The Sheikh's Kidnapped Bride (The Sharqi Sheikhs Series Book 3) by Leslie North Read Free Book Online Page B

more fabric to serve as a barrier between them as she sat stiffly in front of him.
    Mahi smiled and squeezed her waist, “It will be fine.” He said something to the trainer and received the reins. He issued another command in Arabic and the animal began its long legged-stride down the driveway.
    Carolyn held on for dear life, only relaxing and beginning to enjoy the experience after another ten minutes had passed.
    “How far is this preserve?” she asked.
    “Not too much farther now. Sit back and relax.”
    Carolyn tried to do so, but sitting back meant leaning against Mahil’s chest, and the memory of their recent kiss came rushing to the surface. Instead, she sat with her back straight, trying in vain to steady herself so she didn’t bump into him but each brush against him only intensified how she felt. The slight breeze that tickled her bare legs did nothing to calm her increasingly frayed nerves.
    By the time they reached the Second Chance Preserve, she was a bundle of unfulfilled sexual energy and in desperate need of putting some distance between the two of them.

Chapter 8
     
    Carolyn slid off the back of the kneeling camel, grateful for the hand that Mahil kept on her arm as her legs reacquainted themselves with solid ground. The swaying motion of the camel had made her slightly motion sick, and it was several moments of deep breathing before she finally felt like herself again.
    “Sheik Mahil!” an exuberant, high-pitched voice called out.
    Carolyn turned to see a vivacious redhead almost running towards them, her bright smile meant for Mahil and him alone.
    “Teri, I’d like to introduce you to my American friend, Carolyn Michaels.”
    “Carolyn, this is Teri, a research student studying birds of prey here at the Sanctuary.”
    Carolyn watched, as the young woman quickly looked her up and down, before making a small face at her clothing. She saw Mahil watching her and briefly nodded in Carolyn’s direction, “Hi.” She immediately turned her smile back to Mahil, reaching out to touch his forearm as she went on and on about their newest animals.
    “I’m pleased to see that you’re fitting in here. I have a meeting in a few moments, but I was hoping to give Carolyn a quick tour of the facility. Would you care to join us?”
    Carolyn wished the young woman would tell him she had other responsibilities, but she was not so lucky. Teri situated herself on Mahil’s far side, hanging onto his forearm and taking every opportunity to lean up against him as they walked
    She was dressed in the traditional long dress, but a small leather belt around her waist made it appear much more feminine and accentuated her lush curves hidden beneath the heavy fabric. Carolyn felt an immediate surge of jealousy as they continued their tour of the facility.
    She tried to blame her surge in emotions on her lack of sleep, as she wasn’t prepared to face what they could mean. Mahil had been quick to point out her traitorous body’s response to him, which she had simply attributed to her kidnapping.
    They started in the birdhouse and Carolyn was astonished to see an eagle up close. The majestic creature had come to the preserve with a broken wing, which had been splinted and now was almost as good as new.
    “So, what will happen to the eagle when the bandage finally comes off?” Carolyn asked.
    Teri glanced at her, “She’ll be released back into the wild of course. To keep such a majestic creature captive would be a crime. Don’t you think Sheik…”
    “Mahil. Just Mahil, Teri. And yes, I do think she will be much happier back in her natural habitat.”
    “She?” Carolyn inquired, trying to ignore the irritation that was building where Teri was concerned.
    “She.” Mahil glanced at his wristwatch and then made a face, “Come along. I want to check on Sheba and then I need to attend this meeting.”
    “Who is Sheba?” Carolyn asked as Mahil led both women out of the birdhouse and towards a row of metal