by Leslie North
Rashid glanced at the clock. He still had some time. He could call Mila, but that would only give her a chance to object.
Instead, he called Ori. The man primarily drove Asad around, but his brother was out of town—and Rashid knew that Ori knew how to keep quiet. After giving him Mila’s address, he headed for the shower.
She might be a little upset at first, but women were easily dazzled. As soon as she saw the dress, she’d be on board. By the end of the night, she’d be putty in his hands.
Mila crossed her arms over her chest and glowered at the gorgeous Sharif. “I’m not wearing that,” she said as she eyed the beautiful amber dress. “I’m not going to a gala. I wouldn’t even be here, except that Sahaar thought it would be insulting if I ignored such a lovely invitation—which I actually consider to be kidnapping.”
Rather than begging, Amira tossed the dress down on the bed and sat on the edge. “My brothers are spoiled,” she said with a shrug. “It’s never occurred to them that they might not get what they want.” She cocked an eye at the other girl and smiled. “I like you. You’re making Rashid’s life difficult, and that’s fun for me.”
“I don’t want to make his life difficult. I don’t want to make his life anything. I just wanted to work for him—I mean, for his company.” Mila sighed and sank into the loveseat that faced the bedroom window. It was bad enough that the driver had firmly requested her presence, but now she was expected to attend some stuffy gala?
“So don’t go for him,” Amira said with a shrug. “Go for me. Liyah is usually the person who makes these events bearable for me, but she’s not attending tonight.” She smiled warmly, the kind of smile that reflected in her eyes. “I’d love for us to be friends.”
Mila softened at that. She hadn’t made many friends in Dubai, and she had liked Amira the few times that they had hung out. From what Liyah had told her, Amira did nothing that wasn’t deliberate. She had a reason for wanting Mila at the gala, and it had nothing to do with being friends, but Liyah had also mentioned that Amira had a big heart. She wouldn’t hurt someone deliberately.
Even as Mila was reminding herself that she could be a little too trusting, she stood and reached for the dress. “You just happened to find this hanging in the back of your closet?” she asked as she let the shimmery fabric flow through her fingers.
“I may have gone shopping. Don’t worry. Rashid paid.” A mischievous look twinkled in Amira’s eye.
Mila shook her head. She had a feeling that she didn’t want to know more.
Amira had an excellent eye. Not only did the off-the-shoulder dress fit every curve as it dipped low over her cleavage and hugged her hips, but the long slit offered a teasing preview of her long legs. Paired with matching amber shoes, the dress was striking against her sun-kissed skin.
Mila felt like a princess.
“There are some perks for having caught the attention of a sheikh,” Amira murmured as she appraised Mila. “You look beautiful.”
“Rashid just wants to be my friend,” Mila protested weakly.
Amira gestured to the vanity in the closet, and Mila sat down. Rashid’s sister began to sweep up her hair.
“If you believe that, you’re more naive than Liyah,” Amira snorted.
For someone who’d had servants catering to her for her whole life, Amira was talented at updos. The woman’s hands expertly brushed through her hair, and Mila closed her eyes and sighed. She’d never really had the money to get her hair done before. Most of her haircuts were at the hands of friends after they’d shared a shot or two, but feeling Amira’s hands massage her scalp and gently stroke through her hair was luxurious. She relaxed and submitted herself.
Before Mila knew it, she looked every bit as elegant as the Sharif princess herself. Her hair fell in curling tendrils from a sophisticated twist, framing her face.
“Perfect,” Amira said with a satisfied smile. “Now, how about some sexy smoky eye shadow and dark cat-eye eyeliner?”
Mila frowned. “How about just something natural? I’m not really into the whole show-stopper make-up.”
“Fine,” Amira said as she rolled her eyes and sighed. “But I’m picking the lipstick and eye-shadow color.”
“I can live with that. I think.”
