Page 7 of At the Sheikh's Pleasure
“It’s not that easy.I’ve lost the only woman I’ll ever love.”
“You don’t know that.”
Zaire held his brother’s gaze steadily, mustering all the conviction he could, which was a lot.“Yes, I do.”He’d lived with his grief for many years.
Amare pressed his lips together in an expression of regret.It looked like Zaire had got his message across at last.
“Well, whatever,” said Amare, “I’ve made arrangements for you which can’t be undone.”
“Everythingcan be undone,” said Amare indignantly.
“Sure.If you want to upset my wife.She arranged it all for you.”
“You talked to her about me?”Zaire couldn’t believe it.His past was his own business, no one else’s, not even his brothers’.It felt like a betrayal.
“Of course.She wanted to help.”
“I don’tneedhelp.”
He shrugged again.“That’s a matter of opinion.”They glared at each other for a few moments.Then Amare sighed and placed a hand on Zaire’s shoulder.“Look, do what you want.But Janey arranged this for you.”He grinned suddenly, and the squeeze on the shoulder transformed into a playful slap.“Sure go ahead and cancel… if you want to see my beautiful wife’s wrath!”
Zaire scowled.
“Anyway,” said Amare, “we’re off now.We’ll catch up at our weekly video meeting, right?”
“Of course.”
Amare stopped by the door and turned to him, his hand on the door handle.“You willgothough, won’t you?”
Zaire heaved a deep sigh.“Wouldn’t want to incur your wife’s wrath.”Nor, he thought, did he want to offend Amare, his younger brother who, even if he didn’t say it as readily as Amare, he loved with all his heart.
Amare’s smile broadened.“Good.”He nodded, satisfied.“See you then.”
Zaire hadn’t even had time to return to his desk when he heard his assistant outside explaining something to a woman whose voice he instantly recognized.There was a quality to its timbre which struck a chord and affected him physically.
He focused on that voice as he looked down at the desk and the paperwork he should be working on and went to ring for his assistant, but hesitated instead and switched on the camera, which gave him a view of his assistant’s office.He couldn’t help noticing Rosana was wearing something more revealing this morning.Smart trousers topped with a long shirt made of silky stuff, and a scarf flung casually around her head and shoulders, which had loosened as she leaned over the desk and spoke to his assistant.He sat back, put his hands behind his head, and watched the scene unfold, entertained.
“I’mhereto see theking,” she said for the third time through gritted teeth.“As I’ve explained, he’s expecting me.”
His assistant’s expression was suitably impassive as he gave a slight shrug.“I’m sorry, Sheikha, but I have strict instructions not to allow anyone in who doesn’t have an appointment.”
“Then make me one,” she said.
“It’s not as easy as that,” the man said patiently.
Zaire smiled at his assistant’s pleasant stubbornness.He’d see about advancing his career.Anyone who could remain unmoved under Rosana’s fierce glance and commands would go far.
“It’s as easy as entering my name in the diary.I suggest you do it now, or else I’m going to walk right through that door”—she threw her arm, pointing toward the unseen Zaire.Even Zaire flinched a little under the glare she gave him—“with or without an appointment.Let’s see how your king likes that!”
Zaire decided to take pity on his assistant, and buzzed for him to enter.
The door opened, briefly revealing the profile of an annoyed Rosana.She shot him an angry glance before his assistant stepped inside and closed the door on her.In that instant, with her eyes flashing with passion, he knew what he’d do.Besides, it would keep his brothers and new sister-in-law sweet.
“I apologize, Your Highness,” the flustered assistant said.“Sheikha Rosana arrived without an appointment.You’re not scheduled to see her for another hour.”
“That’s fine.I’ll see her, but before I do, I want you to reschedule all my appointments.Delay any deadlines and make sure the rest of the week is clear.I want everything canceled.”
His assistant looked even more flustered.“But the visit by Sheikh?—”
