Never Seduce a Sheikh (International Bad Boys Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

of kissing Lily Harkness, CEO, was not part of that business. No matter how exciting he found matching wills with her.
    Turning away, he took a stroll around the room instead, idly picking up bits and pieces from the desks, examining them in a cursory fashion.
    “That sounds like the offer of a bribe.”
    “Call it what you want. If it’ll get me the contract, I’ll pay it.”
    He paused by a bookshelf, studied the titles on the spines. “You are very competitive. Winning is important to you, is it not?”
    “I’m in a competitive business. I’ll use anything that gives me an edge.”
    He turned from the bookshelf, glancing across the room to where she stood. Watching him. Strong and elegant and decisive. Not to mention focussed.
    Apparently, before she’d joined her father’s company, she had been an Olympic swimmer. Gold medallist too. Not that that was any surprise. He had a feeling Lily Harkness would never settle for anything as paltry as silver.
    Isma’il lifted an eyebrow. “Anything?”
    “Within reason, of course.”
    He prowled over to the desk again, once more picking up the pen he’d dropped earlier. Her gaze followed his movements. Curious. Did she find him as challenging as he found her?
    Isma’il slowly turned the pen over in his hands, enjoying that particular thought far more than he should have. “Before I take you into the desert to meet with the tribes, I will need to know that you can do business with them in the way they are accustomed. That you will not alienate them.” He met her gaze. “I realize this is your company’s speciality, but it is you who represent your company. I would like proof you have the personal touch with my people. And I would like that proof tonight.”
    *     *     *
    Lily frowned at the unsettled feeling that lingered in her gut. The way he’d looked at her just before, as he’d stood close. Intent. Like a hunting tiger focussed on his prey. It had been oddly exhilarating. She’d felt . . .
    Lily closed off the thought. No. She’d felt nothing.
    “The personal touch?” she asked.
    He still leaned against the edge of the desk, a gold pen held loosely in his long, elegant fingers. “Yes. Many of my ministers will be at the welcome cocktail function I have scheduled for you this evening. They’re all very interested to meet you. I want to see that you can get them on side as it were. Show them you know how business is done in Dahar. Prove to them Harkness’s reputation.” A smile curved his mouth. A smile full of cool amusement. “It will not be easy. They were most displeased to hear of your father’s retirement. But then, you do not strike me as a woman who is afraid of a little hard work.”
    “I’m sure I can manage.” She hadn’t had to deal with heads of state yet as CEO, but she was confident she’d make an impression. Though if they were all as difficult as this sheikh, then she might have her work cut out for her.
    “Oh, I’m sure you can.” With precise care, he put the pen down on the desk. “They like a pretty woman.” His voice was soft, deep, with a roughness to it and an accent with echoes of British public school, underlain with something more exotic. She tried not to fixate on the sound as he went on, “Female beauty in all its forms is much appreciated here in Dahar. They also like to be flattered. To be charmed.”
    An odd little sensation skittered down her spine as he spoke. It wasn’t fear. Couldn’t be fear.
    You’re beautiful, Lily. So damn beautiful. But you wouldn’t be wearing a dress like that if that if you didn’t want men to touch you.
    A memory, twelve years old, escaped from the locked iron box she kept it in. Of her, in the gown she’d worn at her medal celebrations, and Dan’s drunken slurred voice . . .
    No. God, what was he doing in her head? She didn’t think of him. She never thought of him. Lily pushed the past firmly out of her mind and made sure it stayed out.
    Wanting to test