Полная версия:
The Sheikh's Baby Scandal
‘I am trying to schedule the finishing touches on his official portrait. The artist is due to go overseas for surgery in a couple of months’ time, so if you could tell Kedah that it is becoming rather pressing?’
‘I shall.’
Then she went through his upcoming agenda, and it was so full that Felicia wondered how on earth he’d had the time to earn his reputation.
‘I shall speak with you again tomorrow.’ Vadia smiled.
Tomorrow was Saturday. Not that a little thing like the weekend seemed to matter in Kedah’s world.
‘If you can just push Kedah for an answer regarding the artist? Also remind him that the next time he’s home we will be arranging the date for his bridal selection.’
As easily as that Vadia slipped it in. In fact she spoke as if she was trying to pin him down for a dental appointment.
‘Bridal selection?’ Felicia checked.
‘Kedah knows.’ Vadia smiled again. ‘Just inform him that his father, the King, wants a date.’
As Vadia disappeared from the screen Felicia sat for a moment, trying to assimilate all she had found out today. While Kedah might insist that his reputation wasn’t an issue, it might prove to be one for any future bride.
Especially if said reputation continued unchecked.
Was that why she was here? Felicia pondered. Was he soon to marry and she was to take charge of his social life here in England?
No way.
Felicia was used to putting out fires—not sitting back and watching them be lit.
* * *
Anu was the gatekeeper to Kedah’s office, and as Felicia walked over to ask her something she saw that she was happily taking her supper break and eating a fragrant meal as she watched the awards show live on the computer.
‘Oh, she won!’ Anu smiled and put down her cutlery, and clapped as Felicia came to her side and watched a pretty young actress take her place on the stage. ‘She’s such a lovely person,’ Anu said. ‘Just genuinely nice!’
Please! Felicia thought, about to point out to Anu that actresses acted, and that was what Miss Pretty was doing right now as she thanked everyone—absolutely everyone...not just God, but her neighbour’s blind cat too—in her little breathless voice.
‘She’s just acting...’ Felicia started, and was about to say what a load of whitewash it all was when Kedah stalked out of his office. ‘I was about to come in and speak with you,’ Felicia said. ‘Vadia needs some dates—’
‘Not now,’ he interrupted. ‘Felicia, can you find out what after-party Beth will be attending and get me on the list? And could you also call The Ritz and have them prepare my suite?’
‘Beth?’ Felicia frowned.
‘The actress who just won that award,’ Kedah said.
‘Do you know her?’ she asked, but he had already disappeared.
‘Not yet.’ Anu smirked as she answered for him.
And the oddest thing of it all was that Anu didn’t seem bothered one bit. Anu—who had looked as if she was chewing lemons all through Felicia’s interview—didn’t seem to mind in the least about Kedah’s wild ways.
The staff at The Ritz were also clearly more than used to him. His suite was already prepared, Felicia found out when she called. And the organisers of the after-party would be delighted to add him to the list. In fact they asked if they could send a car.
‘I’m not sure,’ Felicia said. ‘Can I call you back?’
‘Just check with him,’ Anu suggested, and gestured to his door for Felicia to go in. ‘Though I doubt he’ll want one.’
Felicia knocked and entered and there Kedah was—all showered and cologned, as sexy as sin, as he pulled on a fresh shirt and she got her first glimpse of a heavenly brown and broad chest. Michelangelo had clearly been at that, she thought, as she tried and failed not to notice the fan of silky straight black hair. Straight? Yes, straight, Felicia realised as she glanced down to where his trousers sat low on his hips.
‘The party is all ready for you,’ Felicia said, managing not to clear her throat. ‘They offered to send a car.’
‘Tell them no. I prefer to use my own transport.’
‘Sure.’
His shirt was now done up, and he frowned as he pulled out a tie and saw that Felicia remained. ‘Can you call down for my driver?’
‘Of course,’ Felicia said. ‘But can we quickly discuss a couple of things? Vadia needs a date for your portrait to be finished and also to arrange your bridal selection.’ She watched for his reaction, for Kedah to falter and possibly tell her the real reason she was here, but instead he finished knotting his tie and pulled on his jacket.
‘We can go through all that another time. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
He had that hunter’s look in his eye, and Felicia guessed there was no point talking business now.
Nor brides.
‘Hey, Kedah!’ she called as he went to walk off.
‘What?’ His reply was impatient—there was an after-party for him to get to after all.
‘I don’t think Beth is actually that nice,’ she said, and on his way out he halted. In a matter of fact voice, she explained better. ‘Usually I warn my clients if I think they’re courting trouble...’
Now she had his attention, and she watched as he turned around and walked over to where she stood. She’d expected a question, for him to ask for a little more of what she knew about the woman, but he came right over and faced her, stepped into her personal space.
Too close?
He was a decent distance away, and there was nothing intimidating about his stance, yet her body was on high alert and his fragrance was heavy on her senses. Without saying so, he demanded that her eyes meet his.
