Proud, imperious and leery of pretenders to the throne, Sheik Karim Abdullah saw Julia Gardner as just another gold digger. The American claimed to be carrying his dead twin's child, so the Dark Sheik decreed she remain his palace "guest" until paternity was established.

But the rebellious Julia proved as dangerous to Karim as the assassins stalking him. Her fi erce need to safeguard her baby turned the sheik into a protective lover. And the wounded warrior vowed to savor the moment…then walk away before he jeopardized her safety.…