In The Sheikh's Service. Susan Stephens
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offer Isla in terms of her career.
‘I would like to discuss the new veterinary school with you,’ he said, making it hard for her to refuse.
‘With me?’ She touched her chest with surprise, then turned instantly suspicious.
‘I would appreciate hearing a recent student’s forthright point of view. You would be forthright with me, wouldn’t you, Isla?’
‘Of course, but—’ Her intelligent grey gaze sharpened on his.
‘Then, shall we say eight o’clock? I’ll have my driver pick you up—’
‘But you don’t know—’
‘Where you live?’ Angling his chin, he smiled into her eyes.
‘You had me followed?’
He cancelled out her affront with a glance. ‘The vice chancellor supplied your address, along with all other information I might need, so my people could get in touch with the prize winner to arrange transport to Q’Aqabi.’
‘Of course,’ she agreed, biting down on the swell of her lip as she thought about this.
While Isla settled her mind, he wrestled with ideas that had never concerned him before. Discreet arrangements could be made when he wanted a woman in his bed, with mutual agreement the only condition. But when Isla was in Q’Aqabi where he had duties and responsibilities, he could not please himself. He was pledged to his country, and, if he had judged Isla right, she would want more than a brief affair, and that was something he could never give her. Would things change when they reached the desert? Would he make an exception this one time and mix business with pleasure? Would Isla be prepared to pay the price for that pleasure, or would it break her when he sent her away?
And maybe him?
No woman had the power to do that.
His senses sharpened as Isla drew a tense breath and shook her head. ‘I’m afraid dinner tonight isn’t possible.’
‘You have a prior engagement?’
‘Yes,’ she admitted, meeting his gaze with candour, ‘with my studies.’
‘But that’s what I want to talk to you about. I know your career hopes are pinned on specialising in the preservation of endangered species—’
‘Not hopes. I will specialise,’ she corrected him with a verve he could only admire.
‘There is nowhere better than Q’Aqabi for you to pursue your work. We have species on the verge of extinction, and a programme specifically designed to save these animals.’
‘Are you offering me a job before I even arrive in the country?’
Her look was both a challenge and a provocation.
‘I think I’d better try you out first, to see how you shape up.’
She met his amused stare with distinct lack of humour and a lift of her brow, as if to ask if they were still talking about her career prospects.
The project meant the world to him, and he turned serious as he decided that if Isla was as good as they said she was, she would get the job.
‘The team that will be working on my new nature reserve has not been finalised yet, but your up-to-date knowledge and your obvious devotion to your work puts you in a very good position.’
She visibly relaxed, making him wonder again about her past experience with men. When it came to her love of animals, Isla couldn’t be shaken, but when it came to flirting with him, it was always one step forward and two steps back.
‘You want to have dinner with me,’ she confirmed with a frown. ‘And this is so we can discuss your nature reserve and the new veterinary school?’
‘Amongst other topics,’ he agreed. ‘I’m sure we won’t be short of things to talk about.’
‘I hope I don’t let you down...’
Even he couldn’t be sure, as Isla grew thoughtful, if she was talking about her appeal to him as a person, or as a vet. One thing was certain, he had waited long enough for her answer. ‘Do you accept my dinner invitation, or not?’
Her eyes briefly flared, but she had more sense than to take him on. She would not risk antagonising him, when visiting Q’Aqabi was everything she longed for, and had worked so hard to achieve.
‘What’s your answer, Isla?’
Lifting her chin, she met his stare candidly. ‘Thank you, Your Majesty. Yes. I will have dinner with you.’
HE WAS JUST relaxing into victory, believing Isla had not only agreed to have dinner with him, but quite a lot more, when she added three crushing words: ‘But not tonight.’
‘When, then?’ he demanded curtly.
‘In Q’Aqabi,’ she said, delivering her final surprise. ‘I’ll have dinner with you in Q’Aqabi, when we have worthwhile things to share. I’d only bore you to death otherwise.’
Nothing could be further from the truth.
‘Your audacity in refusing the invitation of the man who has donated this prize you care so much about is—’
‘Breathtaking?’ she agreed, nodding her head. ‘Yes, I suppose it must seem that way, but, you see, this course means everything to me.’
‘So blackmailing me is your way of showing this?’
‘I’m just asking for a chance,’ she argued passionately. ‘I’m asking for a role in your project—a real role. I’m begging, actually. I can’t afford to be proud when this is all I’ve ever wanted. And I know I can help you. I’ve learned all the latest techniques, and I’m certain I can add value to your plans. I’m already excited—’
‘Aren’t you taking rather a lot for granted?’ he interrupted.
‘Am I?’
Despair showed in her eyes. He had no intention of withdrawing the prize. According to the vice chancellor, Isla had been an outstanding student, and he didn’t doubt she had a lot to offer. Her only downfall was that beneath that cool exterior, she was headstrong and passionate—
Wasn’t that what he liked about her?
Everything in his life was predictable and rigidly controlled—by him. Isla had turned everything on its head. And she had other admirable qualities. His most recent information said she had been forced to suspend her studies in order to nurse her sick mother, and when her mother died Isla had moved heaven and earth to find the money to get back on the course. She was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, and in time might prove a real asset to his project. She would certainly be an asset in his bed.
He had never concluded a bargain quite like this before. Women wanted his money, his power and his influence. They wanted to share his bed. They wanted good sex and a trophy lover. Isla wanted his permission to work the hardest shift on earth in the desert alongside his veterinary rangers. For once in his life, he couldn’t be sure if she wanted that more than anything else, but he looked forward to finding out.
‘Perhaps you should listen to my terms before you get too excited,’ he suggested.
‘Your terms?’ She was instantly wary.
‘You will be going to the desert, which is not the place you imagine.’ When her face fell, he added, ‘It is far, far more beautiful. But it can also be a hellhole,’ he warned, his face growing grim as hers grew rapt. ‘Paradise one moment, it can be transformed in a matter of minutes into the most dangerous place on earth, and you, as an expert in your field, must learn the ways of the desert, and how to survive it.’
‘I’m up to it,’ she stated firmly.