught her breath at the masculine beauty. His shoulders were broad; that she already knew. His chest was muscular and toned, not a spare ounce of flesh anywhere. His skin was bronzed by the sun. Masculine perfection. She could sit and stare at the man for hours.

She just hoped she didn't look liked a stunned star-struck groupie. Get your mind on swimming and nothing else, she admonished herself.

Rashid tossed two towels on one of the seats and brought a small ladder from one of the storage compartments. Hooking it to the side, he stood aside, gesturing with one hand.

"After you."

She took a breath, pa.s.sed close enough to feel the radiant heat from his body, before taking a quick vault over the side. The water closed over her head a moment later, cooling her off in an instant. She felt the percussion of his. .h.i.tting the water, then rose, blinking in the bright sunshine.

"It's heavenly," she said, turning to swim slowly parallel to the beach. She didn't want to get too far from the boat. The water felt like soft silk against her skin. Its temperature enough to cool, yet warm enough to caress. After a few minutes of swimming, Bethanne stopped and began to tread water. Rashid was right beside her.

"This is fabulous," she said, shaking water from her face, and spraying him with the water from her ponytail.

He laughed and splashed her. In only seconds a full-fledge water fight was under way. Finally Bethanne cried to stop. She was laughing so hard she was swallowing water.

She began to cough and Rashid was there in an instant, supporting her in the water, pounding on her back.

"I'm okay," she gasped a minute later. "I shouldn't be laughing when I'm being deluged by tidal waves."

"I haven't played like that in a long time," Rashid said as they began slowly swimming back toward the boat.

"You should. I think you work too hard."

"Ah, maybe it's the company I'm keeping. Makes it more fun."

She glowed with the compliment. From a rocky beginning, it looked as if things were changing.

"I could say the same. I've enjoyed being here."

"It won't be much longer."

She felt her heart drop. "How close are you to completing your deal?" she asked, almost fearing the answer.

"Close enough to expect to sign the papers this week."

Bethanne felt the disappointment like an anchor in her chest. She actually faltered a moment in swimming. What had she expected-that it would take years to sign the contracts?

"I hope you won't dash off the instant the ink hits the paper," Rashid said.

They reached the boat. He steadied the ladder while she climbed. Once she was on board, he swiftly followed.

"I need to return to Texas," she said slowly. She could stay a few days, maybe, yet to what end? She could go sightseeing on her own, but it wouldn't be the same as with Rashid. And he had to believe her father had taken the plane, no matter what the man on the platform had said. He'd mentioned it often enough. Had she misunderstood Hasid?

"I could stay for a little longer." Was that breathless voice hers? Those foolish dreams lingering?

"Because?" he pressed.

"Because I want to."

Rashid smiled in satisfaction, then pulled her gently into his arms to kiss her.

His warm body pressed against hers as the boat bobbed on the sea, his arms holding her so she didn't lose her balance. Her own arms soon went around his neck as she savored every inch of contact. She was in love with the most exciting man she'd ever known. And he hadn't a clue.

They dined together on the veranda. As twilight fell, Bethanne felt as if she couldn't hold so much happiness. The conversation was lively and fun. She wondered who else saw this side of the man.

"How come you aren't married?" she asked at one point, wondering why some smart woman hadn't latched on to him years ago.

The atmosphere changed in an instant. His demeanor hardened. "The woman I planned to marry ran off, remember?"

"Come on, you're too dynamic and s.e.xy to not have your share of women interested. How did no one capture your fancy?"

He was silent for so long Bethanne wondered what she'd said to cause the change. Wasn't it all right to question his single state?

"I was engaged a long time ago," he said slowly.

Oh, oh, she hadn't seen that coming. "What happened?" No matter what, it couldn't have a happy ending. She was bubbling with so much happiness, she wanted him to share. Now her stupid comment had changed the evening. She wished she could recapture her words.

"She loved my money."

"Ouch."

"I should have seen it coming." He looked at her. "All her conversation centered on things and trips. I was the gold at the end of her rainbow."

"She might have loved you as well?" she offered.

He shook his head. "When my father bought her off, she left like a fire exploding at the rigs. I haven't heard from her since."

Bethanne didn't know what to say. Her heart hurt for the pain of betrayal he must have felt.

