Sandstorm Read Online Free PDF Page B

the table. "Despite the fact I hear you've been popping in and out like a man sleeping with the Sheik's wife."

    Simon shuddered. "Thank you, no. That woman terrifies me. I think she should be Sheik. I've been busy. Very. Is that tea?"
    "Yes, and you can't have any because you're an insufferable ass."
    "Oh, insufferable. You're such a fine student." Simon sat down across from him and stole the cup Isra had said he could not have.
    Isra glared, sky-blue eyes flashing with warning. "That is mine. Put it down, or I'll dump it on you."
    "So violent," Simon with a grin. "It's kind of sexy on you, my beautiful desert rose." He ducked the punch swung his way, falling on his back and laughing until tears streamed down his face.
    "I hate you," Isra said. "Mind, body, soul all fall into disharmony when you're around."
    Simon laughed harder, tanned skin flushing red from the exertion of it. Eventually he sat up.
    "You have to tell me your version of the story, Isra. Did you really try to kill the Crusher?"
    "That man needs killing," Isra said venomously. "His temper is-"
    "Worse than yours?" Simon asked with a grin.
    Isra hefted a book in warning. "Didn't I tell you to shut up? What do you want that you're disturbing my peace so?"
    Simon smiled and held his hands up in surrender. "Peace, brother of my soul, I only came to tease you and hear the tale from your lips."
    "There isn't much to tell," Isra said with a grunt and set the book down. He combed hands through his short, ink-black hair, smoothing it out where tackling Simon had disheveled it.
    "Uncle and the Ghost Sheik were speaking; the Ghost lost his temper after Uncle refused to agree to certain terms - namely a definite location of where to find Falcon - and when it was obvious Sheik Hashim was going to attack, I moved first. His stupid son blocked my attack and engaged me. No doubt you've heard the rest."
    "Well you are rather pretty, Isra. Everyone says so. It's that western blood, it gives such odd lines to your face." Simon grinned. "The scar is a nice touch, actually." He leaned across the table and pressed a quick, soft kiss to Isra's frown. "Did he really call you a woman? Desert rose? And live?"
    "Only because Uncle made me stop," Isra grumbled, looking somewhat mollified by the kiss.
    "Stupid bastard." He closed the book he'd been reading with a snap and shoved it sullenly away. "Uncle won't let me out of my tent."
    Simon patted his hand. "You did break protocol by trying to kill a Sheik and Amir during peace talks."
    "They started it."
    "All the same."
    "Have I mentioned I hate you? Simon."

    Simon grimaced. "I hate that name, really and truly I do."
    Isra smirked. He lifted his arms up and tilted his head back, stretching with a soft moan, rolling his head to help ease the tension brought on by hours bent over books. Inside his cool tent, he'd discarded all but a pair of loose, black pants. The muscles of his chest and belly rippled as he stretched and moved, hinting at how much strength was in his lean, slender body. His hair was short, cut close to his head, a rich blue-black. Skin bronzed by the sun was the final touch to his exotic looks, mostly eastern, but with strong marks of his western father. "Simon, Simon, Simon," he sang, rolling away as Simon lunged at him, laughing in delight now that the tables were turned.
    Simon at last grabbed him, pinning him to one of the many soft, brown and gold carpets lining the floor of Isra's tent, just barely avoiding knocking them into a small, wooden chest beside the bed - a large, deep settee piled with colorful pillows. "I wonder what the Sandstorm would say if he saw his pretty desert rose spread out like this."
    "Dead!" Isra roared, bucking and kicking, forcing Simon off, back, and in seconds their positions were reversed. "What is your problem today?"
    "I'm a little giddy about being back among people. Well, people whom I like."
    "Giddy? More like just plain stupid," Isra murmured, but bent down and licked Simon's