Amira turned out to be just as good with makeup as she was with hair. When she finished, Mila looked like the kind of woman who enjoyed an elegant lifestyle. Her eyes had just a subtle hint of amber glitter, her skin was smooth and had a slight glow, and her lips were full with a dark and sexy hue.
“You just have to trust me. I will always know best,” Amira boasted as she dressed herself in a gorgeous maroon gown. “You were born to be a show stopper. You just needed the right touch. My touch.”
“So modest,” Mila joked.
A guard waited outside the door to escort the ladies to the gala at the Armani hotel. A car pulled around front, and Mila followed her friend in. Belatedly, she thought to ask, “What’s the gala for?”
Amira frowned as she adjusted the skirts of her dress on the seat and waved her hand. “The birthday party for the Kattans’ oldest daughter. She’s turning eighteen.” She pushed a button near the lights on the ceiling and the partition between them and the chauffer and the guard moved up.
Mira’s mouth dropped open. “Eighteen? When I turned eighteen, we bought a pack of cigarettes from the local gas station and went to see a movie.”
“You smoke?”
“No. We just did it because we could. I wouldn’t even have been able to imagine having a birthday party at a luxury hotel with the wealthiest families in the city on the guest list.”
Amira smiled bitterly. “I think that your birthday celebration sounds the more entertaining of the two. You were able to spend it with friends. You were celebrated. These lavish affairs are nothing more than another excuse for the wealthy to show off and rub elbows. I guarantee most of them won’t even speak to the guest of honor. I don’t even know her name.”
“That’s awful,” Mila said quietly, and she meant it. She knew that there was a darker side to the lives of the rich and famous, but she’d never thought that she’d be experiencing it.
“I know it’s hard for you to understand, but Rashid and I, and my two brothers, we’ve been brought up a certain way. Rashid is acting the only way that he knows how. It’s all about public image, and that’s all he’s going to show you. If you pry deep enough, you’ll learn who Rashid really is, and then you’ll know if he might actually be a man you can respect.” Amira reached over and squeezed her hand. “I would love if we were closer to you.”
Mila couldn’t help but wonder if this was the Amira who had been raised to protect her family, or if this was the Amira that Liyah always talked about.
Still, she couldn’t fault the girl’s words. Rashid wore a mask, and the question was whether Mila wanted to be patient enough to reveal the man underneath.
The car pulled up to the front of the luxury hotel, and an usher opened the door. To her surprise, there were no reporters when she stepped out, and for that, she was grateful. There was already wild speculation about her relationship with Rashid. What would happen if people knew that she was socializing with Amira?
The hotel ballroom was filled with people she only recognized from television. Politicians, models, celebrities, and royalty alike rubbed elbows. Mila stood in shock as she glanced around. The fanciest thing that Mila had ever been to had been Liyah’s wedding, and Liyah had insisted that it be kept small. Of course, small for the Sharif family was still two hundred people.
“Mila. You look beautiful,” Rashid said in a low voice behind her. She closed her eyes for a moment and let the compliment wrap itself around her. She still hadn’t forgiven him for the stunt he’d pulled yesterday, but she couldn’t lie to herself. There was something strong between them.
She just wasn’t sure what it might be. Amira reached over and squeezed her hand. “I see someone that I want to speak with. Enjoy yourself.”
“Don’t—“ Mila bit her tongue as her new friend abandoned her. She felt exposed, knowing that Rashid was right behind her.
Slowly turning, she propped her hand up on her hip and studied him. The man was dangerous in a tuxedo, sexy as sin, and based on that smile, he knew it, too. It did nothing to stop Mila’s heart from skipping a beat as she struggled to hold on to her indignation. “Most people call to invite someone to a party. Send an e-vite. In the old days, you actually got a card. But you—” she eyed him narrowly. “You send a car and a driver to kidnap me. Couldn’t do the dirty work yourself?”
“I knew you were upset, and I wanted to show you a good time that didn’t involve any cameras. This seemed like the best way to do it.” He didn’t exactly offer an apology, but he did present his arm.
