The Sheikh's Stubborn Lover (The Adjalane Sheikhs Series Book 2) by Leslie North Page B

mother—are you thinking she’s cut from the same cloth?”
    Staring at the hotel, Adilan wished he was still with her. He shook his head. Jenkins’ question was a good one. Was Michelle really as much a seductress as her mother? Had she given into passion at the Zia oasis only to distract him so she could get what she wanted? It was a valid question, one he had not considered, and now he forced himself to think with his brain and not his body. “Why do you ask?”
    “Just like to know. Your families have a lot of history. Watch your step with her.”
    Adilan frowned. Again, it was good advice and not anything he wanted to consider. He wanted to think of Michelle as a sweet and straightforward person—but too much was at stake. Besides, she would not stay in Al-Sarid, and he was not leaving. This was a means to an end—a way to get the land back to prove to his father that he was fit to run the company. He must remember that. He cleared his throat and said, “Just let me know if you hear from Malid. Now, have you thought of taking a vacation?”
    “You mean stay out of this by staying way out? I’d need to take the entire team with me.”
    “And that is a problem how? I would be happy to pay for your time. I also understand the island of Trinidad is most relaxing, and has remote jungles where your team could get in some training.”
    “Uh huh,” Jenkins sounded cautious now. “Please tell me this latest Reynolds isn’t getting to you? If she is and your father hears of it—”
    “I know,” Adilan said. He had to push out the words. He did not want to speak of his feelings for Michelle—whatever they were. This was not a matter of the heart, but a matter of winning over Malid. That was all. Irritated now, he said, “I’ll talk to you next week.”
    He disconnected and sat staring at Michelle’s hotel. Why should he not go in and invite her to dinner again. But he knew why not. She had gotten to him. He could not stop thinking of her pale skin, of her sweet curves, of how her face relaxed in his arms. They had sparked something between them. But he could just picture his father’s face if he thought to have any kind of relationship with Deborah Reynolds’ daughter. His father was likely to have a heart attack on the spot.
    He answered a few emails on his phone, but he needed to do something to get his mind off Michelle Reynolds. He kept seeing her blue eyes, reliving the moment when they had drifted closed and she had shivered in his arms.
    With a muttered curse, he called his brother, Nassir. “I need to hit something. Want to volunteer?” Adilan asked.
    Nassir was the brother who had somehow managed to slip away from their father’s shadow. He had started his own company, which kept him busy, but he was also the brother who usually settled any family arguments. His voice came over the line, and Adilan could hear the smile in his brother’s voice. “If you want to meet me at the gym I might humor you for a round or two.”
    “I’ll see you in half an hour.” Adilan started up the Hummer.
    The gym was not at the palace, but a building Nassir had bought and converted. Adilan would go workout and try a few rounds with Nassir and then he would be able to at least sleep tonight. Or that was what he hoped. He had a feeling he would end up dreaming about Michelle and their time at the Zia oasis.

Chapter 12
    Michelle sat on the balcony, staring out at the ocean. She had ordered room service but she had picked at the meal of chicken spiced and baked in a pastry. Letting out a long breath, she wondered if she should just shower and go to bed. But she had decision facing her.
    She’d put in a call to her mother, and had gotten voice mail, so she’d sent a text and an email. Mother had texted back she was visiting a friend, and Michelle should handle everything—so the decision of what was all back on Michelle’s shoulders. On the one hand, the Zia oasis that Adilan had shown her today had easier