‘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.
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