ChapterEight

ChapterNine

Sheikh’sMarriageofConvenience

ByEllaBrooke&JessicaBrooke

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ChapterOne

OliviaJoinerhissedastheneedlepiercedherfinger.Reddropswelleduponherforefinger,and

sheclosedhereyesandtriedtofocusherattention.Hoppingup,sheleftthemodelbackattheseamstress

standandsearchedherdeskforabandage.She’dbeenhittingherfingermoreandmoreastheweekin

NewYorkhadwornon.MonsieurLabellewasahardtaskmaster,andhisshowforthecatwalksduring

FashionWeekwasinlessthantwelvehours.Ashischiefassistantandbodyservant,shehadn’tsleptin

whatfeltlikeweeks.Itwasbeginningtogettoher.Thiswasthefourthtimeshe’daccidentallystuck

herselfwhiletakinguphemsinthelastweek.Butshehadtogetherselftogether.Itdidn’tmatterhowtired

shewas;thiswasherdreamjob.

Okay,soitwasn’therdreamjob,butMonsieurLabellewasoneofthehottestdesignersinfashion

today.Evenifshewastheonewhogothimlattesanddidalterationspastfoura.m.,eventuallyhe’dhave

togiveherashottoaddherdesignstosomeofhislessershows.Thelasttwoassistantshe’dhad

eventuallyspunoffsuccessfulfashionlinesoftheirown.Allshehadtodowaslivethroughtheabuseand

makeitouttheotherside.Ofcourse,afteralmosttwoyearsandwithperennialblackcirclesunderher

eyes,Oliviawasn’tsureshecouldkeepthegigup.Nomatterhowhardshetried,exhaustionwas

threateningtooverwhelmher,andMonsieurLabellewasonlyintensifyinghisdemands.Shewasdownto

maybethreehoursanightofsleep,anditwasplayingwithhermind.

Shewasdabbingherfingercleanwiththebandagewhenafamiliar---andgrating---voicesound

behindher.

“Olivia,whyaren’tyoudonewiththefitting?Margueritehastobeontherunwaypracticing,and

youknowthat.”MonsieurLabelle’svoicealwayshadahintofawhinetoit,andsheforcedasmileon

herfaceevenashernervestensedup.“Seriously,onlyhalfthehemisdone.”

Oliviablushedanddouble-checkedherfinger.Thebandagewaskeepinganymoredripsfrom

comingout;itwouldbesafetotouchthedelicate,seafoamgreensilk.“Ihadanaccidentwiththeneedle.

Ididn’tmeanto.”

“Sometimes,Ithinkyourownincompetenceisalwaysburstingforth.”Heshookhisheadand

grabbedhisownsuppliesandkneltatMarguerite’sfeet.“Letmefinishthework,justhandmethingsand

don’tmessup.We’rebehindschedule.”

Ifyouhiredmorepeoplebesidesmeandacoupleothers,thenmaybewewouldn’tbeoverworked

likesweatshopgirls.

Oliviadidn’tvoiceherthoughtsandbithertongue.Shejusthadtomakeitthroughworkingfor

MonsieurLabelle,hadtokeepmakinghimhappy.She’dalreadyrackeduptwoyearswithhim.She

couldn’taffordtowastethatkindofinvestmentofherlifewithadumbcracknow.Evenifitwouldfeel

goodandevenifhewasacheapskatewhoneededfarmorehelpthanhedeignedtohire.

Sighing,shehandedhimscissors.“IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpwith,Monsieur?”

“Trynottosuffocatemewithyourincompetence,Olivia.Idon’tknowwhyIhiredyou.”

BecauseIwastopofmyclassatTheFashionInstitute,andsometimesyourdesignslookabit

liketheportfoliosamplesIhadtogivetoyou.

“Iknow,andI’msosorry.”

“Don’tbesorry,justbehelpful.”Hesetafewpinsinhismouthandconcentratedonhemmingthe

dressfurther.

Shelookedatthefloorandtriedtoignoretheheatflaringthroughhercheeks.MonsieurLabelle

wasonlyagooddesigner.Hisrealvirtuosotalentwasinhumiliatingothers.Sheshouldknow.Herhigh

schoolreunionwascomingup,andhereshewas,thebuttmonkeyofaworld-famousdesignerbutno

closertoherownrunwaydebutthanshewaswhenshesetouttoParissixyearsago.

HowdidIgethere?

Swayingonherfeet,sheblinkedandtriedtochasethebone-numbingexhaustionaway.Shehadn’t

sleptinalmosttwodays,andeventhecoffeeandRedBullshe’dbeendowninghadstartedtowearoff.

Hereyelidsfeltasheavyasstones,andsheshutthemforjustamoment.Thatwasall.Thensheswayed

toofarforwardandcrashedrightintoMarguerite.Themodelfellfromherperchontheseamstressstand

andaloudtearrungoutthroughtheroom.

AsOliviastumbledtoherfeet,herheartfroze.Thescenebeforeherwasamess:Margueritewas

tangledintheflowingfabricofherdress,thepinsinMonsieurLabelle’smouthwerespreadalloverthe

floor,and,worstofall,therewasatatteredstripofseafoamgreenfabricinhishandasthedesigner

turnedanunflatteringshadeofeggplant.

Sherushedforward,hopingtherewasawayshecouldfixthesituation.Ithadonlybeenafew

seconds,andshe’donlywantedabitofrest.Therewasnowayshecouldhavecausedsuchadisaster.

Yetshehad,andherstomachchurnedfromtheforceofthewreckageshe’dmade.

“MonsieurLabelle---”

“Getout!”

“I…letmehelp.”

Hesurgedtohisfeetandpointedatthestill-strugglingMarguerite.“You’vehelpedquiteenough.

Nowgetout,Olivia.You’refired.”

***

Theknockonherdoorwascrispandefficient,andOliviaknewwhoitwouldbeevenbeforeshe

ambledtothedoor.

“Goaway.”

“Olivia,honey,youneedtohaveagoodshouldertocryon.”Throughthewood,Celeste’svoice

wasclearandstrong.Thatdefinedthemodelcompletely.Shewasoneoftherarecatwalkgirlswhowas

actuallynice,andthey’dbondedoverayearagoatanexceedinglydullVersaceshow.“Please.Youknow

I’mnotgoinganywhere,andIbroughtchocolate.”

Oliviaeyedherkitchencounter.Thereweretwoemptyboxesthathadoncebeenfilledwithdouble

stuffedOreos,crumbseverywhere,andanemptybottleofwhitewine.Inthelastsixhours,she’dalready

dugdeepintoherpityparty,butshewasoutofsuppliessomaybeshecouldatleastinviteCelestein.

Oliviahadn’twantedanyone,evenherbestfriend,toseeherthiswrecked,buttheotherwomanwas

cheatingbypromisingherdelicioustreats.Reluctantly,Olivialetoutasmallgroanandpulledopenthe

door.

Celestestoodthere,lookingliketheGreekgoddessshepracticallywaswithherlong,wavydark

hairandstatuesquefigure.ItseemedsofunnytoOliviathatoneofthemostin-demandmodelsonEarth

wouldhaveanythingtodowithher.ShewasasshortasCelestewastall,andwhileshedidworkoutand

watchedherfigure,Oliviawasstillabitcurvierthanshe’dlike.Hermotherusedtosaythatitwasjust

being“festivelyplump,”butOliviawasalwaystryingtoworkherselfdownfromafourteen.Itwasthe

windmillshealwaystiltedat.

Sympatheticblueeyeswinkedbackather.“Sweetie,Ilied.”

“Huh?”

“Ibroughtchampagneandsomechocolatecheesecake.Frankly,weneedtocelebrate.”Shesurged

intothekitchenwithallthegravitasshe’dwieldonacatwalk.“Ithinkweneedtocelebrateyour

independenceday.”

Olivialaughed,ashort,bitternoise,andthensidleduptothestoolathercounter.“Chocolate

cheesecake,stat.Ineedallthecocoa-inspiredgoodnessthatIcanget!”

Celestepulledthesimplewhitebox,tiedwithwhitestring,fromherbag.Olivialickedherlips.

ThatwasprobablysomethingCelestehadpickedupatoneofthelocaldelisandwashandmadewith

love.Andsugar.Thatwouldsaveherday.Inafewminutes,therewasasliceofcakeandafluteofDom

laidoutbeforeher.

“Youreallydeservethefulltreatment.”Celestesaid,lookingforlornlyatthefoodOliviawasabout

todigintoasshepouredherselfaglassofwater.“JacquesLabelleisahackandaslavedriver,and

you’vealwaysbeenbetterthanhim.”HerBritishaccentbecamemorepronouncedthemoreshetookjoy

atcursingthedesigner’sname.“Hewasluckytohaveyoutopoachfromallthistime,andhe’lleventually

flopwhenhecan’tfindmoreassistantstotakeadvantageof.”

Oliviasighedanddownedthefullfluteofchampagne.Itburneddownherthroatandthebubbles

tickledhernose.Already,aheadyfeelingwasspreadingthroughherskull,andwarmthspreadthroughher

belly.MaybeCelestewasn’twrongaboutthechampagne.Shewasfeelinglessdepressedalready,evenif

she’dbenursingamassivehangovertomorrow.

“Hewasn’ttakingadvantageofmethatmuch.”

“Please,hislittleblackdressfor2015wasclearlyinspiredbyyoursketches.He’sbeentaking

advantageofyoufartoolong.I’llstartmakingcallsafterFashionWeekandmytriptoEurope.I’llfind

youasmallerhousetostartbackupwith.Everyonewho’sanyoneinthisbusinessknowsthatLabelleis

anass.Thefactthatyoumanagedtoworkforhimfortwoyearssaysalotaboutyouhavingthepatience

ofJob.”

“ButIwassoclosetogettingarealleaddesignjob,Icanfeelit.NowI’llbethegirlwhotoreone

ofhisbigdressesbeforeNewYorkFashionWeek.”Shehadaforkfulofchocolateblissandgrinned.“At

leastthisismakingmefeelbetter.Ijust…I’mtwenty-eightyearsold,andallIhavetoshowforitisa

crampedloftandsleepdeprivation.Now,Icanaddunemploymentandnoapartmenttothatlist!”

Celesteshookherhead.“Youcancometomyflat.”

Olivia’seyeswentwide.Asoneofthemostsuccessfulmodelsworkingtoday,herManhattan

residencewasroughlythesizeoffourapartmentsputtogether.NotthatCelestelordedhermoneyover

others,shewasjustverygenerousbynature.

“Idon’twanttoimpose.”

“Iinsist,andwe’llgetyououtthereonthejobhuntsoon.I’mserious,youjustspenttwoyearsina

virtualemploymentdungeon.Youdeservetimetorest,enjoyyourself,andsleep.”Sheclappedherhands

together.“Ooh,Ihavethemostdeliciousidea.YoushouldcometoEuropewithme.I’vebeenwantingto

stopoff,makeasidetriptoYomarani.”

“Where?”

“It’snearTurkey.”

“Huh!Youcan’tjustjetsettotheMiddleEastasanadd-ontrip.”

“It’snotthatmuchmoreonmycard,mydear.”

Oliviablinked.Addingthousandsofdollarsinlast-minuteflightticketswasunfathomabletoher,

especiallynow,butitwasstillsweetofCelestetooffer.

“Ican’timposelikethat,Celeste.”

“Iinsist.Besides,IhadtoyedwithgoingtotheopeningofthenewZamanEnterprisesCasinoand

Resort,butnowI’msold.You,mydear,areabouttohavethetimeofyourlife.”

ChapterTwo

Thegranitefeltcoolagainsthisskin.Thatshouldn’tbe.Itwasoveronehundredandfifteen

degreesFahrenheitinYomarani,andeventhefamilycryptfortheZamandynastyshouldhavebeenwarm.

However,nomatterhowmanytimesSheikhRamiZamancametovisithislostwifeandchild,he

perceivedachillintheairandacoldnessthatseepedintotheverystonesbeforehim.

Bowinghisheadlow,heranhisfingersovertheraisedtextofEtana’sname.

“Hello,mydear.I’vecometobringmygreeting.Ihaveanothercasinoopeningtonight.Sometimes

Idon’tknowifchangingthecourseofthefamilycompany’sfortunesawayfromoilandintotourismwas

wise.Idon’tknowifI’mdoingmyfatherjusticeasIspendmostofmytimeworkingagainsttherebelsin

thenorth.Idon’tknowanythingthesedays.”Hetookadeep,shudderingbreath.“Idon’tknowifI’ve

knownanytruthorpeacesinceIlostyou.”

Standing,heeasedovertoanevensmallerstone,theshockofitschillasbitingastheArcticair.

Thatgranitemarkedwherehischildlay,thedaughterwhohaddiedalongwithEtanaandbeforeshe’dhad

aname.

Hisfamily.

Heachedforthem.Ithadbeenhardenoughwhenhisfatherhadbeenmurderedbyrebelsalmosta

decadeago,buthe’dstillhadhismosttrustedadvisorsandhisloving,dutifulEtanabyhisside.Thenthe

childbirththateventhebestdoctorsinYomaranihadn’tbeenabletohelphadhappened,andhislifehad

beenasheseversince.Somedays,ithurttoomuchtobreathe.Yethecarriedonbecauseheknewitwas

whatEtanawouldhavewantedandthebestwaytohonorhisfather.TheelderSheikhZamanhadbeen

oneofthebestleadersinYomaranihistoryandbroughtthemintoanewageofpeacewiththeWest.He

hadnoideahowtomatchhisfather’slegacy.

Hehadnoideahowtodoanything,andyethissubjectslookedtohimforwisdomandguidance,as

ifheunderstoodeverything.Ramifearedlettinghisowninsecuritiesout.Todaywasalwaysthehardest

dayoftheyear,theonewherethoseoldwoundswererippedopen,rawandbleedingonceagain.Butit

wasalsothedaytheleasingcompanywantedtohavethecasinoannounceitsopeningwithitspremiere

party.Somehow,he’dhavetoslaponahappyfaceandplaytheperfecthosttokeephiscompanythriving.

Perhapsaspotofliquidcouragewouldhelpwiththataswell.

Sighing,hestoodagainandnoddedtowardEtana.“Iloveyou,andImissbothofyou.IjustwishI

could…Iknowyoudon’twantmetobealonefortherestofmylife,butIcan’timagineanywomanwho

couldcomparetoyou.Nooneelseeverkeptmeashonest.”

Therewasapolitecoughbehindhimandheturned.BeforehimstoodWaheed,hismosttrusted

assistant.Hislong,traditionalrobesfloweddowntohissandaledfeetandhiswhitebeardwasneatly

trimmed.

“Thepartyisstartingsoon.Weneedtogetdowntowninordertohaveyoucheckintothe

penthouse.”

“AmIstayingthenight?”

“Itwilllookbetterforbusiness,mysheikh,ifyoustaylatetowelcomeyourguests.The

presidentialsuitehasbeensweptbythesecurityteam.Weshouldkeeptotheitinerary.”

Heofferedhismosttrustedadvisorasmall,tightsmile.“Iwishtherewasanyotherdaybuttoday

wecouldhaveopened.”

“TheAmericanhalfoftheinvestmentteamwereinsistentontheirtimeframes.Perhapsifyou’d

explainedaboutEtana…”

Hegrippedthegraniteofherheadstoneasifitwereasteadyingcane.“She’sprivate,andIdon’t

needforanyonetoknowmoreaboutthepainsofmyheart.”HestoodstraighterandnoddedtoWaheed.

“Letusgetonwithit.Thesoonerthisnightisover,thebetter.”

“Surely,mysheikh.That’sthespirit,”hesaiddryly.

***

ThethrobbingbassofthemusicatAladdin’sDen,thenightclubwithinhiscasino,feltlikeametal

spikebeingdrivenintothebaseofhisskull.SittingintheVIPsection,heplasteredafalsesmileonhis

face.Thetrainofbusinessassociatestrailedinandoutofthecurtained-offarea,andhe’dpaid

appropriatelipservicetotheco-investors.Currently,afewbeautifulwomenwerehoveringbytheedge

ofthevelvetropesandpreeningtheirhair.Onewomanwithflowingblondeextensionstriedtocatchhis

eye.Henoddedtowardherpolitelybutofferednothingelse.TherewasnothingRamihadlessinterestin

thanawoman,atleastnottheusualdilettanteormodelwannabewhofilteredthroughclubslikehis.He

hadoneinMonacoandoneinNewYorkalready,andthewomenwhostalkedhimtherewerealways

lookingforthetitleandwealth.Tryingtolandasheikhasifhewerenomorethanabigmouthbassor

wildgame.

Thelastthingheneededwasagolddiggerinhislife.

WaheedbreezedpastthewomenandsatinachairfacingRami.“Youhavequitethebusycorner

hereforyourself.”Waheedsippedhisbottledwaterslowly.UnlikeRami,theothermanwastightly

observantandhadn’thadsomuchasacoffeeinhisentirelife.“Mysheikh,haveyoueverheardthat

charmingAmericanexpression‘fakeituntilyoumakeit?’”

“Idon’tneedadvice,Waheed.”

Theothermanchuckledandstrokedhisbeard.“Ibelievethatisthesumtotalofmyjobdescription.

Ithinkyouneedmoreadvicethanyouthink,andbeingyourfather’sadvisorbeforeyouwereelevated

meansmorethanbeingchargedwithknowledgeonpoliticalstrategy.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Heshookhisheadanddrainedatumblerofscotch.“Idon’tneedalove

connection.Thisisabusinessarrangement,andI’vekepttheinvestorshappy.I’mshowingtheflagfor

ZamanEnterprises.ThelastthingIneedistoentertainoneofthoseJezebeltypes.Ihavenointerestina

fling.”

“Maybeyoujustneedtohavefunonceinawhile.Youdon’talwayshavetosticktomerelyduty,

Rami.”

HefrownedbackatWaheed.Hisloyaladvisorwascourteoustoafaultandrarelyaddressedhim

informally.SinceWaheedwasdoingitnow,Ramiknewhewasbeingserious.“Ihaverebelstoaddress,

threatsthathavebeenmadeonmylifemorethanonceinthelastmonth,andabrandnewcasinothat

hopefullywillbecomeasreveredandasprofitableastheonesinDubai.Besides,youknowwhatdayit

is.Idon’tfeellike‘fun.’”

“Butyouneedsomethingtokeepyourlifefrombeingworkandonlyworkallthetime.Iworry

aboutyou.Ifeltafterthefirstfewyearsyoucouldgrowpastallofthis---”

“PastEtana?Shewastheone,andIlosther.IdowhatIhavedobecauseIloveYomaraniasdearly

asIlovedmyfamily.IfkeepingtheZamanEnterprisesbottomlinehighcanhelp,thenthat’sgreat.But

party’s…”

Hetrailedoffthen,bemusedbythesightbeforehim.Awomanhadjustsatdownatthebar.Oneof

thethingsthatstruckhimwasherlongauburnhairthatfellinwavesabouthershoulders,butthethingthat

stuckoutaboutthemysterywomanacrosstheclubwasthesweatersheworeoverhershoulders.In

Yomarani.InSeptember.

WhatonEarth?

Shewasmakingsmalltalkwiththebartenderandnursingabeer,atleastsomethingimported,but

still,shewasthemostcasualpersonthere.Yet,whenshecranedhernecktolookaroundatthepeople

beforethem,heremeraldgreeneyesseemedtomissnothing.Theywereaspiercingasanyhe’dever

seen.

Rami’sbreathcaughtinhisthroat.

Despitehisdourmoodandthehasslesofthenight,hehadtomeether,ifonlytounderstandthe

mysteryofhersartorialchoices.Standing,hegaveWaheedhisfirstgenuinesmileofthenight.“Excuse

me,myfriend.IthinkIhavesomeadvicetotake.”

ChapterThree

“Ican’tbelieveyouworethat.”Celesteeyedher,oneeyebrowarcheduptoherhairline.“Itmust

beclosetofortydegreesout.”

Olivianarrowedhereyesatherfriendassherubbedthebeadsofsweatoffherbrow.Thedress

thatCelestehadsurprisedherwithwasgorgeous,somethingthatshe’dneverbeabletoaffordonher

own,andthedeep,verdanthueofthedresscomplementedherredhair.However,ithadaplunging

necklinethatshowedoffherbreastsandnosleeves,whichleftherfeelinglikeshewasexposedforallto

see.Inthelastfewweekssinceshe’dbeenfiredbyMonsieurLabelle,she’dmaybeindulgedabittoo

muchincheesecakeandchocolatetreatsthatCelestebroughtbacktothe“flat”tomakeherfeelbetter.She

wasjustfeelingtooself-consciousaboutherarmstotakethisdaringamove.Soevenifthesweatershe’d

scroungedupfromtheirearliertimeinPraguelookedridiculousandlefthersweltering,itwastheonly

choiceshehadnottofeeltooexposedattheopeningofAladdin’sDen.

“Firstofall,thatCelsiusthingissoconfusing.”Shewipedatherbrowagain.“Second,Ijustcan’t

bedaring.”

HerfriendshookherheadandtwirledbeforeOliviainhershort,royalbluenumber.“Honey,you

haveawholenewleaseinlife.Youneedtoembraceallthefun,flirtythingsnowthatyoucanactuallyget

sleep.You’readorableandyoucanleaveeverymaninthisclubdrooling.”

Shepulledhersweatermoretightlyaroundhershoulders,notcaringhowtheheatwasalready

makingherswoon.“Icanscarethemawaywithmyarms,likebatwings.”

CelesterolledhereyesandsqueezedOlivia’sshoulders.“Youdonothavethat,andyouknowit.”

ShelinkedarmswithOliviaastheywereallowedtomovetothefrontofthelineandthenintothe

club.Themotifoftheclubwassleek---allpolishedchromewithlaserlightsandthehintoffogreleased

periodicallyfromtheceiling.Frankly,partofherwasdisappointed.Withanamelikethat,Oliviahad

expectedaluxuriouscollectionofbrightlycoloredsilk,likesomethingfromTheFortyThievesor1,001

ArabianNights.Instead,itwasashightechandsleekasanythinginNewYork.ThebeatofEDMrangout

throughtheclub,andshetrailedabitbehindCelesteastheymadetheirwayaroundthethrongofbodies

onthedancefloor.TheywerenearingthebarwhenatallguywithstrikingblondhaircameuptoCeleste

andhuggedher.

“Darling.”Hisaccentwasthick,asifhewereacommandantintheGermanarmy.“Howareyou?”

CelesteshotOliviaaglancethatalreadyseemedtobebeggingforhelp.“OhKlaus,howareyou?”

ShedroppedherarmfromOlivia’sandgesturedtoher.“Klaus,Olivia.Olivia,Klaus.He’sanoldfriend

frommydaysinVienna.”

“Morethanthat,mydarling.”Hekissedhercheeks.“Iwanttotalktoyousodesperately.”

Althoughwithhowcloselyhewasleaningin,thewayhewasalreadyplayingwiththelongstrands

ofherhair,itseemedthatKlausmightbehopingformore.Oliviadidn’tmind.Celestehadtoschmooze

everywheretheywentwithhercontacts,andshe’dbeenthethirdwheelsincethey’dleftNewYork.

Besides,allshewantedwastorelaxbyherself.GoingoutwasCeleste’sforte.BackbeforeMonsieur

Labelle,whenshe’dstillhadfreetime,OlivialikedquietnightsathomewithagoodChardonnayanda

book.She’dneverbeenthejetsettingtype,sonightuponnightofbeingatthehottestclubswasanice

gesturefromCeleste,butOliviawasreeling.

Stridinguptothebar,sheeasedherselfontothestoolandorderedanimportedbeer.She’dhadtoo

manywinespritzerslatelyandwithasexposedandoffkilterasshefeltinherdress,Olivianeededextra

helptorelax.Shesatthereforafewminutes,nursingherfirstbeerandmovingontoasecondbefore

hazardingaglanceatCeleste.ShewasdancingcloselywithKlaus,andthegrinarchingacrossherlips

wasajoyfulone.PerhapsitwasagoodthingthatsheandKlauswererekindlingwhateverthey’dhad

beforeinVienna.

Shakingherhead,Oliviadrainedhersecondbeerandorderedathird.Itwasn’tlikeher,butshe

wasaroilingmixofanxietyandregret.Shewasn’tconfidentenoughtoflirtwiththemenonthefloor---or

probablyprettyenough---butshewishedshecouldbelikeCelesteandmakeaconnection.Hell,she

wishedthatshe’dbeendatinganyguylately.Shehonestlycouldn’trememberherlastdate,andshe’d

franklybeenrunsoraggedbyMonsieurLabellethatevenherbattery-operatedboyfriendandshehad

spentsomuchtimeapart.Inshort,shewaslonelyandpentupandwishingforsomuch,especiallyasthe

thirdbeerinanhourcoursedthroughherbloodstream.

“Youmightwanttopaceyourself.”

Sheturnedandtriednottogulp.Oneofthemostgorgeousmenshehadeverseeninherlifehadjust

cometostandnexttoheratthebar.Hewastall,closetosixandahalffeet,andwouldhavemadethe

alreadyimposingKlausseemlikeashrimp.Hishairwasblackasmidnightandseemedtotakeonevery

hueofthestrobelightsoverhead.Hisolive-coloredskinwascoveredbyatrimgoateethatsomehow

seemedtohighlightandnotdetractfromthesharplineofhisjawandhischeekbones.Finally,eyesthe

colorofliquidhoneyboreintoherown.Sheshiveredandtookinadeepbreath,relishingthesaltyaroma

ofsaffronthatseemedtohangintheairaroundhim.

God,you’reamazing.

“Whatwasthat?”

Hechuckledandgesturedtothebartender.HeslippedintoArabicandorderedsomethingfor

himself,orsosheassumed.Atleastwhateverhesaidmadethewaiterhoptoinawayherrequests

hadn’t.Theclubwascrammedfullonopeningnight,andithadtakenheralmosttenminuteseachtimeto

getarefill.

“I…what?Ididn’tsayanything.”Shedrummedherfingersonthebarandtriedtobreezepasther

slip.

“Musthavebeenmymistakethen.”HisvoicewasaccentedjustabitlikeCeleste’s,andthat

confusedher.HeclearlywasMiddleEastern,maybeevennativeYomarani,buthehadthetiniesthintof

educatedBritliltinginhisvoice.Intriguing.“However,youseemalonehere,Miss?”

Oliviaworriedherlowerlip.IfCelestewereherandnotoutdancingthenightawaywithKlaus,

thenherfriendwouldbetheproverbialdevilonhershouldertellinghertotakeachance.Inthreeweeks

andacrossalmostadozencountriesonherso-calledfreedomtour,Oliviahadn’tworkedupthecourage

togiveaguyhernamewhenasked,butthemanbeforeherwasdifferent,likeadamnMichelangelo

sculpturecometolife.Yet,itwasn’ttheoverallhotnessfactorofhimthatmadeherwanttoopenup.No.

Itwasthehauntingeyesregardingher,solikespungoldandhoney,onesthatseemedrimmedwitha

deepertruthandsadness.

Theywerewhattoldherhewasn’ttheaverage----iftherewassuchathinginthisplaygroundofthe

rich---clubkingoutontheprowl.

“I’mOlivia.OliviaJoiner.”Shereachedoutandshookhisprofferedhand.“Andyouare?”

“Rami.”

“LikeCher?”sheasked,archinganeyebrowplayfullybackathim.“Nolastname.”

“Iliketoremaininformalsometimes.”Hesmiled,anditwasamegawattgrinthatlituptheroom.

Beforehecouldsayanythingfurther,thebartendersettwobrightlycoloreddrinksbeforehim;they

seemedtobealmostaneonblue.“Wouldyouliketotryit?”

“Mygosh.What’sinit?Itlookslikepoolwater.”

“It’snot.”

“Thenmaybeit’saspecialpoison.”Shewinkedathim,feelingtheplayfulspiritofthethreebeers

workingtheirwaythroughher.

“Actually,it’saYomaraniSummer’sDay,heavyonthevodkaandtriplesecandafewtypical

spicesforanextrabite.It’sthesignaturedrinkhere.”

“It’sonlybeenopenthreehours.Howcouldithaveasignaturedrink?”

“Ithasonethatalltheemployeeshavebeenbuzzingabout.”Hecontinuedholdinguphisforatoast.

“Ihappentohaveafewassociateswhoworkhere.”

Shetookinthecrispthree-piecesuitheworeevenintheclubandquirkedherheadathim.Maybe

he’dcometogetabusinessdealsignedordecidedtocelebrateanewmergeratthehottesteventinthe

capitalcity.Except,asshecranedherneck,Oliviadidn’tseeanyoneelsenearby.

“Areyoutryingtospyonme?”

“No,butIwasn’tsurewhyyouwerealone.Doesthatsoundodd?”Heshookhisheadandmoved

hishand,motioningforatoastyetagain.“IthinkI’mwithexactlythepersonI’dliketobewith,Red.”

“Myname’sOlivia.”

“It’sRedfortonight.”Hepracticallypurredthenicknameandsheshuddered,feelingwarmthflare

throughherbellyinawaythathadnothingtodowithherskyrocketingtemperatureinherstupidsweater.

“Now,mydear,areyougoingtotoastwithmeorshallIbeforcedtotakethefirstsipalone?”

“Andyou’resureaYomaraniSunrisewon’tkillme?”

“It’scalledaSummer’sDay,andIhappentoknowthemasterbartenderherepersonally.It’s

excellent.”

Sheconsideredthatasshematchedhisgesture,clinkingtheirglassestogetherbeforeshetooka

deepswigofthedrink.Itwasapleasantsurprisetofindthatitfeltsmoothgoingdown,thatthevodka

musthavebeentopshelfinorderforittobesodryandpleasant.Ramiwasn’tkiddingaboutthe

additionalspicesaswellasthetartnessofthefruityjuice.Basedonthecolorofthedrink,sheassumedit

hadtobepomegranateorblueberrybased.Ontopofallofitwasjustahintofcloves,somethingthatbit

athertonguebutinthemostenticingway.

Oliviaclosedhereyesandmoanedabitastheliquidseemedtosetheronfire.Whensheopened

hereyes,shefoundRamistaringbackatherwithfixedinterest,adevilishsmirkonhisface.

“What?”sheasked.

“IfeelasifI’vespiedsomethingcompletelyinappropriate.Ihadnoideayouweresoinvestedin

thetasteofcertainliquids.”

“Isthatadoubleentendre?”shegrowledbackathim.

Hesmirkedandsippedhisdrinkbesideher.Oliviahadtoadmirethewayhiswell-shapedAdam’s

applebobbedwiththemotion.Wastherenothingaboutthismanthatdidn’tscreamattractive?Whenhe

stopped,theglasswashalfempty.Heeyedheragain,thatgazesolikehoneythatitseemedtostaredown

intohersoul.“No,I’dneverdothattoyou,butyoudidmoanquiteloudlywhenyoudranktheYomarani

Summer’sDay.Ithinkyoulikeit,whetheritlookslikepoolwaterornot.Also,isn’tpartoftheallureof

thedrinkthefactthatit’savibrantcolor?”

Heseemedtosniffoutthatlastbit,asifhewerepersonallyoffendedshewasunsureaboutpool

water-coloredrefreshments.

“Maybethecolor’snotsobad.”Shetookanothersipandworkedhardtokeepherselffrom

moaningherpleasure.Itwasthosedamncloves;theywereasaddictiveasapurepipelineofsugarfroma

PixieStick.However,shewouldn’tgiveRamithepleasureofhearingherembarrassherselfallover

again.

“Oh,soyouarekeepingquietnow?”Hepoutedhislipsather.

“Ican’tseemtopleaseyou:eitherI’mtooquietorI’mtoonoisy.”

“You’realittleofboth,Red.”

Shecrinkledhernosebackathim.“Youareallaboutthecryptictonight,Rami.Idon’tgetalast

name,andnowthereseemstobenowaytopleaseyou.Besides,maybeIdolikeyourdrink.”

“It’sAladdin’sDen’sdrink.”

“Samedifference.Whoeveryourbusinesspartneriswhocameupwiththis,youneedtolethimor

herknowthatit’samazing.”Shegulpeddowntherestofherdrink,andnowherheadwasbeginningto

pulsewiththethreebeersandthewellofvodkabrimminginsideofher.“IthinkI’llhaveanother.”

Ramieyedher.“Areyousure?You’renotterriblytall.”

“Huh?”

“I’mnotsurehowmuchtoleranceyouhave.It’snotasiftheSummer’sDayisalightweightdrink.”

Shepushedupthesleevesofhercardiganandthenputherhandsonherhips.“Idon’tneeda

babysitter.Besides,Ididgotocollege,youknow.Thatmeanssororitiesandparties.OnceIwasevenflip

cupchampion.TherewasnodrinkinggameIcouldn’tace.”

“Hasitbeenawhilesincecollege?”

Shefrowned.“AreyousayingI’mold?”

“No,Red,butIdothinkyoumightbeabitoutofpractice.Letmegetyousomewatertohelpyou

paceyourself.”

“I’mfine.Infact,IbetIcandrinkanotherpoolwater---”

“Summer’sDay,”hecorrected,anamusedsmileplayingonhislips.“Butmaybe.Ijustdon’twant

youtoovertaxyourself.”

“I’mOliviaJoiner,andIneverbackdownfromachallenge,atleaststartingtoday.”Withthat,she

turnedtothebartenderandorderedanotherroundforbothofthem.Ifshewasseeingtheworldonher

bestfriend’sdime,thenforonce,sheshouldbemakingthemostoftheabilitytoorderdrinksonCeleste’s

dime.

***

Anhourlater,andshewasfeelingmorethantoasty,morelikedownrightwarm.She’dtakenoffher

cardigan,nolongertooashamedofherarms.Actually,withallthealcoholroilingthroughherandthe

heatfromthethrongofpeopledancingthroughouttheclub,ditchinghersweaterhadbeentheonlywayto

survivewithoutsweatingtodeath.Besides,theminuteshe’dslippeditoffandrevealedtheplunging

necklineunderneath,she’dnoticedtheappreciativeglancesthatRamisentherway.Maybesheshould

havelistenedtoCelestefromthestart,butshe’dalwaysfeltherarmswereherproblemareas.Thatwas

oneofthemanylandminesinvolvedinbeingacurvygirl.Still,Ramiwasregardingherwiththosehoney

eyesandlickinghissucculentlipsonoccasion,andforonce,Oliviafelttheattractionthatwasbrewing

betweentheminherbones.Maybeitwashelpedonabitbyherowndepression-induceddrinking.Still,

she’dhadenoughYomaraniSummer’sDaysandbeersbeforethattoloosenup,tobethetypeofgirlshe

nevertypicallywas.Now,oneofthemostgorgeousmenshe’deverseen,someonewholookedlikea

moviestarfromtheclassicdaysofHollywood,waseyeingherabitlikeahungrydogeyedasteak.

Sherelishedthat.

Thenherfavoritesongbegantoblareoutoverthespeakers,somethingtotallyretrofromwhenshe

wasyounger.ItwasanR&Bsongwithasmoothbasslinethatdemandedshedance.Slippingoffher

stool,shealmostfell---wouldhaveinfactfallenifRamihadn’tsteadiedher.Olivialaughed,something

lowandsultrythatshebarelyrecognizedinherself.Shelookedupintohiseyesandtookadeepbreath.

“Yousmelllikespices.”

“Huh?”

“Likeclovesmaybe.Ha,maybeyou’relikeaSummer’sDaycometolife---sweetanddryand

spicedallmixedtogetherjustforme.”

Ramichuckled,alowrumblethatmadeherbodyheatupevenmore.Itsentasurgeofwhatfeltlike

electricitylancingupfromhercore.“Maybeyouneedabitofarest,Red.”

“No,youdon’tgetit!”Shepracticallysquealedthatlastpart.“Thiswaslikemyfavoritesongat

middleschooldances.”

Hearchedaneyebrowather.“Thatseemsabittoooldforaneighthgrader.”

“Wehadacoolschool.”Shegiggle-snortedthen,abittoodrunktocareifshewaspossiblylosing

coolpointswithRami.“Hey,thatrhymes.”Pullingawayfromhisembrace,sheranherhandsoverhis

shouldersandthenstartedtocirclehim,keepingherbodyclosetohis.“Besides,don’tallmenlovea

littledancing?”

Ramigulpedbutdidn’tmoveawayfromher.“Idon’tknowifthisissuchagoodidea.You’re

prettyintoxicated.”

Sheundulatedcloser,pressingherlithebodyagainsthis.Theheatblastingthroughherrosewhen

shefeltthelengthofhishardnesspressedagainstherbelly.Ramimightbeagentleman,mightbetryingto

defertoher,buthewantedthisasmuchasshedid.Oliviawasreadyforthis.Shecravedit.Ithadbeen

twoyearsofslavingawayforMonsieurLabelle,ofneverdating,oftryingtobethegoodgirland

focusingonhercareer.ForonenightinthemiddleofYomarani,shecouldbeexciting,couldn’tshe?She

couldbethetypeofgirlshe’dalwayswantedtobe.Itwouldbeheronegreatstorytotellothersoverthe

years,heroneclaimtofameinaroundof“NeverHaveIEver.”Maybesomethinghadburstinsideofher

likeadam,andalltherepressedenergyandsexualpotencywasescapinglikeagreatflood.Whateverthe

reason,sheneededthis,neededtobefree.

OliviasnakedbehindRamiandthrustagainsthim.Thensheleanedtohisearandwhispered,“Isn’t

thiswhatyouwant?”

Ramiturneduntilheheldherinhisgrasp,thenhekissedherthroat,lettinghistonguetrailoverher

pulsepoint.Sheshiveredandbuckedagainsthim.“ThisiseverythingI’deverwant,butIthinkweshould

gosomeplacemoreprivate,Red.Don’tyou?Ifwe’regoingto,ahem,dance,thenIwantittobemore

intimatethanthisandawayfrompryingeyes.ThelastthingIwantyoutoforgetisthatfortonight,you’re

mine.”

Shedidn’tobjectashetookherhandandledherbackthroughthecrowdtotheVIPcorner.Itonly

tookabrisknodfromRami,andthebouncermovedawayjustlongenoughtoallowthemtoslipintothe

privatequarters.Theywereempty,asdesolateasatomb,andshehadtowonderifhewasherewith

businessassociatesornot.Hecertainlywasdeferredtoalotasafriendoftheowner.Herbrainstruggled

tomaketheconnectionsandfillinalltheblanks,butshewasridingprettyhighonthevodkaandtriple

secwaves.Thoseconnectionswouldn’tcome.Ramislippeddownontothesofa,aplushleathernumber

thatprobablycostmorethansheusedtomakeinamonthwithMonsieurLabelle.

Good.

Thatwouldgivehertheanglesheneededtobeaswildasshewantedtobe.

Thesongfadedintoanotherslowernumber,somethingsultrywithanotherbasslinethatthrummed

throughherbodylikeaheartbeat.GrinninglikeaslyfoxdownatRami,Oliviakickedoffherheels---

therewasnowayshecoulddancethewayshewantedinthosetoweringthings---thenshestraddledhim.

Atfirstshekeptherselfabovehislapanddidn’tdiplowatall.Instead,sheswayedherhipsbeforehim,

letherbodyseducehimwithitswavesandebbs,itssinuousrhythms.Leaningclosetohim,shelether

breaststrailoverhisbody,herchestpressedclosetohisown.Onlythendidshelowerherlegsandlet

herbodyrubagainsthislap.Shefeltitagain,hishardness,onlynowitwaspressedmorefirmlyagainst

herbody.Evenwithhernewboldstanceonlife,evenwiththealcoholcoursingthroughher,shehadto

blushasshefelthim---theheartofhim---againsther.Ramiwasfarbiggerthanshewouldhaveguessed,

farbiggerthananyofherfewlovershadbeen,andthatwasonlyfromfeelinghimthroughfabric.

Whatdoeshereallylooklike?Ibetit’sglorious…

Thenheshockedherbygrippingherbythewaistandpullingherfullyontohislap.

“Ihopeyoudon’tmind,Red,butIcan’tstandallthatteasing.Iwantmore.”Hisvoicewasa

rumble,likeabearwakingfromhibernation,somethingferalandprimalthatcalledtoherdeepestneed.

Sheshookherheadandstartedtoridehimthroughthefabricofherdressandhispants.Herbody

waspressedfirmlyagainsthisasshethrustagainsthim.Thatamazing,surreallengthpushedbackagainst

herbodyandseemedtofindherpreciouspearlwithlittleeffort.Sheshiveredattheelectricaltingle

spikingthroughhernerves.

Thenhesnuckafewfingersunderherdress’shemandunderthewaistbandofherpanties.Shehad

tobiteherliptokeepfromscreaming.Eveninthenoiseofthecrowdedclub,Oliviadidn’twanttobethe

loudestattractionatAladdin’sDen.Butitwasgettinghardertoresist,especiallyashisfingersfoundher

channelaswellasthesensitivebundleofnervesattheapexofherthighs.Evenasshebobbedagainst

him,Ramipressedathickthumbtoherrosebudandrubbedfirmcirclesagainstit.Shehowledloudly,

relishingthefeelofhimagainsther,feelingasiflightninghadstartedstrikingher,sizzlingthroughher

witheverybolt.Oliviawasontheedge,andsoonshe’dtumbleoverit,overthatchasmandintopure

bliss.God,howshewantedthat.Howshe’dcraveditinawayshehadn’tevenbeenawareofuntilRami

hadcomeintoherlife.

Thenheplungedasecondfingerintohercoreevenasheplayedwithandteasedherbundleof

nerves,manipulatingherpearlwithexpertprecision.Itwasasifhewereunlockingasecretcode,one

thatonlyheknew.Herorgasmtorethroughher,detonatingherlikeabomb.Shethrewherheadbackand

screamed,cominginaflashofheatandlightandpoundingconfusion.WhenOliviaopenedhereyesagain,

shewasbeingcradledinRami’sarmsandstaringacrosstheexpanseoftheVIPareatoseeCeleste’s

wide,worriedeyespeeringatherfromoverthebouncer’sshoulders.Thatfearfulexpressionwaslike

havingabucketofice-coldwaterdousedoverher.Shesatupimmediatelyanddashedawayfromhim.It

waslikesnappingbackarubberband;Oliviafinallystartedtorememberherself,tofeelrealitycrashing

backoverher.

OhGod,whathaveIdone?

Well,itwasn’tthatwhatshe’ddonewasbad,perse.Theywerebothconsentingadults,andshe’d

wanteditdesperately.However,she’dneverbeensoforwardwithamanbefore,letalonewithaguyas

clearlyrichandwell-connectedasRamiwas.Shit.Shedidn’tevenknowwherehersweaterwas.So

muchforbeingdiscreetwithherarmsorwithanythingelse.AsshescurriedtowardCeleste,Oliviafelt

Ramiclamphishanddownoverherforearm.

“Red…MissJoiner,wait.Idon’twantyoutoleave.Wecancontinuethisbackatmyhotelroomif

youwish.I’msorryifbeingsopublicembarrassedyou.”

Sheshookherheadandpulledawayfromhisgrasp.“I’msorry.Ithinkthealcoholiswearingoff.

NotthatIdidn’tlikeit.Idid.”Hell,ImorethandidsinceIhadthebestorgasmofmylife.“It’sjustthat

Ithinkyouhavethewrongimpression.I’mnotusuallylikethat,andI’msoscaredthatI’vejustblowna

goodthing.”

“Idon’tthinkthat.Believeme,Red,Idon’tthinklessofyouatall.”Hegrabbedherhandagain,

andsheboltedawayfromhim,theshockeatingdirectlyintoher.No.Ifhetouchedheragain,Olivia’s

resolvewouldcrumblelikeaweek-oldgingerbreadhouse.Shecouldn’taffordthat,notwhenshe’d

alreadyruinedherreputationwithhim,hadcomeoffassomefar-too-easystrumpet,asCelesteandallher

upper-crustBritishfriendswouldsay.“Please,juststay.”

“Ican’t.”Sheranoffthen,backtoCeleste’swaitingarms,andshewassofreakedoutthatittook

almostanhourbeforesherealizedshe’dlefthershoesbehind.

ChapterFour

“MyGod,Olivia,haveyouanyideawhichdeliciousdishyouwereentertainingtonight?”Celeste

asked,thepridecreepingintohervoice.“ThatwasRamiZaman,asinZamanEnterprises,asinthe

SheikhofYomaraniandtheownerofAladdin’sDenandtherestofthecasino.Mygoodness,sweetie,

whenyouwanttocutloose,youcertainlyknowhowtopickthem.I’mactuallyquiteimpressed.”

OliviaslumpeddowninthesofaofthehotelsuiteshesharedwithCeleste.“Wait,what?No,he

saidhewasjustabusinessassociateoftheowner.”

“Darling,it’smyjobtoknowanybodywho’sanyoneinthefashionindustry.Hehasayoungersister

whohasherownup-and-comingfashionline.Trustme,thatwasn’tjustanassociateoftheDen’sowner.

Hewastheowner.Also,he’saterrificcatch.HisnetworthmakesOprahWinfreylookpoor,ifyouknow

whatImean.He’sinrealestatenow,buthisfamilyfirsthititmassivelyinoil,andIcanbarelycountall

thosezeroes.”

Oliviarubbedathertemples,evenassheanticipatedoneofthelargestheadachesofalltime

comingon.“Youcan’tbeserious.Ijust…weweretalkingandheintroducedmetothistoogoodtobe

realdrinkandonethingledtoanother…andIdidnotjustembarrassmyselfinfrontofroyalty!”

Celestegrinned.“Maybeontopofroyaltytoo.Idon’tthinkyoudid,pigeon.Ifanything,Rami

lookedjustasthrilledtohaveyouthereasyoulookedtobethere,atleastuntilyouseemedtosoberupa

bit.Youhavetoadmitthathe’sadreamydishifevertherewasone.Didyougethisnumber?You

definitelyneedtocallhimassoonasyoucan.Sparkslikethat,mydear?Theyhavetomeansomething.”

“Yes,thatIwastoodrunktoactlikeareasonableadult,andheandhisassociatesmustbelaughing

atmebehindmyback.”Sheslumpedloweronthesofaandtriedtoignorethepoundingheadachenow

riotingthroughhermind.“Idon’thavehisnumber.Wewereonafirst-namebasistobeginwith,andIhad

noideahewasasheikh.”

Celestequirkedherheadbackather,themodel’seyesgoingwideasanewborndoe’s.“What?”

“Ididn’tknow.Howwouldlittleoldmeeverbegoodenoughforroyaltyanyway!”

Celesteshookherhead.“Ofcourseyoucould.Youwere.Hewascompletelyspellboundbyyou.”

“MaybebecauseIlethimfingerme,”shesaid,hertoneclipped.“Ijustmadeafoolofmyselfwith

oneofthemostpowerfulmenonEarth.”Oliviathrewanarmoverhereyes,nolongerwantingtodeal

withtheworldaroundherandhopingthatblockingthelightwouldkeephermigraineatbay.“I’msuchan

idiot.”

“Hmmm,dotell.”

Sheshookherheadbutdidn’tremoveherarmfromherface.“Celeste,Iloveyou.You’remybest

friend,butI’mnotlikeyou.I’mnotgoodatbeingdaring.That’snotme,notatall,andnowhemustthink

I’mawildandcrazypartygirlwhenI’mnot.Worse,maybethat’stheonlyreasonhelikesmeatall!”

Celesteslippedovertoherandpattedhershoulder.“Idon’tthinkthat’strueatall.Infact,weneed

togetuptothepresidentialsuiteandseehimourselves,explainthewholething.”

“Howdoyouknowhe’sstayinghere?”

“Please,itwasalloverthegossipsites,anditishiscasinoandclub.Itwouldbeinpoortasteifhe

wasn’tstayinghereontheopeningnightaswell.Addinthefactthathe’sthewealthiestmanhereand

anythinglessthanthebestwouldbeaninsult,andofcoursehe’sonthetopfloorpenthousesuite,or

presidentialquarters,orwhateveryou’dliketocallit.AmanlikeRamiZamanrequiresthebest,and

beinguponthetopflooroverlookingthegreatcapitalcityofBuhabaisexactlywhatheneeds.”

“Sosure,we’lljustgettothetopflooroftheelevatoryouusewithakey,blowpasthissecurity,

andtalktohimatwhat?”Shereachedintoherpocketandpulledoutherphone.“Atthreea.m.and

convincehimthatI’mbothsorryandtogivemeachancewhenI’mnotactinglikesomecrazysexkitten.

Thatsoundscompletelypossibleandnotatallcrazy.”

Celesteshookherhead,herhairflaringoutbehindherlikethehaloofsomeavengingangel.“You

bolted,andthathappens,butyouobviouslymadeaconnectionwithhim.”

“That’snotfunny.”

“Iwasn’tbeingglib.IthinkthatI’verarelyseenyouasfreeanduntetheredasIdidwhenI

stumbleduponbothofyou.CorrectmeifI’mwrong,butyoulookedhappy,andI’vemissedthatlookon

myfriend.Ifthat’swhatyouneedtobereallylivinginlife,thenbethatwildwomanwiththesheikh.Ifit

makesyousmilelikethat,thenitcan’tbewrong.”

“Iwouldn’tsaythat.”

“Iwould.Ihaven’tseenyouthisheadoverheelsorhappyinoverayear.”

“PartofthatisnothavingtoseeMonsieurLabelle.”

“Butyouhaven’tbeengrinningthiswidelysinceweleftNewYork.Iknowexactlywhatthis

means.”Withthat,herfriendpulledoutasmallkeythathadbeenhiddeninherdress.“ThisiswhyI

alwaysplanahead.”

“Whatisthat?”

“Theelevatormasterkey.ImakeahabitofflirtingwiththeconciergeoncallincaseIeverneed

accessthatevenmygorgeousfacecan’tgetnormally.Afewbattedeyelashesandlaughsoncue,andit’s

easytopickpocketexactlywhatyouneed.IgotintolegendarytroubleinParisdoingthis.”

“Celeste!”shehissed.“Wehavetoreturnthat.”

Herfriendgrinned,asmilesodevilishandfartooencouraging.Celestewasdefinitelytheimpon

hershoulderurginghertowardbaddecisions.“Wewill,butfirst,wewillfindyourdreamsheikhandwe

willmaketherightimpression.”

***

HerheartpoundedagainstherchestsohardthatOliviafeltasifsheweregoingtopassout.Hell,it

feltasifherheartcouldpossiblytearthroughhersternumrightthen.WhileCelestewasusingherwilesto

distractthetwobodyguardsonduty(she’dclaimedshewaslostandthenputonher“Ialwaysdependon

thekindnessofstrangers”act),Oliviahadusedthemasterkeyandcardfromherdeviousfriendtosneak

intothesuiteofoneSheikhRamiZaman.Nowinthedarkness,shehadnoideawhatherplanwasgoingto

be.Diditmakeherlookmoreorlessstabletoapologizeifthatincludedbustingintohisquartersatfour

a.m.?Shewantedtogenuinelysaysorryforrunningoffandbeingso,well,amorousearlier.However,

therewasalimittohowlongevenCelestecouldkeepthebodyguardsatbay.Shehadherwiles,butthey

hadasheikhtoprotect.

Assuminghewasstillin.

Intheexpansivedarknessofthesuite,shewasn’tsurehewasevenaround.Gatheringhercourage

andforcingherfearaway,shecreptfartherintothesuiteandsquintedhereyes,tryingtosussoutthings

throughthedarkness.

“Oh,hello?Rami?It’sOlivia.I’msosorry,andIjustwantedto…”Shetrailedoff,notsurewhat

thenextthingtosaywouldbe.Wasthereanythingshecouldsaythatwouldmakeherplan,well,Celeste’s

plan,lessnuts?Butupsetoverditchinghimandstillbuzzedfromherdrinks,thecovertmissionseemed

likeagoodidea.Hell,“itseemedlikeagoodideaatthetime”wasthewholethemeforherevening,but

she’dcomethisfar.Shejustneededtoseehimonelasttime.Totryandsetthingsrightbetweenthem.

“Areyouhere?”

Therecamethequickpatteroffeetfromthefarroom,andsheturnedtoseeRamistandinginthe

doorway.Hestillhadhispantson,theonesthatseemedtobecutwiththeveryintentionofshowingoff

allofhim,theonesthathunglowonhiships.Ramiwasshirtless,however,andasheclickedonthe

overheadlight,Oliviacouldn’thelpbutgaspatthesightbeforeher.Hischestwasasbroadasshe

imagineditwouldbeunderthefinetailoringofhissuit,butshehadn’tdaredtoimaginethebeautiful

planesofhisbody,theridgesoftheeightpackthatglimmeredunderthelampoverhead.

Shelickedherlipsandtriedtorememberhowtobreathe.Itwasn’taseasyasitsoundedwithwhat

seemedlikeagodcometolifestandingbeforeher.

Ramididn’tseemshocked,morelikebemused.Twistinghisnecktowardher,hegrinnedbackat

Olivia.“Alright,luv,colormesurprised.”Again,thatBritishliltbleedingintohisspeech,andnowthat

sheknewhewasasheikh---no,thesheikhofYomarani---Oliviawonderedhowwidelytraveledhewas.

Forallsheknew,he’dgonetocollegeatOxfordandpickeduptheaccentthere.“Whatareyoudoing

here?”

Shetookadeepbreathandsteppedforwarduntilonlyafewfeetseparatedthem.Oliviawasso

closethatitwasastrugglenottoreachoutandstroketheridgesofhisabdomen.“Ileftthingssobadly

before.Ididn’tmeanto.”

“Ithinkyoumadeitprettyclearwhenyousawyourfriendandranoffwithher.”Hestoodstock

still,asrigidasastatue,andwiththegorgeouslinesofhisbody,shecouldalmostseehimasawork

carvedbyMichelangelohimself.Itmadeherlongtotouchhimallthemore.“I’veneverhadawomanrun

awayfrommelikethat.Thewayyouscreameddidn’tseemtoindicateyouhatedwhathappened,notin

theleast.”

Shefrownedbackathimasaneasy,complacentsmileplayedacrosshisface.

“Wait?”sheasked.“Youaren’tmad,areyou?”

“Onthecontrary,”hesaid,crossingthedistancebetweenthemandcuppingbothhercheekswith

hismassivepalms.“I’mintrigued.I’veneverhadanyonesoflawlesslythwartmysecuritybefore,and

I’vecertainlyneverhadawomancomebackforme.Doesthismeanyouregretmorethanjustbeingrude?

Anotewouldhavesufficedforanapology.”

Shefeltherbreathhitchasshetookinthescentofhim----thatmuskthatwaspurelymaleandpurely

himaswellasthehintofclovesthattickledhernostrils.Hewasasexoticandappealingastheentire

countryofYomarani,anddefinitelyasunpredictable.Herheartwasbeatingarapidtattooashebent

downandkissedher,histongueplayingwithherown,strokingherswithafiercerhythm.Oliviamoaned

again,thistimeundertheaphrodisiacofhistalentedtongueandnotunderthespellofthecocktailsat

Aladdin’sDen.Maybeshehadtocometotermswiththefactthatshewasjusteasierthanshe’dever

imagined,atleastwhentherightmanwasinvolved.Pressingupagainsthisbody,shereveledinthesolid

natureofhislengthpressingupagainstherbellyonceagain.Itwasasiftimestoodstill,andshedidn’t

needtohurrybackouttorelieveCelestefromherdistractionduties.Allthatmatteredcurrentlywerethem

beingtogether,whethertheirbodieswereentwined,asiffatewereleadingthemtoeachother.

Thentherewasaloudbang,andsherecoiledasthetwohugebodyguardsandseveralothers

stompedintotheroom.OneofthemwasdraggingCelestebyherwrist.Totheirrightwasanolderman

withalong,neatlygroomedwhitebeard.Hiseyeswereblazinginanger,andthatexpressionleftherheart

plummetingintoherstomach.Beforeshecouldobject,oneofthosemassiveandburlyguardsrushed

forwardandsnatchedheraswell.Oliviascreamedandfoughtagainsthim,butitwouldhavebeeneasier

topushagainstgranite.

SheikhZaman’snostrilsflared,likeabullreadyingtosurgeforward,asheregardedtheolderman.

“Waheed,what’sgoingonhere?”

“Icamebackfromensuringtheclubhadbeenclosedproperly,andimaginemyshockwhenIfound

thatharlotdistractingyoursoon-to-be-firedSecretServiceagentsandthedoorwideopen.Irushedin

herethinkingthatyou’dbeenattacked,andI’mnotsurethatI’mwrong.”

Ramishookhishead.“No,youdon’tunderstand.IknowthatOliviadidn’tmeananyharm.”

“Youknow,oryouwish?WhatIseeisawomanthatmanipulatedherwaytogetclosetoyou

earliertonight,andnowshe’ssnuckintoyourprivatequarters.Youknowhowdangeroustherebelscan

be,howwily.Who’stosaythattheyhaven’tputthreatsinmoreattractivepackageslately?”

SheshudderedbutturnedbacktoRami.“Youcan’tbeserious.CelesteandI…we’renotterrorists

orrebelsoranythinglikethat.Hell,lookherup.Celesteisoneofthemostfamousmodelsworking

today.”

“Iam,”shesaid.“AquickGooglesearchwillclearthisallup.”

Waheedcrossedhisarmsoverhischest.“Anyonecanbecompromised,sire,muchlikeyour

judgment.Ican’tletyoudismissthis.Thesewomenbothputyouinadangerousposition.Theyhavetobe

takenintocustody.”

“Idon’twantthat,”Ramisaid.

“Asheadofyoursecurityforceandyourchiefadvisor,Icannotallowthistoslide.Asneakattack

onthesheikhisanattackonallofYomarani.So,AsanandRajul,takethemaway!”

ChapterFive

“Youknowyou’reoverreacting,”hesaid,pacingbeforeWaheed.Herakedahandthroughhishair

again,hisfrustrationbrimmingoverashemadegreatstridesbeforehisthrone.

Waheedshookhishead.“Thewomen’sstoriesdocheckout,butthere’snowaytotellwhohas

beenradicalizedandwhohasn’t.There’severychancethatoneoftherebelsgottobothofthem.”

“AndaninternationalmodelwouldjusttakeupwithYomaranirebelstooverthrowthecrownona

lark?Please,CelestehasmorethanenoughmoneyandpoweronherowntoavoidYomaranipoliticsfor

therestoftime.”

“Excepttheysoughtyououtandpartedyoufartooeasilyfromyoursecurityteam.Theredheadwas

leftalonewithyoulongerthanwouldbecomfortable.Ifshewereatrainedassassin,you’dbedead.”

“Olivia.”Hegesturedtohischest.“NoticehowI’mnotimpaledorshotorpoisoned.Ihaven’t

beenattacked.Shewantedtoapologizeforrunningoutonmeattheclubthreedaysago.That’sallshe

wanted.Nowyouhavebothofthemlockedinthepalace’sdungeonlikecommoncriminals,andthat’s

beyondbarbaric.”

“Olivia,myliege?”Waheedshookhishead.

“What?”

“Iknowyou.I’veknownyousinceyouwerenomorethanknee-high.Iknowyouaswellasyour

fatherbeforeyou.”

“So?”

“Icanhearthewistfulnessinyourvoiceevenifyoudenyit.Iknowwhatemotionsthey’replaying

on.”

“OliviaandCelestearen’tplayingonanything.”Heslammedhisfistswithexaggeratedforceonhis

deskandwincedwhenhespilledoveramugfilledwithpens.“Comeon,youknowthattheyaretwo

womenwhodidn’tbargainforanyofthis.”

“Theystillsnuckuponaheadofstate.Thatcan’tbeallowedtoslide.Eveniftheycanbetrusted,

andI’mnotcompletelysureonthatevennow.”

“It’sbecauseyou’reparanoid,Waheed.”

Theoldermanstrokedhisbeardthoughtfully.“It’sbecauseyoupaymetobethisparanoid.Iprotect

thecrown,asIhaveforoverfortyyears.IprotectedyourfatherandtheonedayIwasn’tparanoid

enough,Ilosthim.Irefusetodothatagain.Therewasasecuritybreach,evenifallofOlivia’sintentions

werepure.”

“Theywere.”

“Still,theseactionswillbelegendalreadythroughoutYomaraniandtheMiddleEast.Thestory

willspread,andtherebelsaswellasotherpowerseekerswillknowthat,currently,yoursecurityneeds

tobemajorlyimproved.AsIworktofixtheholesinyourguard,Istillthinkweneedtomakeanexample

ofthesetransgressions.Sire,thinkaboutit.Trespassingonyouisthesameastrespassingonthegrounds

ofthepalaceitself.Athreattooursheikh---evenbyovercominghisguardforwhateverreasons—isa

threattoYomarani.Itcannotstand.”

Henarrowedhiseyesathisadvisor.“Whatdoyoupropose?Maybeputtingtheirheadsonpikes?

Perhapskeepingtheminthedungeonforthenextdecade.Wecan’tjustholdthemhereindefinitely.”

“Theybrokeinternationallaw,andtheBritishembassyhasalreadydecidedtoletCelesteHolmes

reelinwhateverfateshe’searned.Isuggesthousearrestatthepalaceforthenextfiveyears,frankly.For

bothofthem.Consideringtheluxurieshere,it’shardlythedirepunishmentit’llappeartotheoutside

world,butwedohavetotakeastandorelseotherswilltryandtesttheirluckwithsecurity,andtherest

willnotbeaskindor,asyouclaim,harmless.”

“Bothofthem?”

“TheAmericanshaven’tyetgiventheiranswertoMissJoiner’splight.Iftheywantherback,then

wewon’tpickfightswiththem.However,IdosuggestthatuntilweknoweverythingfromtheAmericans,

thenyes,MissHolmesandMissJoinershouldbothbeourguestsfortheforeseeablefuture.Ifyoumess

withthecrownheadofYomarani,youfaceconsequences.Soletitbewritten---”

“Soletitbedone.”Hesnorted.“Seriously,layofftheYuleBrennerfilms.Idon’tlikeit.”

“Youdon’thavetolikeit.Youhavetoletmeexactthepunishment.Thepeopledon’ttakekindly

eithertopeoplecircumventingtheirbelovedruler’ssecurity.It’stoosoonsinceyoulost…”

“Iknow.Fatherwasambushedinthemostdifferentwayimaginable.Idon’twanttokeepthem

here.Idon’tthinkit’sfair.”

“Punishmentmustbeexacted,andIdon’tthinkhavingtherunofaluxuriouspalaceand

itsequallyamazinggroundswillhurtthemtoomuch.Now,havethemsentin.”

ChapterSix

“Icannotbelievethis.Pillocks!”Celestescreamedandlungedforwardtokickthewall.

Oliviadoveinordertokeepherfriendfromkickingthecrumblingwallsoftheancientdungeon.

ShehadafeelingthatthisfarcornerofthepalacewasprobablyolderthantheentireUnitedStates.Thick

mossgrewinthecrevicesoftherocksbeforethemandancientironbarskeptthemhemmedin.Therust

wasthickonthosebars,andtherewasnowaytogetpastthem.They’dbothspentthefirstdaysurveying

everyinchoftheircellandthenextpullingoneverybar,desperatetoescape.Notonebitofironhadeven

budged,notatwinge.Withhowsolidthecellwas,itwouldhavebeenaterribleideatoletCelestekick

atit.

“Youdon’thavetocurse.”

“We’relockedupinsoddingYomarani,”Celestereplied,pushingherhairfromhereyes.“Ithink

thisistheperfecttimetobeupset.Iknowthattheembassyshouldhavemadeadealbynow.Theyshould

havesentsomeone.It’sbeendays.Theyneedtocomeforus!”

“Embassies,plural.IguesstheAmericanembassyandBritishembassybotharebackedupin

paperwork.”Oliviashudderedandrubbedherarms.

Thechillcreptineasilyeverydayaroundthistime.Oncethesunstartedtosetoutside,thecold

stoneofthecelltendedtosucktheheatoutoftheroom.Buthershiveringwasmorethanthat.Shewas

terrified.Currently,shewasatRami’smercyand,sofar,he’dmadetheefforttolockherandCeleste

awayfromtherestoftheworld.Theyhadratsscurryingclosetothewallsandacrustofbreadandbitof

watereachnighttoeat.Therewasnotellinghowtheirprisonstaywouldescalateor,frankly,devolve

whiletheywerehere.Allshewantedtodowasgohome,butitwasgoingtotakealotmorethanclicking

herheelstogetherorfallingthrougharabbitholetogetthere.IfsheeverreturnedtotheStatesagain.