Knowing how bad it would look if she caused a scene, she accepted it. “You thought a pretty dress and celebrities would turn my head?” she whispered as they wove their way through the crowd.
“I was hoping that I might turn your head,” he said with a devilish grin. “A romantic atmosphere is always a good start.”
He reached out and snagged a glass of champagne to hand to her before getting one of his own.
She took a grateful sip and hoped the bubbles would soothe her nerves. She felt jumpy tonight. “A romantic atmosphere is a candlelight dinner. This is just showing off.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Not to mention, I’m crashing the birthday party of someone I’ve never even met.” Remembering Amira’s confession, she suddenly wondered if Rashid himself had ever met the birthday girl.
Rashid stopped suddenly and gazed down at her. “If there is anyone in this room that I would like to impress, it would be you, Mila. I would like your approval, and that’s not something I usually have to seek with most people.”
Her heart started to pitter-patter, and she took another sip of her champagne to try and hide her reaction. She was supposed to be annoyed with him, not charmed. Seeing a well-known Hollywood star in the middle of one laughing group of celebrators, she brightened. “Do you think Brad Pitt is here, too?” she whispered excitedly.
An annoyed expression crossed his face, and she couldn’t help giggling.
“I do love it when you smile,” he said as he shook his head.
Their path through the ballroom was cut short when two men stepped into their path.
Mila recognized them immediately. “Asad!” She reached out and hugged him. “How’s Liyah? I feel like I haven’t spoken to her in a week!”
“You and me both,” he answered in his deep voice as he hugged her back. “She gets in the library, and I have to drag her out just to remind her to eat.”
“Khalid!” Mila smiled warmly at the youngest brother. He was the most reserved of the three, quiet and attentive. From what she could tell, only his brothers brought out the playful side that he kept hidden from the world. He was the mysterious heartthrob in the family. His devastating good looks had most of the women in the city yearning for him. “It’s good to see you again.”
He graced her with a small smile. “You too, Mila.”
“Is my brother showing you a good time?” Asad asked. His voice was cold as he eyed Rashid.
Mila frowned. “Well, I just got here, so we haven’t gotten very far. In fact, we haven’t even made it to the buffet table, and I’m starving.”
Rashid tightened his grip around her waist. “You heard her. She’s starving. It wouldn’t be polite to keep the lady waiting.”
There was tension in the air, and Mila tried to figure out what was happening. Just when she thought that Asad was going to say something else, he looked around and relaxed. “Mila, I hope you enjoy the party. I don’t suppose you’ve seen Amira around anywhere, have you?”
“She went her own way,” Mila said as she scanned the crowd. It was hard to spot the beauty in the midst of the glitz and glamour. “I’m sure she found something to entertain her.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Asad said under his breath. “Sometimes it’s difficult to keep her in line—but then, it runs in the family.”
Rashid just smirked and gently pushed Mila forward. “Good luck finding her, brother.”
As they walked away, she glanced over her shoulder. “What was that all about?”
“Nothing for you to worry about. I just want you to have a good time.”
Mila’s stomach rumbled as they got closer to the buffet table. She practically salivated over the delicious-looking chicken kabobs, falafel balls, sambousak pockets, grilled veggies, and roasted chickpeas. Soon, with Rashid’s charm and wit, she was able to relax and forget all about the uncomfortable confrontation, and she didn’t find it hard to do exactly as he asked. Once again, she had a wonderful time with Rashid. He pulled her close while they danced and whispered compliments in her ear. The feel of his breath on her ear was enough to make her heart skip a beat, and she closed her eyes and let his warmth embrace her.
She spied Amira a few times, dancing with her many admirers and laughing. Amira winked a few times when Mila caught her eye, but she didn’t interrupt. Mila had a suspicious feeling that this had been her plan all along. Force her to the party so she could enjoy Rashid.
