Chapter 16
Turkey
“I didn’t think I would be needed on a trip to a country whose culture is so similar to yours,” I say because the way he’s looking at me is getting on my nerves. It’s as if he’s conducting a mental study.
Since I made my counterproposal in his office, Kamal has been acting like this.
About half an hour ago, we disembarked at the private airport in Istanbul, and now we’re in the limousine on our way to the Sheikh’s private residence in Turkey.
I found out during the flight, mostly by overhearing him talk to the head of security rather than being officially informed, that Kamal rarely stays in hotels, except for those of the Caldwell-Oviedo Group[7].
Even then it’s because the CEO of the hotel franchise, Guillermo Oviedo[8], is a personal friend.
In most countries he visits, however, due to the necessary security measures, he maintains residences.
Imagine how crazy it is to own houses in several cities around the world!
I also learned that a simple dinner at a restaurant can turn into an event.
Sintarah’s intelligence service reserves at least five restaurants simultaneously for the same time, and only the Sheikh and his chief bodyguard know which one he will go to.
Additionally, there is a constant change of vehicles in which he travels.
And that’s not all. The food at all the restaurants he possibly visits is inspected by one of the Sheikh’s agents.
In other words, it’s a war operation.
Nevertheless, the restaurants, from what I gathered, basically fight for the opportunity to serve him. A simple note from His Excellency’s press office praising a commercial establishment leads to months-long waiting lists for table reservations.
I fidget restlessly in my seat. For the first time, he didn’t sit next to me in the limousine but across from me.
I watch him in the same way he watches me. Now though, I see the true magnitude of the man I’m working for.
Not the sexy Sheikh who makes my body hot, but the head of a government of a wealthy country.
Suddenly, the proposal I made to him, the idea of setting the rules of the game, seems na?ve and out of place.
What was going through my mind to make me think that I’m a match for someone like him?
Zoe’s intention in advising me was very kind, but it doesn’t mean it will work. Why would Kamal agree to what I offered when there is a line of women like Danna just waiting for his phone call?
“I want the whole weekend,” he says. It’s the first time he’s spoken to me since our exchange in his London office yesterday. “In fact, until we return to England.”
I can’t help but notice that he completely ignored my previous question. “No. Let’s not complicate everything like that. I don’t want to get hurt.”
“I want you for more than just one night. From what I gather, you’re a virgin,” he says, and I turn around, worried about the security head and the driver. “They can’t hear us. Don’t worry.”
“Being worried is the only way I’ll ever be around you, my Sheikh,” I confirm. “But what does that have to do with anything?”
He takes a while to reply, but his gaze is so intense that a shiver runs through my body. “Normally, my sexual appetite is insatiable. With you, I’m certain it will go beyond that.”
I focus on my hands in my lap, unable to believe that we’re having this conversation. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“Look at me, Madeline,” he commands, and I lift my head again to face him. “I don’t want to hurt you. If we’re together for just one day, I’ll take you over and over again. I’m hungry for your body, but I want to give you pleasure, not pain.”
It takes a few seconds for me to understand what he’s saying.
Oh my God!
“It’s only two days. Maybe a little longer, Madeline. No one falls in love so quickly, if that’s your concern.”
That hurts my pride.
Am I really so foolish that I can’t spend about forty-eight hours with a seductive man without completely surrendering?
“If I agree, you have to promise me that when we get back to London after this trip, everything will go back to how it was, or I will quit.”
“I don’t accept ultimatums from anyone.”
“It’s not an ultimatum—it’s the terms of an agreement.
And one more thing: I don’t know how it is usually done in your culture, but even here in Turkey, everything between us will be confined to when we’re alone.
I don’t want to be pointed at as the Sheikh’s mistress in public.
In a few days, I’ll return to my normal life, and I’ll be embarrassed if people think I’m just another name on your list of conquests. ”
“I agree,” he says, but I can tell it’s not easy for him to give in. “Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“I give you my word that after our return to England, I won’t try to seduce you again thinking about just what I want, as long as this agreement remains open for us to revoke in the future.”
“What do you mean?”
“At any time, we can, together, change the rules.”
“Why?”
He doesn’t answer, and I decide I’ve had more than enough of this crazy conversation, so I change the subject.
“Tell me why I needed to accompany you to Turkey. From what I gathered from my research, the culture of this country is more liberal than others of the same religion, very similar to Sintarah’s, in fact.”
“There was no reason to bring you,” he says without preamble, and my mouth drops open.
“Oh!”
“I wanted you by my side. That’s all, Madeline. You’re my employee. I don’t need to justify my actions to request your presence,” he finishes, in that arrogant tone of his.
I stare at him, trying to understand the change in his voice, but his face is unreadable.
Intuition tells me, however, that it has to do with my proposal. Kamal is not used to having his actions determined by others. He likes to call the shots.
It’s tempting to let him take the lead. I’ve discovered that the idea of submitting to the Sheikh excites me, but I need to think about my heart.
I should keep at least one ace up my sleeve for an emergency.