Page 46 of Only If You Dare

Chapter Fourteen

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

1:30 pm Gulf Time

Desiree

The humidity in Dubai’s noonday sky sat dense and heavy. After we landed things began to move swiftly. Julian went from relaxed to busy, and his cell phone rang a never-ending beat as we navigated through Dubai to the port of the gulf. His stern professionalism didn’t stop him from being a complete gentleman; opening doors, and offering me breakfast although it was apparent a rigorous work day was ahead of him. I’d had a croissant and cup of lemon water as we continued to move, and now we crossed a deck to board a yacht that was the size of a football field. To say I was impressed was an understatement, but I didn’t want to bubble over in a fit of oohs and ahs, so I held my excitement in.

Still, the enormous vessel astonished me. Julian switched his cell from one ear to the other and checked his wristwatch. The conversation he held didn’t stop his forward advancement. We moved through the hall of the enormous ship traveling below deck to a gorgeous room. Black marble tile covered the floor with specks of white checkered across. A rose gold carpet sat in the middle with a black modern, clean line leather sofa, perched on top. Gold ottomans sat in front of the sofa and the ceiling revealed a double square pattern with a gold chandelier hanging from the center like a bejeweled necklace.

“This is beautiful,” I said almost to myself.

Julian turned giving me a grin as he continued his conversation on the phone. I left his side to take a stroll around the luxurious room. The double doors leading to another area were made of crystal glass. With each part of the great room my eyes landed on, I committed the detail to memory. Words that would spill later in my report shuffled through my thoughts. A beautiful canvas of sixteenth century art adorned the walls. The room was made for royalty, and I almost felt invasive for being there. The double doors opened, and a tall, thin man with a camera hanging on his shoulder sailed through the door. Next to him, Kelsey glided with ease; a clipboard in hand and a scowl on her face. Julian ended his call and spoke to her.

“What is it,” he asked, curious about what caused the normally jubilant woman to frown.

“Sandra’s ill. She ate something that did not sit well with her stomach, and she can’t keep her head out of the commode longer than five minutes. We can’t use her.”

“Where’s Lila?” Julian asked.

Kelsey grimaced. “She missed her flight and won’t make it to Dubai until tomorrow afternoon. We’re missing your leading lady.”

I expected Julian to throw a tantrum. After all, this was his baby. While I reviewed him on the plane, I could tell that he took pride in this endeavor. Most CEO’s in a business like this would probably put everyone in a lineup and fire them all. Not Julian. He was as calm as the light breeze outside the ship. He turned to me; an easy smile registering across his face.

I frowned hoping he wasn’t thinking what I thought he might be. With a few strides, he stood before me, his hands reaching out to couple mine.

“Bella,” his smooth voice cruised. “I need a favor.”

My eyes stretched, but I kept my mouth closed in case my words came out baffled.

“I need you to be my Arabian queen.”

My heart knocked against my chest, and I swallowed bracing myself for what would surely be a fight.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“The models playing the queen’s role are unavailable. I need you,” he said. “If you dare, of course.”

Julian had no idea how his words affected me, but I ignored those tumultuous emotions and pressed forward with my declination.

“I couldn’t possibly. Surely you have someone else that can play the part.”

“I don’t, Bella,” he said.

“You told me you had thirty-two models and others from Dubai,” I pushed.

“They all have their roles. Some are playing other parts while others are their backup. I need you.”

I shook my head. “What about Kelsey? She has to be more capable than me.”

“Kelsey has a million jobs already,” he said. “Por favor hazme Este favor precioso?”

I groaned and shut my eyes. “So this is how you get your way with the ladies?”

A charming smile graced his masculine lips. “No,” he said. “Just you.”

I couldn’t stop my grin, and I was unmistakably sure my cheeks were red. It was nice of him to think I could pull off the look of a model. But the more it sat on my brain, the more terrified I became.

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