Page 24 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

Now Amir turned his attention to Soraya, who was sitting across the room. She was dressed in a sleeveless blue dress that showed off her curves in a most enticing way. It just skimmed her hips and then fell straight to the floor. The dress’s low-cut neckline showed off her cleavage, and a short silver jacket covered her bare shoulders and arms. Her hair was wavy and pinned on the right side. She wore deep maroon lipstick.

Amir had never seen her so dressed up. It was nice. Glamorous. He wanted to go speak with her, but he was in the middle of a conversation with Malik. He focused on his friend’s story about a blowout at an oil well he’d worked on early in his career.

“Luckily, there was no fire,” Malik said. “But I’m still finding oil behind my ears and between my toes from that day.”

Everyone laughed, and Amir’s attention wandered again. He turned and saw Soraya speaking with Kalil Burka. Amir had never liked the man. They’d gone to university together, and Kalil had cheated his way through all their exams. Somehow, he’d managed to keep his job at one of Botros Oil’s biggest competitors. Probably because of his equally oily charm. He immediately excused himself and walked over to Soraya like a man on mission. He reached her and interrupted their conversation.

“Hello,habibti,” Amir said and took Soraya’s hand into his. “May I steal you for a moment?”

Soraya raised her eyebrows at him. “We’re in the middle of a conversation,” she said.

“And now it’s finished,” Amir replied, looking at Kalil.

“Amir, arrogant as always,” Kalil said.

“Kalil. Did you bring your lovely wife this evening? I haven’t seen her.”

Kalil’s face turned nearly scarlet. Yes, the man was still looking to cheat, just in a different way nowadays.

Soraya frowned. She looked at both Kalil and Amir. “You two know each other?” she asked.

“Unfortunately,” Amir said. He helped Soraya to her feet. She was about to protest, but Amir put his hand up to stop her from talking.

“You never learned how to treat women,” Kalil said as he stood up. “I don’t think the lady wants to go with you.”

“The lady deserves better than to be hit on by a snake like you,” Amir warned. He secured Soraya’s hand in his and walked off with her at his side. They made their way out of the room and into the corridor. Soraya pulled free from Amir’s grip and swung around to face him. He took a step back. She looked like she wanted to slap him, and he knew how hard she could hit if she chose to throw a punch.

“You never learn, do you?” Soraya said.

“I didn’t threaten anyone this time.” Amir grinned, hoping to defuse her anger.

“This is the second time you’ve acted like that. What’s your problem?” Soraya placed her hands on her hips and stared at him impatiently.

“Let me guess. Kalil started out by complimenting you, of course. Then he said something about how hard it must be to be a woman in a male-dominated field like finance. Then he weaseled his way into your confidence, and you were about to confess something deeply personal.”

Soraya colored but kept silent.

“But I’m certain he didn’t tell you anything about himself, not anything important or true anyway. And I’m positive he didn’t tell you he’s married.”

“I… No.” Soraya sighed. “He just seemed interested. Unlike some other men I could mention. I guess I should thank you. He was creeping closer with every word. If you hadn’t interrupted, he probably would have been in my lap soon. What are you smiling about?”

“Just something Sara said the other day.”

He moved closer to her and stopped smiling. He looked her in the eye.

“I don’t like seeing you with other men,” Amir said. “Especially men like him.”

“Like I said last time—” Before Soraya could finish her sentence, Amir cut her off.

“Soraya, I’ve heard you. I have. And I’ve kept to my promise for weeks now. Your exams are over, and I’m certain you passed with flying colors. When will this test end? You are the only woman I’ve looked at for months. You are the only one for me. I want to claim you. Publicly. Your brother’s disapproval be damned.”

“I don’t know how to answer you, Amir. You can’t claim me like a piece of luggage at the airport. I’m not an object for you to acquire. You seem to expect me to be flattered that you want to, but it just makes me more certain you’re the womanizer the tabloids depict you as. When you look at me that way, I do want to give in, but I can’t. It’s great that you know what you want, but I don’t. Not when it comes to you, anyway.”

Amir’s heart raced at her words.I want to give in. His desire for her exploded, but he held himself in check. Anyone might walk out of the wedding reception at any time and see them. He would not put her in a compromising situation. But…

Amir cupped her face in his hands. He couldn’t take it anymore. So many times, he had ignored the urge to take her in his arms. A touch wouldn’t hurt anything, and maybe it would ease this ache in his chest. He leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away, to tell him to stop, and kissed her softly on the lips. Soraya stiffened, as if she hadn’t known what he was about to do. He kissed her and could almost feel her resistance flow away. Her arms found their way around his neck, and he pulled her closer to him and teased at the seam of her lips. She opened for him, and he let himself explore her mouth more fully. And—wonder of wonders—she kissed him back.

A burst of laughter reached them from the reception, and Soraya pulled back. She was panting, her face was flushed, and he could see her racing pulse in her neck.

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