The Sheikh's Christmas Maid (Shadid Sheikhs 1)

Pleasuring herself behind closed doors was one thing, but she would not give in to Samir Shadid.

When sleep finally claimed her, Samir thrusting inside her pervaded her dreams all-night long.

Poppy awoke with her alarm clock. Unlike yesterday, when she stole into the kitchen, the only person who greeted her was Melka. He surveyed her coldly as she started making coffee. The big man stayed quiet, but she felt the judgment in his stare. Taking a deep breath, she handed him a coffee mug and tried to give him a big smile.

“I’m claustrophobic,” she said weakly. “I was struggling with being in the room yesterday, and Samir was trying to comfort me. Things got a little out of hand, but it won’t happen again.”

“Sheikh Shadid,” he said harshly.

Taken aback, Poppy blinked. “What?”

“You may not be a native of this country, but you are living here, and you are employed by the Sheikh’s family. He is royalty, and you will address him as such. He is not Samir. He is Sheikh Shadid. I do not know what your endgame is, and I do not care. He fucks women like you and discards them on a daily basis. Just because he’s trapped in here with you does not make your chances of using him any better than all the other whores.”

“How dare you!” Poppy snapped.

“One word to Sheikh Jibreel Shadid, and you’re fired Ms. Milenne. I’ll toss you out in that snow before you have a chance to pack.”

Humiliated, she stepped back and clamped her mouth shut. Gripping her empty coffee mug, she turned and faced the window. He continued to stare at her, and when she finally had her temper under control, she turned back to him.

“Mr. Fehisa, right? I’m not a whore, and I won’t let you stand there and treat me like one. I need this job, and I would appreciate it if you did not threaten me. I get that you want to protect him, and I can tell that you care for him. Whatever happens while he’s here, believe me when I tell you that I know my place. He’s royalty. I’m a maid. This job pays well and I’m trying to make money to go back to school. I’m not putting down roots here. I’m not trying to take advantage of him.”

Pleased that she’d said her piece, she firmly set her mug down. “I have work to do, and I would appreciate it if you weren’t here in the kitchen when I did it. I’ll let you know when breakfast is ready.”

Melka poured his coffee and silently left the kitchen. Her hands were still shaking, but she felt marginally better. It didn’t sit well that Melka thought she was some gold-digging whore.

Whipping up a quick breakfast, she scarfed a plate down and waited. When no one came down to eat, she put a plate on a tray and carried it up to his room.

“Samir?” she called out softly as she knocked. “I’ve got breakfast here for you.”

When he didn’t immediately answer, she bent down to leave it at the door for him, but it swung open. Samir stood on the other side wearing only a towel slung low about his waist a

nd a cocky grin. Before she could stop him, he grabbed the tray with one hand and her arm with the other. Pulling her in the room, he set the food on the dresser, shut the door, and pressed her up against him.

“Samir,” she gasped and quickly averted her eyes. “I only came to bring you breakfast.”

Despite trying not to look, the image was seared into her brain. He had a chiseled chest with water still dripping from his sculpted pecs. Above the towel was a perfect six-pack and the sexy v that led to the secrets hidden under the towel. She ached to reach out and touch him, but instead, she pressed the palms of her hands to the door.

“I’m more than ready to eat,” he whispered. “But what I want is not on that tray.”

Poppy’s pussy grew damp, and she clenched her muscles. “The only thing that’s available for you is on that tray.” Her voice was stronger than she expected it to be, and it gave her the confidence to meet his eyes. The scorching heat and the promise of ravishment in his gaze was almost her undoing.

“I find it hard to believe that your little solo act last night was enough to satisfy you. I bet you have a large appetite.” At his words, Poppy gasped, and that small sensual grin widened. “Oh, yes. I stopped by your room to make sure that you were okay, and I heard your moans. I had nothing but erotic dreams of you last night. Want to hear the details?”

God, yes, she wanted to hear the details. She wanted to know every position that he wanted her in. Swallowing hard, she pressed her hands against his naked chest. Ignoring the smoothness of his skin, she gently pushed him away. “What happened last night in the safe room is not going to happen again, Sheikh Shadid. We’ve established that there’s chemistry between us. It would be fruitless for me to deny it, but you are my boss. You’re also royalty. That means that whatever dreams we’re having at night are going to have to stay only in our imagination.”

Samir actually looked annoyed when he backed up. “How many times do I have to tell you that your job is not in jeopardy?”

“It’s not only my job. I’m not the kind of woman who sleeps with random men. I haven’t had sex in two years, and…”

“Two years?!” His jaw dropped and he stared at her. “Please tell me that you’re kidding.”

“I’m not kidding,” she said as her cheeks flushed. “I have other goals in mind, and sleeping around won’t help me get there. I would appreciate it if this could be the last conversation that we have on the subject. Now, please enjoy your breakfast. I’ve got a few things on my list, and this evening, if we’re not interrupted, we can trim your Christmas tree.”

“This is not going to be our last conversation, Poppy,” he said softly as she turned away from him. “I think we both know that.”

Her morning chores kept her busy, and thankfully, Samir stayed out of her way. She caught sight of him a few times, deep in conversation with Melka, and she saw the bodyguard on the phone a few times. Whomever he was talking to didn’t seem to make him very happy.

Taj had pulled the generator out last night and set it up, but he’d left the shed door open. Bundling up, she pushed out in the snow, grateful for the distraction from her erotic thoughts that played like a movie reel in her head. Another few inches had covered the path that she and Samir had shoveled the day before, and the snow was still falling at a light but steady pace.