Page 17 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

“Because she was always falling down, scraping her knees, or bashing herself against something,” John added.

Amir smiled and nodded his head. “She’s so clumsy. I’m not surprised she was a scabby child,” he said. Jason and Amir both laughed, and Sara rolled her eyes. Her brothers always picked on her. She had never thought Amir would join in on it.

Sara’s brothers did not stay long. They were tired from the long flight and ready to leave for the hotel. Sara was glad they left before they started telling stories about her childhood.

Tariq and Sara retired for the night. Sara changed into her favorite baggy T-shirt. She sat on the bed with her head against the headboard.

“Your mother was different tonight,” Sara said while Tariq was still undressing.

“Leylah softened her. She was much harder to deal with in the past,” Tariq replied as he joined Sara on the bed. She raised an eyebrow.

“So that’s where you get it from.”

“Woman, what are you saying?”

“You are hardheaded like your mother.”

In one movement, Tariq grabbed Sara and pulled her closer to him. Sara squirmed and held on to him. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “I can’t wait to marry you,” she whispered. Their noses were touching.

“You want to be my wife that much?” Tariq asked. His voice dropped in tone, and Sara was very familiar with that tone.

“I simply want to get all of it over and done with,” Sara teased. Tariq frowned at her, and she tried to worm her way out of his grip, but he was too strong for her. She loved this game they played. She knew in her heart that he’d let her up instantly if she was ever uncomfortable, but something about his strength and the ease with which he held her still made her feel safe and valued. Just when he was about to kiss her, Leylah’s cry sounded from the baby monitor.

“Ahhhh,” Sara cried out. The baby always interrupted them at the wrong time. “It’s your turn,” Sara said to Tariq. He narrowed his eyes at her, but she just grinned at him and kissed him softly.

“Fine.” Tariq got up. “Don’t go to sleep before I come back.”

But Sara did fall asleep waiting for Tariq. It took too long to put Leylah back to sleep. The next morning, Tariq had to leave for work early. He and Malik were visiting an oil field, which would take them several hours to get to. A few hours after Tariq left, Sara was watching TV with Leylah on her lap.

“Hi, Sara.”

Sara jumped as she heard Amir’s voice.

“Yeah, I can be a bit creepy, I know,” he said with a grin on his face.

“When did you get here and why?” Sara asked. “You didn’t go with Tariq and Malik?”

“I have a more important mission today. I need to ask you for a favor. I need you to come with me somewhere. It’s the reason I came last night, actually.” Amir slid his hands in his pockets and looked at Sara helplessly.

“I know that look. Tell me,” Sara said and gestured for him to sit down with her.

“Actually, I need you to come with me.”

“Are we going in your car? I’ll leave Leylah with the nanny if we are, since we can’t put a car seat in your car. Here, hold her while I change.”

Sara handed him Leylah, texted the nanny, and dashed upstairs. She slipped into a sheer, long-sleeved top, a white vest, a pair of light-blue jeans, and sandals. She brushed her curly hair and left it down. By the time she was back in the living room, the nanny had come into the main house from her private quarters and was reading the baby a book about a hippo.

“So what’s going on?” Sara asked as they drove away and she began searching his car. “What kind of car doesn’t have any snacks?” she mumbled.

“I will buy you food after,” Amir said with a smile. He sighed. “I need you to invite Soraya to the wedding.” He spoke so fast that Sara turned to look at him. It was cute how nervous and awkward he became when he spoke about Soraya.

“Yeah, sure, I don’t mind. How long has it been since you saw her?”

Amir did not reply for a moment. He simply kept driving. He sighed again before he said anything. “Too long. And I keep messing up with her.”

“Aww, how so?”

“I don’t even know. We had one great evening. Casual and fun. But the last time I saw her… I thought women liked it when men are protective.”

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