Never Resist a Sheikh (International Bad Boys) Read Online Free PDF Page A

sudden flick of desire that shot down his spine.
    What was puzzling was that he should feel it now. For a woman who was not what he usually liked physicallyat all. In fact, that was the whole reason he’d made the decision he had in the first place. Because he did not want her.
    Unfortunately his body had other ideas.
    It was not a good omen. Desire, like so many other emotions, was not something he could afford.
    “It is death to touch the sheikh,” he said flatly, pulling her hand away from him and releasing it as quickly as he could. Warmth lingeredon his skin.
    She went pale, though an intriguing anger burned in eyes the color of dark woodsmoke.
    So not only did she have a certain amount of courage, she also did not let her fear rule her, neither dropping to the floor cowering nor backing away as some of his enemies had done. Courage and control over one’s emotions were excellent qualities in a prospective wife. Though there was still thequestion of her being small and delicate and breakable, which were not.
    “This is the third time you have touched my person without permission,” he added, so she was very clear where she stood. “You now live only at my discretion.”
    “The third….” She stopped, obviously remembering.
    Her bite on his palm.
    Your hand on her throat.
    A sliver of something cold slid through him. And now he’d laidhands on her a second time. But no, those had been reflexive responses. No one ever touched him without permission, let alone bit him. His had been a warrior’s reaction, nothing more.
    “You are lucky my guards do not speak English,” he advised. “If they heard you they would not be as understanding as I am.”
    Her mouth firmed. “If you’re expecting an apology you’re out of luck.”
    Not many peoplewere brave enough to talk back to him in such a way. She was either courageous or she didn’t possess much in the way of common sense.
    He folded his arms and looked down at her. “You are insolent.” He pointed out. “I would not be so rude to the person who held my life in their hands.”
    The color drained from her cheeks, but again, it was anger that sparked in her eyes rather than fear. “Look,I didn’t mean to touch you. No one told me the rules around here. But the thing is, I really need to get back to Al-Harah. I have a presentation I have to give to their telecommunications agency and I—”
    “You will not be going back to Al-Harah.” He said it like the order it was, leaving her in no doubt. “You will be staying here.”
    Her dark red brows shot up, gray eyes widening. “What? I’m sorry,your worship, but—”
    “Sire.”
    She blinked. “Excuse me?”
    Clearly the woman had never been in the company of any kind of royalty. Still that was to be expected. There were few nations these days that had the kind of absolute rule that was particular to Al-Shakhra.
    “You may call me ‘sire’. Though I will accept ‘your majesty’.”
    Jamal snorted, but Zakir quelled him with a look. This woman wouldbe thrown into many new experiences over the course of the week he had planned for her, and she would no doubt find them difficult. They had to be patient with her.
    She’d gone pink, though whether from embarrassment or anger he couldn’t tell. “Uh, okay, sire. The thing is, I have to get back to—”
    “So you said,” he interrupted again, since clearly she hadn’t heard him the first time. “But asI have already explained, you will not be going back to Al-Harah.”
    Something in her eyes flashed. Definitely anger. “Why not?”
    His guards tensed at her tone, their hands at their sword hilts. Zakir shook his head, giving them all a warning glance.
    Plainly, given this little chihuhua’s temperament, it would be easier to conduct the rest of the conversation in private.
    “I will talk to Miss Cartwrightalone,” he said shortly in Arabic. “You are dismissed.”
    “Sire,” Jamal began, looking annoyed. “I must insist