Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Right, right. Harper wanted to believe that, but something was telling her she would have better chances of waiting for pigs to fly. Beside her, Howard, now having calmed down, started to apologize for his outburst, to which the younger guards vehemently shook their heads. There was no need to say sorry, the boys were quick to stress. And she could see in their starry gazes that it was true. Military heroes were a big deal in the kingdom of Ramil, and it had probably killed the boys to be responsible for something that had pissed Howard off.
As Howard and the boys chatted, Harper tried to make herself relax as well, but her anxiety levels simply kept increasing. Being surrounded by these larger-than-life marble walls didn’t help, making her feel cooped up, and knowing that this was only the first of several security borders she had to go through before making it to the airport only made it worse.
If that man wanted to keep her from leaving, he could—-
Harper mentally shook her head. Stop it, stupid. Khalil Al-Atassi could have any woman in his life, so why would he bother with someone like her? They had fun last night, and that was it. This was nothing but a tech issue.
“Sheikh!”
The stunned exclamations coming from the boys behind her made Harper jerk. Shit. In the corner of her eye, she saw the guards fall on one knee and bow their heads, and she almost wanted to do the same, just so she wouldn’t see who was coming. Or maybe she had nothing to worry about. There were so many sheikhs in the palace today. It could be—-
“Howard.” The voice was soft, deep, and familiar. “What seems to be the problem here?”
Shit. It was him!
“A tech issue, it seems like,” her father answered. “My daughter unfortunately has to leave because of an emergency.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope it’s not bad?”
“No, no. Just something to do with her work.” She could feel Howard throwing daggers at her back as he spoke, and Harper knew she had to turn and face the sheikh like protocol demanded – and before her father had a heart attack at her lack of manners.
Taking a deep breath, she turned and lifted her gaze to the sheikh. “Your Majesty.”
“I’m sorry to hear you’ll be leaving us soon.” His tone was gentle, but his dark gaze was not. His eyes promised retribution, and she swallowed hard. Shit. Her body was reacting to his gaze, alright, but instead of shrinking away in fear or bristling in anger, it was foolishly melting, her breasts swelling under the layers of lace and cotton.
Images blazed in her mind, of seeing his head bent over her breast, suckling her nipple—-
Shit. Why was she thinking about that now?
When she looked at the sheikh again, his nostrils had flared, and he was looking at her with eyes that glittered even more brightly now. Oh God. Those eyes told her he knew—-
He knew she was remembering last night, and it had turned her on. It had aroused both of them.
He murmured something softly in Rami to her father, and as her father answered, she used the time to get her body back under her control. Stupid, stupid hormones! Didn’t it know how dangerous it was to get addicted to someone like the sheikh? Crushing on him from afar was one thing. Actually doing something about it was another. A whole hella lot of another, and—-
“If you’re certain it won’t be a bother?” Howard’s careful tone drew Harper back to reality, and she frowned. What were they talking about?
“Of course not. It is on the way.”
“Then I’m sure she’ll be happy to agree.” Howard smiled at her. “Right, Harp?”
“Umm, right.” She still had no idea what they were talking about, but whatever. She just wanted out of here. “So...I guess I can go now?”
“Of course,” Khalil said.
Howard laughed. “I don’t think anyone will stop you this time, since you’ll be flying with the sheikh.”
She was what?
But there was no time to protest, with a limousine already rolling down the driveway within moments, and the chauffeur taking her luggage from her hands to stow it in the compartment. Before she knew it, the sheikh had already tucked her inside the limousine, and they were on the way to the airport.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she shrieked. “I don’t want to fly with you!”
“Then it’s too bad things have already been taken care of, qalifa. You will fly with me. It’s the only way you’ll be cleared to leave my kingdom.”
Harper stared at the sheikh. “Why are you doing this?” she asked finally. “I really don’t get it.” They had known each other for eight weeks in a span of eight years, and yes, he always paid attention to her, but that was it. And it wasn’t like he had been saving himself for her or anything (like she was). He had even been engaged to another girl, and after Sapphire March he had countless lovers – the Beasts article was proof of it.