Promised to a Sheik Read Online Free PDF Page A

The thought that she might not was simply unacceptable.
    Still, he knew the worst thing he could do was rush her. Women were such funny creatures, so driven by emotion. Despite his impatience to see this matter taken care of, he knew he needed to proceed slowly.
    â€œI was surprised to see so many changes here in Mission Creek since my last visit,” he said.
    She laughed, and his breath caught in his throat at the musical sound. “The locals are always moaning about the fact that nothing much changes in Mission Creek.”
    â€œPerhaps the changes here have been so slow in coming that people haven’t noticed them, unlike the changes taking place in Gaspar.”
    She tilted her head, her eyes filled with curiosity. “What’s been happening in Gaspar?”
    â€œWe have become an extremely wealthy country with the discovery of so many oil fields. And with wealth comes progress.”
    â€œBut isn’t progress good?”
    How the candlelight loved her features, he thought. The warm glow fired her emerald eyes with brilliance, complemented her smooth, creamy complexion and emphasized the enchanting beauty mark near her lush lips.
    Her beauty had captivated him the night they had first met. He would have staked his claim on her then, but at twenty-one she’d been too young to take on the responsibilities that came with being his wife. And in truth, at that time he’d not been ready to settle down to his own responsibilities.
    â€œOmar?”
    He started, realizing he’d been staring at her and hadn’t answered her question. “Certainly progress can be a good thing, as long as it is balanced with some of the old traditions and values of the country. There have been some tensions between the people in Gaspar—the ones who want to cling solely to theold ways and the ones who are eager to embrace everything new. In the months and years ahead I hope to herald in a new era—a healthy combination of both.”
    â€œIn one of your letters, you mentioned that it was your hope that no child of Gaspar would ever go to sleep hungry.”
    He was touched that she remembered what he had written to her in one of his early letters. “Yes, the social services programs are coming along very well. Most of the people of Gaspar are prospering, but I guess there are always poor people in every country.”
    The arrival of their dinner interrupted anything more he was going to say. For the next few minutes they spoke of their favorite foods and the different cities where they had enjoyed good meals.
    That led naturally into a discussion of the places they had visited around the world, although Omar confessed that he didn’t particularly care to travel but preferred remaining in Gaspar.
    â€œIn fact, this trip will have to be relatively brief, as I am in negotiations with several countries concerning the sale of our oil,” he said, once their plates had been taken away and they were lingering over coffee. “But enough about all that. I want to hear about you.”
    â€œI’m afraid if all we talk about is my life, you’ll find the conversation dreadfully dull,” she said.
    He found her self-deprecation enchanting. A woman as vital, as bold as he remembered her to becould never be boring. “On the contrary,” he said. “I find everything about you utterly fascinating.”
    The blush that covered her cheeks both surprised and delighted him.
    â€œAnd I find you almost overwhelmingly charming,” she murmured.
    He laughed, then leaned forward, his gaze holding hers intently. “Good. I want to overwhelm you, romance you and seduce you into agreeing to be my wife.”
    A tiny frown crossed her brow. “Surely there are lots of women in Gaspar who would desire to marry you,” she replied.
    He nodded and grinned. “Hundreds.” His grin faded and he replied more seriously, “But none of them has managed to capture my