Page 3 of Bred By the Sheikh

His voice was deep without being theatrical, smooth and effortless.

Everyone answered.

I did, too.

At least, I probably did.

Tariq took the chair at the head of the table.

His attention shifted to the empty place reserved beside the StayWell placard.

“Where is Amanda Emerson?”

I’d known that question was coming since Nebraska.

I straightened.

“She became unavailable two days ago. StayWell asked me to take her place for this week’s review.”

His attention returned to me.

“You were given forty-eight hours’ notice?”

“I had forty-eight hours.”

“And you came from Omaha.”

“I came from Omaha.”

One dark eyebrow moved.

“That’s a long way to travel on forty-eight hours’ notice.”

“I discovered that somewhere around hour nine.”

A few people smiled.

His mouth changed.

It wasn’t a full smile, just something smaller and more dangerous.

Heat crept higher along my throat.

“What is your role at StayWell, Ms. Campbell?”

“I’m a junior marketing associate. Most of my work is guest research, campaign support, and U.S. traveler response.”

“You aren’t Amanda Emerson.”

I couldn’t tell whether he was challenging me or simply confirming the obvious.

“No, I’m not.”

The corner of his mouth moved again.

“Good. I would’ve been concerned if the flight changed you that dramatically.”

Laughter moved around the table.