The Sheikh's Stubborn Assistant (The Sharif Sheikhs 3)

“You have a visitor,” the older woman said softly.

Frowning, Katie looked past her. “I didn’t hear anyone knocking on the door.”

As if right on cue, a knock echoed from the front door.

Katie lifted her eyebrows expectantly.

“His car is hard to miss,” Sahaar said wryly. “I know that you don’t want to see him, but I have a feeling that he isn’t going to give up. If you want to enjoy the next week, you should speak to him today and see what he wants.”

Gripping a shirt in her hands, Katie shook her head. “I know what he wants. Me. He thinks that he’s losing, and he doesn’t like it. It doesn’t have anything to do with me. It’s all about his damn ego.”

“And if you’re wrong?” Sahaar questioned.

Katie blinked in surprise. “Sahaar, I know that things worked out favorably for Liyah and Mila, but this story is different. Asad and Rashid loved Liyah and Mila.” She swallowed hard. “Khalid doesn’t love me. He doesn’t respect me. To him, I’m just a pretty face and a good way to pass the time. I’ve already told him all that I needed to tell him, and I have nothing more to say. I’m also not obligated

to listen to him.”

“Not even if I need to hire you temporarily?” Khalid asked casually from the hallway. Though he remained out of sight, it was obvious that he’d let himself in.

Even Sahaar looked surprised as she whirled around.

Katie walked to the door and peered around the corner.

Khalid stood there, head bowed. “I apologize for intruding, Sahaar. Your door was unlocked.”

“Her door is never unlocked,” Katie muttered as she shot Sahaar an accusatory look.

The old woman simply smiled innocently. “Maybe it’s broken? I’ll go inspect it. Excuse me.”

“Broken, my ass. What are you doing here, Khalid?”

“I’m in a bit of a bind. I have that local artist event that I need curating, and I’m far too busy to do it myself. I was hoping that you could finish putting it together for me.”

Katie crossed her arms and glared. “You do not have a local artist event planned, and it isn’t possible to curate an event from beginning to end in a week.”

“It’s going to be a precursor to the auction. I’ve decided to add a new collection, and I want it showcased before the main event. I need someone to select ten artists and ten paintings and put together a small event. It’ll be open to the public as well as the donors.”

He took a deep breath and ran a hand over his head. “I know that you’re leaving, but if you have nothing planned, then this is something that you can add to your resume before you go.”

Swallowing hard, Katie tried to push down her rage. “Convenient,” she whispered. “You’ll give me exactly what I want, right before I leave. How could you do this to me?”

His expression softened. “Katie, this isn’t a ploy to keep you here. I swear. What you said to me yesterday was all true. You deserve better. I just want to give you something before you leave, something that will help you.”

His lips tightened, and then he added, “I know that you’re brilliant. I should have given you a chance. Let me give it to you now.”

She bit her lower lip as she searched his face.

His expression was warm and open. Honest.

For the first time since she’d met him, she knew that she was finally getting something straight from him. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Okay,” she whispered. “Okay. But I am not staying, Khalid. Please tell me that you know that.”

He reached out and gently touched her face. “I know, darling. I know. I don’t expect you to change your mind or give me another chance. But I need you to let me do this one thing for you.” His hand dropped, and he took a deep breath. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning. You have a lot of work to do.”

The warmth of his touch was replaced by a cold chill that broke her heart even more. Every time she thought she understood him, he did something to completely throw her off her guard again.

The problem was that she didn’t know which side of Khalid was real.