Sheikh's Defiant Girlfriend: The Botros Brothers Series, #2

By Leslie North

A forbidden romance blossoms beneath the burning desert sun…

 

Sheikh Amir Botros, a notorious womanizer, may finally have met his match in the form of Soraya, his best friend's sister.

 

Soraya is fascinating, beautiful, and fiercely intelligent… She constantly pushes Amir away, rejects him in public and refuses to return his calls. And despite his best efforts, he can't even make her smile. She never lets her guard down around him, no matter how hard he tries…

 

Soraya can't believe how arrogant and obnoxious Amir Botros can be… He's always showing up to her university or the restaurant where she works uninvited. He won't leave her alone and he won't take no for an answer. Forcing her to ask herself… Why is she so attracted to a man she knows she should despise?

 

But when he kisses her, something inside her melts. She knows she can't resist him. But what happens when forces beyond both their control conspire to tear them a part?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relay Publishing
• Release date: May 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498967778

Book preview

1

Amir Botros parked his car near the bus stop. He waited only a couple minutes before he saw a familiar figure walking toward him. The woman passed the bus stop and approached the car. He smiled and pressed the button to open the window. He’d thought he might have to chase her to get her attention.

Amir, why are you here? the woman asked him, barely sparing him a look.

To pick you up. Why else?

I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home. Thanks, though. She turned to walk off.

Soraya, come on! Amir called out after her.

She walked back to the car, this time leaning forward to look through the open window. I don’t trust you, Amir.

When have I ever led you astray? He gave her his most charming smile.

There was the time you and my brother persuaded me to play hide-and-seek with you, and instead of seeking, you locked me in the broom closet. I was in there for hours until one of the maids found me. And then there was the time you drove me to Yusuf’s graduation party at his family’s estate. You left with another woman, and I had no ride home.

Amir rubbed the back of his neck. He’d forgotten about those incidents. He and Malik, her older brother, had played some tricks on her when they were children. He was sure she could come up with more if he gave her the time. And she’d only need a second.

I’ve reformed since then, he said quickly. I would never abandon you that way now. And he wouldn’t. Soraya occupied his mind every waking moment. Her lithe body, flowing chestnut hair, the way her skin seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. The knowing way she looked at him, and the way she called him out for his misbehavior. The way she didn’t fall into his lap at the slightest provocation. She knew him too well from their shared childhood to fall prey to his charms. She remained aloof, pushing him away at every opportunity. Come on. I promise I’ll get you home safely.

At that moment, a city bus pulled up, slowing but not stopping. Not seeing anyone waiting at the stop, it pulled away and headed off down the street.

Dammit, Amir. That was my bus.

Lucky for you, I’m here to give you a ride. He grinned.

She rolled her eyes, opened the car door, and got in.

You did that on purpose, she said.

He actually hadn’t, but he did wish he’d thought of it.

Where shall we go? Amir asked as he started the car.

Home, she said as if he were stupid for even asking the question.

Are you hungry?

I ate at work. It’s one of the perks of being a server at the best restaurant in town. And no, I don’t want to go for a drink, either. No dates or anything that looks like a date.

We’ve been on one before. He pulled away from the curb, his brain working on the next step of his plan. For the moment, he would head toward her home.

That doesn’t count. You know full well I was expecting someone else that night. Did you pay him to stand me up, or did you steal his phone to ask me out, so I would think it was him?

Amir ignored her question. Explaining that he had bought a phone for the sole purpose of pretending to be someone else so she’d agree to meet him for dinner would not win him any points. She had her serious face on, and getting her to relax was a long and delicate process. Making her laugh would be a multi-day mission. One that he enjoyed.

How was work? Amir asked. Her part-time job helped pay for the degree in accounting and finance she was working toward. She’d never wanted to rely on her family’s money. That independent streak of hers was part of what he liked about her. He turned onto the road that led out of the city.

Fine, Soraya replied. Erm, this is not the way to my house.

You’re very uptight, he replied.

What? She sounded confused by his sudden change of topic.

He turned and smiled at her. He’d finally settled on where to take her. Oh, he’d keep his promise and get her home safely. Eventually. But right now, he wanted to take her out, do something spontaneous. He wanted to put a smile on her face.