"How about you? You're not married," he said a moment later.

"I'm footloose and fancy free. I don't see settling down when there is the entire world to see. Working with Starcraft, I get the chance to explore places I haven't been." Besides, I have never fallen in love before, she thought, watching him. And I don't expect to find another like you.

"You don't see yourself settling down, making a family?" he asked.

"If I meet the right guy, I guess I would," she said. "If he loved me in return." For too long she'd considered herself like her father-too interested in the wide world to settle for one spot. Now that she met Rashid, she sure didn't feel that way. She'd traveled to every continent on the globe. Made friends in various places. Yet nothing drew her like Rashid. Maybe that was the difference falling in love made.

Rashid nodded, wondering why he cared if she settled down or not. He was not interested in marriage. He'd agreed to the scheme with Haile as a business move. Her defection saved him. He would be grateful to her on two counts-keeping him single, and introducing Bethanne into his life.

She was different from women he knew. That was the novelty of being around her. Soon the novelty would fade and he'd move on. He didn't want to think like a cynic, but he had no expectations of falling in love. He wanted Bethanne, liked being with her. But surely there was more to love than that.

She was a refreshing break from the routine of his life. One he didn't want to end too soon. It didn't hurt that she was so pretty. He enjoyed watching her. Or taking her to events. She looked relaxed and pleased with life in the blue dress she wore. He would love to adorn her with jewels, but she'd carefully returned the sapphire necklace once they returned to the villa after the polo dinner. He'd offered for her to keep the necklace, but she'd refused.

He should have told Khalid that. Maybe knowing Bethanne better, he'd realize his a.s.sessment was off. She wanted nothing personal from this charade. She was almost too good to be true. But he'd seen no sign of avarice in her.

He stared out across the garden, wondering about Hasid's comments to her. The old man couldn't know more about Hank than he did. Hank had worked for his father. In the morning he'd have his a.s.sistant find out more about the wild story the man had told Bethanne.

"I need to fly to Morocco on Friday to sign the contract."

She sipped her coffee before nodding. "Then I'll ask for a few more days of vacation so I can stay a bit longer," she replied.

He was pleased she agreed to stay. Maybe he'd take time from work and spend it all with Bethanne before she left for good.

The thought of her departure weighed heavily. Yet he knew better than she that there was no long-term future for them together. His family would never accept the daughter of a thief-moreover the one whose actions contributed to his father's death. She didn't speak his language. He didn't want a wife. And he would not dishonor her by having an affair. Time together, memories made, then goodbye.

His gaze shifted to her as she sipped the hot tea. She loved flying. And he couldn't see asking her to stop. It was a novelty to have her fly his plane. Maybe he could hire her to fly for him-his private pilot. That way she'd always be around. And when he needed to travel, Bethanne would travel with him.

"After Morocco we could fly on to Paris, if you like," he said. He knew women around the world loved Paris.

"That would be nice."

"You don't sound as excited as I thought you'd be."

"I haven't seen Paris with you. That would make it special," she said slowly. "I enjoyed our excursion into the western part of your country. Maybe another trip there?"

"Quraim Wadi Samil? It's hardly a hot spot. Not a place we would have gone had Alexes not needed immediate medical attention."

She faced him. "It hardly matters where we go, if we're together, don't you think?"

He wanted her as he had wanted no other woman. Not even Marguerite. But caution held him back.

"It doesn't matter, as long as we're together," he said, already regretting the day they would say goodbye.

CHAPTER SEVEN

RASHID answered the phone the next morning when his a.s.sistant told him it was Khalid. answered the phone the next morning when his a.s.sistant told him it was Khalid.

"So the deal is done. You've both signed?" his brother asked without amenities.

"I'm flying to Morocco on Friday to sign with Benqura. Then it is done. And a better deal than expected, thanks to his daughter's flight. He needs to save face and I've a.s.sured him I will handle things on this end."

"And how to explain to the minister that your special friend Bethanne left?"

"I don't have to explain anytime soon."

"Because?"

"I've asked her to stay. I may offer her a pilot's job. Alexes will not be able to fly again. Another stroke could happen at any time."

"There are other pilots who work for us."

"I choose who will fly my planes."