Chapter 13
I was lost in the kiss. Completely. I’m startled when I hear a woman’s voice saying something about being replaced.
I try to free myself from the Sheikh’s arms, but he tightens his grip, his hand resting on the nape of my neck.
I lift my head to look at him. “What’s going on, Kamal?”
“Ah, Kamal! She calls him by his first name. Cute! I thought she was just your assistant.”
“Go away, Danna. You’re clearly drunk, and you’ll regret making such a ridiculous scene,” he says.
“Please, let me go,” I plead because I’m so ashamed. Only then does he loosen his arms.
“This has nothing to do with us, Madeline.”
“You’re partially right. It has nothing to do with me, but it has everything to do with you, Your Excellency.”
I start to walk away, but I hear the woman’s voice saying, “How could you replace me with that baby, Kamal? She’s just a child!”
I walk back into the hall and find the Sheikh’s head of security standing right at the entrance of the terrace, ready.
“How do I get a taxi?” I ask.
“You shouldn’t go anywhere until His Excellency, Sheikh Kamal, authorizes it, Miss Turner.”
I was already upset before, but the man’s arrogance just irritates me even more.
I turn away and accidentally bump into someone.
“Excuse me. I wasn’t paying attention,” I say.
“It’s alright, Madeline. I enjoy having you in my arms.”
When I lift my head, I see it’s Prince Zarif. “Oh! I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“Are we doing this again? Just Zarif, beautiful.”
“Alright. Anyway, I need to pay more attention to where I’m going. It seems like a kind of curse to keep bumping into the men of your family.”
“Where were you rushing off to?”
“Trying to get a taxi to go home. I asked the Sheikh’s security chief, but he refused to help me.”
“Because he’s afraid of Kamal. By the way, where’s my brother who didn’t arrange for you to go home?”
I scowl. “He’s on the balcony, arguing with an ex-girlfriend.”
He smiles, but I stop him with a hand gesture. “With all due respect, I’m not in the mood for jokes.”
“Hey, I came in peace. Do you really want to leave?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then come with me. I’ll take you.”
He tries to hold my hand, but I pull away. Regardless of what happened, I arrived with Kamal. I’m not going to leave holding hands with his brother.
I see him pick up his phone and talk to someone.
In less than five minutes, we’re on the street and a limousine—identical to the one I shared with the Sheikh—is waiting for us.
I get into the car, fasten my seatbelt, and look out the window.
Zarif remains silent for a while, then he says, “You seem like a good girl, Madeline, so I’ll give you some advice: don’t fall in love with Kamal. Or any of us, for that matter.”
I face him. “I have no intention of falling in love with your brother. In fact, not with any member of your family.”
“Then what was that inside?”
“Temporary insanity.”
He seems like he’s going to ask more but changes the subject. “Who was the ex-girlfriend you mentioned?”
“I have no idea, but she said your brother wasted no time in replacing her.”
“Redhead?”
“Yes.”
“Danna Spencer-Harris.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s none of my business.”
“It shouldn’t be your business because, in theory, you’re just my brother’s assistant, but it’s obvious that it’s become your business.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“No problem. Just don’t forget what I told you.
If you ever decide to get involved with Kamal, remember that contrary to how he may seem, he won’t change his mind.
The one-month deadline he imposes on his girlfriends is never extended.
At least, it hasn’t been to this day. My brother puts on a Western facade, but he’s very traditional.
He’ll only marry someone from our country. ”
I look out the window again, feeling stupid for playing the role I promised I wouldn’t— just another fangirl among the Sheikh’s harem.
However, I still have time to fix this mess and keep my pride and my heart intact.
Zarif doesn’t say another word, and I’m very grateful for that.
Twenty minutes later, we park in front of my building.
The driver opens the door for me, but the prince gets out first. When I step out, I see two other vehicles with security guards, in a smaller group than the ones accompanying the Sheikh.
He follows me to the building’s entrance. “Will you be alright?”
“I survived my mother, Your Highness. I can handle almost anything.”
“Almost?”
I shrug. “Everyone has a weak spot.”
“You’re right. Just don’t let yours be my brother.”
I nod. “Thank you for bringing me,” I say and enter the building without looking back.
In the elevator, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Nothing in my appearance would reveal the turmoil I feel inside.
God, I let him kiss me.
Not only did I let him, but I melted into his arms.
If his kiss is that amazing, how would making love to him feel?
It wasn’t Kamal’s ex-girlfriend’s arrival that made me so angry. I never thought he was a saint. The problem was what she said.
I felt cheap, just another addition to a man’s collection, whose only concern is to be sexually satisfied. I don’t want to lose respect for myself. If he’s incapable of starting a relationship without a deadline, I’d rather not even try.
I’m digging in my handbag for the card with the code to unlock the apartment when I notice my phone lighting up with a text.
Kamal: You shouldn’t have left without me, Madeline. It won’t happen again.
Still very upset, I’m tempted to reply wondering what would happen if I defied him. But first and foremost, he’s my boss, so I swallow my anger and answer.
Me: As you wish, Your Excellency.