Sleeping with the Sheikh: The Sheikh's Bidding / Delaney's Desert Sheikh / Desert Warrior

Sleeping with the Sheikh: The Sheikh's Bidding / Delaney's Desert Sheikh / Desert Warrior
Brenda Jackson

KRISTI GOLD

Nalini Singh

The Sheikh’s Bidding by Kristi GoldSheikh Samir Yaman wanted Andrea Hamilton’s attention; he was her late brother’s best friend, her first lover and he’d just learned he was the father of her son! His royal duty had torn them apart. But now he swore to claim his family and hold them close forever.Delaney’s Desert Sheikh by Brenda Jackson When Delaney Westmoreland reluctantly agreed to share a secluded cabin with arrogant sheikh Jamal Ari Yassir who was bent on seduction, she found herself enrolled in a crash course in human sexuality. Unfortunately, commitment and love were the missing words in her darkly handsome mentor’s vocabulary. Desert Warrior by Nalini SinghThe fabled desert kingdom of Zulheina was Tariq’s birthright, and he was a man who held tightly to what belonged to him. And that meant he had to reclaim the woman who had captured his heart years before in New Zealand. And once he had lured her to this exotic land, he meant to keep his new bride here forever…

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MILLS & BOON SPOTLIGHT™

A chance to buy collections of bestselling novels by favourite authors every month—they’re back by popular demand!

November 2009

Determined to Protect, Forbidden to Love

Featuring

Ramirez’s Woman by Beverly Barton

Her Royal Bodyguard by Joyce Sullivan

Protecting the Princess by Carla Cassidy

Sleeping with the Sheikh

Featuring

The Sheikh’s Bidding by Kristi Gold

Delaney’s Desert Sheikh by Brenda Jackson

Desert Warrior by Nalini Singh

Bedded by a desert prince…

SLEEPING WITH

THE SHEIKH

Three smouldering heroes from three

sensual, intense writers

SLEEPING WITH THE SHEIKH

KRISTI GOLD

BRENDA JACKSON

NALINI SINGH

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/)

THE SHEIKH’S BIDDING

Kristi Gold has always believed that love has remarkable healing powers and greatly enjoys writing books featuring romance and commitment. As a bestselling author and Romance Writers of America RITA

Award finalist, she’s learned that although accolades are wonderful, the most cherished rewards come from the most unexpected places, namely from stories shared by readers. She welcomes all readers to contact her through her website at http://kristigold.com or by mail at PO Box 11292, Robinson, TX 76716, USA.

To Sandy R for her expertise and her heart of gold.

And to those who go beyond tolerance

and embrace acceptance, acknowledging

that true love knows no cultural boundaries.

Chapter One

“Now, who’s going to bid first on this fine little lady?”

Andrea Hamilton shifted nervously on the platform situated in the middle of Winwood Farm’s impressive arena, wearing the only dress she owned and a self-conscious smile. Resentful of being called “a fine little lady,” she reminded herself that the benefit auction was for a good cause, the reason why she had agreed to donate two months’ worth of horse-training services. In turn, she was throwing herself onto the block at the risk of being passed over for someone with more experience.

“Come on, ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer pleaded. “Give her a chance. She’s good.”

“At what?” a stumbling drunk in a disheveled tuxedo called from the corner.

Andi shot him a scathing look that he didn’t seem to heed, evident from his sickening leer. Now nearing the end of the event, the remaining patrons continued to mill around, paying little attention when the auctioneer called her name again. What if no one even bothered to offer the minimum?

“Five hundred dollars,” the drunk called out.

So much for that theory.

“Fifty thousand dollars.”

The murmuring crowd was suddenly silenced at the sound of the booming voice delivering the astronomical bid from the back of the arena. Andi froze with her mouth agape, unable to fathom who would make such an offer.

“Fifty-thousand. Going once, going twice! Sold to the gentleman near the door!”

Andi craned her neck to try to see the mystery bidder, but because of her small stature, she only caught a glimpse of the back of a man in traditional Arab dress leaving the building. Royalty, she assumed. Not at all uncommon in racing circles.

Perhaps he had more money than sense. Or it could be that he had questionable intentions. She certainly hoped he understood that he was buying only her training expertise. If he counted on another kind of assistance, he would be sorely disappointed. She had no intention of letting him near her, even if he’d offered fifty million dollars.

With a muttered thank-you directed at the auctioneer, Andi sprinted down the steps as fast as the silly high heels would let her, passed her drink off to a roving waiter and shoved her way through the crowd to the exit at the side of the building. She escaped into the warm Kentucky night, grateful to leave behind the well-heeled racing society, not to mention the drunk. Now she could be on her way home and worry about the phantom bidder tomorrow.

Once she made it to the walkway leading to the front parking lot, an imposing dark-skinned man wearing an equally dark suit blocked her path.