Abby Green - Breaking the Sheikhs Rules (Presents Extra)

Rebellion quivered in Iseults belly. What about me? Dont I have any say in this?

He shook his head, again the reality chafing. No other woman had ever questioned his intentions. Not really, habiba .

Distracted for a second, Iseult asked, What does that mean, habiba? Hed called her that a few times over the past night.

Nadims mouth twisted for a moment. Something dark crossed his face and then with clear reluctance he said, It means beloved but its just a figure of speech.

He put a finger under Iseults chin, his voice hard. I know how your first lover can inspire feelings. Dont fall in love with me, Iseult. I wont be responsible for your heart.

~ KINGS OF THE DESERT ~

S HEIKH N ADIM B IN K ALID AL S AQRS dark eyes followed the horse and rider as they exercised on the gallops. He was blinded not only by the sheer magnificence of the colt, which had quickened his pulse and sent a thrill of triumph through him as soon as hed seen its exquisite lines, but also by the intense green of everything as far as the eye could see. Softly falling rain covered everything in a fine mist, even though it was an unseasonably warm September day.

For a man who considered himself hewn from the uncompromising aridity of mountains and desert, he hadnt expected to feel a kinship with this inclement part of the world, but strangely, standing here now, he felt its lushness pull on his soul in a way he hadnt anticipated.

Up until now hed been content to confine his interest in thoroughbred racing and breeding to his home on the Arabian peninsula, trusting his aides to buy in Europe and transport the horses to him. But now it was time to set up a European base, and hed chosen Kildare, the Irish capital of thoroughbred breeding and training.

Irelands reputation as home to the worlds best horses, breeders and trainers was not in doubt. The man beside him, despite his florid appearance, which more than hinted at a drinking problem, had reputedly been one of the best trainers in the world, but until very recently had all but disappeared from the racing world.

The silence grew taut but he didnt speak for a few moments longer, unperturbed, studying the two-year-old.

His eyes drifted up from the horse to the rider. He could see that not only was the horse perhaps one of the most magnificent hed seen in a long time, the rider too was one of the most accomplished hed seenand that included his own carefully handpicked staff back home. He looked to be about eighteen, slim build, definitely young. Yet he exuded an effortless way of handling the horse which Nadim knew only came from true talent, sheer courage and experience. And the animal was spirited.

The man moved restlessly beside him and Nadim took pity, saying finally, Hes a stunning colt.

Yes, Paddy OSullivan said with more than a hint of relief in his voice. I was sure youd see it straight away.

The horse they observed and spoke of was one of the main reasons for Nadims visit to Ireland, and the reason why he was about to buy Paddy OSullivan out of his failing modest-sized training grounds and stud farm.

Itd be hard not to see it, Nadim murmured, his eyes once again mesmerised by the sleek move of powerful muscles under the thoroughbreds glossy coat. Already he was imagining the lineage that such a stallion and his brood mares could produce one day.

Hed sent his most senior equestrian aide to research this part of the world for him, and had instantly seen the potential; the stud was about two miles down the road from the house and training grounds. Perfect for his European base.

His mouth firmed when he recalled how his aide had been all but run off the beleaguered property by some angry woman with a rabid doghence his advice to steer well clear. But Nadim had made sure that his people had approached Paddy OSullivan directly and made an offer that no drowning man hoping for a life-raft could refuse

The OSullivan stud had once been very successful, breeding numerous winners. It was that pure bloodline which had produced this colt, who was already making a name for itself, having won two of Irelands highest-profile flat races in recent months. Excitement kicked low in Nadims bellya sensation he hadnt felt in a long timemaking him aware of how rarely spontaneous emotion impacted on his day-to-day life. Just the way he liked it.

OSullivan spoke again, Iseult has been working with him tirelessly. He wouldnt be the horse he is today without her.

Nadim frowned and took his eyes off the horse for a moment to look down at the much shorter man beside him. He hadnt heard that name before, and assumed it had to be of Irish origin. Eesult?

The man gestured with his white head to the field, blue eyes fond. Iseult is my daughtermy eldest. Shes got the gift. Been able to communicate with and control every animal shes encountered since she was barely walking.

Nadims eyes went back to the rider on the horse. He felt slightly stunned. That was a girl ? And this girl had trained this colt? Impossible; hed worked with plenty of female trainers, but never one so young. Too youngno matter how innate her talent might be.

He shook his head, mentally trying to take it in, and only then started to see the subtle differences. Her waist dipped in and out more than a boys should. The silhouette of her shoulders was slight, the hint of her neck delicate. Apart from that he couldnt tell much else, because she was covered up in jeans and a fleece, hair tucked up and under a flat cap. His belly clenched as he tasted the old fear when he realised belatedly that she wasnt wearing a hard hat. He drove it down. This wasnt Merkazad. The ground was soft herenot fatally hard.

But still she should be wearing adequate protection. A surge of irritation prickled across Nadims skin. If she was at his stables right now shed be seriously reprimanded for not wearing appropriate head protection.

OSullivan said now, sotto voce , even though no one could overhear, Im sorry about what happenedwith your assistant. Iseults not happy about the saleof either our stud farm or Devils Kiss. He continued nervously, Shes very attached to her home and her The man blustered for a moment and corrected himself, That is, your horse.

Nadims blood started to boil ominously. This girl was the person whod practically set a dog on his assistant Adil? This was intolerable. Where Nadim came from daughters were dutiful. Independent, yes, but not openly wilful and opinionated. And they werent trainers who looked to be barely out of their teens. He thanked his lucky stars that hed come now. This girl, if left to her own devices, could have ruined all his chances for acquiring this property.