Page 14 of The Sheik's Kiss

Mandy put her hand on the stack of files. “And these are the candidates that you currently recommend?”

Raven shook her head. “Not exactly,” she replied. “Those are the women that I think have a chance. The plan is, you and I are going to interview each of them and then we’ll combine our insights. Together, we’ll make a final recommendation to Sheik bin Aristi, if that’s okay with you?”

Mandy really liked this woman! “That sounds perfect. How do you normally start this process?”

Together, they discussed a strategy that would bring each of the women to Sidrina for a series of interviews in different settings. “This sounds like a great plan!” Mandy replied, excited for the first time about the project.

A servant appeared in the doorway to the room where she and Raven had set up their work. “Ms. Sullivan, His Highness has requested that you join him for dinner.”

Mandy looked at Raven, then back at the servant. “Why?” she blurted out.

When she turned back to Raven, remembering that the woman studied people’s reactions and body language for a living, she tried to hide her trepidation at seeing the man in question alone. Again. Mandy hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the breakfast they’d shared together less than thirty-six hours before. The man was too charming for her peace of mind and she had made a vow to keep away from him as much as possible. And she didn’t want to see him alone! Alone was dangerous! Perhaps not for him. The man was literally choosing his future wife based off of nothing more than two peoples’ recommendation that she would be a good “fit”.

Mandy already felt a great deal of sympathy for the man’s lonely existence. She didn’t want to compound her newfound sympathy with additional emotions.

“What does he want?”

The servant looked startled and Mandy tried to hide her nervous reaction.

Thankfully, the servant regrouped quickly, and said, “I believe he wants an update on your investigations.”

Mandy held her breath, trying to come to terms with this latest development. Since arriving here in Sidrina, she’d assumed she would be briefing him in conjunction with Raven.

Mandy must have glanced over at her partner because Raven rested a hand on her own stack of files. “I’ll probably brief him tomorrow morning.”

For some reason, that didn’t make her feel any better. She didn’t want to meet with the man privately.

But did she have a choice? Not really. She was his employee and he’d asked for an update. It was her responsibility to update her clients whenever they asked for information.

“Right,” she replied with a small sigh. “I’ll just gather my notes.”

The servant bowed slightly and waited for Mandy to grab her notebook and several of the files. When she glanced over at Raven, Mandy noticed that the other woman’s eyes were narrowed slightly, as if she were contemplating something important.

But after a moment, Raven’s curious expression shifted to a warm smile and she waved goodbye to Mandy. “I’m going to keep working for another half hour or so, then I’ll stop.”

Mandy nodded, but she wasn’t really paying attention to her colleague and, now, friend. Over the past day, Mandy had truly enjoyed Raven’s company and her intelligence. While working so closely together, they sporadically tossed around ideas, and, when Mandy discovered something about one of the candidates’ financial situation, she called it out to Raven, who quickly jotted it down in the file folder as a potential interview question.

Stopping outside of the dining room, Mandy paused to take a slow, steadying breath. When she opened her eyes, it was to find that the servant had already opened the door and the man in question was watching her, amusement lurking in his eyes.

“Does it take that much fortitude to speak with me?” he teased.

Mandy blushed, then forced her feet to carry her into the dining room. “Of course not,” she lied.

“How about a glass of wine before dinner?” he offered. “It might help you get through the meal.”

Mandy froze mid-step, horrified. “I’m not adverse to briefing you on my progress, Your Highness!” she told him earnestly.

“You just need to gird your loins to endure the conversation?”

She sighed, her shoulders slumping forward slightly. “I apologize.” When she looked up at him, she told him the truth. Well, most of the truth. “You’re a very intimidating man, Your Highness. And I’m terrified of making a mistake.”

“Do you often make mistakes?” he asked, plucking the file folders from her arms and handing them to a servant. Another servant stood by with a glass of white wine on a tray. “You struck me as a very meticulous person the last time we spoke.”

She clutched the glass, watching wistfully as the other servant carried her “shield” away. “I am normally very careful, triple checking everything I present to my clients.” She looked up at him. “But you…you’re…” she grinned, her anger at this man evaporating. “You’re terrifying just as a person. I’d be much more comfortable sending you an email with my notes, Your Highness.”

“I’m sure you would be, but where’s the fun in that?”

Chapter 4

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