Page 17 of Sheikh's Virgin Love-Slave

Chapter Seven

She snuck into the kitchen later that night, not sure if she was allowed, but finding it through a sheer mix of desperation and following her nose toward the strong sense of garlic. When she slipped inside, she found three industrial-sized fridges waiting for her. Ducking into one, she pulled out a carton of milk and grabbed a banana that was out on the counter among tons of other fresh fruit.

Sitting at the table, she peeled the banana and bit eagerly into it. Sex often wiped her out, leaving her both literally thirsty and starved. Ravi was sleeping away, but she needed a bit more in her stomach before she could get some rest.

“You look so happy,” the old servant she met on her first day in Dubai noted as he walked into the room.

She nodded back up at the older gentleman. “Thank you. Forgive me, but I forgot your name.”

“Adil. I’ve been watching after Ravi my whole life.”

“Aww, that’s sweet.”

He gave her a small smile and took a seat beside her. “I felt like I needed to say something.”

She looked down at the large t-shirt and boxers she’d stolen for the night from Ravi, glad that she looked decent for a stranger. “I’m sorry. I should have waited for breakfast, but I was hungry.”

“No, that’s quite alright. In fact, if you make a list, we’ll be sure to get you anything you need.” He grinned at her again. “Now that you’re staying, that is.”

She blushed a little and pushed her hair behind her shoulders. “I’m that obvious?”

“You seem to be positively glowing, Ms. Callahan.”

“I am. I just… this is so magical. I know that sounds crazy when it started out with fear and a crazy plane ride, to say the least.”

Adil gave a brusque nod. “Again, understandable.”

“Still, this has been one of the top best days of my life.”

“And I’m glad that for both of you it doesn’t have to end,” the older man said, patting her hand. “I’ve taken care of Ravi since he was little, like I said. I haven’t seen him smile—really smile—since his mother died. It was rare enough even in those days. Any time after his father sent him to military school for high school. It was like the carefree child I knew was slowly replaced with someone else, with someone who found it hurt to breathe, let alone smile.”

A pang struck through Bridget’s heart. She hated that for Ravi, loathed that his father’s expectations had weighed so hard on him, that they seemed to haunt him so even now.

“That’s horrible.”

Adil sighed. “Indeed it was, but the old sheikh had his duties too. Ravi’s a brilliant military strategist and a good sheikh. He has just been someone who was so very lost and seemed to be hunting for something. I can’t promise that you’re it, but I can say this smile is new.”

“Thank you, Adil,” Bridget said, as he stood and turned back to the exit. “I’ll get you that list in the morning. It’ll be good to take those small steps to settle in here.”

“Indeed, and I’ll speak with Kamala. She’ll take you shopping for clothing that is also your taste.”

“That’d be lovely as well,” she said, turning back to her milk and taking a long sip in the darkness.

Her mind swirled with a myriad of thoughts: Is he really feeling what I am, even a little? God, I never felt this way with Kevin, and it’s not just the sex. Of course, he’s great at that, but it’s something else. When he looks at me, it feels like he can see into all of me. It wasn’t just like we were making love—though that’s enough. It’s still so nuts, but it felt almost like souls coming together, like I was meant to be here.

She sipped her milk again and rubbed at the cold liquid still on her lip. “Maybe I do belong here.”

“I assure you that you don’t, American giraffe,” a familiar voice called.

Sabella.

The woman sauntered to the room in nothing more than a nightie. Clearly, the other woman had both no shame and was bothered by no longer being the sheikh’s favorite distraction. Not that Bridget was a distraction, just that it was clear Sabella was jealous and hoping to reclaim her role in the sheikh’s life. Bridget would have to be an idiot not to see that. Of course, the other woman wasn’t playing it subtle either. All she needed was a sandwich board that said “Free Lunch.”

“I don’t need this,” Bridget said, standing up and trying to brush past the Arabian girl.

Sabella planted a hand on her shoulder and held her still. “No, American, hear me out.”

“I don’t have time for this.”

---