The Sheikh's Pretend Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 2) by Cara Albany

feet on the thick, ornately styled rug, savoring the softness of the carpet against her toes.  
    Ella stood and felt suddenly giddy. She reached out and held onto the thick wooden bedpost, wrapping her fingers around its dark, carved thickness. After a moment, the unsteadiness subsided and she walked out into the center of the room.
    Ella went to the open doors that led to the balcony. She stepped out onto the balcony and peered into the darkness. The light cast from the palace illuminated the rocks below, where she saw a jetty stretching out into the sea. Moored at the end of the jetty, and lit up from within, was a huge motor-yacht that looked like something out of a lifestyle documentary about the lives of the rich and famous.
    Ella turned and looked along the length of the palace, examining the beautifully designed facade and high decorated windows with intricate border decoration. She could only see as much as the light from inside the palace would allow, but she could tell that she was in a place that resembled something out of a dream.
    So, this was what Raz called home, she thought. Pretty impressive, she had to admit. She wondered how much time he spent here, and in whose company.  
    Glancing back into the bedroom, at the walk-in wardrobe, she thought about the women who had come here before Ella. She was sure none of them had come here quite like Ella had done. Most of them had probably begged for an invitation to the sheikh's palace by the sea. Raz struck her as the kind of man who would have been selective about who he had brought here. Ella shrugged and headed back into the bedroom.  
    She turned on the overhead light and noticed that a dress had been laid out on one of the two sofas in the room. Ella stood over the sofa and examined the dress. It was a pale blue, low cut cotton dress, with a delicate frilled hem. At first glance, the dress looked like it might fit Ella.  
    She wondered who it belonged to because it certainly wasn't one of her own. She'd packed mostly functional clothing for outdoor use, not the kind of outfit that would be more suited to a dinner party. Ella lifted the dress up and went to a long mirror and held the dress in front of herself. She nodded approvingly. It looked okay. Maybe it wouldn't do any harm to wear it, especially if she was going to meet the other staff members.  
    Ella still wasn't sure if she believed Raz about that. Maybe he'd brought here to the palace to have her all to himself. Perhaps there was no-one else here except her and Raz. That thought made something flutter in her middle. The thought of being alone with him had been flitting at the back of her mind since she'd awakened.
    Ella stripped off and went into the bathroom where she had a quick shower. There were perfumes and oils laid out in the bathroom. She tried a few of them, testing their aromas. Then she put on the gown and flat shoes and scrutinized herself in the mirror. She allowed herself an approving nod of the head. She had to admit the dress set off her blonde hair and made her eyes shimmer. Maybe Raz was in for a surprise, she thought. He'd be expecting her to stagger downstairs groggy with sleep and bad-tempered with hunger.  
    Well, she may be the last of those, but at least she would look decent.
    Ella left the room and made her way along the corridor. She wondered why Raz needed so many rooms. It looked like there were enough rooms for an entire family. The palace seemed too large for just one man. Ella shrugged. With opulence came the need for unnecessary excess.  
    She came to the top of the stairs and looked down at the wide hall at the base of the steps. It sounded very quiet down there. Maybe everyone had gone to bed. Perhaps Ella would have to make her way to the kitchen and rustle up something for herself.
    The clacking sound of her shoes echoed in the huge cavernous space as she descended the stairs. Ella was certain someone must be listening to the sound of her passage downstairs. If