Page 37 of Shâhzâdeh

“Consider my fancy zhoroughly tickled. So we’ve heard of the safety and zhe amenities. What about the other features?”

“There’s his and hers office and closet. Even though you don’t have a her yet, I felt it imperative to mention. Just in case you wanted to have an alternative place to work out of in the home.”

“And where is zhe placement of zhe second office?”

“The lady’s office is further inside the home, near the kitchen and family rooms. The gentleman’s office is toward the front on one side.”

“How large is the primary office?” The more he asked, the more he seemed displeased with the layout. I needed to uncover what the need was that he needed fulfilled.

“What exactly are you asking?”

“Is it large enough to fit more zhan one person?”

The light dawned as I glanced up at the two men in front. “Oh yeah! Sorry I didn’t even think about how you’d want them with you while you worked. There’s more than enough room as the office is connected to the two story library as well. Combined the rooms have a twenty by thirty footprint. Now there is one thing this house doesn’t have.”

“And what is zhat?” He seemed surprised that his every whim wasn’t being met, but I was sure that he would put money toward ensuring this situation was rectified.

“A true guest house. It isn’t far away from the house like I assumed you’d want. It is actually the space over the detached garage. There are eight garage bays and the one closest to the house is where the apartment is. The space is separated by via a motor court that can house a minimum of three more cars comfortably with the garage bays still being able to be fully accessed.”

“How small is it? “Quentin spoke up from the front seat and one glance at Xerxes let me know he wasn’t bothered by Quentin asking or me answering.

I leaned forward to ensure he could hear me. The partition was down, but I didn’t know how well sound traveled between the two spaces. “Not small at all, Quentin. It’s actually a two-story apartment that is set up specifically for the comfort of those who live there. It has four bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with two half baths in each. The set up is for two house staff members to have their own space. There are separate entrances to both levels so you guys don’t have to feel like roommates. The largest bedrooms in each section are king en suites and both units have kitchens and laundry.”

Quentin whistled like he was impressed and was nodding his head like he already approved. “You might need to stay in the country far more than usual, boss. I could get used to living like that.”

Xerxes chuckled next to me as he reclined against the black leather seat that was as soft as the lambskin Chanel bag I’d ogled in Nordstrom’s. “Zhat is zhe whole purpose of zhis move is it not?”

“Boss always making the right moves.” There was an underlying sound of teasing like they were sharing an inside joke.

“Can’t lie, I’m more excited about zhis place now.” Shoaib’s serious voice spoke up then as the car came to a stop. “As long as zhere is a bed for me to lay my head—”

“Speak for yourself, Shoaib! I wanna have some luxury shit, too.” They were fussing like siblings and I thought it was cute to see.

“Well, we’re here, is it okay for us to go in?” Xerxes’ eyes were out of the front and side windows taking in the estate's splendor.

The house was a massive four-level home built entirely of imported limestone. There was a large multi-arched porch supporting an upper balcony that spanned over the front entrance of the house. The driveway was cobblestone that started at the entrance of the gate and ended with a circular portion that would drop you off at the base of the massive front stairway. The landscaped portion of the front yard that wasn’t just grass, trees and road was manicured to mimic a miniature version of a formal French garden.

I pointed out of his side of the car to a circular shrub that was bordered with cobblestone but empty in the middle.

“The space here in the center is plumbed for a fountain that can be pretty significantly sized. The house is an homage to your mother so I thought we, I mean you could have something installed that paid homage to your father’s heritage. I started to research but I didn’t get very far.” Without looking in the mirror, I could feel my face was hot because of how I’d misspoken.

He grinned and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my slip-up or he appreciated the attention to detail he was paying me too much for. “Extremely zhoughtful of you,habibi.”

“Making sure my client is happy and this will hopefully be your forever home.” I smiled trying to play off the embarrassing way I’d included myself in his future. Despite his attraction, he hadn’t harped on it, which made me feel okay with having made a mistake.

“And what about all de unseen melanin in me? How are we representing zhat? Zhis house is decidedly French, pure colonizer.”

I watched the joy his playful challenge brought to his face and I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop my smile. This playful side of Xerxes was even more addictive than the broody one. He was as intoxicating as his scent and each side of him made me only want more. “I thought your swagger would more than speak to the man you are without you having to pay homage to it bluntly.”

Xerxes stared at me so intently but instead of looking away, I boldly stared right back. My pulse ticked up and my body temperature increased, as though his eyes were in control of my internal thermometer. One look immediately made me feverish.

“You have a way wiz words. He can’t even say anyzing against zhat. She’s smoozer zhan you are, boss.”

Xerxes eyes shined like two chocolate diamonds as he stared at me. “It vould seem so, Shoaib. Come, let us enter zhis perfectly designed for me haven so zhat I may marvel at it myself.”

Shoaib was out the door and opening Xerxes’ as he spoke. Xerxes gave me a look that told me I shouldn’t move. Quentin exited the vehicle, his eyes darting around at everything to ensure nothing was hiding in the bushes. The house was a masterpiece. One of the rarest finds in the city and I was lucky enough to have a good relationship with the real estate attorney who let me know it was available.

Obediently, something I never thought I would be again, I waited until Xerxes made his way around the car. My door was opened and his hand was inside the car waiting patiently so he could help me climb down. I placed mine in his and a bolt of pure lust shot through my body. It was so strong my stomach clenched and my shoulders jerked forward slightly.

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