Page 28 of The Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend

“Thank you.”

Sara walked into her new office, which was much bigger than the one she had before. She looked around. The space wasn’t quite how she liked it. She started pushing the sofa to the other side of the room.

“Up to your old tricks, I see,” she heard Tariq’s voice. She turned and saw him standing in the doorway smiling.

“When did you get here?” Sara asked and stood upright and straightened her skirt.

“Just now. Adiva told me you were here, so I came to see you,” Tariq walked toward her. “The first time I saw you, you were rearranging furniture like this with your skirt riding up.” Sara covered her face, still a little embarrassed at the memory. She remembered how awkward she’d felt that day.

“And what was your first impression?” Sara asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Tariq raised an eyebrow and pulled her closer to him.

“I wondered what kind of a woman would push her furniture around in the most improper way.” Sara frowned at him. “The image of your thighs was burned into my brain for weeks.” Tariq leaned in to kiss her, but she stopped him.

“You were thinking about my legs all that time?” Sara’s mouth hung open. Tariq offered no response. “You liked me first!” she said. Sara hadn’t suspected that. He always acted as if he loathed her. Tariq kissed her instead of responding.

Amir barged into the room, and Sara and Tariq both turned and frowned at him.

“Brother, your timing is impeccable, as always,” Tariq said sardonically.

“I haven’t seen you guys since the wedding. I wanted to welcome you back,” Amir said and went to hug Sara.

“I was going to come see you in a little while,” Sara said and hugged him back.

“You are too close to my wife,” Tariq said with a hint of irritation. Amir grinned at him.

“You have control issues. I’m here to speak with Sara about something important,” Amir replied. Sara shook her head.

“You always have to have everything on your timeline, don’t you? Tariq, let’s meet later for lunch.” Sara rubbed Tariq’s arm.

“That sounds good.” He kissed Sara on the forehead before heading for the door.

“Help me move the sofa,” Sara said to Amir.

“Some things never change,” he said as he laughed and helped her. “Anyway, a lot happened while you were gone.”

“What?” Sara was always up for gossip.

“Malik confronted me about dancing with Soraya at the wedding.”

“Confronted? It was only dancing,” Sara said. They moved the sofa where she wanted it, then she promptly dropped onto it to make sure she liked its new position.

“He said I was too close to her. He’s suspicious.”

“Then tell him you like Soraya.”

“I more than like Soraya,” Amir said quietly. “Malik has seen me with too many women to be persuaded. I think he might be more stubborn than Soraya herself. I could swear on every holy book in the world, and he would still worry about me treating his sister badly. But I’ve never felt this way about any other woman. All I can think about is seeing her. Just hearing her name makes me smile.”

“You’re in love. Oh my gosh!” Sara clapped her hands.

“I didn’t say that.” Amir slid his hands in his pockets, and Sara snorted in amusement.

“All I want is for you to be happy, Amir. And Soraya too. You’ll figure it out.” Clearly, Soraya made him happy, but it seemed as though Malik would take some convincing.

* * *

Soraya was enjoying her day off at home. She wasn’t working at the restaurant today, and the term was over, so she had no studying to do for a few blissful weeks. It was the perfect day to catch up on all the household chores she’d neglected in the lead-up to her exams. And her favorite shows. She was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, folding laundry, and binge-watching the superhero series everyone had been talking about three months ago. She hadn’t even bothered to get all the way dressed—a T-shirt and panties were plenty for a solitary day at home.

She frowned when she heard the doorbell ring. She wasn’t expecting anyone. She yanked on a pair of lounge pants from the top of the laundry basket and went to the door. Amir was standing there. Really? Did he never learn?

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