Read Online Desert Orchid: The Desert Princes: Book 1 by CC MacKenzie - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: CC MacKenzie
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thus far, were not favourable. Except, of course, for the amazing sexual chemistry that burned between them. But she understood enough of the human condition to acknowledge the fact that when attraction burned too hot it tended to burn out.
And then where would that leave them?
The common bonds that underpinned a successful relationship were friendship and a deep mutual respect. As for love, well, she didn't dwell on such a fickle emotion. It was much better to focus on reality rather than to wish upon a distant dream.
But tonight was only about dinner. Nothing more.
She would keep it casual, after all Khalid was a healthy male in his sexual prime and it was only natural that she felt attracted to him. But the trouble was he only had to enter a room and her hormones went crazy.
Charisse gave Yasmin a poor excuse for a smile and pressed the flat of her hand to her stomach. "I feel sick with nerves."
Yasmin merely cocked her head, took her hand to lead her to the door.
"You have nothing to worry about. My nephews' behaviour has been a welcome surprise. They’ve been very polite and respectful to me." Charisse zoned out the older woman’s voice as they left the apartment and entered the elevator with Arabella bringing up the rear. Her sister-in-law appeared not to notice her lack of a response as she added in a sly tone, "And they are both incredibly handsome, don’t you think?"
Over Yasmin’s head Arabella sent Charisse a wicked grin as her dark-brown eyes danced into hers.
That grin made Charisse narrow her eyes. "Why are you not dressed?" she demanded to know. "I’m certain I invited you to join us for dinner this evening."
He bodyguard gave her wide eyes.
"Did you? I don’t remember. Perhaps another time," Arabella said in a silky voice that didn't fool her queen for a moment. She knew her bodyguard regarded the invitation to dine with the princes as a break of protocol. Arabella had a stubborn streak a mile wide. However, as far as Charisse was concerned, Arabella had disobeyed a direct order. But before she could respond, they were entering the formal reception room to find both El Haribe Princes standing beside the magnificent fireplace of black marble. The nights were cold in the mountains. And Charisse was aware that her bodyguard had snapped to attention at her side.
Khalid strolled towards them like a big black cat, his eyes scanning Charisse from head to toe and back again. A smile of appreciation, of approval, tugged the corners of that marvellous mouth. He was dressed in a suit of dark grey silk with a white shirt and no tie. His glossy hair was tied at the neck accentuating his slashing bone structure. He looked like a rock star.
Without hesitation he moved in to take both her hands in his and brought them to his lips. All the while those penetrating eyes pinned hers without blinking. The familiar scent of his cologne mingled with the clean male heat from his body. The smell of him wound around her and her throat went bone dry.
He bent to kiss her, his breath burning a path across her cheek as he whispered in her ear,
"You look amazing."
Before she could respond, he’d taken her hand in his while the other snuck around her narrow waist and pulled her into his side in a possessively masculine gesture that weakened her knees.
"Sarif, meet Her Royal Highness Queen Charisse," Khalid drawled in a way that made her cheeks burn along with an overwhelming urge to run for her life.
Prince Sarif El Haribe sent his brother a bland look before his dark eyes, sharp and watchful, met hers.
He smiled.
Charisse realised she’d been holding her breath wondering what kind of reception she’d receive from the eldest of King Abdullah’s sons. But Sarif was kindness personified as he took her hand from his brother and bent to press his forehead to her fingertips.
He straightened and returned her hand into his brother's keeping.
"My pleasure. I am so sorry for your loss. My uncle was a very private, a
And then where would that leave them?
The common bonds that underpinned a successful relationship were friendship and a deep mutual respect. As for love, well, she didn't dwell on such a fickle emotion. It was much better to focus on reality rather than to wish upon a distant dream.
But tonight was only about dinner. Nothing more.
She would keep it casual, after all Khalid was a healthy male in his sexual prime and it was only natural that she felt attracted to him. But the trouble was he only had to enter a room and her hormones went crazy.
Charisse gave Yasmin a poor excuse for a smile and pressed the flat of her hand to her stomach. "I feel sick with nerves."
Yasmin merely cocked her head, took her hand to lead her to the door.
"You have nothing to worry about. My nephews' behaviour has been a welcome surprise. They’ve been very polite and respectful to me." Charisse zoned out the older woman’s voice as they left the apartment and entered the elevator with Arabella bringing up the rear. Her sister-in-law appeared not to notice her lack of a response as she added in a sly tone, "And they are both incredibly handsome, don’t you think?"
Over Yasmin’s head Arabella sent Charisse a wicked grin as her dark-brown eyes danced into hers.
That grin made Charisse narrow her eyes. "Why are you not dressed?" she demanded to know. "I’m certain I invited you to join us for dinner this evening."
He bodyguard gave her wide eyes.
"Did you? I don’t remember. Perhaps another time," Arabella said in a silky voice that didn't fool her queen for a moment. She knew her bodyguard regarded the invitation to dine with the princes as a break of protocol. Arabella had a stubborn streak a mile wide. However, as far as Charisse was concerned, Arabella had disobeyed a direct order. But before she could respond, they were entering the formal reception room to find both El Haribe Princes standing beside the magnificent fireplace of black marble. The nights were cold in the mountains. And Charisse was aware that her bodyguard had snapped to attention at her side.
Khalid strolled towards them like a big black cat, his eyes scanning Charisse from head to toe and back again. A smile of appreciation, of approval, tugged the corners of that marvellous mouth. He was dressed in a suit of dark grey silk with a white shirt and no tie. His glossy hair was tied at the neck accentuating his slashing bone structure. He looked like a rock star.
Without hesitation he moved in to take both her hands in his and brought them to his lips. All the while those penetrating eyes pinned hers without blinking. The familiar scent of his cologne mingled with the clean male heat from his body. The smell of him wound around her and her throat went bone dry.
He bent to kiss her, his breath burning a path across her cheek as he whispered in her ear,
"You look amazing."
Before she could respond, he’d taken her hand in his while the other snuck around her narrow waist and pulled her into his side in a possessively masculine gesture that weakened her knees.
"Sarif, meet Her Royal Highness Queen Charisse," Khalid drawled in a way that made her cheeks burn along with an overwhelming urge to run for her life.
Prince Sarif El Haribe sent his brother a bland look before his dark eyes, sharp and watchful, met hers.
He smiled.
Charisse realised she’d been holding her breath wondering what kind of reception she’d receive from the eldest of King Abdullah’s sons. But Sarif was kindness personified as he took her hand from his brother and bent to press his forehead to her fingertips.
He straightened and returned her hand into his brother's keeping.
"My pleasure. I am so sorry for your loss. My uncle was a very private, a
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