‘I’m not your client, Felicia,’ he said, in a voice that held warning. ‘I’m your boss. Got it?’
And she stood there, prickling and indignant, as he put her very firmly in her place.
‘I was just trying to—’
‘I don’t need warnings,’ he said. ‘And, between you and me, I’ve already guessed that Beth is not nice. My intention tonight is to prove it.’
Then he smiled.
Oh, it was a real smile.
Her first!
It stretched his lips and it warmed her inside. It was like ten coffees on waking and it was the moment Felicia discovered the skin behind her knees—because it felt as if he were stroking her there with his long slender fingers, even though his hands were held at his side.
‘Goodnight, Felicia. It was a pleasure to meet you and I’m looking forward to working with you.’
She heard the emphasis on the word working and let out a slightly shrill laugh. ‘Fair enough.’ She put her hands up as if in defence. ‘You don’t need another mother...’
‘I certainly don’t.’
‘But know this,’ Felicia said, and delivered a warning of her own. ‘I shan’t be arranging hotels and after-parties once you’ve chosen your wife.’
He stared at her for the longest time, even opened his mouth to speak, but then he changed his mind.
Kedah did not have to explain himself—and certainly not to a member of staff.
Which Felicia was, he reminded himself.
And a member of staff she would remain, for there were plenty of actresses and supermodels to be had.
‘Be here at seven-thirty tomorrow and don’t be late.’
He stalked out of the office. There was no slamming of the door—he didn’t even bother to close it—but she was as rattled as if he’d banged it shut.
Oh, she would not fall for him.
Yes, if there was a scale for playboys then Kedah would be at the extreme end. The problem was Felicia could easily see why.
It was impossible not to want him.
It was the first time she’d realised she must heed her mother’s advice.
‘Never fall for a bastard. Especially not one who can make you smile.’
And Kedah did.
Oh, he most certainly did.
CHAPTER THREE
FELICIA BRISKLY MADE her way along Dubai’s The Walk, towards the restaurant she had booked for their lunchtime meeting. There was no time to linger, or to take in the delicious view. Kedah’s multiple assistants were kept far too busy for that.
At the age of twenty-six, Felicia Hamilton had a job.
A real one.
Instead of her regular four weeks or so of work for a full year’s pay, and a long pause between jobs, Felicia now found herself working the most ridiculous hours as she travelled the globe with Kedah. Oh, their mode of transport was luxurious—Kedah had his own private jet—but even a mile up in the air there was little downtime. Kedah considered his jet another office, and it was the same at his luxurious hotels.
She’d never have agreed to a year of this had she known.
Except not only had she agreed to it—Felicia herself had been the one to insist on it. He had told her exactly what to expect at the interview. He’d even offered her a trial period, which she’d declined!
Oh, what a fool. Had she taken the trial then she would have been finishing up by now!
Or would she...?
Even after close to eight weeks spent working hard for him Felicia still didn’t believe that Kedah just wanted her as a PA.
She wasn’t even very good at it.
Felicia was the one who generally gave orders. Now each day she stared down the barrel of her to-do list, as did his other assistants. One PA would never be enough for him.
There had to be another reason she was here.
Felicia was trying hard to work it out, but really there was little time for daydreaming. Her schedule was relentless.
She was up at six each day, and it was often close to midnight before she crashed—just as Kedah hit the town with his sweet and oh, so pleasing date of choice for the night.
Felicia honestly didn’t know how he did it.
Since meeting him she was on her second lot of concealer, to hide the shadows under her eyes.
There had been a tiny reprieve last night. Kedah had asked her to book theatre tickets for himself and his latest bimbo—which she had done. But while his absence had given Felicia an early night, she had spent it sulking.
This morning Kedah had been off looking at potential hotel sites, and she had sat in bed on the phone, liaising with his flight crew for their trip to Zazinia tomorrow.
Now she was meeting him for lunch, to go through the agenda for his trip home. There the artist would be able to work on his portrait, and there his father would discuss a wedding with his son.
That had to be the issue, Felicia decided. She was quite sure that Kedah had no desire to marry.
The restaurant she had chosen was dark and cool, and uninviting enough to keep the less than extremely well-heeled away.
‘I have a booking,’ she said. ‘Felicia Hamilton.’
‘Of course.’
When she had booked the restaurant Felicia had told them she was meeting an important guest and would like their very best table. She hadn’t told them just how important her guest was, though.
It was a little game she played, and she smiled as she was led through the stunning restaurant to a gorgeous low table.
Indeed, it was beautiful.
There were plump cushions on the floor and the table was dressed with pale orchids. As she lowered herself onto a cushion she could hear the couple behind her laughing and chatting as she set up her work station.
She took a drink of iced water as she waited for Kedah to arrive, and again tried to fathom what trouble his wedding could pose.
There might be a baby Kedah? Felicia pondered. A pregnant ex, perhaps?
But, no, she was quite sure that Kedah would handle that in his own matter-of-fact way.
What about a pregnant prostitute?
