She only stared at him. You’re a pain in the ass…as always.

The sheikh laughed, the lovely, deep sound causing everyone to turn towards them, and Harper almost swore out loud. For the love of God! This man was the worst. He was often described as aloof but gentlemanly, but in her presence the damn sheikh would always make it a point to smile, laugh, do whatever that would make it seem like they were such good friends –

And all just so she could blow her top, Harper thought furiously, which the damn sheikh found so enjoyable to watch for some reason.

“I am glad you have not changed all this time.” The sheikh reached out to ruffle her hair, just like the ‘qalifa’ he thought her to be, and Harper was tempted to sink her teeth into it like a rabid dog. Oh, to hurt him just once, she thought wistfully.

“Why are you looking at me like you want to killme?’

“Because Iam.”

The sheikh laughed again.

She grimaced. She had wanted him to feel insulted, not amused.

“One day, some people may tell you to refrain from speaking your mind tome.”

Harper only stared. Where did that comefrom?

“When that happens – do not listen tothem.”

“Umm. Okay.” The sheikh was sounding crazier and crazier by the second, but oh well. Maybe sheikhs simply applied a different kind of logic to life. Whatever.

The sheikh suddenly leaned forward, catching her by surprise, and when he lifted his hand to touch her cheek, Harper’s first instinct was to turn away from his touch---

But again, her gaze once again collided with her father’s, his ferocious scowl perfectly summing up his one-word command. Behave!

And so she gnashed her teeth and forced herself to bear the sheikh’s touch.

I can do this, I can dothis.

But with every millimeter of skin that his fingers brushed against blazing to life, flushed hot and tingling, it was so damnhard---

His fingers finally fell away, and Harper almost expired in relief.

Oh, thankGod.

“Enjoy the rest of the night, Harper.” His gaze dipped just as her fists clenched against her sides, and amusement once again gleamed in the sheikh’s dark gaze. “You are itching to wipe my touch away, nem?”

She smiled ever so sweetly up at him, saying, “Nem.” Yes. It was a lie – but she would rather cut her tongue off than let him know that. “How did you guess?” Harper was hoping the words would at least win a frown from the sheikh, but instead the damn man remained unflappable asever.

“I will see you at dinner, qalifa.” And just before turning away, he said huskily, “It was lovely flirting withyou.”

The sheikh left her gaping.

Flirting? FLIRTING? How dare he imply---

CLICK!

Harper snapped her mouth shut, but it was too late. The official photographer had already taken her photo, and again the sheikh had managed to bait her into showing a God-awfulface.

DAMN SHEIKH!