“IthinktheyjustletusrothereinsteadofriskinganyissueswithanallylikeYomarani.”Celeste

turnedtoheranditwasthenthatOlivia’sheartreallystartedtopound.Herbestfriend’seyeswereshiny

withunshedtears,andthatneverhappened.Theotherwomanwastoughasnails,andthatwaswhyOlivia

caredsomuchforher,whytheymadegoodfriends.ItwasCeleste’sstrengththathadalwayscarriedher

throughfearandtragedyandMonsieurLabelle’sfitsbefore.Nowthatstrengthwaswaning.“We’re

trappedhere,andit’sallmyfault.Youmustloatheme.”

“What?I’mtheonewhostartedflirtingwithasheikhanddidn’tevenknowwhohewas.Ibroke

intohisroom.”

“Igotyouthekey.”

Oliviapulledherfriendintoatightembrace.“Webothmessedup,butI’mgladyou’rehere.I

couldn’tdothisallbymyself,andIwouldn’twantto.IfIhadtobeinamessedupsituationintheMiddle

East,thenthere’snooneI’dratherbestuckwiththanyou,Celeste.”

Herfriendpulledawayandsniffed.Thensherubbedathernose.“Still,Ican’tbelievewhata

bloodydisasterImade.Everything’sgonepear-shaped,hasn’tit?”

Oliviashookherhead.“I’msureeverythingwillgetbetter.Youknow---”

Therewasaloudcreakingasthemassivestonedoorwaseasedback,revealingtheoldmanwith

thewhitebeard---Waheed---theonewhohaddeemedthemsomepreposterousthreattoSheikhRami

Zaman.Hewasglaringatbothofthem,buttheangerdidn’tseemtoberadiatingoffhimasithadbeena

fewdaysago.

“Youneedtocomewithme.”

Twoguards,hugeandbeefymen,slippeddownthestairsandpulledthembothfromthecell.

Oliviashudderedagainasheavymanaclesclampedoverherwrists.

“Whatareyoudoingwithus,youtosser?”Celestedemanded,holdingherheadwithalltheregal

bearingthathermodelinghadleftherwith.“Arewegoingtobefedtosomelions?Maybewe’regoingto

beputonapike.”

“Whydopeoplekeepinquiringaboutthatoption?”hemused.

Shefeltherbloodruncold.“What?”

“Oh,thesheikhandIhadthatconversation,aboutpunishments.Ionlyregretthatwedon’thavea

moat.Ithinkthat’ssomethingweallwouldhaveenjoyedtogether.”Waheedgrinnedandwinkedather.

Shewasn’tsureifthiswasajokeornot.Oliviaferventlyhopeditwastheformer,butwhatkindof

mancouldsocallouslyjokeaboutthat?Thenagain,whatkindofmanwouldemployaterrifyingtyrant

likeWaheed?She’dgottentoknowthesexymanwhohadkissedherandmadehertoescurl.She’dtraded

banterandbarbswiththeeligiblebacheloratthebar.Shedidn’treallyknowSheikhRamiZamanatall,

andtheunknownwastheonlythingthatmattered.Wouldhehaveherexecuted?WouldsheandCelestebe

forcedtodwellinthedungeonforever?Oliviacouldn’tfathomananswertoanyofthis,anditlefther

withaheavyheartandabowedheadastheguardsledherthroughthelabyrinthinehallstowhatturned

outtobethemainthroneroom.

Despitehersituation,Oliviacouldn’thelpbutgasp.Theroomwasaslargeasafootballfieldand

archedwithaceilingatleastthirtyfeethigh.Themassivethronebeforethemwascarvedfromsolidgold

andadornedwithaplushredvelvetcushion.Intricatetessellatedpatternsandmosaics,inlaidwith

preciousstones,coveredthewalls.Itallgleamedandglitteredlikediamondsinthesettingsun.

“Mygod.”

“Notquite,”calledRamiashecameinthroughasidedoorandsettledonhisthrone.“Waheed,

bringthemtome.”

Shemarchedlikethecondemnedsoulshewastothefrontofthethroneroomandthenwasshoved

toherkneesbytheguardsaroundher.Bowingherheadlow,Oliviafigurednowmightbeagoodtimeto

showtherespectshe’dsorelylackedearlier.Winningbrowniepointsnowcouldonlyhelp.

“Well,youknowthatyou’vebeenbroughtbeforethesheikhforviolatinghissafety,don’tyou,Miss

HolmesandMissJoiner?”Waheedannounced,crossinghisarmsoverhischest.“Howdoyouplead?”

Celesteheldherchinuphighandregardedbothofthemwithhermostcontemptuousstare,and

Oliviafroze,terrifiedthatherfriendwouldsaysomethingstupid.Notthattherewasanythingworsethan

beingtrappedinadungeon,unlessexecutionreallywasonthetable.Butshehadn’tdoneanything.

Celestehadflirtedwithsomeguards,andshe’dsharedakisswithRamiinhisapartment,onehe’dbeen

morethanhappytohave.Thoseweren’tcapitalcrimes,damnit.

“SoyouknowwhoIam?”Celesteinquired.

“Iknow,butwecan’tallowinsolenceoraudacitylikethat.Wehavetobeabletoshowthat

Yomaraniisstrongandthatwecanprotectoursheikh.Theremustbepunishment,andevenyourhome

countryhasagreedtothat,MissHolmes.”

Celeste’seyesdroppedforjustamomentbeforesheregainedhercomposure.Itwasprobablyonly

Oliviawhonoticedatall,consideringhowlongshe’dknownherfriendandhowintimatelyacquainted

shewaswitheachofCeleste’stells.Forallherbluster,herfriendwasasdisheartenedandterrifiedas

shewas.

“Isee.”

“Yes,”Ramisaid.“Butwehavegenerousterms.”

“Mysire…”Waheedbegan,butRamihelduphishandandsilencedhim.

“Doyouwanttoknowthetermsofthedeal?”thesheikhasked.

Oliviafrownedbackathim,confused.“Idon’tunderstand.Whatdeal?”

“Oneofyoumustmarryme,andtheotherisfreetogo.Now,whichonewillitbe?”

ChapterSeven

“What?”Oliviacroakedout.Hervoicesoundedtinnyandsmall,aneffectexacerbatedbythebroad

throneroomandthewayeverythingelseseemedtoechooffoftheornatewalls.“Youwanttoget

married.”

Waheedhadturnedabrilliantshadeofeggplant.Somethingtoldherthisstipulationwasaslargea

surprisetohimasithadbeentoherandCeleste.“Sire,please.”

Ramihelduponehanddismissively.“No,thesearemyrules.Oneofyoucangohomerightnow,

freeandclear,andtheotherwillbemybrideandhaveeveryluxuryyoucanimagine.Otherwise,youwill

bothbetrappedhereinthepalaceforfiveyearsunderhousearrest.Thereisnoscenarioinwhichboth

MissHolmesandMissJoinerarereleased.So,please,makeyourKingSolomonchoiceandletmeknow

whichofyouistobemybride.”

Herthroatgrewdry,herbreathcameinraggedgasps,andherheartwastryingtobreakitsway

throughherchest.

Thiscan’tbehappening.

Yankingherfriendtothesideoftheroom,OliviasetherhandsoneithersideofCeleste’s

shoulders,abitofareachonceoneconsideredthedifferenceintheirheights.“Letmedothis.”

“Haveyougoneroundthebend?I’mtheonewhohadthedaftideatoinvadehispenthouseinthe

firstplace.Iearnedthis.”

“No,youhaveacareerandalifebackhome.Youwaitfiveyearstobereleasedandeverythingyou

havewillpassyouby.”Shesqueezedherbestfriend’sshoulderstoemphasizeherpoint.“I’mnotgoingto

letyouruinyourlife.Youalwayssaidthatmodelshaveashelflifeandyouweregettingclose.”

“ButIcan’tleaveyouhere.”

“Thengobackhomeanddowhatyoucantogetmesprung,butI’mnotlettingyouruinyourlife.”

Besides,mineisalreadyprettyscrewedup.“Itwasmyroaminglipsandbadflirtingthatgotushere,

really.Youwerejusttryingtohelp.Anyway,you’retheonewithmoreconnections.”

“Fatlotofgoodit’sdoneussofar.”

Shesighedandpulledbackabit.“Butit’sbetterthananunemployednobodytryingtogethelp.I

didthis,soletmetaketherapuntilyoucanspringme.Ipromise.Youjustdothis,andwecangofrom

here.Itrustyoutosaveme.”

Celestebitherlipandthennodded.“Iwon’trestuntilI’vehelpedmybestmate,anddon’tyou

thinkanydifferently,”shesaid,wrappingOliviaupinafiercehug.“Iwillsaveyou.YouknowthatI

will.”

“I’mcountingonit,”shesaid.

TheypartedandthensheturnedtofaceRami---themanshe’dfallenforatleastabitthatnightat

Aladdin’sDen,themysterioussheikh,hercaptor,andnowherfiancé.Thatlasttruthsmackedheracross

thefaceashardasananvilplummetingfromthesky.Yettherehewas,andhewasthemanshe’dbe

marryingsoon,ifonlytohelpsaveCeleste’scareerand,possibly,life.WhoknewwhatRamiwas

capableof?Thenighttheywereseized,she’dneverhavethoughthecouldputherinadungeon.Now?

Whatkindofdealwasshestriking?Still,Celestehadabetterchanceofgettinghelp.Shewasthebeloved

model.AllOliviahadeverbeenwasthefailedassistant.She’dneverevenbeenadesigner,letalone

walkonarunway.

CelestewasherbesthopeoffindingsomeonebackinEnglandorAmericatostrikeadealwith.

Besides,shewouldn’tdragherfrienddown,notwhenadrunkenideahadfueledheronintoidiocy.

“I…I’llmarryyou.”Hervoicewasstillsmall,butitwasn’tastinnyasbefore.Therewassome

strengththere,somethingthatcamefromtheblackandwhitenatureofherdecision.Oneofthemhadto

stayand,damnit,shecouldatleastgetthismuchright.“PleaseletCelestego.”

Herfriendhungherheadbutstoodshouldertoshoulderwithherbeforethesheikhandhisadvisor.

Ramieyedthembothbeforespeaking.“Isthistrue,MissHolmes?WillitbeOlivia,Imean,Miss

Joiner,who’llbestayingwithus?”

Celesteglaredbackatbothofthem.“Oliviasaidshe’dstay.Don’tgetcomfy,andIdon’tcarewhat

kindofcrazymarriageplansyouhaveforher,SheikhZaman.Youbetterknow,ducky,thatI’llbefindinga

waytogetherout.Iswearit.”

WaheedstrokedhisbeardandseemedtoshakehisheadmoreatRamithanatCeleste.Somehow,

Oliviawasn’tevensurethisnewmarriagestephadalwaysbeenpartoftheplan.Itseemedafarcryfrom

housearrest,letalonethedungeon.Thenagain,they’dalwaysreferredtothewifeasaballandchain.

Maybeshe’dliterallygetsomeconfinementofherown.Shejustwasn’tsure.

Theoldadvisorregardedallthreeofthembeforebarkingsomethingterseinwhatsheassumedwas

eitherYomaraniorArabic.Honestly,Oliviadidn’tknowthedifference.Thewordsrangoutbetween

themall,clippedandstern.Itdidn’ttakelongforafewofthebodyguardstopeelofffromtheornate

wallsandcometostandbehindCeleste’sback.Waheednoddedtowardthefardoorattheotherendofthe

throneroomandswitchedbacktoEnglish.

“It’stimeforyoutogo,MissHolmes.We’llseeyououtandevengiveyouaprivateescortbackto

theBritishembassyofYomarani.MissJoiner,youhaveaweddingtopreparefor.”

Sheblinked,notsureshe’dheardtheadvisorcorrectly.Thewayhespoke,itsoundedasifshe’dbe

walkingdowntheaislethisverynight.Butthatwasinsane.

Isitanymoreinsanethananythingelsethat’shappenedinaboutthelastninety-sixhours?

Gulping,shelookedbetweenWaheedandRami.“Whatdoesthatmean?Tonight?”

“Wedon’twanttowastetime.”Rami’svoicewascommandingthen,echoingdownthehall,and

Oliviacouldseeeveryaspectoftherulerhewasinhispresenceintheroom.“Nowifyou’llgowitha

fewofmyservants---”

“Youmeanotherguards.”

“True,butthey’realsoservants.”

“They’repeoplewho’llmakesureIcan’tleave.”

“Yes,”hesaid.Astheyspoke,WaheedandthelargeguardsusheredCelesteaway.Oliviadashed

forwardbutwasdetainedbyRamihimself.Hisstrongarmswrappedaroundherwaistandhisscent,that

deepmuskofhisandthebitinghintofcloves,stunghernostrils.Leaningdown,hewhisperedinherear

evenasherbestfriendwasledawayfromher.“Don’tworry,Red.It’sgoingtobealright.Ipromiseyou

thatmuch.”

“Youdon’tknowthat.”Tearsstreameddownherfaceasshewatchedherfriendbeingledaway,

thelastglimpseofherhairobscuredbythebroadshouldersoftheguards.Soon,Celestewasnomore

thanadotonthehorizon.“I’mtrappedbyamanIbarelyknowandforcedtomarryhimandI…”

Shetrailedoffandstilledinstantly,terrifiedtolethermindgoanyfurther.Iftherewasawedding.

No,whentherewasawedding,thereweresomanythingsthatcamewithit.Chiefamongthemwas

consummation.Herheartquickenedinherchest,alivelytattoothatleftherquivering.

Ramileanedcloserandkissedherpulsepoint,histonguetrailingdeeplyoverthehollowofher

throat,teasingher.Temptingher.Thenhepulledhisheadbacklongenoughtospeaktoher.“Ipromise

you,Red.You’regoingtoremembertonight---yourweddingnight---fortherestofyourlife.”

ChapterEight

Oliviabarelyhadtimetoobjectbeforeshewaswhiskedawaytoacompletelydifferentwingofthe

palace.Partofher,evenwiththeinsanedealshe’dstruck,expectedRamitosendherbacktothedungeon.

Shewasstillatrespasserafterall,andshewasduetopayforherstupidcrimeofbreakingintoaheadof

state’sroom.However,itseemedthatitwasthelastthingthatRamihadonhismind.Oncehe’dpromised

herthenightofherlifeinalow,sultryvoice,he’dbeenpushingforhertogetonwithit.Arrivinginan

overwhelminglyimposingantechamber,shewasgreetedbyanolderwomanwithsaltandpepperhair

sweptupintolongbraids.Theelderlyladystoopedover,hershoulderscurvedintoastoop.Herbrown

eyeswerekind,twinklingwithdecencyandcare.Herairwasthatofsomeonematernal,andOlivia

hadn’tfeltthismuchreliefsinceshe’dbeenarrested,norhadshefeltthisclosetoanolderwomansince

hergrandmotherhaddiedyearsago.

ShesupposeditwasallsomeversionofStockholmsyndrome,whereshewasdesperateforany

waytoconnectwithakindlyfaceandanyonewhoevenremotelyremindedheroffamily.

Theolderwomansmiledbroadlyatherandbowedherheadlow.“Mysheikha,itisapleasureto

meetyou.MynameisGaila,andIshallbeyourchiefservant.Ifyouneedanything,youmerelyneedto

askforitfromme.I’mpleasedtobeatyourservice.”

“I…Idon’tknowwhattoexpectanymore.”Shelookedbackoverhershoulderattheguards

standingbehindher.“I’mnotcompletelyhereofmyownfreewill.”

Gailashookherhead.“IseethatfatehasbroughtyoutoRami,andhecoulduseawomanwho’s

suchastronginfluenceandsuchagoodsoul.”

“Youdon’tknowme,”shesaid,hervoicegrowingthickwithemotion.

“Iknowmanythings.Inmyyouth,beforeIcametorunSheikhRamul’sharem,Iwasafortuneteller

inthestreetsofthecity.Iknowsomanythingsbylookingintosomeone’seyes,andIknowthatyou’re

exactlywhoRamihasbeensearchingfor.Now,come.Wehavesomanypreparationstogettobeforeyou

canbewed.”

“Iunderstand.”Shewasn’tevensureifshewasresignedorexcited,doingeverythingtobedutiful

andcomplywithherpromiseorbecauseshewantedthistoo.Herlifehadbeenemptyforlongbefore

she’dlostherjob,andnowRamiwasofferingheranadventureshecouldn’timagine.Thewayhe’dmade

herfeelintheVIPlounge…woulditreallybesowrongtofeelthatagain?“Wealldowhatwehaveto

do.”

Theoldwoman’sgringrewwider,moregenuine,andsheopenedthedoorwideforher.Thesalon

theyenteredwasnolessopulentorgrandthananyotherpartofthepalace.Theceilinghadtobetwenty

orthirtyfeetaboveher,thewallswereofshiningwhitemarble,andelegantgoldensconceshungfrom

everycorner.Beforeherweredozensofsilkpillowsineveryshade,frombrightviolettothedeepest

crimson,andalmostadozenwomen,mostlyolder,whostoodtherewithheadsbowedlow,waitingfor

Gaila’sorders.

“ItlookslikeIhaveanarmy,”shemuttered,feelinglikeshe’dtrulyfallendowntherabbithole

now.Thishadtobesomebizarrealternateuniversewhereshehadaplatoonofservantswaitingtomake

herupforherweddingofallthings.Therewasnowaythatintherealworld,shewasworthyofanything

evenclosetothis.Hell,shewasthegirldoingthefancymodel’shemsandstickingherself.Nevertheone

waitedon.

Alwaysabridesmaidandneverabride,butI’mabridenow,aren’tI?

Thewomensatherdownatadressingtableandstartedbrushingherhairout.Ateamseemedtobe

dedicatedtobraidingandpreppingthat,whileasecondwasfeverishlypickingoutherclothes.Thethird

rummagedthroughdrawerstopickoutgoldennecklacesandbaubles,eachoneprobablyworthmorethan

herparents’car.No,scratchthat.Herparentsownedaminivanthatwasfifteenyearsold,andshedidn’t

rideanythingotherthanthesubwayinNYC.Allthejewelrywasworthfarmorethanarapidlyaging

Dodge.ButitwasGailashewatchedastheoldwomansetthevariouspigmentsoutbeforeherand

dippedherbrushesintothebrownink.

“Isthathenna?”

“Mehendi,butyes,”shesaid.“Youhavesomuchpreparationtogetdonebeforeeleven.Nowletus

gotowork.”Withthosewords,OliviaworkedtocalmherheartandletGailaandherteamcontinuewith

theirministrations.

***

Ramipacedbeforethemullah,hisstepsquickeningastheminutespassed.Rationally,heknew

therewasnowayOliviacouldleavethepalace.Furthermore,heknewthatGailadidamazingworkand

hadalwaysworkedhardtocreatedistinctlooksforhismotherandyoungersister.Theoldwoman

workedmagic,butshedidn’thaveawandinherpocket,andherfeatsofmakeupartistrytookhourson

endtocomplete.Thatwaswhyeventhoughitwasalreadythirtyminutespasteleven,hestillwaitedfor

hisbrideasanxiouslyashe’dwaitedfordatesduringwinterdancesatCambridge.

“Wouldyouliketoexplaintomewhat’sbeengoingthroughyourheadallevening,mysheikh,or

shouldIjustberateyououtright?”Waheedaskeddryly.

Ramilookedbacktowardtheimam;theoldclerichadenoughsensetosaynothing.Hecontinued

leafingthroughtheQuranandhisnotesfortheupcoming(ifGailaeverfinished)ceremony.Instead,the

youngsheikheyedhisadvisor.“YousaidthatI’mtoolonely,thatIneedaqueenagain.”

“No,IsaidthatEtanaandyourchild’slossplaysonyourmindandthatyouarealwayssoupsetthis

timeofyear.Ihadnoideathatyouweregoingtofullycommittothemadnessthattendstoswallowyou

whole.IdidnotexpectyoutopickupthefirstinfidelAmericanyoucameacross.”

“It’snotlikethat.”Hegrittedhisteethandranahandthroughhishair.Ramihadslippedintohis

finestrobesfortheevent,sinceeverythingwouldbedoneinthetraditionalstyle.Itwasprobablythe

ceremonialrobesandmehendithatweretakingsolonganyway.“Youweren’twithmeatAladdin’sDen.

Therewassomethingthatpassedbetweenus,somethingdeeperthanyouknow.”

“Oh,I’msuretherewasattraction.I’verecalledthesecurityfeedjustincaseIneededtoassessher

dangerlevels.Imaginemysurprise,myliege.”

“There’sanawfullotofsarcasmcreepingintoyourvoice.”Rami’stonewassanctioninghis

advisor.“Youneedtorememberwho’sinchargehere.Besides,wecouldhardlyhavethatgirlchainedto

thedungeon.She’sfarfromarebelorahardenedcriminal,andyouknowthat.”

“True,butI’mtheoneSheikhRamultrustedtowatchafteryou.Toprotectyou.Partofthat,ashard

asitis,requiresthatIprotectyoufromyourself.Iwantyoutorealizethatsomeofthismightallbe

becauseoffeelingsfromthistimeofyear.Youdon’thavetogetmarried.”

“Butitwouldshowstrengthtomyenemiesand,frankly,itwouldhelpfillaholeinmyheart.”He

straightenedthelapelofhisrobesandhisheadcoveringoncemore.“ImissEtanaeveryday,butforthe

firsttimeinfiveyears,Itrulyfeelalive,andIknowthatOliviawasahugepartofthat.”

“Mostmenhavedates.”

“Mostmendon’thaveadvisorswithan‘offwiththeirhead’policyfirst.”

“Iwasnotthatdrastic.”Waheedsmoothedouthisbeard.“Still,youhardlyknowthegirl,andthis

isfarfromconventional.”

“It’sbetterthanputtingherunderhousearrest,andyoudon’tunderstand.There’ssomethingabout

her.Ofcourse,she’snotEtana.Shecouldneverbethat,butIneedtoseewherethissparkgoes.Youknow

that.”

Waheedshookhishead.“Icanonlyadviseyou,andthisisunconventionalbyfar,butyouareright.

I’venotseenthatsparkinyoureyesinfivelongyears.Soifyou’rehappy---evenifthisplanisbeyond

insane---thenIamhappyforyou.”

“Thankyou,oldfriend.Infact…”

Thewordsdiedinhisthroat.AnyattemptatspeechwasfutilewhenOliviamarchedintothethrone

roomwithGailaleadingtheway.He’drarelyseenawomanmorelovely,likeatemptressofmythcome

tolife.Theghaagrahuggedherbodyinaclose-fittedbodiceandthenfannedoutintoamyriadofpleats,

eachoneadornedwithgoldenthreadandpreciousdiamondssewnintothefabric.Thetraditionaldress

haditspleatedskirtslayeredoneontopoftheother,andthedeepcrimsonmadeOlivia’sflame-redhair

seemmorefierythanever.Thenecklinedippedlow,highlightingbothherfinecollarboneaswellasthe

butterycreamofherskin.Hehadtoforcehimselfnottolickhislipsatthesightofher,theswellofher

breastsperkingupthebodiceofherghaagra,setoffbythethickropesofgoldloopedaroundherneck.

Thethinfiligreeofthehennasnakedupherhands,amyriadoftwistingandentangledvinesthatwere

someofGaila’sfinestwork.Therewasnodupattaortraditionalheadcovering,onlyasmalltiara

highlightedwithemeraldsanddiamonds.HeeyedGaila,whobeamedproudlyatherwork.

Theoldwomansaidnothing,andhehadtowonderifthelackofthestandardveilwasaneffortto

continuetoshowofftheluxuriousredlocksofhisbride-to-be.

Theimamwaitedforhiscuetostart.IttookamomentforRamitogiveit.First,hehadto

rememberhowtospeakaswellasgethimself----allofhim---undercontrol.Then,heofferedhisbride-

to-beasmallsmile.“Youlooklovely,Red.I’veneverfoundthenamemorefittingthanrightnow.”

HerwidegreeneyeslookedbacktoGailaandthendownatthefloor.He’doverwhelmedherwith

fartoomuchinjustfourdays,andhecouldhardlyblameherforthereticenceofherpostureandhow

littleshelookeddirectlyathim.Buttheyhadalifetimetoworkonallofit.Hecouldbuildthattrustup

withher,ifonlyshe’dlethim.

“Canwestart?”

HenoddedandthenaskedtheimamtoproceedinYomarani.Theceremonywasdeliveredinboth

EnglishandArabic,withtheimampausingafterhespoketraditionallinesfromtheQurantorephraseit

sothatOliviacouldfollowalong.Thentheygottotheexchangingofthevowsandwhilehefoundhimself

surprisinglyboisterousandenthusedtogivehisanswers,RaminotedhowhesitantlyOliviaofferedhers.

Herduty.

Thewordsfeltbitterinhismind.Hewantedhertoseethisasmorethanabargain,butthatwould

comeintime.

Finally,theimamblessedtheirunion,andheswepthisbrideintohisarmsinalover’scarryand

broughtherbacktohiswingofthepalace.Tonight?Well,tonightwouldbeallaboutconsummation.

***

Oliviawasbeyondimpressed.She’dneverexpectedRamitohavethestrengthtocarryherfor

whatfeltlikeforeverthroughthetwistsandturnsofyetanotherwingofthepalace.Despiteeverything,

shewasgratefulhehad.She’dneverbeabletowalkintheheavyrobesandlongfabricsgatheredaround

her.Itwaswhenhesetherdownatthefootofhisbedthatherheartstarteditsfreneticpitter-pat.

Thisisit.Whatcouldhewantnow?Wait,Iknowwhathewants.CanIgiveit?

Heofferedheraslow,steadyingsmileasheslippedoffhisturban-likeheadcoveringandhis

robes.Underneath,hewasstillwearinghisboxersbutnothingelse.ThesightoftheOldWorldmeeting

theNew,themixofancientceremonialrobesandboxerswastoomuchforher.Itwasthelastsurreal

strawthatfinallybrokethecamel’sback.Ariotofgiggleseruptedfromherbelly,andOliviadoubled

over,thelaughterbubblingthroughher.

“What’swrong?”Ramiglaredbackatherandstoodtaller,evenputtinghishandsonhiships.

Oh,hemusthaveinterpretedherlaughterasbeinglessthanimpressedwithhim.God,theman

didn’tknowhimselfatall.HerculeshimselfwouldbejealousofRami’sphysique.Thebroadshoulders,

taperedwaist,andmouth-wateringabswereonlyemphasizedunderthesoftlightsofthelampsaround

them.Yet,alltheconfusionintheworldswirledthroughhermind.

Ican’treallydothis,canI?

She’dbeenforcedtomarry,butshe’dhavegottentoknowRamiofherownfreewill.Hewas

gorgeous,witty,andcharming.HewaskeepingherhereindefinitelyoruntilCelestecouldspringher,and

yetstaringathiminthemoonandlamplightmadewetnesspoolbetweenherlegsandwarmthflare

throughherbelly.

Shewantedhim,butshealmostloathedherselfforlettingheremotionsandherpassionsrunwild.

Thereweresomanyotherthingsatstakehere,andshehadtorememberthatevenifitwasashisbride,

evenifhewastreatingherwithroyaldecorum,shewasstillaprisonerhereandRamiwashercaptor.

“What’ssofunny?”heasked,stillstaringbackather,thathoney-huedgazeseemingtojudgeevery

inchofhersoul.

“Nothing.”Shesobered.“IguessIneverexpectedsheikhstowearboxers.”

Hegrinnedmischievouslybackather.“Iusuallywearnothingatallundermyrobes.”Heranone

handdownhismusculartorso.“Youshouldbesolucky.”

“Idon’tknowwhatyouwantfromme.”

“Tobemywife.Ithoughttheceremonyandtheimamwouldhavetippedyouoff.”

“ButIdon’tunderstandwhy.Ibrokeintoyoursuite.Icouldhavejustbeenlockedawaylike

Waheedwanted.”

“Idon’talwaysfollowthewillofmyadvisor.”Hestrodeforward,hisstepsasconfidentasa

proudjunglecat,andthenhestrokedthesideofhercheek.“Iwouldneverallowyoutostayinthe

dungeon.”

“Yetyouwantmeinyourbed.I…”

“Nothinghastohappenthatyoudon’twantto.”

Shequirkedherlipsbackathim.Oliviawantedtorunahandthroughherredcurls,butshewas

afraidshe’ddislodgehundredsofthousandsofdollarsofpreciousstonesandthetiaraifshedidso.

Instead,shetappedherfingernailsagainstherthighinafeebleattempttoquellheranxiety.

“I’mmarried.”

Henoddedandleanedcloser.Thescentofhimwasenoughtomakehertremble,andhishotbreath

onherforeheadleftherreeling.Hewasrightthere,solidbeforeher,andbyextension,hersforthetaking.

Allshehadtodowasletgo.

“Well,thatwasonestipulationthatkeptWaheedandthesecuritycouncilfrombeingtooupset.I

won’tdoanythingtoyouthatyoudon’twanttonight.Irespectyoufartoomuchforthat.I’veneverhadto

doanythingtocoerceawomaninmylife,andI’mnotabouttostartnow.I’vehadcousinsinotherlands

abducttheirbridesanddothingsI’dneverapproveof.Thisisunconventional,butyouhaveallthepower

here.Ifyouwanttomerelygobacktoyourquarters,well,I’llbedisappointed,butIwon’tforceyouto

stay.Iknowit’snotfairtoyou.”

Shesnorted.“SonowIhavetheworld’shottestmanhere,tellingmethatIcanjustgivehimupand

gobacktomybedandsleep.”

HiseyesopenedwiderasRamiperkedup.“SoyouthinkI’m‘hot?’”

“Youknowyou’regorgeous,probablyoneofthemosteligiblebachelorsontheplanet.”

“Correction,”hesaid,gesturingtotheringhewore.He’dslippedamatchingoneonherfinger

earlierthatnight.Oliviawouldhavewonderedwherehegotit,butshefiguredasheikhandabillionaire

couldgetanythinghewantedondemand.Itmadesense.Maybeheevenhadaroyaljeweleroncall.“I

wasthemosteligiblebacheloruntillastnight.Now,I’mhappilytieddownto…howdoyouAmericans

sayit?My‘ballandchain.’”

“Ohhar-har.I’mtheonewho’scaptive.”

“But,”hesaid,kissingherlipsandthennibblingdelicatelyatherrightearlobe.Shetookinadeep

breathastheheatrosefromhercoreandupherlimbs.“Youcansaynoatanytime.Ifyouwantmetocall

forGaila,justsaythewords.”

“I’dneverwantthat.”

Shewasshockedbythefranknessofherreply.Whilesheknewthatshefeltherselfburningforhim,

Oliviastillhadn’tknowntillthatmomentwhichwayherheartwouldreply.Ifshe’dplayitsafeasshe

hadforherentirelifeorifshe’dtakeachanceandembracethecrazyrabbitholeshe’dcrashedinto.

“Sayitagain,”Ramicommanded,hisvoiceeveryinchtheroyalbassitneededtobe.“Tellme

whatyouwant.”

“You,Rami…mysheikh.Ionlywantyou,”shereplied.

Hegrinnedather,alookthatcouldsetalmosteverypantyinthewesternhemisphereonfire.Asit

was,itlefthercoresmolderingandherbodyshaking.“Ineedyoutoliedownonthebed.I’llhelpyou

takeoffyourgarments.I’dhatetoruinyourweddingdress.”

Shestoodandheldupherarms,takingindeepbreaths,revelinginhismasculinemuskashelifted

herrobeandpleatedskirtsoverherhead.Hesetthedelicateworkofredsilkoverasettee.Hegrinned

downather.

“What?”shedemanded.

“Youseemtobeabitofahypocrite.You’renotwearingabraoralltheundergarmentseither.”

Sheblushed,feelingaheatflushingoverhercheeksthatprobablymatchedthecolorofherhair.

“I…underwearworkedwiththerobes,butIcouldn’twearmybrawiththewaythebodicewasmade.”

Hislipswereonherbreastthenevenashistongueflittedoverhernipple.Shemewledandpressed

herbodytightlyagainsthim,alreadyanticipatingthefinalrewardofhismemberdeepinsideher.

“God,Rami…”

“Oh,I’mfarbetterthanthat.”Hesteppedbackandshemoanedherdisapproval.

“No,Ineedyou.”

Hepressedafingertoherlips.“Andyoushallhaveme,butIhavesomanyplansforyou,my

sweet.”Hurryingtothecloset,Ramicamebackinshortorderwithacollectionofbrightlycolored

scarvesinhisarms.“Ihaveabitofagametoplayaswegettoknoweachother,Red.”

“Idon’tunderstand.”Shelaydownonthebed,makingsuretherewereplentyofpillows

underneathherneck.Herhandsreacheddowntoslipunderthehemofherpanties.Shewasabouttoslip

themoffwhenherhusband---dearGod,thiswasreal---shookhisheadather.“What?”

“Iwanttodothatformyself.First,”hesaid,saunteringovertoherandpickingupherwristinhis

hand.“Ineedtotieyouup.Ifyou’llallowit.”

Shegulped.Herlovershadbeenfewandfarinbetweenand,inthelastcoupleyears,prettymuch

nonexistent.“I…ofcourse.”Hernewboldnessshockedher,butOliviawasmorethanhappytohavehim

tiehertothebedframeandthendothesamewithheranklesaswell.

Ramismirkedbackather,mirthplayinginhishoneyeyes,andhisgoateequirkedplayfullybackat

her.“NowI’mgoingtohaveyoucompletelyatmymercy.”

“I’malrightwiththat.Ipromise,Rami.”

“Red,I’mgoingtomakeyoufeelbetterthanyou’veeverfeltinyourlife.”

Shewantedtobeghimtohurryup,thattalkwasn’tneededwhenshewassoverywetandsovery

readyforhim.However,whenRamislippedhisboxersoverhischiseledhips,shehadtoswallowhard

tokeepfromwhistlingherappreciation.Hislengthsprangfree,juttingupfromfine,darkcurlinghair.It

wasthickallaroundandmouthwateringlybig,unlikeanyshe’deverseen.Suddenly,Oliviafeltcheated

ofallshe’dbeenmissingoutonovertheyears.

“Doyouwantme?”heasked,climbingupoverthefootofthebed,takingeachmovementlikea

pantherabouttopounceonastrugglingdeer.Shedidn’tmindbeinghisprey,notwiththewayhismuscles

rippledandhismemberbobbedeagerlybeforeher.

“Yes,”shesaid,hervoicehoarsewithneedanddesire.

“ThenIcan’twaittomakeyouscream,Red.”

Heworkedhiswayupherbodyuntilthebulkofhimwashoveringoverher,hisweightheavy

againstherandthescentofclovesteasingandtemptingherasalways.Hislipswereflushagainsther

ownthen,softandpillowy.Ramipressedhistongueintohermouth,thatslenderbitofmuscletastingher

anddancingwithintheconfinesofhermouth.Shetriedtoreachforhishair,torunherhandthroughhis

thickblackcurls,andgroanedwhenherrightarmsnappedbacktothebedpost.Itwassuchasillythingto

forget,butnowsheunderstoodpartoftheallure.Andthetrust.Rami,alone,controlledthetempoforall

ofthis,controlledherabilitytoorgasmandwhatshefeltatanygivenmoment.Oliviawasutterlyathis

mercy,andfortonight,shewouldn’thaveitanyotherway.

Ramimovedfromhermouthtoherchin,tracinghisteethandthenhisstubbleoverthesoftskin

there.Shemewledlikeababykittenandmovedasbestshecouldtothrustherhipsagainsthim,feeling

hislengthhardupagainstherbelly.Ifonlyitwereinsideofhernow,ifonlyshecouldfeelthecomplete

fullnessofhiminsideofher.Herlegsachedforit,hercore,evenherpleasurebutton,thatsensitive

bundleofnervesthathe’dalreadydrivenwildoncebefore.ButRamicontinuedathisownpaceandwith

hisownministrations.Hewasclearlyasheikhwithaplanandaclearideaofwhathewantedtodo.As

heworkedhiswaydownhercollarboneandtothehollowofherthroat,shecouldhardlymind.Every

strokeofhissensuoustonguewasalluring,everynipofhisteethagainstherskinawakeningsomething

deepandpassionatewithinher.

Soonhesnakedhistongueinthedipofherbellybutton,andshesquealedsoloudthatOliviawas

sureallthestaffandhalfofthecityheardher,eveniftheywereprobablymilesfromtheheartofthe

capital.Thenhedippedhistongueundertherimofherpanties,histonguetracinginvisiblepatternsonly

heknewoverherdelicatedownofhairthere.Ramiclenchedthewaistbandbetweenhisteethandyanked

itdown.Shecouldn’treallyarchherbacktohelphim,notspreadasshewas,andeventuallyhehadto

movethepantiesdownandoverherhipsandasfardownherthighsandkneesashecouldwithhishands.

“You’resobeautiful,”herasped.

Shecouldn’thelpbutgrin.She,OliviaJoiner,hadbroughtasheikhtobreathlessness.Evenwith

herarmsthatwereabittoobigandhercurvesthathermothernevershutupabout,evenwithallher

flaws,SheikhRamiZamansawher.Trulysawher.Tohim,shewasdesirableand,foronceinherlife,

Oliviacouldactuallybelievethatshewas,believethatshematteredbecausesuchawildandpowerful

manhaddeemedherso.Hestartedbynuzzlingabitathercurls,butitchangedquicklyandhishands

workedtheirwayuptheexpanseofherthighsashepositionedhimselftogodeeper.

Hecouldn’tpossibly…

She’dhadoneboyfriendincollegewho’ddonethis,buthe’donlydoneitafewtimes,andwhenhe

had,he’dmostlymadeherfeelbadlyforevenasking.Frankly,shealwaysassumedthatmenhatedit.They

onlyseemed,inherexperience,todoitsothattheycouldgetthingsinreturn.WhywouldRami...why

wouldasheikhdeigntomakelovetoherlikethis?

Hepausedasifseemingtoreadherthoughts.

“Areyoualright,Red?You’resoquiet.”

“Ijust…youdon’thaveto.”Hercheekshadtobeflameredbynoworpossiblybrightasafire

hydrant.“Iknowthatmendon’tlikeit.”

Helaughed,hisAdam’sapplebobbingwithseductiveglory.“Mostmendon’tunderstandthejoys

oftheambrosiathatcomesfrombetweenawoman’slegs,thetruehoneyfreshfromitspot.”

Shewrinkledhernosebackathim.“Really?”

Hedidn’tsayanything.Afterall,hisactionsspokelouderthananyplatitudeswouldhave.No,

insteadshefeltthesoftnessofhistongueagainsthermostsecretlips.Shemoanedandarchedherhipsas

bestasshecould,herbodybeckoninghimforwardtoenjoythewetnessthathadalreadyslickedherlegs

andtheapexofherthighs.Withhishandsgrippingherthighstightly,Ramithrusthistongueintoher

channel.Thenhemovedthefingersofonehandtopressagainstherrosebud.Hepressedagainstthose

hyperalertnerves,runninghisthumbcounterclockwiseagainstherpearlevenashistonguetastedevery

dropofjuicefromhercore.Ashecontinuedhisferventlickswithhistongue,thepleasurecrestedthrough

herbody,flowingupfromhercore,likeatsunamithreateningtohitherfullon.

Oliviaclosedhereyesandarchedherheadback.Partofherloathedthesilkthatboundher,wished

shecouldreachdownandrunherfingersthroughRami’shair,thatshecouldticklethesidesofhis

earlobe.Shewantedtobeabletourgehimon,togettherhythmgoingevenfasterand,atthesametime,to

beabletothankhimwithherwanderinghandsforeverythinghewasgivingher.Anotherwaveofecstasy

hitbutitwasn’tquitethereyet,wasn’tenoughtohelpherletgo.

“Please,”shesaid,hervoiceafeveredlitany.

Hesaidnothingbuthispaceincreased,histonguethrustinginandoutofherinafrantictempo

she’dneverfeltbefore.Histhumbcircledcounterclockwiseandhittherightspotofherpearl.Itwasthen

thetsunamihitherfully,theforceofherorgasmturningherlimbstojellyandleavingherbonelessandat

Rami’smercy.Apparently,hewasextremelythorough,movingfromplunderinghercoretolappingather

pleasurebutton,sucklingitintohismouthandteasingheruntilshecameagain,screamingloudlyenough

forallofYomaraniasakingdomtohearher.

Whenhewasfinallydone,Ramidisappearedtothebathroomandsheheardthesoundofrunning

water.Oliviafiguredhewascleaningupaftereverything.Whenhecameback,Ramisetatowelonher

lapandthenundidthebindingsonherwristsandankles.Reachingdown,hecleanedheroffgentlyand

thenurgedherontoherstomach.

“Youneedtorest,Red.You’vehadquitetheevening.”

Hereyesflutteredopenandsheglanceddownathislength,stillpainfullyhard.“Ihavetohelpyou

out.”

“There’ssomuchtimeleftforthat,mywife.Don’tworryaboutplayingfairtonight.Ijustwantto

makeyoufeelsafeandhappy.Doyou?”

ExceptIcannevergohomeagain…

Shedidn’tvoiceherworriesoutloud.Instead,sheregardedhimwithwide,heavy-liddedeyes.

“I’mhappyfortonight,Rami.”

Hissmileseemedtofalterforonlyamomentbeforehelaydownbesideherandrubbedherback.

“Thenthat’senoughfornow,Red.Let’sgetsomesleep.”

ChapterNine

SheawokethatmorningfullysatiatedandreachingoverforRamionhissideofthebed.Itwasodd

toherthatshe’devenstartthinkingaboutitthatway,thatthey’dbetakingsides.Yethe’dcurledupnextto

herrightside,andithadfeltlikethemostnaturalthingintheworld.However,Oliviabolteduprightin

bedwhensherealizedthathersheikhwasgone.Frowning,shepushedbackthesilksheetsandcranedher

neckaroundtheroom.TherewasnotraceofRaminearher.Lyingonthesetteeinthecorneroftheroom,

though,wasalightmintgreenkaftanandtheappropriateundergarments.Thatmuchwasarelief.Olivia

hadn’tbeensurehowshe’dgetbackintoherweddingrobes,andtheywerethelastthingshewantedto

wanderaroundthepalacein.Herhairwasstillmadeupwithpreciousjewels,butshemusthaveremoved

hertiaraandjewelryatsomepointinthebleary-eyednight.Standingup,sheinchedacrosstheroomand

easedintoherunderwearandthesoft,flowingrobe.

Theslippersweresoftandfeltlikeheavenonherfeet.

Theydefinitelyhadoneuponthehellthatwashighheelsonadailybasis.Gatheringherwitsabout

her,Oliviaeasedoutofthebedroomandthenjourneyedthroughthemyriadofwingshiddenawaywithin

thepalace.Whileshepassedseveralservantsandevensomeguards,shedidn’thavemuchluck

communicatingwiththemasshespokeneitherYomaraninorArabic.Eventually,shecametoanopen

pavilionandsighedwithreliefwhenshefoundGailawaitingforher,abeatificsmileontheolder

woman’sface.

“OhthankGod!”shesaid,rushingforwardandgivingGailaahug.

Shedidn’tyetknowtheotherwomanwell,butitwasthebestcomfortshecouldmanageinthis

place,especiallysinceRami---herhusbandofallthings---hadleftherstrandedandalone.Wasthatpartof

herpunishment?Wasthatsomethingshe’dearned?Hadshenotbeengood?Allthesethoughtswere

plaguinghermindasshesqueezedtheotherwomanonemoretimebeforepullingawayfromtheembrace.

“Idon’tunderstand.DoyouknowwhereRamiis?”

Gailanodded.“Iapologize.HehadabusinesscalltoTokyoreallyearlythismorning,andIhad

leftyoutherightclothing.YouseemedsodeeplyoutofitthatIthoughtIcouldtakemymorningwalkin

therosegarden.Ididn’texpectyoutowakesosoon.Ramisendshisregrets,andhe’llbeabletojoinyou

soonaswell.Thebusinesscouldn’tbehelped,buthe’dneverwishtoleaveyou.”

Sheblushed,thinkingofallthey’dsharedlastnightandthewayRamihadmadeherfeel.Maybe

she’djustgonenutssinceshe’dbeenfiredinsuchaspectacularfashion,butshewasn’tsureanymore.For

thefirsttimeinyears,maybeforever,shewastakingwhatshewanted,beingadaredevil.Afterall,

playingitcompletelyandutterlysafeforalmostadecadehadn’tnettedheranything.Asmessedupasher

situationwas,beingdaringhadearnedherahusband---again,perhapsonewithasideofStockholm

syndrome---andanewadventure.Ramimadeherbodyhumwithenergyandherheartbeatwithpassion.

Nothingaboutthatcouldbewrong,andthewayhisdevilishtongueandtalentedfingershadbroughtherto

utterecstasycouldonlyberight.

“Iguesshewouldn’t,”shesaid,tryingtokeephercomposure.

Gailaofferedheraknowingglanceandthennodded.“Well,nowthatwe’rereunitedandyou’re

currentlyup,wecanalwaystakeawalkintherosegardentogether.Wouldyouliketodothatorareyou

hungry?”

Shewantedtosaythatshewashungryforotherthings,butbitherlowerlip.Thatwasn’tlikeher

either,andOliviasensedthatGailawasasincereperson.She’dcertainlybeenhonestwithOlivia

yesterdayandnow.Besides,herstomachtrulywasn’tyetrumbling,buttherumblingofthewaterinthe

toweringfountainbeforethemandthesweettangofflowersbakingunderthesunwasenoughtoleaveher

curious.

NoddingtowardGaila,sheofferedtheolderwomanabroadsmile.“I’dlovetoseeroses.I’ve

neverseenaroyalgardenbeforeinmylife.”

Gailamarchedforwardandwoundherwaythroughthemazeoffaunaaroundthem.“Technically,

mysheikha,it’syourgardennowtodoasyoulike.”

“I’mnotreallyasheikha.”

Gailadidn’tbreakstridebutshedidlookbackoverhershoulder,aMonaLisasmileplantedonher

face.“Youarenow,andIpromiseyouthatthepeopleofYomaraniarecelebratingthenewwifeofour

belovedsheikh.Thetitleisanhonorificandit’ssurelymeantforyou.Feelfreetoembraceit.”

OliviawasoverwhelmedbyGaila’shonestyandthedepthofherdedicationtoRami.“He’sagood

ruler?”

“Hetriessoveryhard,andhetortureshimself.Ramifeelsthathecan’tcompetewithhisfather’s

legacy.SheikhRamuldidsomuchtomodernizeourcountry,tobuildourallies,andyetevenhecouldn’t

quelltherebelsinthenorthlands.Norulerisperfect,butheavyistheheadthatwearsthecrownand

Rami’sneckalmostbreaksunderitsweight.Ifeelmyboyalwaysfocusesonhisfailuresandneveronhis

successes.Thecountry’seconomyandtheZamanEnterprises’budgethavebothflourishedunderhim.He

shouldbesoproudofthat.”

“Yourboy?”sheproddedastheycametoanintricatelycarved,thickwoodengate.Therewas

Arabicinscribedinitandshehadnoideawhatitsaid.Runningherfingersoverthedivotsinthewood,

OliviaturnedtoGaila.“Whatdoesitsay?”

“Itsays,‘Hopeisthegreatestgiftofall,’”Gailaansweredasshehelpedpryopenthegatestothe

garden.

Olivia’sbreathcaughtinherthroat.Thegardenwasfestoonedwithrosesofeveryshade,from

brightyellowstodeepvioletstoredssorichtheylookedlikevelvet.Thescentoverpoweredher,that

floralwithjustabiteunderneath,andshecouldhearthesmallhumofhoneybeeshoppingfromflowerto

flower.

“Thisisamazing.”Carefully,shereachedoutandtouchedthepetalsofonefuchsiarose,petalsthat

feltlikesilkagainstherfingertips.“Ididn’tknowthatrosesgrewhere.”

“Theydon’t.”

ShefrownedatGaila.“Butthey’rerighthere.”

“SheikhRamihasawholeteamwhoworkstokeeptherosesaliveandflourishinghere.Heplanted

thegardeninmemoryofthosehe’slost.”

“Likehisparents?”

AfilmseemedtopassoverGaila’seyes,andthenshelookedtowardthehorizonasifshecould

seesomethingthatOliviacouldonlyguessat.“Ramihaslostsomuchatsoyoung.I’movertwicehisage

andhaveonlyseenafractionofhissorrowinmyownlife.Donotbefooledbythewealthorthewayyou

twomet.There’sawoundedheartthere,onetrustingyouforthefirsttime.”

ShequirkedherheadatGaila.“It’snotjusthisparentsthen?Youshouldtellme.Howeverweird

thisis,he’smyhusbandnowandIneedtoknowsomeofwhatI’vebeenforcedinto.”

“Andoursorrowsareourown.Icanonlysaythatyouneedtobegoodtohim.Iknowsomany

thingsaboutRami.Iwastherethenighthewasborn,andIbandagedhisfirstwoundswhenhefellfrom

hishorse.Iwastherewhentherebelstookhisfatherandwhenhewascrownedshortlyafter.I’veseen

himgrowhiscompanyandlosemorethananymanevershould.He’sagoodman,andastrongman,but

he’llneedyoubyhisside.”

“Andwhyme?”

Gailasmiledmorebroadly.“IknowthatRamiisanexcellentjudgeofcharacter.Whateverhesaw

inyouthatnightintheclub,well,heknowshe’smethismatch.”

“I’mnoqueen.”

“Maybeyouareandyoujustdon’tknowityet.”

***

Ramicametothegardenafterhismind-numbinglylongcallwithsomepartnersinTokyooverthe

nextconstructionprojecthehadhiseyeonintheFarEast.WhilehenormallyfoundNakachithoroughand

talented,onthedayafterhisweddingandbringinghisnewbridetotheheightsofsomuchpleasure,Rami

hadnohopeofpayingattention.Allhecravedwasgettingbacktoher,tastingeveryinchofheragain.

Poringoverbuildingplanshadbeentorture.Hestrodeintotherosegardenwithpurposeandexcitement

thrummingthroughhisveins.WhenhecaughtsightofOlivia,however,hestoppedbreathing.

Herhairstillhadthediamondandemeraldsbraidedthroughthemasshehadlastnight,butherface

andtherestofherbodywasunadornedwitheitherjewelryormake-up.Themintgreenofherrobes

servedtohighlightandintensifytheemeraldofhereyes.Herpoutylipswerecurvedbackinasmileas

sheleanedforwardtosniffthecollectionofrosesbeforeher,andherthickredhairfellinlusciouswaves

downhershoulders.

Shewasexquisite,andshewashis.

“HaveIinterruptedanything?”heasked,tryingtoforcetheswaggertohisvoice.Hedidn’tneed

hertoknowhowdeeplysheaffectedhim.Thatwasbothtoomuchtoofastand,also,morethanhewas

willingtoexploreinhimself.Once,Etanahadmeantmoretohimthanhisnextbreath.Whenshe’ddied,

she’dshatteredhisheart.Ramirefusedtoletthathappentohimagain.“Icanalwayscomeback.”

Hisbrideshookherheadandstooduprighttogreethim.“IcametofindGailaandshewasherefor

awhile.I’mgladyoucame.”Oliviablushed,seemingtothinkbetterofthedoubleentendreinherwords.

“Imean…youknow…Ijustmissedyou.”

“Soyouaren’tangryaboutourwedding?”

“I’mconfusedandI’dliketogohomesomeday,butlastnightisanexperienceIwouldn’ttradefor

anythingelseintheworld.”

Hisheartfluttered,asifitweretrulycomingaliveforthefirsttimesincehe’dlostEtanaandthe

daughterhe’dneverevenbeenabletohold.Stalkingovertoher,hecuppedthesidesofOlivia’sfaceand

kissedherdeeply,histonguetracingoverherown,playingwitheveryavailablecreviceofhermouth,

everysecretdepththatneededtobeplumbed.

Shewasbreathlesswhentheybrokeapartand,ifhewerehonestwithhimself,Ramiwastoo.

Whenhecouldspeakagain,heasked,“Areyoureadyforahoneymoon?”

“What?”

“YouthinkthatIwouldn’tspoilmynewbriderotten?We’releavingsoontoasecretlocation.”

“Aslongastherearenomanaclesinvolved.”Olivia’stonewaslight,buthereyesheldshadowsof

sadnessinthem.

Hegrabbedherhandsdelicatelybetweenhisown.“I’msorryforwhatWaheedwanted.”

“Butyou’rethesheikh.”

“Hehassecurityprotocolsthatbypassme,butIpromiseyou’llneverbelockedawayagain.It’s

nothingI’deverdotoyou.Forallintentsandpurposes,you’rethequeenofYomaraninow,andIwill

treatyouexactlyasthatrolerequires.”

Hewasrewardedbythehintofpinkthattouchedthetipsofherflushedcheeks.“Youwould?”

“OfcourseIwould.”

Shenodded.“ThenI’dbehappytogowithyou.UntilCelestetookmeabroadonvacation,Ihadn’t

reallyseentheworld.I’dtraveledit,butI’donlybeenrelegatedtotheinsideofballroomsandmyhotel

room.”

“Huh?”Hequirkedhisheadather,intriguedbyhowonecouldtravelsooftenwithoutexperiencing

theworldaroundthem.

Sheshookherhead,andhewasmesmerizedforamomentbyhercascadeofredhair.“Iwasthis

assistantforadesigner.Idon’tknowifyou’veeverheardofMonsieurLabelle?”

“Mylittlesisterwearssomeofhiscreations,buthe’snothertopdesignchoice,no.”

“Iworkedforhimforyears.Iwasalwaystheonedoingthelastminutehemsatshowsandmaking

surethemodelslookedperfect.Islavedawayforhim,andhestillfiredme.IknowImadeamistake,but

evenifwetraveledtoParisandMilanandadozenothergorgeouscities,Inevergottoseeanythingbut

theplaneandthehotel.HewastheoneschmoozingandIwastheonefixing.Iwasmostlyluckytoseemy

bedinthehotelifIcouldsneakanaptokeepworking.”

“Wasthatwhatyoualwayswantedtodo?”heasked,concerncoloringhiswords.Howcould

anyonehaveusedupsuchapreciousflowerandnothaveacknowledgedherworth?Tojustwasteher

wasbeyondhim.Howcouldanyonenotseehowspecialshewas,seeherashedid?“Justassist?”

Sheranahandthroughherhairandthenfrownedsheepishlybackathim.Pullingherhanddown,

shehandedhimthestrayemeraldbroachshe’dmanagedtodislodgefromherhair.“I’msorry.Ishouldn’t

have.”

“Youcankeepit.It’syoursnowofcourse.”

“It’sworthsomuch.”

Hereachedoutandstrokedhercheekonceagain.“Soareyou.Didyouwantmorethanassisting?”

“Idid,butafteracoupleofyears,IshouldhaveknownthatMonsieurLabellehadfoundhisfree

laborandhisworkhorse.Hewasnevergoingtolookatmydesignsandthenhelpmegetestablished.I

thinksomewhereinthepastyear,Ijustletmydreamdieoutandwasgoingthroughthemotions.Whenit

happenedlastmonth,Celestesaidthatmegettingfiredwasthebestthingthatcouldeverhavehappened

tome.I’mbeginningtothinkshe’sright.”

“Whythankyou.”

“It’snotallaboutyou,actually,”shereplied,breakingawayfromhimandgivingRamiacoywink.

“Ihadavacationforthefirsttimeinyears,andyes,Imetsomeone.Nomatterhowunconventionalthisall

is,I’mfinallylivingmylife.”

“Butyou’dliketobeadesignersomeday?”

“Iwantalotofthings,butI’mnotsureIwasevergoodenough.”

“Youpromisemeyou’llshowmesomedesigns,won’tyou?”

“Idon’tneedyoutobackmejustbecauseI’masheikhanow.”

Hehelduphishandsdefensively.“IneversaidIwould.It’sjustclearlyimportanttoyou,andIlike

meetingafellowartist.”

Shescruncheduphernoseathiminconfusion,anditwasthemostadorablemovementhe’dever

seen.“You’readesigner?”

“No,butwhenIwasateenager---andpleasedon’tlaugh---Iwasverymuchintocomicbooks.I

usedtodrawmyown.”

Oliviashookherhead.“I’dneverdothattoyou.WhydoyouthinkI’dlaugh?”

“BecauseIknowit’sfoolish.Fatherusedtosay…well,IstoppeddrawingwhenIgottoCambridge

forschool.Itwasa‘boy’sthing,’healwayssaid.”

“Ha!Iknewit!”

“YouknewIdrew?”heasked,intriguedbyherperception.

“No,butIknewyou’dbeentoEngland.IcanhearthatBritinyourvoice,justabit.”Shestartedto

pace.“MyparentsneverunderstoodwhyIdesigned.Myfather’sanaccountantforChrist’ssakes.Hejust

assumedI’d‘growoutofit.’There’sareasonIdidn’tgohomeforChristmasorotherholidaysmuch.I

don’tthinkit’ssilly.Ifyoulikedcomics,thendrawthem.”

“Idon’thavetimeforitnow.Besides,somethingsjustseemedsodark,likeashes,afterI’velost

somuch.Idon’tthinkIcoulddrawabrightlycoloredworldagain.You’rethefirstbitoflightI’vehadin

alongtime.”

“Gailamentionedyou’dhadahardlife.I’msorryaboutyourfatherandtherebels.Icanunderstand

nowhowWaheedcanbesointenseaboutsecurity.”

“Heblameshimself.LifeinYomarani,inalloftheMiddleEast,isn’talwayssafe.Infact,asyou

Americansliketosay,it’sprobablyamassiveunderstatementtosaythereareriskshere.Thispalaceis

wellguarded,andsoyouwillalwaysbeherewithme.Myfatherwenttocheckthefrontlinesofa

skirmish,andhedidnotcomehome.”

“I’mstillsorry.”

“I’mmanaging.Ilovemypeople,andItrytoservethem.”

Shenoddedandthenworriedherlowerlip.“I…nevermind.”

“What?”

“Isthatallthisis?Ihaveafeelingyoumissmorethanyourparents.Gailawouldn’tsay.”

“AndIloveherforthat.Therearemanywoundsonaheart.Theonesthathavepassed…Icannot

talkaboutthem.ItmakesitmorerealjusttothinkoverwhatI’velost.Itwouldmakeitimpossibleto

speakaboutitoutloud.Besides,wehaveaprivatejettocatch.”

“What?”

Hegrinnedandslippedoneofthesilkscarvesfromlastnightfromhispocket.“Iwanttokeepita

surprise.”

Shescoffed.“Maybeyouwanttokeepplayingkinkygameswithme.”

Heleaneddownoverherashetiedthebrightpinkandyellowscarfoverhereyes.“Ofcourse,but

thisafternoon,Red?Thisafternoonwefly.”

ChapterTen

OliviahadnoideathatRamihadflyingonhismindinmorewaysthanone.Aftertheirjetlandedin

Dubai,theyspentthenighteatingatoneofthebestFrenchrestaurantsinthecity,andthenrestingbackat

theirsuite.Shewassurprisedthathedidn’twanttodomore,especiallysinceshe’dlefthimwaitinglast

nightaftershe’dnoddedofftosleep.However,he’dinsistedthatthey’dneedtheirrest.Oliviahadno

ideahowmuch.Afterall,whenheralarmwentoffatfoura.m.Dubaitime,shewantedtochuckherphone

acrosstheroom.Ifshe’dhadthemoneytoreplacehersmartphone,shemighthave.Ofcourse,itwouldn’t

havemattered.Afterall,Rami’sphonepingedaswellandthefrontdeskcalledthem.Groggily,Olivia

wipedthesleepfromhereyesandpoutedabit.He’dhadnotimeforthatthough.Hehelpedhergrab

layers,anactualsetofjeansandajacketforthecoolpre-dawnhoursinthecity,andthenwhiskedher

awaytohissecretsurprise.

“Wow,”shesaid,hervoiceringingoutagainstthegaspouringfromtheburners.Thegreatswaths

ofcoloredfabricwaslaidoutbeforebothofthem,andthebasketofthehotairballoonseemedlarge

enoughtofitaphalanxofpeople.Itwasnotjustathreeorfourpersonaffair.“Thisiswhatyouhad

planned?”

Raminoddedandrubbedhershoulders.“Areyoutoocold?Ithastobeearlysowecanwatchthe

sunrisefromacompletelydifferentangle,butinthedesertwithoutthesunpouringthrough,themornings

canhavebite.”

“No,thejacket’sfine.IspentmostofthelastsixmonthsworkinginNewYork,andwehave

winterslikeyouwouldn’tbelieve.”

Hechuckledandstrokedhisgoatee.“Yes,I’vebeentherebefore.”

Shelookeddownatthesandandblushed.

Ofcoursehehas.Rami’sseeneverythingbynow.I’mtheonewho’sbeenshutawayandworking

toohard.

“What’syourfavoritespotintheBigApple?”heasked,takingherhandinhisastheballoonfinally

finishedfillingwithair.Ifitweren’tfortheropesholdingitdown,Oliviawassureitwouldhaveblown

off.“I’vealwayslovedTimesSquare.Itthrumswithlife.Mothersaid,ofcourse,itwassodifferent

decadesago,butnowIjustloveaplacethathassomanypeople.”

“Youlovepeople,don’tyou?”

“Ilovemypeoplebestofall.IdowhatIcantosupportthemandtokeepthemsafe.Idon’tknowif

Ialwayssucceedinthebestwaypossible,butIdoeverythingIcan.Ithinkbeingsocialjustcomesfrom

myfamily.MotherwasquitethedebutanteandFatherhadawaywithoursubjectsthatIenvyevennow.”

Themaninflatingthehotairballoon,aslightmaninabaggygreysweater,calledovertoRamiina

languageshecouldn’tfollow.MostlikelyArabic,butshewouldn’tknow.Thenhegesturedtothedoorof

thebasket.

Rami’ssmilebroadenedasheledhertothebasketandsettledherthere.Therewerebenchesfor

sitting,ifanyonefeltfaint,butonthisprivateride,Oliviahadhersheikhtokeephersafe.Besides,she’d

neverseentheworldfromthisperspective,andthelastthingshewantedwastositawayonabench,

playingitsafe.

I’mdonewithbeingsafeandboring.

Hestoodbehindher,hisshouldersfirmagainsther.Hisbodyfeltabitlikeafurnaceandshecould

feeltheheatpouringoffofhimaswellasthehardnessofhislengthalreadypressingagainstthesmallof

herbackthroughthefabricoftheirclothes.Herheartstutteredandbeatmorefiercelyafterthat.She

wantedhim,andlastnighthadn’tgivenherachancetoenjoyhim.Totastehimashehadher.

Oliviavowedtocorrectthatmistakeoncetheywerebackatthehotel.

Ramimovedhishandstohershouldersandbegantomassagethemevenastherewasamassive

blastoftheburnersandtheropeswerecut.Soontheywereliftingintothesky.Thesunhadstarted

creepingoverthehorizonastheballoonwasfilled.Nowshecouldspythehintsofmagenta,gold,and

aquamarineflashingoverthesky.Oncetheywereabovethecloudline,shewatchedastheswirlsof

nimbuses---lookingsolikeachild’scottoncandytreat---movedbelowherandturnedamberfromthe

sun’sgrowinglight.

Hersheikh’svoice,lowandraw,wasinherears.“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion.What’syour

favoriteplaceinthecity?”

“IshouldsaysomethingfancyliketheMoMa,someplacewithartthateveryonecanenjoy,

especiallyconsideringmylovefordesign.Ilikethequietthough.There’sthissmallcopseoftreesin

CentralParkthatI’dgotolateintheafternoonbutwellbeforedark.I’dtakealatelunchandjustsketch

whatIlovedandthinkofdressdesigns.Peoplewouldsometimesjogby,butitmostlyfeltlikemyown

woodedoasisinthecity.Itwasamazing.”

Hepressedagainsther,andsheinstinctivelyleanedbackagainsthishardness.“Wasitasamazing

asthis?”

They’dmovedbackbelowthecloudsagain,andshecouldseethefieldsofgreenbeforeher,the

patchesofirrigatedlandthatmadeupthecityofDubai.Now,theywerehighenoughinthecloudsthatthe

toweringspireslookedlikekids’toys.Mostly,shewasawedbythewideexpanseofdesert,therolling

dunes,andthemountainsrisingonthehorizon.Somewherefarbeyondtheirfoggypeakslaythecountryof

Oman,anditfeltasifshecouldseeallthewaythereifshejustsquintedenough.Itfeltasifanythingwere

possiblewhensherodehighabovethesandswiththemanshewassurprisinglygrowingtocarefor.

