Page 74 of Defenders of Jawhara

PJ glanced at her boss and friend. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I have a feeling this two-month assignment might be taking on a life of its own. You interested in hanging around Jawhara a little longer? Maybe get better acquainted with their security protocols? Or should I say, security personnel?”

PJ made a face at him. “Spit it out. You saw Talib kiss me, huh?”

“We all did. Khalil was my roommate at Harvard, and I’ve known Talib almost as long. He’s one of the good ones.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “I know the last few years have been hard for you. I have to confess I was really glad when you kicked Greg to the curb. You deserve someone who will make you the center of his universe. Someone who puts your needs and desires at the top of his list. Someone who understands you and shares your likes and dislikes.”

Each point Slade made seemed to direct her right back to Talib. At least, the parts of him she had gotten to know over the last day. It never ceased to amaze her how close two people could become when they were working together during a crisis.

“…someone who you look forward to seeing each morning when you wake up, and someone you can’t wait to see at the end of the day.”

“Someone like Talib?” PJ asked, biting her lip as Slade stopped talking and grinned.I just love doing that to him!

“Yes, as a matter of fact. Talib seems to fit every one of my points. Blaine is going to drive you back to the palace. I’ll see that everything here is wrapped up nice and tight.” He started to walk away, but then turned back to give her a tender look. “Tony would have liked Talib.”

PJ’s eyes widened and tears formed, but she stoically sniffed them back. Swallowing, she nodded in acknowledgement. Turning to see the helo fly just out of sight, she wrapped her arms around herself and then lifted her head to the sky.

Tony, you really would have liked Talib! He’s a lot like you.

When she heard Blaine calling her name, she grabbed her personal things and jumped into the vehicle, anxious to get back to the palace and Talib. She was done entertaining any doubts she might have had about a relationship between the two of them. If he was willing to explore their attraction to each other, she was all in!

They rode back to the palace in silence. The moment they pulled up to the staff entrance, PJ jumped from the vehicle, hearing Blaine’s chuckle follow her as she entered the palace.

The guards on duty waved her through. “His Majesty is waiting for you, Miss Williams,” one of them said.

In the hallway, she stopped to listen. Hearing the echo of male voices to her left, she followed the sound, stepping into a large sitting room a few moments later to see a small gathering of people.

Her eyes searched until they found Talib, and she felt her body relax.

At the sound of someone enter the room, all eyes had turned to see the identity of the newcomer, but PJ only had eyes for one man. He held out a hand to her.

“PJ, come. There is someone I would like you to meet.”

PJ skirted the others in the room, coming to Talib’s side and wishing she had stopped long enough to clean herself up a bit. She had removed the colorful native robe, but that had left her only in her fatigues and a thin T-shirt. She was feeling very underdressed at the moment and hoped she didn’t have too much sand sticking to her.

Talib must have seen the self-doubt in her eyes. “I know you’re probably anxious to shower and clean up after such a long night, but I would like to quickly introduce you to Sheikh Kamal.”

PJ heard the excuse he had already prepared for her and smiled gratefully at him. “It’s a very great honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

Sheikh Kamal took her hand and kissed the back of it. “My family and I are forever in your debt for your part in rescuing Erin.”

“I’m so glad things turned out the way they did. Is she going to be all right?” PJ asked, concern in her voice for the lovely young woman who had suffered so much.

Kamal smiled. “She is resting at the moment. The physician has already been to see her, and she should make a full recovery.”

PJ smiled. “That is good news. I look forward to getting better acquainted with her in the future.”

“I know that you and my Erin will get along very well. She has been ordered to stay in bed for the next twenty-four hours, so she can regain her strength and recover from her dehydration and concussion, so there is no need for you to concern yourself with her security until that time.”

PJ smiled her gratitude. “Thank you. I have to confess I can probably sleep most of that time myself.”

Kamal chuckled. “I will have Talib show you to your chambers. That way you two can update each other on security matters at the same time.”

PJ noticed there seemed to be a twinkle in his eyes when he offered Talib’s assistance, and as Talib took her elbow and escorted her from the room, she wondered if the sheikh wasn’t playing matchmaker just a bit.

She didn’t get a chance to meet the room’s other occupants, but figured there would be plenty of time for that in the days to come.

Talib led her through a series of hallways and staircases before coming to a stop in front of a set of double doors. Pushing them open, PJ was shocked at the luxury that confronted her. Looking at Talib, she slowly stepped inside the room and looked around.

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