by Holly Rayner
“I’m getting mixed messages from this metaphor,” Elyse said.
“I’m with you,” Ariana chimed in. “But I do agree that you should go talk to this guy.”
I released a sigh of frustration. “He was model hot, you guys. And really tall. He looked like the kind of guy who would pop up if you googled ‘tall, dark, and handsome.’ The only time I’d ever have enough confidence to approach a guy that attractive would be if I was really drunk and he was taking my order at McDonald’s.”
All of a sudden, Sarah paled. Ariana and Elyse snickered. But it was Heather’s reaction, a tight, lip-biting smile, that let me know the reactions of the other three weren’t due to my unfunny joke.
A feeling a dread settled into my stomach like a lead weight. The faintest whiff of male scent drifted to my nose. It was familiar. Too familiar.
I turned to see the man I’d just been gabbing on about like an excited teenager standing right behind me.
“Hello, ladies,” he said smoothly. He was smiling like a Cheshire cat.
My friends continued to titter among themselves while I stood there, dumbfounded. Heather eventually took the lead on the conversation.
“Hello,” she said. “I think congratulations are in order.”
He chuckled. “Thank you, though your friend should really take the credit for that.” He turned to me and inclined his head. “I failed to introduce myself at the table, and for that I apologize. I’m Sheikh Jalaal Afsal.”
One of the girls gasped. I managed to keep it together, thankfully. “I’m Skyler Monroe,” I said. “These are my friends, Sarah, Heather, Elyse, and Ariana.” I pointed at them without turning around. Part of me was afraid if I blinked he’d be gone, like some sort of fever dream. The other part of me just couldn’t stop looking at his perfect face.
“Do you think I could possibly steal you away for a thank-you drink, Skyler?” Jalaal asked. “I meant to ask you at the table, but you ran away from me.”
I laughed nervously, heat flooding my face. “Uh, it’s my friend’s bachelorette party,” I said. “I don’t know if I—”
“Go!” Sarah interjected, before I could finish my sentence.
I glanced back at her. Her eyes were nearly as wide as the impish grin that cut through her face.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
It all seemed too good to be true. There had to be some reason I couldn’t have a drink with this guy, but Sarah looked anything but apprehensive at the thought of me leaving them.
“Oh my God, yes!” she urged. “Get out of here, Skyler.”
“If you don’t go, I’ll go,” Elyse added.
Ariana nodded along, gobbling up my suitor with her eyes. Heather waggled her eyebrows at me.
Embarrassed, I turned back to Jalaal and offered up an apologetic smile. “I suppose the people have spoken.”
He extended a hand to help me up and I took it, hoping to God my hand wasn’t as sweaty as the back of my neck. The moment our hands touched, I felt an electric current skim through me.
I was excited that Jalaal had come to find me, but everything I’d said about being nervous was true as well. I had no idea how to talk to men anymore. For the most part, I hadn’t wanted to over the past few years. I’d been occupied with raising my son and paying the bills, and I still hadn’t quite gotten over the taint my ex had left.
What kind of dirtbag disappeared when his girlfriend was eight months pregnant with his son? It was a nightmare scenario that had made it hard for me to even think about dating in the years since. If Jackson hadn’t been able to commit to his own flesh and blood, how likely was it that I’d find a man who wanted to commit to me and all of my crazy problems now that I had a son, too?
But I tried not to think about that as Jalaal pulled me to my feet. I thought about him instead—how strong his grip on my hand was, how good he smelled, the way my stomach did a little backflip every time our eyes met. And all that just from him helping me off a darn stool. How was I supposed to get through a drink with him and not turn into a puddle of mush on the floor?
Chapter 5
A light breeze teased through my locks, bringing with it the smells and sounds of a city at play. I gaped at the sight before me, blinking to make sure it wasn’t a mirage.
“Are you sure we’re allowed to be up here?” I asked.
Jalaal looked down at me, a light smile on his face. “Of course,” he said simply.
