The Sheikh's Offer by Jessica Brooke, Ella Brooke Page A

European tuxedo. The stark black of the suit and the gleaming white of the shirt only served to emphasize the bronze of his skin and the dark luster of his hair. Unlike many of the men at the event, he was completely clean shaven, which gave him a roguish, boy-like look. His black eyes danced with merriment, and his smile was very white and very sharp.
    “If you came from America, you will not have many of these drinks available to you, I do not think. Perhaps you would care for some help?”
    The calm assurance compared with his muscular frame made her think of Khilafa, she realized. She wondered with a bit of panic whether she was talking with a Samaran noble.
    “I would like that a lot,” she said, wishing her voice wasn't so quiet. “I mean, I want to try something new, but I don't want to order something...completely inappropriate, I guess? I mean...”
    His soft laugh was utterly without sting or censure.
    “Of course. When I was at Oxford, I made an ass of myself because I didn't know how powerful scotch is. Let me help you.”
    Daisy thought that he would simply order for her, but instead he stepped close. The crowd at her back meant that she couldn't pull away. Now, she realized how truly large he was, how powerful his frame.
    He smells like mint and flowers, she thought hazily.
    “Now, that bottle contains raki. It's from Turkey originally, but Samara has made it its own. Licorice, strong, and a little coarse. Maybe not so suitable for a young lady?”
    Daisy bit her lip, but before she could say yes or no, he continued.
    “There is tej, which is made from honey. Sweet, lovely, and runs from light to heavy, but still very strong.”
    The tej was beautiful, with a soft golden color that immediately drew her eye. Before she could comment, the man went on.
    “And, there at the end is something that might suit you. It's not so popular in Samara, but it is a traditional drink in Marat. Lemon juice, orange juice, rosewater, honey syrup – I think you would enjoy it...”
    Daisy stared up at him with dismay.
    “Are you saying that I should be drinking lemonade?”
    His grin was white and sharp.
    “Well, you looked a little intimidated by the alcohol...”
    “I'm not a child!”
    Before he could make a response, a charmingly dressed little girl in a pink Samaran gown walked up to the table, and as Daisy watched with irritation, she asked for the lemonade. She turned a glare on the man standing next to her. He only looked amused, which made her even more irritable.
    “Thank you for the advice,” she said, doing her best imitation of Lia when Lia was irritated. “I think I've got it from here.”
    The worst part was that the rosewater lemonade did sound good. She loved floral flavors, and she had always had a love of overly sweet drinks. Still, there was a point to be made.
    “May I have some of the raki, please?”
    Daisy was a little dismayed when the smiling server poured her what looked like an enormous glass of the milky liquid. She took it, feeling less certain by the moment. When she saw the man smiling at her out of the corner of her eye, however, she felt even more determined.
    Bracing herself, she took a careful sip. She just barely managed to keep herself from coughing at the rough burn. The licorice flavor was unmistakable, and it scourged her throat.
    “How is it?” asked her companion with interest.
    “Fine, it's good,” she said. She was proud that she managed to keep her voice relatively level.
    “Good. Perhaps when your sister is helping you with your clothes tonight, you will remember to put in a good word for me.”
    Daisy frowned. For a moment, she had no idea what he was talking about, but then she flushed.
    “You were standing behind Khilafa earlier,” she sputtered. “You saw...”
    “Less than I would like,” he told her with a sly note to his voice.
    If Daisy hadn't been convinced that the alcohol being served was of the best quality, she would have liked to dash it in his