The Sheikh's Christmas Present (Shadid Sheikhs 2)

“Your obligation puts you out in the open, Jarik. It puts you in danger. At the very least, you should let me meet you there.”

“Maybe,” Jarik said vaguely. “I ordered a security detail for the plane while we’re here, so at the very least, it should be safe until tomorrow.”

“Fine. Get in touch with me before you leave tomorrow, and call me as soon as you touch down.”

“So, you are the one in charge now. Good to know,” Jarik said sarcastically. He knew he was hard on the man, but right now, he wanted to get away from his problems.

“You do know that you can call your brothers directly, right?” Halil said softly. “You don’t need to get all your information through me.”

“Let it go,” Jarik said with a sigh. Hanging up on his bodyguard, he shook his head. He

and Kashif had a neutral relationship. They saw each other occasionally, when they both happened to be at the royal palace together, but Jarik also spent a lot of time traveling, and neither made an effort to keep in touch.

He and Samir were a completely different story. They butted heads so often that it was actually easier when they weren’t speaking to each other.

So, Samir found himself another woman. Maybe Kashif had found himself one as well. God knows his older brother needed to have a little fun.

And here Jarik had a gorgeous woman naked in the next room. For a moment, he thought about joining her, but the knock on the door distracted him. Looking through the peephole, he opened the door. Signing the receipt, he thanked the waiter, and rolled the food cart in.

“Maria?” He opened the bathroom door just a little. The water had stopped, and he heard her gasp. “Relax, I can’t see anything. Unfortunately. Dinner is ready when you are.”

“Thank you.”

Smiling to himself, he shut the door to give her some privacy. A few minutes later, she emerged in a pair of sweatpants and a tight long-sleeve shirt.

It showed no skin, but he still found her unbelievable sexy. She’d wrapped her hair up on top of her head, and there was something different about her.

“Are you wearing glasses?” he asked as he stared at the black frames.

Nervously, she pushed them higher up the bridge of her nose. “I normally wear contacts,” she muttered. “My eyes were stinging.”

“Are you sure that you aren’t trying to look more unappealing,” he asked quietly as he handed her the salad and a fork.

“What?” She looked genuinely surprised as she stared at him. “I…”

“Because you don’t. You could be dressed in a potato sack and still look sexy.” Her mouth had dropped open, and she stared at him. “Eat your dinner, Maria.”

Blinking, she eased the plate in her lap and took a few bites in silence. Finally, she looked up and met his gaze. “I don’t know if you’re trying to make me feel uncomfortable, or if you’re simply making your intentions clear, but I don’t really want to play these games. What do you want, Jarik?”

“You.”

He answered her without hesitation, and she inhaled sharply. “Wow. I didn’t expect you to be so clear.”

“I thought that’s what you wanted.”

“It was. It is. I’m not sure what to do with that answer.”

“Why don’t you tell me what you want.” He leaned back in his chair and watched her intently. Jarik could practically see the wheels in her head turning.

She bent her head down and took a few more bites as if to buy herself more time. “I want to get in touch with Sebastian. I want this trip to Syria to go well. I want to see the smiles on the faces of these children. I want to escape the cold weather and relax somewhere in the sun and sand.”

“Maria,” he said softly.

“I want you, Jarik. I can’t lie and say that I don’t, but as much as I would love to enjoy you, I know that it’s not a good idea. I’m not a relationship kind of woman, and we’re so different. You’re rich and the current heir to wear a crown. I’m a pilot who can barely afford food most months.”

She was on a roll. Putting her plate down, she got up and started to pace. “I live in America, and you live not in America. I’m traveling all the time, and I’m sure that you have social responsibilities that don’t include someone like me.”

Grabbing her shoulders, he stopped her and bent down to kiss her hard. At first, it was to get her to shut-up, but as soon as lips touched hers, she opened under him and moaned. That was all the invitation that he needed. Pulling her close to him, he wrapped his arms around her and slid his hands under her shirt. The touch of warm skin heated his blood, and he walked them back until she hit the dresser. His erection pushed up against her, and he moaned.