Archingherneckup,Oliviatwistedarounduntilshecouldkisshim.“Thisisthemostbeautiful

thinganyone’severdoneforme.YouhavenoideahowmuchIlovethis,butIcantryandshowyou.”

Withthat,sheopenedhermouthwideandacceptedhisprobingtongue,acceptedthetasteofhim,

likecoffeeandcinnamonstillsoearlyinthemorning.Cloveshithernoseandthestubbleofhisface

scrapedagainsthercheek.Histonguetangledwithhers,engaginginadelicatedance.Theystayedlike

thatforwhatseemedlikehours,butatleastwasenoughtimeforthesuntobeblazingacrossthedesert

andhertohavetobreakawayfromhimtoremoveherjacket.

Thelittlemanrunningtheballoonsaidnothing,althoughhedidwinkatherwhenshelookedaround

thebasketandstraightenedherhair.

Ramithreadedhisfingersthroughhersandkissedhercheek.“IhavesomuchIwanttoshowyou.

Thisisjustthebeginning.”

“I’dlikethat.”

***

ThatnightafterseeingCarmen,theywentbacktothesuite.She’dneverhadsuchanamazingday---

thebreakfastonthedunes,shoppingatthemall,andthenherfirstopera.Itwassomanythingsshenever

couldhavedreamedof,slavingawaylikeCinderellaandthemiceintheproverbialDisneycartoonwhile

tryingtofinishdressafterdressforrunwaymodels.Nowshehadbutterfliesflutteringthroughher

stomachandwarmthflaringthroughherbellyandpartsfarthersouth.Hermostsensitivebundleofnerves

wasalreadythrobbingbetweenherlegs.

Ramishutthedoorbehindherandstrippedoffhisblazer.Eventhoughhestillworehistailored,

buttonupshirt,Oliviacouldseethelinesofhistorso,thebreadthofhisshoulder.Hewasgorgeous,like

herownpersonalAdonis,andpartofherwassogladforthechancesshe’dtaken.Partofherwanted

desperatelytohavethefreedomtomovearoundandtoreturntoherhome.Yetrightnowintheglamorous

suite,withthedelectablefruitbasketsandsumptuouskingbedandwiththemoonlightstreamingin

throughthewindows,therewasnoplacethatOliviawouldratherbe.

Atleastforthenight.

Grinningathim,sheslippedtheshawloffhershoulders.Stridingovertohim,shedrapedherhands

overRami’sshouldersandsqueezedthemtightly.“I’veneverdoneoperabefore.”

“Oh,soI’mdatingaPhilistine.Whatapity.HadyouneverheardBizetbefore?”

“I’veneverheardanyofitbefore.IhonestlyexpectedfatwomeninVikinghorns.Ididn’texpectit

alltobesocatchy.”

“Thenmaybeyou’llenjoyMozartandWagnertoo,althoughWagnerhastheVikingwomenandthe

Valkyries.Maybeyouwon’tlikethat.”

“Ihaveallthesongsinmyheadthough.”Shekissedhimandthenstartedtohumoneofthecatchier

numbersfromtheopera,twistingherhipsintimewiththerhythmgallopingthroughherhead.“Itwasvery

catchy.”

Hegrabbedherbythewaistandspunheraround.“Ithinkyou’realluringwhenyoudanceforme.I

lovethewayyoutwistyourhips,thewayyouenticeme,Red.”Ramisetherdownagain.“Wehavethe

wholenighttogether,andIwanttomakemywifeashappyaspossible.WhatcanIdoforyou?”

Shegiggled,feelinglightheadedfromthechampagneshehadearlieratthepartyaftertheopera.

Someofthewarmthspiralingthroughherwasmorethanjustheranticipationoftonight,someofitwere

thebubblesfromthealcoholstillswirlingthroughher.

“Youcandoanythingyouwant.”

Ramileaneddownandtracedhistongueoverherneckandthenflickedhistongueagainstthe

hollowofherthroat,thedipinhercollarbone.Shemoanedandgrippedhisshoulders,dragginghim

closertoher.Shepushedherhipsagainsthis,anticipatingtheneedforhishardnessagainsther.Rami

hissedandgrazedhisteethovertheskinofherneck.Goosebumpseruptedoverherfleshandshe

mewled,feelingnotlikeakittenbutmorelikeawildcat,likealionesswhoseinnerpassionhadbeen

unleashedforthefirsttime.

Shemovedherhandstothebuttonsofhisshirtandbegantounbuttonhim,peelingbackeachbutton

oneatatime.ThemoonplayedlovinglyoverthebronzedskinofRami’schest,andshelickedherlipsat

thefewstrayhairscurlingupfromaroundhisnipples.Hewas,ahem,somewhatmanscaped,butstillkept

naturalenoughtobeappealing.Leaningforward,shetracedhertongueovertherimofonenipple,then

theother.Sherelishedhowhemoanedbeneathherandthehardpeaksshewasabletoraisewithhis

nipples.Overtherightsideofhischest,shegrazedherteethjustso,lettinghimfeelthebluntnessofher

incisors.

Thenshekeptupherintensity,runningherfingernailsdowntheexposedskinofhistorsoand

pressingjustenoughtoraiseabitofweltonhisabdomen.Shewasbeingthedevilthatshe’dalways

been,lettingthewildoutofher.

“My,my,mysheikh,Ithinkyou’rereadyforsoverymuch.IthinkI’mgoingtosetthetempothis

time.”

Ramilaughed,alow,rumblingsoundthatseepeddeepintoherstomachandevenseemedtocallto

thegrowingwetnessbetweentheapexofherthighs.Thenhelethishandgolowandslidituphershin,

thenherthigh.Eventually,probingfingersfoundhersecretlipsandstrokedtheskintherewithlanguid,

tauntingmotions.

“Oh,Red,youhavenoideawhatI’mcapableof.Inlifeandinlove,Ialwayssetthetempo.You

havetounderstandthat.”

Hisstrokinggrewmoreintenseandonestrayfingermadeitswayintoherchannel,probingher

depths.“Youfeelsoreadyforme,soeager.Icandoanythingtoyourightnow,andyou’dletme,wouldn’t

you?”

Oliviatookinashudderingbreathasshestruggledtoprocesswiththeenergyandsparkssurging

throughher.Itwasasifshe’dbeenshockedbythelargeststaticshockofherlife,asifherbodywas

reducedtonothingmorethanwarringelectricalimpulsesbuildingthroughher.Itwashardwithallthose

sensationstothinkatall,butshewasabletogaspoutareply.

“Yes,pleaseyes.”

“Doyoutrustme?”

Notwitheverything,notyetwithmyfullheart.

Shedidn’tdaresaythat,butwithherbodyandherdesire?Yes,Oliviatrustedthat.He’dbrought

hertotheheightsofpleasureshe’dneverknown.Oliviawantedtofeelthatalloveragain.

“Iwantyou.”

Ramifalteredforamoment,hissmileseemingtofreezeonhisface.Itonlylastedafewseconds,

buthewastellinghermorethanherealizedwiththatbriefmomentofhesitation.Evensheikhsweren’t

immunetoslightsontheirheart.

Realizinghermistake,Oliviaranherhandsdownhistorsoandrubbedherpalmagainsthislength.

“Itrustyoutomakemefeelgood,Rami.Wouldyoudothatformenow?”

Hisgoldeneyeswerebrightagain,sparklingwithlustandmirth.Hekissedherlipsandbither

lowerone,alwaysteasingher.Alwaysbeingthereforher,forwhatshewanted.Hesmiledandnuzzled

herneck,thatlowrumblecomingthroughhisthroat:

“ThenI’mgoingtomakeyoufeelsogood.”

Theelectricitywasarcingthroughheragain,likehavingtouchedalivewire.Heliftedherthen,

andinstinctively,shewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaisttokeepherselffromfalling.Ramicarriedher

effortlesslytothewallofthesittingroom.Thesuitecamewithitsownbabygrandpianoandtheyended

upstandingbesideit.Correction.Ramiwasstanding,andhehadherbackpressedfirmlyupagainstthe

wallbehindher.Sheheardthequickzipofhistrousers,anditregisteredvaguelytoherthattheydidn’t

haveprotection.Ofcourse,theyweremarriednow,asunconventionalanarrangementasitwas,andshe

knewshewasclean.Theoddsthatonetimewouldleadtocomplicationsweresmall.Besides,ifheleft

hernow,she’ddieofneed,probablycombustrightthere.

Ramiwaskissingheragain,hislipstrailingoverhercollarboneandthendowntothehintofher

breastspeekingupfromthefabricofherdress.Hisroaminghandsgrazedupherthighsandthenstopped

shortattheapex.Herpearlwasthrobbingbetweenherlegs,pulsingintimewiththerhythmofherheart.

Hersheikhleanedintoherearandflickedhistongueagainstherearlobe.Sheshiveredatthe

onslaughtofhistalentedappendage.“Ilovehearingyouscream,Red.I’mgoingtomakeitfeelsogood.

Areyouready?”

“Yes,Rami,please…”

Hismemberwastherethen,teasingherentrance,thesilkyskinsolikevelvetagainsthermost

intimatelips.Shemoanedandbuckedagainsthim,urginghimindeeperwitheverymotionofherhips.

Finally,hersheikhwasdonewithhisteasing,andheeasedthetipofhislengthinsideofher.Shehissed

ashiswarmgirthprobedintoher,slippingindeeperanddeeperuntilshefeltfilledwithallofRami.Felt

complete.Shearchedherback,pressingherhipsagainsthis,andthenhersheikhstartedhisministrations

inearnest,hishipsbuckingandrisingtomeetherown.Hisfleshmeldedintoonewithhers,hissoul

touchinghers,intermingling.

Thepacebetweenthembegantocrescendo,fastandfervent,andshefeltherorgasmrisingthrough

herbones,throughhermuscles,througheveryatom.Theelectricitywasspikingandwhenhecamefirst,

shootinghisseeddeepinsideofher,Oliviafeltasifaboltoflightninghadstruckher,asifamillionvolts

weresurgingthrougheverycellofherbody.Shethrewherheadbackandscreamed,andthenletherneck

falllimp,herforeheadcomingtorestagainstRami’sshoulder.

Hisbreathdevolvedintoheavypantinginherears,andthenRamimovedtokissherlips.Itwasas

ifhe’drunamarathonandmaybetheybothhad,thewaythingshadplayedout.

“Wasthatsatisfactory,mysweet?”

Sheopenedheavyliddedeyesandstaredbackathim,evenasshetriedtosummonstrengthback

intoherbonesandmakeherbodylesslimp.“IthinkIenjoyedit.”

“Youthink?”

Shecurledherlipsbackathiminariotousgrinandthenkissedhisforehead,amovethatwaslong

andlingering.“Iknow.Thankyou,Rami.Itwasamazing.”

“That’smorelikeit,Red.Nowlet’sgetsleep.Ithinkwe’vebothearnedit.”

ChapterEleven

ThreeMonthsLater

“Youlooksodifferent,”Celestesaid,andOliviacouldhearthecensureinherfriend’svoice.

Ofcourse,itwasn’tasifherfriendwaswrong.Thecameradidn’tlie,andSkypemixedwithher

computer’slenswasabletorevealalot.Palacelifeoverthelastfewmonthshadmadehersoft,and

she’daddedatleasttenpoundstoheralreadycurvyframe.Shealsosomehowfeltflushedallthetime,

althoughsheattributedpartofthatasasideeffectofmovingtosuchawarmclimate,oneshewasn’tused

to.Onethatseemedtomakeherglowwithathinsheenofsweatatalltimes.

Oliviasighedandtriedtokeepthesmileplantedonherface.Sheknewshehadletherselfgoabit,

lockedbehindthewallsofYomarani’smostancientcastle,butshewasn’tsurewhattodoaboutit.She

alsoseemedtobelowonenergylately,andtheideaoftakingmorethanaquickwalkaroundtherose

gardenwastoomuchforhertobear.

“I’mjusttired.”

“Ishepoisoningyou,luv?”sheasked,hertoneclipped.

“No.Look,IknowthatRamijustletmehaveSkypebackandthatI’vebeenunabletocontactmy

familyandtoleave.I’mnothappyaboutthat.”

“Yousoundlikeyou’resympathizingwithyourcaptor.”Celeste’sicyblueeyesnarrowedin

concern.“I’vebeenworkinghardtogetyouout,andyouknowthatI’mstilltalkingwithyourembassy.

Don’tgiveuponcominghome.Iwillgetyouhometoyourfamily.”

Sheeyedtheguardsbehindher.Offinthecorridor,Gailawasalsohoveringaround.Noneofthose

declarationsshouldgetbacktoherhusband.Besides,thedaysatthepalacebesidesherillnessorodd

physicalfeelingswerelovely.Shespentherdaysstrollingthroughtherosegardenandworkingon

sketchesanddesignsofherownimagination.WithMonsieurLabelletakingupeverydayofherlife,all

day,shehadn’thadthechancetodevotetimetoherartandtoherwork.Thenatnight,sheandRamimade

passionatelove,andmaybepartofitwasthesurrealnatureofhersetting.MaybesomeoftheStockholm

syndromehadrubbedoffonher.Itdidn’tmatter.TheseArabiannightsweresomeofthebestofherlife,

andifshewereabithaggardbecauseoftheclimate,thensobeit.

Shedidn’twanttohavewordgettingbacktohimthatshewasthinkingofleaving.Trulyshewasn’t.

ItwasmorelikeOliviawaswaitingforRamitoloosenthereinsabit,tolethercontactherfamilyas

wellormaybetravelbackhometoTennesseeoneday.

Fornow,though,shedidn’twanttoruintheaffairgrowingbetweenherandhersheikh.Sincethat

firstnightinDubai,they’dbeenexceedinglycareful,nevermakinglovewithoutappropriateprotection.

Therewasnowayshewasreadyforachild,andhewassobusyplanningstrategiesagainsttherebelsin

thenorth.

“Youstilllookverywan,darling,andI’mnotgoingtoresttillyou’resprung.Yousavedme,and

yousavedmycareer.IamnotleavingyoutosomebarbarianinYomarani.”

“Ramiisn’tlikethat.Infact…”shehadtostopthen.

Thethreatofnauseawasbubblingupinherthroat.Rushingoffcamera,sherantothebathroomand

vomitedintothetoilet.Oliviaretcheduntilshefeltherthroatburn.Thensheleanedagainstthecool

porcelainofthetoilet,tryingtogetherheadtostopspinning.Inthebackground,sheheardCeleste’s

franticshouts.

“Olivia,luv?Areyouokay?IsthereanythingIcandotohelpyou?Please,youhavetoletmeknow

ifeverythingisokay.Youjustranoff.AmIrightaboutthepoisoning?”

Shegrabbedatowelandrubbedatthecornersofhermouth.Gettinguneasilytoherfeet,sheleaned

overthetoiletandflusheditandthenputafreshclothagainstherneck.Slowly,Oliviawalkedbacktoher

desk.Gailawasalreadythere,sweepingupunderherarmandhelpingOlivianavigateherwaytoher

computer.

Celeste’seyeswerewideassheregardedOliviathroughthescreen.“Youlookpiqued.I’m

serious,issomethingwrong?”

“No,I’mfine.”

Gailafrownedbackather.“Areyousure?Youhavebeenlookingflushedlately.”

“Yes,likeaglowand…ohmyGod!”Celesteshriekedontheotherend.

“YourGodwhat?”Oliviaasked,herheadspinningandherheartracing.

“You’repregnant.Ishouldhaveknown.Nowonderyoulooksotiredandworndown.”

Oliviashookherhead.“There’snoway.We’vebeensoverycarefuland…ohno!”

Gailaquirkedherheadather,asdidCeleste.Theolderwomanspokewithacalm,slowcadence,a

contrasttoCeleste’soverreactions.“What,mysheikha?What’swrong?”

Shelookedbetweenthescreenandherhandmaid.“InDubai…therewasonenightwherewewere

sotired,anditwasjusttheonetime.Ididn’tthinkitwouldmatter,andwe’vebeensocarefulsince.”

“Butyouknowwhattheysay,pigeon,”Celestecorrected.“Onetimeisallittakes.Maybethat’s

what’shappening.”

Gailaeyedherandbowedherhead;idly,Oliviawonderedifthistypeoftalkmadetheother

womanfeelembarrassedorunsureofherself.“MistressOlivia,ifyouneedatest,thenIcanprocureone

foryou.”

“Thisisinsane.Ihaven’t…Ican’t…”Oliviasputtered,butnowthatshethoughtaboutit,she

realizedthatshehadmissedherperiod.She’dchockedituptoherstressandthechangeinclimate,but

nowthatshereallyrecalledallofit,Oliviarealizedthatshehadn’tmenstruatedsinceshe’dcometo

Yomarani.“Ohno!”

Herheadspunandshesetherfaceinherhands.“Ican’tbepregnant.”

“Luv,youdon’tknowityet,butyoudoneedtofindout,”Celestecooed.“Please,don’tpanic,but

youdoneedtoentertainthepossibility.”

Gailanodded.“I’llgogetatestrightnow.Youjustrest.”

“WillyoutellRamiwhatI’mdoing?”Thewordswereoutofhermouthfast.Still,ascloseasshe

hadgrowntoGaila,asmuchasshesawtheotherwomanasamotherfigureoranoldersister,shewas

stillloyaltothesheikh.Afterall,she’dknownRamihiswholelifeandOliviaonlyafewmonths.

“Please,Ineedtofigureoutwhattodo.”

Gaila’sfacefell,butshenodded.“Iknowyouneedtimetoprocesswhateveristocome.Iwon’tlet

anyoneknow,notbeforeyouhavethetestfinished,mysheikha.ThisIvow.”Theolderwomansqueezed

herforearm.“You’llbeokay.I’llreturnsoon.”Withthat,shehurriedoutthedoor.

Oliviaslouchedlowerinherchair,alowgroanescapingherthroat.“Idon’tknowwhatI’mgoing

todo.”

“Youdon’thavetoraiseachildwithyourcaptor,Olivia.Iamgoingtofigurethisout.There’sno

wayI’mgoingtoletmybestmateandherbabybetrappedbehindpalacewalls.I’llneverallowthat,”

shefinished.

Oliviawasn’tsurewhatshefearedmore---herpossiblepregnancyorherfriend’sfervorand

machinations.

***

“You’resoveryquietthisafternoon.Iseverythingalright?”Ramifrownedbackathisbride.She

seemeddistracted.Duringtheirmorningwalkinthegarden,she’dstumbledmorethanonce.Nowthat

theywereeatingfreshdatesandlambstew,herattentionappearedtobeelsewhere.Shehadn’tsaidmuch

ofanything---ararityforher---andshewasstaringoffintospace.Ramihadn’tseenherthisupsetsince

thedayCelesteHolmeshadbeensentaway.“Mylove,canyouhearme?”

Herheadsnappedupquicklyandwhileshedidofferhimabroadsmile,hereyesstayeddistantand

downcast.Ramiknewwhensomeonewasputtingonappearances.Itwasalwaysabouttheeyes.IfOlivia

wasn’tsmilingherusualbrightsmileandheremeraldeyesweren’tlightingupwithmirthandamusement,

thensomethingwaswrong.

“Oh,I’mfine.”

“Howdoyoulikethegoat?”

“It’sfine.”

“Thenthat’sgreatbecausewe’rehavinglamb,andthisisusuallyyourfavoriteandyoudefinitely

knowthedifferencebynow.What’swrong?”

“Nothing,”shesaid,stirringhersouphalf-heartedlywithherspoonandkeepinghereyeslow

again.“Ijust…it’snothing.”

Alarmed,Ramisethisspoondownandeyedhermorecarefully.“No,it’sdefinitelysomething.”

Standingup,hewalkedovertoherand,kneeling,sethishandsonhershoulders.ShesmelledofYomarani

now,ofthejasmineandexoticoilsthatGailabathedherin,buttherewasstillthathintofvanillabody

scrubunderneathandthatsweetscentthatwasallherown.Itwashomenow,andhehopedtoAllahthat

Oliviafeltthatwayabouthim.Strokingherleftcheek,Ramiadded.“Areyoualright?IsthereanythingI

candoforyou?”

“It’sjustsillythings,”shesaid,hervoiceahuskofitsusualbrightness.“I...haveyoueverthought

aboutchildren?”

Hisfrowndeepenedashefurrowedhisbrowsbackather.He’dthoughtofchildrenfondlyonce,

butthenhe’dlostEtanaandhisdaughterinoneintenselydevastatingnight,anightthathadtornhisvery

heartandsouloutuntilhe’dfoundasparkofloveandaffectionagainwithOlivia.WithhisRed.Buthe

hadn’tallowedhimselftothinkofchildrenagain,todwellonit,notwhenhishopeshadbeenso

thoroughlydashed.HefearedthatifheevertriedthatAllahwouldsnatchthatfromhimalloveragain.

Asiftheuniversewerealignedagainsthim.

“Yes,butit’sbeenawhile.”

“Doyouwantthem?”

“Areyoupregnant?”

Shestiffened.“NotasfarasIknow,butitoccurredtomethatasrulerofYomarani,youdooweit

toyourpeopleandtoyourfamilylinetohavechildrensomeday.Idon’tknowifIhaveachoiceinthat.”

Hisheartstoppedinhisthroat,butRamikeptstrokinghercheek.“Ofcourseyoudo,andIwouldn’t

askthatthissoon.Yes,onedaytheZamanlinemustcontinue.Whyareyouaskingthisnow?”

“It’sjustthateverythingissowonderfulhere,likeafairytale.I’veallowedmyselftothinkabout

thisasavacationorasafictionalescape,likeI’msomeprincesssweptaway,butIhavealifeback

home.AtleastIdid.Youhaveresponsibilitiestoyourpeople,andIdon’tknowhowIfitintothat.”

Hesqueezedhershoulderwithonehandandkissedherforehead.

“Idon’tthinkI’dbeaverygoodmother.”

“Whywouldyousaythat?”

Sheshookherhead.“BecauseonedayIstillwanttosetthefashionworldonfire.BecauseIlove

havingyoualltomyself,andI’mabitselfishthatway.MaybebecausemymomanddaddivorcedwhenI

wasthree,andtheonlypaternalfiguresinmylifehavebeenMom’sstringoflameboyfriends,andthose

weretheguysshesqueezedinwhileworkingcaseslateintothenightduringherlawyerdays.Idon’tthink

Iknowanythingaboutraisingtherightfamilyand,asniceasthisis,maybethisisn’tforme.”

Ramitriednottoletthefuryroilthroughhisgut.Afterall,he’dbentandalteredrulestobringher

here,manipulatedwhatWaheedhadsetup.Shewashis,butapartofherstillwasn’t,andhewantedthat

morethananything.Insistingthatitbesoormakingdecreeswouldn’thelphim.Heknewthatnow.He

knewhowstubbornhisRedcouldbeandhowdifficultitwouldbetoforceherintoanything.

Besides,hedidn’twantthat,nevertrulyhad.HewascaptivatedbyOlivia,andhewantedher---all

ofher---tobehisbyvirtueofherownfreewill.

“Idon’tbelievethat.Idon’tbelieveforamomentthatanyoneasfulloflife,aspassionate,would

evermakeanythinglessthananidealandcaringmother.”

Shesighedandpushedherchairawayfromthetable.Reluctantly,Ramilether.Oliviastoodand

dabbedatthecornerofhermouthwithhernapkinonelasttime.“Iwishwebothbelievedthat.”

Beforehecouldarguethepoint,Oliviawasgone.

***

Twobluelines.

DearGodandohshit,whatamIgoingtodonow?

Twobluelines,sosimple,yettherehauntingandmockingherfromtheplasticapplicatoronthe

sink.Shewaspregnant.Thatonetimehadbeenthecharmorthecurse,dependingonyourperspective,

andnowOliviawaswithchild.Excepttheonethingshe’dneverwantedtodowashaveachild.She

didn’ttrustherselftobeamother.Itwasn’tthatshehadterribleparents.TherewerenoJerrySpringer

storiesinherchildhood,butherparentswerebothlawyers,bothworkaholics.Itwasinevitablethey’dget

divorced.Theyprobablytried,buttheybarelyhadtimeforeachother,letalonetheirdaughter.Working

toomuchwasn’ttoobad.Afterall,Oliviawasaworkaholictoo.Atleastshehadbeenwhileslaving

overthoselonghoursforMonsieurLabelle.Oneday,howevercrazyallofthiswas,shewantedtohave

herownchanceinthefashionspotlight.Therewasnowayshecoulddothatwithachildand,worse,

therewasnowayshecouldbetherightkindofmom,notthekindakiddeservedorRamiwouldwant.

Notwhenshehadnothingbutdaycareandbabysitterswhileherparentsworkedseventy-hourweeks.

Idon’tknowhowtodothis.I’dbejustlikemymom…

Shejustwasn’tready,andOliviawasn’tsurethatshe’deverbeready.Sheleanedoverthetoilet

andwretchedagain,thebilerisingupinherthroat.Eventually,Oliviastooduponshakingfeet.Leaning

down,shepulledoutaclothandthenletthedampragdabathertemples.Whateverhappenedfromhere

onout,shehadtofigureitout.Shehadtobestrong,evenifnowshewasmoretrappedinthepalacethan

shecouldhaveeverimagined.

Therewasasmallcoughfromthebathroom’sdoorway,andsheturnedtoseeGailastandingthere,

herfaceschooledtoaneutralexpression.Theolderwomanglancedatthetestandthennodded.“Isee

now.”

“You’regoingtotellhim.”

“SheikhZamanhassufferedmanytragediesinhislife,andwe’vetalkedaboutthis.”

“No,you’vebeenobliqueaboutit.”

“Somethingsarenevergoingtobemyplacetosay.Iknowhe’sagoodman,andhe’dbean

amazingfather,ifyoulethim,butIalsocanseehowscaredyouare.Tostartafamily…itmustbeafully

willingandacceptingchoice.Youcan’tmakethatkindofchoiceinthispalace.I’llunderstandifyouneed

distance.”

“What?Butyou’veknownRamihiswholelife.”

“AndIknowthatheneedsawifeandmotherforhischildrenwhotrulywantsit.Isuspectifyou

giveitachance,you’llfindthegreatesthappinessfromthisarrangement,butitneedstobeyourchoiceto

make.”Gailareachedintoherrobesandpulledoutacellphone.“YoucanSkypeagainwithyourfriend,

andifyouneedtheembassytosendsomeone,again,that’syourchoice.Ibelievethatifyouletpeople

havespaceandmaketheirdecisionsclearly,thentheymaketherightones.Ifyou’regoingtobetheone

forRami,IwantyoutocometoitbecauseyouwanttoandnotbecauseWaheed’sstrictrulesforcedyour

hand.Ibelieveinyou,buttalkwithMs.Holmesasyoumust.”

“Thankyou,”shesaid,takingthecellwithtremblinghands.Thenshedialeduptheconnection.As

Gailaslippedoutoftheroom,thescreenflickeredtolifeandCelestecameonscreen.“Hey,Ineedto

comehome.”

ChapterTwelve

“DoyouthinkthatOlivia’sbeenactingoddlytoday?”RamiaskedWaheedashepushedthepapers

onhisdeskaside.“She’sbeensoquiet.”

Waheedshookhishead.“Sire,ifyou’llforgivemyforwardnature.”

“Youralwaysforwardbynature,Waheed,it’swhyIkeepyouaround.”Ramismiledabitatthat,

buthisheartwasn’tinit.“Whatisit?”

“IneverthoughtthatmarryinganAmericaninfidelwasagoodidea.Youmayhavebeenabletoply

herwithluxuryandtripsand,ahem,otherthings,butifshe’sfinallyhavinghomesicknesshither,ifshe’s

nothappy,thenit’sunderstandable.Myoriginalintentionwasforhousearrest.Ididn’texpectalove

connection.”

“Butyouhaven’tbeenwithher.ItwassomethingmagicalinDubai,andsincethenshe’sbeenso

happy,alluntilyesterday.Thenshejustseemsdifferent.Idon’tknowwhathappened.Ilethertalkwith

Ms.Holmesagain.Itshouldbemakingherhappy,toseepartofheroldlife.Idon’tunderstand.”

“Yes,Ican’timaginehowhavingadirectlinetoafriendshehasn’tseeninmonthswouldmakeher

wishshewerebackhomeinNewYorkortravelingagaininLondon.”

“Waheed,”Ramisaid,histonelikeice.“Youonlyhavesomuchroomandpermissiontobe

forwardwithme.”

“Ofcourse,sire,butIneedtoprotectyou,evenfromyourself.I’vebeenexpectingthingswiththe

American---”

“Shehasaname!”

“I’vebeenexpectingthingswiththeAmericantogosouth,trulyIhave.”

“Well,Iwon’tletthem.Therehastobeawaytoreachher,andI’llstartwithdinnertonight.Have

thechefcookupthefinestFrenchmealhecanprovide.It’llbelikethatfirstnightofourhoneymoonin

Dubai.Wecanrecapturethatmagic,Iknowwecan.”

“Sire…”

“Doit,Waheed,immediately.”

***

Hecutintohiscrepewithdelicatestrokes,hisattentionfocusedcompletelyonOlivia.Hereyes

seemedshinywithunshedtearsandherbreathcameinshudderinggaspseveryfewminutes.Whywasshe

likethis?Whatcouldhepossiblyhavedonetooffendherinthelastfewdays?

Imustfindout.Ican’tloseher,notlikeIlostEtana.

“Red,mylove,what’swrong?Youhavetotellme,”hesaid.IfWaheedwerehereorhisfather

werealive,bothmenwouldsaythathewasbeingtoosolicitous.SheikhRamulwouldhavedemanded

absolutecomplianceanddid,evenfromhismother.However,that’snotwhathewanted.He’dalready

forcedOliviaintoenough.Heknewhecouldn’tmakeheropenherheart’ssecretstohim,buthecould

makethedinnerfriendlyenoughthatshemighttaketheplungeherself.“Areyoualright?Youlooksovery

sad.”

Oliviaswipedathereyes,andifshethoughtshewasbeingsubtle,thenhissheikhawassorely

mistaken.“I’mfine.Ihaven’tbeensleepingwell.IthinkIhavethiscrinkinmyneckandabitof

indigestionlately.IthinkthatifIgetpastwhat’sailingmeandgetsomesleep,thenIshouldbefine.”

“Itseemslikemorethanthat.Yesterday,youmentionedchildren.I’dneveraskthatofyousoearly

inourrelationship.Iwanttimetoshowyoutheworld,toletyoureapallthebenefitsofbeingessentially

queenofYomarani.Thenthere’syourcareer.Iknowyouwanttodomorewithdesign.I’dbehappyto

helpthere.Obviously,there’smorethanenoughtimetogettochildren,tohavethatconversationwhen

you’reready.”

Shelookedupathim,hereyessoshinyandluminous,likedeepgreenpoolsofsorrow.“Ijustdon’t

knowwhatIwant.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

Oliviadidn’tgetachancetoanswer.Beforeshecould,athunderousnoiseresoundedthroughthe

hallsalongwiththeshatteringofglass.Alarmed,Ramiboltedtohisfeetandbarkedordersathisguard.

Butastheywereallmobilizing,Americansoldiersburstintotheroomwithmachinegunsraised.From

betweenthem,amaninaneatthree-piecesuitsteppedtothefore.Heheldupapieceofpaperandpassed

ittoRami.

Enraged,thesheikhreadthedecreebetweenshakinghands.“What?”

“I’mColtonRainefromtheAmericanembassy.Ms.CelesteHolmesandourBritishcompatriots

havebeenonthelinewithus.We’vebeenworkingthelegalloopholesformonths.YouletMs.Joiner

comewithus,oritwillresultinaninternationalincident.Youhavenorighttohernow.”

AcoldblastshotthroughRami’sheart,asifanArcticwindwascurlingthroughhischest.“What?”

HeturnedtohisRedandeyedher.“Youdon’twanttogo,doyou?”

Oliviaheldherheadhighevenasherchinwobbledabitasshespoke.“Ihaveto,Rami.Ijustcan’t

stay.Notanymore.”

Shesurgedforwardandhegrabbedherarm,outofinstinctmorethanoutofrationality.“Youcan’t

go.Iwon’tallowit.”

Tearsfinallysprangfromhisbeloved’seyesasshespoke.“Youcan’tstopit.”

Therewasthesoundofagunbeingcocked,andRamilookeduptofindMr.Rainestaringatthem

both.“Again,wewouldn’twanttocauseaninternationalincident.Now,SheikhZaman,letthegirlgo.”

***

Nothingfeltright.

She’dbeenattheAmericanembassyinLondonforoveraweek.Itwasherpitstopthereandaway

tospendtimewithCelestebeforeshefinallymadeherwayhometoNewYorkCity.Celestetreatedher

likeshehadn’tevenbeengone.They’dgoneshoppingatthemostexclusiveplaces(onCeleste’sdime,

obviously),lunched,hadtea,andspentlongnightstalkingwitheachother.Okay,moreaccurately,Celeste

talkedaboutanythingandeverything---howshe’dworkedtirelesslytoarrangeOlivia’srescueformonths,

theupsanddownscurrentlyinfashion,andeventhesnowyandwretchedLondonweather.Butasthey

nearedtheirseventhnighttogether,itbecameobviousthatCelestecouldn’tcontinuetotalkaboutthereal

issuesweighingonhermind.

Finally,afterexhaustingeverybitofchitchatandpersiflagepossible,CelestebroachedtheIssue

thatShallNotBeNamedwithOlivia.

“So?”sheasked,takingasipofherclubsoda.“Whatareyougoingtodowithit?”AsifOlivia

couldpossiblybeconfusedaboutthemeaningofherfriend’swords,theotherwomangesturedtowardher

abdomen.“Iknowsomegooddoctorshereintown,oneswhohelpedfriendsofminewhentheygotin

trouble.Icouldarrange…”

“No!”Oliviasnapped,unsureofwheresuchafierceprotectivestreakhadcomefrom.Shedidn’t

wanttobeamother,wasterrifiedshe’dbeawfulatit,buttherewasnowayshe’devergetridofanything

sheandRamihadmadetogether,letaloneachild.Shemightnotbetherightmotherforthelifegrowing

insideofher,buttherewassomewomanouttherewhowouldbe.“IthinkIneedtogethometotheStates

andtalktoadoptionagencies.”Shesmiledsadlyandrubbedherslightbump.“Thisbabycanmake

someonesohappy.Itwasonlythatonetimethatmanagedtomakethismiracle.Idon’twanttoscrewthem

up,butIknowsomeonecanbetherightmom.”

Celestefrowned.“Doyouwanttodothattoyourbody?”

“I’dneverdoanythingbutcarryhimorher.RamiandI…wemadesomethinggood,andIthinkthat

matters.I’mjustsorryI’mmessedup.”

“You’renot‘messedup,’luv.”

“YesIam.I’malmostthirtywithnojob.IworkforhourseachdaytillIcollapsewhenIwasan

assistant,andthemostIknowaboutmotheringcomesdowntowhichnannyservicehasthebestpeopleto

hireouttoraisemykidforme.Ihaven’tevenspokentomydadsinceIgraduatedfromcollege,andhe

endedupwithanewstepfamily.Youknow,apparentlythekindyoustickaroundfor.Nokidwantsamom

whodoesn’tknowhowtomother.Ineedtofindsomenurturingcouplewherethisistheonethingthey

can’thaveontheirown,onethatalreadyhasanurserysetupandaslewofnamespickedout.”

“Yousoundsosadwhenyoutalkaboutwhereyourbabywillendup.Ifyouwanttokeepit…”

“Yes?”

Celestesatuptallerandthendrainedherdrink.“Ifyoudo,thenyoucan.There’snoshameinthat.

YouseemedsowreckedonSkypethatday,andIthoughtyou’dstartfeelingbetternowthatyouaren’ta

prisoner,butIdon’tknowifthat’strueanymore.”

Oliviasighedandstrokedherbelly,thinkingofhowmanytimessheandRamihadmadelovesince

theirfirsttimeinDubai,howoftenthey’djoinedtogether,almostasiftheirsoulshadentangledand

becomeone.Shemissedhim,andwhatshe’ddonewasn’tright,tohidethechildfromhim,butatthe

sametime,she’dbesobadatbeingamother.Heandthebabybothdeservedsomuchmore.

“Iwasn’taprisoner.Youcanpointfingersatmeandyell‘Stockholmsyndrome,’butitwasn’tlike

thatatall.Hewassweetandconsiderate.”

“I’msureBellesaidthatabouttheBeast.”

“YetshemarriedherPrinceCharmingthatwaytoo,didn’tshe?”Oliviaasked.“Ijustcan’tbringa

childintothateither,canI?HowdoIexplainwhenthey’reoldenough?‘Oh,youknow,yourdadandI

metwhenIwasinhisdungeonforbreakingandentering.’Ican’t…butImisshim,andIthinkabouthima

lot.SometimesIdaydreamaboutwhatitwouldbeliketohavehimandourchild.We’dbeattheparkor

somethingsimple,andhe’dpushthechildsohighontheswing,anditwouldbesimplebutgood.”

“That’snotexactlythereality,”Celestesaid,hertonelowandconsiderate.

“Buthe’sasweetman.IhatethatI’msoscrewedup,thatIcan’tbetheoneforhim.”

“Ithinkyouneedmoretimetorest,luv,”Celestesaid,asshestoodupandkissedherforehead.

“Whenyou’rebackinNewYork,figuringeverythingout,thenyou’llseehowmuchbetterdistance

probablyis.Ithinkyouneedtosettleyourfeelingsforhimonceandforall.”

“That’swhatGailasaid.”

“Who?”

“Myservant.God,thatsoundsweirdorsnottyorpossiblyboth.Gailawastheolderwomanwho

helpedtakecareofmethere.She’stheonewhosnucktheunmonitoredphonetoconnectus.Idon’tknow

whatIwant.Iwasn’thappythere,andI’mevenmoremiserablehere.”

Celestesighedandstrokedhercheek.“You’llfigureitout.Justlistentoyourheart.”

“Butwhatifit’sguidingmeinthewrongway?”

“Itcan’tdothat.”

***

TwoMonthsLater

Shewasn’tinNewYork.Shewasn’tinLondon.God,shewasstuckbackathermother’shomein

BelAir,Maryland,andfeelingeveryinchthebeachedwhaleshewasbynow.Therewasnowayforher

tomakerentandkeepthingsworkingwithnojobinNewYorkCity,soshe’dbeggedforhermother’s

mercyandcomehome.Nowshewaschidedeverydayandhadthatdeathglarefromhermotheronceshe

gothomefromherjudgeduties.Ofcourse,AnnaBethSewell(she’dgonebacktohermaidennamelong

ago)wasthepreeminentjudgeofMontgomeryCounty.Heralmosttwenty-nine-year-olddaughterpregnant

byaforeigner?Nowshewasadisasterandanembarrassment.

Sighing,sheleanedbackagainstherheadboardandstrokedtheexpanseofherstomach.Since

leavingYomarani,she’dgainedaboutfifteenpoundsandfeltlikeastrangerinherownbody.Theone

salvationinanyofthiswashertalentedOB/GYN,whowasarockagainsttherainofbullshitthatwasher

mother.Somehow,she’dfindawayforherandherson,forthebabyshe’dfalleninlovewithsinceshe’d

firstseentheultrasound.Therewasnowayshecouldgivehimupafterseeinghislittlelimbsandnose.

Nowayshecouldpartwithhimonceshefeltthefirstkick.Hewashers,andshe’dhavetolearnonthe

flyhowtobeagoodmother.Maybeshecouldstartbydoingtheoppositeofeverythingherownmother

did.

Itwasnicethatshe’dletOliviastay,butshesuspectedhermotherwasonlydoingittogiveout

lecturesandguilttripseveryminuteshepossiblycould.

“Ohlittleone,whathaveIdone?”

“I’dliketoknowtheanswertothatquestionaswell.”

Sheblinked.Therewasnomistakingthatmasculinebassofavoiceorthewhiffofclovesthat

alwayssurroundedRami.Shocked,Oliviacranedhernecktoseehimstandinginherdoorwaywitha

hugestuffedteddybearclutchedtohischest.Instinctpromptedhertotryjumpingupfromthebed,andshe

groanedwhenhernewroly-polybodyresistedthateffort.Fallingbackontothemattress,sheletoutan

“umph.”

“Letmecometoyou,Red,”Ramisaid.

Shefrownedbackathimevenashehandedherthebear.Itssoftfurfeltsoluxuriousandshegaped

backathim.“Isthismink?”

“OnlythebestforthenextsheikhorsheikhaofYomarani.I’vebeenlookingforyouforamonth.”

“Huh?”

“Gailacamecleanwithme.Shetoldmeexactlywhyyouleft.Apparently,shebelievesinthatold

adage,‘Ifyoulovesomething,thenletitgofree,’butsheassumedyou’dbebackfarsooner.OnceIknew

youwerewithchild,ofcourseIwentcrazytryingtofindyou.IttooklongerthanIanticipatedsinceIhad

noideayourmotherwaswhereyouwerestayingorthatdifferentnameswereinvolved.”

Tearssprangtohereyes.“Ihadnoideayouwerelookingforme.WhywouldyouafterwhatI

did?”

Helaydownnexttoheronthebedandthenstartedtoreachouttoherroundedbelly.Ramipaused

beforehetouchedherandthenlookedatOliviawithwide,imploringeyes.“MayI?”

“You’rewelcometotouchourson,ofcourse.”

Heswallowedhard,hisAdam’sapplebobbingbeforeher.“Ourson?”

“Yes,andnowyouhavetohatemebecauseIran.”

“No,Ineedtounderstandwhyyoudidit,”hesaid,restinghishandonherstomach,hisfacewide

withwonder.“IfIcanunderstandwhyyouran,thenIcanunderstandhowtowinyouback.”

“IranbecauseI’mamess,Rami.Mymombarelytalkstome,andshewasneveraroundwhenI

wasakid.Whenwedo‘talk,’itonlymeansthatshe’slecturingmeaboutwhatafailureIam.Dad’sbeen

gonesinceforever.Idon’tknowhowtobeagoodparent.I’msoscaredofhowtotakecareofhim.”

“Butyou’rekeepinghim?”

“Ofcourse,butIjust…howcanIbeagoodmotherwhenIneverhadone?Ithinkyoudeservemore

thanme,thanwhatamessIam.Youdeservesomuchmore.”

Ramikissedhertemple,andshehadmissedthescrapeofhisgoateeagainstherskin.“Ihavemore.

IfellinlovewithyoufromthemomentImetyouatAladdin’sDen.Therewassomethingspecialabout

you,sorawandhonest.Youaddinyourbraveryandselflessness,thewaysyouworkedtosaveyour

friend…howcouldInotloveyou?”

“BecauseI’mordinaryandunemployedandascrewup.BecauseIdon’tknowhowtodoanything

right.”

“Idisagree.Besides,Ihadawifebeforeandadaughter.”

“What?”shestiffenedinhisembrace,wonderingifhewerethetypetojettisonawholefamilyas

herfatherhadbeen.“Idon’tunderstand.”

Ramiregardedher,hisgoldenhoneyeyesfullofrawpain.“Etanawaswonderfulandoutspoken,

likeyou,acompletespitfire.Thenshehadatroubleddeliveryand…theydidn’tmakeit.I’vewaited

almostsixyearstotryandhaveafamilyagain.Iwantthissobadly,Olivia.Let’stry.Iknowhow

overwhelmingitcanfeeltopreparetobeaparent.Weallworrywe’llmessup,and,youknow?We

probablywill,butwe’llprobablydoalotrightaswell.Please,Ihaveanothershotforafamilyandsodo

you.Wecanbeexactlywhowewanttobeandthekindofparentswe’vealwaysdreamedofbeing.”

Ramileanedforwardandkissedher,histonguetanglingdevilishlywithherown.“Iloveyou,

OliviaJoiner,andI’llneverfindanyoneelselikeyou.Please,comehomewithme.”

“Home?”Shelikedthesoundofthat,theenticingnatureofaplacewhereshebelongedandaplace

whereshewasloved.

“Yes,comehome,mysheikha.Yourpeopleneedyou,oursonneedsyou.”Hekissedheragain,this

timetrappingherbottomlipbetweenhisteethbeforehespoke.“Ineedyou.”

“EvenifI’mafat,pregnantmess?”

Hesetthebearonthefloorbesidethebedandstraddledher.God,howshewishedshehadn’t

wornherfluffyflannelsushipajamas,thatshehadanythingelsetoshowforherself.

Imustlooklikeanidiot.

“Ithink,”hesaid,strokingherneck,“thatyou’reneverbeenmorebeautifultome.”

“What?”

Hereacheddownandunbuttonedherflanneltopwithalacritythatimpressedher.“I’vemissed

you.”Ramigrinneddownatherbreaststhathadalreadystartedtoswellandgrowwithherinfluxof

hormones.“I’vemissedsomuchofyou.”

Shewantedtoobject,tosaythatshewasn’tanythingspecial,butthenhistalentedtonguewas

flickingovertherigidpeakofherrightnipple.Shebuckedherhipsagainsthisasbestasshecouldandlet

outagasp.

“Rami,please,Ineedyoutoo.”

Usually,he’dteaseher,makeherwaitforeverything,butalreadyhisrighthandhadsnakeditsway

underthewaistbandofherpantsandwasstrokingthroughthesoftdownofherhair.Thenheslidone

fingeroverherprivatelips,itssoftcaressdrivinghermad.Shemoanedagain,gladhermotherwouldbe

incourtforhours.Thenshebuckedagainsthimoncemore.

“Now,please.”

“Ilovewhenyouneedme,”hesaidashebrokeawayfromhernipplejustlongenoughtosaythat.

Heslidthepantsoffofherandherpantiesaswell;Oliviahelpedwhereshecouldbywrigglingher

hipssothattheyslippedoffmoreeasily.Thenhecaressedherthighs,hisfingersskimmingoverthebacks

ofherknees,makingherlaughattheticklingsensationcreepingoverher.Histonguewasstillflipping

fastoverhernipple,massagingitintoastiffpeakandmakingheracheforfullrelease.Wetnesspooled

betweenherthighsandshewassoreadyforhim,andalsosogladshe’dreadWhattoExpectWhen

You’reExpecting.Sheknewforafactthatsex,ifdonegently,wouldn’thurtthebaby.Otherwise,she

mightbetoofreakedouttotrythis,nomatterhowmuchhermostsensitivebundleofnervesthrobbed.

Theheadofhislengthslidoverhermostsecretlipsandthenheprobedmoredeeplyintoher,his

hardnessfillingherinthewaythatonlyhecould.Shemewledlikeakittenandthenbithisshoulder,a

gentlelovebite,showinghimeverythingshewantedfromhim.Hishipsquickenedthepace,anditfelt

likefireandheat,electricityandecstasyspikingupunderherskin.Histonguelavedatherbreast,hisheft

washoveringoverher,andthestrengthofhisthrustswasdrivingherintotheheightsofpleasure.He

suckledthetopofhernippleintohismouthandsuckedhard,andshecamethen,feelingasifshe’d

detonatedintoamillionpieceswithinhisgrip.

Shelaythere,pantingforhim,herbreathrunningout,ashecameupforairaswell.

Ramileanedlowertokissherbelly.“We’reafamilynow,mylove,andwealwayswillbe.”

THEEND

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ANOTHERSTORYYOUMIGHTLIKE

Sheikh’sUntouchedMistress

BySophiaLynn

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ChapterOne

DaniellelovedthemarketplacesofDubai.Theyremindedherofherchildhoodroamingthevarious

marketplacesoftheworld,dartingtowardvendorsthatwerealwayssellingsomethingtodelightasmall

child,lookingaboutforthetreasurethatsheknewwasjustaroundthecorner.Therewassomething

splendid,too,abouthearingthemixturesoflanguages,andasshewalked,sheabsentlyidentifiedthem

oneafteranother.

TherewasArabicofcourse,buttherewasalsoEnglishandFrench,Chinese,Persian,Urdu,Hindi,

andafewothersthatwerestilltantalizinglyforeigntoher.Itmadesensewhyhertalentsweresoneeded

here,butitalsomadeherrealizethatsheneededtogetbetterthanshewas.Oneofthewomeninthe

translators’cooperativespoketwelvelanguages,anditmadeherownfivelooklikechild’splay.

Thedaywaswarm,butDanielleJenningswasswathedinblack.Inherlongblacktunicandlong

swishyskirts,shedressedenoughliketheoldernativesofDubaithatsomeofthefashionableyoung

womenlookedatherwithasuperiorsniff.Theonlysplashofcoloronheratallwasherheadscarf.It

wasasilverybluethatmadehergrayeyesstartlinglyclear,andthoughtherewasalwaysastrandthat

escaped,itgenerallykeptherhairoutofherface.

Daniellewasaslightwomanwholookedyoungerthanhertwenty-fouryears.Shewasoflessthan

averageheightwithafigurethathadmorethanoncebeencalledboyish,andwhenateacherhadonce

askedherherfavoritetraitaboutherself,shehadsaidthatitwasherinvisibility.Nomatterwhereshe

wentintheworld,Daniellewasunremarkable,andevenifithadtakenafairamountoftimetofind

pleasureinthat,shehadstillmanagedit.

Themarketplacewasatitsbusiestrightnow,butsheknewthatshewouldhavetohurry.Soon

enough,thedaywouldturnhot,andtheneveryonewouldretreatindoorsforanapandacoolsnack.She

tookanothermomenttodecideandthenapproachedavendorwithaturningspit.

“Hey,prettygirl,youwantsomepork?Eh?Verygood!”

“Iwouldliketwoskewers,please,”shesaidinslightlyaccentedArabic,andshehadthepleasure

ofseeingtheman’sfacelightup.

“YouspeakArabicverywell,miss!”heexclaimed,goingtocarvesomemeatoffthespitwithan

enormousgleamingmachete.“Yousoundlikeyouwerebornhere.”

Asamatteroffact,shehadbeenbornhalfwayaroundtheworld,inaplacewheretherewasonly

everonelanguagespokenandwherewantingtoknowmorewasconsideredtobeputtingonairs.She

didn’tsaythat,however,insteadtakingthemeatskewerswrappedinwaxpaperfromhimwithathank-

youandasmile.

Theshopswerealreadyclosingfast,andonimpulse,shemanagedtograbasmallboxoflokum,a

kindofrose-flavoredcandyshehadfalleninlovewithsincecomingtoDubai.

Well,ifIgetabox,I’llbesuretoshareitwitheveryone,shethought,slightlyguilty.

Shecarriedherpurchasescarefullybacktotheofficebuildingwheresheworked.Itwasalovely

building,glassandsteel,butwhenshelookedaroundatthemonstroushigh-risesthatdottedthefaceof

Dubai,sheknewthatshewasfarfromhittingthebigtime.Still,forherfirstassignmentoutsideofNorth

America,shedecidedthatshecouldfeelproudofherself.

TheTransglobalTranslatorsofficewasasnugoneonthefourteenthfloor,apleasantoperation

wherethingsbuzzedalongsmoothly.Whilesomeofthetranslatorsworkedfromtheirownlocations,

many,likeDanielle,neededtoworkin-houseduetothesensitivitiesoftheirdocuments.Thatsecurity

wassomethingthatMelindaMeyerswasveryproudof.Shewasthewomanwhohadlookedover

Danielle’stranscript,observedherlackofexperienceontheinternationalmarket,andstilltookachance

onher.DaniellewasverygratefultoMelinda,soofcourseseeingtheotherwomanlookingsofrazzled

andfrustratedwasalarming.

Daniellefrozeinthedoorway,herfoodinhernumbhands,asshesawMelindacatchUlf’sarm,

talkingtohimsoftlybuturgently.Ulf,atalllankyblondfromSweden,wasneveroneofDanielle’s

favoritepeople,butrightnow,therageonhisfacemadeherflinchaway.Shehadneverseenhimsoangry

before,withredsplotcheslookinglikestainsonhisfaircomplexion.

FinallyUlfshookMelindaoff,buthelookedcalmer.Insteadofstormingoutoftheoffice,he

stalkedbacktotheinterioroffices,hishandsclenchedintofistsandhisfacesetintoamask.Danielle

didn’thaveanytimetofigureoutwhatmighthavehappened,becauseMelindawasturningtowardher.

“Danielle!Thereyouare.Quick,remindmewhatlanguagesyou’recertifiedfor.”

Danielleblinked,andforamomentshewascompletelyataloss;shewasn’tsureshecouldrecall

Englishatthatpoint.Then,asMelindastartedscowling,shefoundhertongueagain.Whenshespoke,

therewasmoreofasqueakinhervoicethanshewouldhavepreferred,butshewasaudibleenough.

“Um,English,ofcourse,Arabic,Persian,Urdu,andFrench…”

Melindamadeaface,whichmadeDanielleshrinkbackevenfurther.Shedidn’tknowwhatshehad

donetodisappointherbosslikethis,butitcouldn’tbegood.

“Well,that’sonlyasmanyasUlfhad,butstill,notterrible.Givemethatfood,youneedtogetinto

aninterviewrightthismoment.”

Helplessly,Daniellegaveherthefood,watchingitgowithmorefocusthanevenherhunger

warranted.Sheknewwhatshewasdoingrightnow.Shewasfocusingoninconsequentialthingsbecause

itwasfarbetterthanfocusingonwhatwashappeningtoheratthismoment.Ifshethoughtabouthow

unfairitwasthatshecouldn’thavethelunchshehadpromisedherself,shedidn’thavetothinkabouthow

shewasgettingshovedintoaninterviewroomlikeshewassomekindofbaitgettingstuckinatrap.

Shewasaloneforthemoment,andDanielletookafewmomentstobreathe.Heracquaintances

backinIowahadsaidthatshewassobravewhenshewentoffforajobintheMiddleEast,butsheknew

theywerewrong.Aslongasshedidn’thavetospeaktotoomanypeople,aslongasshedidn’thaveto

worryaboutdisappointingotherspersonally,shewasfine.LivinginDubaiwasdifferentfromlivingin

CedarRapids,butintheend,therewasInternet,goodfood,interestingthingstosee,andgoodmoney

comingin.

Herjobasatranslatorwasmostlyperformedforwrittenworks.Onceinawhile,shewascalledin

tointerpretaswell,butverbaltranslationwasadifferentskillsetthatshedidn’treallyenjoy.Ofcourse,

noneofthatmadeherfeelbetteraboutbeingintheinterviewroomrightnow.

Shecouldfeelhowdampherpalmswerewithnerves,andsherubbedthemagainstherthighs

restlessly.Theroomwasplain,withjustanarrowtableinthecenterwithtwochairsoneitherside.She

satdowninone,gingerly,asifitwerehot,andthenshedecidedthatshedidn’tliketheideaofwaitingfor

thedoortoopenbehindher.Sheconsideredthechairsopposite,andthenshewonderedifthatwould

makeherlooklikeshethoughtshewastheboss.Thatsoundedfairlydisastrous.

Shehadalwaysbeenlikethis.Themomentthatpressurewasappliedinanythingexcepthervery

narrowfieldofinterest,sheturnedintoanervouswreck.

Well,atleastIdon’tcrywhenI’mupsetanymore,shethoughtdesperately.Ofcourse,thetruthwas

thatshesimplyalmostcriednow,butshehungontotheimprovementwithherfingernails.Itwas

something.Ithadtobe.

Shehadjusthoppedupfromherchairlikeabirdwhenthedoorbehindheropened.Shespunto

facethem,oratleast,shewouldhavespuntofacetheintrudersifherfoothadn’tcaughtonthelegofthe

chair.Daniellegaspedasshefeltherweightpitchforward.Inthatmoment,sheknewshewasgoingtogo

sprawlingonherfaceinfrontoftheverypeoplethatshewastryingtoimpress,andtherewasnotasingle

darnedthingshecoulddoaboutit.

Inthesplitsecondwhereshewasbracingherselftohitthecarpetedfloor,however,shewas

suddenlycaughtinmid-air.Apowerfulpairofarmswrappedaroundher,sheheardaswearthatwas

definitelyonthecolorfulsidemutteredclosetoherear,andthensherealizedthatshewasbeingheldlike

arecalcitrantkitteninastrangeman’sarms.

Withasurprisingamountofcare,hepickedherupalittlesohecouldsethermorefirmlyonher

feet,andshestaredwhenshegotherfirstglimpseatthemanwhohadsavedher.

Hewastall,sixfeetifnottaller,andhisdarkskinhadakindofwarmthtoitthatmadeher

automaticallywanttotouchhim.Hisbrowsweredarkandarched,makingherthinkforamomentofthe

wingsofbirds,andsomehow,hiseyeswereabrightandunlikelyblue.Hewashandsomeinawayshe

associatedwithmoviestars,andwhenhesetheronherfeet,shefeltasifhertonguehadbecome

somehowstucktotheroofofhermouth.

Daniellewasn’tsureshehadeverunderstoodthetermanimalmagnetismbeforetoday.Nowshe

understooditwellenoughtospeakaboutit,perhapseveninseveraldifferentlanguages.Shefeltadeep

instinctualpulltowardthemanwhostillhadhisarmsaroundher,anddespitehavingonlyjustlaideyes

onhim,shewantedhimcloserstill.

Forasinglebaremoment,justlongenoughforhimtomeethereyeswithhisown,shewasdead

certainthathefeltthesameway.Hiseyeswidened,thebluegivingwaytosuddenlyblownpupils,andthe

straightlineofhismouthgavewaytoslightsofteningthatwaslessthanasmilebutstillenoughtowarm

hertohertoes.

Thenhescowled,hisdarkbrowscomingtogether,andsteppedback,straighteninghisdarksuitas

ifhehadbrushedagainstsomethingdistasteful.Forherpart,whenshesawhimstepback,Daniellefeltas

ifshehadcrashed.Whenhehadbeenlookingatherlikethat,asifshewasfascinatingandpreciousand

amazingallatonce,shefeltasifshehadbeensoaringhighabovetheworld.Whenhetookthataway,she

fellbackintothedimmorassofself-deprecationanddoubtwhereshelived.

“Um…um,hi,”shesaidbrightly,resortingtoEnglishinhershock.“Um,I’m…I’mDanielle

Jennings,andMelindatoldme,thatis…shesaid…”

Itwasperhapstheworstimpressionshecouldhavemadeassomeonewhowasgoingtobe

translatingdocumentsandtextsforthemeninfrontofher,butshedidn’texpectthelookofdarkdisdain

thatsuddenlycoloredherrescuer’sface.Insteadofacknowledgingthatshehadspokenatall,heturnedto

themannexttohim.

Daniellehadn’treallyregisteredthesecondmanatall,butnowshecouldseethathewasslighter

andshorterthanherrescuer,withawingofgrayhairthatsuggestedhewasolderaswell.

“SothisiswhatTransglobalhastoofferus?FirstthepompousSwede,andnowthisstuttering

littlemouse.Ihadexpectedfarbetter,”hesaidinArabic.

“Well,perhapsyoushouldgivehersometimetoactuallymakeafoolofherselfbeforeyou

judge,”saidhiscompanion.“It’salittleharsh,don’tyouthink,tosimplydismissherforbeingalittle

clumsy?”

“MyGod,lookather.Ifsomeonesawherworkingonmydocuments,theywouldthinkthatIhad

hiredchildrentoworkforme.Orelves,perhaps.Really,Idon’tknowwhatMirandaisthinking.What

doyouthinkthisoneis,somerecentgraduatefromtheUnitedStateswithayear’sworthofclassroom

Frenchunderherbelt…?”

“IhavefouryearsofArabic,”Daniellespatangrily.Shehadlistenedinshockastheyhad

discussedherwhileshestoodallforlorninfrontofthem,butnowshecouldtakenomore.Shedrew

herselfupastallasshecould,whileunderstandingthatthatwasnotverytallatall,andmettheeyesof

thestartledmanwhohadsavedher.

“IhaveworkedasimilaramountoftimewithHindiandUrdu,andIhavehadevenlongerwith

French.Ifyouwouldcaretotestmyproficiency,Iwillhelpyouwiththat,andifyouwanttoseemy

certifications,Icanofferthoseaswell.

“However,Iwillnotbeinsultedtomyfacefornocauseatall,andIcanseewhyUlfcalled

you…”

HereshespatoutalongstreamofSwedish,whichshedidnotunderstandherself,butwhichshe

hadheardUlfuseonherwayin.Therewasnodoubtinhermindthatitwasprofoundlyawful,andthe

manwiththeblueeyesraisedhiseyebrows.

Intheaftermathofhertirade,theroomwassilent,andjustasquicklyasithadarrivedtosaveher,

herangerrolledoutlikethetide.Initswake,itleftacrushingfearandnervousshudder.Whatthehellhad

shedone?Thesewereobviouslyimportantclients,orelseMelindawouldnothavebeensofrantic.Had

shelosthercompanythisaccountentirely?Hadsheangeredclientstheycouldn’taffordtolose?

Itwasonthetipofhertonguetoapologize,butshebitdownonherlip.Theycoulddemandan

apologyalltheywanted,butshewasn’tgoingtogivein…

Tohersurprise,insteadofbreakingintoanangrytirade,themenglancedateachother.Thesmaller

manraisedhiseyebrow,andthetaller,theonewhohadaccusedheroflookinglikeanelf,nodded.

“Allright,it’sgoodtogetthatoverwith,”hesaidinEnglish.“Verywell,MissJennings,cometake

yourseat,andwecancontinue.”

Whileshewatchedmutely,heandhisfriendcametositontheothersideofthedesk,anditwas

onlywhentheywereseatedandlookingatherexpectantlythatitoccurredtohertofallintothechair

acrossfromthem.Shefeltasifshehadbeenblownaroundbyhurricanewinds,andsomehow,all

unexpected,shehadbeendepositedgentlyandsafelyonthegroundagain.

“Excuseme,”shesaidcautiously,gazingatthebothofthem,“getonwithwhat?”

Theshortermanleanedbackinhischair,smilingalittle.

“Withtheinterview,ofcourse.You’llhavetoforgiveFaris,hepreferstocourteveryoneinhis

employthroughtrialbyfire.”

“Trialby–?”Understandingbloomedinhermind,andshelookedatthetallermanwithaccusation.

“Youinsultedme…tofindouthowIwouldact?”

Therewasahintofasmileonhissensuouslips,somethingthattouchedinherawaythatwas

whollynew,butshepusheditasidewithshockandwithanger.

“Butofcourse,”hesaid,andnowshecoulddetectanaccenttohisEnglish.Therewasacrispness

toitthattoldherhehadnotlearneditintheStates,andsomethingalittleheavyaboutitaswell,sweetas

honey.

“Iamabusyman,MissJennings,”theman–Faris–continued.“Idonothavetimetoseepeopleoffer

metheirbestandthentobreakwhenthingsgettoughorwhentheyrealizethattheyareoutoftheirdepth.

ThatSwedewhowasinherebeforeyou,hewasreducedtosputteringandcallingusnames.”

Daniellewavered.

“Inallfairness,thatisexactlywhatIdidaswell,”shesaidhesitantly.

“Yes,”saidFaris,hiseyessharpandgleaming.“ButyoudiditinArabic,andyoumadedeadsure

thatwecouldunderstandyou.Allexceptthatlastpart,Isuppose.IdidnotseethatyouhadSwedishas

well?”

Danielleblushed,wishingshecouldhidebehindherportfolio.

“Idonot,”shesaid,“butifyouworkwithlanguagesforverylong,youwilllearntopickupswears

veryquickly.”

Faris’sblueeyessparkledwithamusement.Itwasalmostenoughtomakeherforgetabouthowhe

hadcalledheranelf.Almost.Shefirmlytoldherquickenedheartbeatthatitcouldsimplyslowright

downagainandstraightenedupinherchair.

“Thatsoundslikeawonderfultalent,”hesaidwarmly.“Nowlet’sseewhatyouhavetooffer.”

Takingadeepbreath,Daniellepulledouthercertificationsandexamplesofhertranslationwork

overtheyears.Shewasfinallybackonfamiliarterritory,andsheknewverywellthatshedidnothave

anythingtobeashamedof.Herworkwasimpeccable,andingeneral,itwouldspeakforitself.

Aftertheinitialdiscomfortofbeinginsultedtotestherprowess,therestoftheinterviewwent

surprisinglywell.Theywerereceptivetoherexplanations,andtheyseemedimpressedbyherwork.She

slowlybecameawarethatthesmallerman,Ahmed,wassomekindofassistanttoFaris.

