Page 5 of The Sheik's Kiss

“Don’t you use body language and voice intonation to determine if someone is lying?”

“Well, yes, but–”

“And you think you could effectively evaluate each candidate from a video call? And you would be able to spontaneously speak to various members of my staff, ask them surreptitious questions, gauge their reactions, and delve into their financial backgrounds based on the non-verbal feedback…you can do all of that from a video call?”

Darn it! He was right.

Straightening her shoulders, she jerked her head. “You have a valid point.”

However, did she really need to fly to Sidrina? Was he asking her to be around him while he chooses his next bride? Her whole body ached at the prospect.

“You have some concerns,” he observed and Mandy took another breath, the tension in her shoulders lessening slightly. But then he said, “I’ll double your salary.”

Mandy gasped. “Double?” she hissed, shocked that he would pay her so much money for a couple of days’ work. “No, that’s just…that’s insane!”

“Fine, I’ll triple it.”

He said the words as if money didn’t mean anything to him. And yet, the only reason he was here was because a woman saw him as a bank. Correction, that was the reason he’d broken off his engagement. He was here because there was a traitor on his staff. “Your Highness, stop! Money isn’t the issue here.”

Something in his demeanor changed. He looked…cynical? Mandy struggled to keep up with his rapid and barely distinguishable changes in mood.

“Then what is the issue?” he demanded. “Explain the obstacle that is hindering your ability to assist me and I will do whatever it takes to make that issue disappear. Is it another client? You can work on your other clients’ projects while you are in Sindrina.”

Mandy huffed a bit, then fisted her hands onto her hips. “The issue isn’t money,” she explained with exasperation. Then she tilted her head slightly. “Or maybe it is.”

“Explain?”

Mandy’s head reared back, glowering at him now. “How about ‘Explain, please,’ instead of pretending like you have some sort of monumental power over me while you’re standing in my home?” She tried to ignore the triggered memories, but flashes from the past were persistent.

There was a moment of stunned silence. Mandy was proud that she’d actually said the words out loud! But then the jerk laughed. The sound…it was a little rusty, as if he hadn’t laughed in a long time. She ignored the warmth that seeped into her at the sound of his deep, rough laughter.

Bristling, she crossed her arms over her chest. His amusement and the way he was throwing money around brought back painful memories. “I’m not sure that I understand your amusement, Your Highness. Care to explain the joke?”

He chuckled, but made a visible effort to suppress his amusement. “I apologize, Ms. Sullivan. I just…”

“And please stop calling me Ms. Sullivan,” she huffed, still glaring at him. “You probably need a formal title to remind everyone of their inferior place in your world, but I don’t. Everyone on my staff calls me Mandy.” Her chin jutted upwards. “You can do the same.”

Obviously, he wasn’t offended since the jerk merely grinned again, but the look in his eyes warned her that his amusement was different now. How it was different, she hadn’t a clue. Unfortunately, this man just…confused and irritated her!

“I am honored to be given permission to use your first name, Mandy,” he replied, but this time, his tone was lower. Huskier.

His voice, as well as the intimate way he spoke, sent shivers of awareness down her spine.

“Right,” she snapped, then crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a nod. “So, what do you want?”

Zahir stared down at her, his body on fire. Never in his life had he been so aware of a woman’s fury, and that anger turned him on. He didn’t understand why. Normally, he preferred his mistresses to be sweet. So, what was it about Mandy Sullivan’s temper that inflamed him?

“I want your financial expertise,” he finally replied, belatedly realizing that she was still waiting for an answer.

“I’ve already agreed to help you.”

“And you’ll come to Sidrina?” he continued, needing to hear her response.

She shrugged and his eyes dropped to her breasts. They were enveloped by an oversized sweatshirt, but nothing could hide this woman’s curves. She was incredibly feminine in every way. Including the anger in her hazel eyes at the moment.

His eyes narrowed on her lovely features. There was something…hidden. Yes, that was it. Ms. Mandy Sullivan was hiding something! After Nisiri’s very public betrayal, Zahir was determined to understand Mandy on a deeper, more personal, level.

“I sense that there is something more,” he commented, tilting his head slightly as he watched her. “Something that you don’t want me to know about.”

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