Sheikh's Possession Read Online Free Page B

garb, with a long black tunic of shiny black silk and a pair of narrow trousers made of the same fabric. The rather austere attire only made him look taller and more handsome, and Berry allowed herself a moment to feel slightly wistful before getting down to business.
    "Sheikh Rasul …"
    He frowned at her with mock severity. "I thought we were beyond that. Do I have to order you to call me by my given name without the title?"
    She blushed. Usually she was so competent and quick witted when she was working with customers or vendors. What had happened to that?
    "Now may I hear you say my name?" he said softly, and she took a deep breath.
    "Rasul," she said, and it came out softer and breathier than she had intended. For a moment they were both still. She wondered if the same shiver that went through her had gone through him. This might prove to be very, very bad for her objectivity after all.
    "Good," he said softly. "That is a fine start."
    Before she could ask him what he meant, he led her into the glass elevator and punched the button for the penthouse. When she entered his home, Berry was impressed by the quiet opulence and elegance of the place. She had had plenty of rich clients and buyers before, but so few of them really knew how to make things look good. His home was austere, perhaps even a little sparse. The textures in the rugs, the furniture, and the wall hangings were very rich, however, and everywhere she looked, she wanted to touch.
    "The item that I want you to appraise is on the table," he said. "I'll order us some food while you take a look at it."
    She walked into the open dining room, not expecting anything untoward, but then when she saw what was in front of her, she froze.
    Occupying pride of place at the center of the table was the brass camel statue that they had fought over at the souk, and Berry was suddenly beset with a whirlwind of feelings.
    Finally, however, hilarity won out. She slouched into one of the tall chairs, covering her face with her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks. There was something startlingly refreshing and cleansing about her laugh, and when she looked up, Rasul stood with one shoulder hitched up on the doorway, an amused expression on his face.
    "I was wondering how you were going to react to that," he admitted, and she shot him wry look.
    "You know, the other reaction that I was considering was all about rage and pitching a fit. That was an impressive risk to take, I think."
    He grinned, coming into the room with her. "I've already tasted your ire," he said with chuckle. "I was well braced and prepared for it."
    Berry shook her head. "All right. It's probably time for me to start earning my keep, so let's talk camel. I didn't get much more than a cursory glance at the piece before, so I'll get a better one now."
    She pulled the camel towards her, trying to be as businesslike as she could. There was something just a little unnerving about the way he was standing behind her, watching her every move as raptly as a hawk. Berry supposed that she could have been flattered, but the word that came to her mind was a little stronger. Somehow, she felt as if she were being seduced, something that surely could not have been happening simply because he was watching her as she examined a brass statue.
    "It's about what I thought it was," Berry said, resolutely keeping her eyes on the statue. "It's a great example of Alamun brass work from some three hundred years ago, maybe more, but the way the brass is scored and refined suggests that that's about the right vicinity. Alamun's art has always been wonderfully realistic and very detailed, but this piece is exceptionally good for its age. You can see where the sculptor really knew camels, knew their habits, and their attitudes. See how the head is slightly tilted and the legs are folded just so? That's the mark of a man or woman who knew what they were doing."
    "Woman? There were women brass workers back then?" he asked curiously, and Berry