Page 26 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

“Excuse me, ladies,” Amir interrupted with a smile.

“Well, hello, handsome number two,” Alex said. Sara laughed and covered her face.

“Hello, beautiful,” Amir took her hand and kissed it. Soraya tried her hardest to keep a straight face and not react.

“Alex, this is Amir, Tariq’s younger brother,” Sara said.

“Pleasure to meet you, Alex,” Amir said to her.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Alex replied.

“What’s up?” Sara asked.

“I came to ask this lovely lady for a dance,” Amir said and looked at Soraya, who was avoiding eye contact. Sara and Alex turned to look at Soraya. Amir cleared his throat to get her attention, and Soraya turned slowly.

“Go for it,” Sara said quickly before Soraya refused to dance. Alex nudged her slightly. Soraya wondered how Aaliyah, Amir’s cousin, would have reacted if she’d been at the table right now. She would have either been in Soraya’s corner or she’d have strongly hinted she should go and dance with Amir the way Sara and Alex were doing. Soraya reluctantly put her hand in Amir’s and followed him to the dance floor. He placed his free hand on her waist, and she put her free hand on his shoulder. And they stepped together, perfectly in sync.

For a few seconds, they danced silently. Amir was looking at her intently, and it was making her nervous, especially after that kiss earlier. The memory of it was still replaying in her head, and she drew in a shaky breath. Amir pulled her closer to him. His warmth and strength were like magnets, and she let him hold her closer than she probably ought to. She kept her gaze over his shoulder. If she made eye contact, all would be lost. The silence between them was making things ten times worse. And better. At least they weren’t arguing.

With each sway, her body rubbed against him. She had never been this close to a man, not in this way. And his touch was doing things to her she had never experienced before. She really wanted him to kiss her again.

“Look at me,” Amir said to her.

“Why?” Soraya asked. Amir tilted his face and leaned closer to her, trying to catch her eye.

“Stop,” Soraya whispered. She couldn’t take it anymore.

“I’m not doing anything,” Amir whispered back. Soraya looked down. “Could it be that you’re actually shy?”

“Shut up,” Soraya said.

“You never show me any emotion.”

“That’s because you’re very annoying and impulsive.”

“I should stop, then.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling you, idiot. Are you only just now figuring that out?” Now she met his gaze and saw he was laughing at her. Her mouth quirked sideways, and she fought the smile. She sighed. “Amir, I like you. I do. It’s just hard to believe you wantmefor real, and that you’re not just chasing me because you like the hunt.”

“You actually don’t want me to stop?” Amir questioned tentatively.

“I want you to stop being annoying,” Soraya said. Then she added softly, “You always act like you’re playing games. In everything you do. It seems like life is a game to you, and I don’t want to be a token you’re moving across the board or a prize you have your eye on that you’ll enjoy only until the next round.”

“I am not playing games, Soraya. I keep telling you that. Why won’t you believe me?”

“Why me?”

“You balance me,” he replied. “And I want to help balance you. Plus, you’re the sexiest woman here tonight.”

Soraya looked up. His face was inches away from hers, and her heart leaped in her chest when he looked at her. She searched his eyes.

“Promise me you won’t hurt me,” she said.

“I promise I won’t hurt you. Promise me you’ll open yourself to playing with me. Not games. Just playfulness. Life is so much more fun that way.”

Soraya smiled and looked away. “Give me time,” Soraya said. “I have a lot on my plate right now.”

“Woman, you’ve had time. I know you have classes and work. But we had fun that night at the amusement park. All I’m asking for is more of that.”

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