Amir, what are we doing way out here? Soraya asked as they left the city behind.

When he turned onto a dirt road, Amir wished he’d had the idea earlier. He’d have driven his Land Rover rather than his Mercedes sedan.

Amir. Soraya’s voice was threatening now. When they were children, that tone made him wary. She often followed up by stomping on his foot, spilling something in his lap, or otherwise making him pay for his troublemaking ways. The worst was when she’d silently walk away, because he knew then that she would dream up some particularly devilish revenge.

He tried to deflect her ire.

Horseback riding is spectacular at sunset.

Soraya finally allowed herself to look around. Until now, she’d been so busy being annoyed with Amir she hadn’t registered he wasn’t driving her to her home.

Amir parked in front of a stable. A mansion stood a hundred yards away, and horses looked up from white-fenced paddocks nearby. The place was fancy, and at least at first glance, it looked remarkably clean. Amir got out of the car and came around to open the door for her. She reluctantly got out, but only because the car would soon become unbearably hot now that Amir had turned it off and the air conditioner was no longer running.

He led her to the barn, where a woman met him with the familiarity and deference an employee used with an employer.

Good evening, Miriam. I’m sorry for showing up unannounced like this, but I had a sudden urge for a sunset ride. Could you please help Soraya with some riding clothes?

Of course, Sheikh. Miss, if you would come with me. This way, the woman said and gestured to Soraya.

Is this really necessary? Soraya asked Amir.

Unless you want to ride in your work clothes, he replied and winked at her. She narrowed her eyes at him. She’d asked if this whole excursion was necessary, but as usual, he interpreted things the way he wanted. Come on, Soraya. Where’s your sense of adventure?

Growing up, Amir would make fun of how boyish she was. Back then, she did have a sense of adventure. Now, between school and work, she was usually too tired for adventure, too focused on getting her degree and starting her career so she could forge her own way in life. She did kind of miss having fun. If Amir wanted to take her on a short adventure, why shouldn’t she take him up on the offer? It didn’t mean they were dating.

Soraya followed Miriam into a small changing room with lockers made of rich wood where stacks of riding clothes in all different sizes waited for riders. She changed quickly and headed outside. Amir was already there waiting for her.

He’d changed out of his business suit and into more traditional garb—loose white trousers and a white tunic. The wind ruffled his wavy dark hair, and for a moment, she wished he’d grow a beard so he’d look more like a Bedouin chieftain and less like the womanizing partier he was. In her weaker moments, she longed for a strong, silent man to sweep her away. Amir could never be that man, though. Not only was he a notorious playboy, but he was also almost never silent.

Have you ever been horseback riding? Amir asked her.

No, I haven’t, Soraya replied in the calmest way possible. She had never been on a horse, and her heart was racing at the thought of it. She’d always wanted to go riding, but now that she was faced with the opportunity, she was scared she would fall off. She did not want Amir to know. It would ruin her reputation as a strong, independent woman.

You will have to ride double with me, then.

Falling off would be much better than riding with you.

I don’t think so, Amir. I’m sure I can figure it out. Just give me the slowest horse in the stable.

I wouldn’t want you falling off and hurting yourself, Amir said with a grin. He was plotting something, she could tell. No logic in the world would dissuade him from having her up behind him in the saddle. One of the trainers led a beautiful gray horse toward them. She pranced as she walked and tossed her head, but she stood still when the trainer stopped in front of Amir. Amir took the reins and mounted the horse in one graceful motion. He stroked the horse’s neck and then offered Soraya his hand. She stared at it for a moment, then at the stirrup he’d taken his foot out of so she could use it. The saddle wasn’t big enough for two people. She would have nothing to hold on to, and once she was up, no stirrups for her feet.

I don’t think this is the best way to learn to ride. She tried again. I suspect I’m more likely to slide off the horse’s rump while riding double with you than to fall from my own saddle.

I won’t let you fall. Come on, he said to her. She reluctantly gave him her hand and slid her left foot into the stirrup. It took two hops and a solid pull from Amir, and then she was sitting behind him on the horse. You’ll have to hold on to my waist, he said to her.

Soraya frowned. This was not