Grabbing my hand, he pulled me into the garden oasis, and I numbly walked along after him. There was probably more money on this rooftop than there was on my whole street back home. Maybe the whole darn neighborhood.
I’d never known this place existed. I doubted most people did. When Jalaal had told me that the tiny private elevator at the back of the casino was taking us to the roof, I’d pictured steaming vents and a stunning view. I got the stunning view, but otherwise the roof was far beyond my expectations.
“We can drink up here?” I asked as we passed by a spectacular glass-topped bar.
“Of course we can,” Jalaal said, chuckling. “This is Las Vegas.”
I had to remind myself that Jalaal clearly came from great wealth and this was probably just another day for him. We slipped through the palm trees and fountains to a small table hedged in by floral bushes. The perfumed air wrapped around me like a blanket, still warm from a long, sunny day.
A petite brunette appeared before I’d even arranged myself on the seat. She beamed and welcomed us to the VIP rooftop.
“It’s nice to have you back, Sheikh Afsal,” she said. “Just your usual?”
He smiled and gave her a curt nod. “And whatever Ms. Monroe would like.”
I was still absorbing the grandeur of everything around me, and it took me a moment to realize that he was referring to me. I tuned in as soon as the server turned her smile on me.
“I’ll just have a rum and Coke,” I said.
Though her smile didn’t drop, I could tell from her eyes that she knew I didn’t belong. Or perhaps I just felt so out of place that I was attributing feelings to her that she didn’t have. Whatever the case, I felt as if I stuck out like a sore thumb.
Jalaal, on the other hand, was the picture of calm. Being a wealthy sheikh must have desensitized him to this kind of luxury. I wondered what that would be like.
The richest I’d ever been had been back in high school. Before Sam was born. Before college debts. Back when I’d been living with my dad and almost all the money I earned at my crappy grocery store job had been mine to spend as I pleased. During that time, I always had the best hair, the best makeup, the best nails. I treated myself like a princess, or as much of one as I’d ever be able to. I’d thought that once I finished college and got a job I would eventually return to a state where I didn’t owe a ton of money to the government and could afford to splurge a little on myself.
That time never came, though. I finished school and fell straight into motherhood.
But this guy had lived a completely different life. I didn’t know anything about him, but I already suspected he’d never been denied a wish. He probably had a number in his phone he could text to have whatever he wanted delivered to him in thirty minutes or less.
And he wanted to have a drink with me? He was probably just being nice because I helped him at the craps table. Maybe one of his friends had pressured him to go find me and thank me. Maybe he was just incredibly polite. Either way, I wasn’t going to get my hopes up. We were from different worlds. If it wasn’t as glaringly obvious to him as it was to our waitress, I would be very surprised.
After the server walked away to get our drinks, Jalaal fixed me with a kind smile. “You seem nervous,” he said.
The laugh I exhaled came out as more of an amused snort than anything else. “I’m not used to being taken up to rooftop bars by foreign royalty,” I said. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“What are you used to, Skyler?” He studied me, his dark eyes pulling me in like a whirlpool. �
�I take it you’re not from here.”
“Ah, no.” I chuckled. “I’m a nurse. What I’m used to is aching feet and bodily fluids.” Wincing, I added, “Sorry. That’s an overshare.”
But Jalaal only laughed. “I don’t mind. I think it’s interesting.”
“Maybe you can go back to San Diego for me on Monday then,” I joked. “You’d look great in scrubs.”
Jalaal’s eyes flashed with amusement. Before he could say anything else, the server returned with our drinks. I should have guessed that the ultra-prestigious, secret rooftop lounge would have faster service than a world championship tennis match.
“Can I get you anything else, sir?” she asked Jalaal.
He gazed pointedly at me, but I shook my head. “I’m happy with my drink.”
The server smiled and left us. Nervous, I directed my attention back to Jalaal. There was nothing between us now except two drinks and a few feet of empty air. What was I supposed to talk to him about? What could I have to offer a sheikh when it came to conversation?