Duringapausewhentheywerelookingoverhercredentials,shewonderedwhatitwasthatFaris

did.HecarriedhimselflikeagreatmanyoftheCEOsthathadhiredTransglobaltalentbefore,menwho

strodetheworldlikegiantsandwouldneverbesatisfiedwithlesswhentherewasmoretobehad.

ItfeltalmostasifFariscouldfeelherwatchinghim.Heglancedupatherwithasmile,and

somehow,thatsmilewarmedherallthewaytohertoes.Somehow,shehadthefeelingthatwhethershe

tookthejobornot,shewasinsomekindoftrouble.

“No.”

Farisglancedathisoldfriend,aslightsmileonhisface.

“Yousoundlikeyoudisapprove,”hesaid,andAhmedscowled.

“She’stooyoungforyou.”

“I’monlysixyearsolderthansheis.Herpaperworksaidshewastwenty-four.”

“Shelookslikeshe’sfreshoutofschool,”Ahmedretorted.“Also,alittlelikesheisgoingtofall

overfromfright.Haveyounocommondecency?”

Farisstretchedonthelimoseat.Acrossfromhim,Ahmedglared.

“MissJenningslookslikeacompletelycompetentmembertoaddtoourteaminAswar,”hesaid.

“She’sclever,verygoodatherwork,andcompetent.Beyondthat…well,that’snotyourconcern.”

Ahmedrolledhiseyesandopenedhislaptoptodosomeworkonthetripbacktothehotel,and

Fariswasleftwithhisownthoughts.

Asmuchfunasitwastoteasehisfriend,hehadtoadmittherewassomewisdominwhatAhmed

hadtosay.Chasingprettygirlswasfun—catchingthemwasevenbetter—buttherewassomething

differentaboutthisone.

DanielleJennings…

Onanimpulse,heopenedherfileonhisphone.Thismorning,shehadbeenoneofthe

recommendedcandidatesofferedupbyTransglobal.Inhershot,shelookednervousandunsmiling.Her

hair,thistimenotcoveredbyaheadscarf,waspulledbacktightly,givingheranout-of-dateprimness.Her

grayeyesweresolargethatshelookedperpetuallystartled.Shelookedlikeanervousmouse,onethat

wouldfaintifhesaidthingstooroughly.

Inperson,though,ithadbeenadifferentstory.Inperson,shehadrearedupasifshecouldbreathe

fire,andshehadchastisedhiminArabicthatwasasgoodashisown.Thosegrayeyesthathadlookedso

lifelessinthepictureflashedwithsilver,andtheblushthatstainedhercheeksgaveherapassionthatwas

neverhintedatinherlittlephotograph.

Itmadehimthinkofquietlittlestreamsthatledtoragingrivers.Itmadehimthinkofthatmouth,so

skilledatanumberoflanguages,smiling,parting…

Heshookhimself.

Farismightnotbewillingtoadmititoutloud,butAhmedwasright.Therewereimportantdays

coming,andheneededtomakesurethathekepthiswitsaroundhim.Itwouldbetheheightoffoolishness

tolosehishead,howeverbriefly,overagirl,anditwouldbeevenworsetodistractsomeonewhowould

bedoingtheworkthattheunexpectedMissJenningswouldbedoing.

Helettheideagowithonlyapangofregret.Afterall,itwasn’tlikethereweren’tplentyofwomen

hecouldmeetwithimpunity.TherewasnoreasontothinktwiceaboutDanielleJennings.

Evenashetoldhimselfthat,however,hethoughtofthosesilveryeyes,andapartofhimwondered.

ChapterTwo

Thenextfewdaysprogressedmuchastheyusuallydid.Daniellecameintodoherwork,she

chattedwiththeotherpeopleintheoffice,sheboughtherfoodfromthemarkets,andatnight,shereturned

tohertinyapartment,acartonoffalafelcarrieduptoserveashereveningmeal.

Ulfhadcalmeddown,finally,evenifhestillmutteredaboutrudemenwhowerefartoofullof

themselves.Therewereothersintheofficewhohadreceivedthesametreatment,anditwasatlunchtwo

daysafterheralarminginterviewthatDaniellediscoveredtwothings.

“Theydidcalmdownduringtheinterview,though,”shesupplied,nibblingatherwatercress

sandwich.TherewasanunexpectedBritishteahousesettingupshoparoundthecorner,andshehad

discoveredatasteforthepepperygreenspairedwithamildcheese.

“Interview?”Ulfasked.“Youactuallygotaninterview?”

Sheblinked.

“Youknow,afterthesmartremarks,”shesaid.“ItoldthemwhatIthoughtofthem,andthenwesat

down…”

AnjawasashortdarkwomanfromUkraine,andsheshookherhead.

“Ididn’thaveaninterviewatall,”sheadmitted.“IgotsoupsetthatIcouldbarelyunderstandwhat

theyweresaying,andIjustleft.”

Theothersatthelunchtablehadsimilarstories,andattheendofitDaniellerealizedwithsome

shockthatshewastheonlyonewhohadmadeitthroughtheinsultsatall.Shewasrelievedwhenher

coworkersdidn’tseemtonoticethatshehadbeensingledout,butthenthesecondrevelationoccurred.

“Well,whatdoyouexpectfromamanwhohasasmuchmoneyasSheikhFarisAbdul-Samad

does?”Ulfgrunted.“Thatmancandemandasmanyinterviewsashelikes,andMelindawillhandthem

over.He’sricherthanGod.”

Theothersagreed,andDaniellefeltasifshewerebeingpushedgentlyouttosea.

“Excuseme?”sheasked,hervoicetightandhigh.“Whatdoyoumean,sheikh?”

“Oh,youweren’thereforthegeneralannouncement,wereyou?”saidAnja.“Melindajustgathered

usallintheconferenceroomandtoldusthatweweregoinginforone-on-oneinterviewswiththesheikh

ofAswar.Iguessitmakessense.Aswarisreallymakinganameforitselfontheinternationalstage,and

theneedfortranslatorswasgoingtooccureventually…”

“ThatwasthesheikhofAswar?”Daniellegasped.“Theonewith…um,allthoseactresses?”

ASouthAfricantranslatorthatDanielledidn’tknowparticularlywellsmiledather

sympathetically.

“Yeah,Iknowwhatyoumean.Iwentinthere,andIwassonervousthatInearlycriedwhenhe

startedrippingintome.Didyounotknow?”

Nowalleyeswereonher,andDanielleduckedherhead,staringathersmalllunchnervously.It

waslikebeingbackintheschoolroomagain,expectedtoknowsomethingthatshehadneverencountered

beforebutthateveryoneelsethoughtwassimple.

Toherrelief,theconversationdriftedtootherthings,andshewasleftalonetoeatherlunch.It

wasn’tuntilshewassafebackhomeinhertinyapartmentthatithadstruckherthatnooneelsehadmade

ittoaninterview.Surelythatcouldn’tberight?Thatwouldmeanthatshehadmadethebestimpression

outofalloftheimpressivetranslatorsatTransglobal,andthatseemedincrediblyunlikely.

Shetriedtoputitoutofhermind.Afterall,evenifshewaschosen,thatmeantjustanotherfileon

herdesk,anothergoodjobdoneforTransglobalandMelinda.Itwasn’tasifshewouldbecalledonto

speakwiththemanshenowknowtobethesheikhofAswar.

Shefound,though,atoddhoursofthenight,hermindwouldbefilledwiththevisionofhisblue

eyes.ShewonderedwhetherhehadsomeEuropeanancestry,orwhetheritwasasimplequirkofgenetics

thathadgivenhimeyeslikethat.Itmadeherthinkofwildpredators,onesthatwatchedtheirprey

patientlyforhoursbeforefinallyspringingandstriking.

Shetoldherselftoputthoughtsoftheman’seyesoutofhermind,alongwiththoughtsofhishands,

hisstrength,andhismouth.Therewasnoprofittohertothinkonthosethings.Danielleknewherlimits,

andtheideaofalittlemouselikeherselfdreamingupimpossibledreams…well,itwasan

extraordinarilypooridea,thatwasall.

Daniellehaddonesuchagoodjobofputtinghimoutofhermindthatshewasutterlyblindsided

whenMelindacalledherintoherofficeafewdaysafterthatlunchtimeconversation.

Shewasfeelinggoodaboutherselfthatmorning.Sheworealongfloraldressthatsweptdownto

herankles,andoveritsheworealightblackcardiganthatfeltatoncecozyandlightenoughfortheDubai

heat.Herwaist-lengthblackhairwaspulledbackinitsnormalponytail,andshehadleftthescarfofffor

once.

“Yes,boss?Yousentforme?”

MelindagaveherasurprisinglyseriouslookthatmadeDanielle’sheartbeatalittlefaster,andshe

gesturedatthechairacrossherdesk.

“Idid.Willyoupleasesitdown?”

Bitingherlipintrepidation,Danielledidasheremployerasked.Shewastellingherselfthatthere

wasnothingtobealarmedabout,thatshedidagreatjob,butthenshenoticedhercontractinfrontof

Melinda.

“OhmyGod,isthatmycontract?”sheexclaimed.“Areyougoingtofireme?”

Melindalookedshockedatthethought,whichwassomethingofacomfort.

“Fireyou?Ofcoursenot,wherewouldyougetsuchanidea?”

BeforeDaniellecouldanswer,Melindabrusheditawaywithanimpatientgesture.

“No,youarenotbeingfired,buttheremaybesomechangescomingupforyou,providedtheyare

onesthatyouwant,ofcourse.”

“Changes?ThatIwant?”

Melindapermittedherselfasoftsmile.

“Yes,goodones.SoitlookslikeyouweretheonlyTransglobaltranslatorwhomadeanysortof

dentonthesheikhandhisfriendwhiletheywerehere.”

Danielle’seyeswidened.

“Really?”

“Yes,really.Asamatteroffact,theyareinterestedinhavingyouworkforthem,andIwillsaythat

whileIamproudoftheratethatIgivetomytranslators,theyleavemecoughinginthedust.”

Daniellewasnervingherselfuptoaskwhatthatratemightbe,butMelindawasstilltalking.

“Ofcourse,theissueisisthattheyareaskingformorethanaTransglobalemployeecanoffer.”

“What?”

“Well,wedostuffin-house.Everyoneworksfromhomeorcomesinheretotakeadvantageofthe

officeresourcesandtheweirdcamaraderie.SheikhFarisAbdul-Samadislookingforsomethingalittle

different.Securitybeingwhatitis,andhisneedsbeingwhattheyare,hewantssomeonewhowillwork

withhiminAswar.Itsoundslikehe’slookingforatranslatoratthepalace.”

IttookDanielleashortwhiletofindhervoice.

“Oh...sohecan’thireme,then?”

ThelookMelindashotherwasfond,ifalittleimpatient.

“Whydoyoupersistinshootingyourselfinthefootbeforeyouevengetoutofthegate?No,the

thingisthathecan’thireyouthroughTransglobal.Thisisyourcontractwithme.Thereisaseverancefee,

buthehasalreadysaidthathewouldpayit,andtheratethathehasofferedyouis…well,here,takea

look.”

Melindaslidaformaljobdescriptionandproposedsalaryacrossthedesktoher.Hesitantly,

Danielletookit,andwhenshesawwhatwaswrittenthere,hereyeswidened.Theamountofmoneythere

wastwicewhatshewasmakingatTransglobalandthensome.

Melindachuckled.

“Yes,I’dbesorrytoloseyou,butthisdecisionisyourstomake.Ifyoudotakeit,youwon’tbe

workingwithus,andyouwon’thavetheprotectionsweoffer,butitlookslikethesheikh’sgotmostthings

coveredthere.He’sofferingroomandboardaswellaspay,soyoucouldgowheneveryouwanted,ifyou

wantedto.”

Danielle’sfirstimpulsewasthatofcourseshewouldgo.However,thethoughtthatenteredher

mindwasn’tthenewcountrytoexploreortheimpressiveamountofmoneyinfrontofher.Instead,itwas

thefactthatshewouldgettoseehimagain.ShesilentlyshookherselfandlookedatMelinda,whohad

turnedouttobemorethanaboss,butafriendandamentoraswell.

“Whatwouldyoudo?”sheasked,andMelindagrinnedather.

“Honey,thisisonebullIwouldtakebythehorns,”shedrawled.“Opportunitieslikethisdon’t

comealongeveryday.Also…youdoamazingwork.Thepeopleheredon’treallyappreciateit,butI

thinkthesheikhmight.IfIwereyou,Iwouldtakeit.”

Daniellebitherlip.

“You’vedonesomuchforme…”

ThelookMelindagaveherwasfierce.

“Danielle,IliketothinkthatIamyourfriend,butIamalsoyouremployer.Justabouteverynice

thingIhaveeverdoneforyouissomethinggoodforme.IfIwerereallydoingmyjob,I’dsaythatyou

shouldstayandmaybethesheikhwouldstillwanttohireyouthroughouroffice.Iamnotsayingthat.Iam

sayinggo.”

Daniellefeltherheartmeltatthat.

“Oh…thankyou…Imean…”

“Ireallymeantit.Gopack.Thesheikhwantsyouwithonaplaneinthemorningifyouaregoing.I

needtofaxhimyouracceptance,andthenIneedtogetmoversforanythingthatyoucan’tfitina

suitcase.”

Takingthehint,Danielleleftherboss’soffice,butdespiteMelinda’sadvice,shedidn’t

immediatelygotoherapartment.Instead,shesimplystoodinthehall,feelinglikeadazedgazelle.What

washappening?Itwasoccurringsofast.Shewasn’taTransglobalemployeeanymore.Sheworkedfor

thesheikhofAswar.ShewasgoingtoAswar,andshewasgoingtobepaidmoremoneythansheknew

whattodowithtodoherjob.

Shefeltastabofterrorgothroughher,butaccompanyingitwasathrillaswell.Anewadventure

waswaitingforher,andsuddenly,sheknewshewasready.

ChapterThree

Thatfeelinglastedrightthroughthenight,butinthemorning,shefeltaslightlyqueasylurchasshe

realizedthatacarwasbeingsentforher.Despiteanyprotestationsthatshecouldtakethebusorthetaxi,

themanontheotherendofthelinehadtoldherthatthesheikhhadhispreferences,anditwasbestto

simplyaccommodatethem.

Afterall,shethought,thismustbefaster,andthiswillensurethathecangetmetotheairport

whenhewantsmethere,Isuppose…

Inthemistymorning,justalittleafterdawn,shewaitedonthecurbwithhersuitcase.Thedriverof

ablackluxurysedanlookedsurprisedwhenitwasheronlybag,andsheshrugged.

“Iliketotravellight,”shesaid,anditwassortoftrue.Alifeofbeingtossedeverywhichwayhad

madeherlessinclinedtopickupanythingshedidnotstrictlyneed.Today,shewasdressedinthesame

blackoutfitthatshehadworntoherimpromptuinterview.Itwascomfortable,andshedecidedthateven

ifitmadeherlookslightlygrandmotherly,itwasherluckyoutfit.

Whentheygottotheairport,sheassumedthatshewouldbegivenherticketandtoldtogetinline,

butinstead,thedriverescortedherpastthelinesandintoasurprisinglyprivatelobbyarea,whereshe

waitedforjusttwentyminutes,confusedastowhatwasgoingon.

Sheheardthecommotionbeforeshesawit.Whenshepeekedouttheglasswindowinthedoor,she

sawthesheikhsurroundedbyjournalists,allwiththeirsmartphonespointedathim,alllookingfora

comment.Hesaidsomethingtothemthatelicitedalaughfromthecrowd,andthenheturnedawayfrom

themdecisively.

Heenteredthelobby,andthenbeforeanyofthemcouldgetanyideasaboutfollowinghim,he

lockedthedoorwithaclick,andthefriendlysmileheworedroppedfromhisface.

Hepulledtheshadeoverthewindowinthedoorforgoodmeasureandthenletoutalongseriesof

wordsthatmadeDanielleblush.

Shemusthavemadesomekindofsound,becauseheglancedupather.

“Didyouunderstandthat?”heaskedherinEnglish,andshesmiledalittleathim,shyandnervous.

“Idid,butit’sdefinitelynotsomethingthatIcanrepeat,”shesaid.

“Ha,thenyouunderstoodperfectly,”hesaid,shakinghishead.“JournalistsinDubai...feh,they’re

likejackals.”

Shethoughthewoulddropintooneofthesurprisinglycomfortablearmchairsinthelobby,but

instead,helookedatherexpectantly.

“Areyouwaitingforaninvitation?Let’sgo.”

Sheblinkedashesimplywalkedthroughthelobby,andwithabriefgulp,shefollowedalong

behindhim.Herdocumentswereinapaperfolderinherpurse.Shestruggledtogetthemout,butwhen

thefinaldooropened,shewasrelievedshehadfailedbecausetheyhadsteppedrightoutontotherunway.

Thewindmadehergasp,butthenshebracedherselfandscurriedafterhim.Tohershock,heclimbedup

anindividualstaircaseleadinguptothedoorofanimpressivejet,whereasmilingwomaninasharp

blackuniformgreetedthem.

Nexttothebeautifulwomanwhosmiledsoserenelyatthem,Daniellefeltlikeaheapofblack

fabric,andsheonlymutteredherthankswhenthewomansettledthemintotheplushseats.Therewere

onlyeightstandardseatsontheplane,tworowsoftwoseatsoneachside,facingeachotherovera

beautifulcarvedtable.Seatedacrossfromthesheikh,Daniellefeltevenmorelikeacountrymousewho

wasmakingamessofherself.Shestruggledtoputherpapersinorder,andatthesametime,shefeltthe

headscarffalldownoveronesideofherface.

“Areyouquiteallright?”

Thequestionmadeherjumpinsurprise,andshehadtopushtheheadscarfuptolookattheman

seatedacrossfromher.Hewasstilldevastatinglyhandsome,buttherewasanamusedquirktohislips

now.

“Iam,”shesaid,afterapausethatwaslikelyfartoolong.“Iwasjust…um,startledbyallofthe

luxury,Iguess.Thisjetisamazing.”

Farisshruggedasifitwasnormalforhim,andwithastart,Daniellerealizedthatitprobablywas.

“You’llgetusedtoitsoonenough,”hesaidoffhanded."Thisisjustoneofseveralwe’llbeusing.”

“We?”

Itcameoutlikeanastonishedsqueak,andthistimeshecoulddefinitelyseetheamusementlurking

inhiseyes.Shefeltablushofembarrassmentbloomonhercheeks,buttherewasagrowingfrustration

thereaswell.Wasitherfaultthatshehadneverbeeninajetlikethisonebefore?Mostoftheworld

hadn’t!

“Yes,we,”hesaidpatiently.“Youdounderstandthatyourjobisgoingtobetotranslatedocuments

forme,yes?”

“Ofcourse,”Daniellesaid,“butdocumentsare…well,documents.Ireadthemonacomputer

screenorthey’redeliveredtoyou…”

Helaughedalittle,andDanielleflinchedslightlyfromthesound.

“Thatisperhapsthewaythingsaredoneinyourpartoftheworld,”heexplained.“WhereIcome

from,IwanttoseewhoIamdealingwith.Iwanttolookintotheireyes,andIwanttoknowwhatisthere.

IwanttoknowwhatkindofpeopleIamdealingwith,andthoughyoumaygivemethewords,Iamnot

goingmakemydecisionsbasedonthemalone.”

“SoIwillbetravelingwithyou,”shemurmured,stilltryingtofigureoutwhathadhappenedtoher

life.Justafewhoursago,shehadbeenasimpletranslatorlivinginabareiffunctionallittleapartmentin

anunfashionablepartofDubai.Nowshewasapparentlyapersonwhowasgoingtogetusedtotaking

privatejets.

Fariswasstudyinghercarefully,andsheblushedagain,feelingalittlelikeaninsectinajar.

“Doesthisbotheryou?”heasked.“Areyoufeelingasifyouarenotuptoit?”

“Notatall!”shesaid,slightlyoffended.“Icantranslatewhateveryouneed,whereveryouneedit!”

Itwastrue.Daniellemightnothavebeenproudofmuch,butshewasproudofhertranslationskills.

Shewasproudofthefactthatshehadoncetranslatedanentireseventy-pagecontractfromFrenchto

Englishonabumpytrainride.

Hefrowned,andforamoment,Daniellewasstruckbytheurgetotouchhisdarkbrows,justtorun

herfingertipsoverthosefinedarklydrawnshapes.

“Butthereissomethingbotheringyou,”heobserved.

Shetookadeepbreath.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewasgoingtosayuntilshesaidit,andwhenshe

started,itwaslikeshecouldn’tstop.

“IthinkthatwasadirtytrickthatyoupulledbackatTransglobal,”shesaidfinally.“Ithinkitwas

awful,andthatyoushouldn’thavedoneit.”

Toherirritation,hedidn’tlookrepentantorevendefensive.Instead,heonlylookedatherwith

mildconfusion.

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Whenyou…youcameinwithAhmed,andyoustarted…startedinsultingpeople,”shestuttered.

“Everyonewhoworksthereisverygoodattheirjob,andyoucouldhavefigureditoutwithoutsaying…

thingsaboutthem.”

Likethefactthattheylooklikeelves,shethoughtwithaflinch.Don’tIhaveenoughproblems

havingpeopleseemeasagrownwoman?

Toherfrustration,thesheikhonlyshruggedcarelessly.

“Itgotthejobdone,”hesaidoffhanded.“Beyondthat,Idon’tcarewhethersomepeoplegettheir

feelingshurt.”

WhenDaniellehadjuststartedwithtranslation,shemighthavetakenthat.Shewouldhavegone

silent,duckingherhead,andstayedfuriousfordays.Now,though,shemadeherselfsitup,lookinghim

rightintheeye.Somethingaboutthegestureseemedtostartlehim,andhelookedstunned.

“Don’tpullanytrickslikethatonmeagain,”shesaid.“Imeanit.There’snothingIlikelessthan…

thanscoundrelswhowon’tplayfair.”

“Isee,”hesaid,andshewonderediftherewasastormythreatinhisvoice.“Andhowdoyou

expecttoenforcethis,hm?”

Sheknewthatsheshouldbenervous.Daniellewaspainfullyawareofwhoheldallthecardsin

thissituationandthatfindinganothertranslatorwouldbechild’splayforhim.Thenherresolve

strengthened.Sowhatifhefiredher?Sowhatifshehadtobepoorforawhile.Shehaddoneitbefore.It

washard,butfarfromimpossible.

“Ifyouplayanygameslikethatwithmeagain,Iamgoingtoleave,”shesaid.“Idon’tneedthisjob

nearlyasmuchasyouseemtothinkIdo,andIwillwalkout,anddamnwhatevercontractordealyouare

tryingtowork!”

Herwordshungintheair,andforamoment,theymerelystaredateachother.Shecouldfeelher

heartbeatingtoofastfromherunexpectedoutburst,andsheknewthathercheekswerepinkwithcolor

fromnervousness.However,shehadsaidherpiece;shewasn’ttakingitback,andshewascertainlynot

goingtobackdown.

DaniellewasjustwonderingifhewasgoinghavethejetturnedaroundanddropherbackinDubai,

butthenheshrugged.Thatslightsmilewasbackonhisface,andsuddenly,itwasabitlesscharmingand

awholelotmoreirritating.

“Tenthousand.”

Shestaredathim,unabletounderstandwhatthatnumberhadtodowithanything.

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“I’llgiveyouanextratenthousanddollars.Fortenthousanddollars,you’llputupwiththose

games,asyoucallthem,whichanyrealbusinessmanwilltellyouishowthingsaredone.”

Shefrowned,stillnotquiteunderstandingwhathemeant.Washeseriouslygoingtoofferherten

thousanddollarstoignorehisbadbehavior?

“IhappentothinkthatyourskillsarejustwhatIneed,andtheideaofgoingbacktofindsomeone

elsewhohassimilarabilitiesisincrediblytiresome.Menwhounderstandpowerknowthatsomegames

arenecessary,butIdonotwantyourfeatherspermanentlyrustledwhenweareworkingtogether.So,an

extratenthousandayear.Surelythatisenoughtosootheyou?”

Daniellefinallyfiguredoutwhathemeant,andshescowled.Shewasnotawomanwhogotangry

immediately,butwhenshedid,itcouldbedramatic.

“No,”sheshotback."Keepyourmoney.Look,youmaybeamanofpower,butIknowmyown

worth.Youcan’tbuymeoffbecauseyouwanttoactlike…likeanass!It’snotworthit.Iftheother

peoplewhoworkforyouthinkit’sgreatthatyoupulldumbstufflikethisandpaythemforthehonorof

dealingwithit,fineforthem.Iwon’tputupwithit.”

Theechoesofheroutburstranginthecabin,andforamoment,shethoughtthathewasdefinitely

goingtoturnthejetaroundanddepositherinDubaiagain.Orperhapshewouldmakeherfindherown

waybackfromAswar,whichwouldbedifficulttosaytheleast.

Insteadofburstingintosomekindoftempertantrum,however,hiseyescrinkled,andsuddenlyhe

burstintolaughter.Unlikethelaughterfrombefore,therewasagenuinequalitytothissound,onethatwas

loudandfriendlyandmadehimlookfaryoungerthanhewas.

“Allright,allright,”hesaid,shakinghisheadandholdinguphishandsinsurrender.“Youwillnot

beteased,andyouwillnotbebought.Allright,Danielle…”

Somehow,inthatentirespeech,whatsheheardwashername.Shehadalwaysthoughtthather

namewasratherdullandboring,butwhensheheardhimsayit,ashiverranthroughherbody,makingher

eyesgobrieflywide.

“Youusedmyfirstname,”shesaid,andhegrinnedather.

“ThatIdid.It’salovelyname,andit’sbetterbyfarthancallingyouMissJennings,whichmakes

yousoundlikeabitteroldschoolteacher.Ifyouaregoingtodemandfairnessinallthings,youcancallme

Faris,allright?”

“All…allright.”

Shewasrelievedafterthatwhenhereceivedacallthathehadtotake.Hespokemildlyaccented

Urdu,sherealized,beforesherememberedthatitwasimpolitetolisteninonotherpeople’s

conversations.Sheleanedbackagainsttheseatcushionsandlookedoutthewindow.

Thingswerechanging,andshestilldidn’tknowhowshefeltaboutthat.

Whenhefinallygotoffthecallwiththenewinvestors,Farislookedbacktofindthathislittle

translatorhadfallenintoadeadsleep.Hesettledbackintohisownseatandforthefirsttimegotagood

lookather.

WhentheyfirstmetintheTransglobaloffice,hehadthoughtatfirstthatshewasjustalittlemouse,

afrightenedwomanwhowouldneverbeabletokeepupwiththeworkthattheyneededtodo.Thenshe

hadgottenthatbrightfireinhereyes,calmlytellinghimandAhmedoffwithbitingcertainty,andhehad

glimpsedsomethingelse.

Godabove,whodressedher?Shewaswearingblacklikesomekindofvillagewidowinperpetual

mourning.WhiletheheadscarfwasoftenworninthemoreruralareasoftheUAE,womenofthecities

woreoritornotastheychose,andhewascertainthatallofthewomenwhoworeitworeitmore

fashionablythanshedid.Hadshedecidedthatitwouldmakeherfitinbetter?Wasshelookingfor

somethingtohidein?

Fariswonderedwhyhewassocuriousaboutthetranslatorsleepinginhermessofblackclothing.

Themagazinesmighthaveexaggeratedhisexploits,buttheyhadn’texaggeratedmuch.Histasteranto

womenwithcurves,whoweretallenoughtolookhimintheeye,andwhohadworld-conqueringgrins

fullofteeth.Helikedwomenwithspirit,notlittlemiceinblack.

Twicenow,however,hehadseenherspirit.Thelittlemousewashidingfire,andforthefirsttime,

hewonderedwhatshewashidingunderneaththatblack.Whatwouldhappenifhereachedovertotugthat

scarfdownawayfromher,ifheskimmedupthehemofthatblackskirt…?

Heshookhimself,half-amusedandhalf-disgustedwithhisownappetites.

FarisremindedhimselfthathewouldbebackinAswarinafewhours.Therewereplentyof

womenwhowouldbehappytoreceiveacall,butthetruthwastherewasmuchtodo.Heneededtokeep

hisheadclear,andthatgenerallymeantbeingverysingle-mindedforawhile.Thatmeantnodancersor

actresses,andcertainlynomousylittlegirlswithmorefirethansense.

Heputthethoughtoutofhismind,oratleasthethoughthedid.Nowandthen,throughouttherestof

theflight,heglancedoveratthesleepingDanielleandwonderedwhatshemightlooklikeifthatfire

weredirectedtowardpassioninsteadofanger.

ChapterFour

Danielleawokewithastartwhenthepilotannouncedthelanding.Shehurriedlybuckledherseat

beltandglancedoveratFaris,whowaswatchingherwithanamusedglance.

“Iwasoutforawhile,”shesaidapologetically.“I’msorry,Ihopeyouweren’tbored?”

“HowcouldIbeboredwhenIwaswatchingsuchadelicatebeautyasyours?”heasked.

Shefrownedathisflowerylanguage,butbeforeshecouldprotest,hewascontinuing.

“There’snoworksetfortoday.IhadjustfinishedupsomebusinessinDubai,andIwantedto

returnhome.Youcanusetodaytogetyourselfsettledinatthemanor,andwecanstartfreshtomorrow.”

Danielleblinked.

“The…manor?”

Heglancedather.

“Yes.ThecontractsaidexplicitlythatIwouldbeprovidingyouwithroomandboardtoensurethat

youstayedcloseforallofthecontractworkIamgoingtoneed.Thatmeansthatyouaregoingtobegiven

lodgingsatthemanor,whereIdoagreatdealofworkwhenIaminAswar.”

“Oh,thatsounds…interesting,”shesaid,butinside,herheadwasspinning.Whatintheworldwas

herlifeturninginto?

Theplanelandedandadrivermetthemattheairport,takingtheirbagsandescortingthemtoadark

limousinewithtintedwindows.

Beforetoday,Ihadneverbeeninalimoorajet,shemused.NowI’vebeeninboth.Whatinthe

worldamIgoingtoexperiencebeforetheendoftheweek…

AstheydrovethroughthecapitalcityofAswar,whichgaveitsnametotheemirate,Danielle

couldn’thelppeeringoutthewindowlikearube.Dubaiwasanastonishinglymoderncity,with

skyscrapersthatwouldputNewYorkandTaipeitoshame.Aswarwasbeautiful,butinadifferentway.In

Aswar,newandoldcametogethertoproducesomethinglovelyandmelodious.Shesawpeoplein

traditionalclothingwithsmartphones;shesawawomaninasmartbusinesssuitorderingamealfroma

manwithanenormousshankofmeatonaspit.

ShecaughtFariswatchingher,andtohersurprise,hemadeaface.

“ItisnotDubai,”hestarted,andbeforehecouldcontinue,sheputherhandonhis.Shewasnota

womanwhotouchedotherpeoplemuch,andshecouldfeelhersurprisemirroredonhisface.Beforeshe

couldmakethingsweirder,however,shespoke.

“It’snotDubai,andDubaiisnotthisbeautiful,”shesaid.“Aswarlooksamazing,andIamlooking

forwardtoexploringitwhenIhavethetime.”

Helookedstartledatherwords,andthenhenodded,relieved.Itwasstrangethatamanwhocould

flytheworldinhisownprivatejetsmightbeworriedwhatshethoughtofhim,butthereitwas.

“OilhasmadeAswarwealthy,butweareoneoftheolderemirates,”hesaid.“Undermygreat

uncleandmyfather,thingswere…crystallizedinsomeways.Wedidnotchangebecausewesawnourge

tochange,butwhenIbecamesheikh,IlefthomeandIsawthefuture.IwantAswartohaveapieceof

that.”

HiswordstouchedDanielleinawaythatshehadnotexpected.Shehadlookedathimandseena

casualplayboy,onewhowasintentonhisownpleasureandnotverymuchelse.Nowshecouldseea

manwhothoughtaboutthefutureofhiscountry,andshelikedthisonemuchbetter.

“Itlikelymeansnothingfromme,”shesaid,alittleshyly,“butIthinkthatiswonderful.”

Theycontinuedontothemanor,talkingaboutlessfraughtthings,andDaniellewasalmostfeeling

likeherselfagainuntilthedrivercametoopenthedoorforher.Thenshesawthemanorandshefeltasif

thefloorhaddroppedoutfromunderneathher.

“You’vegottobekidding,”shebreathed.

Shehadassumedwhenhementionedthewordmanorthathemeantsomethinglikeamansion.Inher

head,shehadsomevaguethoughtsaboutSwisschaletsandMediterraneanbeauties,butthiswas

somethingelse.

LikeAswaritself,thehomeofthemanwholedtheemiratewasacombinationofnewandold.She

couldseethatthefoundationsofthemanormusthavegonebackhundreds,ifnotthousandsofyears,and

theredstonewallslookedasiftheycouldwithstandtheforceofgiants.Despitethat,shecouldseehints

ofmodernityinthemoderngarage,themannedguardtowers,andonceinsidethegates,alushandprofuse

garden.

“YouliveatBuckinghamPalace,”sheexclaimed,andwhenFarischuckledather,sheblusheda

little.

“Notreally,”hesaid.“Thisisthefamilyhome,andthoughIhaveapenthouseintown,Ipreferto

stayherewhenIcan.Thedefensesandsecurityareexcellent,andtheyareallfocusedatthegates,

allowingmetogowhereIpleasewithoutworryingaboutwhetherIamirritatingmysecuritydetail.”

“Yourproblemsareutterlyforeigntome,”shesaidsolemnly,andhelaughed.

“Well,theywon’tbeforverymuchlonger,”hesaid.“Butrightnow,findsomeonetoshowyou

whereyourroomis.Inafewhours,youhaveanappointment.”

Sheblinkedathim.

“Ido?Ithoughtyousaidthatweweren’tdoinganyworktoday.”

Hegrinnedather,andagain,shecouldfeelherheartbeatalittlefaster.

“I’mnot,andifthisiswork,itisfairlyeasywork.Icannotabidethewayyoudress.Whileyou

weresleeping,IcalledinawomanIknowfairlywellwhocanfixthat.”

Sheopenedhermouthtoprotest,buthehelduphishand,haltingher.

“Yousaidyourselfthatthisisutterlyforeigntoyou.Ifthat’strue,you’regoingtoneedmetobe

yourguide.Asyourguide,thefirstthingIamgoingtotellyouisthatIneedyousharpforthemeetings.

Notjustmentallysharp,Ineedyoutolooklikeyoubelongandthatyouarereadytowork.Thatmeans

lookingthepart.Doyouunderstand?”

“Yes,”shewhispered.Sheknewshewasblushingagain,andshewishedthatshewereamillion

milesundertheground.Shehadbeenteasedenoughforherclothes,hand-me-downsandpurchasedon

extremesalesandclearance,thatthisstung.Shehadbeensoproudofthesmallbutprofessionalwardrobe

shehadputtogether,butofcourseitwouldn’tbegoodenoughfortheworkthatshewasdoingnow.She

shouldhaveexpectednodifferent.

Somethingofhowshefeltmusthaveshownonherface,becauseFarissteppedcloser.Hereached

outtotouchherchinwithagentlehand,makingherlookupathim.Therewasatingleonherskinwhere

hetouchedher,buthiseyeswerewhatcaughther,heldher.

“Hey,”hesaidgently.“Thereisnothingwrongwithdressingthewayyoudo.Wearitwheneveryou

likewhenyouareonyourowntime.Thisisnodifferentthanmegivingyouauniform,allright?”

Danielletookadeepbreathandnodded.Thoughhersmilewasadmittedlyalittlewobbly,itwas

genuine.

“Gotit,”shesaid,andhesmiled.

“Allright,getgoing,”hesaid.“Ihavesomethingstotakecareofonmyown.”

Maybethiswon’tbesobad,shethought.Heseemsverykind.

Fariswatchedhergowithstrangefeelingsstirringinhisbelly.

Daniellehadlookedlikeshewasgoingtocryattheprospectofgettingnewclothes,andatfirst,he

hadn’tunderstoodatall.Hehadbeenwithmanywomen,anduniversally,theyhadallbeenthrilledatthe

ideaofgettingtopurchaseclothesonhiscreditcard.Hehadbeenthebeneficiary,ashegottoseethemin

theconfectionsofsilkandsatin,buttheyhadstilllovedthem.

Ithadn’tbeenuntilhehadseenthelookofpuremiseryinDanielle’seyesthatherealizedthatshe

wasashamed.Shewasashamedthathehadtoldhershewasn’tgoodenough,andsuddenly,hehadfelt

likeacad.

Shelookedalittlemorecheerfulwhenhehadtoldheritwasmoreofauniformthananythingelse,

butstillhecouldn’tgetthathauntedlookshehadoutofhishead.

Whatastrangelittlepuzzlehistranslatorwasprovingtobe.

AsFariswalkedbacktohisownrooms,hecheckedhisphonemessages.Therewasonefrom

Ahmed,askinghimouttoeatatthenewesthotspot,andtwofromSemele.

SemelewasthesingerthathehadbeenseeingbeforehetookhistriptoDubai.Shewasexactlythe

sortofwomanheliked.Shewastallandcurvy,andherdarkeyesflashedwithtemper,withhumor,and

withpassion.Theyhadhadapassionatefewweekstogetherbeforehehadleft,andhecouldseethatshe

waseagertorenewtheiracquaintancenowthathehadreturnedtoAswar.

Hehesitatedforamoment.HabitalonewouldtellhimtocontactSemele.Hehadbeenonhisown

fortwoweeksinDubai,andhavingawomanaspassionateandexcitingasSemelearoundcouldcertainly

taketheedgeoffthestressfromhistravels.However,somethingheldhimback.

Heshrugged.Hewasprobablymoretiredthanhehadthoughthewas.HecouldcallSemeleatany

point,andhewouldbereasonablycertainshewouldanswer.Evenifshedidn’t,therewereahalfdozen

otherwomenhecouldthinkofwhowould.

Instead,hethumbedhiscontactforAbdulandthoughtnothingmoreofthematter.

Danielle’sapartmentwasamazing.Shehadtocallitanapartment,becauseitwasfarfromasimple

room.Instead,shewasgiventhekeycardtoafullsuitedeckedoutingreenandsilver,completewitha

fullkitchen,livingroom,andbedroom.Shewasrelativelycertainshehadhadbedroomsthatwere

smallerthanhernewbathroom,andforalittlewhile,shehadsimplywanderedaroundinawe,

simultaneouslyexcitedthatitwasherswhileworriedthatshewassomehowgoingtosullyitwithher

presence.

Shehadapproximatelytwohourstoenjoyit.Atthestrokeofone,therewasafastraponherdoor,

andblinkinginsurprise,shewenttoanswerit.

TherewasatallEuropeanwomanstandingtherewithapairofgirlsbehindher.Thewomanwas

tallandwhipthin,andwithherdarkhairanddarkeyes,shelookedexquisitelydisdainfulassheswept

intothesuite.

“IamEliseDuConte,”shesaid,directingherassistantstopullinalargerackofclothesandwhat

lookedlikeanindustrialsewingmachine.“Icanseewhythesheikhsentforme.”

“I…I’mDanielle,”Daniellemanagedtogetout,butthewomanfrownedather.Apparently,Elise

wantedtogetstraighttobusiness,andhelplessly,Danielleletherselfgetsweptupintheflow.

Inamatterofseconds,shewasstrippeddowntoherunderwear,beingmeasuredandlisteningas

Elisebarkeddirectionstoherassistants.InamixtureofFrenchandEnglish,Daniellelearnedseveral

thingsoverthecourseofthenextfourhours.

Thefirstwasthatapparentlyshehadneverwornclothesthatreallyfither.

“Youlooklikeapeasant!”Elisesneered.“Clotheslikethisareforwomenwhoareashamedof

themselves,andthatisnotyou.”

Daniellemighthaveargued,butthenoneoftheassistantswaspushingadresstowardher,asimple

thingbutmadeupinemerald-greensilk.

Daniellealsolearnedthatshehadbeenwearingthewrongcolors,herclotheswereshabby,and

thatapparently,goodtailoringcoulddowonders.

TheskilleddesignerhadbroughtalongarackofclothesthatDaniellewouldhavesaidfitherfairly

well,butthemagiccamewhensheputthemon,Elisepinchedthemininafewplaces,markedthosespots

withchalk,andthentossedthegarmenttoherassistant.

AtfirstDanielledidn’tunderstandwhattheyweredoingtoclothesthatalreadyfit,butElise

explained.

“Nothingofftherackfitsanyone,youunderstand?Ifyouaregoingtobeclimbingthesocialladder,

youcannotaffordtogoaboutlookingasifyouarewearingpotatosacks.Youwillsee.”

Daniellehadherdoubts,butthenEliseshovedanewlytailoreddresstowardher.Thisonewasin

lightbluelinen,softandlovely,andhesitantly,Elisepullediton.

Whenshelookedinthemirror,shegasped.

Throughoutherlife,Daniellehadalwaysthoughtthatshewasplain,withanglesandbumpswhere

othergirlshadcurves.Now,though,inadressthatfitherlikeacomfortableglove,shecouldseethe

gentlecurveofherbreasts,thetuckofherwaistandtheroundnessofherhips.Thedressfelldowntoher

ankles,andshecouldn’tresistspinningaround,lettingittwirlaroundherbeforesettling.

Sheimmediatelyblushedafterdoingso,feelinglikeachild,butwhenshepeekedup,shefound

Elisesmilingatherindulgently.

“Yes,thatisthewayofit.Youarealovelywoman,andnowyoufinallyknowit,eh?Nowgiveit

back.Wehavemanymoregarmentstotryonyou…”

BythetimeEliseandherassistantsleft,Daniellehaddoubledhermeagerwardrobeandwasleft

stunnedwhentheytoldherthattherewasmoretocome.

“Hewantsyoufullyoutfitted,”Elisesaidwithashrug.“Heknowswhatthatmeans.Thereare

somethingsthatwillbeeasiertomakewholecloth.Youhaveenoughheretogetyouthroughafew

weeks,butweshouldbeabletobringyoutherestbeforetheweekisout.”

“I…IwillpayyouassoonasIgetpaidmyself,”Daniellesaid,alreadyquailingathowmuchthis

mustcost,butEliseonlylaughed.

“Mydear,doyouthinkmyassistantsandIgoanywherewithoutadeposit?Donotconcern

yourself,thisisallbilleddirectlytothesheikh.”

Daniellesupposedthatitmadesenseifhewerepurchasingauniformforher.Despitehiswords,

though,sheknewthattherewaskindnessinthegesture.Itmadehersmilealittle.Shehadknownhewas

attractiveandintelligent,butsomehowshehadn’texpectedthekindness.

Itmadeherwanttodoherbestforhim,andDanielleresolvedtogeteverythingofftoagoodstart

inthemorning.Shewouldbethebesttranslatorhehadeverlaideyeson,perfectlyprofessionaland

beyondreproach.

Despiteherself,however,shefoundhereyeslingeringonthebluedressinlinen.Itwas,Danielle

thought,theprecisecolorofhiseyes.Therewouldbenoharminwearingit,wouldthere?Itwasbeautiful

butconservative,andhewouldappreciategettinghismoney’sworthoutofEliseDuConte.

Thatwaswhatshetoldherself,butwhenshelaydowninbedthatnight,shefoundthatshecouldn’t

sleep.Shecouldn’twaittofindoutwhatthenewdayswasgoingtobring,anddespitefeelingalittle

foolish,shesmiledintothedarkness.

ChapterFive

“Howintheworlddidyoudothattoyourhair?”Farisaskedthenextday.

Shelookedupinsurprise.Hehadaskedhertojoinhiminasmalldiningroomforbreakfast,andat

themoment,Daniellewassimplyimpressedbyhowgoodtheeggsandtoastwere.

“Whatdoyoumean?”sheaskedself-consciously.“Isitnotappropriate?”

“Notatall,itlooksquitegood,buthowdidyoudothat?”

Daniellehadtoadmittherewassomethingalittledisappointingaboutwearingsuchaprettydress

andhavinghimmerelycommentinsurpriseonherhairstyle.

“It’sreallyjusttwobraids,”sheexplained.“Ibraidedmyhair,andthenIpinnedthembotharound

myheadlikeacrownusingabunchofbobbypins.Ilikeitbecauseitkeepsmyhairoutofmyfaceeven

whenI’mbendingdownoverdocumentsandsuch.”

Fariswasstilllookingather,hisdarkbrowsdrawntogether.Shehadbeenright,though;thisdress

wasaperfectmatchforhiseyes.

“Butthatmustmeanthatyourhairfallsdownyourback…”

“Itdoes,”shesaidwithaslightsmile.“Itgoesdowntomywaistandafewinchesbelow.”

Farisshookhisheadasifshockedbytheidea.Shewonderedifhewouldaskoneofthequestions

shehadgottenthroughoutherlife,aboutwhetheritwasheavypileduponherhead,orwhetherittook

forevertowash.

“LonghairisasignofgreatbeautyandvirtueinAswar,”hesaidinstead.“Itisverycommoninour

legendsandourtales.”

Daniellebitherlip.

“Um,areyoutryingtotellmethatit’sold-fashionedandthatIshouldcutit?”

Toherrelief,helookedshockedattheidea.

“MyGod,no,”hesaid.“It’s…well,putitthisway.EverygreatbeautyofAswarlegendhashair

thattrailsbehindher,downtoherkneesattheleast.Itisknowntobevery…charming,let’ssay.”

“Charming…IguessIcanlivewiththat,”Daniellesaidcheerfully,andtoherrelief,theyspokeno

moreonthematter.

Afterbreakfast,theygotrighttowork,andthoughDaniellewasbracedforterrorandfear,itwas

reallyquitesimpleonceshegotintotheswingofthings.

Farishadalargeofficewithanenormouswindowthatlookedtowardthecity.Thesecretary,a

politeyoungmanwithakindsmile,tookthefrontroom,whereheorganizedFaris’sscheduleanddirected

hisappointments,andforherself,Daniellehadasmallcozyofficethatwasaccessedbytwodoors,one

intothehallway,andonedirectlyintoFaris’soffice.

Herownofficewasamplystockedwitheverythingsheneededtodoherjob,andwhenFaris

showedittoher,shesmiledathim.

“Iloveit,andforsomereason,Iamespeciallyfondofthetwodoors,”shesaidwithasmile.“It

feelslike,Idon’tknow,somekindofsecretorsomething…”

Farissmiledatherwords,andforsomereason,therewasawarmthtothemthathadn’tbeenthere

before.Shecouldn’tdecideifitmadeherwanttotakeastepbackorifshewantedtowarmherhandson

it.

“Asecret…well,youcouldcallitthat.”

Shefrowned.

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Roomslikethisarecommonthroughouttheregion,”heexplained.“Theyareoftenusedjustaswe

areusingthemnow,asaplaceforpeopletoworktogetherwhilestillhavingsomepeaceandquietand

forastorageofresources.However,thatwasn’talwaysthecase.

“Onceuponatime,apowerfulmanwantedtohaveaccesstohisfavoritewomenwheneverhehad

theurgeforher.Ofcourse,itwasinappropriatetohaveadancinggirloracourtesanwaitinginthewings

whenthesheikhmetwithaforeigndignitary.”

“Ofcourse,”Daniellesaid,vaguelyshocked.Shesupposeditwasamarkofherowninnocence

thatthisshockedher.Shewaswiseenoughtoknowthatthiswasthewayofthingsallovertheworld.

“Sotheserooms,andthere’smorethanonelikethisinthemanor,wasmeanttokeepthesheikh’s

bestbelovedcloseandaccessible.Hewouldmakedealswithothersheikhs,planwars,anddecideon

mattersofstate,andwhenhewished,whenhecould…”

“Whatwouldhedo?”sheasked,breathless,andthenherfaceturnedbrightred.Sheknewwhatthe

answerwas,andFaris,whohadcomecloserthanshehadthoughthehad,steppedbacktolaugh.

“Hewouldvisithisownpersonalpieceofparadise,”hesaid,andshecouldhavekickedherself

forhowprovincialsheprobablysounded.Despiteeverythingshehaddoneandeverythingshehad

accomplished,somedaysitreallydidfeelasifshewasstraightoffthefarm.

“Getsetup,”hesaid,anditlefthertowonderifshehadimaginedthesmokinessofhistonebefore.

“Piet,thesecretaryyoumet,willcomeinherewithsomeworkforyoushortly.”

Inaway,itwasarelieftogetstartedsettingupherspaceexactlyasshelikedit.Itmadehergether

mindofftheideaofsittinginthisroom,herhairflowingfreedownherback,waitingtoseewhenthe

sheikhwouldbedonewithhisbusiness,whenhecouldreturntohispersonalpieceofparadise…

Farisclosedthedoorbehindhimandscowled.Whatthehellwashethinking?

HetriedtosummonupthatpictureofDanielleashehadfirstseenher,herhairpulledbacklikea

schoolteacher’s,andhereyeswideandafraidofeverything.Everytimehetried,however,itwas

replacedwithavisioninblue.

Hehadneverbeeninterestedinsmallerwomenbefore,especiallynotonesthatlookedasfrailand

breakableashehadthoughtDaniellewas,buthehadhadtohidehisshockwhenshehadappearedfor

breakfast.Thebluedresssheworeskimmedhercurvesgracefully,thefabricmovingaroundherlike

water,andeveniftherewasnohintofimproprietytotheoutfit,hehadfoundhimselfthinkingofhersmall

curves,oftheutterfemininityofherform.

Therewassomethingamazinglyelegantaboutherjustthen,butitwasmorethanhimfinallyseeing

herinclothesthatfit.Herhairwasbraidedinacrown,makingherlooklikeaqueen,andontopofthat,

thestyleexposedherneck,showinghimhowslenderitwasandhowpaleherskinwasthere.He

carefullykepthismindawayfromwhathisinstincthadtoldhimtodorightthereandthenatbreakfast,

becauseitwasindecent.

PerhapsIshouldhavecalledSemeleafterall,hethought,frowningoutthewindow.Ifhewas

gettinginterestedinhistranslator,thingsweregettingdire.

Themomenthehadthethought,however,hepusheditaway.Semelewasenjoyableineveryway

thatmatteredtohim,butforsomereason,theideaofseeinghermadehimfrown.Shehadn’tchanged,but

inthatmoment,sheseemedtooloud,toobrash.

Itdidn’tmatter,therewerethingstotakecareoftodayanyway,andbeingbotheredwithwomen

wasapooridea.SomethingshadfallentothewaysidesincehehadbeeninDubai,andnowheneededto

setthemtorights.

PietlookedalittlestartledwhenFarisdemandedthenewfiguresonthedealwiththeKolkatta

investors,butbroughttheinformationtoFarisquicklyenough,andFariswasabletolosehimselfinthe

affairsofstate.Itwaschallengingwork,asitalwayswas,andhegaveithisfullattention.

Atleast,hetriedto.

Wheneverthesheikhfoundhisthoughtsstraying,theyinevitablywenttothedoortotherightofhis

office,thediscreetonethatwasnearlyinvisible,setintothestoneandhalf-hiddenwithawallhanging.

Hewonderedifthesheikhsofoldhadlookedtowardthedoorlikethatwhenthemeetingswentontoo

long,whenanambassadorwasdemandingtradeconcessions.Howmucheasieritmusthavemadetheir

daywhentheyknewthatrightbehindthatdoorwasabeautifulwomanwithawelcomingsmile,wearing

nothingmorethansilksbroughtfromaforeignlandandherdarkhairstreamingdownaroundher…

ChapterSix

Threeweekslater,Danielleknewshewasintrouble.Whathadstartedoutasacrushhadturned

intoafull-blowninfatuation,andifshewerebeingentirelyhonestwithherself,shehadneverbeenoneto

handleromanticattractionverywell.

Whenhewalkedintotheroom,itwasasiftheairchanged,becamechargedwithakindof

electricitythatonlyshecouldsense.Suddenly,shewasawareofwherehewas,whohewastalkingto,

whathewassaying.Thatwasbadenough,butitwouldgetnoticeablyworsewhenhecametospeakto

her.

Today,Daniellecouldhearhimintheotherroom,talkingonthephonewithsomeonefromDubai.

ShelovedlisteningtohimspeakinArabic,andshepausedforamomentfromherownwork,letting

herselfdriftonthesoundofhisvoice.

Ofcourse,thatmeantshelikelyhadanutterlyridiculousexpressiononherfacewhenheopenedthe

doorandstrodeintoheroffice.

“Danielle,IknowthatyousentmethereportsfromAsalyesterday,butsomesecretaryinDubai

forgottosendus…Areyouallright?”

Sheblinkedathimandsatupstraight,awarethatshelikelylookedlikeastartledjackrabbit.

“I…yes,ofcourse!”sheblurtedout.“ReportsfromAsal…Iknowtheonesyouaretalkingabout!”

Helookedbaffledforamoment,andjustwhenshewasafraidhewasgoingtodressherdownfor

wool-gatheringonthejob,hegrinned.Hecameandleanedagainstherdeskatherside,leaningoverher,

andthesmilehegaveherwasconspiratorial.

“So…didIcatchyouoffguard?”heaskedteasingly,andshefeltthatdamnableblushcomeupon

hercheeks.

“No!”shesaid.“Thatis…I’mdefinitelyalertandreadytodowhatneedstobedone,sir…

Faris…”

Helaughedandevenwhenshewasblushingfittokill,shecouldn’thelpbutfeeladeepshudder

thatranallthewaythroughherathislaugh.Itwas,shethought,darklikegoodchocolate,witha

sweetnessthatmadeherwanttosighlongingly.

“Well,youalmostmanagedtosaymynamewithoutaproblem,”hesaidwithasigh.“Howcana

womanwhotranslatesasbeautifullyasyoudodosopoorlywhenitcomestoasimpleword?”

“Becausewordsonthepagedon’tmove,”shesaidafteramoment.“Becauseoncethey’rethere,

theyarelockedintoplace,andIcanlookatthemandthinkaboutwhattheymeanandwhattheysignify.

And…alsobecauseFarisisyourname.Itfeels…personal.”

Therewasalongpauseaftershestoppedtalking,andwhenDaniellefinallydaredtolookup,it

wastoseeFariswatchingher,hiseyesslightlywidewithsurprise.

“I’lladmit,Iwasn’texpectingthat,”hesaid,andhisvoicehadlostsomeoftheboisterousnesshe

hadbefore.Somehow,Daniellefoundherselflikingthisvoicealittlemore.Itfeltmoreserious,alittle

morelikehim.

“I’msorry,”shemuttered,lookingdown.“I…IgetlikethiswhenIcan’tplotouteverythingthatI

wanttosay.Istart…talking,andthenwhoknowswhat’sgoingtocomeoutofmymouth.It’sareal

problemmostofthetime.”

Helaughed,anditwasalittlemorerueful.

“It’snotaproblematall,”hesaid,shakinghishead.“Instead,Iwouldthinkthatit’stheexact

oppositeofaproblemingeneral.”

Foramoment,therewasasilencebetweenthem,andsomehow,itwasn’tawkwardatall.Instead,

itwasthewarmquietoftwopeoplewhounderstoodeachotheralittlebetterthantheyhadbefore,and

Daniellefounditinherselftosmileupathimalittle.ItwasFariswhobrokethesilence,shakinghimself

alittlebitasifheneededtocomeoutfromunderaspell.

“Well…whatIcameinheretotellyouwasthattherearegoingtobesomeaddendumformsadded

tothepacketfromAsal.Iwantyoutomakethemyourtoppriority.Frankly,theydon’tdeserveitandit’s

goingtomakeusalittlebitlateonsomethingsIdon’twanttobelateon,but…”

“Waitaminute…”

Hestoppedimmediately,hisblueeyessointensethatsheneededtonerveherselfuptospeakagain.

“Um.TheformsfromAsal,right?Ibelievethey’realreadydone.”

Athisdubiouslook,shehurriedtoexplain.

“Theycameaweekafterthefirstformsdid.Theylookedimportant,soIrolledthemwiththerest.

Youshouldhavethemine-format,butIcangetyouthehardcopiesaswell.”

Fariswasstilllookingather,andshecouldfeelherselfstarttogetflustered.

“Um…I’mprettysurethey’rewhatyouneed.Ifthey’renot,I’mmorethanhappytoputinsome

extratimeandtogetthejobdone,it’snoproblematall…”

“Stayrightthere,”hesaid,hisvoiceadeepgrowl,andbeforeshehadanytimetoaskhimwhere

onearthshewouldgo,heheadedbacktowardhisownoffice.

Afterashortinterval,hewasbackonhisphone,histoneirritatedandbrisk.Shewincedwhenshe

figuredoutwhathewassaying;despitehavinglittlesympathyforpeoplewhocouldn’tdotheirjobsright,

shewasjusthappythatshewasn’tontheotherendofthattongue-lashing.

Therewasabriefsilenceafterhehungupthephone,andthenFariswasinherofficeagain,shaking

hishead.

“Iprobablywouldn’tbesoangryiftheyhadn’tsaidthatitmustbeourfault,”hegrowled,butthen

heshookhishead.

“Thankyou.Yousavedmeaheadache,andyouhavepushedforwardadealthatIhavebeen

anglingafterforquitesometime.Onemoredelay,andImighthavedecidedthatIwascompletely

uninterestedinmovingforwardatall.”

Shesmiledathim,arealsmileandnotoneofthosetightandfrightenedthingsthatsheworeso

often.

“Justdoingmyjob,”shesaid,“It’snotabigdeal.”

Farislaughedalittleatherenthusiasm,buthedidn’tseemlikehewasgoingtoleaveitthere.

“No,goodworkshouldberewarded,”hesaid.“Tellme,haveyoubeentoanyrestaurantsin

Aswar?”

Danielleshookherhead.

“No,thekitchenhereatthemanormakesamazingfood,so…”

“Unacceptable,”hesaid,butbeforeshecouldbecomealarmedatthat,hewasstandingup.

“Ihaveafewthingstotakecareofhere,butIwantyoutoheadbackuptoyourrooms.Dowhat

youneedtodo,butatsixsharp,Iamgoingtobetakingyououtforagoodmeal.”

“But,I…”

“Iamnotgoingtolistentoanyprotestations,”hesaid,mockfiercely.“Iwanttomakesurethat

goodserviceisrewarded,soIamtakingyouout.Isthatclear,Danielle?”

“Yes…Faris,”shesaidsoftly,andshewasrewardedwithasmilethatwasaswarmasthesun.

“Good,”hesaid,alreadystridingtowardhisdooragain.“Iwillcomebyyourroomatsix,sobe

ready.”

Shewasaloneagain,andshefeltasifshehadsomehowwalkedthroughahurricane.Anhourago,

shehadbeenhappilydoingherworkandmakingsurethatherfirstroughtranslationofapieceinUrdu

flowedwell.NowshewasgoingouttodinnerwiththesheikhofAswar.

Thingsmovefastaroundhere,shethoughtruefully,andthensherealizedthatshewasgoingtobe

goingtodinnerwithFaris,asiftheywereonadate,asiftheywereacouple.

Thethoughtthrewherintoatailspin,andgulpinghard,shegatheredupherthingstogotoher

apartment.ThankGodforEliseDuConteandhermagicalskills.Atleastshewouldn’tembarrassherself

overhowtodress.

Afterall,thoughtDaniellewithaflinch,therearesomanyotherthingstoembarrassmyself

with…

Farisfinisheduphisworkforthedayquicklyandefficiently,andthenbeforehepackeduptoleave

hiswork,hepaused,glancingatthedoorasheseemedtodosooftenthesedays.

HewasawareofDanielle’slittlecrush,hadbeenforafewweeksnow.Hewonderedifitwas

entirelykindtotakesomeonewhoseemedtobesoinfatuatedwithhimonwhatcouldbeseenasadate,

buthebrushedthedoubtaway.Shewasanadult,andasfarashecouldtell,shewasacomplete

professional,asidefromsomeoddanxietiesandquirks.

Farisremindedhimselfofhowyoungandinexperiencedhistranslatorseemed,butlikely,nothing

wasgoingtohappen.Hehadbeenbusyforalittlewhile,thatwasall,andhehadn’tbeenabletomake

anytimeforanyseriousfemalecompanionshipsincehecamebackfromDubai.Evenifhehadbeen

deprivedforashortwhile,however,thatdidn’tmeanthathistastesorpreferenceshadchangedovernight.

Nomatterhowlonghehadgonewithout,hisinterestsstilllaywithwomenwhowerecertainlymore

womanlythanDanielle.

Thoughashestartedtowardhisownrooms,hehadtoadmitthatshewasmoreattractivethanhe

hadinitiallythought.Therewasakindofelegancetoherfeatures,amixtureofintelligenceandan

understatedbeautythatwashardtodefine.Nothingaboutherhadchanged,atall,butnowhefoundher

looksmorepleasingthannot.

Heshrugged.

Dinnerwasgoingtobejustfine,andafterthat,heshouldperhapslookintofindingsomefemale

company.Semelehadstoppedcalling,buttherewereafewotherwomenwhowouldbehappytohear

fromhim.

Inherownrooms,Daniellewascomingtothesadrealizationthatevenwhenherwardrobehad

beenpreparedbyaprofessionalfamousalloverEuropeandtheMiddleEast,shestillhadnocluewhat

towear.Herclosetwasfullofbeautifulclothesinaveritablerainbowofcolors,andyetshecouldn’t

choosewhichonewasgoingtoworkbestforadinnerwithherboss.

Shehadshowered,re-braidedandpinnedherhair,andputontheunderthingsthatElisehadsenton

aspartofherwardrobe,butnowtheclockwastickingtowardsix,andshestillhadnoclue.Inthat

moment,shewishedthatshehadgirlfriends,womenshecouldrelyontogivehergoodinformationabout

whattowearandhowthenightmightgo,butshewasaloneandshehadtodothebestthatshecould.

Finally,almostatrandom,shechoseadressthatwasawarmgoldencolor,onethatshefeltwasa

littlemoreelegantthantheothers.Itfelldowntothetopsofherfeet,buttheshoulderstrapswerenarrow,

leavingherarmsfree,andthenecklineswoopeddownlow,baringherthroatandhercollarbones.Itwas

stilltasteful,thoughDanielleknewthatithadmoretodowithherscantycurvesthananydesignofthe

dressitself.

Aftersheputiton,therewereonlyafewmoremomentsforhertoaddasmallpairofgoldearrings

toherensembleandtosliponapairofshoesbeforetheclockstrucksix.Afewsecondsafterthat,there

wasaknockatthedoor,andDanielletookadeepbreath.

Well,toolatetoworryaboutwhatIlooklikenow…

Sheopenedthedoor,andforamoment,herconfidencewavered.Farishadchangedintocharcoal

slacksandadeepjewel-blueshirt,onlyhestoodstaringather,hiseyesintentonherform,andDanielle

hadtostopherselffromshrinkingback.

“Is…ThisisoneofthedressesthatMs.DuContesentme,”shesaidinarush.“Isitbad?I’msorry,

Idon’tknowwherewe’regoingorwhatwe’regoingtodooranythinglikethat…”

Shemighthavekeptgoing,butFarisshookhishead,reachingforherhand.Shewassostunnedthat

shegaveittohimwithoutthinking,andhewaspullinghergentlyalongwithhim.

“Thereisabsolutelynothingwrongwithyourdress,”hesaid,hisvoiceadeeprumblingpurr.“You

lookamazinginit.”

“Oh!”shesaidinsurpriseandthenfinallyrememberedtothankhim.

“Iamgladyoulikeit,”sheconfessed.“Imean,youpaidforit.Iwouldhatetothinkthatyou’renot

gettingyourmoney’sworth.”

Somethingaboutthatmadehimlookather,andtherewassuchadeepscrutinytoitthatshenearly

startedblushingandstammeringagain.Beforeshecouldmakeanabsolutefoolofherself,heshookhis

headandstartedwalkingagain.

“ThatisnotsomethingIworryverymuchabout,”hetoldherbriskly.“Whenitcomestogettingmy

money’sworth,Idoverywell.”

TherestauranthetookhertoturnedouttobeanelegantFrenchrestaurant,onethatwasfilledwith

dinerswholookedonenviouslyastheywereescortedtoaprivatetablesetapartfromtheothersina

shallowalcove.

