Her Desert Knight Read Free

invested in a start-up and helped them develop the technology. I just sold my share.”
    “Why? It sounds like a fascinating industry.”
    “I was ready to move on. Try something new.”
    “You’re restless.”
    “Always.”
    So that’s why he wasn’t married. He got bored easily, then moved on to someone new and more exciting.
    “What do you do?” He leaned close enough that she imagined she could smell his scent. But she couldn’t. The aroma of coffee was too strong. Why was she thinking about the way he smelled? She must be attracted to him. That would explain the quickening of her pulse and the way she was growing warm all over.
    This was breaking news. She didn’t think she’d ever be attracted to a man again. At least that part of her was still alive, not that it was likely to do her much good.
    His eyes glittered with amusement and for a frightening second she wondered if he could read her mind. “Is your occupation a secret? Do you work for the CIA?”
    Her face heated. She’d been so busy noticing her brain’s reaction to him that she’d forgotten he asked a question. “I’m an art historian, and most recently worked at Princeton. The ancient Near East is my area of expertise.”
    “Am I right in guessing that Oman counts as the Near East?”
    She nodded. “It’s a large area, and was the seat of many great civilizations.”
    “Mesopotamia, Sumer, the ziggurats at Ur-Nammu.” Tiny smile lines formed at the corners of his wide, sensual mouth.
    “Most people think of ancient Egypt.”
    “Do I sound like a show-off?”
    “A little.” She fought a smile. His arrogance and confidence had an effortless quality that was oddly appealing. “But I won’t hold it against you.”
    “Thanks. You should see the museum my brother’s put together. He built a hotel on the site of an old Silk Road city.”
    “That sounds like an art historian’s nightmare.”
    “You’d like it! There wasn’t much left, just a few stumps of walls out in the middle of an old oil field, and he’s recreated it as a luxury retreat, preserving as much as possible of the original.”
    “Your whole family sounds rather unusual.”
    He laughed. “Maybe we are. We all march to our own beat. The archaeologists who excavated the site found some pottery and small figurines. You might find them interesting.”
    “I’m sure I would. Do you know what era they’re from?”
    “No clue. Maybe we can visit the place together. It’s only a short drive outside Salalah. We could go tomorrow.”
    She froze. There was no way she could go for a drive anywhere with a total stranger. Even a seemingly handsome, charming and educated one. She didn’t really know anything about him. For all she knew, he could be making everything up. And besides, her father and brothers would forbid it. “I can’t.”
    “Maybe another time, then. Let me give you my phone number.”
    She glanced at the two girls at the nearby table. Their dark eyes were still darting to her and her companion. They’d be sure to notice. But what harm could come of it if she never called him?
    Her heart pounded while she watched him write the number in an assured hand on the back of the blue paper napkin. “I’m staying at my brother’s hotel here in Salalah. It’s right on the beach. Where do you live?”
    She swallowed. This was getting dangerously personal. “Not far.” No one knew she was here, which was by design. “I really should be getting back.” She shoved the napkin into her pocket.
    “I’ll walk you home.”
    “Oh, no. There’s no need. You stay here and relax.” She put down some cash to pay for the coffee. He thrust it back to her with a shocked expression, and she decided—once again—to avoid a scene by accepting his hospitality. “Thanks for the coffee.” He rose when she did and for a split second she had an insane thought he might try to kiss her. Her whole body braced as adrenaline rushed through her. Then he thrust out his hand and