Page 59 of My Arabian Billionaire

He was about to put his phone away when it buzzed again.

Harper: As you command, Your Majesty.

The sarcasm was so palpable in each word that Khalil’s lips twitched.

Harper: And FYI, I see what you did there.

The sheikh was about to reply when a knock sounded on hisdoor.

“Enter.”

An aide stepped inside. After bowing to his king, the younger man informed him nervously that the Sheikh of Farigha wished a word withhim.

Khalil frowned. Mahmud was one of his grandfather’s old cronies, and he had only invited the older sheikh out of respect for his title. “Let him in,” he said after a moment. He couldn’t see Mahmud saying anything of import, but it wouldn’t hurt to hear him out first.

When Mahmud came strolling in, he rose to his feet, and the other sheikh bowed in greeting. Or at least he tried, with Mahmud’s huge middle preventing him from bending toomuch.

The aide prepared refreshments for two sheikhs before leaving, and as soon as they were alone, Khalil asked, “What may I do for you, Mahmud?”

“Actually, Your Majesty, it is more of what I would like to offer to you. A birthday gift, so to speak.”

“Isee.”

“It would be our family’s greatest honor if you were to acceptit.”

Refusing to be flattered into blind acceptance, Khalil only smiled blandly, drawling, “You have piqued my curiosity, sheikh. May I know what is this gift you speakof?”

“My daughter, sheikh.”

Ah.

“She has undergone training her whole life to ensure she does her husband proud. She is knowledgeable of our ways. She will be more than content to serve you as your secondwife.”

Khalil’s fingers drummed on the armrest.

Mahmud smiled. “I see no reason why you should refuse our gift. It can only strengthen your hold on the kingdom and silence those who think you have too much foreign blood in you. I, of course, do not believe this, but as for other people in tomorrow’s council…”

“And if I believe this gift is too valuable?”

“I have always believed that no gift is too valuable for the kingdom’s sake. Or at least a true Ramilian would thinkso.”

* * *

Outside the sheikh’s study,Harper’s fist paused mid-air at Sheikh Mahmud’s words. Was she hearing this right? Unable to help it, she turned towards her guards, and all three of them were doing their best to conceal their shock.

Harper swallowed hard. Well, it was just an offer, she told herself. It didn’t mean he’d accept. And besides, he had promised, hadn’t he? She squared her shoulders. Yes, he had promised, and for all of his irritating traits, the sheikh wasn’t ever the type to break hisword.

She raised her hand to knock on the door, thinking of joining the sheikh and facing the man who had the temerity to offer her husband a secondwife ---

But then she heard the sheikh speak.

“It would be my pleasure to receive your gift, Mahmud.”

And her arm fell limply against herside.

* * *

Khalil dismissedeveryone when he reached the throne room, needing to be alone. Most of the men were quick to bow and leave, but his most trusted vassals refused to move aninch.

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