Page 21 of The Sheikh’s Christmas Present

“No, we have to fly to the coast.”

Maria blinked and stared at him. “Fly? Jarik, that’s the reason that we’re stuck here. We can’t fly anywhere.”

“The planes are grounded, but I called in a favor. How do you feel about helicopters?”

“Helicopters? If you could take a helicopter, then what are you doing here with me?”

Jarik reached out and took her duffel bag from her. “Someone needs to keep an eye on you. Now, go check and make sure that the crates are loaded. Then we’ll head out.”

Her eyes were lit with excitement, and for a moment, she looked like a kid. Jarik felt his heart pick up speed as she practically skipped to her plane. Waving his fingers slightly, he nodded to the security to let her through. Relaxing, he watched amused as she scurried from crate to crate, checking the numbers with the inventory list. The cold air bit at his nose, and he wrapped his jacket tighter around him.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out to look at the caller ID.

“Melka? What has Samir done now?” Jarik growled after he tapped to answer.

“Nice to hear from you too, brother,” Samir said dryly. “What’s this I hear about you visiting Kivi?”

“Samir,” Jarik sighed. “I’ve told you before that Kivi is none of your business.”

“Relax. I didn’t call to pick a fight with you. Where are you exactly?”

Jarik hesitated. “Actually, I’m on my way to Syria.”

“Syria? That’s a dangerous place for you to be.”

“Minor detour,” Jarik said smoothly. “But I can’t talk long. What do you need? Bail money?”

“No. I was actually wondering if you spoke to father recently.”

“Nothing other than a few business memos last week. Why? Is something wrong?”

“I’m not sure. I spoke to him yesterday, and he didn’t seem well.”

“Like he was ill?”

“No. Like he was upset about something. He mentioned that he wanted to see us all together before the end of the year.”

“All of us? Together?” Jarik couldn’t believe his father was asking this. Samir must have heard wrong.

“My thoughts exactly.” From his tone, Jarik knew he was just as surprised.

“I’ll talk to him and see what’s going on,” Jarik promised. “Where are you?”

“Nowhere in particular.” Jarik already knew where he was, why would he evade the answer? Before he could ask, Samir told him, “Stay safe, brother,” and then disconnected the call.

Jarik decided to call Kashif. “Best to get it over with now,” he told himself as he stamped his feet in the cold, shaking off Samir’s call. Getting Kashif’s voicemail, he left him a quick message before pocketing his phone.

What could possibly be wrong with father? He didn’t have time to call him now and he worried that if he did, his father would know that he was going to Lebanon and would force him to return home. That wasn’t going to happen. Not now.

He watched Maria finish up in the plane. When he had called his friend about the use of the helicopter, he didn’t even think twice about granting his wish, and soon, Jarik really would be able to see what pure bliss looked like on Maria’s face.

And then he’d have her. Her resistance was waning, and he could see the desire in her eyes. The taste that he’d given her last night wasn’t nearly enough for her.

It definitely wasn’t enough for him. He wouldn’t be satisfied until she was under him again, writhing in pleasure.

Gasping his name again.

10

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