Trusting A Sheikh (Playgrounds of Power 1) by Rosie Pike Read Free Book Online

does."
    "He just has this tense, nervous energy about him. I mean, you do as well, but his is different somehow, it has a sensation of pent-up frustration and aggression about it."
    "And mine? Do I have that as well?"
    "No." Chloe laughed, pushing him away and breaking the solemn moment of confidence they'd just shared. The body underneath the palm of her hand felt warm, firm and powerful, and she let her fingers rest on his chest just a few seconds longer than was strictly speaking necessary, before the brief contact broke.
    At precisely that moment, with the two of them luckily separated, Tariq's three companions filed down the stairs, each in their full, formal military uniforms: Abdul in Army green, Omar in luxurious Air Force blues, and Khalid in the stark black uniform of the Saudi Interior Ministry.
    "I told you… Just look at him," Chloe murmured under her breath, provoking a swiftly muffled smile from Tariq.
    "Morning, gentlemen," Tariq greeted the late comers, shaking the hand of each in turn. "So good of you to join us…"
    "Ah, it was a long flight, Tariq." Omar grinned. "Cut us some slack, will you?"
    "Did you fly over here commercial?" Tariq asked, a wry smile playing at his lips. "Because you certainly can on the way back…"
    "Oh, don't be like that, Tariq. Anyway, enough chatting – shouldn't we be on our way?"
    Tariq raised an eyebrow, and Chloe had to rein in a smile at the clearly friendly relationship between Omar and the Prince, remembering that whatever had just changed in their personal relationship, she nevertheless had to maintain an entirely professional demeanor in this arena.
    "Let's go. Game faces on."

8
    T ariq whistled as the elevator's doors opened, revealing London's early-morning skyline in front of them, sunshine glinting off the elaborate, unique and intriguing designs of East London's many skyscrapers.
    "Incredible choice, Chloe."
    The compliment shouldn't have meant anything to her, especially since she had been doing this kind of job for a long time – but nevertheless, it did, leaving a warm glow in Chloe's belly.
    "Thank you, Prince Tariq," she replied, seemingly demurely, though flashing him a wicked grin the moment his companions’ backs were turned.
    "What meeting is this?" Khalid barked at Chloe, without any of the refined airs and graces of his more cultured colleagues.
    "Please, Khalid," Tariq replied, turning to his colleague with a look that spoke of equal parts dismay and distaste. "Haven’t you taken the time to review the briefing documents you were provided with?"
    Khalid had the good grace, at least, to look embarrassed when admitting that he had not in fact looked over the papers, even enough to know who exactly they were meeting that day.
    "Then please refrain from taking out your own failures on our dear Miss Rouhani, will you?" Tariq asked, his tone of voice indicating that either Khalid did so, or he would be on the next flight home to meet a none too pleasant end.
    Much as Chloe enjoyed seeing the unpleasant man taken down a peg or two, she did worry when seeing the look of suppressed rage on his face at his treatment at the hands of his superior. Nothing good , she thought, could come of that.
    To soothe the man's ego, Chloe quickly butted in with the information he wanted. "You'll be meeting with Bodytech Corporation over breakfast this morning. I'm afraid I haven't been given the information on precisely what the company does. It all looks a bit secretive…" She was shocked at the venomous look she received in response to her kindness, and resolved quickly never to volunteer any information to the man that she didn't absolutely have to.
    It didn't appear as though Tariq had noticed, or perhaps if he had, then he'd chosen to ignore her treatment for the time being. He rejoined the conversation with no indication that he'd noticed the mood between Chloe and Khalid change. "It's a body armor company."
    "Body armor?" Khalid scoffed. "Why do our soldiers need