The Sheikh's Christmas Baby (Shadid Sheikhs 3)

“What? No. No, of course not. Arella isn’t your responsibility. You’re nothing more than a guest here.”

The words stung, and he frowned as she rushed out. It was a strange statement to make, and it was even stranger that it hurt him.

Nothing more than a guest.

Just often did she show up in her guests’ rooms dressed like that? Flopping back on the bed in frustration, he gently stroked his erection. It would be so easy to finish the job himself, but he abstained.

When he did take Kristy, and he would, the wait would simply make it all the more sweeter.

12

Despite what he’d promised Kristy, Kashif couldn’t stay away from Arella. She was a captivating child, and she’d managed to get under his skin. He knew that Kristy and Arella came as a package, but there was something more.

Kristy was busy with her horse riding lessons, and Julia was making dinner. Wandering around the house, he found Arella in the middle of the living room floor with the oldest dogs. There were plastic tiaras on their heads and a tea setting in front of them. The huskies didn’t seem to mind. In fact, they looked so adoringly at Arella that he suspected that there was nowhere else they’d rather be.

“Is this party by private invitation only, or can anyone join?”

Arella giggled. “You’re a prince. You can go where ever you want.”

“Ah,” Kashif said as he bowed. “But you are a princess, and you control who comes to your party.”

“Right. You can come, but you have to share with Dusty.” She pointed to the spot next to the alpha dog, and Kashif stifled a laugh. Sharing a tea cup with an old dog? His brothers would never believe this.

She poured some pretend tea from her purple kettle and held the cup up to him. He dutifully took a sip and moaned in pleasure. “I think this is the best tea, I’ve ever had. What kind is it?”

“Hmm.” Arella screwed her face up in concentration. “It’s purple foam tea!”

“Purple foam tea,” Kashif repeated carefully. “I’m not sure that I’m familiar with that type. Did you create it?”

“I did!” The girl nodded enthusiastically and poured Jane a cup. To his surprise, the dog leaned forward and licked the pretend tea from the cup. He had no doubt that Arella had trained her to do that.

That child had an amazing future ahead of her as a dog trainer. It shouldn’t surprise him. Last time he was here, he’d seen Kristy in action, and she was so talented with the dogs. With her expertise, there would be no stopping him or anyone else who used her dogs to race. Arella had her mother’s good genes and had probably picked up a few things watching both her and Henry.

“Do you like dog sledding?” he asked.

Arella shrugged. “It’s okay. I like the dogs.”

“Well, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

“An ice skater!” Arella jumped up and did a little twirl before striking a pose. “See?”

“That was gorgeous,” Kashif said as he clapped his hands. “Have you ever been ice skating?”

“Once, last year, but I fell down.”

“Everything takes practice. I’m sure with a few lessons; you’ll be gliding around the ice in no time.” The wheels in his mind were already turning. If a few ice skating lessons would put a smile on Arella’s face, then he would make that happen.

Before he could tell the girl the good news, they were interrupted. “Sheikh,” Henry said in a low voice from the doorway. “The dogs are ready if you want to take them around the track.”

“Princess Arella, do I have your permission to take my leave?” he asked formally as he put the tea cup down.

“Yes, Prince Kash. You do.” She put her hand out, and he kissed it dutifully. The little girl giggled, and Kashif pushed his long form off the floor.

“Careful,” Henry warned, raising his eyebrows. “She’s been known to break hearts.”

Kashif smiled. “I fear that may already have happened.”

Following Henry back outside, Kashif immediately went to zip his jacket only to discover that it wasn’t all that cold out. Glancing around, he couldn’t help but notice the rapidly melting snow.