To Kiss a Sheikh

To Kiss a Sheikh
Teresa Southwick

Desperate for a job, American beauty Crystal Rawlins would have done anything to become nanny to Sheik Fariq Hassan's children. And telling a little white lie about her looks to secure a dream job in an exotic location seemed like a very small detail. But then she met her boss, and saw the definition of tall, dark and…wow!Burned before, Sheik Fariq Hassan didn't trust attractive women. Fortunately, his new nanny was far from stunning. Still, he was captivated by her fiery spirit–and by her passionate kisses. She obviously shared his attraction, so why did she keep pulling away from him? And what secrets was she hiding behind those glasses and bulky clothing…?

Fariq frowned down at Crystal as his chest rose and fell, his breathing uneven. “You are full of surprises,” he said. “As passionate and bright and mysterious as the desert.”

Her heart was racing and her pulse pounded in her ears. She didn’t know what to say. “Fariq, I—”

He let out a long breath as he touched the rim of her sunglasses. “My little jewel of the desert…let me see your eyes.”

He was going to take off her glasses? Suddenly adrenaline rushed through her, putting her mental circuits back online. She backed away from him, out of the circle of his arms. Her skin was clear of everything but sunscreen. Not a speck of makeup. But her hair was hanging around her face and she didn’t have on her long, shapeless clothes. Sunglasses were the only part of her disguise in place, her last defense.

And defense was definitely what she needed.

DESERT BRIDES

To Kiss a Sheikh

Teresa Southwick

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

TERESA SOUTHWICK

lives in Southern California with her hero husband, who is more than happy to share with her the male point of view. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Silhouette Books. Teresa has also written historical romances under the same name.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter One

She felt like Clark Kent on a bad day.

Crystal Rawlins adjusted her large, ugly glasses making sure they covered as much of her face as possible. She wasn’t used to this limitation to her peripheral vision, but it was necessary for her disguise. Now it was showtime.

“I’m Crystal Rawlins,” she said to His Highness, Fariq Hassan, as they stood in his office, his polished, cherrywood desk beside them.

“Yes. The new nanny. Welcome to El Zafir, Miss Rawlins. I am pleased to meet you.”

He was the flesh-and-blood definition of tall, dark and wow. He could be the model for the handsome prince in a fairy tale. Smiling politely, he extended his hand.

Shake hands with the devil.

The unwitting thought raced through her mind as Crystal put her palm in his much larger one. She had no idea if he was a devil. But she discovered that his elegant fingers were warm and strong as he applied firm pressure to her own. For some reason, she hadn’t been prepared for his touch. The contact, although brief, sent her already fidgety nerves into a tap dance.

Normally when she reported for her first day on a job, she was wearing carefully applied makeup and an outfit that made her feel professional and confident. But this wasn’t like any job she’d ever had in terms of circumstances, money or importance. And the stakes had never been so high before. In a twist of fate that defied logic, looking her best could get her fired. If that happened, who would pay her mother’s medical bills? Creditors were threatening to take everything she owned—including the house Crystal had grown up in—and it wasn’t going to happen on her watch.

“I am very pleased to meet you at last, Your Highness. I’ve done some research and discovered many wonderful things about your country. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work here.”

He was studying her. “Even though the contract is for three years? Vacations aside, it is a long time to be away from your home.”

“Job security is a good thing.”

He nodded approvingly. “It is indeed. As is stability for my children.”

“Your aunt said keeping the position filled has been a problem. Five nannies in a year, I believe?”

“Yes.” He frowned.

“I assure you that I have every intention of fulfilling my contract.”

“Good. I can see why my aunt spoke so highly of you after your meeting with her in New York.”

“Princess Farrah has excellent taste—” She stopped. That sounded terribly egotistical, and not at all what she’d meant. “That is, the princess seemed a fastidious and perceptive woman with excellent taste in fashion.”

“Also nannies, I hope.”

“And nephews,” she mumbled.

“Excuse me?”

She looked around, taking a moment to catch her breath before her nerves started to show. Until that slip, she thought she’d managed to sound calm and in control. It was an act to go along with the new look.

“I said ‘and here.’ What a nice place you’ve got.”

“Thank you.”