A Sheikh for Christmas Read online

  Unable to string more than two words together with all the desire swirling in her mind, she gazed up at him, wide-eyed. “Why?”

  His smile, slow and sexy and oh so enticing, widened as he pointed above them in the window. Sure enough, there was a sprig of fresh mistletoe there. “It’s tradition, yes?”

  “Yes.” Heat prickled her cheeks as a few tourists around them snapped their photo on their phone and a couple of kids giggled. Mel placed her hands on Daveed’s chest, feeling his heart pound along with hers.

  “It’s tradition,” she said, unable to hold back her grin any longer. “Does this mean what I think it means?”

  “That I love you? That I want you to stay at the condo with me until we can find a place of our own? That I want to make our fake relationship that’s in all the tabloids a reality?” He pulled her closer again and rested his forehead against hers. “Yes. That’s exactly what it means.”

  Mel’s mind was still stuck on his first words. “You love me?”

  “Yes, I do. Crazy as that sounds.” He kissed her again fast, then took her hand and pulled her away from the congested store front and back out on the sidewalk, where they headed for home. “I know we don’t know each other that well, but we’ve got all the time in the world to remedy that. We can take our time, date, do all the things normal couples do, and when the time comes, maybe you’ll consider marrying me—your choice.”

  She couldn’t help chuckling. “I should’ve expected a planner like you to have all the details set, but even I’m surprised. And in case it matters, I love you too.”

  Daveed stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and hoisted her up in his arms, chest-to-chest, turning in a slow circle while the holiday crowds parted around them. “She loves me too. She really loves me.”

  Several passersby shook their heads at the display, but most whooped or applauded or called for them to kiss again, which they did. This time, when Daveed finally let her feet touch the ground, Mel clung to him in case her shaking knees wouldn’t hold her. Finally, he took her hand and started off for the condo.

  “When the time comes, I think we should have a wedding at the Plaza Hotel. I read that’s where your mother had originally planned things, is that correct?”

  “Yes.” Mel kept pace beside him, thankful for him adjusting his longer stride to her shorter one. Just one more show of his chivalrous nature. “But you seem awfully sure that’s how all this will end up. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I thought we weren’t rushing things.”

  “Not rushing at all. Just throwing ideas out there.” He kissed her hand through her glove and smiled. “Sorry. It seems that once I popped the cork on my emotions and dreams, there’s no stopping the flow.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about at all.” She grinned and patted his arm. “It’s adorable.”

  “It is?” He waggled his brows.

  “Oh, yeah. It is.” Fresh warmth blossomed inside her and she suddenly couldn’t wait to get him alone again in the condo. To distract herself, she asked more questions. “The Plaza’s not cheap, though, you know.”

  He scoffed, leading her across another street. “If you think Heath’s family is rich, their wealth is nothing compared to the sheikhdom of Al Dar Nasrani. Besides, my parents will be over the moon at having such a lovely daughter-in-law brought into our fold.”

  “Really?” She’d not even gotten far enough to think about meeting them. “You think they’ll like me?”

  “They’ll love you. Just as much as I do.” He leaned over and kissed her again. “Oh, and if you want to take that job at the MAC store you can, but only if it’s what you want.”

  Mel thought about it for a minute. She loved Daveed and appreciated his offer, but she wanted a chance to earn her own money, to stand on her own two feet. “I do want it. I want something that’s just mine. Does that make sense?”

  “Absolutely.” His affectionate gaze warmed her clear to her toes. “I’m very proud of you, habibaty.”

  “You are?” Her smile widened. “I’m proud of you too.”

  He looked surprised. “Why?”

  “Because you finally opened up to me, told me how you really feel. I know that wasn’t easy for you and it shows me how much you care.”

  They stopped at another light and he pulled her close again. “I intend to keep on showing you how much I care.”

  “You do?” she asked, snuggling into his chest and sliding her arms around his neck.

  “Oh yeah, I do.” He bent his head to kiss her again, whispering, “For many years to come.”

  End of A Sheikh for Christmas

  All I Want for Christmas is... Book 1

  Release Dates for All I Want for Christmas is…

  A Sheikh for Christmas, December 7th 2017.

  A SEAL for Christmas, December 14th 2017.

  A Billionaire for Christmas, December 21st 2017.

  PS: Do you love delicious Sheikhs and the holiday season? Then keep reading for an exclusive extract from The Sheikh’s Christmas Maid.

  Thank you!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!

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  BLURB

  The snow is falling, the fires are blazing, and Poppy Milenne is hard at work. While the housemaid preps for a wealthy guest, she’s hardly expecting someone young and handsome. Imagine her surprise when the man who comes to spend the Christmas holiday is the charismatic Sheikh Shadid. The playboy prince arouses Poppy’s thirst for adventure, but giving in to temptation would mean risking her job…and her heart.

