Read Online Desert Orchid: The Desert Princes: Book 1 by CC MacKenzie - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: CC MacKenzie
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very unique, man."
Sarif’s accent was British rather than American, although she picked up the slight transatlantic drawl in his speech, too. He was as tall and certainly as charismatic as his brother, but she didn’t receive that strange hum of attraction when she held his hand as she did with Khalid.
Her eyes stung as she returned his smile. "Thank you. Amir was a wonderful man."
As Yasmin exchanged greetings with Sarif, Charisse found herself towed to a low couch.
Khalid tucked her into a corner and sat next to her, his big body turned towards hers and his arm stretched across the back of the couch, effectively blocking her in. His hand found hers and her eyes rose to meet his as again he took her fingertips to his lips.
She simply was not used to public displays of affection and couldn't help the heat that scorched her neck and her cheeks.
His little chuckle of delight made her bite down hard on her bottom lip.
Her eyes flew to his and the proprietorial look in those eyes seriously unnerved her.
What they talked about over dinner she never knew since her entire being was too aware of Khalid. Of the stroke of his finger over the back of her hand. Of his solicitous attention to her every need. An attention that had Yasmin beaming benevolently upon them. But his behaviour left Charisse feeling terribly trapped and claustrophobic.
Swallowing her growing anxiety about the way she was being treated in public, Charisse wondered if the night would ever end. But Sarif was talking to her now and she paid attention to the conversation realising it was about literacy, specifically adult literacy.
More than delighted to discuss her favourite topic, she leaned over the table and for many minutes she forgot all about Khalid, forgot all about her overwhelming attraction to him, forgot all about wedding plans and her future as she explained the programme of mobile education centres, which had Sarif firing questions.
Sitting forward, using her hands to express her enthusiasm for her pet project, Charisse spoke, "The point is that our people are nomads. They pack-up and travel to who knows where, but the Sheiks keep in touch with our education centres and mobile health centres via satellite technology powered by solar energy. If there’s one resource we have plenty of it is the sun. Of course things change, but when the tribes arrive in Onuur we have in-depth records of births, deaths and marriages, which make it reasonably simple to plan ahead."
Sarif frowned.
"So bringing the tribes into the twenty-first century, into the cities and towns is not where you see growth?"
Charisse shrugged.
"For many years Asim studied the histories of our peoples. As I said, they are nomads and often do not adapt well to city living. Asim firmly believed it was up to each tribe to decide how they wanted to live. It is not for us to force our technology and modern ways upon them. Surely that’s the whole point of being free? To be free to choose their own destiny? Therefore we decided to take education, support and medical help to them. The key was to gain the trust of the men but more importantly, the women. Even though they defer to their men folk, women are the most forward thinking and open minded people among the tribes. We’ve sent four bright students, girls, to Oxford this year and many more to medical school in the United States and the United Kingdom, funded by those countries, and the students are all determined to return home to help their people."
Enthusiasm gleamed in Sarif’s dark eyes as he leaned forward and he was about to speak when Charisse became aware of strong fingers massaging the sensitive skin of her neck in a possessive gesture that made her breath hitch in her throat.
"I believe we have a department of education who oversees all the projects," Khalid drawled in a silky voice that had her heart kick against her ribs. He continued, "Charisse promised to show me the gardens, particularly the orchids. And
Sarif’s accent was British rather than American, although she picked up the slight transatlantic drawl in his speech, too. He was as tall and certainly as charismatic as his brother, but she didn’t receive that strange hum of attraction when she held his hand as she did with Khalid.
Her eyes stung as she returned his smile. "Thank you. Amir was a wonderful man."
As Yasmin exchanged greetings with Sarif, Charisse found herself towed to a low couch.
Khalid tucked her into a corner and sat next to her, his big body turned towards hers and his arm stretched across the back of the couch, effectively blocking her in. His hand found hers and her eyes rose to meet his as again he took her fingertips to his lips.
She simply was not used to public displays of affection and couldn't help the heat that scorched her neck and her cheeks.
His little chuckle of delight made her bite down hard on her bottom lip.
Her eyes flew to his and the proprietorial look in those eyes seriously unnerved her.
What they talked about over dinner she never knew since her entire being was too aware of Khalid. Of the stroke of his finger over the back of her hand. Of his solicitous attention to her every need. An attention that had Yasmin beaming benevolently upon them. But his behaviour left Charisse feeling terribly trapped and claustrophobic.
Swallowing her growing anxiety about the way she was being treated in public, Charisse wondered if the night would ever end. But Sarif was talking to her now and she paid attention to the conversation realising it was about literacy, specifically adult literacy.
More than delighted to discuss her favourite topic, she leaned over the table and for many minutes she forgot all about Khalid, forgot all about her overwhelming attraction to him, forgot all about wedding plans and her future as she explained the programme of mobile education centres, which had Sarif firing questions.
Sitting forward, using her hands to express her enthusiasm for her pet project, Charisse spoke, "The point is that our people are nomads. They pack-up and travel to who knows where, but the Sheiks keep in touch with our education centres and mobile health centres via satellite technology powered by solar energy. If there’s one resource we have plenty of it is the sun. Of course things change, but when the tribes arrive in Onuur we have in-depth records of births, deaths and marriages, which make it reasonably simple to plan ahead."
Sarif frowned.
"So bringing the tribes into the twenty-first century, into the cities and towns is not where you see growth?"
Charisse shrugged.
"For many years Asim studied the histories of our peoples. As I said, they are nomads and often do not adapt well to city living. Asim firmly believed it was up to each tribe to decide how they wanted to live. It is not for us to force our technology and modern ways upon them. Surely that’s the whole point of being free? To be free to choose their own destiny? Therefore we decided to take education, support and medical help to them. The key was to gain the trust of the men but more importantly, the women. Even though they defer to their men folk, women are the most forward thinking and open minded people among the tribes. We’ve sent four bright students, girls, to Oxford this year and many more to medical school in the United States and the United Kingdom, funded by those countries, and the students are all determined to return home to help their people."
Enthusiasm gleamed in Sarif’s dark eyes as he leaned forward and he was about to speak when Charisse became aware of strong fingers massaging the sensitive skin of her neck in a possessive gesture that made her breath hitch in her throat.
"I believe we have a department of education who oversees all the projects," Khalid drawled in a silky voice that had her heart kick against her ribs. He continued, "Charisse promised to show me the gardens, particularly the orchids. And
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