“So…do you live in Las Vegas?” I asked.
Small talk. Boring but safe.
“I’d much rather talk about you,” he said. “It’s not every day I meet a real-life Lady Luck.”
I blushed and glanced down at my drink. “I’m not that lucky,” I said. “Honestly, I could just as easily have bowled you over and killed you as won you money.”
When I looked back up, Jalaal was smiling at me, exposing two perfectly straight rows of teeth. His smile sent a wave of butterflies galloping through my stomach. Could butterflies gallop? These ones were, anyway.
“I think you underestimate yourself,” he said. “I’m sure there have been plenty of times in your life where your luck has shown through.”
I wanted to tell him how wrong he was. While I loved my son more than anything, the series of events that had led to where I was in life would hardly be considered fortunate by most people. A first, foolish love, a broken condom, a deadbeat boyfriend. Apart from that one serendipitous moment on the casino floor, I’d practically been living from catastrophe to catastrophe.
Not that I would tell Jalaal that.
Wait, should I be telling him about Sam?
In my head, the girls were telling me to let loose and not worry so much. And I did have a habit of worrying my head in. But not worrying would mean not thinking about everything I had to worry about—which meant not thinking about my life in San Diego at all.
“I once won a teddy bear at a county fair,” I offered. “It wasn’t a very big one, mind. And I’m not sure if that counts as lucky since those are technically supposed to be games of skill.”
“I’ll count that,” Jalaal grinned. He took a sip of his drink and leaned back in his chair, slinging one leg casually over the other. I found it hard not to drag my gaze back and forth along his lean form appreciatively. Judging by the fit of his shirt, he had some nice muscles going on under it.
Not that such a thing mattered to San Diego Skyler, a single and decidedly not-looking mother of one. But Las Vegas Skyler was liking the way this guy looked. And she was feeling a little bit more confident now she’d decided to push San Diego Skyler away for a while.
“So what can you tell me about yourself?” I asked. “You might think I’m interesting, but it’s not every day I meet a real-life sheikh.” After a thoughtful pause, I added, “Or any day, for that matter.”
He chuckled, the sound of it rolling over me like waves against a pebbled shore. It was the kind of laugh you couldn’t help but listen to if you overheard it from close by. It made me lament not being funnier, because I knew I’d never be able to get enough of it.
“Sheikhs are hardly difficult to come by in places like this,” he said. “And you could do to find one a little bit more important than me. I’m only fourth in line for the throne. I’ll hardly be getting my own reality show anytime soon.”
“Only fourth in line?” I frowned. “I’m…hmm, what am I?” I began to count on my fingers. After a moment of staring at my hands in fake consternation, I looked up at Jalaal. “I’m only one billionth in line for the throne.”
This time when Jalaal laughed, I wanted to wrap myself in it like a cozy sweater.
“Point taken,” he said, lifting his glass in front of him. “To distant heirs and lucky nurses.”
“Rarely lucky nurses,” I reminded him, raising my glass.
He grinned. “Okay, then. To beautiful nurses and the very lucky distant heirs that get to spend time with them.”
He clinked his glass against mine, taking a sip. I slowly brought my drink to my lips, still in shock from his charming toast and the revelations it contained.
Jalaal wasn’t just being polite. He thought I was beautiful.
The butterflies in my stomach were now doing full-on acrobatics. It was a struggle to keep myself from smiling like a freak and passing out in my chair.
If this was how my night was going to go, maybe I really was lucky.
Maybe I was the luckiest nurse in the whole darn world.
Chapter 6
I meant to leave after having one drink with Jalaal. I was on a girls’ weekend, after all. Not to mention the fact that there was only so long I could suppress San Diego Skyler before she started wondering if her son had gotten to sleep okay and if he missed her as much as she missed him. Honestly, I was surprised I’d managed to keep her at bay so long, and I felt a little guilty about it.
