To Tempt a Sheikh by Olivia Gates Read Free Book Online

from it.
    But she couldn’t stop. Disappointment urged her to pour it out before it ate through her. Her hero, her savior, the man who’d risked his life to rescue her, was an Aal Shalaan. And not just any Aal Shalaan. One of the four big guns. And the one who had as much jurisdiction and even more law-enforcement power than the king himself. Which meant only one thing.
    He had more to lose than any other member of his family.
    He had everything to lose.
    And she was using her considerable provocation powers to declare herself in a position to affect those incalculable losses. While she was stranded in the desert with him, with no way of rejoining humanity except through him.
    Any bets she ever would now?
    She held her breath for his reaction. So rage and indignation and—damn him— him were loosening every last one of her discretion screws. But not to the point where she’d lost track of the possible, and expected, consequences.
    He lowered his gaze, relinquishing hers for the first time. She watched the long sweep of his downcast lashes as they stilled, her heart ramming her ribcage. Next time he raised those eyes he’d take off the mask of geniality and tolerance. They’d be cold and ruthless. And he’d no longer be her persuader but her interrogator, not her rescuer but her warden.
    Then he raised his eyes and almost had her keeling over in his lap.
    Those golden orbs were emitting a steady energy, a calming power that seeped through hers, into her brain, flooding her whole body.
    The son of a…king was trying to hypnotize her!
    And he was almost succeeding. Even now.
    So. She’d gravely underestimated him. She’d thought, with the novelty of her resistance depleted, his facade of endless patience and indulgence would crack, exposing his true face. That of an all-powerful prince used to having people cower before him. But it seemed he was also an infallible character-reader, realized that intimidation would get him nowhere with her. So he wasn’t playing that card just yet. Not before he gave all the others in his formidable arsenal a full demo.
    So Prince Harres Aal Shalaan wasn’t who he was justbecause he’d been delivered into the royal family, hadn’t qualified for his position in the family business because he’d grown up playing desert raiders. He evidently had staying power, was in command of himself at all times. He had long-term insight and layered intelligence, remained on top of any situation. And he had uncanny people skills and truckloads of charisma, made willing followers of everyone he crossed paths with.
    He had of her, too. But no more.
    The bucket of drool stopped here.
    Then he spoke in that polyphonic voice of his, which made her feel as if it was coming from all around her, from inside her, and she almost revised her certainty. Almost.
    â€œI don’t know what you’ve been hearing about the Aal Shalaans, or from whom, but you’ve been misled. We’re neither despots nor criminals.”
    â€œSure. And I’m supposed to take your word for it.”
    â€œYes, until I’m in a position to prove it. I would at least demand you grant us the benefit of the doubt.”
    â€œOh, if I had any, I’d grant it. But I don’t, so I won’t.”
    â€œWon’t you at least make your accusations and give me a chance to come up with a defense?”
    â€œI’m sure you can come up with anything you wish. You’d fabricate enough evidence to confuse issues with reasonable doubt. But this isn’t a court of law, and I’m not a judge. I’m just someone who knows the truth. And I’m here collecting evidence to prove it.”
    â€œTo prove what?”
    â€œThat you’re not all above reproach as you paint yourselves to be.”
    He gave a shrug with his right shoulder. It was eloquent with concession and dismissal. The man spoke, expressed, with every last inch of his body. “Who