Page 3 of The Sheikh's Temporary Girlfriend

“But—why?”

“A very good friend of my late father has every expectation that I’ll now marry his daughter.”

“And you’re not yet ready to settle down?”

He pushed a hand over his face. “Let’s just say she’s not my type.”

“Is shethatunattractive?” She couldn’t stop a note of bitterness from creeping into her voice. She had enough experience with men to know they were attracted to her blonde good looks and her bikini-toned body. A pity none had stuck around long enough to fall for her inner beauty.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he hedged.

She curled her lip. “But you’re not denying it, either.”

He sighed heavily. “All I want to hear from you right now is ayesorno.” Her entire body tensed, and about to tell him to go to hell, he added succinctly, “Name your price.”

“Name my price?” she echoed weakly. Was he serious? But of course he was—he was a sheikh, no doubt he had unlimited funds. “Just what exactly is involved in this…charade?”

“I want you to pretend to be in love with me, totally smitten. We both need to be. Anything less and our…relationship just won’t work.”

“But what about your guests? I don’t doubt the rumors are already spreading like wildfire about us. An island won’t stop the lies.”

He arched a knowing brow. “They’ll be saying I couldn’t take my eyes off you from the moment you deliberately spilled drinks on me. They’ll also say there was instant chemistry between us.”

“Love at first sight?” she asked drily, even as her heart banged against her ribs in sudden wishful thinking.

“It happens, apparently.”

Her mind whirled. What was the catch? It all seemed too easy. “Will we be sharing a bed?”

“For the sake of my gossiping servants, yes, we’ll have to share a bed.” At her shocked inhalation, he added, “But I don’t expect sex. Not unless you want it, of course.”

“No sex,” she amended firmly, her nipples springing into tight buds at the vision that suddenly sprang to mind: his strong legs tangled around hers, their mouths fused along with their hot and sweaty, naked bodies. She cleared her throat and held his stare. “And one-hundred-thousand dollars upfront.”

“Deal.”

“Deal?” she echoed yet again. He’d agreedthateasily to her price.

He nodded. “Just one thing.”

“Yes?”

He leaned close, and as if in slow motion, he moved his hands behind her head before his soft lips closed over her mouth. Electricity danced between them as her dormant nerve endings fired into life. She moaned into his mouth, weak-kneed at his skill.

How was she going to be able to resist him if they shared a bed for seven nights straight? His kiss was drugging, addicting, his hands around her nape a dominant touch that made her want to lean into him and allow him to strip away her defenses, take away every single one of her troubles in the world.

He pulled back, his dark golden eyes glinting and his voice husky. “I thought we should seal the deal with a kiss.” He smiled, his teeth bright white under the solar lights. “I’ll pick you up from your room in the morning at eight o’clock sharp. Be ready.”

“Eight o’clock!” She blinked up at him, the sharp, fruity scent of champagne splattered on his clothes surely intoxicating her and scrambling her brain? “I need more time!”

“Your payment will be in your bank account within the hour. You don’t need any more time. Tomorrow is the start of your first day on the job…and your seven day contract. Be ready, Amber.”

He walked away with a fluid, pantherish gait she found mesmerizing. Or maybe she was too stunned to move knowing all her worries had been solved in one foul swoop.

Have they, though? Or have you just made things a whole lot more complicated?

She forced her legs to move. No regrets. She’d do whatever had to be done to save her brother’s marriage and to keep his daughter. After all, Zach had done whatever he’d had to for her after their parents had died. Not only had he comforted her, he’d supported her both emotionally and financially.

It was time to return the favor.

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