The Sheikh's Christmas Present (Shadid Sheikhs 2)

She’d never met a man that pulled her in three different directions. She hated that he could toss money around without a second thought. She was impressed and slightly terrified of the man who had defended her without breaking a sweat. And she was so turned on by the man who looked at her with raw and open lust.

She could still remember the outline of his cock pressing against her.

Reaching for the washcloth, she tried to banish the lustful thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t act on them. When it was over, Jarik probably wouldn’t even remember her name. She’d be that female pilot that he entertained himself with for an hour or two.

Sex wasn’t necessarily a special experience for Maria. She traveled. She enjoyed men. She enjoyed sex. It didn’t make sense that she’d resist Jarik just because it couldn’t develop into anything, but yet that’s how she felt.

“Stupid,” she growled as she scrubbed at her skin. She was giving him more power than he deserved. He was a man, and Maria had no problems handling men.

Besides, she had no doubt that despite their agreement, Jarik would bail as soon as they got to Syria. He’d get to whatever secret thing he needed to do in Lebanon, and she’d never see him again.

“It’s all down the drain,” she whispered. “Just let it go and get some sleep.”

Turning off the water, she dried herself off and grabbed a robe. Throwing her wet hair up in a hairband, she wiped the steam from the mirror and stared at herself.

Wet. Naked. Exposed. It was so much easier to hide from life when she was miles in the air. Here, in the bathroom, everything felt exposed.

Slowly opening the door, she peered out. Jarik had closed himself off in the bedroom. Breathing a sigh of relief, she skipped over to the couch to grab her pajamas and hurriedly stepped into the sweat pants and sweatshirt. Hanging the robe back up, she lay down on the couch and closed her eyes. Despite everything that had happened, she still had adrenaline pumping through her veins.

When the bedroom door opened, Maria was still wide-awake, but she kept her eyes screwed shut. Even in the dark, she could feel Jarik staring at her.

“Goodnight, Maria,” he whispered. Something heavy fell across her body, and she heard him shuffle back into the bedroom and shut the door. Opening her eyes, she lifted her head to see the heavy blanket lying across her.

Warm and comforted, Maria finally fell asleep with a smile on her face.

5

Before breakfast, Maria insisted on checking on her plane. Jarik wanted to remind her that the mechanic said it wouldn’t be ready until late this afternoon, but she looked a little lost in her oversized sweats, swallowed up by the large pillows on the couch.

“Okay,” he said knowing there was an indulgent smile on his face. When she went into the bathroom to change, he pulled out his phone and made a few phone calls.

Halil, his main bodyguard, answered gruffly. “Please tell me that you changed your mind,” he growled.

“I have not.”

Halil sighed. “Melka called. Apparently, there was a situation dealing with a death threat against Samir. Melka believes it might be a jealous husband, so rather than going to Europe, he has the man at a safe house. I’ll keep an eye on the situation. Kashif reported to say that he’s in Alaska. I’ve been avoiding your father but I won’t be able to do that for much longer. Are you in Lebanon?”

“Not yet,” Jarik said vaguely. “I apparently have to make a pit stop in Syria.”

“Your brothers are going to kill you when they find out. None of this is your fault, Jarik. It’s best if you drop it and distance yourself from the situation.”

“You have been with me long enough to know that isn’t going to happen, Halil. So keep your mouth shut.”

His guard said a few choice words under his breath. “You’re going to get me fired.”

“You don’t answer to my father, Halil. You answer to me, and you’re going to be fine if you do as you’re told.”

“You may be my boss, but he’s my crowned sheikh,” Halil growled. “And I’m more worried about your life than my job. You should have brought security with you.”

“Having security with me would only call attention to my whereabouts, something I prefer remain unknown until I get to Lebanon. I want to see his face when the reason for my presence is made known,” Jarik said calmly. “I have no doubt that I’m going to be fine.” He deliberately left out the part of the plane’s fuel line. Halil was a loyal man, but Jarik knew that the man wouldn’t think twice about ratting out Jarik if he thought his life was in danger.

When the bathroom door opened, Jarik casually slipped the phone back in his pocket. She’d left her hair down, and it was nothing but a mess of curls spilling over her shoulders. She wore a tight black long-sleeve shirt over a pair of green cargo pants that hugged her curves. When she reached up to pull her hair into a ponytail, her shirt slid up to reveal several inches of smooth, creamy skin.

Every nerve of his woke up, and he cleared his throat. It was way too early in the morning to think about ravishing the fiery beauty.

“Did you sleep okay?” He could feel the anxiety rolling off her in waves last night, and he’d spent all night long wondering if she was okay. It was on the tip of his tongue to suggest that they both share the bed, but it was dangerous. Not only was he sure he’d never keep his hands off her, he wasn’t entirely sure how she’d react.

She wanted him. He knew that for sure, but he also suspected that she hated herself for wanting him.