That would surely rock the palace and destroy any chance for Kedah to remain as Crown Prince. Though she couldn’t really imagine Kedah having to pay for sex—or even caring what others thought if he chose to do so.
Felicia took another long sip of iced water. She tended to do that when she thought of Kedah in that way—and she thought of Kedah in that way an awful lot...
Despite her very strict ‘Never mix business with pleasure’ motto, Felicia occasionally indulged in a little flirt with him—or rather, a very intense flirt. And there were odd moments when she felt as if her clothes had just fallen off. He made her feel naked with his eyes, although he was always terribly polite.
Felicia knew she’d have trouble saying no if he so much as crooked a finger in her direction. He hadn’t, though—which was just as well, because he’d be in for a rude shock. There was no way Felicia would turn into one of those simpering Your pleasure is all mine, Kedah women he had a very frequent yen for.
Sweet.
That was the type of women he chose—or rather that was how they appeared until they were dumped. Then it was Felicia who dealt with their angry, tearful outbursts.
She had almost been able to picture Beth, the actress, kicking her neighbour’s blind cat when she’d told her that Kedah would not be taking her calls anymore.
‘Have you thought about a gift?’ Felicia had asked her, while trying to keep a straight face.
Yes, she had found out on her third day of working for Kedah that his aggrieved exes were sent a brochure from which to choose a gift.
No diamonds or pearls from Kedah—jewellery was too personal, of course. But a luxury holiday brochure was theirs to peruse. After all, what better than a week in the South of France or a trip to Mustique to help soothe that wounded heart? The only downside was that Sheikh Kedah would not be there.
He had already moved on to the next.
Beth had chosen to take her broken heart for a little cruise around the Caribbean. Felicia might have told her she’d have stood far more chance of a repeat night with Kedah if she’d told Felicia to pass on to him precisely what he could do with his brochure.
No one ever did.
But, while Kedah seemed at ease with his wretched reputation, there had to be more to why he wanted her nearby than to introduce her to the managers of all his hotels around the globe.
Why did Felicia need to know that the Dubai hotel manager was an anxious sort but a wonderful leader? Why had he taken great pains to have her meet his accounts managers and his team of lawyers?
It just didn’t make sense.
She looked up because, from the rustling and whispers amongst the patrons, it would seem that someone stunning had just arrived—and of course there he was.
She had recovered from the faint-inducing sight of Kedah in a suit, but here in Dubai he wore traditional attire and each day was a delicious surprise to the senses. On this fine day the angels had chosen for him a robe in cool, completely non-virginal white, and such was his beauty and presence that he turned every head as he made his way over.
His keffiyeh was of white-on-white jacquard, with knotted edges, and was seemingly casually tied. He was unshaven, but very neatly so. His lips were thick and sexy, the cupid’s bow at the top so perfect one might be forgiven for thinking it tattooed. But this was all natural. Felicia had inspected that mouth closely enough to be very sure of that.
He looked royal and haughty and utterly beautiful, from his expensive cool head right down to his sexy leather-clad feet. Then his eyes lit on her, and the beautiful mouth relaxed into a warm smile—one that didn’t just light up his features, but his whole being.
Auras were supposed to be indistinguishable, even non-existent, yet Kedah wore his golden glow like a heavy fur coat.
He was a wolf in prince’s clothing. Felicia knew that.
Such delectable clothing, though!
And such a stunning man...
Of course it wasn’t only the women who noted his suave arrival—inevitably the head waiter came dashing over, clearly troubled at the inadequate seating arrangements for such an esteemed guest.
‘You didn’t say that you were dining with Sheikh Kedah,’ he admonished her.
‘I did say I was meeting an important guest,’ Felicia said sweetly.
‘Then please accept our sincere apologies. We have given you the wrong table—it is our mistake. Allow me...’ He was gathering up her phone, her tablet, the whole mini-office that she set up whenever she met with Kedah.
‘Of course.’
Felicia smiled to herself as she was bundled over to a stunning table—one where there was no chance of hearing their neighbours’ conversation. The only sound was the gentle cascade of a fountain, the view of the marina was idyllic, and here the floor was entirely theirs.
‘You played your game again,’ he commented as they sat down opposite the other.
‘I did.’ Felicia nodded, and then met and held his gaze.
His eyes were thickly lashed, and he had a way of looking at her that honestly felt as if she were the only person present on the planet. He gave his absolute full attention in a way that was unlike anybody Felicia had ever known.
‘Why don’t you just say in the first place that you are meeting me?’ he asked, because this happened rather a lot when Felicia booked their meetings.
‘Because I like watching them fluster when you arrive.’
Kedah would like to see Felicia fluster—and yet she was always measured and poised and gave away so little of herself.
He would like to know more.
The thought continually surprised him. Kedah did not get involved with staff, yet over the past few weeks he had found himself wondering more and more about Felicia and what went on in her head.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
Вы ознакомились с фрагментом книги.
Для бесплатного чтения открыта только часть текста.
Приобретайте полный текст книги у нашего партнера:
Полная версия книги