Nobody—and I mean nobody—had ever been able to distract me from thinking about my son for so long. It wasn’t just because Jalaal was a sheikh, either. The pope wouldn’t have been able to hold my attention so well. Jalaal was just so charming and sweet, but he had a real roguish sense of humor that led me to wonder whether he had a little bit of a dark side.
And I hadn’t wondered that about anyone in a long time. Such a long time, in fact, that the thought kind of blindsided me around the same time Jalaal asked me to stay for another drink. It must have frazzled my circuits, because I found myself agreeing.
San Diego Skyler resurfaced and asked Las Vegas Skyler what the hell she was thinking. Where did I think this was going to go? What, were we going to have a few drinks and then decide to go steady? Did I think I’d be introducing him to Sam as his new daddy when I saw him next week?
No.
I didn’t even know where this guy lived, but it definitely wasn’t San Diego. It might not even have been the United States. No bond we created tonight would be long-lasting. Best-case scenario, I found out something horrible that immediately made me not interested in him. Worst-case scenario, I had an amazing night and spent the next few weeks (or months, depending on how amazing) pining over a guy I would never see again.
Not just any guy, mind you, but the first guy since Sam’s dad that I’d felt this strong of an attraction to. And I hadn’t felt it this soon with Sam’s dad, either. I hadn’t felt this attracted to Jackson until after we’d been on three dates.
I’d known Jalaal for less than two hours and was already so invested that my better judgement had been forced to take a backseat to my baser impulses. I wanted him. No amount of better judgement would help me now.
And thus, San Diego Skyler slid silently into the background and Jalaal and I ordered two more rounds of drinks.
It was starting to get late, and I was starting to wonder where this evening would take us. More importantly, where did I want it to take us?
I wasn’t sure. On the one hand, it had been a long time since I’d had this much fun with a guy who wasn’t Sam. But that was also my main issue. What if things ended up moving too fast and I woke up filled with regret?
“Is everything all right, Skyler?”
Jalaal’s honeyed voice coaxed me back to the present. I loved it when he said my name. His accent made it sound like he savored every syllable. I stared at him over our empty glasses, still composing my thoughts in my head.
“Yeah,” I said. “I was just thinking.”
>
“What about?”
I chuckled nervously. “I guess I’m just trying to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my evening.”
“Trying to ditch me already?” His lip quirked up in amusement.
I grinned. “Therein lies the question.” I swirled the straw in my empty glass and took a deep breath. “I think I’d like to grab a nightcap with you, if you’re interested.”
Jalaal smiled approvingly. His dark eyes swept over me and sent a wave of shivers over my skin.
“Would you like to come back to my hotel?” he said. “It’s only a couple blocks away.”
I thought about what my friends would tell me to do. Undoubtedly, all of them would tell me to go. They were probably having more fun without me than they had with me. Wasn’t that proof that I should go with Jalaal, if nothing else?
“I’d like that,” I said. “Lead the way.”
Jalaal’s hotel was just as close as he’d said. As soon as we stepped out onto the strip, I could see it, towering just a block behind the other casinos. It was probably one of the tallest hotels in Vegas—if not the tallest.
I checked the time after texting the others to tell them where I was. It was nearly midnight, and yet all kinds of people still populated the streets. If it wasn’t for the darkness, I wouldn’t have been able to tell if we were nearing twelve a.m. or twelve p.m.
“Las Vegas sure is an interesting place,” I commented.
Jalaal strolled alongside me, one hand in his pocket and the other holding mine. I was trying to act nonchalant about the gesture, but in truth, it had been years since anybody had held my hand like that, and I was positively giddy about it.
“It has its advantages and disadvantages,” he said. “Being able to get ice cream at all hours is definitely a plus.”
“You like ice cream?” I glanced across at him with a grin.
He returned my smile. “Anybody who says they don’t like ice cream is lying. I have that on good authority.”
“Oh yeah? Is that something you learned from your royal connections?”