“ThisisoneofmyfavoritespotstoeatwhenI’minAswar,”Farissaideasily.“Theykeepatable

forme.”

“It’slovely,”Daniellesaid,resistingtheurgetolookaroundlikeatourist.“I’llbehonest,I’m

dramaticallyafraidofembarrassingyou…”

Helaughedalittle,shakinghishead.

“Don’tworryaboutit.Thisisfood,thatisall,andaslongasyouareappreciativeofthecook’s

effortsandengaged,that’sallthatisrequired.”

Danielleappreciatedhiswords,butwhensheopenedthemenu,thewordsswaminfrontofher.

ShewasfluentinFrench,buttherewassuchavarietythatshecouldbarelykeeponedishstraightfrom

theothers.SheknewthatFariswasgoingtobepaying,butasingleglimpseatthepriceoftheentreeswas

enoughtomakehernervous.

ShemusthavemadesomekindofnoisebecauseFarisglancedupather,eyestwinklingwith

amusement.

“SodoyoureallynotreadFrench,or…?”

“IreadFrenchjustfine,”sheretorted,“butmyexperiencewithFranceingeneralisjustwritten.

AbouttheonlyFrenchfoodI’veeatenisfrenchfries,andtherestofthis…Ireallywanttotry,butthere’s

somuchonthemenu…”

Farischuckled.

“Well,frenchfriesareactuallyBelgian,butwouldyoulikeahand?Icanordersomethingforyou,

ifyoulike.”

“Please,”shesaidwithrelief,closinghermenu.“I’mprettyomnivorous,andabouttheonlythingI

don’tlikeisorganmeat,soaslongasyoustayawayfromtheliver,I’llprobablybejustfine.”

“Ofcourse,”hesaidwithalaugh,andthenheturnedtotheapproachingwaitertogivetheirorder.

Shewassoentrancedbythefluidwayheorderedtheirfoodthatsheforgottopayattentiontowhat

itwashewasactuallyordering.

Ohwell,I’msureit’llbefinewhenitgetshere.

“Soyouhaven’teatenoutsideofthemanorsinceyougothere?”heaskedpresently.“I’lladmitthat

Aswardoesn’thavethesamedelightsthatDubaidoes,but…”

“Oh,it’snoreflectiononAswar,”Daniellesaidhurriedly.“Ithasmoretodowith…well,me.”

Farisraisedhiseyebrowsatthat.

“Doesit?”

Sheblushedalittle.

“Well,I’vetraveledallovertheworld,bothasakidandwhenIgrewup,butingeneral,I’ma

homebody.IgetalittlenervouswhenI’mout,andIdon’thavearealreasontobe.That,plusthefactthat

thekitchenatthemanorisamazingandthatnooneseemsinclinedtotellmetopayformymeal…well,I

likethingssimple,that’sall.”

“Verysimpleindeed,”hesaid.“Thekitchenstaffisverygoodatwhattheydo,buttheirspecialtyis

mostlysolidAswarfare.Areyouhavingthemmakingyousandwichesorsomething?”

Sheshookherhead.Theideaofhavingsomeonestopintheirdailyjobstomakehersomething

special,evenifitwasassimpleasasandwichmadeheruncomfortable.

“No,Ijustusuallyhavewhatthey’rehaving,”shesaid.“It’sallsogood,though!Therewasthis

onepepperdish,withlamb,Ithink,andcinnamon?Itwasamazing,andIwishIhadcaughtthename…”

Faris,forsomereason,lookedimpressed.

“Iknowtheoneyoumean,”hesaid.“Youlikedit?Mostforeignersarenervousabout…well,

anythingthatisn’tahamburger,ifImustbehonest.”

“Notme,”Daniellesaidwithaslightlaugh.“Igrewupwithreallydullfood,likeslicesofcheese

onwhitebread,thingslikethat.Ineverwenthungry,notreally,butfoodwasalwaysapleasure,

somethingfunandexcitingtotry.I’mreallyluckythatIdon’thaveanyallergiesoranythinglikethat…”

Shetrailedoff,wonderingifshehadsaidtoomuch,butFarisleanedincloser.ToDanielle’s

surprise,helookeddeeplyinterestedinwhatshehadtosay.Beforeshecouldbecomemoreflusteredand

nervousabouthisscrutiny,hespokeagain.

“Soyouhavetraveledagreatdealandtriedagreatdealoffood…whathaveyoulikedbest?”

“Oh,that’seasy!”shesaid,relieved.“IfIhavetopick,itwasprobablythisamazingherring

sandwichinDenmark…”

Fariswasfranklydubiousabouttheideaofaherringsandwichbeingsomeone’sfavorite,and

beforesheknewit,Daniellewaslaunchingintoanimpassioneddefenseofpickledfishonahotloafof

bread,eatenontheedgeofabitterwintersunsetinCopenhagen.Tohersurprise,heknewthecitywell

andhadplentytosayaboutthelocalculture.

Shedidn’tknowwhenshestartedrelaxing,butafterthefoodcame,sherealizedthatherthroatwas

actuallyalittlerawfromhowmuchtheyhadbeentalking.

“Thisisamazing,”shesaid,aftertryingthefirstbitesofherlemonchicken.“Iloveit;it’startand

tenderanddelicious…”

Farischuckledalittle.

“Good.Ifyouhadn’tlikedit,Iwouldhavehadtobeagentlemanandofferedtoswapyoumyveal

forit.”

Howstrangeitwasthatamanasboldanduncompromisingasherbosscouldbesuchgood

company,shemused.

IfDaniellewerehonestwithherself,shewouldhavesaidthatshedidn’texactlycareformenwho

wereaslargeandasfierceasFaris.Shemighthavefeltherheartbeatalittlefasterwheneverhecame

near,butmenofhissorthadalwaysmadehernervous.

ButIfeeltotallycomfortablewithhim,shemused.Itseemslikewe’renotrunningoutofthings

totalkabout,andwhenwe’requiet…it’sjustsocomfortable.

Shecouldfeelherinfatuationgrowingdeeperwitheverymoment,andtruthfully,theonlythingthat

waslikelykeepingherfrommakingacompleteassofherselfwasthefactshewasconvincedthathewas

completelyuninterestedinher.Afterall,grown-updressandfancyrestaurantornot,shewaslessthanten

yearsfrombeingthegawkygirlatschoolthattheboyshadaskedoutondatesasajoke.

However,asmuchassherememberedherrole,hedidn’tseemtoseeherthatway.Instead,they

ate,theytalked,andheleanedinasifheweregenuinelyfascinatedwithwhatshehadtosay.They

weren’tdrinkinganythingmorecomplicatedthansparklingwater,butshecouldfeeltheattentiongoingto

herhead,makingherbolder,makingherfeelasifsheweresomeoneelse.

Normally,Daniellewouldhavesaidthatshelikedherselfwellenough,thatshehadagoodtime

andwasagoodperson.However,rightthen,lookingacrossthetableatoneofthemostfascinatingand

handsomemenshehadevermet,sheembracedthenewer,bolderversionofherselfthatshecouldsee.

ThenewDaniellewasconfident,assured,andutterlyincommandofherself.Shespokehermind,

andshedidn’tcarewhatotherpeoplethought.Itwasexciting,andatthemoment,atleast,itseemedasif

Fariswashappytoplayalong.

Theyfinishedtheirfoodandsharedadessert,ameltingsweetconfectionofpastrydoughand

cream,andwhenshelookedintoFaris’seyes,Daniellefeltasifshewerefallingthroughthedarkness,

completelyunafraidofwhatthelandingwouldbring.

Shewasn’tsurewhenshehadmadeherdecision.Allsheknewwasthatwhenhelaughedand

reachedacrossthetabletotouchherhand,shefeltwarmandwonderfulandthatshedidn’tknowmuch,

butshedidn’twantthisfeelingtoend.

Heofferedherhisarmwhentheylefttherestaurant,andstartledatherownbravery,shesettledher

handonhisthighastheyleft.Sheblushedalittle,butsherememberedseeinganacquaintancedoittoher

boyfriend,whowasdrivingthemalltoanafter-schooleventlongago.

Farislookedalittlestartledathergesture,butthenwhenhelookedather,shecouldseethathis

eyesweredarker,asifthesensualityofhertouchhadtriggeredsomethinginhim.

“Thatfeelsgood,”hetoldhersoftly.

Shemighthavestammeredanapologyandremovedherhand,butthenhishandcamedownover

hers,holdingitthere.

“Ilikeit,”hesaid.“ShallIreturnustothemanor,orwouldyouliketodosomethingelse?”

“The…themanor,please,”shemurmured,andshecouldfeelherselfrevertingtowhoshewas

before.Shefoughtitoffdesperately.Shefeltasifshewereonthevergeofsomethingnew,somekindof

metamorphosisthatwouldletherbecomesomeoneamazingandexciting.

Theydroveinsilence,butthroughouttheshortdrive,shecouldfeeltheheatofhishandonhers.At

somepoint,heturnedherhandover,andabsently,hetracedhisfingertipsoverthelinesofherpalm.The

feelingwasticklishatfirst,butasshetookadeepbreathtoavoidgigglingoutloudlikeaninny,she

gaspedathowsensitivetheskinwasthere.

“Ididn’tknowIwasthatsensitive,”shesaidwithasigh.

Theywerepullinguptothemanor,whereamancameouttotakethecar,andthenFariswas

escortingherbacktoherroom.Shewonderediftherewasakindofhurrytohisstep,anditwarmedher

thathewasjustasexcitedaboutthisasshewas.

Atthedoortoherrooms,however,heturnedtoher,hiseyesserious.

OhGod,he’shadsecondthoughts…

“Iwantyou.”

Hiswordswererough,andhisvoicewasbarelymorethanagrowl.Itsentashiverthroughher,but

itwasn’tfearatall.Instead,therewasasensualityinsideherthatseemedtobeuncoiling,spreadingout,

bathingherinitswarmth.Shefeltherselfswayingtowardhimbutstoppedatthelastminute.

“Iwantyou,”shemurmuredhelplessly,andhenodded.

Hereacheduptograzehercheekwithhisknucklesbeforecuppingthesideofherfacewithhis

hand.God,hewasabigman,butallshewantedwastopresscloser,tofeelmoreofhistouch.

“Thatisgood,”hesaid,“butDanielle,youmustbeverycertain.Ifyouletmeintoyourapartment…

wewillmakelove.I…donothavemuchcontrolnow,andIwillstillwalkawayifyouwantmeto.I’ll

dothatnow.Lateron,Imightnothaveasmuchcontrol.”

Ittookheramomenttounderstandwhathewassaying,butinsteadofbeingfrightenedoff,she

foundherselfnodding.

“Iunderstand,”shesaid,“andyoudon’tneedtoworry.Iwantyoutoomuch.Please…comeinside

withme.”

Shegaspedashebentdownandkissedher,pressingheragainstthedoor.Shehadbeenkissed

before,buttheywerequickandshallowthings,orslobberyandunwelcome.Thiskissfromthisman,his

lipsmasteringhersandhistongueslidingbetweenherlips,madehercravemore.Hetastedwonderfulto

her,likesomethingperfectanddark,warmandgorgeous.

Whenhefinallyliftedhishead,sheworkedthelockwithshakinghands.Whentheywerebothin

herroomswiththedoorlockedsecurelybehindthem,hesimplyliftedherinhisarms.

“You’restrong!”Daniellemurmuredinsurprise,andhechuckled.

“Youweighasmuchasahalf-growncat,”heinformedher.“Itmakesiteasytodothis…”

Hestrodetoherbedroomasifitwashisbyright,andwhenhelaidherdownontheneatlymade

covers,hewastednotimeinleaningdowntokissheragain.Hecameoverherlikeastorm,hisweight

pressingherintothemattress,hiskissesfallinglikelazyrainonhermouth,hercheeks,herjaw,andher

throat.

Daniellefeltalmostdrunkfromkissinghim.Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneck,allowinghimto

kissherasshepleased.Afterashortwhile,however,theneedroseupinhertostartreturningthekisses.

Evenifherkissesfeltclumsyandinexperiencedcomparedtohis,shefelttheshiversofpleasurethatshe

wasgivinghimrunningthroughhisbody,arousingherinturn.

“Youarewearingtoomanyclothes,”hemurmured,andthatwasallthewarningshegotbeforehe

rolledheroveronherbelly.Shewhimperedashekissedalinefromthenapeofherneckdownherbared

shoulderstothezipperatthebackofherdress.Shethoughthewouldsimplystripitdownimmediately,

butFarissurprisedheragainwhenheincheditdowninstead,kissingeverynewpatchofskinthatwas

revealed.Whenitwascompletelyopen,hishandsgotrougher,andshecouldfeelthepassionsurgingin

him.Heworkedthedressoverherhead,andsheheardtheroughpurrofrippingfabric.Shemadeasound

ofconsternation,butFarisonlylaughed.

“I’llbuyyoutenmore,”hepromisedher,andthenshewasonlywearingherunderthingsonthebed

beneathhim.

“Well,”hesaid,afteramoment,andDanielleblushed.

EliseDuContehadmadeafaceattheunderwearDaniellehadboughtintheUnitedStates,butshe

hadn’tsaidanything.Daniellethoughtthatherownunderwearwasfine,buttheParisienneapparently

thoughtdifferently.Alongwithherfullwardrobehadcomeaboxfulloflacyandsatinyunderthings.Most

werepracticalenoughtoweareveryday,thoughtheyweremoreluxuriousthananythingthatDaniellehad

wornbefore.Thissetdefinitelywasn’t.

Thesheerblackmeshrevealedmorethanitconcealed,andsheknewthatFaris’seyesweredrawn

tothedarknessofhernipplesbehindthelace,thesecretcurlsofhairbetweenherlegs.Foramad

moment,shewantedtocoverherself,butthenthelookofhungeronhisfacewarmedhertoomuchtocare.

“Perfectlittlething,”hepurred.“Ihadnoideathatmytranslatorwassoveryadventurous

underneathherquietexterior.”

Shemighthavesaidsomethingaboutthat,butthenhewaskissingheragain,hishotmouthtraveling

downthecenterofhersternum,stoppingtoplantagentlekissoneachbreastthroughthemesh.Thefabric

feltasifitwasbarelythereatall;shecouldfeeltheheatandthedampnessofhismouthsoclearly

throughit.Eventhatbriefcontactmadehernippleshardenwithpleasure,butthenhewaskissinghisway

downherleanbelly,onlypausingtohookhisfingerthroughthewaistbandofherpantiesandtoslidethem

downherlegs.

BeforeDaniellecouldeventhinkofcoveringherself,hehadspreadherlegsandsettledbetween

them.Shewhimperedattheideaofbeingsoverynakedinfrontofsomeone,buthepurredwithpleasure,

strokingthedarkhairbetweenherlegsforamomentbeforeslidinghisfingersalongherslit.Shetensed,

butthensherealizedhewassimplyrunninghisfingersalongtheedgesofhersex,slowlyandwithsuch

gentlepressurethatshesighedandrelaxedintothemattress.Hewassogentlethatwhenheslidhisfinger

alongherclit,therewasnoshockatall.Instead,therewasonlyawaveofpleasurethatseemedtopress

throughtoeverypartofher.

Shewhimperedashebenthisdarkheaddowntotastewherehehadtouched,andhisfingers

venturedbelow,toprobeatherentrance.Thesensationswerebeautifullynew,amazinglybreathtaking,

andshegaveherselfuptothem.Hisskilledmouthworkedoverhertautanduntriedflesh,andthe

pleasuresurgedhigher.

Whenthefirsttremorsstartedshakingherframe,shealmostfoughtit.Daniellethrashedand

shivered,andsomehow,herhandslandedinhishair,pullingevenashespreadherlegswide.Hewas

relentless,andsheknewthatwhateverhappenednext,shehadabsolutelynocontroloveritatall.She

threwherheadback,strainingtowardsomethingthatshehadneverfeltbeforeandatthesametimealmost

terrifiedtotake.

Shebalancedonthatpeakforseverallongmoments,andjustwhenshethoughtthatshewouldgo

madwiththesensationsthathewasmakingherfeel,shetipped,thepleasurewashingoverherwitha

tidalwaveofsensationthatmadehershout.

Herclimaxbrokeoverher,carryingherawayandmakingeverypartofhershake.Somehow,his

mouthwasstillworkingoverher,makingherwhimperandshiverasheslowedandpaused.Danielle’s

eyeswerewideopen,staringdownatthemanwhohadmadeherfeelsuchathing.

Theexperiencewasentirelynewtoher,andshefeltasifshewerestrippedraw,madeanew.

“Fa…Faris…”

Helookedup,andthegrinhegaveherwaspurehunger.

“Justamoment,beautiful.Ineedtopreparemyselffirst.”

Foramoment,shehadnoideawhathewasgoingtodo,butthenhekneltup,pullingacondomfrom

hispocket.Hehadn’ttakenoffhisclothesatall,whichbotheredherforsomereason,butbeforeshe

couldthinkaboutit,hewaspullinghiscockout.Itwasdarkandhard,andtherewasadropofliquidat

theverytipthatmadeDaniellelickherdrylipsalmosthungrily.Shewatchedwithfascinationashedrew

thesheatheoflatexoverhiserectflesh,andthenhecamedownoverheragain.

Shecouldsmellherownarousalonhisskin,andwhenheleaneddowntokissher,shecouldtaste

itaswell.Itwassomethingthatshehadneverthoughtof,butnowitsentanothersurgeofneedthrough

her.Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,andwhenhelightlybitherearlobe,shewhimperedformore.

“Youweresowetandwantingforme,beautiful,IdonotthinkthatIcanwaitanymore…”

Daniellebarelyhadtimetoregisterthewarninginhiswords,andthenhewasenteringherhard

andfast,sheathinghimselfinherbodytothehilt.

AllofthebreathleftDanielle’sbodywitharush,leavinghersilentforamomentbeforeshecried

out.Thepainwaslikeabladeslicingthroughthepleasure,makingherdighernailsintohisclothed

shouldersreflexively.

“Danielle?Danielle,what’sthematter?”

“Nothing,nothing,”shegasped.“Please,nothing,don’tstop…”

Evenasshespoke,thepainwassubsiding,turningintothatsamewarmththathadsuffusedher

before.Inamatterofmoments,itwasonlyamemoryofsoreness,somethingeasilyforgottenasshetook

inthepleasureofbeingutterlyfilledwithhim,ofhisweightontopofher.

“Danielle?”

“Please,it’sfinenow,”shewhispered,lookingupandtryingtolethimseethetruthinhereyes.

“Please,Idon’twanttostop…”

Shecouldseethedoubtinhiseyes,butthenthathungerthathadlurkedinhimsinceshehad

touchedhisthighroseupagain.

“Godhelpme,butIdon’tthinkIcan…”

Hestartedtomove,drawingalmostallthewayoutofherbeforesurgingbackin.Thepowerand

motionofhisbodymadeherwhimperwithneed,andwhenhequickenedhispace,shewrappedherlegs

overhisthighs,revelinginthecoarseweaveofhisslacksagainsthersensitiveskin.

“Idon’tknowifIcanholdback,”hegrowled,andeventhatsentarushofpleasurethroughher.She

couldfeelhislipsagainstherear,andallshedidwasholdontohimmoretightly.

“Don’t,”shesaid.“IwantyoutofeelasgoodasIdid,asgoodasyoumademefeel…”

Herwordsunlockedsomethinginhim,andhegroaned,pushingintoherevenharderandfaster.She

couldfeelthepassionwellingupinsidehim,makinghimshakejustasshehad,andthenwithagreatroar,

hespilled,hislargeformshakingoverher.

Heshookoverherforseverallongmoments,andallshecoulddowasstrokehisback,touching

himgentlyasheslowlystilled.

Afteralongmoment,hepulledbackslightlytolookather.

“Areyouallright?”hewhispered,andshenodded,smilingupathim.

“Betterthanallright,”Daniellewhisperedhuskily,andhesmiled,butshewonderediftherewas

somethingdoubtfulthere.

“Stayrightthere,”hesaid,andwithcarefulmotions,hepulledoutofher.Shefeltoddlyemptyafter

theyhadbeensoclose,butshedidn’thavetimetothinkaboutitbeforeheleveredhimselfoffthebed.

Shewatched,feelingcolderthansheshouldhaveashemadehiswaytothebathroom.Shecouldhear

waterrunningforafewminutes.

Thepleasurewasfinallywearingaway,andshewasleftwiththecoldaftermathofwhathad

happened.Withherheadclear,shecouldseethattherewasnonewDanielle,nobolderversionofher

thatwasabouttobeborn.Instead,therewasjustherandtheweightofwhattheyhaddonetogether

hangingoverher.

Beforeshecouldstartreallyworrying,Fariscameback,hisclothesstraightenedandbuttonedand

awashclothinhishands.Someofherfearswereallayedbythewayhesmiledatherandsettlednextto

heronthebed.

“Willyouopenyourlegsforme,beautiful?”

Shewasconfusedbyhiswords,butitwaseasiertodoashesaidthanquestionhim.Bitingherlip,

shelaybackandpartedherlegs,wonderingwhathewasgoingtodo.Whenhepressedthehot,damp

towelagainsthermosttenderflesh,shehissedwithsurpriseforamoment,andthensherelaxedashe

startedtostrokeherwiththemostgentleofmotions.Thesleepypleasurethatroseupfrombeingcleaned

andtendedtomadehereyelidsdroop,andshedidn’tlookupagainuntilhepulledaway.

“Thatfeltgood,”shesaid,sittingup.Briefly,Daniellewonderedwhyshefeltsonervousnow,after

theyhaddonesomanyintimatethings.Forthefirsttimesinceherclotheshadcomeoff,shefeltnakedand

exposed,andapartofherwasstrangelydismayedbythefactthathewasstilldressed,ifslightly

rumpled.

Hiswhiteteethflashedinthedimlight.

“Iamgladthatfeltgood,”hesaid.“IwantedtomakesurethatItooksomecare.Ithasbeenawhile

foryou,hasn’tit?”

“What?”

Sheblurtedoutthewordinsurprise,andhelaughedalittle.

“There’snoneedtobeshyaboutit,”hesaidkindly.“Youweretense,youhadsometrouble

relaxing.Itisonlyfairtoassumethatithasbeenawhilesinceyourlastlover?”

Shewantedtoprotestthatshehadneverhadaloverbefore,thatthiswasallsoverynewtoher.In

thatmoment,shewantedhisarmsaroundher,holdinghercloseagain,butsheheldherselfback.That

wasn’twhatadultsdidaftertheyhadsex,wasit?Surelysheshouldstayascalmashewas?Herown

experienceroseupinsideherlikesomesortofmonsterthatsheneededtoslay,andshetookabreath.

“I…Isupposethatisfairtosay.”

Forsomereason,Farischuckled.

“Thereisnoneedtobesoshyaboutit,beautiful,”hesaid.“Iunderstand.Youareaprofessional

womantryingtodistinguishyourselfwhileyouarefarfromhome.Ilikeawomanwhoischoosywithher

company.”

Shesmiledlamelyatthat,butherbellywasbeginningtochurn.Thiswasn’twhatshehadexpected

atall.ShewonderedfranticallywhatthenewDaniellewoulddowithallofthis,butnowshecouldtellin

awaythatshehadn’tbeenabletodobefore,thatitwasallasillydream.TherewasnoDanielleexcept

forher,andshewasbeginningtothinkthatshehadmadeamistake.

“Now,areyouallright?”heasked.

Daniellewantedtotellhimeverythingthatwasinherjustthen.Shewantedtotellhimthatshehad

neverdonethisbefore,andnowthatshehad,shewasfilledwithdoubtandnerves.DearGod,hewasher

boss.Whatwouldthismeanforthem?Whatwouldhappenwhentheywerebackintheofficetogether?

Shewantedtobubbleoverwithwordsforhim,tellinghimwhatshefelt,whatwasgoingoninher

head,butinstead,shepastedabrightsmileonherface.

“I’mgood,”shesaid,andwhenitsoundedalittleshaky,sherepeatedit.“I’mgood.Thatwas…I

hadagoodtime.”

Hefrownedather,andshefeltevenmorenakedunderhisgaze.

“Areyousure?”heasked.“Youlookalittlenervous.”

“It’sbeenawhile,”shesaidvaguely.“And,well,it’sbeenabitofalongday…”

Toherrelief,heatleastseemedtounderstandthat,andhenodded.

“Allright.I’llleaveyoutorest,butbeforeIgo,thereisdefinitelysomethingthatIwanttosay.”

Sheheldherbreath.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewashopingfor,buttherewassomethingtenuousand

frailintheair,somethingstrangepairedwithaneedthatfilledher.

“Iwanttoletyouknowhowveryamazingthatwas,andIpromise,itwon’taffectuswhenwewalk

backintotheoffice.”

Danielleblinked.Thiswasn’twhatshehadbeenexpectingatall.

“Irespectyourwork,andhonestly,Irespectthepersonyouare.Iwanttomakesurethatyouknow

that.Whatwedidherewillnotreflectpoorlyonyouinanyway,andifyoudon’twantittocomeup

again,itwon’t.”

Hiswordsseemtoswirlaroundherlikefallleaves,soquickandnimblethatshecouldn’tgrasp

anyofthem.Shewasstillasheleanedintogiveheranotherkiss,thisoneonthecheek,andthenstood

up.

“Getsomesleep,”hesaidwithafaintsmile.“There’sgoingtobealottodotomorrow.”

Somehow,shemanagedtoseehimtothedoorandlockitafterhim.Afterthat,withoutanyother

ideaofwhattodo,shewenttofindherpajamasandliedown.Inthedark,Daniellestaredupatthe

ceiling,stilltryingtofigureoutwhathadjusthappenedtoher.Herbodybuzzedwithpleasureof

everythingtheyhaddonetogether,andifsheletherselfthinkaboutthattoolong,shecouldfeeltheache

formorerightunderneathit.

Shehadalwaysthoughtherbedwaswonderfullycomfortableandpleasant,butrightnow,shewas

unabletofeelitasanythingexceptcold.Therealizationofwhatshehaddonesunkin,andshefelttears

wellupinhereyes.Afteryearsofnotunderstandingwhypeopledidthemad,stupidthingstheydid,she

hadfinallyfeltadeeppassionthatcouldnotbeignored…andshehadlosthervirginitytoherboss.

Daniellehuggedherselftightinthebed,wonderingwhyshefeltsoalone.Nothinghadchanged,and

ifhewaswillingtokeepitprofessionalintheoffice,thatwasalltothegood,wasn’tit?Thenwhydid

shefeelasifherheartwasbreaking?Whydidshefeelasifshewasnevergoingtobewarmagain?

Finally,towarddawn,shefellasleep,andherdreamsweremistyandforgettable,givingherabrief

breakfromhermisery.

Farisdeliberatelykepthimselffromthinkingofanythingmuchashewalkedbacktowardhisown

quarters.Itwasonlywhenheswipedthekeycardthroughtheslotthatherealizedheshaking.Witha

mutteredcurse,hestrippedtohisskinandturnedtheshoweronashotashecould.Itdidn’thelp.He

couldstillrememberthesilkenslideofherskinagainsthis,feeltheshiverofdesirewhenshelookedat

himwitheyesthatseemedasclearasrainwater.

Underthehotsprayofwater,hegroaned.Shehadcalledsomethingoutofhim,somethingdarkand

strongandpassionate.Hehadneverexperiencedanythingquitelikeitbefore,despitehissexualexploits

overtheyears.Withasinglemoan,atwistofherbody,andherbeseechingeyes,itfeltasifshehadtaken

holdofsomethingdeepinsidehim,andnowhecouldnotfindhiswayfree.

Afterdryingoffandstretchingoutinhisbed,Fariscouldonlycometooneconclusion.Hehad

neversleptwithanyonelikeDaniellebefore.Therewassomethingaboutherthatsethisbodyonfire,and

nowthathehadtastedheronce,apartofhimwantedtoreturntotouchherandtofeelherrestinhisarms.

Theideatroubledhim.Farislikedtothinkofhimselfasamanwhodidwellbyhislovers.Heleft

themsatisfied,heboughtthemlavishgifts,heshowedthemagoodtime,andhemadesurethattheywere

pleasedinbed.Somehow,hehadafeelingthatifheofferedDanielleadiamondbraceletitwouldhurt

her.

Itwouldbeforthebestiftheycontinuedastheywere,hedecided.Lifewascomplicatedenough

forhim,andrightnow,hecertainlydidn’tneedsomeoneassensitiveasDanielleinvolvedwithhim.She

wasn’tthetypeofwomanheusuallywentfor,andtherewasnothingwrongwiththat.Gettinginvolved

withher,well,attheveryleast,hewouldlosehertalentsintheoffice,andattheworst…

Hedidn’tevenknowwhatmighthappen.Farisrolledoverinbed,tellinghimselftoletthingsgo.

Therewasnoreasonheneededtothinkanymoreonit.Ifhewerehonestwithhimself,hehadalready

thoughtmoreonitthanhehadanyotherwomanhehadhadinhisbedbefore.

Faristookadeepbreathandtoldhimselftogotosleep.However,evenashedriftedoffinto

slumber,apartofhimreachedout,expectingtofindaslenderformandafallofdarkhair.Whenheonly

foundcoldsheets,apartofhimmournedanddidnotknowhowtobecomforted.

ChapterSeven

Whensherealizedthatshecouldn’tsleep,Daniellegotupandstartedbraidingherhair.Itwasan

oldnervoushabitfromwhenshehadbeenatschool.Sometimes,shewouldbesonervousaboutmeeting

newstudentsthatshewouldwakeuptwohoursearlyonpurposetomakesureshehadplentyoftimeto

dotheintricatebraidsshelikedbest.

Sheshowered,andwhenherdarkwethairwascascadingdownoverhershouldersandback,she

lookedathernakedforminthemirror.

God,nowonderhedidn’twanttostaythenight,shethoughtwithanedgeofdespair.Nowonder

hehadlitoutsoquicklyforhisownroom.

ShehadseenthewomenthatFarisusuallykeptcompanywith.OneofhercoworkersatTransglobal

hadbeenmorethanalittlefondofgossipmagazines,andforawhile,thosemagazineshadbeenplastered

withpicturesofFariswithelegantwomen,womenthatthewholeworldfoundattractiveanddesirable.

Whenshethoughtofthosetall,curvy,charismaticwomen,shecouldn’tstopherselffromapangofenvy

assharpasaknife.

No,shethought,asshestartedtwistingherhairintoafamiliarwovenpattern,sheshouldfeellucky

thatheevenpausedtolookather,letalonetouchher.

Sheshivered.Shecouldn’tthinktoomuchabouthistouchonherskin,hismouthpressedagainsther

mostintimateparts.Ifshedid,shewouldstarttoshiver,shewouldstarttowant,andthenwhoknewwhat

wouldhappen.

No,Danielletoldherselfsternly.Shehadbeengivenagift.Shewouldbeasnormalasshecould,

shewouldignoreanyhintofwantordesireinherownheart,andshewouldsimplypretendthatnothing

hadhappened.Sheknewverywellthatotherwomenhadmuchworsetimeswhenitcametolosingtheir

virginities.Shehadbeenluckytobewithaloverwhowaskindandconsiderateandthenmadesurethat

theirtrystwouldnotmakethingsdifficultonherlater.

Herfingerstwinedherdarkhairintointricateloops,andwhenshelookedinthemirror,she

nodded.Betweenherhairandthedarkgraydressshehadchosenthatday,shelookedverysevereand

veryprofessional.Itfeltalittlelikeputtingonarmor,andshewasverycomfortablewiththatidea.

Takingadeepbreath,Daniellestartedfortheoffice.Shebreatheddeeply,andshetoldherselfthat

theworldhadnotended.Infact,everythingwasfine.Allshehadtodowastogettowork,doherjob,

andignorethefactthatthinkingaboutheremployermadeherhearthurt.

Shesnaggedanappleandbananafromthekitchen,andwhenshegottotheofficewheretheydid

business,shepausedbecauseshecouldhearhimtalking.Thistime,FariswasspeakingFrench,and

hearingtheliquidsyllablestripoffhistonguemadeherblush.

Sheshookherheadatherownneedandwalkedintotheoffice.

Itwasgoingtobealongday.

EverythingwasfineforFarisuntilmidmorning,whenherealizedthattheofferhehadbeenposted

wasentirelyinHindi,withnohandyArabictranslation.Withascowl,hepickeditupandwalkedintothe

smallofficeattachedtohisown.

HeopenedhismouthtoexplainthesituationtoDanielle,butthenhefroze.

Sinceshehadstartedworkingwithhim,shehadworndresses.Theywerebetterbyfarthanthe

baggytunicsshehadwornbeforehehadgottentheformidableDuConteinvolved,andtheywereall

brightandlovely.Thisonewascuttoperfection,buthehadneverseenheringraybeforeThecharcoal

wasjustafewshadesofffromblack,andithadtheeffectofgivingtheappearanceofaghostofsome

kind,paleabovethehighcollar.Herhairwastwistedintobeautifulintricatebraidsthatwerethenswept

uphighonherhead,andwhensheturnedaquestioninglooktohim,thebeautyofhergrayeyestookhis

breathaway.

“Faris?”sheaskedsoftly,andsomepartofhim,someungovernedanimalpart,shivered.Whenshe

saidhisnamelikethat,itmadehimthinkofhersayingitinbed,whenthelightswerelowandwhenshe

couldreachovertohimandstrokehim.Therewassomekindoferoticpromiseinthatvoice,ahidden

urgingtostayandbetouched,bekissed.

Thenshespokeagain,andithadneverbeenmoreclearthatitwasallinhishead.Therewasno

hiddenlonginginhervoice.Itwasasiftheyhadnevertouchedatall,andsomesparkoftemperlitoffin

hishead.

“Faris?”

“TherepresentativesfromKolkattasentmethisdamnedcontractagain,andtheyonlysentitin

Hindi,”hesaid,tossingthepapersonherdesk.“EverytimeIaskthemtochangeit,theysenditbackto

meinHindi.Atthispoint,I’mbeginningtothinkit’ssomekindofridiculouspowerplay.Iwanttomake

surethatIknowwhatthissays,andthenIwanttomakesurethattheyunderstandwhatIamsayingwhenI

ripitapart.”

Damnher,shewasalreadynoddingasifsheknewwhathewanted.

“Allright,”shesaid,hervoicesoft.“I’llmakesurethatyouhaveacopyofthecontractinArabic

onyourdeskassoonasIcan,andasIgo,I’llchecktomakesurethattheyhavenotaddedsomethingtoit

thattheyshouldnothave.Ihavethepreviousversionofthecontractonmycomputer,soIcancheckfor

discrepancies.Willthatbeall?”Shelookedupathimwiththatperfectlyinnocentexpression,asifshe

hadnevercriedoutunderhistouch,andjustthen,hecouldhavehatedheralittlebitforit.

Hemusthavebeenstaringather,becausesuddenly,shebecamenervous.Danielle’shandcameup

totouchherhair,andaslightblushstainedhercheeks.

“Isthatall?”sheasked,anoteofnervousnessinhervoice,andhenoddedcurtly.

“Don’tbealldayaboutit,”hesaid,andheturnedaroundandstrodeout.Hedidn’tslamthedoor

behindhim,butitwasanearthing.

WhenFariswasaloneagain,heletoutalongbreath.

WhatthehellamIdoing?hewondered.Hehadbeencompletelyunreasonable.Itwasan

unforgivabletraitinaboss,letalonesomeonehehadsleptwith.

Andwouldn’tmindsleepingwithagain,therestofhisbodyinsisted,andhegroaned,hidinghis

faceinhishands.WhateverhadhappenedtohimwhenhesleptwithDanielle,heneededtomakesureit

didnotaffecttheworktheydidtogether.Hewasamanofcontrol.Hedidnotlikeitwhenthingsbecame

strangeandunpredictableastheyjusthad.

Heshookhishead.Thingsneededtogetbacktonormal.

Afterheleftheroffice,Danielle’scheeksburnedwithhumiliation.Herfirstimpulsewasshame.

Whathadshedonetomakehimsoangrywithher?Hadshebeenlatewithherwork,orhadthequality

somehowslipped?

ItwasthenshelearnedthatthenewDaniellewasnotsuchamythafterall.Thistime,insteadof

risingwithatideofpleasureandpassion,shecouldfeelasurgeofanger.

Nothinghadchanged.Nothingatall.Theworkshehadinfrontofhertodaywasnodifferentthan

theworkshehadbeendoingthedaybefore.Yesterday,hehadpraisedherforherwork,andhehad

complimentedheronhowshehaddoneit.Today,hehadcomeinwitharequest,andinsteadofjust

assumingshewoulddoitresponsibly,hehadsnappedathernottodawdle.

Don’tbealldaywithit?Daniellewantedtoask.WhenhaveIevertakenthatlong?

Theonlythingthathadchangedwasthefacttheyhadslepttogether,andDanielleblushedwith

angerthistime.Shehadheardthestories,ofcourse.Shehadheardthatwomenwhosleptwithother

peopleintheofficewereoftenintrouble,andshehadgoneandsleptwithherboss.

Apartofwantedtodie.Shewantedtocurlupinaquietroomtopanicforawhile,andshewanted

togetonthefirstflightbacktoDubai,perhapsonthefirstflightbacktotheUnitedStates.Everythingher

fatherhadtoldherwasright.Shewastoosmall,tooweak,andofcoursefartoofragiletodefendherself

intheworld.

TheoldDaniellemighthavedonejustthat.Shehadrunfromfarlesserchallengesbefore.Thenew

Daniellerefused.

I’mstaying,shethoughtdefiantly.Iamgoingtodomyjob,andIamgoingtodoitwell,andIam

notgoingtoletsomeonewhowantstocriticizepeoplefordoingperfectlyfineworkbullyme.

Shescowledasshereachedforthecontract.Shedidn’tknowwhatwasgoingtohappen,butshe

knewthatsherefusedtobeharassed,andifFaristhoughthewasgoingtodoso,shewasgoingtomake

sureheregrettedit.

Farishadalldaytothinkaboutwhathehaddone.Inbetweencallsandlookingovercontractsthat

hecouldactuallyread,hethoughtaboutDanielleandaboutwhathehadsaidanddone.Heknewwith

keenacuitythathehadtreatedherbadly,andithadeverythingtodowithwhathadhappenedwhenthey

hadslepttogether.

Whathedidn’tunderstandwaswhy.Whywasitthatthissmall,slenderwomanhadcaughthis

attention?Whatwassospecialabouther?Wasitsimplybecausehehadnevermetanyonelikethis

before?

Aroundmidday,sheknockedbrisklyonhisdoor,andwhenhecalledtohertocomein,shewalked

intohisofficewithabriskstride,herheadheldhighandhereyesassharpasdaggers.Shelooked,he

thought,likeaqueenenteringherenemy’sterritory.

“ThisisthecontractfromtheKolkattainvestors,”shesaid,layingthefolderdownonhisdesk.

“There’salsoacopyinthereofthepreviousversionofthecontract,andyes,theyhavetakensome

libertieswithwhichthingsmadetheleapandwhichdidnot.Thedifferencesarehighlightedforyouin

red,andIhaveplacedacopyontheofficecloud,soifyouwantacleancopy,youcanhavethataswell.”

Faristookthefolderfromherhand,buthelookedupatherface.Therewassomethingbrightand

determinedthere,afirmsettoherjawthathadn’tbeentherebefore.Somehow,itmadeherlookmore

womanlythanshehadbefore,andhefeltthedelicatetendrilsofthatattractiongrow.

Hemusthavestaredtoolongbecausesheclearedherthroat.

“Willthatbeall?”sheasked.

“Yes,thankyou,”hesaid,andwhenshewalkedbacktoherdoor,hiseyesfollowedher.

Afteranothersleeplessnight,heknewthathecouldnotletitlie.Heknewthatheneededtotalkto

her,totellherthathehadn’tmeanttobethatsharp,thatithadnothingtodowithher.

Hewasnotamanwhowasreallyusedtomakingapologies,andthistime,therewouldbefew

thingsmoreinappropriatethangivingheradiamondtennisbraceletandhopingthatthatwouldsmooth

thingsover.

Hegotupearlyandmadethedriveintothedowntownarea,whichwasjustwakingup.Whenhe

returnedtothemanor,hehadawhitepaperbagthatwasfilledwithenticingsmells,andFarishopedthat

hecouldmakethingsatleastalittlebetter.

Foronce,luckwasonhisside,andFariscaughtDaniellejustasshewasleavingherrooms.She

wasdressedindarkgrayagain,thistimeasharpsuit,andherhairwasupinanintricateknotofbraids.

Foramoment,hefeltabriefpangthathehadneverbotheredtotakeherhairdownwhentheywere

makinglove,nevertraileditthroughhisfingersandfoundoutifitwasslipperyorcoarse.Thenhesaw

thewarylookonDanielle’sfaceandstraightenedup.

“Goodmorning,”shesaidcautiously,andhesmiledather.

“Goodmorning,”hereplied.“Iwasupearly,andIdecidedthatIwantedtogetusbreakfast.”

“Iusuallygetbreakfastinthekitchen,”shestarted,butbeforeshecouldturnhimdownoutright,he

continued.

“Perhapsyouwouldliketosharethemwithmeupontheporch?”

“Theporch?”sheaskedwithsurprise.“Ididn’tthinkthemanorhadone.”

“Itdoes,butnotintheusualplace.Willyoucomesee?”

Shewasstillsuspicious,hecouldtell,buttherewasastreakofcuriosityinherthatmadeher

followhimupthestairs.

Whentheyreachedthetopfloorandheopenedasmall,seeminglyinnocuousdoor,shegaspedwith

surpriseandFarisgrinned.

Theporchhadoncebeenasittingroom,butthewallshadbeenknockeddownandreplacedwith

thickglass.Theresultwasaperfectlysunnyspotwithaplainwoodenfloorandlushplants,somewith

flowers,somecolorfulsimplyfortheirbrilliantleaves,growinguponallsides.

“Howbeautiful!”Daniellesaid,andhewarmedtohearsomethingfromherbesidesthatcoldness

andthatfrostyvoice.Shewasawomanofwonderandcuriosity,andanythingthatmadeherthatcold

shouldnotbetolerated.

Heshowedhertothesmallandcozyseatingarea,wherethereweretwocomfortablechairsanda

mosaictable.Whenshesettledherselfononechair,hetooktheotherandstartedparcelingoutthethings

insidethepaperbag.

“Oh,thosearebeautiful,”shesaidinsurprise,andFarissmiled.

“ThesearetraditionalAswarpastries,”hetoldher.“They’remadefrompoundedwheatdoughand

stuffedwithanumberofthings.Someofthesweetestonesaredesserts,andtherearesomethatare

stuffedwiththingslikeporkandbeansandcheese.”

Sheadmiredthesoftbrownballsofpastryforanothermoment,andthenDaniellelookedathim

quizzically.

“How…doyoutellwhichiswhich?”

Helaughedruefully.

“Iorderedanassortment,andIknowthatthecashiersaidsomethingabouthowtotellthe

difference,butIwasn’tlistening.”

Forsomereason,thatmadeDaniellegrin,andshelookedmorelikeherselfandlesslikeavery

sternwraith.

“Goahead,”hesaidencouragingly.“Ibroughtthesetosharewithyoubeforewehadtogetto

work.”

Shehesitatedforanothermoment,andthenwithashrug,shepluckedonepastryfromthecorner.

Shetookaspeculativenibble,appreciatingthetasteandflavorofthedoughbeforetakingabiggerbite

thatincludedfilling.

“Cheeseandonion!’shesaidwithtriumph.“Oh,thisisgood…”

“Good!”hesaidwithalaugh.“Iamgladyoulikeit!”

Heatehisshare,butitwasfarlessentertainingthanwatchingDanielleexperimentwiththe

pastries.Shelikedthetremendouslysweetoneslessthanhedid,butshehadanappreciationevenforthe

moretheesotericpastries,onesthatevenhedidn’tcarefor.

“Bittermelonsurecomesbyitsnamefairly,”shesaid,makingaface,“butit’snotterrible.”

“YouaretheonlypersonIknowundertheageoffiftywhothinksso,”hesaidwithawrygrin.“I

havenoideawhytheyevenmakeit,tobehonest.”

“Becausesomeonelovesit,”shesaidwarmly.“Becausesomeonewhocomesinallthetime,with

aneagersmileandfriendsthattheyhavedraggedthere,wouldbedisappointedifthestafftoldthemthat

bittermelonwasnotonthemenuatall.”

Daniellesaiditwithsuchconvictionandsuchwarmththatforamoment,Farisonlylookedather.

Hemusthavelookedatherahairtoolongbecauseshelaughed.

“Isaidsomethingdumb,didn’tI?“sheaskedruefully.“Youboughtmebreakfast,andhereIam

talkingaboutthetragedyofbittermelon.Ishouldn’tsayanythingaboutit;I’veneverhaditbefore

today…”

“Youhandleditlikeachampion,”hesaidsolemnly,makingherlaugh.

Heknewthatthetimehadcometospeaktoherabouthistruereasonforinvitingheruptothe

porch,andhetookadeepbreath.

“Ihadareasonforinvitingyouuptotheporch,”hestarted,andhewassaddenedtoseehereyesgo

distantandwary.Shedidn’ttrusthimanymore,andafterwhathadhappenedyesterday,hecouldseewhy.

“IwantedtotellyouthatIamsorryforthewaythatItreatedyouyesterday.IwasdemandingandI

wascruelwithabsolutelynoreasonforbeingso.Isweartoyouthatitisnotgoingtohappenagain,and

thatIsincerelyhopeourrelationshipcanreturntowhatitwas.”

Shewasstillforsolongthathethoughtshesimplymightflee.Hishardwordsthedaybeforehadn’t

madeherquit,butperhapshisclumsyapologytodaywoulddoso.

Hewasrelievedwhenhesawherexpressiongentle.Daniellenodded,meetinghiseyeswitha

claritythatseemedtostrikerightathisheart.

“Idon’tunderstandwhathappened,”shesaidslowly,“andallthingsconsidered,IguessIdon’t

needto.Whathappened,happened,andwecan’tgobacktofixitorchangeit,notreally.

“Allright,Iacceptyourapology.Movingforward,maybeitwouldbebestifwejustpretendedthat

nothinghappenedbetweenusatall.Weshouldjust…forgetit?”

Hecouldhearthequestioninhervoice.Itstruckhimalloveragainhowyoungshewas.Hewas

almosteightyearsolderthanshewas,andshewasuntriedinsomanyways.

“Wecandothat,”hesaid,“however…”

“Howeverwhat?”sheasked,andhecouldn’tbearthetensioninhervoice.

“Itwouldbeashametoleaveitatthat,”hesaid,andwhenhesawtheansweringhungerinher

eyes,heknewthatsheunderstoodhim.

Hewaitedforhertomakethefirstmove.Foramoment,Faristhoughtthatshewouldn’tbeableto

doit,thatshewouldsimplytakehisoffertoforgetaboutitallandleave.Itwouldhavebeenherrightto

doso.Itwouldhavebeenfair,even.

Instead,sheroseuponlegsthatseemedaswobblyasafawn’s,andwhenshecameovertohim,he

caughtherupinhisarms.Hesawthemuteneedinherface,andthenheloweredhismouthdowntohers.

Theyhadkissedthenighttheyspenttogether,heknewthattheyhad.However,allofthosekisses

burnedawaywiththelightandtherealityofthisone.Thiskiss,boldandnew,perfectlysensualand

amazinglysweet,madehimgroanwithneed.

Whenshepartedherlipssosweetlyforhim,heplungedhistonguedeepinside,tastingthepastries

shehadeatenandunderneaththattastingtheveryessenceofDanielleherself.Therewassomethingdark

andwarmabouthermouth,somethingperfectlyyieldingandwildatonce.

Herarmswentaroundhim,clutchingontohim,holdinghimclosewithadesperationthatwent

straighttohishindbrain.Herbodywastellinghimthattheycouldneverletgo,thattheneedthatexisted

betweenthemwasall-important,all-consuming.

Inthesilentandsunnyworldoftheporch,theonlythingthatmatteredwasher,thewaythatshefelt

inhisarms,thepleasurethathegavetoherandtookforhimself.

ThenDanielle’shandswereonhisshoulders,pushinghimawayinsteadofpullinghimcloser,and

withasoftsigh,helethergo.

“Wasthatenoughforyou?”sheasked,andhelookedather,knowingthattheanswerwouldonly

angerherorfrightenher.

“Wasitenoughforyou?”Farisasked,andhewatchedwithfascinationassheliftedherchin

proudly.

“Itwillneedtobe,”shesaidproudly.“We’redonehere,then.Givemefiveminutestogettothe

office,andthenyoufollowme.”

Hestartedtoprotest,butthenherealizedthatintheirembrace,hehadbecomemorethanalittle

aroused.Grimacing,henodded,andshespunonherheel,walkingthroughtheplantswiththesure-

footednessofsomeshyandlovelydeerlivinginthewilderness.

Hetookadeepbreathandthenanother.Itwasovernow,forbetterorworse,nomatterhowmuch

shefiredhisblood.Faristriedtotellhimselfitwasforthebestandfaileddismally.

Inhersmalloffice,forthefirsttime,Daniellelockedthedoors,boththeonetothehallandtheone

toFaris’soffice.Evenaftershehadmadesurethatnoonecouldcomein,though,shedidn’tfeelanysafer.

WhywouldIfeelsafer?Danielleaskedherselfviciously.I’mtheonethatIamafraidof,after

all.

Shehadknownwhenhelookedatherthathewouldn’thaveforcedanythingonher.Shewas

learninghimmoreandmore,daybyday,andevenifhecouldhaveasinfullysharptemper,evenifhe

wouldbecoldandhotbyturns,hewouldneverhavemadeherdoanythingthatshedidn’twanttodo.

Becauseofthat,shehadnoillusionsaboutwhathadhappened.Sheknewthatifshehadwishedto

doso,shecouldsimplyhavewalkedaway.Therewasnoneedintheworldtofallintohisarms,tolook

upintohisbrightblueeyes,sostartlingagainsthisdarkcomplexion.Therewasnoneedtofeelhislipson

hersandhisarmsaroundher,butthatwasalie.Sheneededtokisshimandtobeheldbyhimsointensely

thatitwasalmosthardtobreathe.Itwasoneofthemostdifficultthingsshehadeverdone,pullingoffhim

andwalkingaway.Somepartofherwasstillincredulousthatshehaddoneit.

Shepressedherpalmsagainsthereyes,seekingsomekindofrestinthedarknessthere.Hesaid

thateverythingshouldgobacktothewayitwasbefore.Sheneededitto;otherwise,shewouldneverbe

abletoworkwithhim.

Itwasforthebest.

Shekepttellingherselfitwas,anyway.

“What’sdoneisdone,”shesaidoutloud,andshecouldtellthattherewassomethinghollowabout

it.Shecouldsayitasmuchasshewantedto,butthatdidn’tmeanthatshewouldbelieveit.Danielle

sighed.

Atthispoint,itdidn’tmatterwhatshebelieved.Whatmatteredwaswhatcamenext.Shehadajob

todo,andFaris,whoseskinshecouldstilltaste,whosebodystilllongedforhers,wasunimportant.

Shetookadeepbreathandanotherone,tryingtokeepherselfcalm.Throughthelockeddoor,she

couldhearFarisinhisownoffice.Overthepastfewweeks,shehadbecomeaccustomedtohiscomings

andgoings.Sheknewthathewentstraighttohisdesktogettowork.Sometimes,hewastalkingwith

someoneonthephonewhenhecamein,sometimesinHindi,sometimesinEnglish,mostfrequentlyin

Arabic,givingoutordersinacurttoneofuttercommand.

Today,hewassilent.Sheheardhimpacebackandforthlikesomekindofrestlessanimal.

Suddenlyitoccurredtoherthathemightneedtocomeintoheroffice,andshewenttounlockthedoor.

Justasshewassteppingawayfromthedoor,however,sheheardasigh.Itwassoft,buttherewasa

terribleclaritytoit,asifthepersonwhouttereditwassimplyontheothersideofthewoodendoor.She

froze,wonderingwhathewoulddonext,butfinally,sheheardhisfootstepstakehimaway,backacross

theofficetohisdesk.

Sheletgoofabreaththatshehadn’tbeenawareshewasholding.Itfeltasifsheweremadeof

lead;everythinginherdroopedtothefloor.

Danielleshookherself.Shecouldn’tletherselfturnmopeyandstrange.Ifshewantedtokeepher

placehere,shewouldhavetodoherjob,andthatmeantsheshouldgettowork.Ittookmoreeffortthan

shewouldhavebelieved,butthenshewashaulingherselftostandupstraight.Shewalkedbacktoher

desk,sheputFarisoutofhermind,andshegottowork.

ChapterEight

Daniellewassurprisedwhenthenextfourweeksflewby.Thatfirstday,shewascountingthe

minutesuntilshecouldretreatbacktoherroom.Thedayafterthatwasalittleeasier,however,andshe

madeherwaytothecitytoseeamuseumexhibitaftershewasdonewithwork.

Fromthere,shehadmetoneofthemuseumvolunteers,aplumpandmotherlywomanbythename

ofZahra,whohadbeenthrilledtotalkwithherabouttheancienttextsandartifactsondisplay.Danielle

hadbeensoimpressedwiththemuseumthatshehadlookedforavolunteerform,andjustafewdays

later,shewasbeingclearedforatwice-a-monthpositionbehindtheregisteratthegiftshop.

Danielle,whohadneverhadenoughmoneytoaffordherselftheluxuryofvolunteeringbefore,was

thrilledbyhowmuchfunitwas,howgooditwastofeelasifshewereapartofsomething.Shewasthe

onlyvolunteerwhowasaforeigner,andalmostallofthevolunteerswereolderthanshewas,butshe

didn’tcare.WhileshedidittogethermindoffFarisatthebeginning,sheeventuallystartedgoingjustfor

thefunofit.Theotherwomenatthemuseum,seemingtosensethatshewasinaplaceonherownwithout

anyfamily,didtheirbesttoadopther,andsosheendedupgoingtofamilypotlucksandgroupmusic

nights.

Someofthosenightsransurprisinglylate,andonenight,aftershehadattendedalively

demonstrationofthedoumbekdrum,shedidn’tmanagetogetbacktothemanoruntilpastmidnight.

Daniellewaswalkingupthestepstowardthegranddoorwhensherealizedshewasn’talone.She

tensedforamoment,andthensherelaxedwhenshesawthatitwasFarisleaningagainstoneofthetall

pillarsthatlinedtheporchtothedoor.

“Goodevening,”shesaid,alittleshyly,andshewasoddlyrelievedwhenhesmiledather.

“Goodmorning,perhaps,”hesaidwithasmile.“Youhavebeenoutlate,lately.”

Shetookamomenttowonderwhatheknewabouthercomingsandgoings,andthensheshrugged,

smilingslightly.

“Matya’ssonwasbackfromuniversity,andhehadadoumbekdrumthathewantedtoshowoff.A

lotofpeopleshowedup,andtherewasasortofimpromptulittleparty.”

“Isee.Didyouhavefun?”

Shedidn’tthinkshewouldbehumanifshedidn’thopeforatleastalittlebitofjealousy,evena

tinyhint.Therewasnothinginhisvoiceexceptfondregard,however,theamusementayoungmanmight

feelforhislittleniecewhohadsneakedherfirstcigarette.

“Asamatteroffact,Idid,”shesaid,liftingherchinhaughtily.“Andyou,didyouhaveagood

time?”

Hesteppedoutoftheshadows,andsheblinkedinsurprise.

Inthedarkness,ithadbeenhardtellingwhathewaswearing.Nowshecouldseethathewas

wearingahandsometuxedo,oratleast,hehadbeenwearingit.Nowthejacketwasoffandslung

carelesslyoverhisshoulder,andthetiehunglimplyaroundhisneck.Thedetailthatstuckouttoherlikea

burningemblem,however,wastheslightbruisethatwaseasilyvisibleonthesideofhisneck.Itwasall

tooobviouswhathehadbeendoing,andsomehow,Daniellemanagedtokeepfrommakingasurprised

littlenoise.

Itwouldbejusthilarious,shethought,ifthelittleforeignergirlwashorrifiedbyahickey.She

refusedtogivehimthesatisfaction.Instead,shesmiledathim,alittlecool,alittledistant.

“Icanseethatyoudidhaveagoodtime,”shesaid.“Andmygoodtimehasquitetiredmeout.I

thinkI’mofftobed.Areyoucominginsidenow?”

Helookedstrangelysurprisedbyherpronouncement,butheshrugged.

“IthinkI’llstaydownhereandenjoythenightalittlelonger.Yougoup,though.Wehaveabusy

daytomorrow.”

“Verywell.Goodnight.”

Foramoment,shehadbeentemptedtopushasidewhateverdignityshethoughtshehadandsimply

staywithhim.Thenightwasbalmywithjustahintofapleasantchillunderneath.Notlongago,she

wouldhavewantednothingmorethantosimplystandontheporchandbreathethenightwithhim.Now

shewalkedupthestairstowardherroom,wonderingifshewasdoingbetter,andifshewas,whyitfelt

sorotten.

Farisdidn’treallywanttostayontheporch.WhathewantedtodowastofollowDanielleupthe

stairsandgiveheragoodshake,demandingifsheknewhowdangerousitcouldbetobefemaleand

unescortedonthecitystreetsatnight.ForGod’ssake,shehadreturnedinacitycab,asifhedidn’thavea

fleetofcarsanddriversavailableforheruse.

Heshookhishead.Playingthedoumbek?Itwassomethingthatsomeone’sfifty-year-oldauntie

mightdo.Hewouldhaveaccusedherflat-outoflyingtohimandhidingwhatshewasreallydoingifhe

hadn’tknowthatshesimplywasn’taliar.Whenhelookedintohergrayeyes,hesawnothingbuttruth,

andforsomereason,thatmadehimacheallthemore.

Moodily,histhoughtsturnedtohisownnight.Hehadbeenworkingsohardandforsolongthatit

hadfinallybecomeapparenteventohimthatheneededabreak.Ifhespentanothernightmakingdeals

andworkingwithspreadsheets,hewassimplygoingtosnap.

Thegalaattheoperahouseseemedlikeexactlytherightchoiceforhim.Itwasfullofpeoplehe

genuinelyliked,anditwasfullofthekindofwomenthathelikedbest.

Bretagnewasatallwomanwithflashingdarkeyesandasoftcloudofdarkhairthatheshouldhave

wantedtorunhisfingersthrough.Dressedboldlyingoldandcompletelyunattached,shehadmadeitvery

plainthatshewouldbehappytoseewhatanightatthemanormighthaveheldforbothofthem.

Hehadfelthisbloodracepleasantlywhenhesawher,andhecouldimaginehowsoftherskin

wouldbeunderhishands,andasthetwoofthemcircledeachother,heenjoyedthethrillofthechase.

Anotherhourhadfoundthemtuckedawayinadarkcorneroftheoperahouse,herhandsonhis

clothes,hishandsonherbody,drawingherclose.

Everythingwasfine,andthensuddenly,itwasasifhehadwokenupandtakenastepback.His

bodywasrespondingtoher—Fariscouldseethatshewasabeautifulwoman—butthatwaswhereit

ended.Hismindfeltlikealumpofclay,coldanduntouched,andafteramoment,Farishadgently

disengagedhimselffromthebeautifulBretagne.

Shehadbeenconfusedandslightlyirritatedbytheendoftheiractivities,butwithashrug,she

wanderedbackintothecrowd.Ashortwhilelater,hefoundhercurleduponthearmofanoldersteel

magnate,andhehadhadamomentofdarkhumorathowquicklyhehadbeenreplaced.

Finally,frustrated,tired,andstillunsureofwhathadhappened,heendedupontheroadbacktothe

manor.Heintendedtogostraightupthestairsanduptohisbedroom,butsomethinghadkepthimonthe

steps.

Hisgrandmother,deadsincehewaseight,wouldhavesaidthatitwasadjinnwhohadgraspedthe

hemofhisshirtandheldhimback,butifitwas,whatwasitspurpose?Wasittomakehimseethatwhen

hesawDanielle,hisheartbeatalittlefaster?Wasittomakehimrealizethathersmilecouldwarmhimin

awaythatasensualembracefromawomanlikeBretagnenevercould?

Hewatchedhergointothehouse,andthenhehadtoquellthepossessiveurgethatcameoverhim.

Therewassomethinginhimthatyearnedtowardher,thatneededherinawaythathedidn’tunderstand.

Hewasn’tsurehewantedto.

Greatmenwereundonebywomenlikeher,Farismused.Throughouthistory,menwouldraise

empires,andtheywouldlosethemoverawoman,throwitallaway.Hehadneverunderstoodbeforehow

suchdecisionsmightbemade,butthetruthwasthatnowhewasbeginningtosee.Nowhewasbeginning

tounderstandhowamanmightloseitallforawomanwholookedupathimwithrainwatereyes,who

carriedherselfasifshehadaspineofsteelandyetcouldstillmeltlikebutterinhisarms.

Heshookhishead,andwithaheavystep,hewalkedtowardhisownquarters.Therewasnothing

tobedonehere,andthesoonerhelearnedtomoveforward,thebetteritwouldbeforallconcerned.

ChapterNine

Tryasshemight,Daniellecouldn’tpulltheimageofthelovebiteonFaris’sthroatoutofhermind.

Shewouldgohourswithoutthinkingaboutit,andthenallofasudden,shewouldseeitthereagain,

accompaniedbyaflushofangerandthenasurgeofguilt.

Sheknewshehadnoclaimonhim.Thatwasclear,andhehadgoneoutofhiswaytomakesureshe

understoodthat.Theyweremeanttobeprofessionalsintheoffice,andthatmeantsheshouldnotbe

thinkingofhowgoodherboss’sskintastedorwonderingwhathemightdoifshenippedathisthroathard

enoughtoleaveamark.Sheknewthatplayingwiththoughtslikethatwasonlyself-destructive,butshe

couldnotpullthemoutofhermind.Whenshewasintheofficewithhim,thosethoughtsranrampant,

especiallywhenhewouldcomeintotellheraboutthisjoborthatone.

Perhapstheworstpartwasthatheseemedtobeoblivious.Hepaidnoattentiontoherflushed

cheeksorthewayshesomehowstammered.Inthis,shefinallyrealizedthathernativeawkwardnesswas

camouflagingherrealtroublesquitenicely.Itwasironic,inaway.theshynessthathadalwayshunglike

aweightaroundherneckwasnowhelpingherhidethesheerhumiliationofhavingacrushonamanwho

didn’twantherback.

Oneday,notallthatlongafterseeinghimontheporch,shesatupatlunchandrealizedthatit

wasn’tacrushatall.Acrushmightleaveherflutterywhenshesawhim,butthiswasfardeeper.Itwasas

ifhehadinvadedherinsomeelementalway,leavinghergaspingandwithoutatruenorth.

Daniellewasverymuchafraidthatshewasinloveandwasunsureofwhattodoaboutit.

Theanswer,shedecided,wasnothing.Feelingslikethiscouldn’tlastforeveriftheyweren’t

reciprocated.Shewouldsimplygoonasshehadbeengoing,andeventuallythefeelingwouldsubside,

turntonothing,orperhaps,ifsheweregenuinelylucky,itwouldbecomearealfriendship,onethatshe

couldenterwithoutfearinghurtorharm.

Danielleenactedherplan,unsureifitwouldwork,butthingswerecalmenough,andshewaseven

beginningtothinkthatperhapsitwasworkingwhenhecameintoherofficeonebrightday.

“Goodmorning,Faris,”shesaid.“DoyouneedthedocumentationonthedamdealfromAngevin?I

amjustaboutdonewiththat…”

“I’llneedthattoday,yes,butnotuntillater.No,Ijusthaveaquestionforyou.”

“Yes?”

“AreyouallrightwithgoingtoParis?”

“Paris?”shemanagedtogetout.“Like,theParisinFrance?”

Hesmiledather,butshecouldstillseethathewasn’tunderstandingherdisbelief.

“AsopposedtotheParisinGermany,yes.Thereisasmallconferencethere,andwhileI’llbefine

speakingallthelanguagesthatarerequired,havingsomeoneonhandwhocanmakesurethatanythingI

signisingoodshapewouldbeagoodchoice.Youcanworkremotely,ofcourse,butIpersonallyam

muchmorefondof….”

Hehadtopausebecausewithoutactuallywillingherselfintoaction,Daniellehadflungherselfout

ofherseatandlaunchedherselfagainstthesurprisedsheikh.Herentirebodylitupwithglee,shehugged

himashardasshecouldwhilegigglinglikemadtoherself.

