Page 37 of My Arabian Billionaire

ChapterNine

The sheikh askedfor her father’s blessing that same night, and after a private talk with Harper, a still slightly stunned Howard had given it. A logistical discussion then followed, with her father eventually agreeing to move into the palace with her and take up an official position in the sheikh’s government. After, the sheikh walked to her door, and when she looked up, he slowly shook his head at the mute question in hereyes.

“I don’t think I can control myself if I’m alone with you.” His voice wasflat.

“I see.” She bit herlip.

“You are worried about something.”

“Does my being a virgin really matter somuch?”

“It is one of the requirements of thelaw.”

“I see.” She knew she was being redundant, but it was the only thing she could think of saying, with the rest of her busy struggling against the wave of pain that came with her words.

“This disappoints you,” the sheikh observed.

“I’m not sure…how I feel about it.” Because what if she wasn’t a virgin? Didn’t that mean she wouldn’t have registered on his radar atall?

“You are wasting your time dwelling on hypothetical questions.” His words had her blinking in surprise, and the sheikh said simply, “You are easy to read.” After a moment’s hesitation, he slowly reached for her hands and brought them to his lips. “Just think of it this way, qalifa. Fate has decreed you to remain a virgin for me. Can you not be satisfied withthat?”

No, Harper thought. What she really wished for was the impossible. She wanted him to say that he would still have chosen her, even if she weren’t a virgin. But that couldn’t be, could it? For only a man in love could say such things – and this man, for all his desire, for all his trust and respect of her, did not loveher.

And so in the end, Harper only forced a smile. “I guess I cantry.”

The sheikh pressed his lips to her hands. “It will be good between us, Harper. Believe this. Believe inme.”

“I…do.” More than I should.

Releasing her hands, he pulled her into his embrace, and she went to him willingly. He kissed her hair, murmuring, “Good night, my Harper.”

It was his first time to call her that, and her toes curled. Oh, this man was too good at exploiting her weakness. My Harper, he had said. It was too, too sweet, and yes, it was enough to dispel the hurt that came with his earlier words.

“Good night, sheikh.”

She felt him smile against her hair. “Do you not think it’s time you call me by myname?”

Harper thought about it, tried to imagine her saying his name, and she just…couldn’t. He had always been the sheikh to her, and to have that change overnightwas ---

“Impossible,” she muttered.

The sheikh sighed. “And you would think that, of course.”

“Maybe next time,” she hedged.

“I would like to say that you sound very convincing, but you donot.”

She pulled away, grumbling, “Do you have to have your way with everything?”

“Is it too much to ask for my bride to call me by myname?”

And because she was feeling contrary now, she said hotly, “Yes, itis!”

They stared at each other.

A moment later, they were smiling.

“We will have a good marriage,” the sheikh declared.

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