Free Never Seduce a Sheikh (International Bad Boys Book 2) by Jackie Ashenden Page A

making sure to keep the movement measured, controlling the fury that burned inside him. Hadn’t he told her what was expected of her just before the banquet? Hadn’t she listened to a word he said?
    Leaving the tent himself was not ideal, but he had to get Lily to return to present her apologies for her rudeness. Not to do so would be noted and held against her, jeopardizing the goodwill of the chiefs and putting into doubt Harkness’ suitability for the contract. He could not let that happen. Not only would it reflect badly on him, but then he would be left with two other contenders who, if he were totally honest with himself, did not compare with Harkness. And that wasn’t only due to his growing attraction to Harkness’s beautiful CEO.
    Isma’il stepped outside the tent. A couple of his security team came to attention, but he waved them away, scanning around for Lily’s tall figure. Eventually, he spotted her not far away, near the little stand of palms at the center of the camp, her head bent.
    He walked over to her, keeping the anger inside, the fury very carefully at bay.
    “You left.” It came out harsh but he made no attempt to soften his voice. “Did I not tell you that you need to remain in the tent for the duration of the banquet?”
    “I’m sorry.” Her usual cool tones sounded worn and frayed. “I just . . . needed some air.”
    An excuse. His anger leapt and he took a step towards her, unable to stop himself. “It is not me you need to apologize to. Your departure was rude and disrespectful and has undone the good impression you made earlier.”
    Her mouth tightened, the skin drawn tight over her lovely features. “Did I offend the dancer?”
    “You offended everyone.”
    Abruptly, she looked away and in the light coming from the tent, he saw color burning on the pale skin of her cheeks. “I’ll apologize.”
    “Of course you will. And you will also explain yourself to me. Because you are not the only one who has been made to look bad by your actions.”
    “I don’t have to give you any—”
    “I will have an explanation, Lily, and I will have it now.”
    The color on her cheeks burned brighter, the cool mask she so often wore slipping to reveal something dark glittering in her eyes. Anger. “I didn’t like the dancing,” she said, the words clipped and short. “I just . . . ” she stopped, her mouth closing with a snap as if she’d said too much.
    He stared at her, not understanding. “Why would the dancing offend you? You have belly dancers in the West do you not?”
    “Yes but the way those men were looking at them. Those women were just objects to be leered at and lusted after.” Her jaw tightened. “I didn’t like it and I didn’t want to be part of it.”
    He tried to contain his anger, keep it within the iron boundaries of his control. “You are self-righteous, Ms. Harkness. The men in that tent were not treating those dancers as objects. Yes, they were enjoying the dancers’ beauty, but they were also admiring their skill. Grabbing or touching, or leering is considered shameful. Unlike men in the West.”
    Her lashes came down, veiling her gaze. But not before he saw something else lurking in her eyes. Something that looked like fear.
    Unthinking, he took another step towards her. “This is not just about the dancing is it? There is more to it than that.”
    Lily folded her arms across her chest, turning her face away. She said nothing.
    “Your explanation,” he ordered. “Give it to me.”
    For a long moment she didn’t move. Then her shoulders went back and her chin lifted. Her head turned, dark eyes meeting his like a prize-fighter measuring up a challenger.
    “You want an explanation? Very well. Years ago, I was assaulted.” Her voice was hard, flat and emotionless. “Sexually assaulted to be exact. So forgive me if I find women being objectified by a room full of men a little difficult to handle.”
    Icy shock slid down his spine. A man had hurt