Her companion stowed away his usual commanding attitude and politely introduced her to friends of the family, but they never lingered long enough in one place to really have a conversation. Her mind whirled with new names and faces, and when she asked Rashid to slow down, he pulled her back onto the dance floor.
“Just enjoy, Mila,” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her close. “Just enjoy the night.”
Leaning closer to him, she did just that.
6
At the end of the evening, Rashid walked Mila out to the car. He could feel the change in her. Her expression was softer when she gazed at him, and her smile seemed more genuine.
It was a huge step in the right direction. As much as he wanted her in his bed, he didn’t want to push it.
Amira was already waiting in the car, and she tapped the imaginary watch on her wrist.
He rolled his eyes at his sister and pointedly turned his back on the car, smiling down at Mila. “I’m glad you joined me,” he said softly as he swept a strand of hair behind Mila’s ear. “I can honestly say that this is the most fun that I’ve had at one of these galas in a long time.”
She graced him with a beautiful smile. “I can definitely say that it’s the best time I’ve ever had at a gala.”
“It’s your first one,” he pointed out with a chuckle.
“You don’t know that. I might be the kind of woman who crashes galas all the time.”
“It would not surprise me,” he murmured.
Her lips parted just a little, and he wondered what she would do if he leaned in and kissed her. He was dying to learn her taste. Instead, he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her open palm.
Her eyes widened, and he brushed his thumb over her wrist. “Sweet dreams, Mila.”
The driver opened the door, and Rashid stepped back. Mila looked at him for a second, an unreadable expression on her face, before she slid into the back seat next to his sister.
He watched the car pull away and felt the aching tug of desire.
It was becoming less and less about wanting her as a wife and more about simply wanting her.
As he headed back to the gala, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him roughly aside. It was his big brother, of course. “We need to talk,” Asad growled. He pushed Rashid into the back prep room, where the catering staff looked up in surprise. “Give us a minute,” he barked.
The staff hurried out, and Rashid shook his head as he shrugged out of his brother’s grip. “Always ordering people around.” He pointedly looked around. “Is this going to take long? People are going to be hungry.”
Asad ignored him. “Mila is off limits,” he growled. “I shouldn’t even have to tell you that. For fuck’s sake, she’s Liyah’s best friend. Have yo
u lost your mind? She’s all over the television.”
“You don’t have the right to tell me who I can and can’t date,” Rashid said coolly. “You told me to find a wife. Who would better understand the concept of a marriage of convenience than your wife’s best friend?”
“So you just want to make a bad situation worse, is that it? We both know that you’re not going to be faithful to your wife. You’re just using Mila to get back at me for pushing you into this. Not only is she too brazen to make a good sheikha wife, but I would not let you hurt her,” Asad hissed.
Rashid pulled his arm back and hit Asad square in the jaw.
His older brother toppled over and crashed into a cart of dishes. Plates flew off and shattered. The door to the kitchen opened just a little, and two servants cautiously peered through. They surveyed the mess, exchanged looks, and shook their heads in disgust before ducking back into the kitchen again.
Rashid drew himself up to his full height and waited for Asad’s response. “Because you’re such a role model when it comes to choosing wives,” Rashid spat. “You put your own wife through hell before you married her, so don’t you dare lecture me.”
Deep down, he knew that Asad was right. He had only chosen Mila to piss Asad off, but he didn’t like the thought of someone saying that Mila wouldn’t make the perfect sheikha. Just because she wasn’t gentle and sweet like Liyah didn’t mean that she wasn’t still one hell of a woman.
Asad pushed himself up and squared off. Before the two men could go any further, the door to the hall opened again, and Khalid walked in. He took in the scene and the aggressive posture of both his brothers and shook his head. “Compose yourselves. Our presence has been requested.”
“We’ll pick this up later,” Asad growled.
“There’s nothing to pick up. We’re done. Next time, think twice before you make an ill-natured comment about Mila.” Rashid brushed past Asad and followed his younger brother out.
Duty, it seemed, came before everything. Before conflict. Before family.