By The Sheikh's Command. Debbi Rawlins

she said as she stepped onto the patio. “Sometimes Cord has it with his coffee after dinner.” She set the bottle down on the table, along with a crystal snifter.

      “What about you? Will you not join me?”

      She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like the stuff. It’s too strong.”

      “I agree. Please. Sit.”

      A blush stole across her cheeks, and she drew in her lower lip beneath even white teeth, a nervous habit he found most appealing. “I’ll stay a few minutes,” she said and then sank into the chair farthest from him.

      He picked up his coffee, not in the least interested in the brandy. A restless energy disturbed his equilibrium. Is that why he looked to this shy beauty for distraction?

      “Well, if you don’t need me anymore…”

      “Why do you run from me? Has Aliah filled your head with horror stories?”

      She’d started to rise, but sank back down, looking genuinely surprised. “No, of course not. She adores you. And I don’t understand why you keep thinking I’m running away. I’m not on vacation. I have work to do.”

      “I have asked only for a few minutes.”

      She sighed. “I’m sorry. I am a little edgy. There are just so many changes around here lately…”

      Rafe studied the way she anxiously smoothed back the tendrils of hair that had come loose, looking as if she wanted to get up and run as fast as she could. “Were you not in favor of the marriage?” he asked quietly.

      “No. I mean, yes.” She gave her head a flustered shake. “I love Allie like a sister. I’m happy for both of them.”

      “Yet the balance here is upset.”

      Her forehead creased in a frown and she shrugged.

      “Brianna, I understand. I have made peace with the marriage, but still it is difficult for me to see Aliah with a husband. In fact, a near stranger. No matter my growing fondness for Cord.” He had failed to take Aliah back. His people would not understand. “But she made her choice.”

      Curiosity lit her eyes. “I thought men in your country didn’t believe in giving women a choice.”

      “Most don’t.”

      “But you do.”

      He lifted the coffee cup to his lips. He did not wish to discuss his personal views.

      “Allie said you’re very modern.”

      “My sister talks too much.” He set the cup aside. “I understand there is a lake near here?”

      Brianna stiffened. “A small one.”

      “I would like to see it sometime.”

      “It’s just an ordinary lake. You won’t be impressed.”

      “My country is nearly surrounded by the Persian Gulf. The water soothes me.”

      “I know. Me, too, but this really is a tiny lake and you’re used to an ocean.”

      “No matter. When you are not too busy, you will show me?”

      Reluctance hunched her shoulders. “Okay.”

      “Tomorrow afternoon perhaps?”

      Alarm darkened her eyes. “I’m not sure I’ll have time.”

      She clearly did not want her private sanctuary invaded. Or perhaps it was his company she wished to avoid. The idea did not warm him. Women normally sought his attention.

      She got to her feet and started gathering his cup and the brandy and placing them on the tray. Her hands fumbled in her haste and the idea she wanted to get away from him grew stronger.

      He touched her wrist. “You seem nervous.”

      Her face ripened with color. “I already explained why I was edgy.” Her chest rose and fell with a deep shuddering breath, and his gaze drew to her breasts.

      Beneath the plain white T-shirt she wore, her nipples protruded. He dragged his gaze away, not wanting to embarrass her. And then he quickly released her, annoyed at his own physical reaction.

      “D-did you want anything else?” Her lower lip quivered and she hesitated picking up the tray.

      When she lowered her gaze, his own went back to her chest. Her breasts were small, the perfect size for the palm of a man’s hand, her nipples lush and tempting. Desire stirred in his belly and he clenched his teeth.

      Too bad she was a child. Not just because she was ten years younger than he, but her obvious lack of experience around men detracted further. Cord had warned him she was an innocent, but a brother’s viewpoint was not always reliable.

      Rafe mentally shook his head. Look how Aliah had fooled him. She had been sheltered, even cloistered for many of her young years, and she had turned into a hellcat nevertheless.

      But he did not want to think about his sister and the predicament she had created for him. Soon enough he would have to face the royal family and admit his failure.

      Brianna picked up the tray, her hands much steadier now. “I have a desk in Cord’s office. I’ll be in there if you need me.”

      “And if I need you now?”

      She blinked, and visibly swallowed. “Need me?”

      He smiled. “Go, Brianna. Go hide in your office.”

      A glint of temper flared in her eyes, but she said nothing. She gripped the tray with tight little fists and backed away from the table.

      He watched her go, admiring the fit of her jeans. Normally, he preferred the soft curves and expanse of leg revealed by a dress. But the way the worn fabric clung to Brianna’s backside had his body stirring again.

      Disgusted with himself, he turned away and focused on the fountain. He had given Cord his word he would care for his sister. That did not include troubling her with unwanted attention.

      The soothing sound of water reached his ears, and the lights lit the spray like a thousand diamonds. There was no balm for his damaged spirit like the power of water. Yes, he had wanted to know where the lake was so that he could find Brianna should she disappear. But he wanted the knowledge for himself, as well.

      He had much to think about before returning to Munir. Politically, he was now vulnerable. His cousin, Asaad, would seize the opportunity to vie for the throne. Although Rafe was the rightful heir, Assad had enough bloodline and connections to persuade the royal council his agenda was better suited to Munir’s interests.

      While he wanted Munir to remain a monarchy, Rafe was in favor of moving toward a democracy. The people had mixed opinions. Munir subjects were accustomed to being coddled and having decisions made for them. Since the land and surrounding sea were both rich with oil, and everyone was well fed, with filled pockets, the people had little interest in change.

      But some of the oil fields were drying up, and in order for the royal family to maintain their wealth, the difference in profits would come from the people. Asaad knew that as well as Rafe did, but his cousin was unwilling to sacrifice even a shadow of his assets. To that end, it was imperative he kept the people under his control, kept the country in the backward state in which it languished.

      Rafe watched the water cascade from the tiled fountain and took several deep even breaths. Meditation had become as important to him as sleep. Next week in Dallas, he would need all his energy and wits about him. The largest oil lease with the Dallas-based American company was about to expire. It would be up to Rafe to negotiate the best possible deal.

      Failing to bring Aliah back was serious. Failing to secure a lucrative deal would be unforgivable. Certain political suicide. Not that he was concerned. He had oil—something the Americans wanted and he knew how to do business with them. That was something he had over Asaad.

      His