The Sheikh's Impossible Girl - completed.

Chapter Nineteen

Swallowing hard, Ashley fought back tears, chest tightening.

"No, your highness. Just telling you the way it is." Probably for the best. Tarazi stared at her for the longest, intense time.

"You know my name, so use it," he hissed, jaw clenching. "As for leaving, I think not. I will talk to your father."

Nervously, she twisted her hands in front of her. "No, please don't!" This was her fault and had nothing to do with her father. Her father didn't understand what the fuss was about, sounding fed up with the situation.

To be honest, she had no clue why Tom was even here at this stage. Deciding it was none of her business, also had to fix it. After what she had done, they should send her back.

"Why not?" Shifting from one foot to another, Ashley flicked her bottom lip with her teeth. "Ashley?" he pressured, while she hesitated, eyes wary, shaking her head.

"Do as you wish. I'll get back to work." She turned away only to have her wrist caught, swung back around and against his form. This time, she kept her head down, staring at his shirt buttons.

However, he wasn't having that. Tilting up her chin with fingers underneath, forcing her to look into his gaze, not as hard as before, concerned. His arm wrapped around her waist, guiding her up closer to him.

"What is wrong? This isn't you. I don't want us to be like this."

Desperately she searched, only if she could wind back Sunday. She hadn't been clever at all, just making a mess of everything. "Like what?"

"Arguing. You're being formal with me. When have you ever been like that with me?"

Ashley struggled to think of the time when she had been. The first day in the office, however,  she didn't dare bring it up by the look in his eyes. "That's your fault," she pointed out, tapping his chest with a finger. "You don't act like a prince."

"Really?" His tone had gotten lighter with amusement. "How is a prince supposed to act?"

"Not like you. How would I know? You're my first prince."

"So, I could be behaving like any other prince?"

Blinking up at him, then moaned, resting her forehead on his chest. How like him. "You tell me."

"Perhaps I am not the best one to ask."

She peered up. He was correct they never acted like royalty and serfs. Also treated her like an equal. He just didn't understand how hard it was for her, and to be honest, it wasn't his problem but her own.

Too many variants are working against her when she's supposed to be here for the company, doing her job. What was best for the company, also what was best for the prince. Feeling like she's been pulled in different directions, and her loyalties tested in ways she never thought possible.

Also didn't help that everyone thought she influenced the prince. From now on she was going to concentrate on the work they set her to do, that she was nearly done with. There was a time limit with her prince.

So, no more stirring the waters.

"Do as you see fit."

"As I see fit," he repeated thoughtfully, then smiled, stealing her breath away. Warm eyes rested down upon her. "Yes," he agreed, swooping down and claiming her in a kiss, leaving her breathless, fingers curling around his shirt. His fingers threaded through her hair, holding her to him as he explored the contour of her mouth, tasting, teasing.

"Tarazi," she sighed against his lips, then pulled back, eyes flying open. That had been the last thing she had expected. Also, he had snapped at her. He never did that. "What do you want from me?"