  Sheikh Samir Shadid can’t stand spending the holidays alone. Christmas reminds him of a time he’d like to forget, and what better way to do so than with a willing woman. His father may have sent him away for safety, but that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy himself while he’s here. When the beautiful American maid catches his eye, Samir is determined to seduce her in time for Christmas.

  Samir is looking for a holiday fling, but Poppy soon gets under his skin. And the more time she spends with him, the harder he is to resist. While the weather may be cold outside, inside ‘tis the season for love.

  Grab your copy of The Sheikh’s Christmas Maid from www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  * * *

  EXCERPT

  Opening the back door, she braced herself against the cold chill of the night air. The garbage bin was around the side of the house, but she didn’t think to grab a jacket. Blowing out her breath and shivering, she pulled the bag through the door and winced when it slammed behind her.

  “It’s only for a few days,” she muttered through chattering teeth. “Then everything will go back to normal, and it’ll be peaceful and quiet again.”

  Peaceful and quiet. She could go back to her books and dream about a life when she didn’t have to think about money.

  The woods around the house were eerily quiet, and she glanced around uneasily. Normally, she didn’t freak out being alone but tonight, she felt jumpy. Headlights washed over the trees as a car pulled up to the house. Poppy sighed in relief. At least the delivery guy was back. That was one more thing she could mark off her list.

  There was a sound of muffled voices as Poppy grunted and slid the garbage bag along the snowy ground. When she reached the large bin, she opened the lid and took a deep breath. Short by most standards, Poppy would have to haul the bag up to get it into the bin.

  “Hey,” she yelled to the delivery boy. “Can I get a little help here?” Silence met her request, and she glared. “Hello? Anyone there?”

  When no one answered her, she rolled her eyes and pushed her shoulders back. Was there no chivalry in this country? “Fine. I’ll do it myself.”
Bending her knees, she lifted the heavy bag up and tried to swing it up. The bag shifted at the last minute and fell to the side. There was a male yelp as she and the bag tumbled into the snow.

  “Are you okay?” an amused voice asked.

  The cold snow seeped through her clothes, and she gritted her teeth. “What makes you think that I’m okay?” she hissed as she struggled to her feet. “I’m sprawled out in the snow. And where the hell have you been? You were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago with the supplies. Emine wants your head on a spike.”

  “Does she now?”

  Poppy finally looked up and inhaled sharply. Delivery boy wasn’t an accurate description. The figure in front of her was all man. Tall and sculpted with gorgeous dark skin and glittering blue eyes, there was no shame in his face as he stared down at her in frank appreciation. Her near frozen body warmed instantly as her cheeks flushed. Poppy hadn’t been turned on by a man in a long time.

  Turned on was probably an understatement. Poppy wanted to wrap her legs around the gorgeous man and fuck him against the side of the house.

  “I apologize for not helping,” he said in a deep voice as he bent down to help her up. “I did only pull up.”

  Embarrassed at her carnal reaction and praying fervently that he didn’t notice, she snatched her hand away and glared at him. “Fine. Go inside and see Emine.”

  He gave her a lopsided smile. “You should probably go inside as well. You’re getting cold.” His eyes fell to her chest, and she immediately crossed her arms over her chest. She was wearing a bra. There was no way he could tell that her nipples were pointing and aching for attention.

  Could he?

  Chuckling softly, he moved back around the house, and Poppy stared at his retreating backside. He didn’t even throw the garbage bag away for her. Rudeness!

  Shivering, she braced herself again and managed to throw the bag into the bin. Slamming the lid back down, she hurried back inside. As much as she wanted to chastise the deliveryman for not helping her, she had too much on her plate.

  As she burst through the door, she breathed in deeply and welcomed the warmth of the kitchen. Emine was nowhere to be found. Pleased that she’d have no interruptions, she hurried to the laundry room only to stop short when she passed the living room. The gorgeous deliveryman was standing next to an even bigger man and they spoke in hushed tones with Emine.

  “Poppy,” Emine said suddenly and waved her hands. “Come, come.”

  Surprised, Poppy let Emine grab her arm and pull her in. The older woman actually sounded pleasant and professional.

  “This is Poppy Milenne. She’s my live-in staff member. If you’ll only allow one of us to stay, she’s your best bet. She’s a proficient cook and housekeeper.”

  Proficient? Did Emine just compliment her?

  “Poppy. Interesting name,” the deliveryman said slowly.

  Grab your copy of The Sheikh’s Christmas Maid from www.LeslieNorthBooks.com