Shecouldhardlybelieve.ShewasgoingtoParis!Shewasagirlwhohadbouncedaroundfrom

towntotownwhileherfatherpursuedhisworkwiththemilitary;shehadalwaysbeenashamedofher

hand-me-downclothingfromthecharitybins;shehadskippedmoremealsthansheknewwhattodowith;

andshewasgoingtoParis…

Afterthefirstrushofgleedieddown,however,sherealizedthatshewasstillholdingontoFaris,

andforsomereason,hehadmadenoattempttopullherawayortomakeherstop.Herfaceflushingwith

heat,shepeekedupathim,onlytofindhimwatchingherwithapensivequalityonhisface.

“I…takeityouarefondofParis?”heasked.

“I…Iam,”shestammered.“I’msosorry,Iwastotallyinappropriate…”

“Why?”heasked,wavingasideherstutteringapology.

Daniellelookedathimblankly,unabletofigureoutwhathewasaskingheratall.

“Whatdoyoumean?”sheasked,andheraisedaneyebrowather.

“I’vebeengoingtoParisfortripswithmyfatherandwithmyschoolssinceIwasachild,”hesaid,

theexpressiononhisfacestillslightlyperplexed.“It’sacitylikeanyother.Inthewinteritiscoldand

wet,andwhilethefoodwasquitegood,therewasakindofsnobberytherethatIhaveneverliked.Why

intheworlddoyouwanttogotoParis?”

Herfirstinstinctwastoreachforsomethingsillyandeasy.Shehadseenplentyofsillymoviesthat

sheknewwerefarfromthetruth.ShehadheardenoughpeopletalkaboutParistoknowthatherviewofit

wasdefinitelytintedtowardrose.

However,insteadofgivingFarisasillyreasonthathecouldfoboffandforgetaboutit,shepaused,

hereyesslightlydistant.

“BecauseParisisastory,”shesaid,andwhenhestilllookedconfused,shehastenedtoexplain.

“Myschoolsdidn’ttakefieldtripstoParis.Whentheybotheredatall,theytriedtotaketheir

studentstothelocalmuseumsortosomeone’sfarmtolearnmoreaboutfarmers.Mostofthetime,Ididn’t

gettoatall.

“Iwouldsitintheschoollibrary,becauseIstillhadtobeinclassevenifeveryoneelsewas

missing,andIwouldread.Ilovedstoriesaboutdesertislandsandhorsesandstrangehappenings,

becausewhatgirldoesn’t,butafterIfinishedallofthose,IfoundsomebooksontheCityofLight.”

Shetookadeepbreath,becausethispart,whiletrue,wasabithardertosay.

“Thosebookssavedme,”shesaidquietly.“ImighthaveendeduplivinginthesmalltownwhereI

graduated,gettingsomedead-endjobandmarryingsomemanwhodidn’treallycareaboutmeatall.

Instead,thosebooksopenedupanentireworldtome,andPariswasatthepinnacle.Itfeltlikesomekind

offairy-talecity,sobeautifulandsoweatheredafteralloftheyearsandthebattles.IfIcouldmakeitto

Paris,Ithought,IknewthatIhadwellandtrulyescapedeverythingthatIhadcomefrom.”

Shetookoneshakybreathandthenanother.Whenshelookedupathim,therewasafeelingof

dreadinherstomach.Shewasafraidthatshewouldseehumorinhisface,orevenworse,pity.Instead,it

wasasiftherewasalightdawningonhishead.Helookedatherasifheunderstoodheralittlebetter,

andasifhelikedwhathesaw.

“Andhereyouaregoingwithyourboss,”hemurmured,aslightself-deprecatingsmileonhislips.

“Ithinkthatwillbelovely,”shesaid,andforsomereason,hervoicehaddroppedaswell.

Thesilencestretchedoutbetweenthem,anditwasonlythenthattheyseemedtonoticetheywere

stillstandingineachother’sarms.Daniellestartedtoapologize,butFarisletgoofher,steppingback.To

herdismay,hisfacewassmoothandcool,asiftheyhadnotbeentalkingaboutherdreamsandher

childhoodjustafewmomentsago.

Sheopenedhermouthtoaskhimagainifshehadoverstepped,butinstead,hewasalreadygoing

backtohisownoffice.

“I’llmakesurethatsomeonepicksupasecondticketforyou,”hesaidwithoutturningback.“I’m

afraidthatitwilllikelynotbeasdramaticorasimpressiveasyouthinkitwillbe,Danielle.”

Shetriedtosmileathiswords.Itwasdifficultbecausealloveragainsherealizedthatherfeelings

forFarishadn’tquelledatall.Allithadtakentocallthemforthagainwasasingletouch,asingle

embrace,andsuddenlyshecouldfeelherselfrespondingtohimagain.

Whenthedoorclickedshutbehindhim,allDaniellecoulddowastowrapherarmsaroundherself.

ShewasgoingtoParis,shetriedtoremindherself,butwhatwoulditbelikewhenshehadFaristo

contendwith?

Farisreturnedtohisoffice,andwhenheknewthathewasalone,hecradledhisheadinhishands.

Hehadbeendoingsowell.Theyhadendedupinaprofessionalrelationshipwhereshewasn’tsettingoff

allthealarmsinhishead,theonesthattoldhimthathewasinfartoodeepwithayoungwomanwhowas

completelyinappropriatetohim.

TheideaoftakinghertoPariswasonethathadbeenpercolatinginhisheadeversincethe

opportunityhadcomeup.Hehadn’tliedtoher.Havinghisownloyaltranslatoronhandwasgoingto

makethingsmucheasier.However,hewouldhavebeenlyingifhehadn’tsaidthattheideaofher

companypulledhimin.

Eversincetheyhadslepttogether,theurgetobeclosetoherwasonethathecouldn’tunderstand

andinmanywayscouldn’tdeny.Whenhewasawayfromher,theworldfeltgrayandeverythingmoved

asifitweretakingplacesunkinmolasses.Everythingwasslowanddreary.Whensheappeared,

however,firstthinginthemorningandwithabrightsmile,readytotakeontheday,shehadmadehim

smile.

Hewouldhavebeenthefirsttoadmitthatatthebeginningitwassimplybecauseshewasapretty

girl,butnowhewascomingtosuspectthattherewasmoretoitthanthat.

Fariswonderedsavagelyifhehadlostallcontrol.Afterallofhisownsensualexploits,theperson

whoseemedreadytotakehimdownwasashortwomanwithwideeyesandaninnocentairaroundher.It

hadtobesomekindofkarma.

Heshookhishead,reachingforhispapers.

Paris.Pariswouldcurehim.TherewereplentyofeagerwomeninPariswhowouldbeabletoput

himbackontherightpath.ShewouldtakehercutelittlepicturesoftheLouvreandtheEiffelTower,and

hewouldfinallygetoutofthisslumpthathehad.

Heputthematteroutofhismind,buthecouldn’tresistaslightsmileattheideaofDaniellerunning

aroundwithhercameraout,snappingeveryshotthattookherfancy.Hetoldhimselfhewasonlybringing

heralongforofficialpurposes,andithadofcoursestartedoutthatway,butsomequietpartofhimwas

deeplypleasedtobeabletogiveherherchildhooddream.

ChapterTen

“Areyoudisappointedyet?”

DanielleglancedoveratFaris,whowasslouchednexttoherinthelimousine’sbackseat.While

shepeeredouttherainywindow,hesatwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshischestandadarkfrownonhis

face.HehadbeeninafoulmoodsincetheyhadleftAswar,andshehadbeentreadinglightly,nomatter

howthrilledshewasathersecondrideinaprivatejet.

“Whateverdoyoumean?”sheaskedcautiously.“Disappointedbywhat?”

Farisgesturedoutatthewindowtowardtherain-soakedcity.

“This.I’venotbeenbacktoParisinawhile,butallofmymemoriesarelikethis.Graydayswhere

thesuncomesoutjustlongenoughtoremindyoutomissit,rainthatsoaksthrougheverythingandchills

youtothebone.It’shardlythestuffthatdreamsaremadeof,isit?”

Daniellecouldn’tstopherselffromsmilingathim.Shewasawarethatshewouldprobablysound

likeafool,butshewasafoolinParis,andthatwasfarbetterthanbeingafoolinIowa,shethought.

“Ithinkit’sstillamazing,”shesaid.“Itmightnotallbesunshineandrosesandromance,butthisis

stillanancientcity,onethathaswithstoodeverythingthattimehasthrownatitandemergedbloodiedand

stillbeautiful.WhenIlookout,IseeallthestoriesthatIhavebeentold,alltheartIhaveeverstudied…”

Farislaughed,buttherewasawarmnotetoit.

“Leaveittoyoutomakearainstormintosomewonderfulstory,”hesaidwryly.

Theyweren’tstayingatahotel,asDaniellehadthoughtthattheyweregoingto.Instead,thedriver

pulleduptoaquiettownhouseonafashionablestreet,atallandnarrowplacethatseemedasifithad

retainedeverysecretthathadpassedthroughitsdoorsforthelastfewcenturies.

“Oh,butyoucan’texpectmetostayhere,”shesqueakedoncetheyhadcarriedtheirbagsintothe

lobby.Everythingfromthegiltmoldingstothecrystalchandelieroverheadtothevelvetdrapesmadeher

feellikesomekindofmisplacedfarmgirl,acountrymousewithdelusionsofgrandeur.

Faris,forhispart,seemedutterlyindifferenttotheplacearoundhim,andheansweredwithout

turningtowardher.

“Idon’tseewhynot,”hesaid.“Thisisaplacethatmyparentsboughtyearsago.It’salwaysbeen

theplacethatIstayedatwhileIwasvisitingParis.Mymotherhostedmanypartiesherebeforeshedied.

Areyousayingthatit’snotgoodenough?”

“No,notatall…”shesaid,shocked,andhegrinnedather.Daniellerealizedbelatedlythathehad

beenteasingher,andsheblushed.

“Good.Thenyou’llstayhere.It’llmakesenseforyoutobearoundifIneedtomakesurethat

somethinggetstranslatedformeveryquickly.”

“Oh.Ofcourse.”

Apartofherwasletdownbythat,butwhatshouldhehavesaid?Shewashistranslator,andthey

hadbothconfirmedthatthatwastheirrelationshiptoeachother,foreverafter.

“Unfortunately,therewon’tbeanytimeforsightseeingforyouuntiltomorrowatbest,”hewas

saying.“There’saninformalmeetingwithsomeoftheotherheadsofstatethisafternoon,andthoughI

don’tthinkyou’llbenecessary…”

“Itwillbegoodtohavemecloseby,”shefinished.“Ofcourse.That’swhatI’mherefor.”

Therewassomethingonhisfacethatmadehershiveralittle,butthemomentpassed,andhe

nodded.

“Good.IamgladIcancountonyou.Fornow,whydon’tyougoupandrest?Yourroomisdown

therightcorridor,thefirstdoorontheleft.I’mjustonedoorbeyondifyouneedanything.”

“That’sagoodidea,”Daniellesaid,stretching.Somehow,nomatterhowlargeaplanewas,she

wasapparentlygoingtogetcrampedandtirednomatterwhat.“Whatareyougoingtobedoing?”

“IthinkImightcallsomefriendsandseeifthere’sanythingexcitinggoingonforthenextfew

nights.Noreasontoliveunderarock,evenifthisisn’tmyfavoritecityintheworld.”

Daniellewonderedwhatitwasliketobesowealthythatonecouldhavehousesincitiesthat

weren’tyourfavorite.Shecouldscarcelyimagineowningonehouseletaloneonesthroughouttheworld.

Herroommadehergaspoutloud.Itwasn’tafullapartment,likeshehadinAswar,butwith

hardwoodfloors,silk-swathedwalls,andastainedglassrosewindowoverthebed,itfeltasifshehad

enteredtheroomofaprincess.

Shelongedtoexploretheroom,butinstead,shekickedoffhershoesandstretchedoutonthebed.

Ifshewasgoingtohavetobeoncallthatnight,asshesuspectedshewouldbe,sheknewthatshewould

likelyneedatleastsomesleep.Shesetheralarm,andthenbeforeshehadevenquiterolledover,shewas

driftingaway.Inherconfuseddreams,shewasaprincess,andsheknewthateverythingwouldbeginonce

theprinceshowedup.

DaniellemighthavelovedParis,butrightnow,Fariswashavingahardtimescrapingupany

feelingforitexceptforirritation.Thedriverhadbeenlategettingthemtothefirstmeeting,andoncethey

werethere,hehadbeendispleasedtodiscoverthatthenumberofpeoplewhohadshownupwasfar

beyondwhathehadexpected.Thoughhewaspleasedtoseeafewofhisoldfriendsandacquaintances,

hewasdisgustedtofindthattheentireseriesofmeetingswouldlikelybelosttobureaucracyandsaber

rattling.WhiletheEuropeansmightbeinterestedindoingthat,hefoundthathewasfarfromamused.

Itwasn’tacompleteloss,though.WhiletheFrench,English,andGermanrepresentativeswere

buttingheads,afewmenfromhispartoftheworldcametospeakwithhim.

“Thisishardlythemeetingthatwaspromised,”saidthesheikhofAbbad,shakinghishead.“This

willbethelasttimeIleavehomeforsomethingthishopefulandthispoorlyplanned.”

“Europeans,”snortedamanthatFarisonlyrecognizedbysight.“Theythinkthattheirproblemsare

theworld’sproblems.Weshouldsimplyleavethemtofightitoutontheirowntime.”

Farissighed.DespitehisirritationatcomingallthewaytoFranceforsomethingthatmightmerely

beafancysaber-rattlingcontestforpeoplehewouldn’tspitoniftheywereonfire,perhapstherewas

somethingstilltobegainedfromitall.

“Thereisagoodrestaurantnotfarfromhere,”hesuggested.“Shallwesimplyleave?”

Thatwasmetwithachordsofagreements,andbeforeFarishimselffoundacar,hehadamessage

sentuptotheroomswhereDaniellewaswaitingwiththeotheraides.Hewonderedbrieflyifshewould

besadthathehadleftwithouther,andthenhewonderedwhyhewondered.Hewasthesheikh;ofcourse

itwasappropriatetosendhisstaffhomewhenhewasdoneforthenight.

Heresolvedtoputheroutofhismind,andhewenttojoinhiscompatriots.

Daniellewasdeeplywrappedupinhernovel,doingherbesttoignoretheotherstaffmembers,

whenthemessagecame.Eachdignitary,itseemed,hadhisownsupportstaff,andoverwhelmingly,she

wasfindingthatshedidn’tcareforthem.Theywerecatty,bored,andalltooapttoscratchorhisswhen

theyweredisturbed.Afterhefirstfewoverturesoffriendshipwereturneddown,shehadwithdrawninto

hersmalltableatthebackoftherearrooms.

Whenayoungpagecometofindher,shesighedwithrelief.Perhapsshecouldfinallymakeherself

useful.

Sherealizedthatthatwasnotthecasewhenshereadthenote.Attheend,itsuggestedthatshego

outandenjoyherself,andshefiguredthatthatwasamercyofsomekind.Ithadfeltliketheworsetease

tobebroughttotheCityofLightandthenconfinedtoaroomfullofpeoplethatshedidn’tlikeintheleast.

Shegatheredupherthingsswiftly,showingherpassasshewalkedoutofthebuildingandontothe

street.Thesunwasjustsetting,andtherainhadstopped,andforamoment,Daniellesimplylooked

aroundherinwonder.Thestreetwasmomentarilylitwithacrystallinegoldenlight,andshethoughtthat

allofithadbeenworthit.Evenatthemomentwhenshewasthinkingofhowbeautifulitwas,apartof

herfeltapangwhensherealizedthatFariswasn’tthere.Itwasastrangedullpainatthecenterofher

chest,andshewasstillpushingitawaywhensomeonespoketoher.

“Youlooklikeawomaninchurch,”saidamalevoicetoherright,andinsurprise,shespuntoward

thespeaker.

Hewasatallmanwithashortbeard,hisskinasdarkasFaris’sandhiseyespureblack.Hewas

dressedinasuitthatsherecognizedascostingmorethantwothousanddollars,andfromthetagthatwas

clippedtoitsocarelessly,shecouldseethathehadcomefromthesameconferenceasshehad.

“I’msorry,what?”shestammered.

“Youstandonawetstreetandyoulookattheskyandthebuildingsaroundusasifthereis

somethingholytoit,”hesaidwithaneasygrin.“Itisjustremarkable.”

Shewonderedifhewasmakingfunofher.Itwasadistinctpossibility.Therewasahintofhumor

lurkinginthecornerofhismouth,andshefrowned.

“YouwerejustattheGuyevernemeetings,weren’tyou?”hecontinued.“Irecognizethebadge,but

IamafraidthatIdonotrecognizeyourface…”

Shefelttrapped.Therewasaclearexpectationinhisvoice,andshedidn’tknowhowtogetoutof

itwithoutbackingawayorseemingrude.Ontopofit,whatifshewasrude,andhedecidedtomake

troubleforFaris?

“I’mDanielleJennings,”sheofferedreluctantly.“Idon’tthinkIrecognizeyoueither…?”

Tohersurprise,hebowedtoheronthestreetasiftheywereinsomekindofnovel.Asherose,he

touchedhisheartandhislips,anarchaicsymbolofrespectfromtheMiddleEast.

“IamSeifabdul-Rahid,sheikhofKamul,”hesaid,andtherewassomethingelegantabouttheway

hespokeandcarriedhimself.Shefoundherselfdrawntoit,andthenwithastart,sherealizeditwas

becauseheremindedherofFaris.

“Oh,Iampleasedtomeetyou,”shesaid,slightlyawkwardly.“Howareyoufindingthemeeting?”

Hegrinnedalittleruefully,anditstruckherthatthiswasamanwhoknewhowhandsomehewas

andwasprobablywillingtouseit.Thequestionwas,ofcourse,whyhewaschoosingtouseitonher.

“Well,itisstillgoingon,andIamouthere.Asamatteroffact,mostoftheMiddleEasternportion

ofthemeetinghasleftaswell,andgiventhatyouareouthere,IassumethatthesheikhofAswarisamong

them?”

“Yes,heleftaboutthirtyminutesago.Areyoulookingforthem?I’mnotsurewheretheyare,butI

assumesomeonewouldknow…”sheoffered,buthewasalreadyshakinghishead.

“I’llconfessIwasfindingthemeetingratherclose,andIwouldbejustashappytowanderthe

streetsofParisonmyown.”

Hepaused,givingherasignificantlook.

“Orperhapsinthecompanyofsomeonewhofindssomethingbeautifulaboutasimplestreet?”

Itwasonthetipofhertonguetorefuse.Therewassomethingunsettlingaboutthisman,butshe

couldn’tquiteputherfingeronit.Therewassomethingavidaboutthewayhewaslookingather,

somethingjustslightlyfalseabouthissmile,despitehischarm.

Shewassettorefuse,andthenshethoughtofFaris’sadmonitiontogooffandhaveagoodtime.

Daniellerealizedwithalittlebitofdismaythathehadlikelyintendedtogoofftodothesame,andwhen

shethoughtaboutthatincidentontheporchandaboutallofthenewsarticlesshehadeverreadabouthim,

sheknewwhatthatmeant.

“Sure!”shesaidalittletooloudly.“Whydon’twedothat?”

Hegrinnedather,andDaniellecouldtellhowcharmingheintendedittobe,butrightthen,allshe

couldthinkofwashowlittleheremindedherofFarisineverywayexceptthemostsuperficial.Still,she

tookadeepbreathandtoldherselfthatsheshouldrelax.Shehadspentherentirelifeplayingthingssafe

andbeingquiet.Maybenowwasthetimeletthingsgetalittleloud.

“Good,”Seifsaid.“Letusseewhatwecanscareup,shallwe?”

Sheforcedherselftogrin,hopingthathernervesdidn’tshowthrough,andwhenheofferedherhis

hand,shetookit.

ChapterEleven

Somefourhourslater,Daniellerealizedshewasmakingamistake.Itmightnothavebeenaterrible

one,butitwasamistakenonetheless.Seifhaddemandedtheygotoanexpensiverestaurant,onedevoted

tosmallplateselegantlyserved.Daniellerealizeditwasmeanttobeaone-of-a-kindexperience,but

whenatinyskewerofmeatwasbroughttoheronasteamingpillow,itwashardtoseetheappeal.

Therewerefourteencoursesinall,eachonelittlemorethanabite,andsomeofthembitterina

waythatmadeherquestionwhetheritwasfoodatall.Itdidn’tseemtostopSeifatall,asheexplained

hiswaythroughallfourteencourses,sharingwhatwasimpressiveabouteachoneandwhysheshould

finditdelicious.

Sheateeverybite—attheveryleast,ithelpedkeepthehungeratbay.Shehadbeenstarvingsince

breakfast,andthismealwasfarbetterthannoneatall.Shesmiledathimwhenhemaderecommendations

ortoldherthisfactortheother,andshecouldtellhedidn’tnoticeherdiscomfortatall.Danielleknew

verywellshewasnoactress;itwassimplythathedidn’tcaretonoticeherreactions.

Afterafewforaysintoconversation,itbecameeasiertoallowSeiftotalk,andtalkhedid.Hehad

plentytosayabouthisemirateandthewaytheydidthings,howprogressivetheywereandhow

westernized.Sheflinchedalittlewhenhetalkedaboutbanninganysignoftheoldways,theonesthat

werelookeddownonintheWest,andshethoughtofalltheolderpeoplewhohadthesymbolsoftheir

identityyankedaway.Seifmightberegardedasagreatmodernizerintheagestocome,butintheonehe

actuallylivedin,shewascertainthathewasroundlycursedinmanyplacesinKamul.

Afterdinner,heinsistedonahorse-drawncarriage,anddespiteherabsolutehatredofbeinglifted

abovethestreetsoeveryonecouldsee,shegavein,tellinghimthatitwouldhavetobethelastthingthey

didbecauseshewasgettingtired.

“IguessI’mjustrunningoutofsteam,”shesaidwithaweakgrin.“I’mstillrunningonnosleepat

allfromwhenwegotinthismorning.”

Foramoment,therewasastubbornlookonhisface,andthenhecovereditupwithsomething

moreeasy-going.

“That’sfine,ofcourse.Wecanjusthavethedriverdropyouoffaswegoby…”

Heleaneduptogivetheaddresstothedriver,andsomethingaboutthatfeltstrangelyofftoher,but

shewassotiredanddesperatetobealonebythenthatitdidnotoccurtohertoquestionit.Hekeptupa

runningcommentaryabouttheadvanceshehadmadeinKamulsincebecomingthesheikh,andinlesstime

thanitcouldhavetakenbutmorethanshewouldhavewished,theywerebackinfrontofthenarrow

townhousewheresheandFariswerestaying.

Hesprangoffthecarriagetohandherdown,andsomethingaboutthewayhetookherhandmade

hershiver.

“I’vegotitfromhere,”shetriedtosay,butthenheinsistedonescortinghertothedoor.

“Ihadagreattime,”shelied,turningaroundtofacehimwhentheywereontheporch.Theporch

wasshelteredfromthestreetbyatrioofloweringtrees,theirbranchesdippingtowardtheground.They

mighthavebeeninaprivategrottoallontheirown,andthesettingmadeDanielledeterminedtoallow

himnocloser.

“Why,whatagoodthing,”hesaidwithachuckle.“Perhapswecandothisagaintomorrownight,

assumingwearebothfreetodoaswewouldliketodo.”

Sheopenedhermouth,adozenexcusesonthetipofhertonguetoexplainwhythatsimplywouldn’t

bepossible,andthenheleanedoverher,hismouthclampingdownoverhers.

Foramoment,Daniellewassimplyfrozen,eyeswideinthedarknessandbloodturnedtoice.This

manwaskissingher.Hismouthwasonhers,hewasaflesh-and-bloodmanwhohadbackedheragainst

thedoor,andhistonguewaspressingbetweenherlips.Therewerenowordsforthepanic-fury-fearthat

ranthroughher,butfortunately,herbodywassmarterthanhermindwas.

Shenarrowedhereyes,andwhenhepressedhistonguebetweenherteeth,shebroughtthem

togetherwithasatisfyingclack.Seifreactedimmediately,makingasoundlikeakickeddog,andhe

lurchedbackasifhehadbeenstabbed.

“Whatthehell…!”heexclaimed,andshestaredathimwildly.

“Ididn’tlikethat,”shesaid,hervoiceshakinglikealeaf.“Ididn’twanttodothat,butIwilldo

worseifyoutouchmeagain.Nowgetoutofhere.”

Foramoment,intheshadeofthetrees,heonlylookedather.Aterrorwelledupinherthroat,and

atthebackofhermind,avoicewhisperedwhatifitwasn’tenough?Whatifhedidn’tcareifshelikedit

ornot?Whatifhedecidedthathewasowedforthedinner,forhistime?

Thenhenoddedjerkily,turningandretreatingdownthestairs,andagushofreliefwashedover

Daniellelikeaflood.Herhandswereshaking,herkneesfelttooweaktoholdher,andshecouldn’ttellif

shewantedtolaughorcry.

Fortunately,therewasastonebenchnexttothedoor.Sheknewthatsheshouldgoinside,hide,get

intosomecomfortableclothesandputsomelockeddoorsbetweenherselfandtheworld,butshesat

downonthecoldstoneforamoment,lettingthefearwashoutofhersystem.

IttookFarisaboutanhourtosuspectthatheshouldn’thavegoneoutwiththeothermen,andabout

anhourafterthattobesure.Dinnerwasfine.Therestaurantwasgood,buttheconversationswiftlyturned

towomen.Hewasdisgustedtonotethatthesheikhswhoweremarriedparticipatedjustasavidlyasthe

oneswhoweren’t,andhewonderedifthiswaswhatlifewouldalwaysbelikeforthesemen,constantly

chasingthenexttwenty-year-oldwomanwithafiguretheyconsideredworthy.

Bythetimehehaddecidedtoleave,theywereatanelegantclubfordrinks,andashewalked

throughtherooms,fullofgorgeouswomenwhoweredefinitelyonthelookoutforsomerichcompany,he

feltawaveoflonelinesswashoverhim.

ThiswastheParisheknew,herealized.Itwastheplaygroundoftherichandfamous,andhe

couldn’tdenythathehadhadsomegoodtimeswhenhewastherebefore.Itfeltsuddenlycheapand

hollow,though,andhefoundhimselfwonderingwhatParislookedliketoDanielle.

She’sprobablyoutswooningoveracitypigeon,hethought,andthatwasaslikelyasanythingelse.

HehadnevermetsomeonewhocouldfindasmuchbeautyintheworldasDanielle,andsuddenly,he

wonderedifshecouldshowthatbeautytohim.

Whenhelookedup,herealizedthattherewasastatuesqueblondewatchinghimfromacrossthe

room.Herreddresslookedlikeasplashofbloodagainstthemarblewalls,andwhenshewalkedupto

him,therewasafelineslinktoherstride.

“Andwhatareyoulookingfortonight?”shepurred,andthoughhecouldtellshewasastunningly

beautifulwoman,somethingaboutherlefthimcold.

“Beautyandjoy,”hesaid,slightlyshockedatthewordsthathadcomeoutofhismouth.Itwastrue.

Whathehadbeenlookingforallalongwasbeautyandjoy,anditwasstunninglysimple.

“Oh,thatIcanhelpyouwith,”saidtheblondewomanwithalaugh,andshereachedouttotouch

hisarm.

ShecriedoutinsurprisewhenFarisgraspedherhandinhis,andhecouldhavelaughed.Hewasn’t

hurtingher,buthisspeedhadalwaysbeenathingthatstartledothers.

“No,”hesaidgently.“Idon’tthinkyoucanhelpmewiththat.”

Hesawthehurtinhereyes,andbehindit,hecouldseethefearandthedoubtaswell.Shewasa

womanwholivedbyherallure,andhecouldrecognizethatfearofnotbeinggoodenough.

“Inthenextroom,thereisamanwearingacopperArmanisuitandatiepinshapedlikeasword,”

hesaid.“He’sarelativelykindman,andhehasatasteforblondes.I’msorry,that’sthebestIcandofor

you.”

Whenhereleasedherhand,shegazedathimwithhereyesnarrowed.Itmadeherlookalittle

older,butitgaveherfaceabitofcharacter,whichhefoundhelikedfarbetterthanthevapidsmile.She

studiedhimforamoment,andthenshesmiledwryly.

“Thanksforthetip,”shesaidatlast.“Ihopeyoufindyourbeautyandjoy,then.”

Shetossedoffaquicksalutebeforesaunteringtowardthenextroom,andFarisdecidedthenand

therethathewasgoingtotry.

Ontheridebacktothetownhousethathesharedwithawomanwhocaptivatedhimlikenoother,

Fariswonderedwhatshehaddonewithherevening.Somethinginhimachedattheideaofherexploring

Parisonherown.Itwasacitythatshehadthoughtofasforlovers.Perhaps,ifhewasverylucky,she

wouldshowhimthecitythatshehadimagined,andperhapshecouldseeitthroughhereyes…

ThefirstsignFarisgotthatsomethingwaswrongwasthemanstaggeringdownthesteps.Ittook

himamomenttorecognizethesheikhofKamul,andhiseyesnarrowed.Theiremirateswereclose,but

therewasalonghistoryofenmitybetweenthetwo.Theywereonfriendlytermsnow,buthundredsof

yearsoftraditionalbattlecouldnotbeoverlookedinafewgenerations.

“Seif,”hesaidwarily,gettingoutofthecaranddismissingthedriver.“Whatbringsyoutocallso

late?”

Foramoment,hecouldseeadarknessinSeif’seyes,disgustanddistasteandsuperiorityallat

once,andthenitwasallcoveredwithasmilethatFariscouldonlycalltriumphant.

“Notcalling,buttakingmyleave,”hesaid,andthesmileonhisfacemadeFariswanttopunchhim.

Herestrainedhimselfinstead,watchingtheothermanwithawarningglance.

“Takingyourleaveofwhat?”heaskedbluntly.Seifmightbethesortwhowantedtoplayword

games,butFarishadfarbetterthingstodo.

“Yourlovely,warm,andwelcomingtranslator,”Seifreplied.“Itwasagoodchoicetogetan

American.Theyaresoveryavailable,aretheynot?”

Farisdidn’thesitate.Heactedoninstinct,anditwasnotuntillaterthatherealizedhowverymadit

allwas.Withasinglegracefulmotion,hedrovehisfisttowardSeif’sface.Itdidn’tmatterthattheywere

grownmen,theleadersoftheiremirates.Itdidnotmatterthattherewerealmostcertaintobe

consequencesforhisrashact.ThemostimportantthingforFarisrightthenwasthatSeifstoptalking.

TheblowconnectedfirmlytoSeif’sjaw,satisfyinginaprimalway,butthenSeifrockedbackand

spuntowardFariswithafury.SeifwasjustasbigasFaris,buthewasslower.Farisblockedtheblow,

butittoldhimthatSeifwasnoeasyopponent.

Afterthefirstengagement,thetwofellback,handsstillup,watchingforanyopening.

“Whatarewedoing?”Seifasked,hisvoicealmostabsurdlyreasonableforthesituation.“Weare

menofpower,andweshouldnotbebrawlingonthestreetslikecommonthugs…”

“Iamescortingyouoffmyproperty,andIammakingsurethatyoudonotreturnorthinkyourself

welcome,”Farisretorted,andtohissurprise,Seifdroppedhisfists.

“Oh,well,ifthatisall,Iwillsimplybetakingmyleave.”Heshrugged.“There’snothingelsehere

Iwant,afterall.”

Farisnearlylungedforhimthen,butSeifstartedwalkingbrisklydownthesidewalk,hisback

deliberatelyturnedtotheragingFaris.Farisknewitforwhatitwas.Ifwordgotoutthathehadattackeda

man,anothersheikh,whiletheman’sbackwasturned…itwasnotasituationthatwouldreflectwellon

him.

FarisgrittedhisteethashewatchedSeifwalkaway.

Soon,hethoughtgrimly,youwillbefacingme,andthenwalkingawaywon’tbeanoption.

WhenSeifwasoutofsight,sensestartedtoreturntoFaris.Thefirstblushofangerhadhithimso

hardithadlefthimreeling,butnowthathewasrecovering,hethoughtofDanielle.Hecouldimaginehow

easilyshemighthavefallenforsomeonelikeSeif,andhetampeddownthemadjealousythatwentwith

it.Sheowedhimnothing.Hehadmadethatveryclearaftertheirfirstencounter,andnowhehadtolive

withit.

Feelingdespondent,hewenttothefrontdoor,handonthekeysandthinkingvaguelyaboutgetting

somekindofrest,whenamovementcaughthiseye.Heturned,andwithshock,herealizeditwas

Danielle.

Shehuddledinthebackcorneroftheporch,shakingalmostuncontrollably,andwhenheturnedto

her,sheflinched.

MyGod,whenIseethatmanagain,he’sdead…

“Danielle?”

Thesoundofhernameseemedtoreviveher.Attheveryleast,shestraightenedup,comingforward

tomeethim.Hecouldtellthatshewasstillshaken,butthelookofdeterminationandwillonherfacetold

himshewouldnotbebowedorbroken.

“It’sme,”shesaidsoftly.“Ijustthoughtyouwere…well,thatdoesn’tmatter.”

Fariscouldn’tstophimselffromgrowlingdeepinhisthroat.

“Seifisnevergoingtosetfootonthisstreetagain,andifheevenlooksatme,Ishallkillhim,”he

saidfiercely.“Whatdidhedotoyou?”

ThelaughthatescapedDanielle’smouthwashighandwavering,morelikethecryofalonely

seabirdthanasoundawomanwouldmake.

“He…heshowedmeaverynicetimethatIwasn’tinterestedin,”shesaid.“Tookmetodinnerand

thenacarriageride,andoh,Ihatedit…Wegotbackhere,andIguesshethoughthehadputinenough

romancetobuy…”

Hervoicetrailedoffasshethoughtofwhatmighthavehappenednext,andhecouldseeherstartto

shakeagain.Heactedinstinctively.Withacurse,hegatheredhertohim.WhenDaniellestiffened,he

thoughthehadmadeaterriblemistakeandthatshewasgoingtopushhimaway.Instead,afteranother

moment,shemeltedintohischest.

“I’msosorry,”shetriedtosay.“Thisisridiculous.Hedidn’tdoanythingterrible.Imean,people

getworseridingpublictransportation…”

“Youdon’thavetosayanything,”hesaid,andone-handed,heunlockedthedoorandshutthem

safelyinside.

Insidehimwarredtwoverydifferenturges.Thefirstwantedtosetherdownandgoroaringafter

Seifagain,hisreputationbedamned.Thesecondwantednothingmorethantokeepthisdelicatewoman

safe,tomakesuresherememberedthattherewassomeonewhowouldprotecther.

“I’mallright,”shesaid,peeringupathim.“Iswear,I’llbefine…”

Inhereyes,however,hecouldreadthetruth.Therewasaneedthereforhim,apleathathewould

havetobemadeofstonetoignore.Hehesitated,becausehewasamanwhohadnevercaredmuchfor

othersinhislife,butthenthewordsseemedtofindthemselves.

“Willyouletmelookafteryou?”hesaidsoftly,andheheldhisbreathuntilshemadeasoftsound

andgavethetiniestofnods.

ChapterTwelve

DaniellehadnoideawhatshemighthavedoneifFarishadn’tappearedontheporch.Shefigured

thateventuallyshewouldhavepulledherselftogetherandgoneinside,butatthatmoment,shakingand

withhernervesstretchedtobreaking,thatwasnotathingshecouldguarantee.

Whenheappeared,itwasasifheweretheanswertoaprayerthatshehadbeenwhisperingallher

life.Itwaseasytomeltintohisarms,easytolethimbringherinside.Daniellefeltherselfcalmingdown,

andshefiguredthatsoonenough,hewouldlethergososhecouldretreattoherroomtotrytoforgetthis

terribleevening.

Thenhehadlookeddownatherwiththoseamazingblueeyes,andwhenhespoke,hehadmade

somethinginhermelt.

“Willyouletmelookafteryou?”hesaid,andsomethinginsideherthathadbeenfrozenoverall

herlifecriedoutyes.Foramoment,shethoughtshewouldn’tbeabletosayyes,oreventonod.A

lifetimeofindependencemighthavekeptherfromit,butthensherealizedhowwarmhewas,howmuch

herbodyleanedintowardhis.

Shenodded,andthenwithinaheartbeat,hewasscoopingherupinhisarms.Sheyelpedalittle,

throwingherarmsaroundhisneck,andhelaughedsoftly.

“Youhaveawonderfullaugh,”Daniellesaid,hervoiceshy,andtoherwonder,itwasasifhehis

laughturnedintothepurrofanenormouscat.

“Youarekindtosayso,”hesaid.“We’regoingtomakeaquickstop,andthenIwilltakeyouto

yourroom.”

Thequickstopturnedouttobethekitchen,wherehesetherdownjustlongenoughtotakeafew

thingsfromtherefrigerator.Beforeshecouldseewhathewasdoing,hescoopedherupagainandcarried

herwithalldueceremonytoherbedroom.

“Icanwalk,youknow,”shemurmured,loopingherarmsaroundhimtightly.

“Butdoyoulikethis?”

“Verymuchso.”

“Thenthatisallthatisnecessary.”

Whatastrangethoughtitwas,thatsomethinglovelycouldhappenfornootherreasonthanbecause

shewantedit.Shemusedonthethoughtashecarriedhertotheroom,onlymewlingalittlewhenhe

depositedherinoneofthelargecomfortablewingchairsnexttotheemptyfireplace.Shewatchedwith

curiosityashepulledasmalltableupandtookhisplaceattheotherchair.

“Whatareyoudoing?’sheasked,andhesmiledather.

“Youarelookingalittlepeaked,”heinformedher,pullingoutajarofsomethingdarkandchunky.

“Mygrandmotheralwayssaidthatfoodwasimportantafteryouhadashock.”

Shestartedtosaythatshewasn’thungry,butthenherstomachrumbled,andshemadeaface.

“Hetookmetotheoddestplace,”shesaid.“Allsmallplatesandsmokeandrandomthingsbeing

cookedwithlasers.”

“Oh,Ivavo’s,”saidFarisdismissively.“Partytricks,notrealfoodatall.Here,let’sseewhatyou

thinkofaplowman’slunch.”

Asshewatched,heconstructedasandwichforherwithtwothickslicesofbread,asliceofpale

cheese,andwhatlookedlikeathickdarkjam.

“That’sBranstonpickle,”hetoldher,handingherthesandwich.“It’sabitofacarryoverfrommy

childhood.It’ssweetandsalty,morelikeachutneythananythingelse.”

Shetookacautiousbiteandsmiledatthebiteofthepickleandthesmoothnessofthecheese.Itwas

simplefare,easyenoughtoimaginesomeoneeatingafteralongdaywhentheyweretootiredtodo

anythingelse,butthemixtureofflavorswasdeliciousinitsownright.Shequietlydevouredhersandwich

ashemoreleisurelymadehisown.

Shewonderedifshewassimplytootiredandwornouttobepanicked,becausejustthen,shehad

noself-consciousnessaboutwatchinghimatall.Itseemedtobethemostnaturalthingintheworldto

watchhimmakehisfoodandtheneatit.Therewassomethingstrangelysensualabouttheentirething,and

beforeshequiteknewwhatshewassaying,shewasspeakingagain.

“Whatanoddthingforyoutoeat,”shemused,andheglancedathercuriously.“Imean,thisfeels

reallyBritishtome.NotsomethingthatyoucouldpickupoffthestreetsinDubai…”

Helaughedalittleruefully.

“No,notatall.Ilikelywouldn’thaveanyideaaboutthisatallexceptformygrandmother.Shewas

ayounggirlduringtheBlitzinLondon,andshestillrememberswhenrationingletupandshecouldhave

cheeseagain.Thiswasoneofherfavorites,andmygrandfatheralwaysmadesurethatshehadjarsof

BranstonpickleatthepalaceinAswar.”

“YourgrandmotherwasBritish,then?”sheaskedinsurprise.“Isupposethatexplainstheblue

eyes…”

Hesmiledalittle.

“Itisstartlingthatittookyouthislongtocomment.Mostpeoplesaysomethingrightaway.”

“Maybeithassomethingtodowiththefactthatalotofpeoplemakecommentsaboutmyheight,”

shesuggested.“Alotofpeoplewalkuptomeandsay‘ohwow,you’resoshort.’Imean,thanks,notlikeI

didn’tknowthatatall.NotlikeIhavebeenthisheightforliterallyeverydayofmylife.”

“Icanimaginewherethatwouldgettiring,”hemused.

“Yes,somepeopleevencallmeachildoranelf…”

Tohiscredit,Fariswincedalittleatthat.

“Areyoustillholdingthatagainstme?”heprotested.“Thatwassolongago…”

“Andyetyouneverapologized.Youwereyourcharmingself,andthenontheplaneyouofferedto

bribemesothatyoucouldkeeponsayingthingslikethat,butIneverheardanapologyonewayor

another.”

Itwasamazingwhatfoodcoulddoforone’smood,shemused.Shewasalreadyfeelingbetter,and

thensherealizeditlikelyhadmoretodowithFaristhanthesandwichhemadeher.

Farislookedchagrinedatherwords,shakinghishead.

“Ihavebeenremiss,Isee.Well,whatwouldyoulikebywayofanapology?”

ItwasonthetipofhertonguetotellhimthatsimplyhearinghimsaythewordsI’msorrywouldbe

agoodstart,andthensomethingelseoccurredtoherinstead.Shebitherlipforamoment,andthenrather

thanwaitandpossiblyloseevenmoreofhernerve,shesimplyletthewordsfallwheretheywished.

“Youcouldgivemeakiss,”shesaid,andevenifherwordswereontheshyside,shecouldfeelthe

interestflameupinhisextraordinarilyblueeyes.

“Ohyes?”heasked.Shethoughtofacatthathadbeenrousedtothefactthattherewerelittlemice

lurkingabout,unwisemicewhohadaterriblefascinationwithcats.

“Yes,”Danielleresponded.“butitneedstobeakissthatIthinkisgoodenoughforanapology.”

“Oh,well,then,Ihadbettergettowork…”

Herosefromhischair,nevertakinghiseyesoffher,andthenhekneltnexttoherchair,soclose

thatifshepartedherknees,hewouldbebetweenthem.Hewastallenoughthatseatedshewasonlyafew

inchestallerthanhewaswhenhewasonhisknees.

Shefeltherbreathstutteringinherchestwhenhegentlylaidhishandsoneithersideofherface,

butwhenhecamecloser,allsheknewwasthatshewantedhim,ohbutshewantedhimsomuch…

Hislips,whentheytouchedhers,weresoftanddry,andhersensitiveskinfeltasiftheywere

warmingherfromtheoutsidein.Shecouldfeelhisbreathwarmonhermouth;shecouldfeeljustthetip

ofhistonguetracealongherlowerlip,andsheneededmore.Justassheopenedhermouthtoallowhim

eagerentrance,however,hepulledbackslightly.

“Sohowwasthat?”heasked,hiseyesdancingwithhumor.“Wasthatgoodenoughtoserveasmy

apology?”

Foramoment,Daniellewastoolostinsurpriseanddismaytoregisterwhathewassaying.Then

shegatheredherself,liftingherchinupdefiantly.

“Certainlynot,”Daniellesaidwithdignity.“Ithinkthatwassubpar,andabsolutelynotuptothe

standardthatIknowyouarecapableof.”

Therewasalightinhiseyesnowthatshouldhavemadehernervous,butitalmostfeltasifthere

wasnothinginherrightnowthatcouldfeelfear.Allshecouldfeelwasadeepurgetobeclosertothis

man,tobreatheinhisscent,totouchhim…togetthekissthatshereallywanted.

“Oh,Isee,“Farissaid,pretendingtothinkforamoment.“MayIhaveanothertry?“

Shecouldfeeltheblushthatthreatenedtooverwhelmher,butrightthen,shewantedhistouchmore

thanshewantedtobenervousaboutit.

“Isuppose,”Danielleallowed.“Iamafterallafairperson.Perhapsyoucandobetter…”

Hemovedslowerthistime,cuppingthebackofherheadwithhislargehand.Hismouthnuzzledat

hersforamoment,urgingitopen,andthenheswepthistonguealongherlowerlipagain,makinghergasp

withneed.BeforeDaniellecouldreachforhim,hepulledbackagain,hiseyespositivelydancing.

“Andthat?Howwasthat?”heaskedwithagrin,andshegavehimalookthatshewassurewas

justshortofwild.

“YouknowwhatIwant,”shesaid,andthewordscameouthalf-desperate,half-demanding.

“Please…”

Thistime,Farismovedsoquicklythatshecouldbarelycatchherbreath.Suddenly,hewaspressed

betweenherknees,pushingherbackagainstthechair.Hismouthonherswashotanddemanding,and

nowshecouldfeeltheneedthatlivedinhimaswell.Hewasteasingher,butitwascomingatacostto

him.Shecouldfeelitinthestressofhisbody,thethrustofhistongueintohermouth,thesheerneedfor

herinhistouch.Shewastrembling,butsowashe,andinthatmoment,Danielledecidethatgoodsense

couldwaituntilmorning.Rightnow,allshecaredaboutwasgettingmoreofthisman.

Farisbrokethekisslongenoughtolookather.

“Areyoutrulyallright?”herumbled.“Ifyoutellmeyouare,I’mnotsurethatanythingintheworld

couldstopmerightnow…”

“I’mfine,”shesaid,hervoicesoft.“OnlyIwantyousomuch…”

Itwaslikethrowinggasolineontothefire.Shecouldseethelookoffiercedesirecomeoverhis

face,andhestoodandscoopedherupagain.Hecarriedhertothebed,wherehishandswenttoherdress,

butsheheldupherhand.

“Ineedyounakedtoo,”sheexplainedwithdifficulty.“I…thelasttimewedidthis…Ijustwant

it.”

Shewasn’tsureifheunderstoodherskin’shungerforhis,buthesmiledfaintly,nodding.Danielle

thoughtthathewouldreachforhisbuttons,tearinghisclothesoff.Insteadhestraightenedandstartedto

striphisclothesoffwithaslowdeliberationthatmadehereyeswiden.Shesatupinbedtobetterseeas

hestrippedhisjacketoff,followedbyhistie.Therewasabsolutelynoself-consciousnesstohim,

absolutelynoshameatall.

Withaslightsmileonhisface,hestrippedtohisskin,andDanielledevouredhimwithhereyes.

Hewastannedeverywhere,hisskinanimpossiblewarmgold.Farislookedlikeafitmanwithhisclothes

on.Withthemoff,hisbodywouldhaveputagodtoshame.Whenhereyesdroppedbelowhiswaist,she

couldseehismemberrearingup,hardandeager,andinsteadofbeingembarrassed,shelickedherlips

withoutthinkingaboutit.

Herinadvertentgesturedrewalaughingmoanfromhim,andshakinghishead,Fariscametojoin

heronthebed.Hekissedhercheek,andthenhiswarmlipsmovedtoherear,nibblingonthelobebefore

tracingthedelicatewhorlwithhistongue.

“Youaredelicious,”hewhispered.“Everypartofyou.Nowwillyoureturnthefavor?”

“Idon’tseewhyIshould,”sheteased.“Afterall,thelasttimewedidthis,Iwasentirelybareand

youwereclothed…”

Sheyelpedwhenhenippedthecrookofherneckwithjustalittlebitofstrength.Thestinggave

waytoarushofwarmpleasureashelappedatitwithhistongue.

“IsupposeIshouldrephrasethat,”Farissaidwithachuckle.“Areyougoingtotakeoffthat

damneddressbeforeItearitfromyou?”

Shefrozeforamoment,buttheheatthatsunkintoherbodycouldnotbedenied.

“IthinkIwanttoseeyoutryit,”shesaiddefiantly,andshegaspedasshewaspusheddowntothe

bed.God,hewasfastandstrong,andshethoughtifsomeonehadtoldheraboutthis,shemighthavebeen

frightened,butrightnow,allshecouldthinkaboutwashowmuchshewantedhim.

Farisworkedfastandruthlessly.Hetoreherclothesoffwithakindofsingle-mindeddetermination

thatwasintenselyarousing,stoppingonlywhenhegottoherunderthings.Theremnantsofherdresswere

scatteredonthebed,andDaniellewasbreathingharderfromthearousalofthesimpleact.

“Well,Ididwarnyou,”hesaid.“Nowtaketherestoffforme.”

Therewasatoneofironcommandinhisvoice,andthoughitoccurredtoDanielletodefyhimjust

toseewhatwouldhappen,shewantedtodowhathesaidmore.Shekneltuponthebed,andthoughshe

thoughtthattheblushmightkillher,sheslowlystartedunhookingherbra.

Shehadalwaysbeennervousaboutherslightcurves,abouthowslendershewasandhowmen

seemedtofindhermoreunwomanlybecauseofit.However,glancingatFaris’savidexpression,itwas

plaintoseehowutterlyfascinatedhewas,howmuchhewantedher.

Theneedonhisfaceonlyintensifiedasshestrippedherpantiesoffaswell.Shecouldseehis

handstwitchingashestoppedhimselffromreachingforher.

Instead,heonlywatchedher,takingsuchclearpleasureinherformthatshefeltakindofheatswell

upinsideofherjustfromhisgaze.

“Willyoutouchmenow?”shewhispered,andhethoughtforamoment.

“Iwantyoutotakedownyourhair,”hesaid.“Iwasremisswhenwewerelasttogether,andIhave

notseenit.”

Adozenexcusescametomind,thatitwastoolongandunfashionable,thattheywouldrolloverit

andtangleit,andabruptly,Daniellerealizedwherethatcamefrom.Itwasthevoiceofeverymanwho

hadeverteasedher,evercalledherlonghairquaintandunattractive.ThatwasnotFaris—itwouldnever

beFaris—andshetookadeepbreath.

Firstcamethepins,aroundhalfdozenofthem,leavingtwolongbraidstofalldownherback.She

couldfeelFaris’seyesonherbraids,notedthesurpriseattheirlength,andthentakinganotherbreath,she

removedtheelasticsthatsecuredtheendsandstartedworkingthebraidsloose.

Danielledidn’tlookupathimagainuntilherblackhairfellinloosewavesdownherback.When

shedid,however,shewasstartledtoseetheaweonhisface.

“Faris?”

“Iamafool,”hedeclared.“IcannotbelievethatIhadsuchbeautyinmybedbefore,andInever

thoughttoseeit…”

Daniellestartedtosaythatitwasn’treallybeauty—itwasjustherhair;shehadbeengrowingitout

sinceshewasateenager—andthenhereachedforit.Twice,heranhisfingersfromherearsdowntothe

tips,andthecaressmadeherpurr.Whenheworkedhisfingersagainstherscalp,massagingfirmly,she

feltasifshewantedtogobonelesswithpleasure.Shecouldfeelhereyesdriftshut,andthenhewas

stretchingheroutonthebedontoherbelly.

“Tellmeifyougrowuncomfortableinthisposition,”hemurmured.“Otherwise,Ihaveplansfor

you.”

Therewasahintofsensualmenaceinhiswords,butsheonlysmiledathimoverhershoulder,

pillowingherheadinherarms.Daniellewasn’tsurewhatshewassupposedtoexpect,butthenhewas

cardinghisfingersthroughherhairagain,spreadingitoverhershoulderslikeadarkandgleamingcloak.

Itwassothickandheavythatitstretchedhalfwaydownherbuttocks,andwhenshefelthisfingers

brushingagainstthatsensitivearea,shewhimperedencouragingly.

Despitethehungerthatgrowledandsnappedinbothofthem,however,Farisseemedcontentto

takehistimethatnight.Whenshefelthiswarmhandslidefromhershoulderstoherwaist,shecouldn’t

helparchingintohim,moaningwithpleasureathislighttouch.Hishandsfeltgood,butthentheybrushed

herhairasideandwerereplacedwithhislips.SuddenlyDaniellecouldn’tstopshiveringashelaidkiss

afterkissdownherspine,workinghiswayupanddownherbackassheshivered.Therewassomething

soslowandpatientaboutthewayhemovedthatitmadeherwhimperwithneed,andafterthat,she

couldn’thelpbutbuckupagainsthim.

“Iwanttotouchyou,”shewhimpered,andhelaughedalittle.

“Ah,butwhatifIamnotdonetouchingyouyet?”

Shestartedtorespond,butthenheranhishandsdownherfirmthighs,caressingandmassagingher

calvesandthenherfeet.Shehadneverbeentouchedlikethisbefore,andshecouldn’tdoanythingbut

sinkintothemattress.Shewasnothingbutneedinhishands,andshegaveherselfuptohismastery.

“Youaretrulyapuzzle,”hemurmured.“Iwanttotearyouapartwithneed,butIwanttotouchyou

likethisuntilyousimplybegmeforthepleasurethatwehavebetweenus.There’snothingIwantmore

thantoexploreeverypartofyou,totrulybringyoutotheclimaxthatIknowyouarecapableof…”

Shewhimperedwhenhepressedfirmlyonherinstep,tracinghisfingersuptheinsideofherleg.

Shecouldn’tstopherselffromshakingforhimevenashearousedher.Itfeltasifhehadawakenedher

fromtheinsideout;everypartofherskinwasonfireforhim,needingandwanting.

“Ican’twaitanylonger,”shemurmured.“Please,Iwantyoutokissme…”

Hislaughwasthroatyanddeep,andinit,shecouldheartheendofhiscontrolaswell.

“Idon’tthinkIcoulddenyyouanythingwhenyouaskmelikethat,”hemurmured,andwiththat

samesurprisingstrength,heturnedherover.Forseverallongmoments,hewascontenttokisshermouth,

herarmsloopedtenderlyaroundhisneck,butthenthefireoftheirneedoverwhelmedthebothofthem.

Tohersurprise,insteadofcomingoverherashehadbefore,helaybackandliftedheroverhim.

Thesuddenchangeinpositionmadehersqueakwithsurprise,butthenshewasstraddlinghisthighs,his

bodywarmunderneathherownandherhandslightlyrestingonhischestforbalance.

“What…”

“Showmehowmuchyouwantme,”heurgedher.“Rideme…”

Thebreathcaughtinherthroatasshegazeddownathismember.Itwasfullyerectnow,darkand

pulsingwithneedforher.Bitingherlip,shestrokedherpalmdownhisshaft,awedbyhowsilkyhisskin

wasthere,howthebloodmadeitashardasiron.Therewasashiningbeadofliquidatthetip,and

withoutthinkingofwhatshewasdoing,sheswirledherthumbaroundit,spreadingtheliquidaroundand

makingFarisgroan.

“Please,”hesaid,ahintofdesperationinhisvoice.“Unlessyouwanttoseemedisgracemyself

likeanuntriedstud…”

Shelaughedalittleatthat,butshecouldfeelthetremblingthatranthroughhisframe.Danielle

foundthatshecouldn’twaitmuchlongereither.Shetookadeepbreathandshiftedforwarduntilhiscock

wasrestingbetweenthem,theshaftlinedupwithherdampslit.Sherodehimdelicatelyforamoment,

andatthewayhegroanedthroughhisclenchedteeth,sheknewshecouldn’tdenyhimmuchlonger.

Shereacheddown,andwithmovementsthatwereonlyslightlyclumsy,shepulledhimintoher.

Whenshesettleddownonhimfully,theybothgaspedatthesuddenpleasureitgavethem.Foramoment,

DaniellesimplylookeddownatFaris,wild-eyedandwithherlipsslightlyparted.Shehadneverbeen

thisclosetoanotherperson.Shehadneverfelthisheartbeatingasifitwereherownbefore.

Whensheshiftedtentatively,shefeltnearlyfaintfromthepleasureitgaveher,andthenshestarted

tomovewithagreatdealmoreassurance.Sherockedonhiships,feelinghimcompleteherwithevery

thrust,andwhenhishandscameuptolatchonherhips,shewhimperedatthestrengthinhisgrip.

“Anothertime,Iwillallowyoutomoveasyoulike,”hepromisedfervently.“Anothertime,I

swear,butthistime,Isimplyneedyoutoomuch…”

Shegaspedwithsurprisewhenhestartedraisingherandloweringheronhiships,drawingher

almostoffhisbodybeforepushingbackin.Thepleasurethatshewasabletoelicitpaledincomparison

towhathewasdoingnow,andashemovedher,shecouldfeelthegreatrushofpleasurestarttobegin

insideher.Shehadfeltthiscompletionwithhimonlyoncebefore,butshealreadyknewshecravedit.

Danielledugherfingernailsintohischest,whimperingwithneedasthepleasuretorethroughher.It

liftedherhigherandhigher,madeherbreathingroughasthewatersthatfloweddowncliffsides.The

tensionbuiltandbuilt,butshecouldn’ttoppleovertheedgeuntilfinallyFarisdroveintoherwithone

finalmotion,drivingdeepinsideandspillinghisownpleasure.

Theyshooktogether,theircriesechoingeachother’s,andittookseverallongmomentsbeforehis

handsletgoofherhips,allowinghertoslidedownontopofhim.Stillconnectedinthemostintimateof

ways,Danielleslumpeddownonhischest.Panting,coveredinsweatandexhaustedbytheirown

pleasure,foralongtime,theonlysoundwastheirbreathing.

ItwasDaniellewhohadtomovefirst,herbodyachingatthepositiontheywerein.Witha

disgruntledsigh,sheslidaway,makingFarisgruntwithdispleasure.Hewouldn’tlethergofar,however.

Herolledthembothoverontheirsides,hischesttoherbackandhisarmoverherhip.

“Howareyou?”shewhispered,andhechuckledalittle.

“Shouldn’tIbeaskingyouthat?”heteased.“Iamfine.Thatwas…well,muchlikethelasttime,

thatwasamazing.”

“Itwas,”sheagreed.“I…Ihaveneverfeltanythinglikeit.”

Itwasonthetipofhertonguetotellhimthatshehadbeenavirginthefirsttimetheylaytogether.

Shewantedto.Thenhestartedtalkingagain,andthemomentwasover.

“Thisisastrangethingbetweenus,”hesaidmusingly.“Notjustthepleasure,thoughthatis

certainlyararethinginandofitself.”

Daniellefeltstrangelyalarmedbythisstatementwithoutquiteknowingwhy.

“Whatdoyoumean?”sheaskedcautiously.

Shecouldtellthathecouldheartheworryinhervoicebecausehislargehandcamedowntobrush

herhairback.

“Nothingbad,”Farissaidreassuringly.“Icanpromiseyouthat.ButDanielle…youmusttellmeif

youarenotfeelingthisaswell.Whatwehaveisspecial.Acynicmightsaythatweareonlyfeelingthis

waybecauseofthepleasurewehavejustgiveneachother,butIthinkitismorethanthat…”

“Iknowitismorethanthatforme,”Daniellemurmured,andtoherrelief,shecouldfeelhimnod.”

“Whatwehaveinbedis…amazing,butIthinkthereismoretoitthanthis.WhenIlookatyou…

whenIthoughtyouwerewithSeif…”

Heshookhishead,andtohershock,sherealizedthathewasconfused.Itseemedimpossiblethata

manasself-confidentandassuredasFariswasunsureofanything,butsherealizeditwastrue.

Danielletwistedaroundtolookathim.Theexpressiononhisface,eveninthedimlightofher

bedroom,wasserious.

“Iamtryingtosaythatthereissomethingspecialbetweenus,”hemurmured,strokingherface

gently.“Idon’twantthistogoawayuntilwehaveproperlyfiguredoutwhatitis.”

Thepartofherheartthatsherealizedhadlovedhimforweeksjumped.Therestofherfelta

certainuneaseflowthroughher.

“Webarelyknoweachotheratall,”shesaidhesitantly.“We…wedidn’tmeetunderthebestof

circumstances…I’matranslator,andyouarethesheikhofAswar.Whatcould…howcould…”

“WhatdoagirlfromthesouthofLondonandamanofdesertandbattlehavetodowitheach

other?”hecountered.“MygrandfatherfoughtinWorldWarIIattheheadofhisownbattalion,andafter,

hewenttoLondontoseewhatitwashehadsaved.Asitturnedout,hecaredverylittleforLondon’s

sights,butitwasstillallworthitforthewomanwithbrightblueeyeswhosoldhimsomeirises.”

Despitethesituation,Daniellefoundherselfenthralledwithhistale.

“Thatwasyourgrandmotherandgrandfather?”sheasked,andhenodded.

“TheymetinJuly,andtheyweremarriedinOctober.Familylegendsaysthattheyweremarried

withinthreeweeksofmeetingeachother,andthepublicweddingwasjustfordecency’ssakeandthe

press.”

Shewasnotsureshehadeverseenhiseyeslookasbrightorasintentbefore.Hereachedtotouch

herchinwithhishand,makingsurethatshelookedathim.

“Iamnotamanwhoisafraidtotakerisks,”hesaid.“Iwanttoseewherethistakesus.Icanmake

younopromises,exceptthatIwillswearthatIwanttotreatyouaswellasIcan.Iwanttomakeyou

laugh,andIwanttodestroyeverythingthatmightthreatenyou.”

Hepaused.

“ThatiswhereIamrightnow.Ifyoufeelotherwise,Iwillunderstandandwecanreturntowhat

wehadbefore.Ifthereisevenachancethatyoufeelthesamewayaboutme,however…”

“Iwanttotry,”shesaidsoftly.“I…Idon’tknowwhattothinkaboutthis.Inmanyways,Iamnew

tothisgame.Idonotnecessarilyknowwhatisatstakeorwhatyoumightwant,but…IknowIwantyou.”

Themomentshesaidthosewords,somethinginsideheropenedup.Itwasasifshewasabletofeel

anenormousdegreeofloveinherselfthatshehadlockedawaybefore.Itwaslikesteppingintoapond,

lookingup,andseeingitwasthewholeocean.

Farisbrokeintoasmilethatwarmedherfromhertoestotherootsofherhair.Whenhecameto

kissher,therewasawarmthtoitthatshewasnotsurehadeverbeentherebefore.

“Good,”hesaidsoftly,andthenheliftedherfromthebed,carryinghertowardthebathroom.

“Whatareyoudoingnow?”sheyelpedinsurprise.

“Well,we’vebeenworkingupquiteasweat.Beforewewentbacktoit,Ithoughtthatabathmight

beexactlywhatweneed…”

Foramoment,shewasshockedandintriguedbytheideaoftouchinghimagain,ofgivingintothe

needthatexistedbetweenthem.Thenshethoughtofbeingabletotouchhisskininthewarmwaterofa

bath,andshestartedtolaugh.

Thatnight,afterDaniellehaddroppedofftosleep,Fariswonderedwhathewasdoing.Therewere

feelingsmovinginsidehimthathehadneverexperiencedbefore,notwithwiththequickassignationsof

hisyouthorthelongeraffairsofrecentyears.

ThemomenthelaideyesonDanielle,heknewshewasattractive,ifnotthetypeofwomanthathe

usuallywentfor.Onceheheardherspeakandsawhermove,however,herealizedshewasbeautiful,

withakindofgracethatcouldleaveamanspeechless.

Itwasodd,hethought,thatshedidn’tseemawareofhowattractiveshewas.Seif’sadvances,as

stupidandover-hastyastheywere,seemedtoleaveherbaffled,asifitwassomethingthathadsimply

happenedbecauseofbadluck,andnotbecauseshewasbeautiful.

Fariswonderedhowinexperiencedshewas,suddenly.Shewastwenty-four,andwhenhelooked

downathersleepingnexttohim,therewassomethingcuriouslyinnocentabouther.

Itawakenedaprotectiveurgeinhim,onehedidn’tcaretolookattooclosely.

Withasigh,hesettleddownnexttoher.Hisgrandfather,whohadledmenintobattleandthenwas

readytothrowitallawayifhisfamilyhadrefusedtoallowhimtomarryaboldLondongirl,hadalways

saidthathemustfollowhisheadandhisheart.Otherwise,amanwhoruledwithonlyonewasworsethan

amanwhohadneither.

Therewasnowaytotellwhatthefuturewouldhold,butrightnow,withDaniellegleaminglikea

starinhisarms,ithadneverlookedbrighter.

ChapterThirteen

ThefirstthingDaniellerealizedwhensheawokethenextmorningwasthatshewasaloneinbed.

