Claimed For The Sheikh's Shock Son

He did not jump to provocation.

It was as if nothing could possibly faze him but, most importantly, he did not faze her. Oh, Khalid was overwhelming to her senses, and more male than any man she had ever met, but there was not so much as a flicker of fear making itself known. And while heading up to a stranger’s bed might seem less than wise, it certainly beat lying on the airport floor. As well as that, Aubrey had been born with a radar attached.

It was how she survived.

With Khalid there were no red flags waving and Jobe had clearly thought the world of him.

There was something else, though—this man intrigued her. From the way he had stepped in and saved her from Chantelle’s inquisition. The way he had offered her food.

And now rest.

Aubrey didn’t trust men.

As a little girl her mom had told her to put a chair against her bedroom door at night and as a not much older girl she had stood on a stool to get ice for her mom’s bruises from the freezer.

Khalid, she was aware, brought down her defences, for she wanted to trust this man.

‘Thank you,’ she said, and her voice was a little croaky and the flush was back to her cheeks as she graciously accepted his kind offer. ‘But only if you’re sure?’

‘Of course.’ He handed her a card for the suite and told her the floor. ‘If you’re gone when I get back—’ He was interrupted by the shrill call of his name.

‘Khalid!’

‘Yes, Chantelle.’

And he gave Aubrey the tiniest eye-roll before he turned to the approaching woman; he shared with her his irritation.

It was like being handed the sun.

‘We’re heading back to the house,’ Chantelle said. ‘Aubrey, I do hope you’ll come...’

Best friends now, Aubrey thought, but Khalid swiftly dealt with the invitation.

‘Aubrey shall not be joining us. She has a headache.’ He met her eyes and instead of the sun offered her gold. ‘Rest now.’

As simply as that, Aubrey escaped.

CHAPTER FOUR (#u464b438d-9f05-5073-9497-56ddc80b4585)

SHE TOOK THE elevator to the designated floor and then found the necessary door, and stepped into heaven.