The Sheikh's Christmas Present (Shadid Sheikhs 2)

“Okay. Why don’t you get us that coffee while I finish getting dressed. I’ll call for a taxi.”

Stepping out of his arms took more strength than she wanted to admit. She almost hated how nice he was being to her. It was hard to resist him when he was trying to seduce her, but this sweet side of him?

It may be her undoing.

Grabbing her wallet, she practically ran from their hotel room. She didn’t have the energy or the time to deal with the likes of Jarik Shadid. She needed to focus on Christmas Crates and forget all about the sexy Sheikh who had made her scream in ecstasy last night.

He hadn’t even taken his own pleasure. It was overwhelming. And if what she’d felt last night was any indication of how she’d feel when he buried himself in her, she knew without a doubt that it would be the best sex of her life.

Hot sex. Steamy sex. Dirty sex.

Distracting sex.

“Coffee,” she muttered. “You’ll feel more in control after coffee.”

There was a cafe and bakery in the lobby. She paid for two large black coffees and grabbed a muffin for Jarik. She couldn’t help but feel the eyes of the employees staring at her as she made her way back to the elevator. She knew what they were thinking.

Black cargo pants. A simple green sweater. No make-up. Boots. She hardly fit the profile of the standard guests that stayed here. None of those people would dare to step foot out the door without wearing something outrageously expensive. Her whole outfit was probably cheaper than a single meal here.

When the doors closed, she leaned against the wall and carefully balanced the drink carrier in her hand. The hotel was a cold reminder of why she shouldn’t be concerned about a future with Jarik. She would never fit in with his life.

But, for the time being, they were stuck together. Would it be that bad if she simply enjoyed him while he was here?

It wasn’t like her to argue with herself. If she kept it up, she was going to drive herself insane.

When she opened the door to their room, Jarik was still buttoning up his shirt. He wore a lazy smile that made her stomach flip-flop.

“Why are you smiling?” she grumbled. “It’s not like you’re going anywhere either.”

“Maybe it’s the coffee.” He reached over and plucked the cup from the tray. “Maybe it’s just you.”

Maria danced out of his reach. “Speaking of, I think that maybe we should talk about last night before this goes any further.”

“Maria…”

She immediately held up her hand. “Please. Let me get this out. I don’t usually have to have conversations like this. Jarik, I can’t deny the chemistry between us. Not after last night, but just because it’s there doesn’t mean that we have to pursue it.”

“Give me one good reason why we shouldn’t,” he challenged as he narrowed his eyes.

“It’s going to end, and I think it’s not going to end well,” she muttered. Thrusting out the muffin, she turned her head so she wasn’t looking directly at him. When he reached out to grab the package, his fingers circled her wrist.

“The only way that it would end badly is if feelings get involved. Intense passion can lead to jealousy. Attachments. The desire for more,” he murmured in a low voice.

He wasn’t wrong, but she wasn’t about to admit to any of that. “Eat your muffin. I want to go check on my plane.”

Laughing, he pulled the muffin out of the bag and took a big bite. Knowing she’d lost the battle, Maria could only shake her head as she grabbed her jacket. “Take your bag too,” Jarik said suddenly.

“Take my bag? Why? We can’t go anywhere.”

“Do you have to question everything? Just trust me.”

Trust him? Straightening slowly, she searched his face for a clue. “I only question things that don’t make sense.” Still, she grabbed her bag and turned to the door.

Jarik’s hand settled on the small of her back, and she stiffened. It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable with the move. The truth was that she’d been aching for his touch.

That made her uncomfortable.

The team that he’d hired were still standing guard around the plane when they got there. Maria gasped and hurried forward, but Jarik grabbed her hand. “Whoa. Don’t panic. They’re a security detail that I hired to keep an eye on things. I know you were worried about the crates.”