Atfirst,shehadnoideawhythatwouldbestrange,butthenshewokeupallthewayandsatupinbed.A

quicklookaroundconfirmedherinitialobservation,andforamoment,shesimplysatstill.

Itdoesn’tmeananything,shetoldherself.Therearemorethingstodoatthemeetingintown

today.Therearesomanythingsthatneedtobedone…

However,despitealloftheseverytruethings,shecouldn’tstopherselffromfeelingatwingeof

sadness.Shethoughtaboutitassheshoweredandbrushedherteeth,realizingthatitbroughtback

memoriesofthefirsttimetheyhadbeenwitheachother.Thattime,theyhadn’tevenslepttogether.

Wereallofthosekindwordsfornothing?shewondered.Wasthatsimplyalovelystorytolullme

tosleep?

Shewasn’tsureshehadeverfeltherlackofexperiencesogreatly.Daniellewishedshehadan

olderfriendshecouldcallforadvice.Whatdiditmeanwhenamantoldyouhewantedtoexplore

everythingthatlaybetweenyouandthenstoleoffinthemorninglight?Wouldshelookneedyifshecalled

him?Wasshesupposedtopretendthatnothinghadhappened?Itwasenoughtomakeherweepwith

frustration.

Shefoundthesilkrobethathadcomewithherdeliveryclothingandslidintoitafterhershower.

Thesilkwaspureluxuryagainstherskin,butevenitcouldbarelycomforther.Withasigh,shewentand

satatthetablewheresheandFarishadsatlastnight.Theremnantsoftheirmealhadbeenclearedaway,

asifitneverhappened.

Isupposeitcouldallbeadream.AwonderfulthingthatIcreatedoutofsadnessandloveand…

Shecutoffthattrainofthoughtbeforeshecouldmakeherselftoodepressed.Nomatterwhatwas

goingonwithFaris,shestillhadajobtodo,andtheworstthingwouldbetospendadaytranslating

thingswithaknotoftearsinherthroat.

Shefoundheroldwide-toothedcombinherluggageandstartedtheprocessofdetanglingherhair.

Sheusuallysleptwithitbraidedandoutoftheway,butthathadn’tbeenapriorityforherlastnight.She

hadfallenintoanexhaustedslumberafterhehadraisedhertotheheightsofpleasureoverandoveragain,

andnothingelsehadmattered.

Daniellecursedasshehitaparticularlythicktangle.Yankingatitonlybroughttearstohereyes,

andafteraparticularlyviciousyank,shelosthertemper.

Withoutthinkingofwhatshewasdoing,shethrewthecombashardasshecould.Itstruckthewall

justasFariswasopeningthedoor,andhelookedatherinsurprise.

“Areyouallright?”hesaid.“DidyouthinkIwassomeinvaderandthatwasthebestwayto

defendyourself?”

“Faris!’shesaidwithsurprise.“I…Ididn’tknow…”

Hefrowned,comingtosetthewhitepaperbagonthetableandtotakeherintohisarms.

“Areyouallright?”heasked.“Didyouhaveabaddream,ordidyougetsomekindofbadnews?”

“No,notatall,”shesaid,leaningintohistouchgratefully.“Iwasjust…nothing,it’snotimportant.

Iamfarbetternowthatyouareback.”

Suddenly,shedidn’twanttotellhimwhyshehadbecomesooverwrought.Hehadbeenwith

sophisticatedwomen,andshethoughtthatsophisticatedwomenwouldn’tsuddenlygoaroundweeping

andtossingcombswhentheyhadwokenupalone.Sophisticatedwomenwouldbeinuttercontrolof

themselves,casualaboutwhatwasgoingon,andeasy-going.

Farislookedunconvinced,buthenoddedtowardthebag.

“Iwouldhavebeenbacksooner,butthelittlebakeryIwasthinkingofwasn’twhereIthoughtit

wouldbe.Ihadassumedthatmyrecallofthisneighborhoodwasperfect,butapparently,ayearawaysays

different.”

“Youwenttoabakery?”sheaskedinsurprise,andhenodded.

“Idid.ThisisonethathasbeenaroundsincebeforetheSecondWorldWar,anditwasalwaysone

ofmymother’sfavorites.Ibroughtusbreakfast.”

Hehadonlygoneouttogetbreakfast.Shefeltarushofreliefgothroughher,andthenshefelt

slightlyembarrassed.Shecovereditupbysittingatthetableandfussingwiththebag.

“Thankyousomuchforfood,”shesaid,avoidinghiseyes.“I’mstarving,weshouldbotheat…”

Breakfastturnedouttobesomegoldcroissants,stillfreshandglossyfromtheoven,andapacket

ofdarkchocolate.Thereweretwocupsofrichdarkcoffeeforbothofthem,andeatingthefoodand

drinkingthecoffeefurthercalmedherdown.Bythetimethefoodwascrumbs,shewastalkingeasilywith

Faris,discussingtheirengagementatthemeetingsthatevening,theweather,andallmannerofthings.

Whenbreakfastwasover,however,Farisstoodupandwenttoretrievehercombfromwhereit

hadfallenonthefloor.Fastidiously,hewenttowipeitclean,evenassheprotesteditwasjustplasticand

notworththecare.

“Ithinkitis,”hedisagreedcalmly.

Asshewatchedinconfusion,hedraggedafootstoolinfrontofhischairandpointeddownatit.

“Comehereandsit,”hedirectedher.“Ithinkwehavesomethingtotalkabout.”

“Somethingtotalkabout…whileyoubrushmyhair?”sheaskedinconfusion.

Henodded.

“Justso.Comeon.”

Hesitantly,shedidasheasked.Sheclaspedherhandsinherlap,feelingalittlebitofnervousness

flutteringinherbelly.Itwas,however,easierwhenshewasn’tlookingathim.Shedidn’tfeelthesame

kindofnervesorfearsofdisappointinghimwhenhewasjustapresenceworkingthecombthroughher

hairwithgentleconsideration.

“Whatdidyouthinkwhenyouwokeupthismorning?”heasked,justwhenshewasbeginningto

fallintotherhythmofhisministrations.Hisquestionmadeheralertagain,andsheknewhecouldseeher

shoulderstwitchtowardherears.

“Whatdoyoumean?”shestalled,andhechuckledasifhewascompletelyawareofwhatshewas

doing.

“WhenIcamein,youhadjustwhippedyourcombatthewallasifitwereyourmortalenemy.

Beforeyoureallysawthatitwasme,thelookonyourfacewasdarkenoughtobringontherain.

Obviously,somethinghappenedbetweenyouwakingupandmecomingback,becauseotherwise,why

wouldyouhavebeensoupset?”

Self-consciously,Daniellehuggedherselftight.Sheknewthatthiswasgoingtobeembarrassing,

somethingfarfromwhatasophisticatedwomanmightfeel,butshecouldn’tlietohim.

“Iwas…IguessIwasupsetthatyouweregone,”shemuttered.“Ithoughtthatyouhadjustwalked

out,andthat…thatwewouldgobacktodoingwhatwehaddonebefore.”

“DidyounotbelieveeverythingIsaidlastnight?”heasked.“DidyouthinkthatIwaslyingto

you?”

Sheturnedaroundtofacehiminshock.

“No!Never,”shesaid.“Ipromise.Iknowthatyouareamanofyourword,andthatyoualways

meanwhatyousay,it’sjust…”

“It’sjust?”

“It’sjustthat…thatIdon’tbelievemyself.”

Hehummed,turningherbackaroundsothathecouldkeepbrushingherhair.Theywerebothsilent

asheworkedaparticularlyviciousknotfree,andthenhespokeagain.

“DoyouknowhowIseeyou?”heaskedpresently.

Shelaughedalittlewrylyatthat.

“Assomeonewhoworriesaboutnothingandwhosehairistremendouslytangled?”

“Neitherofthosearetrue,”hetoldher,gentlyreproving.“Lastthingsfirst,yourhairislovelyand

beautiful,anditiscomingsmoothherejustfine.

“AndIwouldneversaythatyouareworriedaboutnothing.Whenyouwokeupthismorning,you

wereupset,andIamsorrythatthathappened.Iwasn’tthinkingofwhatyoumightfeelifIleftandyou

wokeupalone.Insomeways,wearestillverynewtoeachother.”

Hepaused,andthenhebeganspeakingagain.

“IamnotgoingtoleaveyoulikeIdidthatfirstnightagain,”hesaidsoftly.“Thatwas,shallwesay,

ill-consideredofme.IfIhadknownyouthenlikeIknowyouknow,Ineverwouldhavedonethat.You

aretooimportantbyfarformetoabandon.Idonotwanttheideatocrossyourmind.”

Forsomereason,hisgentlewordsbroughttearstohereyes.Impatiently,shewipedthemawaywith

herpalms.Whenshecouldfinallyspeak,hervoicewassmallandfaraway.

“Iamsosorryaboutthis,”Danielleapologized.“I…Imustsoundlikeawreck.Idon’twanttobe

someonewho…whodemandsthingsfromyou,andthatyouhavetonursethroughasimplemorningof

goingtogetgoodbakery…”

“That’senough,”hesaid,hisvoiceslightlysharp.Itmadeherquietimmediately,andFarissighed.

“Darling,Iwantyoutoexpressyourselfandtotellmewhatisonyourmind,butIdonotwanttolet

wildfearstakeoffandrunrampant.IfIneedtoleaveyourbedearlyagain,willitbeenoughifIleftyoua

note,oratextperhaps?SomethingthattellsyouwhereIamandthatIcareaboutyou?”

Sheblinkedandthoughtaboutit.Coulditreallybethateasy?

“Yes,”Daniellesaidafteramoment.“Itreallywouldhelp…”

Farisleanedforwardtoplaceagentlekissonthecrownofherhead.

“Good.ThenIwillstartdoingthat,then.Inallfairness,Iwouldfarrathersimplywakeupnextto

you,buttoday,Ihadahankeringforsomegoodcroissants.Youcangetup,bytheway.Yourhairisdone.”

Experimentally,sheranherfingersthroughthelongstrands,startledwhentheywereperfectly

straightandsmooth.

“You’regoodatthat,”shesaidinsurprise.

“Youareapleasuretoworkon,”hesaidsincerely.“Ihopeyouknowthat.”

Theybothstood,andhemadeasurprisednoisewhenshethrewherselfintohisarms.

“What’sthis?”heasked,andshegrinnedupathim.

“Mesayingthankyouforyourkindness,”Daniellesaid,andshewentupontiptoestokisshim.She

hadintendedittobeachastekiss,butinamatterofheartbeats,herpulseflutteredandshecouldfeelher

needforhimriseupagain.

Whentheypulledaway,hermouthtingledandDaniellegrinnedupathim.Tohersurprise,

however,Farisfrowned.

“No,I’mafraidthatwon’tdo,”hesaid,andshefeltherheartbeatalittlefaster.

“What,whatisit?”sheaskedconcerned.Hadshesomehowsaidsomethingfoolishandspoiledthis

afterall?

“Well,it’salovelythank-you,butI’mnotsureit’sthebestyoucoulddo,”hedrawled.“Onemight

evencallitsubpar.”

“Ohreally?”Daniellesaid,awidegrinspreadingacrossherface.“Well,willyouperhapsbeso

generousastogivemeachancetoredeemmyself?”

“IsupposeIcouldseemywaytodoingthat,”hesaidgravely,andtheykissedagainbeforemaking

theirwaybacktothebed.

Severalhourslater,Farisfoundthatitwasevenmoredifficulttokeephismindontheasinine

meeting.Itwasprovingasuselessashehadsuspecteditwasgoingtobe,withtheEuropean

representativesallbutbrawlingonthefloorandtheMiddleEasternrepresentativesrollingtheireyesat

thehistrionics.Yesterday,ithadatleastbeenalittleamusingtowatchthepettyquarreling,buttoday,he

knewthatDaniellewasonlyafewdoorwaysaway.

Theyhadmadeloveagainafterbreakfast,andafterthat,therehadbeennochoicebuttogetready.

Hehadwonderedifseeingherbackinherattractivebuthonestlyratherprimclothingandhercrownof

braidswouldaffecthisattractionforher,butforsomereason,hefoundthatitwasonlyenhancedinstead.

Itwasallhecoulddonottopullherinforadeepkissinthecar,andafterthat,whenshehadmade

herwaytotheareareservedfortranslators,hehadfeltadeeppangatherloss.

Hepulledhisheadtogether.Farisremindedhimselfthathewasaheadofstate,andevenifthe

meetingwasprovingtobeadisaster,thatdidn’tmeanitwasnecessarilyallawaste.Someofthemost

powerfulmenfromhispartoftheworldwereinattendance,andheknewthereweredealsandalliances

tobemade,powerstobetradedforfavors.

Atthebreak,FariswassettoaskDanielleifshewantedtogograbsomelunch.Faris’smindwas

onnothingmorecomplicatedthantakingDanielletoaplacethatwouldlethertryauthenticVietnamese

foodwhenamild-facedmaninabluesuitcameuptospeakwithhim.

“SheikhFaris,”hesaid,usingtheproperformofaddress.“MayIhaveaword?”

ItwasonthetipofFaris’stonguetorefusehim.Hecouldhavesaidthathewasdonelisteningto

Europeanstalktoday,andthatoverall,theysaidlittlethatmadesense.Therewassomethingaboutthis

manthatpromisedsense,andthoughapartofhimyearnedtobewithDanielle,hepaused.

“You’reluckyyou’regettingthis,”Farisinformedhim.“Ihavebeenlisteningtoyourcountrymen

allday,andIhavehadremarkablylittletogainfromit.”

Themansmiledruefullyathim.

“Iapologizeforthemeeting.Ihadsomesmallhandinplanningit,butapparently,whenyouputthe

wrongpeopleintheroomtogether,itdoesnotmatterhowmuchplanningyoudo.However,perhapsin

somesmallway,Icanmakeituptoyou…”

Theysteppedintoasmallandinnocuousroomforprivacy,andbythetimetheFrenchman,Marais,

wasdonespeaking,Fariswasregardinghimwithnewrespect.

“Thatisanambitiousproject,”hemused.“AnentirelyFrench-styledresortontheedgeofthe

desert.Ihavetosaythatthatintriguesme.”

Maraissmiled,puttinghistabletwiththeplansaway.

“Ithoughtitmight.Sinceyourascendancy,Aswarhasbeenattheforefrontofdevelopmentinthe

MiddleEast.Yourgrowthisunprecedented,andontopofthat,thereisagreatdealofnaturalbeautyin

youremirate,onetheworldhasnotyetseen,butIbelievethatthatwillchange.”

“Flatterywillgetyounowhere,”Farisgrowled,buthismindwasspinning.Aswarwouldsomeday

risetoleadtheemirates,heknewthat,butsomethingliketheprojectthatMaraiswasplanning…that

wouldmakeithappenfaster.

“Noneedtomakeadecisionrightnow,”Maraissaideasily.“Thinkaboutit.Getmeabidforwhat

youmightbewillingtodo,say,intwoweeks.”

Faris’smindwasfullofplanswhenhewenttoseeDanielle.Itwasatestamenttoherloveliness

thatwhenheactuallylaideyesonher,tuckedinacornerandfinishingupsomework,thatheabruptly

didn’twanttothinkofbuildingorFrenchmenoranythingelse.Itwouldhavebeenindiscreettosaythe

leasttotakeherinhisarms,soinsteadhehadtocontenthimselfwithsimplylayingahandonher

shoulder.

“Oh,Faris!’Daniellesaid,anoteofsurpriseinhervoice.“Areyoudonealready?”

“Ishouldhavebeendonehoursago,”hesaid,rollinghiseyes.“Come,Ineedtogetsomefood,and

thenperhapsIneedtobeconvincedtocomebackfortheafternoonsession…”

Herbrightsmilefeltlikesunlightreturningafteraseasonofrains,andwhenshelinkedherarm

throughhis,hefeltasifsomethingwasfallingintoplace.Shechatteredaboutwhatwasgoingonwiththe

othertranslatorsandmentionedthecharmingsnacksthattheyhadbeengiven,andthoughhelistened

attentively,anotherpartwassimplymarvelingathowhappyhewas.

Thisisnotsomethingthathappenseveryday,hethought.Whatdoesthismeanforme?Forus?

WhenheglancedatDanielle,astraysunbeamputtinggarnetglintsinherblackhair,asmileonher

face,allheknewwasthathisheartbeatfaster,andthatsomethinghadchangedinhimforever.

TherewasabigpartofDaniellethatwasstillcertainthatshewaslivinginsomekindofdream.It

allseemedtoogoodtobetrue,andsometimes,shewasalmostafraidtolookatittoocloselybecauseit

mightallsimplygoaway.

Therewasworkofcourse.ThedealwithMaraislookedlikeitwouldbeadeadcertainty,theway

thatFarisexplainedittoher.Shecouldfeelhowexcitedhewasaboutit,andslowly,shecameto

understandwhatitwouldmeanforAswar.Thoughsheneverwouldhavesaidthatshewassomeonewho

wassoveryexcitedbyrealestate,shestartedtoanticipatewithhim.Theproposalhedrafted,whichshe

translatedintoFrenchforhim,wasaggressivebutentirelypossible,abidthatshouldpleaseMaraisas

wellashisinvestors.

Theworkonlymadetheirtimetogethersweeter.Ongooddays,itfeltasiftheywereacircle,

flowingendlesslyintoeachother,thebalancebetweenworkandplayperfect.Shewouldtranslatehis

wordsforaglobalaudience,andhecreatedpoliciesthatweremeanttochangethefutureofhiscountry

forever.

Ifshewerehonestwithherself,shehadneverreallyunderstooditwhenherfriendsandcoworkers

talkedaboutlove.Ithadalwayssoundedsooverwroughtandsoveryartificialtoher.Shehadseenmen

thatshefoundappealing,buttherewasnoneoftheheart-beatingexcitementthattheyspokeabout,noneof

theyearningtoseetheotherpersonthatwassupposedtobepartandparceloflove.

Nowsheunderstood,however.Nowshecouldunderstandwhypeoplewrotesongsaboutloveand

wonder.

WhenshelookedatFaris,shefeltsomethinginheropenupandsoartowardthesky.Shehadto

catchherbreathwhenshesawhimsometimes,becauseitalmosthurt.

Aftertheconferenceended,Faristurnedtoherconsidering.TheyweresharingatraditionalFrench

mealinastonecellar,theroughwallslitbycandlelightandthewaitersallbutsilentastheypassed.

“IwasthinkingthattherewasnohurrytogetbacktoAswar,”hebegan,andshelookedupfromher

excellentfishinsurprise.

“Whatdoyoumean?”sheasked.

Farishadalwaysbeenamanwhowasdevotedtohiscountry,whounderstoodthathiswork

alwayscamefirst.

“IthasbeenawhilesinceIhavebeeninFrance,longersinceIhavebeeninLondon,”hesaidwith

aslightsmile.“AndIhavenevergivenyouavacation…”

Shelaughedalittle.

“Ifyougiveyourstaffvacationsafterlessthaneightweeksofworkingforyou,youmayhavelarger

domesticproblemsthanyouthought,”sheteased.

“Doestheideapleaseyou?”heasked.“IhavetoldyouaboutthedealwithMarais,andthoughI

willneedtobebackinAswartofinalizesomedetails,thereisnothingthatwillkeepmefromworking

abroad…”

“Theideapleasesmeverymuch,”Daniellesaidreassuringly.“ThoughIdohaveonedemand.”

Hisdarkeyebrowswentup.

“Forasimpletranslatoronmystaff,youaresurprisinglydomineering,”heteased.“Allright,

domina,whatexactlyisthatdemand?”

“ThatyoutakenolessthantwodaystoyourselfwhileweareinParis,”sheretorted.“You’vebeen

workingstraightthrough,andtherehasnotbeenasingledaywhereyouarenotdoingbusinessofonesort

oranother.Thatwasn’tavacationyouweretalkingabout,thatwasjust…workinginanotherplace.”

Hefrownedather,andforamoment,Daniellewascertainshehadoversteppedherbounds,certain

hewouldbeangry,andthenhebrokeintoasurprisedsmile.

“Really?That’syourdemand?”heasked,andshenodded.

Hechuckled,shakinghishead.

“Well.That’s…allright,then.ThatisdefinitelyoneofthemoreinterestingdemandsthatI’vecome

acrossoverthelastfewyears…”

Sheblushedalittle,feelingasawkwardasshestillcouldsometimes.

“DidIsaysomethinghopelesslyprovincial?”sheaskedanxiously.“Imean,isthatnotsomething

thatthewomenyou’vebeenwithinthepastwouldsay?”

Farisgaveherasternlook.

“Wearenotgoingtodiscussthewomeninmypast,”hesaidreprovingly.“Letusjustsaythatyou

arenotoneofthem,andleaveitatthat,yes?”

“Yes…ofcourse,”shestuttered,andtoherrelief,theconversationmovedtootherthings.

Iftherewasablotinherhappiness,itwasthat.Shehadreadthegossipmagazines,andshe

rememberedtheonesshehadseenintheofficeinDubai.Fariswasaplayboy,plainandsimple,aman

whowasrumoredtohaveenormousappetitesandcharmwhenitcametothebeautifulwomenofhisrank

andstatus.

Sometimes,shewonderedifhemissedthem,thewomendressedinsilkandsequins,theoneswho

seemedtooozecharmandbeautywitheverywordandgesture.EveninhernewFrenchfineryandthe

sharpclothessheworewhensheaccompaniedFaristohismeetings,sheknewthatshewouldnever

compare.

Sometimes,shewonderedifhehadtoldthemhelovedthem.

Ithadslippedoutofherlipsonenight,notlongaftertheyslepttogetherinParisandafterthat

memorablemorningafter.

Hehadbeenrelentlessthatnight,strippinghernakedinthebathroomandjoiningherinthe

enormoustub.Farishadbroughthertothebrinkofclimaxoverandoveragainuntilshewasnearlywild

withit,desperateforhimandthepleasuresheknewhecouldbring.Shewasvibratingwithpleasure,

needyandnearlymad,andwithoutthinkingofit,thewordsslippedrightnow.

“Iloveyou,”shehadcried,andhishandhadgonestillonherbody.

Beforeshecouldtrulycomeoutofherhazeofpleasure,beforeshecouldreallybealarmed,he

startedtouchingheragain.Theorgasmthathehaddrawnoutofherthatnighthadshakenhertothecore,

lefthergaspingandnearlyboneless.Hecouldexhaustherwithhispassion,andhehadthatnight.

Whenshethoughtaboutitthenextday,however,therewassomethingsadaboutit.Hehadn’tsaidit

back,andhehadn’tevenacknowledgedit.Shethoughtitwouldhavebeensensibletospeakaboutit,and

shemighthave,butthenthethoughtoccurredtoherthatthatwascertainlynotwhataglamorouswoman

wouldhavedone,wasit?Asophisticatedwoman,onewhohadloverslikeFaris,wouldneverweight

himdownwiththatkindofneediness.

SoDaniellekepthersilence.Itwasn’taterriblething,oratleastshedidn’tthinkitwasmostofthe

time.Theproblemwas,itwasbecominghardertokeepthewordsin.

Somehow,shekeptthemfromspillingpastherlipswhentheyweremakinglove,andthenthey

startedappearingatthemostrandomtimes.Shewantedtosaythemwhentheywerehavinglunch,when

theywereontheirwaytomeetings,whenshesimplyspottedhimreadingortalkingonthephone.

NomatterhowmuchsheremindedherselfthatFarisdidn’tneedorwantthedeclarations,nomatter

howmuchshetoldherselfthathehadn’tcaredwhenshefirstsaidit,shecouldn’tstopherselffrom

dreamingandwishing.

Themorningaftertheydecidedontheirvacationtogether,Farishadtotakebreakfastwithsomeof

theothersheikhs,whowereleavinglaterintheday.

“Ihatetoleaveyou,”hesaid,kissingher,“butthisisagoodopportunity.We’rereallynottogether

thatmuch,andthemoreweseeandknoweachother,thebetter.IcanalsomakesurethatMaraisgets

Aswar’sfinalbidontherealestateproject.Hisofficeisinthesamebuilding,soit’llbeeasytodropit

offpersonally.”

“Oh,Isee,”Danielleteasingly.“AndwillyourfavoriteSeifbethere?”

Farisgrowledather,butsheknewitwasinfun.Ithadbeenastrangereliefwhenshediscovered

thathedislikedSeifasmuchasshehad.

“No,thoughI’mnotsorrytomisshim.Itsoundslikehe’sgoingtobestayinginFranceaswell.

Probablygoingtoliveitupinawayhecan’tathome.”

Daniellecouldn’thelpbutgiggleathiscensuringtone.

“Asifwe’renotdoingthesamething,”shechuckled.“Go.Haveagoodmeeting.IthinkIamgoing

towalkupanddowntoseesomeoftheEnglish-languagebookstoresoneoftheothertranslatorswas

tellingmeabout.”

“ThatsoundsfarmoreengagingthananythingelsethatIhadplanned,”hesaid.“I’llcallyouwhenI

getout,butexpectmewhenyouexpectme.Thesethingscandragon.”

Shewaiteduntilsheheardthefrontdoorcloseandlockafterhim.Thenshesprangoutofbedand

dressedquickly.Daniellehadn’tliedwhenshespoketohimaboutthebookstores.Shehadeveryintention

ofgoingtothem,buttherewasanappointmentthatshehadtogettofirst.

Daniellehadn’treallyunderstoodwhatFarishaddonewhenhehadhiredEliseDuContetobuilda

wardrobeforhistranslator.WhenshelearnedmoreaboutElise’sreputationinParisianfashioncircles,

sherealizeditwasalittlebitlikehavingaFabergejewelercometoputalittleriverrockintoasettingof

goldandplatinum.

EliseDuConte’snamewasmadeofgoldwherethefashionistasandtastemakersofPariswere

concerned,butwhenDaniellecalledherhesitantly,shewasgreetedasanoldfriend.

“IhaveheardthatyouwerebothinParis,”Elisesaidwhenshefinallycametothephone.“The

sheikhtoldhimselfthathewaspleasedwithmywork…”

“I’msosorrythatyouhadtodothat,”Daniellesaidwithawince.“Ididn’tknowthatyouusually

didthingsthatweremuchnicer…”

“Mydear,Iamanartist,”Elisesaidwithalaugh.“Letuscallitachallenge.Regardless,hepassed

mynameontosomeofhisfriends,anditlookslikeIwillbeabletomakeinroadsintotheMiddleEast.

Hehasopeneddoorsthatwereonceclosedtome,andIhaveyoubothtothankforit…”

DaniellewasrelievedthatElisewasmoreamusedthananythingelseabouteverything,andthat

madeherrequestalittleeasier.

“Iactuallyhaveafavortoask.Imean,you’llbepaidforit,Iswear.Ihaven’ttouchedanyofthe

moneythatFarisgaveme,andI’mprettysureitwillbeenough,aslongasyoudon’tmind,youknow,

workingwithmeagain…”

Elisemadeanimpatientsound.

“Mydear,youareawomanthatoneoftherichestmenintheworldhasdecidedshouldbedressed

immaculately.Isuggestyoutellmewhatisgoingon…”

Thathadstartedit,andnowshewasinataxiheadingtoElise’sexclusiveboutiqueontheRive

Gauche.Theneighborhoodwassurprisinglyshabby,buttherewasanelegantshabbinesstoit.

“IfellinlovewiththeOldWorldappeal,”Elisesaidbywayexplanation.“Also,socialiteswho

comehereendupbeingtitillatedbythefacttheyhavetocomesofaroutoftheirway.Itaddstothe

appeal.”

ItmadeDaniellewonderifthatwasherappealforFaris,thatshewaslittleandslenderandso

differentfromwhathehadregularly.Shepushedthethoughtofhermind,becauseitwouldnotserveher

wellrightthismoment.

“Allright,dear,whatcanIdoforyou?”

Danielletookadeepbreath,becausenowshehadtosayit.Shedidherbesttokeephervoice

level,andtodeliverherpieceaspracticallyasshecould.

“IwantyoutomakemesomethingthatthesophisticatedwomenofParismightwear,”shesaid.

“I…I’mtiredofdressinglikeanofficedroneor…orsomekindofcharityaidworker.”

Shetookanotherbreath.

“Iwanttolooklikeawomanwhoactuallyismeanttobewithasheikh.

Elise’selegantlyshapedeyebrowsspranghighwithsurprise.

“Sothoserumorsaretrue,”shesaid.“You’reSheikhFaris’slover.”

Daniellenoddedshyly.

“AndIlookatthemagazinesandtheoldinterviewsandthingslikethat,andIlookattheactresses

andprincessesandcountessesthathehasbeenwith,andI’mnothinglikethem,youknow?”

Shecouldfeelhervoicebreakingalittleonthat.OhGod,itsoundedevenworsewhenshesaidit

outloud.Howcouldagirlwhohadsometimesgonehungryhopetobeinthesameleaguewithwomen

whohadhadtheworldonastringsincetheywereborn?

“Ijust…don’twanttobeanembarrassment,”shefinishedlamely.Itwastrueenough.Theother,

thehopethatifshelookedlikethewomenthathehadbeenwiththathemightsayhelovedher,wastoo

humiliatingforhertobringup.

Eliselookedatherforamomentandthensighed.

“Mydear,Iwillbethefirsttotellyouthatclothesareeverything,butattheendoftheday,they

reallyarejustthedressingforwhatgoesonoutofthem.Butifyouwanttolooklikethewomenyousee

onthemagazinecovers,well,thatissomethingthatIcanhelpyouwith.”

Daniellebrightenedupalittleatthat.

“Youcan?”

Elise’ssmilewasassharpaswinter.

“Darling,doyouknowwhatthosewomenhavethatothersdonot?”

“Idon’tknow,confidence?Education?”Daniellehazarded,andElise’slaughwassharp.

“Money,dear.It’smoney.Ittakesmoneytolooklikethat,andnothingelsematters.Nomatter,you

willsee.Allright.Yourememberthis,Ithink.Stripdowntoyourunderwear—itistimetostart

measuring.”

Daniellestaredather.

“Youjusttookmymeasurements…”

“Thisiswhatyouarepayingfor.EverydressImakeisdesignedtofitperfectly,andthisispartof

it.Takethemoffnow,please.”

Eliseexplained,assheandhergirlswentthroughtheprocessofmeasuringDaniellealloveragain,

thatwhatshedidwasn’texactlyhautecouture.No,shewouldnotbedesigningadressforDaniellealone,

becauseitwassimplytoooriginal.

“Isn’tthatwhatIwant?”Danielleasked.

“Notatall.Youwanttolookdifferentfromhowyoulookedbefore,andyouwanttolookslightly

differentfromtheworldaroundyou.Ifyougotoofarout,youwillbedismissedaseccentric.Thatisnot

somethingyouwantifyouwanttolooklikethegirlsonthemagazinecovers…”

Afterawhile,itallmadeDanielle’sheadspin,andshesimplyletElisedohermagic.Itwasn’tfun

tobeproddedandpinnedintoplace,tobeaskedtostepinandoutofmuslinpatternsoverandoveragain,

buttherewassomethingsoothingaboutleavingthisallinthecapablehandsofEliseandherassistants.

Bytheendoftheafternoon,Daniellehadmoremoneythanshethoughtpossibleforadress,and

Elisemadeherturnawayfromthemirrorassheputonthedressthatwashandedtoher.

“WhydoIhavetolookawayfromthemirror?”shewondered.

“BecausethenyouwillseeyourselfhowFarisseesyouforthefirsttime,”Elisepromised.“All

right,nowyouarezippedup.Nowyoucanturnaround.”

Bitingherlip,halfcertainthatitwouldallbefornothing,sheturnedaroundtolookintothetrifold

mirrorthatwaskeptforfittings.Whenshefinallyrealizedwhatshewasseeing,shegasped.

Atthispoint,shewasconvincedthatEliseandherassistantsweresomekindofsartorial

magicians.Thedresswasmadeofgleamingdeepbluesilk,agarmentwithdiscreetgoldfastenersatthe

shouldersanddeepV-neckthatdippedlowbetweenherbreasts.Ithungingracefulfoldsoffherbody,

skimmingelegantlyoverherslightcurvesbeforedroppingdownalmosttothefloor.Itwasasurprisingly

heavygarmentforallthatitwassosimple,butwhenDanielletookherfirststep,itrolledlikethewaves

ofthesea.

“Ohmygosh,”Daniellegasped,andEliselaughed.

“Youlooklikeaprincess,”shesaidwithsatisfaction.“Youlooklikeatreasure.Imightsuggestthat

youallowyourhairtoflowdownyourbackwhenyouwearit,perhapsheldbackbyagoldwiretiaraor

somethingsimilar,butifyouwantedtolookhowmyclientsdo,youcertainlydonow.”

Forafewmoremoments,sheadmiredherownreflectioninthemirror.Perhapsthiswouldhelp

Farisseeherasawomanworthyofhistimeandhisattention?

Itwasabeautifuldress,buttherewasacertainsenseofreliefwhenshegotthroughtakingitoff

andElisewenttoputitinaboxforher.Herownlilacdress,onethatfloweddowntoherkneesandthat

huggedherbodysnugly,feltmuchmorecomfortable.Whatwasitaboutlove,shewondered,thatcould

makewomendosuchstrangethings?

“Thereyougo,”Elisesaid,handingherthediscreetbagwithhernewpurchaseinit.“Youlook

wonderfulinit,butIdohopethatyoukeepmywordsinmind.Lovehaslesstodowithwhatyourclothes

saythanyouthink.”

Asshegotintothetaxi,shethoughtaboutElise’swords.Itwastrue,itdidn’tmatterwhatFariswas

wearing.Thesurgesofloveandlustthatshefeltforhimdidn’tcarewhetherhewaswearingthe

traditionalrobesofhisoffice,anArmanisuit,ornothingatall.Infact,thelesstherewasbetweenthem,

thebetter,asfarasshewasconcerned.

It’sdifferentforme,though,shetoldherself.Ididn’tcomefrommoneyorculture.Ihavetomake

itupasIgoalong.

Shecheckedherphone,butasidefromanotefromFarisabouthowlongsheikhsincompanycould

goon,therewasnothingyet.Well,hehadwarnedherthatshemightbeonherownforagoodportionof

theday.Thatmeantthatshehadtimetogotothebookshopsthatshewastellinghimabout,andshefelta

subduedsenseofeagernesswellup.

Itamusedheralittlehowmuchmoreeagershewasforthebookshopthanshewasforthedress

appointmentwithElise.Insomeways,bookshopswereherfirstrefugewhenshewasagirl,andwhen

shewalkedintothequietshopthatwasfirstonherlist,shefeltsomethingunwindinher.

Herbaghungoverherwrist,sheeagerlywenttobrowse,lookingforherfavoritewritersand

wonderingifsheshouldtrysomeonenew.Daniellewassoenrapturedbythebooksinfrontofherthatshe

didn’tnoticethelargemanwalkinguptoheruntilhewaspracticallyatherelbow.

“Whatapleasantsurprise,Danielle,”saidSeif,andshespunaroundinsurprise.

Alloveragain,itstruckherthatheremindedherofFaris,butsomehow,thewarmfeelingswere

completelyabsent.ItmadeherthinkbrieflyofwhatElisehadsaid,andshecouldseeitalittlebitnow.

Thepackagingmatteredlessthanwhatwasinside.

“Well,itiscertainlyasurprise,”shesaid,andinsteadoftakingoffense,helaughedinstead.

“Thatwassharp,andIthinkentirelydeserved,”hesaid,hisvoicestillwarm.“Iampleasedtosee

youbecauseitdoesgivemeanopportunitythatIhadbeenhopingfor.”

“Andwhatwouldthatopportunitybe?”sheasked,hervoicetense,andheshookhishead.

“Notwhateveryoufearitmightbe.Look.Whenwemet,Ibehavedabominably.Ideservedtoget

bittenformypains,andworse,whichFarispromisedmeifIeverdarkenedyourdoorstepagain.I

understandthatyoumaynotforgivemeforthelibertiesthatItook,andIwanttoapologize.”

Shescowledupathim,butdespitehermemoriesofhowhehadbehaved,therewasnothing

deceptiveabouthim.Somehow,againstalltheodds,helookedsincereandsincerelyrepentant.

“Allright,”shesaidslowly.“Iacceptyourapology.Forgiveness,we’llsee,butIdoacceptyour

apology.”

Helookedrelievedatthat,whichmadeherfeelalittlemorekindlydisposedtowardhimatleast.

“Iamglad.Ithadbeenpreyingonmymindquiteabitoverthelastlittlewhile.WhenIsawyou

standingthere,itlookedlikesomekindofbenediction.”

Shesmiledjustalittle.Nomatterwhatherinclinationswere,sheremindedherselfthatsheshould

bepolite.HertimewithFarishadtoldherveryclearlythattheUAEwasaninterdependentweb,where

eachsheikhneededtomaintaingoodrelationswiththeothersotheycouldpresentaunitedfronttothe

world.ForFaris’ssakeatleast,sheshouldkeepthingscivil.

“Iamgladwemet,then,”shesaid.“Iwasjustlookingforsomethinggoodtoread…”

“Oh,that’swhatIwashereformyself.There’sabiographyonMolièrethatIwantedtopickup,

andsinceIwasinParis,well,thatjustfeltlikeaspotofserendipity.”

Helookedaround.

“Wouldyoucaretositforacupofcoffee?Wecouldcontinuetalkingliteraturehere,butIhavea

feelingwewouldgetintheway.”

Justatthatmoment,anotherbrowseredgedaroundthem,givingthemaglarethatDaniellecould

onlyclassifyasParisian,andshesighed.Somethinginthebackofhermindsuggestedthatitwouldbe

betterbyfartobidSeifagooddayandtocontinuebrowsingonherown,buthermorningwithElisehad

leftherexhausted.Acupofcoffeeandsometimeoffherfeetsoundedamazing.

“Allright,”shesaid,“butjustcoffee.”

“Mywordofhonorasagentlemanonit,”heswore.

Thecafeareawasbrightandbusy,nottheintimatespaceshehadfeared,andtohersurprise,coffee

withSeifwasn’taterribleordealatall.Hekeptupmostoftheconversation,andasshelistened,shegot

achancetocomparehimtoFaris.

Theyweresosimilarinsomerespects.Theyweremenofsimilarbackgrounds,withverysimilar

advantages.Theyknewthesamepeople,theyraninthesamecircles,andtheyhadsomeofthesame

feelingsabouttheworldatlarge.

However,afterthat,thedifferencesinthemwerebone-deep.ItoccurredtoDaniellethatifshehad

metSeifbeforeshemetFaris,shemighthavebeenquiteimpressed.However,nowthatshecould

comparehimtothemanshewasjustgettinguptheurgetocallherlover,shecouldseehowlackinghe

was.

WhereFariswasquietstrengthandintentdetermination,therewassomethingflashyandflimsy

aboutSeif.Heseemedlesslikeatruemanofthedesertandmorelikesomethingamoviehadcreated.He

talkedtohearhimselftalk,andunlikeFaris,wholistenedtoeverythingthatwassaidaroundhim,theonly

thingthatitfeltlikeSeifcouldhearwasthesoundofhisownvoice.

Bythetimeshewasdonewithhercupofcoffee,shewasmorethanreadytobegone.Shesmiled,

toldSeifthatshehadhadagoodtime,andwasstandinguptogowhenamanwhoapparentlycouldnot

liveanylongerwithouthiscaffeinefixshovedby.SheendedupnearlyinSeif’slap,andtoherhorror,her

bagspilledherdressboxonthetable.Theircoffeehadbeenclearedaway,thankgoodness,butitgave

Seifthechancetopickupthebox.

“Thankyoufornotlettingithitthefloor,”shesaidwithasigh.“Justpassithere.”

“Elise’s—Irecognizethatname.Oneofmygirlfriendsravedabouthertheotherday.Whatdidyou

get?”

Tohershock,hethumbedtheboxopentopeekinside.Shewasn’tsurewhathesawbeforeshe

madeaninarticulatenoiseofrageandpulleditaway.Sheknewitwasn’tlingerieoranythinglikethat,but

thesenseofviolationwasreal.Sheabruptlytookbackeverykindthingshehadthoughtabouthim.”

“That’sprivate,”shesaid,shovingtheboxbackintoherbag.“AndGod,youreallyarejustthat

grabby,aren’tyou?”

Hestartedtoapologize,butshenolongertrustedit.Danielleturnedonherheelandstormedout.

Thistime,apparentlyrespectingtheblackangeronherface,noonegotinherway.

Shewasinthecabagainbeforeshehadtheabilitytothinkstraight.Whothehelldidhethinkhe

was?Ifthatwaswhatbeingbornrichandculturedproduced,shewasbetteroffwithoutit.Suddenlyshe

wonderedifthatwaswhyFarishadtakenupwithher.Perhapsitwasbecauseshecouldseepeoplelike

Seifforwhattheywere.Perhapsshewasn’tastepdownfromthewomenhehadseenbeforeafterall.

Herthoughtswereinterruptedbyaphonecall,andwhensheglancedatherphone’sscreen,she

waspleasedtoseethatitwasFaris.

“Hello,darling,”hesaid,andsomethingwarmedinherjustfromhearinghisvoice.“Howarethe

books?”

“LessgoodthanIthoughttheyweregoingtobeunfortunately,”shesaidafteramoment.Sheknew

thatshewantedtomakehervisittoElise’sasurprise.Shedecidedthatitwouldonlymakehimirritable

tohearaboutherrun-inwithSeif.

“That’sashame,”hesaid.“Well,we’llbegoingtoLondonintwodays—perhapsyoucanfind

somethinggoodthere…”

“Maybe,butIamafraidIamgoingtobeverybusytakingyoutoallofthedumbtouristattractionsI

amsureyouhaveseenamilliontimes,”shesaidjokingly.Itonlyoccurredtoherwhatshehadsaidafter

shesaidit;itwasanotherthingtheyhadspokenof,goingtoseetheTowerofLondonandBigBen.Itgave

herawarmfeeling,anothersupportofwhyhemighthavelikedher,caredforher.

“ItoldyouthatIwouldlikenothingmorethantodoexactlythat,”heretorted.“ButIthinkwecan

spareafewhoursforagoodbookstore.Listen,doyouhaveanythingyouwanttodotonight?”

Sheglancedattheboxnexttoher.

“Not…notexactly,”shehedged.“I’malwaysopentosuggestions.Whatdoyouhaveinmind?”

“Wewereinvitedtotheopera.Ihavenoideawhichone,andIhavenoideawhatit’sgoingtobe

likebecauseneitherofusspeakGerman,butSheikhKahildhasinvitedustoit.”

“Actually,thatwouldbegreat,”shesaid.Itoccurredtoherthatthatdresswouldhavelookedoutof

placeatdinnerorifshewasjustlyingaroundthetownhouse.Beingattheoperawastheperfectreasonto

wearit,toshowFaristhatafterall,shecouldbeasbeautiful,asrefined,andasglamorousasthewomen

hehadbeenwith.

“AreyouafanofoperaandIhavenevernoticed?”heaskedinsurprise.

“Ihavehiddendepths,”shedeclared,“andoperaissomethingthatfascinatesme.”

Helaughedalittleatthat.

“Iloveawomanwhohashiddendepths,”hequipped.“Allright.Iamgoingtobringhomeasmall

dinnersowecangetthroughtheoperawithoutstarving,andthenwecangrabsomefoodafterward,all

right?”

Theysaidgood-bye,andwhensheendedthecall,Daniellewasinafarbettermood.Hermeeting

withSeifwasturningintoadullmemory,anditlookedlikeshehadaninterestingeveningaheadofher.

FarishungupthephoneandlookeduptofindAhmedsmirkingathim.

“What?”hegrowled.

Hisfriendlaughedalittle.

“Itoldyounottomesswiththisone,”hejoked.“IthinkItoldyouthataboutfiveminutesafteryou

mether.”

FarissnappedhisteethatAhmed.

“IseemtorecallithadsomethingtodowithyouthinkingthatIwassomekindofwolfafterher

honor,”hesaid.“Asithappens,I’mtakinghertotheoperatonight.Isthereanythingparticularlysalacious

aboutthat,ohdefenderofallwomen’svirtue?”

“Notatall,”Ahmedresponded.“ThoughIhavetosaythatthereissomethinghilariousaboutyou

goingtotheopera.”

“ItisconsideredtobetheheightofEuropeanmusicalachievement,”Farissaidloftily.“Orso

SheikhKahildtellsme.”

“Itsoundslikesomethingyouoncesaidsoundslikealotofbellowingoveroverwroughtstage

settings,”Ahmedobserved.“Irememberthatasadirectquote.”

Farissighed,becauseifhewerehonestwithhimself,itsoundedtiringanddull.

“Sheseemedhappyaboutit,”hesaidhalfheartedly,andAhmedlaughedoutloud,clappinghis

friendontheshoulder.

“I’lladmitthatIwasconcernedthatshewasgoingtoendupalambledtotheslaughterwhereyou

wereconcerned,butperhapsIshouldhavebeenmoreworriedaboutyou.Yousoundlikeamanwho’soff

tobewedonthemorrow.”

Farisstartedtobrushitaside,butthethoughtcaughthim.

InAswar,bridesweretraditionallydressedinblacksilk,buttheirgownswereembroideredwith

gems.TheideaofDanielledressedallinblackbutgleamingwithpearlsstruckhimasunbearablylovely,

herfacesolemnbuthereyesdancingwithlifeandhappiness.

FariscamebacktohimselftorealizethatAhmedwaswatchinghimwithamusement.

“Thatserious,eh?”Ahmedshookhishead.“Well,agoodloveonlycomestotheluckyones,and

I’vealwaysbelievedthatyouwerealuckyman.Goon.Enjoyyouroperatonight,andgivemybestto

yourtranslator.”

Onhiswaybacktothetownhouse,Farispickedupsomefoodforthemandthennoticedaflorist

nextdoortotherestaurant.Theflorist’sshopfrontwasaprofusionofcolorandscent,buthewasdrawn

toacontainerholdingtallstalksofflowers,whitewithgentlepurplestreaks.Theflowersmadehimthink

ofbells,perfectandgentle,andsomethingremindedhimofDanielle.

“Whatarethese?”heaskedthedarkmanbehindthecounter.

“Ah,thosearecalledfoxglovesinEnglish,sir,”wastheresponse.“Theyarebeautifulflowersin

bouquetsorinsinglesprigs.Theyarealsousedtomakeamedicinefortheheart…”

ThatfeltperfecttoFaris.HehadneverthoughtthathehadabrokenheartbeforehemetDanielle,

buttherewassomethingaboutthewaytheyweretogetherthatfeltprofoundlyhealing.Heboughtan

armloadoftheflowersandmadehiswaybacktothecar.

Beforehegotin,heglancedupatthesky.Before,Fariswouldhavesaidthatitwasjustanother

late-afternooncitysky,dimmedbypollutionandclutteredwiththesoundsofanirritatedcity.Now,

though,hecouldlookattheblueandthefainteststreaksofgoldandpurpleastheystartedtoappearfrom

thesunset.HecouldseeitastheskyoftheCityofLight,andheknewitwasallduetooneamazingyoung

woman.

ChapterFourteen

Themomentshegothome,Daniellestowedherboxunderneathherbed.Shehadbarelyfinished

doingthatwhenFarisappeared,hisarmsfullofpurple-and-whiteflowers.

“Foryou,”hesaid,givingheragentlekissonthecheek.“IsawthemandIcouldn’tresist.”

“They’reamazing,”shesaid,buryingherfaceintheflowerstocatchthesubtlescent.“Ilove

them.”

Iloveyou,shewantedtosay,butbeforethosefatefulwordscouldslippastherlipsagain,she

turnedtofindavasefortheflowers.ShesetthemonthemantelpieceasFarisspreadtheirfood—Italian

thatnight—outonthetable.

Thoughtherosesauceandthesausagesmelledamazing,Daniellecouldn’tdomorethanpickatit.

Sheknewthathernervesweremakingherspacyanddistracted.ThefourthtimeshehadtoaskFaristo

repeathimself,helookedatherwithconcern.

“Areyouallright,Danielle?”heasked.“You’vebeenalittlestrangeallnight.Areyousick?Do

youwanttostayin?”

“No!”shesaidandthenreeledhertonebackin.“Imean,no,Ithinkallofthisrichfoodisputting

meintoadaze.I’lljustdrinksomemorewater.”

Itwasalameexcuseatbest,butFarisletitgo,watchinghercarefully.Itseemedlikedinnertook

forever,butfinallyitwasoverandDaniellestoodup.

“I’mgoingtogodressfortheoperanow,”shesaid,andsheknewshewasbeingstiffandstrange.

Farislookedmoreconfusedthanever,buthenodded,andshebreathedalittlebetterwhentherewas

finallyadoorbetweenthem.

Allright,shethoughttoherself.Remember.Youaresophisticated,youareperfect,andheisgoing

tobeutterlyenchantedwithyou.

Shefocusedongettingthedressoutandon,somethingthatwasmoredifficultnowshedidnothave

peoplewhowereintentonhelpingher.Foroneterriblemoment,shethoughtshewasgoingtohavetoget

helpdoingupthezipperatherback,butwithenoughcontortions,shesomehowmanagedit.

Therewereapairofgoldpumpsshehadintheclosetthatwouldsuitwellenough,andaftera

moment,shemerelybrushedherhairout,lettingitfallinasleekblackriverdownherback.

AsshehadatElise’sboutique,shefeltlikeadifferentpersonwhenshelookedatherselfinthe

mirror.Hercomplexionwasclearenoughthatshecouldgetawaywithsimplylininghereyesinblack,

andatouchofredlipstickgavehermouthabitofdefinition.

Shewasn’tsurethatshelookedlikeoneofthewomenoutofthemagazinesthatFarishadbeenseen

withbefore,butattheveryleast,shedidn’tlooklikeherself.Thathadtobeagoodthing,didn’tit?

Intheotherroom,shecouldhearFarispreparinghimselfaswell,andshewonderedwhatitwas

liketobesocertainaboutthings,toknowbeyondashadowofadoubtwhattherightthingtodowas,

whattowear,whattosay.

Sheshookherhead.Nowwasnotthetimetogetphilosophicalaboutthings.Shesquaredher

shoulders,tookonelastlookintothemirror,andcarefullystartedwalkingtowardthesittingroom.

Shewaited,standingupbythemantelforamoment,makingherselfbreatheandstilladjustingtothe

weightandthedrapeofherdress.Sheheardthedooropen,andshestartedtoturntowardhim,butthen

sheheardhimgasp.

WhenDaniellecouldlookathim,shesawthathisblueeyeswerewideatheroutfit,andshefelta

kindoftriumphbloominsideher.

“Youlookamazing,”hesaid,shakinghishead.“Ineverwouldhave…well,letmelookatyou…”

Withasmile,shestartedtowardhim.However,thecombinationoflongdressplustotteryhigh

heelswasnotoneshewasaccustomedto.Onhersecondstep,thehemofherdresssomehowendedup

straightunderherheel,andthenshetriedtotakeastepanyway.Shecouldfeelherweightpitchforward

assheplummetedtowardthegroundwithashriek.

Itallseemedtohappenatonce.Herarmscameoutinadesperateattempttobreakherfall,she

heardaroughpurringripassomethingtore,andoutofthecornerofhereye,shesawadarkblur.She

flinchedawayfromthepainandhumiliationoffallinghardontowoodenfloors,butthenwarmstrong

armswerearoundherandshewasbeingcarefullysetbackonherfeet.Danielleblinkedbacktearsof

surprise,andFarissteppedback,thoughhekeptonehandonherarm.

“Thatwasquiteafall,”hewassaying.“Areyouallright?Doyouneedtositdown?”

Shestartedtosaythatshewasfine,thattherewasnothingtoworryaboutatallandthatshehadn’t

hurtherself,butthensheglanceddown.Toherdismay,therewasadarkhorizontalripinthelushblue

fabric,anuglytearthatshowedoffherankleandthatsaggedwiderwhenshemoved.Somethingabout

thattear,morethananythingelsethathadbeengoingon,wasjusttoomuch,andshecouldfeelhereyes

fillwithrealtears.

OhGod,mymakeup’sgoingtorunandIamgoingtolooklikearaccoon,shethoughtwithhorror,

buttherewasnothingshecoulddotostopit.Fromafewhalfheartedsniffles,herbodybecamewracked

withsobs,andshehuggedherselfhardtopreventherselffromflyingtopieces.

“Oh,sweetheart,”Farissaid,andthenhisarmswerearoundheragain.Heurgedherovertothe

divan,whereheliftedheronhislap.Sheknewthatsheshouldbeanadultaboutthis,pullawayandgo

getthingsfixedifshecould,butinthatmoment,allshecoulddowasclingtohim.buryingherfaceinhis

chest,andcryingoutherstress.Itfeltasifithadbeenbuildingupforalongtime,andnowthatshehad

givenitachancetogo,itwasgoingtocomeout.

Itfeltlikeithadtakenhours,butsherealizedthatithadonlybeenafewminutesbeforehertears

finallyslackenedandstopped.

“God,Ifeellikeanidiot,”shesniffled,wipinghereyes.“Weweregoingtogototheopera,andI

hadgobe,well,me,andruinitall.”

“Youhaveruinedabsolutelynothingatall,”Farissaidfirmly.“Wasthatwhatallthatcryingwas

about?”

Daniellefiddledwithafoldofherskirt.ShewasdistressinglyawarethatshehadtotellFariswhat

wasonhermind,butshedidn’twantto.Itwouldonlymakehersoundmorelikeafoolthanshehad

before.Intheend,though,shefoundthatshesimplycouldn’tlietohim.

“I…IrememberthefirsttimeIsawyou.”

Farisblinked.

“BackattheTransglobaloffice?”

“No,itwasactuallybeforethat.IwasnewlycometoDubai,andIhadjuststartedworkingfor

Transglobal.OneofthegirlsIwasworkingwithhadamagazine,andyouwereonthecoverwiththis

amazing-lookingwomanalldressedinred.”

SheriskedlookingupatFaristhen,buthelookedbaffled.

“Iwas?”

“Youwere.IthoughtyouwerethemosthandsomemanthatIhadeverseen,justsoamazinglygood-

looking.Ididn’tthinkallthatmuchofit,butthenthereyouwereagain,justashortwhilelaterwiththis

stunningblondeingreen.”

Farisstilllookedconfused,andDaniellerealizedthatshewouldlikelyhavetospellthingsoutfor

him.

“Ican’tcomparetothosewomen,”shesaidatlast.“Ican’t.Ifyoudressmeup,it’llbelike

putting…putting,Idon’tknow,awaitressinaballgown.I’llneverbethoseamazinglysophisticated

women,andsometimesit…it…”

Toherhorror,shewasstartingtocryagain.Shemanagedtochokethetearsback,andwhenshe

did,hetouchedhisfingertothepointofherchintomakeherlookup.

“Ihavenoideawhothosewomenwere,”hesaidfirmly.Whenshelookedathimwithsurprise,he

nodded.

“Ihavenoideaintheworld.Theyweredoubtlessverybeautiful,butIhavenomemoryofwhoyou

werelookingatorwhatImighthavebeendoingwiththem.”

Hesighed,hugginghercloser.

“Ihaveneverbeenwithsomeonelikeyoubefore,”hesaid,“andyouneedtounderstandwhata

wonderfulthingthatis.Nomatterwhereweare,whenIlookuptoseeyou,Ifeelsomethinghappyopen

upinsideme.It…there’snothingintheworldlikeit,Danielle,nothingatall.Youarenotlikethose

women,anditisagoodthing.”

Afeelingofrelieffloodedthroughher,andshemanagedatremuloussmile.

“Soyoudon’tmindmissingtheopera?IknowIgotthisdressmadeupspeciallyandinsecret,

but…”

“Notatall,”hesaidwithalaugh.“IfI’mentirelyhonest,Iwasalittlesurprisedthatyouleapedon

theideasoveryeagerly.Asitis,Iammorethanhappytocalloutforsomethinggood,andtospendthe

entirenightherewithyou.We’llbedoingplentyofsight-seeinginLondon,afterall.”

Itmightnothavebeenglamorousorsophisticated,butthegenuinewarmthandcareofFaris’ssmile

madesomethingwarmgrowinsideher.

Itwasthemanshecraved,notthemagazinecover,shethought.Thatmagazinecoverwasthe

falsehood,andthemanshewascuddlinguptorightnow,theonewhowipedhereyesandsmiledather,

hewastherealone.

Alittlelater,astheywerefinishingupanincredibleItalianmealthathadbeendeliveredstraightto

thedoor,Farissatbackandlookedather.Hiseyesweresoseriousthatshefeltalittlestartled.

“Whatisit?”sheasked,slightlynervous.

“Youneedtohavefaithinme,”Farissaidquietly.“YouneedtotrustthefactthatIamhereexactly

andonlybecauseIwanttobe,andthateverythingIamtellingyouisthetruth.Havefaithinme.”

Daniellecouldn’thelpbutflinchalittle.

“You’reright,”shesaidsadly.“Whathappenedtonight,thatwasmenothavinganyfaithinyouat

all,andIamsorryforthat.Youdeservebetter.”

Sheexpectedhimtobesternaboutit,butthesmileonhisfacewasremarkablygentle.She

rememberedalloveragainwhatakindmanhewas,andshefeltastrangewarmthinher.Foronce,ithad

nothingtodowiththesensualpleasuretheysoeasilyshared.Instead,itwastheslowrealizationthat

whileshestillfeltunworthy,hecertainlydidnotsharethefeeling.

“Thankyou,”hesaid.“Iknowthatthingscanbedifficult,butattheendoftheday,whatIwantis

righthere.Wearebothverydifferentpeople,butIthinkthatwillworkforusratherthanagainstus.”

Hepaused,andsherealizedthatinmanyways,hewasasuncertainasshewas.Farishadalways

struckherassuchaconfidentman,soveryawareandalert,thatitneverstruckheratallthathemightbe

feelingasnervousandexcitedaboutwhattheyhadbetweenthemasshedid.Deepinside,Daniellecould

feelsomethingmelt,andthesmileshegavehimshimmeredwithhappytears.Itwasonthetipofher

tonguetotellhimthatshelovedhimagain,butshepusheditback.

Rightnow,though,Daniellebelievedthatitcouldhappen,andthatitwouldhappen,andshewas

notsurethatshehadeverfelthappierthanshedidrightnow.

ChapterFifteen

Twodayslater,theywerepackingupforLondon.EventhethoughtmadeDanielle’sheartsing.

Whenshewasyoung,theworldfeltimpossiblylargetoher.Shestudiedlanguagesbecausesomewherein

thebackofherhead,shewishedshecouldmeetpeoplealltheworldover,toconnectwiththeminsome

veryrealandintegralway.

London,theinternationalcitywhereitseemedalltheworldcame,waslikeadream,andnow,

thankstoFaris,itwasadreamthatwascomingtrue.

Faris,ofcourse,hadaflatallhisowninLondon,andwhenitcametopacking,heonlyshrugged."

“Itseemstiresome,packingyourthingsandmovingthemfromplacetoplace,”heteased.“Iprefer

tohavemythingsthereandwaitingforme.”

“You’resospoiled,”shesaidwithasigh,lookingoverherclothes.“Iswear,Ididn’thavethis

muchwhenIcametoParis…”

“Soleaveit,”hesaidwithashrug.“EliseDuConte’sworkisamazing,buttherearedesignersthatI

amsurethatyouwilllikejustaswellinLondon.”

Danielleshookherhead.Sometimes,itwasdifficulttobelievetheamountofmoneyandpowerthat

Farisreallycommanded.

“Sorry,thatsoundsawfultome,”shesaid,makingaface.“It’sunnecessary,andthatwouldmean

thatIhavetospendhoursshoppingwhenI’dratherbeseeingtheTowerofLondonandBuckingham

Palace.”

“Myapologies,”Farisdrawled,comingtostandbehindher.“Isupposewecan’tletanythinggetin

thewayofyoutryingtoseeeverythingthattheBritishIsleshastooffer.”

Shestartedtoanswerhim,butthenhisarmswrappedaroundherwaist,andhenuzzledatthenape

ofherneck.Sheshiveredatthetinglethatranthroughherbody,andthen,outofsheerforceofwill,she

tuggedaway.

“Ifyoukeepthatup,we’renotgoingtomaketheplanethisevening,”shesaidaccusingly,andFaris

shrugged.

“It’smyplane,”hesaidcarelessly.“I’msureitcanbeconvincedtowait…”

“Unbelievable,”Daniellesaid,buttherewasasmileinhervoicewhenshesaidit.“Look,Ineedto

finishthis,andunfortunately,it’snotsomethingthatIcanfinishwhileyouarelookingatmelikeyouwant

toravishme.”

“It’strue,Ido,”hesaidsolemnly,andshegrinnedathim.

“Willyougopickusupsomefood?I’mgettinghungry,andweprobablyshouldn’tjusteatfruit

untilwegetontheplane…”

Farissighed,buttherewasasmileonhisface.

“Suchademandingwoman,”heteased.“Butallright.It’llbegoodformetogetabitofawalkand

tostretchmylegsbeforewegetontheplaneanyway.I’llseeaboutpickingusupsomeofthatfalafelwe

likedsomuch.I’llbebackinanhourorso,butifyoucanthinkofanythingyoumightlikebetter,letme

know.”

Heleft,andtheapartmentfeltquietandalittletooheavyasDaniellewentbacktopacking.Shehad

ajobtodo,andofcourseshewasgoingtodoit,butthefeelingofFariswithhisarmsaroundherandhis

breathagainstthenapeofherneckmadehershiver.Themanwaspurepleasureandfire,andaftershe

finishedpacking,whenhegotback,shewasgoingtoshowhimexactlywhatthatdidtoher.

Fariswhistledalittleashewalkeddowntheboulevard.Ashewalked,hecouldn’thelpbutreflect

onhowmuchthingshadchangedoverthecourseofhisstayinParis.

Hewouldneverhavethoughttherewouldbeakindofpleasureingoingtogetfood.Hewasthe

sheikhofoneofthewealthiestemiratesintheUAE.Whenhewantedfood,itwouldsimplyappearfor

him,ofwhatevertypehepleased.Itwassomethinghehadnevermuchofbefore.

SincebeingwithDanielle,however,thathadchanged.Nowhewasdiscoveringthepleasuresof

tryingnewfoodplacesandofsharingthemwithsomeoneelse.Evenwhenthefoodwasdismal,therewas

somethingaboutthesharedexperiencethatmadehimsmile.Therewasanoddbutveryrealpleasurein

bringingfoodtoDanielleandinseeingherlightupwithpleasureathisofferings.

ShehadallowedhimtoseeParisinawholenewlight,andnow,herealized,shewasgoingtohelp

himseeLondoninthesameway.

Hewasalmosttothefalafelshopthathehadmentionedearlierwhenhisphonerang.Takingitout

ofhispocket,hesawataglancethatitwasMarais.Grinning,heansweredthecall.

“Marais,apleasuretohearfromyou…”

“Iamafraidthatitisnotgoingtobeapleasureformuchlonger,”Maraisreplied,histoneclipped.

“Ifeltitcourteoustoletyouknowthatthedealisoff.Thoughthebidthatyoumadewasanattractiveone,

wehavedecidedthatwewishtogowithanotherlocation.”

Foramoment,Farisdidn’tunderstand,andwhenhedid,ablacktideofragerolledoverhim.

“You’returningAswardown?”hedemanded.“Whythehellwouldyou…”

“Wehavefoundavendorthatwebelievewillworkmorecloselywithus,onewhosimplyoffers

usmore.IamdeeplysorryifyouthoughttheinvestorsweremoreinterestedinAswarthantheyare,and

personally,IcantellyouthatIamverysorrytobemissingoutonachancetoworkwithyou…”

“Whoisit?”Farissnapped.“Whointheworlddidyouchoose?”

Therewasapause,andfinally,whenMaraisspokeagain,therewassomethingfurtiveaboutit.

Fariswastooinfuriatedtothinkmoreaboutitwhenheheardtheanswer.

“ItwasSheikhSeifofKamulthatputtogetherabidthatinterestedtheinvestorsmore.Again,

SheikhFaris,Iamverysorry…”

Farisdidn’tbothertoheartheman’sapologies.Hehungupthephone,andshoveditinhispocket.

Hewasonthedoorstepofthefalafelshop,therichsmellspillingoutintothestreet,buthecouldn’tpay

attentiontoit.Instead,hestartedwalkingquickly,tryingtoorganizehisthoughts.

