Page 21 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

Jason frowned again. Tariq knew he probably sounded arrogant. This was his opportunity to win Jason’s approval, but he wasn’t doing that at all. Amir walked into the room and called them to come join him. As they were leaving, Tariq’s phone rang. He stayed back to answer it.

“Habibti,” Tariq said as he answered the phone.

“How’s it going over there?” Sara asked him. He smiled at how she was calling to check on him. She must know her brothers would grill him once they had him alone.

“Fine,” Tariq replied, but Sara was not convinced.

“I know you’re not into this kind of stuff, but you should try to enjoy it. This could be a great opportunity for you to bond with my brothers,” she said softly.

“I guess,” Tariq mumbled.

“It’ll be okay,” Sara said. It sounded like she was suppressing a laugh.

“And yet your tone is sardonic.”

“Oh, not at all.” Her laughter was quite clear now. “You just sound a little frustrated, that’s all.”

“It’s been a week since I made love to you. Of course I am frustrated,” Tariq said, and Sara laughed even harder in response.

“You will tomorrow night.”

“It’s too long.”

“I know, my love.”

“How’s Leylah?”

“She’s fine. Sleeping. The nanny is in the next room with her.”

“Good, I will call you before I go to bed.”

“Okay.” Sara made a kissing sound over the phone. Tariq had never been able to do the same—it was just too undignified. But he smiled to himself as he hung up. Speaking to Sara always made him feel good. As he left the room, he saw two of Sara’s brothers, John and James, moving quickly away from the door. Meddlers, just like their sister. He couldn’t wait for the wedding to be over and done with so he could just be alone with his wife.

Wife. He liked the sound of that.

10

Sara picked up her phone and saw she had a message from Amir.

Amir:What’s Soraya doing?

Sara:She’s rather quiet. What about Tariq?

Sara shook her head as she sent the message. Amir had been sweating all day over Soraya. She felt like she was now stuck in the middle playing Cupid, but it wasn’t easy with a girl like Soraya.

Amir:Tariq is not talking much either. What are you girls doing?

Sara:Right now we’re exchanging relationship stories and eating. I am trying to find out about Soraya. So far, she said she is not seeing anyone.

Amir:I bet you’re the only one eating. I’m joking. What kind of men does she like?

“Sara, who are you messaging so much?” Alex called out.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Sara said as she stuffed the phone away.

The girls assumed she was messaging Tariq, and she didn’t even try to deny it as they teased her good-naturedly. They played music and swapped romance stories during a game of cards. Soraya didn’t share much. She only spoke about her first kiss and her worst date. Sara was hoping to get more out of her, but that was fine for the time being.

The maids cleaned up the food and got the bedding ready. Sara had suggested that they sleep over like a slumber party, since it would be her last night as a single woman. Surprisingly, the girls were up for it. Sara’s phone buzzed, and her face brightened when she saw that it was Tariq calling to say goodnight like he’d promised he would.

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