The Sheikh & the Princess Bride by Susan Mallery

shut.
    Doyle grinned. “Yeah, but I’m not a prince.”
    She wanted to scream in frustration. Instead she simply clenched her teeth and walked off. She didn’t want to know what Jefri was thinking so she kept her gaze straight ahead as she made it back to the main tent. There she collected her street clothes and stepped into a restroom where she changed back into shorts and a T-shirt before stowing her gear and collecting Muffin.
    “The entire situation makes me crazy,” she told her dog. “How am I supposed to win at this? I can’t help being good and I don’t want to change it.”
    She stepped out into the afternoon sun and nearly plowed into Jefri .
    “What?” she demanded.
    “I was looking for you.”
    “Okay. Fine. But here’s the thing. I won’t apologize for what I do well. I’m sorry if you’re having ego problems.”
    “I do not consider my ego your responsibility.”
    He spoke quietly, even reasonably. That made her nervous. “I’m just doing my job,” she continued. “Even though I know what they say. That I’m a ball-buster.
    It’s not my plan to emasculate you, it just happens.”
    He grabbed her arms and led her around to the side of the tent, next to a stack of large crates.
    “You talk too much,” he said, his gaze intent on her face.
    “I’m trying to explain.”
    “I understand perfectly. Put down that damn dog.”
    She was so surprised by the instruction that she did as he said. Then she was really glad when he pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
    The warm, insistent pressure against her lips made her cling to him. Heat flared, melting away all her concerns about him being upset or angry or anything the least bit negative.
    His mouth moved slowly, as if giving her time to get used to what he was doing.
    If she’d been able to communicate without her mouth, she would have told him that she didn’t mind the kissing at all. In fact, she really, really liked it.
    He could do more. Really.
    Instead she placed her hands on his shoulders and let her body lean into his.
    She tilted her head and parted her lips in invitation.
    He reacted with a sharp intake of air and a gentle sweep of his tongue against hers.
    The kiss was as spectacular as it had been the first time. She felt her insides quiver, her knees shake and her thighs tremble. Heat poured through her, making her want and need with an intensity that stunned her.
    One of his hands tangled in her hair, the other traced a line down her back until it settled on her rear. When he squeezed the curves, she arched forward, bringing her belly in contact with him.
    Now it was her turn to gasp as she felt his arousal. He wanted her. After everything that had happened and what her brother had said, Jefri wanted her.
    Delight blended with desire and she nearly laughed.
    He broke the kiss. “What do you find so amusing?” he asked, his breath mingling with hers.
    “Just all of this.”
    “That I want to kiss you?”
    “It is a bit of a surprise.”
    He cupped her chin and stared into her eyes. “Why? You’re a beautiful woman.
    Unique, intelligent, desirable. I doubt there is a man alive who wouldn’t sell his soul for one night with you.”
    She blinked at him. Whoa—talk about a great line. Right now she didn’t even care if he meant it.
    “I, um, thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.” He smiled as he rubbed his thumb against her lower lip. “I would very much like to have dinner with you tonight.”
    At this point in time, she would have followed him to the moon. “Okay. I mean, that would be great.”
    “Good. I’ll pick you up at your room at seven. Is that convenient?”
    As she’d planned to spend the rest of the afternoon soaking and grooming, seven sounded good.
    “I’ll be ready.”
    “We’ll be going out,” he said. “There are several excellent restaurants in the city. Will you allow me to choose?”
    “Of course.”
    “Then it is a date.” He dropped a brief kiss on her lips, then