ItseemedridiculousthatMarais’sinvestorswouldchooseKamuloverAswar.Despitehis

antipathyforthesheikhhimself,FarishadvisitedKamulseveraltimesoverhisreign.Intheend,hefound

itpleasantenough,butunremarkable.Itwasn’tjustpridethatmadehimthinkthatAswarwasmore

beautiful,moreaccessible;itwasafact.

Why,then,wouldtheinvestorsdecidethatKamulwasthebetterbet?

Theonlyanswerwasthatsomeonehow,Seifhadmadeitworththeirwhiletobuildthere.

Hewalkedforalmosthalfanhour,untilhewaswarmunderhisclothesandhisfeetwerebeginning

tohurt.Hewasalittlecalmer,atleast,andwithasigh,hestartedbacktowardthefalafelshop.Attheend

oftheday,therewasnothingtobedone,notreally.Alloftheangrypacingintheworldwouldn’tchange

theinvestors’minds,andthatwastheendofit.HetriedtoconcentrateonDanielleandtheirtimetogether

inLondon.Hehadnevermetawomanwhocouldsoothehimaseasilyasshecould.Farisknewthatwhen

hesawhernext,hispainandfrustrationwouldsmoothaway,meltinglikeasprinkleofsnowonthewarm

ground.

Ofcourse,thatwaswhenheroundedthecornerandseteyesonthelastpersonintheworldhe

wantedtosee.

Seif’sbrowsarchedupinsurprise,andhesmiledtoseeFaris.Fariswasreadytoletthemangoby

withacurtnod,butSeiffellintostepnexttohim.

“Whatafinedaytoseeyouwalking,Faris,”hesaidcheerfully.“Iampleasedtoseeyou.”

“Givenourlastinteraction,thatsurprisesmeimmensely,Seif,”Farisretorted.“I’minnomoodfor

youtoday,soletmewalkon.”

“Iwould,butIjusthadsomegoodnews,”hechuckled.“Ihavesignedacontracttobuildan

internationalresortinKamul,aprojectthatisgoingtomakeKamulthenextDubai.”

Littlechanceofthat,Faristhought,buthegrittedhisteethandkeptwalking.

“Howniceforyou.Congratulations,”hesaidoutloud.

NomatterhowquicklyFariswalked,Seifdidn’tgetthehint.Instead,theothermankeptpacewith

him,talkingaboutthedealuntilFariswasreadytoturnaroundandshoutathim.Thenhesaidsomething

thatmadeFarisstopinhistracks.

“AndofcourseIwaspleasedtospeakwithDanielletheotherday,”hesaid.“Suchakindwoman,

forgivingmefortheassImadeofmyselfnotsolongago.”

Farisstoppedinhistracks.HewasawareoftheslightsmirkonSeif’sface,wasawarethathewas

likelyplayingstraightintowhatevergameitwasthatthesheikhofKamulwasplaying,buthecouldn’t

helphimself.

“YouranintoDanielle?YouspoketoDanielle?”heasked,hisvoicedangerous,butSeifdidn’t

seemawareofit.

“Idid,”hesaid.“Notallthatlongago.WestoppedandhadcoffeeatoneoftheEnglish-language

bookstores.”

Seifpaused.

“Herbluesilkdresswaslovely.DuConte,Ibelieve?”

Fariscouldfeelhisheadspin.Danielle,beautiful,sweet,andhonestDanielle,hadmetwithSeif?

Talkedwithhim?Shehadcalledthedressasecret,butSeifknewaboutit?Thefactsspunaroundhis

head,andslowly,apicturewasformingthatFarisdidn’twanttosee.”

“We’redone,”hesaid,icehangingfromhiswords.“Getoutofhere.Idon’tcaretocontinuethis

conversation.”

Hestartedwalkingagain,andbysomemiracle,Seifstayedwherehewas.However,hiswords,

pitchedtocarry,wereperfectlyclear.

“Iknowshelookedasgoodoutofthedressasinit…”

Faris’stemper,alreadyataboilingpoint,spilledover,andhewhirledaroundwitharoarofrage.

Seif,despitehiscasualwords,seemedreadyforFaris’sattack,andheblockedthefirststrike,butnotthe

second,whichsenthimreeling.

TherewasacalmvoiceinthebackofFaris’sheadthattoldhimtoleaveoff,thatitwasenough,but

Seif’swordsbuzzedinhisearlikeflies,stinginghimanddrivinghimforward.

Theytradedblows,neitherofthemcapableofgettingtheupperhand.StillFariscouldnotstop,

becausethevoiceinhishead,whichwasnowSeif’svoice,neverstopped.

Daniellewouldneverbetrayme.ShewouldnevermeetwithSeifinsecret;shewouldneverkeep

suchsecretsfromme…

Shehadcalleditasecret,though,herdressandhowshehadgottenit.Shehadhiddensuchfears

fromhimuntilshenearlyboiledover,andyetshenevertoldhimaboutmeetingSeif,eventhoughshe

knewhowhefeltabouttheman.

Hersilencewhenshewasusuallysoopenandhonestfeltlikeadamningconviction,butstillFaris

foughton,tryingtodenyitbyrainingblowsonSeifthatwereblockedandreturned.Hebarelyfeltthehits

thatSeifwaslandingonhim;hewasinapurebattleragewheretheutterannihilationofhisenemywas

theonlythingthatwasacceptable.

HegrabbedSeiffinally,slammingthemanagainstthebrickwall,andforsomereason,theother

mansmiledathim.Seif’slipwassplit,andFarisknewthathisowneyewasswellingshut,andfora

moment,Farispaused.Whatthehellwashedoing?

“She’saclevergirl.Goodwithwords.Goodwithcontracts.Youtrusthercompletely,don’tyou?”

Farisfrozeforamoment,andthenwithasnarlthatsoundedbarelyhuman,hedrovehisfisttoward

Seif’sface.Ifitlanded,itmighthavebrokentheotherman’snose,butinstead,therewerehandsonhis

shouldersandhisarms,dragginghimback.Suddenlytheywerebothswarmedbypolicemenshoutingin

Frenchandpullingthemapart.

Seif’sfacelookeddisgustinglyself-satisfied,andashewasforcedintoapolicecar,hefeltthe

angerinhimgrowlingandcoilinglikeadragon,readytolashoutandreadytostrike.

ChapterSixteen

Aftershehadpackedallofherthings,Daniellefoundthelacyblackunderthingsshehadleftoutof

herbag.Withablush,sheshoweredandthenpulledthemon,lookingatherselfcriticallyinthemirror.

Shewasslenderandpale,butnosanepersonwouldcallheranelf.Therewerecurvesthere,andthey

wereenhancedbythesheerblacklacethatElisehadcalledaParisiandetail.

SheknewthatsheandFarispreferredeachothernaked,buttherewassomethingillicitlyexciting

aboutthelace.Surelyhewouldbeattractedtoit?Menlikedreallingerie,didn’tthey?Shemighthave

beendonetryingtoemulatethecosmopolitanwomenofFaris’spast,butthatdidn’tmeanthatshecouldn’t

tryafewtricksofherown.

Whensheglancedattheclock,shecouldseethathehadbeengonealmostanhour,andthatmeant

hewouldbebacksoon.Withagrin,shewentandstretchedoutonthebed,readinganarticleinUrduto

keepherskillssharp.Hopefully,hewouldcomehomeandfindherjustlikethis,andthentheycouldput

offeatinglunchforjustalittlebit…

Shefinishedthearticle,andthenanotherone,andthenaparticularlylongoneafterthat.Herear

listenedforhiskeyinthelock,buttherewasnothing.Daniellesatup,concerned.

Theclocktoldherthatithadbeenalmostanhourandforty-fiveminutessincehehadleftthe

townhouse,andshebitherlip.

Shecalledhisphone,butitwenttovoicemail.Shethoughtabouthangingup,andthenshedecided

toleaveamessage.

“Hi!”shesaid,hervoicesoundingtinnyandslightlyforced.“Didyougetlostonyourwaytothe

falafelplace?Maybeyoufoundsomeoneyouknow.Givemeacallatsomepoint.Ijustwantedtomake

surethateverythingwasokay.”

Shehungupandwaitedalittlelonger,forcingherselftoreadanotherarticle.Thisonewasin

Hindi,whichwashermostrecentlyacquiredlanguageandthereforetheonethatwasmostchallengingfor

her.Timeandagain,shehadtolookupwordsthatsheknew,anditseemedtotakeanage,butwhenshe

lookedupattheclock,shecouldseethatbarelytenminuteshadpassed.

Shewaiteduntilitwasexactlytwohourssincehehadleft,andshetriedhisphoneagain.Whenthe

voicemailpickedup,shesquelchedanautomaticpanicreactionandtriedtospeakclearly.

“Hi,it’sjustmeagain.It’sbeentwohourssinceyouleft,andIfigurethatmaybeyou’vejustgot

somebusinessthatyouneedtotakecareof?Idon’twanttobeaworrywart,butifyoucouldjustgiveme

acallatsomepointhere…thatwouldbeawesome.Allright,Ihopeeverythingisokay!”

Sheendedthecall,andthetownhouseechoedwiththesoundofherfalsecheer.Suddenly,shefelt

sillyforbeingpanickedinlingerie,andshemadeherwaybacktothebedroomtochange.Backina

familiarred-winedress,shewasalittlemorecomfortable.

Danielletoldherthattherewasnothingwrong.Peoplegotdelayedallthetime,andthatdidn’t

meansomethingterriblehadhappened,notatall.Therewaslikelyaperfectlynormalandrational

explanationforwhatwasgoingon.

Sheparkedherselfinthesittingroom,herfeetcurledupunderneathher.Sheputherbacktothe

clockbecausesheknewthatwatchingitwouldonlymakeherinsane.However,shecouldstillhearits

delicatechimesasthequarterhourspassed,andmentally,everytimeitdidso,shecountedhowlongit

hadbeensinceFarishadleft.

Danielle’sstomachstartedgrowling.Shehadbeenslightlyhungrywhenhehadleft,andnowshe

wasstarving.Therewasstillsomefoodinthekitchen,butforsomereason,shecouldn’tquitebring

herselftogogetit.Shewonderedwhythatwas,butthensherealizedwithasickeninglurchthatitwas

becauseifshedid,itwouldhavemeantadmittinginsomewaythatFarishadnevermadeittothefalafel

place.

Shetriedtoconvinceherselfthatatanymoment,Fariswouldcomein,armsfulloffoodand

explainingwhyhehadbeenheldup.Sheimaginedhimsmilingruefullyandapologizingtoherforbeing

solateandthensettingthefooddownsoshecouldflyintohisarms.Hewouldtellherhowsillyshewas

forbeingsoworried,buthewouldsootheherforashortwhileanyway,andthenhewoulddirectthem

towardthefood,tellingherafunnystoryaboutwhathadhappened.

Danielleconcentratedsohardonthisimagethatitwasalmostreal,andthenthequarterhour

chimedagainandsherealizedthathewasmorethanthreehoursout.Herphonefeltlikeabrickinher

hand,butshetookadeepbreathandcalledhimagain.

“It’sbeenthreehours,”shesaidsoftly,“andIthinkI’mrunningoutofassurancethatyouaregoing

tobeokay.Please,pleasebeallright.I’mworried,I’msoworriedaboutyou.Idon’tknowwhatIwould

doifsomethinghappenedtoyou….pleasecallmeback.”

Shehungupthephoneandsatdownonthedivan.Outside,theskieshadturnedgray,andit

threatenedtostorm.Sheknewthatatsomepointsoon,shewouldhavetocallthepolice.Shedidn’twant

to.Callingthepolicewouldbeadmittinginanirrevocablewaythatshebelievedthatsomethingwas

wrong,thattherewasachancethathewouldnotreturntoher…thatsomethingterriblehadhappenedto

her.

Danielledidn’trealizeshewascryinguntilthehottearswereonhercheeks.Herhandswere

shaking,andinsteadofwipinghertearsaway,sheclenchedthemtightinherlap.Whenshefinallyrelaxed

them,theywereshaking,andshecouldseewhereshehaddugherfingernailsdeepintoherpalms,leaving

behindvividcrescents.

Shetookadeepbreath.Itwastimetostopdenyingit.Shehadtotakeaction,andshemightbethe

onlyonethatcould.Whoelseknewwherehewasgoingorwhatroutehemighthavetaken.Shefought

downtheideathatherdelaymighthavebeendeadly,andshereachedforthephoneagain.

Themomentshetouchedit,however,itstartedtoring.Daniellenearlyyelpedinsurprise,butthen

shesawthatthenameonthephonewasFaris’s.

Shefeltahugeknotoftensionlooseninthemiddleofherchest,andtherewerefreshtears,joyful

ones,inhereyesnow.Shesobbedoncewithreliefandthenclearedherthroat,answeringthephone.

“It’syou,”shesaid.“OhthankGod,Iwasworriedsick.Iwassoafraidsomethinghadhappenedto

you.”

Faris’slaughwasdeepandstrange.Forsomereason,eventhoughsheknewitwashim,shefelta

thrilloffearrunupherspine.

“I’msureyouare,”hesaid,andtherewassomethingdarkinhisvoice.

“Faris,whereareyou?What’shappening,wherehaveyoubeen?”

“Somanyquestions,”hesaidinavoicethatcamejustshortofmockery.“Don’tworryaboutthem

rightnow;you’llgetyouranswerssoonenough.IcalledtotellyouthatIwillnotbereturningtothe

townhousetonight.”

“You…you’renot?”sheaskedhesitantly.Shetriedtomatchthebittermanontheotherendofthe

calltothesweetandsmilingloverwhohadleftherhoursago.Theybarelysoundedlikethesameperson

atall.

“Doyoumeanthatyouaregoingtosendacarforme?”sheasked,andhelaughedagain.

“Hardly.Ihavejustleftthepolicestation.Rightnow,Ihaveafeelingthatifwesaweachother…

well,itwouldn’tendwell.I’mgoingtostayatahoteltonight.I’mgoingtoreturntothetownhousefirst

thingtomorrow.”

TheadrenalinerushfromseeingFaris’snameonherphonewasswiftlytwistingtowardfearand

confusion.

“Weweresupposedtotaketheplanetonight…”shesaidmeekly,andhecutheroff.

“IamnotgoingtoLondonwithyou,”hesaidcoldly.“Rightnow,youhaveachoice.Iassumeyou

havepackedyourthings,andthatisconvenient,atleast.Ifyouwant,youcansimplyleaveandnever

speaktomeagain.Thatmaybethewisestthingforbothofus.Alternately,ifyoufeelthatyoumusthavea

discussionoverwhathashappened,onethatIwarnyoumightnotbeascivilaseitherofusprefer,Iwill

returntotheapartmentbytentomorrow.Thechoiceisuptoyou,andineithercase,Iadviseyoutodecide

whatyouwant.”

Hiswordsmadeherfeelasifshehadbeenpulledintothehighwindsofthehurricane,asifher

bodyandmindwerebeingrippedapartinthemaelstrom.Shetriedtoprotest,triedtoaskhimagainwhat

waswrong,whyhehadbeenwiththepolice,butthecallendedabruptly.Foramoment,sheonlystaredat

thephoneinherhand,andthensheburstintotears.

Someofitwasoverthereliefthathewasn’thurtordead,buttherestwerefortheoverwhelming

conclusionshefelt.Whatintheworldwasgoingon?Whywashedoingthistothem?

Whenshehadcriedherselfout,Danielledriftedtothekitchen.Sheconcentratedonthesimpletask

ofmakingherselfsomefood.Itcalmedher,anditallowedhertofocusonsomethingthatwasnotFaris.If

shethoughtabouthimfortoolong,sheknewthetearswouldreturnandrenderherutterlymadwith

confusionandfear.Instead,shehadtostaycalm.Sheonlyconcentratedonwhatwashappeninginthenext

fewminutes.Thesandwichshemadecouldnotlastforever,butitlastedforabriefwhile,andthenshe

turnedonhertablet.

Shehadhourstokillyetbeforeshecouldgotobed,andsomehow,shemadeitthroughthegrayday

withoutgoingmadwithnerves.Shekepthermindcarefullyblank,thoughatonepoint,shewonderedif

thiswaswhatpurgatoryfeltlike,thegrayinexhaustiblewaitforsomethingterribletohappen.

Whennightfinallyfellandshecouldjustifygoingtobed,Danielleautomaticallyputona

nightgown,somethingthatshehadn’tdonesincesheandFarishadstartedsleepingwithoneanother.The

bedfeltfartoolargeandfartooempty,andshehuddledupclosetooneside,asitpreventedherfrom

stretchingouttofeelthespacewhereFarisshouldhavebeen.

Shedidn’tthinkthatshewasgoingtosleepatall,butshediddriftofftowarddawn.Herdreams

werethinandfrighteningthings,wheresheandFariswerewhippeduphighintoatempestwind.Hewas

shoutingsomethingather,butthoughshecouldhearhisrage,shecouldnotreachhimtomakehim

understand.

ChapterSeventeen

Intheopulenthotelhehadcheckedinto,Farisspentalmostafullhourunderthehotsprayofthe

shower.Hefeltbonetired,asifhecouldliedowninthebedandsleepoutayear,buthewasalsowide-

awake.

Whenhegotoutoftheshower,hegulpeddownsomeofthepainkillershehadboughtatthe

drugstore,wincingalittlewhenheglancedinthemirror.Inadditiontotheassortedcutsandscrapeson

hisbodyfromhisaltercationwithSeif,hiseyewaspurplingupdramatically,nearlyswellingshut.

Growlingatthedamage,hepiledsomeiceintoatowelandpressedthemakeshifticepackagainstthe

bruisedflesh.Theinstantshockofcoldwaspainful,butafterthatcameafrigidnumbness.

HecouldstillhearDanielle’svoiceinhisearduringtheircall.Firstshehadbeenoverjoyedto

hearfromhim,andthenashestartedtalking,hecouldhearthefearandthebewildermentcomethrough.

Shewasanamazingactress,hethoughtcoldly.Shehadfooledhimforweeks,andifhehadn’tbeen

sothoroughlyonhisguard,shewouldhavekeptfoolinghim.Hewonderedhowhehadbeensowrong,

howevenAhmedhadbeenfooled.

Whenhethoughtofhowcloseshehadgottentohim,whenhethoughtaboutwhattheyhaddone

together,itstokedtherageinhimevenhigher.Farisclungtotherage,becauseifitdeparted,hewould

havetodealwiththeotheremotions,andthatwouldhavebeenhell.Hetriedtowilltheragetoburnhot

andtodestroytherest,butwheneverhefalteredforamoment,itwasthere.

Therewasapatheticandmewlingpartofhimthatsaidtherehadtobearationalexplanationfor

this.Ofcourseshewasinnocent.Ofcourseshewasthesamesweetwomanwhohadturnedhislifeinto

somethingwonderful.Itcouldn’tbeafake.Nowomanwasthatgoodanactress.

Therestofhimrefusedtoseeit.Ifsomeonehadhurthimthisbadly,thentherewasabsolutelyno

endtowhatshemightbewillingtodo.Tomorrow,hewouldseewhatshehaddecided.Ifshewasasmart

woman,ifshewasasmartcon,shewouldsimplycutherlossesandleave.Shehadgainedsomebeautiful

clothesoutofthebargainandfarmoremoneythanshehadanyrighttoexpect.Ifsheleft,itwouldmean

thatshehadsomekindofrespectfortheillusionofwhattheyhadshared.

Ifshestayed…

Faris’shandsfisted,andthenrelaxed.

Ifshestayed,thatmeantthatshestillthoughtthathewasafool.Itwouldmeanthatshestillthought

thattherewassomekindoffertilegroundforhertoplayhertricks,andifshewasstilltherewhenhe

wenttothetownhouse,thenhedidn’tknowwhathemightdo.Hehadnoideawhatitwouldbeliketobe

sothoroughlybetrayed.

Apartofhimwhisperedthatforgivenesswasstillanoption.Ifsheconfessedtoeverythingand

showedhimthatshewastrulyrepentant,thenperhapstherewassomethingthatcouldbesalvaged.

Perhapshecouldtrytofindawaytolivewithher.Theywouldnotbeascloseastheywerebefore.They

wouldnotshareasmuchastheyhad,andhecertainlywouldnotconsiderthewildhopeofmakingherhis

wife,butperhapsshewouldbeamistress,someonekeptforthepleasureofhercompanyandnothing

more.

Thethoughthaditsappeal,buthepusheditawayaswell.Itpersisted,though,evenashefellintoa

restlessslumber.Whenhewokeupasdawnstartedslidinggoldenraysthroughthecurtains,heknewthat

apartofhimwouldalwaysreachforher,andagainstthatpartofhim,hemustguardhimselfvery,very

well.

Daniellewasuplongbeforedawn,showeredanddressedbyseveninthemorning.Shehad

deliberatedoverheroutfit,finallychoosingabusinesslikecharcoaldress.Itseemedsomehow

disrespectfultowearanythingmorecasualtosomethingthatwouldbesuchanimportanttalk.

Whensheglancedatherselfinthemirror,sheflinched.Thereweredarkcirclesunderhereyes,and

thewayherhairwaspulledbacktightlygaveherawaifishexpression,likeastarvedorphansearching

forahome.ShewonderedbrieflyifitwouldhelpmakeFarisfeelsympathyforher,andthenshehated

herselfalittlebitforit.

Nomatterwhathappened,shewantedtobehonestwithFaris.Ifhedidn’twanttokeepher,it

disrespectedbothofthemtocreateanartificeagainstit.

Shesatinthesittingroom,herspineperfectlystraight.Foralittlewhile,shetriedtoplayonher

phone,butthensherealizedthatshewasn’tactuallyseeinganythingatallinfrontofher.Instead,she

staredoutatthegrayday,wonderingwhenParishadlostitsmagicforher.Whenshelookedoutatthesky

now,shesawsomethingdullandsad,sofarfromhowshehadfeltwhenshefirstarrived.

Sometimes,shewantedtocry,butshekepthertearsatbayfiercely.Shewouldnotappeartohim

cryinglikeawoundedchild.Sherefused.

WhenDanielleheardhiskeyinthedoor,herheartleaped.Somepartofherhadn’treallybelieved

thathewassafe,andherfirstinstinctwastoruntohim.Shewantedtorunherhandsalloverhimtomake

surethathewasallright,andtomakesurethathewasreallythere.Shewrestledthisinstinctdown,and

insteadwaited,heartinhermouthashemadehiswaydownthehallandenteredthesittingroom.

Shestartedtostandtogreethim,butthenshesawhisfaceandgasped.Hiseyewasalividpurple,

andfromwhereshesat,shecouldseeasmallcutonhislip.Whenhereyesflewtohishands,shesaw

thathisknuckleswereraw.Whatthehellhadhappened?

“Well,”hesaidsomildlythatshewasnearlyfooled,“oneforgetshowverybeautifulawomancan

be.”

“Me?”shesqueaked,andthensheregrettedit.Itfeltlikesuchachildishthingtosay.

Hechuckled,andforamoment,shewonderedifthemadmanwhoshehadspokenwiththenight

beforewassimplysomekindofbaddream.Italmostmadeherrisetogotohim,butthenhespokeagain.

“Ofcourseyou,”hesaid,comingcasuallyintotheroom.“Ihavetoadmit,youhavecertainlymade

themostofyourcharms.MostoftheconfidentwomenthatIhaveknownhavebeen,shallwesay,ofa

differenttypefromwhatyouare.”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Danielleasked,baffled.“Whatconfidentwomen?”

“Toputitbluntly,mostofthewomenwhohavetriedtotrickmewereclassicallybeautiful,

charismatic,sophisticated,andincrediblydesirable.Iwon’tsaythatyoudon’thaveyourcharm,butthe

truthisthatyourawkwardnessandthatshylittleactofyoursgotunderneathmyarmorthewaythatamore

glamorouswomanneverwouldhave.IsupposeIshouldcommendyou.”

Daniellecouldfeelherselfgoingpale.

“Whyareyousayingthesethings?”sheaskednumbly.“Whyareyousayingthemtome?”

Hesnorted,shakinghishead.

“Areyoustillkeepinguptheact?”heaskedsardonically.“Ihavetosay,thatisimpressive.Most

peoplewhohavebeenfoundoutwouldhavebeenontheirwayrightafterthatphonecall.Instead,you

havestayedtotrytomakethemostofit.Braveofyou,Isuppose.”

“Pleasestopthis,”Daniellepleaded.Shewasawarethattherewasanoteofhysteriainhervoice.

“Please.JusttellmewhatIwasmeanttohavedone!”

“Oh,sowe’regoingtoplaythisoutalltheway?”hesneered.“Fine.IknowallaboutyouandSeif.

IknowthatyougavehimthepapersforthedealwithMarais,andIknowthatyoubetrayedmewhile

blushingandgigglingawaylikealittleschoolgirl.”

DaniellewonderedifthiswashowAlicefeltwhenshefellthroughtherabbithole.Nothingmade

sense.

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”shewhispered.“InevergaveanyonetheMaraispapersexceptfor

you,and…”

“Really.Sowhydon’tyoutellmeaboutthelasttimethatyousawSeif?”

Sheopenedhermouth,andthenshecloseditagain,ahorrifyingrealizationdawning.She

rememberedtheirstrainedanduncomfortablemeetingatthebookstore,thedayshehadboughtherdress.

“How…howdidyouknow?”sheasked,andthemomentshedid,shewinced.Itwaslikelythe

worsethingshecouldhavesaidatthatpoint;itsoundedtantamounttoadmittingthathewasright,and

Farisseemedtotakeitassuch.

“Heknewwhatcoloryourgoddamndresswas,Danielle,”Farishissed.“Didyoushowitofffor

him?Didyoutellhimthatyouwereplanningtoplaytheingenueinit,rippingitandall?”

“Itwascompletelyinnocent!”shecried,“Faris,Iswear,weonlymetatthebookstore,nothing

else!Wehadsomecoffee,thebagopened,andhesawthedress!That’sallthathappened.”

“Ispoketohimyesterday,”Farissnarled.“Ispokewithhim,andheallbutconfesseditalltome.

He’stheonethathastheMaraisdealnow,andhe’stheonethattoldmethatyouweretheonewhopassed

himthepapers.DearGod,howblinddoyouexpectmetobe!”

Tearswerefallingfreelydownherfacenow.Apartofherwantedtodonothingmorethantoflee.

Hisangerwasnearlypalpable,aredrawflamethatthreatenedtoflayherskinawayifshestoodinittoo

long.Shecouldfeelhimslippingawayfromher,andshecouldn’tletthegreatestpassioninherlifego

withnofightatall.Thoughitwasoneofthehardestthingsinherlife,shewalkeduptohim,herhands

openandbeseeching.

“Please,Faris,IamsosorryIdidn’ttellyouaboutSeif.Iknewyouhatedhearingabouthim.I

didn’twanttospoilournight…”

“Ofcourseyoudidn’t,”hesaid,butsheforcedherselftokeepgoing.

“Iwouldneverbetrayyourtrust,”shesaid,lookingupintohisburningblueeyes.“Iwouldnever

hurtyou,andIamso,sosorryyouarehurtingrightnow.Pleaselistentome,though.Iwouldneverbetray

you!Iloveyou!”

Herwordshungintheairbetweenthem.Foramoment,Daniellethoughtthatshehadgottenthrough

tohimandthattheycouldsitandtalkaboutwhatwasgoingon.Thelookonhisfacewasalmost

wondering,andgently,hereachedouttotouchherface.Actingoninstinct,sheleanedintohistouch,

takingcomfortiniteveninthischargedtime.

“Amazing,”hebreathed.“Ialmostthinkthatyoumeanit.”

Hedrewhishandback.

“Tellme,wasyourperformanceinourbedasham,orareyoureallysoawkward?”

Foramoment,Daniellethoughtthathervisionhadgoneblank.ShesimplystaredatFaris,

wonderingwhatintheworldhadhappened,howhecouldchangesoquicklyovernight.Stunned,shetook

astepback,everyinstinctinherbodytellinghertorun,tomakesurethatsheputasmuchdistance

betweenthemasshecould.

Then,asifsomeblessingfromafuriousgoddesshaddescendeduponher,shesteppedclosetohim

again.Sheevenfounditinherselftosmilesomehow,thoughitfeltastherewerethingsbreakinginher.

Farislookedsurprisedathersmile,andthatsurpriseturnedtoshockwhensheraisedherhandand

slappedhiminthefaceashardasshecould.

“Goddamnyou,”shebreathed.“Iwasavirginbeforeyou…”

Sheturnedonherheelandwenttoherbedroom,wherethankfullyherbagwasstillpackedfortheir

triptoLondon.Londonstillsoundedamazing,butnowshewonderedifshewasevergoingtobeableto

thinkofitagainwithoutsomekindofsickfeelinginhergut.Sheshookherhead.Shecouldn’tthinkofthat

now.

Shestalkedoutofthehouse,lookingneithertotherightnortheleft.Danielledidn’tcarewhereshe

wasgoingaslongasshewasawayfromFarisandtheterriblethingshehadsaidtoher.Ifstoppedand

paidattentiontoittoolong,therewasadryheatbehindhereyesandakindofweightinherchestthat

madehergasp.Ifshestoppedandthoughtaboutittoolong,therewasachancethatshewouldsimplysit

downandweep.

Holdingherheadhigh,Danielleleftthetownhouseandforamomentwasbewilderedonthe

boulevard.EversinceshehadcometoParis,shewasstartledbythefactthatitwassobeautiful,sovery

gorgeousandmagical.Nowwhenshewaslookingatit,herheartfeelingasifithadbeenrippedinto

smallpieces,shefinallyrealizedthatitwasnodifferentfromanylargecity.

Shakingherheadatherownfoolishness,shestartedwalkingaway.

ChapterEighteen

“Comeon,”Katiesaid,leaningclose.“You’vebeenworkinghereforthreemonths…Don’tyou

thinkit’stimethatyoucameoutandgottoknoweveryone?”

Daniellestartedtoprotest,pointingtoalloftheworkthatshestillhadtodo,andthensherealized

withastartthatithadallbeendone.Shebitherlip,hesitatingforamoment,andKatiepressedher

advantage.

“We’vebeendyingtogettoknowyoualittlebetter,”saidthesmallblonde.“You’rejustMiss

Mysteriousoverhere,andifit’sanyenticementatall,Bertiefromaccountingthinksthatyou’reawfully

cute…”

DaniellehadmetBertie,wholookedhandsomeenoughbutwhoalsohadahabitofstandingtoo

closeandspeakingfartooloudly.Shewasgettingreadytodeclineyetagainwhenshesighedandnodded.

“I’venotbeenoutwithpeopleinawhile,”shesaidcautiously.“Imean,Imightwanttobail

early…”

“That’snoproblematall,”Katiesaidreassuringly.“Itreallyisjustafewdrinksandsome

company.”

Despiteherreluctance,DaniellefeltasmallwarmglowwhenKatietookherarmandledherout

ontothestreetwheretheircoworkerswerewaiting.

“LookwhoIfound!”Katiecrowed,andtheotherscheered.

Really,Daniellethought,walkingintothejobwithJannsen&Foleywaspureluck.Ineverything

elsethatmattered,shehadlandedonherfeet,sowhydidn’tshefeelmoregrateful?

AftershelefttheflatinParis,shehadn’tletanygrassgrowunderherfeet.Daniellehadfeltthatif

shedidn’tkeepmoving,shewouldsimplyputdownroots,amonumenttosadnessandgrief.After

spendinganightinadulllittlemotel,shehadfoundatraintoAmsterdamnearlyatrandom.Allsheknew

wasthatafairnumberofhercolleagueshadfoundgoodworkthereandthatitwassomedistanceaway

fromParis.

Withindaysofenteringthecity,justwhenshewasbeginningtoworryabouthersavingsdryingup,

sheendeduplandingajobatJannsen&Foley,translatingFrenchdocumentsintoEnglish.Itwasfarfrom

excitingwork,butitwassteadyandstable,twothingsforwhichshewasvery,verygrateful.

Ifshekeptbusy,ifshemadesurethatshewaseitherworkinghardontranslationsorwalkinginone

ofthemanybeautifulparksthatthecityofAmsterdamcontained,shedidn’thavetothinkaboutFaris.If

shekeptmoving,likeashark,shewouldn’tfallintothedespairthatsometimesfeltasifitwerechoking

her.

Theproblemwasthatshehadtosleepsometimes,andwhenshedid,herdreamswerefullofhim.

Itwouldhavebeenbadenoughiftheywerenightmares,oneswhereheshoutedterriblethingsatherand

mockedhermercilessly,orevenoneswhereheleft.Shehadhadafewofthose.

No,thetragedywasthatthosedreamswereallhappyones.Theywouldbewalkingdownthe

boulevardsofParis,orperhapstheywerepassingtimeinoneofthedeliciousbistrosinDubai.

Sometimestheyexploredtownsthatshehadnonameforthatheknewlikethebackofhishand,and

sometimes,theyweresimplyholdingeachotherinfrontofaroaringfire.Inherdreams,shewasso

happy,andwakingupeverymorningwaslikerelivingtheheartbreakalloveragain.

Itwasgettingbetter,though.Thepainwasdulled,andtonight,shehadevenmanagedtogooutwith

hercoworkers.

Theywereonlyintothefirstbeeratthebarwhensherealizedsadlythatshehadnothingincommon

withthem.Thiswasn’tanewthought.Whenevershehadgoneoutwithpeoplebefore,shehadfeltlikean

elderlychaperone,onewhodidn’tcaretodrink,couldn’tdance,andwasasimple,stolid,awkwardlump

inthemiddleofallthecarousing.

Daniellesimplywouldhavemadeherexcusesandleft,butKatiehadtrappedherinaboothand

parkedJohnrightnexttoher.GettingthroughwouldhavemeantpushingpastJohnandanothercoworker

onhisotherside,andrightnow,shewasn’tquiteuptothatyet.

“Sonoonereallyknowsmuchaboutyou,”Johnsaidsoftly,andshestartedtobrushhimoffwitha

lightcomment,buthecontinued.

“—butIbetIdo.”

Daniellelookedupathim,startled.WasthereanywayheknewaboutherFaris?

“Youwanteveryonetothinkthatyou’resuchagoodgirl,butIbetyou’renot,”hesaid,andshe

noticedthathewasalreadyslurringhiswords.Onebeerwasn’tenoughtomakeamanslurlikethat,and

withabitofdistaste,sherealizedthathehadlikelystartedhisdrinkingearly.

“Well,that’saninterestingthingtosay,”shesaid,gettingreadytostandupandpushby,nomatter

howrudeitwas.

“I’llbetyouknowallaboutinteresting,”heleered.“Imean,comeon,babe,we’reinAmsterdam,

cityofsin.Howaboutwegofindoneofthoseclassyroomstheyrenthere,andyoucanshowmehow

wildyoureallyare?”

Daniellehadhadenough.Shemightbequiet,butshewasnoone’spushover,notanymore.She

supposedshehadFaristothankforthat.Withagrowl,shepushedJohnaway,andinsurprisehemoved,

bumpingouttheirotherseatmateaswell.

“Hey,whatdidIsay?”heprotested.“Iwasjusthavingsomefun.”

“Havesomefunwithsomeoneelse,”shesaidoverhershoulder.“I’mleaving.”

ShecouldhearKatiecallingherback,butshekeptgoing.Suddenlytheworldfelttoorawandtoo

ugly.Evenifitwasalie,shelongedforthesoftcolorsandromanceofParisagain.

AsDaniellewalkedbacktoherflat,however,sheknewthatitwasnotParisshemissed,but

insteadwhatshehadhadwithFaris.Shesupposedthatatsomepoint,shewouldneedtolearntolove

again,tofindsomeoneshecouldcareabout,butwhenevershethoughtaboutit,sheshiedaway.

DanielletriedtotellherselfthatshewassimplyrecoveringfromhertumultuoustimewithFaris,

butattheendoftheday,sheknewthatatbest,thatwasahalf-truth.Therealityofitwasthatshewasstill

hopingthatsomehow,hemightrecoverfromthemadnessthathaddriventhemapart.Thatsomehow,he

mightreturntoher.

Herhopewasapowerfulthing,butdaybyday,itguttered,andsheknewthatoneday,shewould

lookupanditwouldbeentirelygone.

Thesecretaryrancryingfromtheoffice,andFarisranalltenfingersthroughhishair,breathing

hard.Nowthattheinitialtideofragewasover,hecouldfeeltheguiltsetin.Ifhewerebeinghonestwith

himself,hehadactedlikeamonster,andheknewit.

AhmedpokedhisheadintoFaris’soffice,aquizzicalexpressiononhisface.

“Didyouseriouslyloseanotherone?”heasked,andFarishadtonod.

Heslumpeddownintohisdeskchairashisfriendentered,closingthedoorbehindhim.

“IcamebytoofferyousomeshwarmathatIpickedup,butI’mnotsureamanwhosomehow

managestolosesixsecretariesinthreemonthsreallydeservesit.”

Farisgrowledhalfheartedlyathisfriend,buthewasn’tsurehewaswrong.

“Shedidn’thireasign-languageinterpreterforthechildren’stheaterperformancethatthetrustfund

organizes,”hesaidbywayofexplanation.

Ahmedlookedathimskeptically.

“Didyoutellherto?”

“Whensheburstintotearsandfledthescene,Irealizedthattheanswerisno,Ididnot.Nomatter.

I’llmakesurethatshegetsthesamepayoutthattheothersdoandhavetheagencysendanotheronethis

afternoon.”

Ahmedsighedanddespitehiswordspulledoutthewaxpaperpacketsofrichcarvedmeatserved

onthickfluffyroundsofgrilledbread.Thesmellalonewastantalizing,butwhenitwasopeninfrontof

him,Farisdidn’thavethehearttodomorethantotakeafewbites.Ahmedeyedhimwithconcern,and

Farisignoredhim.Hehadsufferedthroughmorethanafewofthesetalksinthelastmonthandhewasin

nomoodtolistentoanother.However,whenAhmedspoke,Farisdidn’texpectitatall.

“Soisitworthit?”

Farisglaredathim.

“Iswhatworthit?”hesnapped.

“Isherbetrayal,asyouputit,worththeamountofgriefyouaregoingthroughrightnow?”

“Iamnotgrieving,Iamfurious,”Farisretorted.“Shebetrayedmytrust,shewentbehindmyback,

sheliedtome…”

Ahmedwavedhisdiatribeaway.Afterall,hehadhearditbefore.

“Allright.Soshedid.Nowwhat?Areyousimplygoingtorageaboutittherestofyourlife,

turningintoahermithighupinyouroffice?”

“Sheactedinareprehensiblemanner…”

“Ofcourseshedid.Why?”

“Whywhat?”

“Whydidsheactlikethat?Itsoundedlikeyoutwowerewellmatched.Whywouldshethrowthat

away?”

“Becausesheisaconartistwholivesofffleecingothers.Shethoughtshehadagoodthingwith

me,andthensherealizesthatSeifcouldpayheroffaswell.”

“Hmm.Youtoldmethatshewassmart,reallysmart.Ifshehasagoodthinggoingwithyou,

wouldn’tsheprotectit?”

“Iknowwhatyouaretryingtodo,”Farissnarled.“Itisn’tgoingtowork…”

Ahmedshrugged.

“Believeme,Ihavebeenyourfriendforyears,andIknowhowstubbornyouare.However,now

thatyouhavethoroughlypushedthatfoodaroundonyourplatewithoutenjoyinganyofit,Ineedtotake

myleave.Idowanttoleaveyouwithonethought,though:ifsheactedterribly,whydidshefeeltheneed

todoso?Canyouforgiveher?”

Ahmedslippedoutthedoor,whichwaslikelyagoodthing,becauseifhehadstayed,therewasa

chancethatFariswouldhavelosthistemperwithhisfriendcompletely.

AfterAhmedleft,heknewthatheshouldgetbacktowork,butinsteadhesimplysatathisdesk,

staringoffintospace.Hehadbeendoingthatalotlately,tothepointwherehehadstartedtowonderif

therewassomethingwrongwithhimphysically.Avisitfromhisphysicianhadprovedthattherewasnot.

Themangentlysuggestedpsychiatrichelp,butFarishadorderedhimout.

Whenhegotrightdowntothebrasstacksofit,heknewwhatwaswrong;moreimportantly,he

knewwhatwasmissing.Wheneverheturnedaround,heexpectedtoseeher,withherlongflowingblack

hair,herwidegrayeyes,andherslowandstunningsmile.

Atthispoint,hewasalmostreadytotakeherbacknomatterwhatshehaddoneifshecouldonly

removethegriefthatlivedinhisheart.

Ofcourse,theproblemwasthatevenifhegotherback,evenifhefoundawaytooverlookwhat

camebefore,therewouldalwaysbeaweightthatsatonhischestwhenhelookedather.Hewould

alwaysknowthatshehadbetrayedhim,andthatgriefwouldcontinue.

Atthebeginning,Farishadtriedtogoout,tomeetotherwomen.Someofthemcaughthisattention

forafewmoments,mostdidnot,butevenwithwomenwhowereabsurdlybeautiful,sharpasswords,

andincrediblycharismatic,hecouldmusterupnomorethanabriefmomentofconversation.Inevitably,

hewouldstartthinkingofapairofwidegrayeyesagain,andthenitwouldbedone.

“Ineedtogetonwithmylife,”Farissaidoutloud.

Perhapsitwastimetogetmarried.Hewascertainlyoldenough;thegossipmagazineshadbeen

speculatingonitforquitesometime.Hecouldfindsomesuitablegirlwhowantedtobesheikha.Perhaps

childrenwouldbeenoughofadistractionthathecouldforgether.

Thoughhemighthavewishedtostayattheofficeallnight,everyoneelsewasleaving,andsoon

enough,eventhepeopleheneededtospeaktowouldbeontheirwayout.Hesighed,lookinggrimlyat

anothernightonhisown,butjustashewasgettingoutthedoor,hisphonerang.

WithasenseofreliefattheideathathecouldputofffillinghiseveningwiththoughtsofDanielle

foratleastalittlelonger,heansweredthephone.

“ThisisSheikhFaris…”

“SheikhFaris,Iampleasedtocatchyou.IunderstandthatitisquitelateinAswar.”

IttookFarisamomenttoplacethevoice.

“Marais?”heaskedindisbelief.Theman’svoicesoundedmuchlooserandeasierthanithadthe

lasttimetheyhadspoken.

“Yes,Iamflatteredyourememberme.Doyouhaveamomenttospeakwithme?”

Farisalmostsaidno.HecouldhaveaskedthemanwhathewantedafterhehadchosenKamulas

thesitefortheresort.Instead,curiositygotthebetterofhim.

“Makeitfast,”hesaid.

“Iwilldomybest,”saidMarais,aslightsmileinhistone.“Tomakeaverylongstoryshorterbut

reallynolessugly,oneoftheprimeinvestorswasbeingblackmailedbythesheikhofKamul.”

Farisblinked.

“You’retellingmethatSeifwasblackmailingoneofyourinvestors?

“Yes.Itfinallyallcameoutafterthatinvestorhadanervousbreakdowninthemiddleofoneofthe

firstboardmeetings.Hehasbeenpushedfromtheconcernaswell,andtheotherinvestorsdecided

unanimouslytodropnegotiationswithKamulandtoreturntotheoriginalplanstobuildinAswar,thatis,

ifyouarestillwilling.”

“So…Aswar’sbidwasnotoutclassedbyKamul’sbid?”

Maraismadeanoisethatwassurelytoopolitetobeasnort.

“Ifittellsyouanything,SheikhFaris,Kamulwasneverinvitedtoactuallymakeabidatall.You

canimaginehowmuchIenjoyedcallingyoutoturndownthebidtheyhadallinitiallyloved.”

Faris’smindspun.Ifthatwastrue,thenitmeantthatDaniellewascompletelyinnocent.Shehad

neverturnedanydocumentsovertoSeifatall.Allofthethingshehadsaidtoher…

Heshookhishead,finallyrealizingthatMaraiswasstillspeaking.

“Andofcourse,ifyoucouldmeetwiththeinvestorsassoonaspossible,therearecontractsto

sign,andifpossible,buildingtostartimmediately…”

“Iamgoingtoneedafewdays,”Farissaidbluntly.

“Really?”Maraisasked,forthefirsttimeshocked.“SheikhFaris,thisisanenormousdeal…”

“AndifAswarreallyisthebestchoice,thentheinvestorswillallowmethreedaystogetmy

affairsinorderafterallowingoneintheirnumbertobeblackmailedbyanidiot.”

“Iwillrelayyourcommandtotheinvestors,”Maraissaid.“Butjustformyowncuriosity,whatin

theworlddoyouneedtodo?”

Fariswasalreadymoving,shovinghisjacketonandracingdowntotheelevator.Heneededto

mobilizeaprivateinvestigator,speaktosomestatedepartments,andcontactInterpolifneedbe.

“IamgoingtofixthismessthatIcreated,”hesaidandhungup.

ChapterNineteen

ThingshadbeenalittletenseatworkafterheroutburstatJohn.Johnwasgoingaroundlikeapuppy

withhistailtuckedbetweenhislegs,andKatiehadstoppedcomingbyDanielle’sdeskatall.Onone

hand,Daniellewasrelieved.Shedidn’treallywanttotalktomuchofanyonerightthismoment,andthe

ideaofgoingouttoanotherloudbarnightwasterrible.

Ontheotherhand,theincidenthadrevealedtoherexactlyhowlonelyshewasandhowvery

vulnerableshewastothewhimsofagroupatlarge.

Shehadfinishedanotherpileofwork,receivingpraisefromhersupervisor,butDaniellecouldsee

theanimosityfromhercoworkers.Shewastoogoodatherjobtobeignored,andsinceshewassoaloof

duringofficehours,shehadwonnoallies.

Maybeit’stimeformetogetmoving,shethought.MaybeIneedanewlanguage,anewplace,a

newchallenge.

Evenasshethoughtaboutit,however,shewonderedifitwouldsimplybeexactlythesame.Would

shespendtherestofherlifehoppingfromjobtojob,unabletomakefriendsandalwayslooking

backward?Theexcitementatanothercitysimplymadeherfeeltired,andsighingsoftly,shedecidedto

shelvetheidea.Rightnow,Amsterdamwasn’tterribleatall.Shecoulddoworsethantospendafew

moremonthsthere.

Daniellewasjustgettingreadytodivebackintoherworkwhenhersupervisorcameandtapped

herontheshoulder.Whenshelookedup,shenoticedwithsomealarmthatthemanhadaworriedlookon

hisface.

“Areyouallright?”sheasked,andheshookoffherconcernirritably.

“I’mfine,I’mfine,”hesaiddismissively.“ButIhavewhatmightbeaverystrangejobforyou.”

“Itranslateforeigncourtdocumentsforyou,Mr.Jannsen.IdoubtIcoulddomuchwithajobthat

youconsiderstrange…”

Heshookhishead.

“IknowyouknowyourjobbetterthanIdo,certainly,butyouaretheonlypersonforthisrequest.”

Forsomereason,alarmbellswerebeginningtogooffinherhead,andsheturnedtofacehimfully.

“What’sgoingon?”sheasked,andhesighed.

“OneofourforeigninvestorshascheckedintoAmsterdamforthefirsttimeinages,”hesaid.

“Theyhadsomequestionsabouttheworkthatyoudoforus,andtheywantyoutocometranslateapiece

ofsomethingorotherforthemattheirhotel.Theywereratherunclear.”

“Do…dotheythinkIdonotdoanadequatejob?”sheaskedindisbelief.“Isthissomekindof

test?”

Hermanagerlookedalittlestartled.

“Notatall.Quitetheopposite,infact.Ithinktheyareveryimpressedwithwhatyouhadtooffer

them,andtheywantyoutotranslatesomethingespeciallyforthem.Atleast,thatwaswhatIgatheredfrom

thesituation.

“Isee,”shesaid.Therewassomethingsuspiciousaboutthewholeaffair,butMr.Jannsenwas

alreadymoving.

“Comeon,powerdownyourworkstationandcomewithme.Thereisacompanycartotakeyou

whereyouneedtogo.”

Blushingalittle,Daniellecouldfeeltheeyesofhercoworkersonher.Therewouldbeplentyinthe

gossipmillalready,andtherewouldbemoreifshedecidedtomakeabiggerscene.

“Ofcourse,”shesaidreluctantly,andshestartedtogatherherthings.

Thecompanycartookhertoatallandeleganthotel,onethatsheknewhadoncebeentheresidence

ofaRenaissancenobleman.Itwasagorgeousbuilding,anddespitehertrepidation,shecouldn’tresist

lookingatthestainedglassandmosaicstonefloorswithawe.

MaybethismeansIamgettingalittlebetter,shethoughtwryly.

Thefrontdeskhadabellboyescortheruptothefourthfloor,wherethemysteryclienthad

apparentlytakenupresidence.

Atthedoor,asshewaspoisedtoknock,thebellboyhandedheranold-fashionedkey.

“Thisisforyou,miss,”hesaidpolitely.“Ourguestsaidforyoutogoinandtomakeyourself

comfortable.”

Shefrowned.

“I’mheretodosometranslationwork,”shesaid,andthebellboynoddedpolitely.Sheremembered

belatedlythatshewasinAmsterdam,andtherewasachancethatthebellboybelievedshewasthe

mysteryclient’spaidentertainment.

Sheblushedalittleatthatbutstraightenedhershoulders.Sheknewthatshewasnothingofthesort,

atleast,andiftheclientthoughtanydifferent,shewouldhavetoteachhimotherwise.

Sheletherselfintotheapartment,lettingthedoorclicklockedbehindher,andshelookedaroundin

curiosity.

TheroomsheenteredwasdecoratedinRenaissancesplendor,themullionedwindowscatchingthe

lastoftheday’ssunlight,therugsrichandthickunderherfeetandclassicalpaintingsonthewalls.There

wasasmalltablenexttothewindowswithasheafofpaperonit,andDaniellewonderedifthatwas

whatshewasherefor.Shedriftedclosertoit,butbeforeshecouldactuallylooktoseewhatitsaid,a

dooropenedbehindher.

“Hello,Danielle,”Farissaidsoftly.

Gasping,shespunonherheel,andifherearsdidn’tbelievethemselves,hereyesbarelycould

either.Thiswasthemanthathadhauntedherdreamsforalmostaquarterofayear,themanwhohad

somehowrippedoutherheartandleftherbleeding.Heenteredtheroomquietly,anddespitethe

desperatesurgeofemotionsinher,shecouldn’thelpbutlongforhim.

Hermemoryhadnotdonehimjustice.Hishairwasasdarkasaraven’swing,andhisblueeyes

werelitwithaflamethatcouldhaveburnedheralive.Shewasfrozenlikeawomanwhohadlooked

backoncetoooften,butwhenhestartedwalkingtowardher,shecouldn’ttakeitanymore.

Withaloudcry,Danielletorehereyesawayfromhim,sprintingtowardthedoor.Shehadonly

gonetwostridesbeforehecaughtherinhisarms,haltinghermadflight.

“Danielle,Danielle,please,don’t…”

“No!’Danielleraged.“No,youcan’tdothistome.Youcan’t!I’mnotsome…sometoyyoucan

playwithandthenbreakwhenInolongerpleaseyou!I’maperson,Ihavemyownlife,youcan’tdothis

tome!”

“Iknowthat,”hesaid,stillholdingontoher.Therewasanoteofsadnessinhisvoicethatshehad

neverheardbefore.“GodinHeaven,IknowthatDanielle,butIneedyoutolistentome…”

“Why?”shecried.“Soyoucanhurtmeagain?”

Heflinchedatthat,buthisgriponherwasstillfirm.

“No.AsItoldyouremployer,IhaveworkthatIneedyoutodo.”

Shewasn’tsurethatanythingcouldhavecutherlegsoutfromunderherthewaythatthisdid.She

wentstillinhisarms,staringupathiminshock.Didhetrulythinkthatafteralltheyhadbeenthrough

togetherthathecouldsimplyaskherforherprofessionaltalentsnow?

“You…havesomeworkforme?”shegotout.

“Ido,”Farisresponded.“Well-payingwork.Onceyoufinishit,youwillbeabletowalkoutof

herewith500,000dollars.”

Shegapedathim.

“Areyouserious?”

“Perfectly.ButDanielle,allyouhavetodoistotranslatethepageofpaperthatyouseeonthe

table.”

“Really.SoifItranslatethat,you’llwire500,000dollarstomyaccount,andIcanwalkoutof

here?”

Farislookedpainedatthat,buthenodded.

“Ifyoufinishtranslatingthepageandwalkoutofhere,youcanhaveallthatmoney,andIswear

thatIwillnevertrytocontactyouorconfrontyouagain.”

“Youswear?”sheasked.

“Onthegraveofmyparents,yes,”hesaid.Therewassomethingpainedinhisface,akindofgrief

thatshehadneverseenbefore,butshedidn’tdarelingertoolong.Daniellehadtheideathatthelonger

shelookedathim,thegreaterthechancethatshewouldsimplybreakdownandthrowherarmsaround

him,tryingtofindanydesperatewayshecouldtofixwhathadgonewrongbetweenthem.

Danielletriedtoremindherselfofallofthepainshehadsufferedduetothisman,butitwas

difficulttorecallitnowinhispresence.Sheknew,though,ifshestayedinhispresence,herdefenses

wouldcrumbleasiftheywerecandyintherain,leavingnothingbehindbutsugarwaterandair.

No,shedecided,thebestwaytodealwiththiswastogetitoverwith,andperhapsafterthat,she

couldstarttohealfromseeinghimagainintheflesh.

“Allright,”shesaidcoldly.“ButafterthisIamdone,andthereisnothingthatyoucandoto

convincemeotherwise.Doyouunderstandme?”

Foramoment,shethoughtthatFariswouldrefuse,butthenheclosedhiseyesandnodded.He

steppedback,asifexpectinghertorun.Sheraisedherchindisdainfullyathim.

“I’mnotgoingtobreakmyword,”shesaid,wonderingifhewasgoingtomakeanotherwild

accusation,butheonlynodded.

“Thetranslation,please,”hesaid.

Shewalkedtowardthetable,keepinganeyeonhimasshedidso.Hesteppedbackonceitbecame

clearshewasnotgoingtorun,butitwasobvioustoseethatFarishadnointentionofleavingtheroom

whileshedidthetranslationjob.Instead,heretreatedtooneofthechairsnearthecoldfireplace.Toher

relief,heturnedhisheadaway,whichmadeherfeelalittlelesswatched,butsheknewthathewasaware

ofhereverymovementthewayshewasofhis.

Allright,shethought.It’sjustonepage.Icantakecareofthis.Icandothis.Afterthat,I’m

goingtogetoutofhere,andIdon’tcareifIamgettingamilliondollarsforitornomoneyforitat

all.

Shewasusedtotypinghertranslationsdirectlyintoacomputer,butinstead,thistime,shecould

seethatshehadbeenpresentedwithcleanpaper,abeautifulfountainpen,andasinglesheetofwritingin

Arabic.SherecognizedFaris’selegantscriptrightaway,andforamoment,shesimplystaredatit,taking

inthecrispandlovelylines.Hewasanartistaswellasabusinessman,sheknew,andherewasthe

evidence.

“Whatdoyouwantthistranslatedinto?”sheasked,andtherewassomethingoddlybrokenabout

hisvoicewhenhereplied.

“English,forpreference.”

“Allright.”

Danielletookherseatandinhaleddeeply.Shecoulddothis.Shecoulddothislikelyinlessthan

thirtyminutes.Afterthat,shewouldbefree,andshewouldbeabletoleavehimandhealherselfasbest

shecould.Rightnowshefeltutterlyshattered,butshehadtobelievethatshecouldhealfromit…

Shelookeddownatthescript,herpeninherhand,andstartedtoread.

MydarlingDanielle…

Shefroze,turningtolookatFaris.Hesatinthechair,hisbackperfectlystraight,staringoffintothe

distance.Ifshelookedclosely,shecouldseeafinetremorthatranthroughouthisframe.Shehadbeenso

goodatreadinghim,butnowshecouldn’ttellwhathewasthinkingonewayoranother.

Danielletookadeepbreath.Shecouldgetthroughthis.

MydarlingDanielle:

IdonothavethewordstotellyouhowsorryIam.WhenIdiscoveredSeif ’slieandyourtruth,I

feltamomentofjoythatIwassowrong,andthenIfelttheweightoftheworldcrushingmethatI

shouldhavehurtyousomuch.

Ihadtofindyouimmediately,butcowardthatIam,thisistheonlywayIcouldfindtotellyou

everythingthatwasinmyheart.

Mylove,Ihavewrongedyou,andIcanonlytellyouthatIamsorryandthatIwillneverever

believesobadlyofyouagain.Ifyouonlygivemethechance,Iwillmakeyouthehappiestwomanin

theworld.

Iloveyou.Iloveyou.Iloveyoubeyondthestarsandmoon,andIwantyoutobemywife.

Forgiveme,marryme,andallmyworldwillbeyours.

Please.

Iloveyou.

Bythetimeshegottotheendoftheletter,tearswereinhereyes.Shestoodup,shakinglikealeaf,

andstumbling,shemadeherwayovertoFaris.

“Well?”heasked,andshecouldseethathedidn’tknowwhattoexpect.Inthatmoment,herheart

brokeforhim,butinsteadofbeingpainful,itwasasifitletinallthelovethatshehadbeenhidingfrom,

thathadhurthersobadlybefore.Thelovefloodedthroughher,andshethrewherarmsaroundhim.

“Youfool,”shesobbed.“Youabsolutefool,Iloveyou.IloveyouwitheverythingIhaveinme…”

Shefelthisarmsgoaroundher,andthenhewaskissingheraswell.Theyheldeachothersotight

theycouldhavebeenoneperson,andthensheheardhimtalking.

“Iloveyou,”hewhisperedoverandoveragain.“Iloveyou,andIwillneverletyougoagain…”

Epilogue

TheMediterraneansunrodehighinthesky,andwhilemostoftheGreeknativeswereoffgettinga

napintheheatoftheday,DanielleandFarishadfoundthemselvesashadyspotundertheprotectionofan

oldruinedwall.Theyhadwalkedforashortwhile,butDaniellewasalreadyfeelingalittletired.

Astheymadethemselvescomfortableonthesoftground,Farispulledacanteenoutofhis

backpack.

“Youshouldhavesomewater,”hesaid,andshegrinnedathim.

“Haveyouevernoticedthatthemorewetravel,themorelikelyitisthatyou’regoingtostart

givingmeorders?”

Farissnorted.

“TheonlyreasonthatIgiveyouordersisbecauseyouaresowretchedattakingcareofyourself

whenweleaveanyareathatdoesnothavevendingmachinesandrestaurants.Nowdrinkyourwater

beforeyoufaintfromdehydration.”

“Sir,yessir,”shesaid,rollinghereyes.Shedrankfromthecanteenthatheprovidedforher,the

waterstartlinglyrefreshing.Shehadtoadmitthathewasright,andshetookseverallightsipsinsteadof

onelonggulp,ashehadtaughthertodo.

Itprobablywouldn’tbeaterribleideatostartbeingmorecarefulanyway,shethought.

Whenshefinishedwiththecanteen,sheturnedaroundtoseethatFariswaspullingoutacoldmeal

ofbread,cheese,andolives.Tothismeal,sheaddedblueberriesandstrawberriesfromherownpack.

Theyateincompanionablesilenceforawhile,thequietcalmandcaring.Shewasjustgettingupher

nervetotellhimwhenFarisspoke.

“IdonotknowifIhaveeverbeenhappierthanIaminthismoment,”hesaidsoftly.

Amused,Daniellelookedaround.

“Sittingnexttoabrokenwallandeatinggoatcheese?”sheasked.

“Well,Icannotdenythatitisverygoodgoatcheese,butIwasmorethinkingofthecompanyandof

theluck.”

Danielleblinked.

“Theluck?”

“Yes.Inmanyways,weareverylucky.Weareluckywemet,weareluckywefellinlove,weare

luckythatwerecoveredfrommyidiocy…”

“Ithoughtweweregoingtostoptalkingaboutthat,”interjectedDanielle,andhesmiled.

“Iwastryingtomakeapoint.Thetruthis,therearesomanythingsthatcouldhavekeptusapart.I

mightnothavegonetoTransgloballookingforatranslator,andevenifIdid,perhapsyouwouldhave

beensick,orperhapswewouldhavemissedeachothersomeotherway.Whatwehave,itisnot

somethingthatissoeasytofind…”

Hepaused,andthenheturnedhisbluegazetoher.Foramoment,shefeltasifshecoulddrownin

him.

“Iloveyou,Danielle,andthislove…itfeelsentirelynewtome.Itfeelsasifthethingthathas

sprungupbetweenuscouldmovemountainsandmaketheriversrunbackward.”

“IwanttopracticesomeFrench,”sheblurtedout,andthensheblushedasFarisstartedtolaugh.

“Woman,Ijustgetdonetellingyouwhatisinmyheart,andyouwanttomakesurethatIstart

improvingmyFrench?”

“YouknowthatIloveyoutoo,soverymuch.Imightnothavethekindofpoetrythatyouhave,butI

feelitrighttothedepthsofmysoul.”

Hislaughgentled,andhegatheredherclose.Whenheplantedagentlekissonthecrownofher

head,shefeltwarmandprotected.Thismanmadeherfeelsaferandhappierthanshehadeverfeltinher

entirelife,andnowshewasgoingtochangeitall.

“Iknowhowyoufeelforme,”hesaidtenderly.“Icanfeelitatnightwhenweresttogether,andI

canfeelitnowwhenyoulookupatme.Onlynow,youwanttohearitinFrench?”

“Well,theydocallitthelanguageoflove,”sheoffered,andhelaughed,shakinghishead.

“Mylittlescholar.Allright.Jet’aime.”

“Well,Iamgladthatyourealizehowtosayyouloveme,andIloveyouaswell,butIwasthinking

ofsomethingalittlemorecomplicated.Here.”

Shereachedintoherbagtopullouthernotepadandpencil.Shehadhadthisplaninhermindall

morning,butnowthatthetimecame,shefeltbutterfliesinherstomach.

“Allright,translatethisintoEnglishforme.”

Shewroteonthepageincleardarkscript,andthensheturnedittowardhim.

Heglancedatthepageandsmiled.

“Thatsays,‘youmakemehappierthanIhaveeverbeenbefore.’”

“Right!Here’sanotherone.”

Shewroteagain,herscriptgettinglessneat.

“‘WhenIamwithyou,Ifeelasifanythingispossible.Ifeelasiftogether,wecanconquerthe

world.’AlittlemoreimperialthanIthoughtyouwouldbe,honestly,butI’lltakeit.”

Shetookthepaperbackwithasmile.Inside,shecouldfeelthatoldnervousnesscomeupagain,but

shesquashedit.Herfearsandinsecuritiesweremostlygonethesedays,buttheycouldstilloccur

sometimes.

“Thisonesays,‘IloveyoumorethanIhaveeverbeenabletoimaginelovinganotherperson.You

completemeinwaysthatIdidn’tevenknowIwaslacking.’”Heglancedather.

“Youknowthatthereisnopartofyouthatislacking,correct?Youareperfect,andyouare

perfectlymine…”

“Youareverykind,andthatwasverygood,”shesaidwithasmile.“Onemore.Thisoneisshort.”

Takingadeepbreath,shewroteagainandhandedittohim.

Hefrowned,andforamoment,shewonderedifshehadoverplayedherhand,orifhisFrench

wasn’tasgoodasshehadthought.

“You…you’repregnant?”heaskedsoftly.

Shecouldn’tspeak.Sheclosedhereyesandnodded.

Withawildcry,hesweptherintohisarms,kissinghersoundly.

“Youmad,amazing,beautifulwoman!”hecried.“Youhavenevermademehappier.Achildforus!

AnheirforAswar!”

Whenhefinallyfinishedsmotheringherinkisses,shesatup,blushing,tearingupwithjoyand

smiling.

“We’regoingtobeparents,”shesaid.“AndIloveyouasmyhusband,butIknowIwillloveyou

moreasmychild’sfather.”

Helookedather,andshecouldseeallthestarsintheskyinhisblueeyes.Therewasamessage

therethatneedednotranslation,buthespokethewordsanyway.

“Iloveyousomuch,Danielle,andthisloveiseternal.”

THEEND

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Document Outline

Table of Contents
Sheikh’s Marriage of Convenience
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
ANOTHER STORY YOU MIGHT LIKE
Sheikh’s Untouched Mistress
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue

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