Sheikh's Desert Desire. Lynn Raye Harris

you couldn’t wait to get away.”

      He put his forehead in one palm for a moment, his fingers spanning his temples. And then he was looking at her again.

      “It’s not you.”

      There was a pinch in her chest. “That’s a cliché, Rashid. It’s not you, it’s me. It’s also what people usually say right before they say something awful, like ‘I think we need to take a break’ or ‘I just can’t love you the way you deserve.’”

      As soon as she said the word love she wished she could call it back. It had no place here, and judging by the way he was looking at her now, it never would.

      “We are clearly not taking a break. We’ve only just started. And as for love...” His expression grew stony. “I’m not capable of it, Sheridan.”

      Sheridan swallowed hard. Why did it hurt to hear him say it? Did she really expect love to enter the equation?

      Yes. Yes, she did. Maybe not now, but someday. How could you live with someone, have such undeniable sexual chemistry with them, and not fall in love at some point? It didn’t seem possible. There was more heat between her and Rashid than there’d ever been in both of her other relationships combined.

      But maybe that was just her. Maybe Rashid took that kind of response for granted.

      Sheridan turned toward the door. “I think I should go now. You clearly have work to do.”

      “I’m not trying to hurt you, habibti.” She thought of the way Kadir had said that word to his wife and tears welled behind her eyes.

      “Why would I be hurt?” She lifted her chin. “We are nothing to each other, Rashid. Apparently, we’re going to remain that way.”