Page 26 of Her Arabian King

The sheikh appeared genuinely bemused at her words. “Not like what?”

“While I’m still on your lap, you bully.” Her tone was angry, and she told herself that was indeed the only thing she was feeling. Anger. Just anger, and not hurt, because it seemed that the sheikh was too used to having women on his lap he no longer saw anything wrong with it.

It took more than a few moments for Khalil to understand Harper’s discomfort, and it left him slightly incredulous. And if he must be honest, then it was a huge turn-on as well. He had always known Harper was untutored in the ways of men, but he hadn’t expected to feel this...pleased, with proof of her sweet innocence.

When she tried to scramble off his lap again, the sheikh let her go, and she told herself she was not disappointed. He stood up as well, pulling out a chair for her, and as she took a seat, she muttered, “Now, you can call for coffee.”

“As you command, anisdi.”

Harper turned red.

Khalil laughed. “Do not be embarrassed. As you will be my wife and queen—-”

“I didn’t say—-”

But the sheikh only continued as if he hadn’t heard her at all. “You will have a right to order me around.” His eyes glittered. “And I think I like the idea of you ordering me in the bedroom once in a while.”

Oooh. And Harper scowled, lest she forget herself. She was not going to imagine anything. She was not. But it was impossible, and soon enough her mind was filled with images of the sheikh undressing at her command, slowly unbuttoning his shirt, revealing inch after inch of his gloriously hard chest—-

Shit.

As her face heated up, her guilty gaze flew to the sheikh’s.

Shit.

His smirk was enough to tell her he knew what she had been fantasizing about.

“Want to give it a try later, anisdi?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied stiffly.

“Then perhaps I’ll be the one ordering you around—-”

Oh, drat. “No one’s going to be ordering anyone,” she said firmly. “Okay?”

But the sheikh only smiled.

A pair of stewardesses entered the room after a moment, clearing the dishes, followed right after by another pair, this time to serve them coffee and dessert.

When they were alone again, she said, “A single person could have done all that.”

“But it would have taken the person longer,” the sheikh murmured, “and my time is precious.”

She supposed that was true, but even so it still felt a little too extravagant.

The way her brows furrowed amused the sheikh. Did she not know how ridiculous it was to worry about such things considering the size of his wealth?

“After this, I will unfortunately need to spend a few more hours in the office working.”

“Umm. Okay.” Why was he telling her this?

“I thought you should know beforehand that my work schedule is more...demanding than most.” He paused. “And it is unlikely to change even when we are married.”

Oh. Now she got it. And Harper frowned. “You mean if.”

His eyes only gleamed in response, and she was torn between wanting to melt and scratch his eyes out. He was just so arrogant!

“Perhaps you have some other questions about the marriage I could answer before I go back to work?” Khalil wasn’t surprised when Harper didn’t answer right away. It was this cautiousness of her that he liked about her, after all – and he still did, even though it put his throne in jeopardy.