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The Sheikh's Baby Scandal
CAROL MARINELLI


Pregnant…by the playboy sheikh!Playboy sheikh Kedah of Zazinia has loved every minute he’s spent earning his outrageous reputation! But about to claim the throne, and with a list of prospective brides being prepared, Kedah knows he must soon accept his royal duty…A scorching night with his poised assistant Felicia Hamilton seems the perfect distraction—and her cool beauty masks a desire Kedah is hungering to ignite! But even Kedah isn’t prepared for the biggest scandal of all, when their one night together leaves Felicia pregnant with his baby!







Pregnant...by the playboy sheikh!

Playboy sheikh Kedah of Zazinia has loved every minute he’s spent earning his outrageous reputation! But about to claim the throne, and with a list of prospective brides being prepared, Kedah knows he must soon accept his royal duty...

A scorching night with his poised assistant, Felicia Hamilton, seems the perfect distraction—and her cool beauty masks a desire Kedah is hungering to ignite! But even Kedah isn’t prepared for the biggest scandal of all, when their one night together leaves Felicia pregnant with his baby!


‘Why don’t you just say in the first place that you are meeting me?’

‘I like watching them fluster.’

Kedah would like to see Felicia fluster—just a little—but she was always so measured and poised and gave away so little of herself.

He would like to know more.

The thought surprised him. Kedah did not fraternise with his staff, and yet over the past few weeks he had found himself wondering more and more about Felicia and what went on in her head.

It was a pretty head—one that was usually framed with shoulder-length hair—but today it was worn up. It was too severe on her. Or was it that she’d lost a little weight? He could see that she’d put on some make-up in an attempt to hide the smudges under her eyes.

Gorgeous eyes, Kedah thought. They regularly changed shade. Today they were an inviting sea-green, but he would not be diving in.


One Night With Consequences

When one night…leads to pregnancy!

When succumbing to a night of unbridled desire it’s impossible to think past the morning after!

But, with the sheets barely settled, that little blue line appears on the pregnancy test and it doesn’t take long to realise that one night of white-hot passion has turned into a lifetime of consequences!

Only one question remains:

How do you tell a man you’ve just met that you’re about to share more than just his bed?

Find out in:

Her Nine Month Confession by Kim Lawrence

An Heir Fit for a King by Abby Green

Larenzo’s Christmas Baby by Kate Hewitt

Illicit Night with the Greek by Susanna Carr

A Vow to Secure His Legacy by Annie West

Bound to the Tuscan Billionaire by Susan Stephens

The Shock Cassano Baby by Andie Brock

The Greek’s Nine-Month Redemption by Maisey Yates

An Heir to Make A Marriage by Abby Green

Crowned for the Prince’s Heir by Sharon Kendrick

Look for more One Night With Consequences coming soon!


The Sheikh’s Baby Scandal

Carol Marinelli






www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


CAROL MARINELLI recently filled in a form asking for her job title. Thrilled to be able to put down her answer, she put ‘writer’. Then it asked what Carol did for relaxation and she put down the truth—‘writing’. The third question asked for her hobbies. Well, not wanting to look obsessed, she crossed her fingers and answered ‘swimming’—but, given that the chlorine in the pool does terrible things to her highlights—I’m sure you can guess the real answer!


Contents

Cover (#u8e5cbd7a-b6b0-5aae-9cf0-2b64d99749b8)

Back Cover Text (#u4b5249d1-3944-5046-9d23-915aba4ac663)

Introduction (#u0737f510-232f-5b2f-bc44-9d08182a6398)

One Night With Consequences

Title Page (#uce3dcb80-925a-54d7-9453-1ca00d805dc6)

About the Author (#u4a3f9624-010a-53fa-a6fe-7159841dfa96)

PROLOGUE (#ufa217798-6adf-559f-a064-4efcf753ce5b)

CHAPTER ONE (#u2132e7b7-1a96-5463-bc80-e6b3fd46b85c)

CHAPTER TWO (#u4232364d-2e29-5432-bc32-4e9a8a3842e0)

CHAPTER THREE (#u1732b65a-ccb8-5228-9e33-8d5b3df2729d)

CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)


PROLOGUE (#ulink_5fbf2a90-6f30-5911-99d5-8c34c822c609)

‘KEDAH, WHERE ARE YOU? That’s enough, now!’

The royal nanny was getting exasperated as she again called out to her small charge, but Kedah had no intention of being found—he was having far too much fun!

Kedah could see the nanny’s feet go past as he hid behind the large statue that she had checked just a few seconds ago. He could run like greased lightning, and he smothered his laughter as she now moved towards the grand staircase.

‘Kedah!’ The nanny was sounding very cross. As well she might—Kedah was a handful.

The people of Zazinia adored him, though, and they would all be lined up outside the palace hoping to get a glimpse of him. Usually there was just a small crowd when the royal plane landed but, thanks to the cheeky young Prince, the numbers had grown of late.

Never had there been more interest in a young royal. Kedah’s chocolate-brown eyes were flecked with gold and his winning smile had drawn rapt attention from the moment the first photographer had captured it. In their eyes he could do no wrong—in fact, Kedah’s boisterous boyish ways only served to endear him further to the public. He was as beautiful as he was wild, they often said, and it would seem that he could not stand still.

He tried to!

For the people of Zazinia, a dreary parade was made so much more entertaining when they watched little Kedah’s attempts to obey the stern commands that were delivered out of the side of his father’s mouth.

Just a few weeks ago there had been a procession, and Kedah had had to remain still for the best part of an hour. But he had quickly grown bored.

‘Control him!’ Omar, the Crown Prince had said to Rina, his wife, for the King had started to get cross.

It was so hard to control him, though.

When his mother had warned him to stand still, Kedah had merely smiled up at her and then held out his arms to be lifted. Rina had tried to ignore him—but, really, who could resist? In the end she had complied. Kedah had chatted away to her, despite being gently hushed. She had smiled affectionately and put her hand up to his little fat cheek, looked him in the eye. She’d told him to behave for just a few more moments, and that then it would be time to return to the palace.

The King’s silent disapproval had been felt all around. He did not approve of his son’s young wife, and certainly he felt that children should be seen and not heard. Omar had been tense, Rina had done her best to appease all, and yet Kedah had chosen to be impervious to the strained atmosphere and turned his attention to the crowd.

They had all been staring at him, so he’d smiled and waved to them. It had been such a break from the usually austere and remote royal shows that the gathered crowd had melted en masse and, quite simply, adored him. Kedah was funny—and terribly cheeky. He had so much energy to burn that he was the work of five children, and the royal nanny struggled with this particular charge!

‘Kedah!’ she called out now, to thin air. ‘I need to get you bathed and dressed so that you can go and greet your father and the King.’

He crouched lower behind the statue and did not respond. He was not particularly looking forward to the senior royals’ return. They had been gone for a few days and the palace felt so much more relaxed without them. His mother seemed to laugh more, and even the staff were happier without the King around.

Neither did Kedah want to change out of his play clothes just so he could watch a plane land and his grumpy father and grandfather get out. And so, as the nanny sped down stairs in search of him, Kedah ran from behind the statue and tried to plan his next move.

Usually he would hide in the library, but on this day he ran somewhere he should not. Jaddi, his grandfather, had his own wing, and there were no guards there today—which meant that he was free to explore. But his eager footsteps came to a halt midway there. Even though his grandfather was away, Jaddi was intimidating enough that Kedah chose not to continue. And so, at the last moment, he changed his mind and turned and ran to the Crown Prince’s wing, where his parents resided.

There were no guards there either.

To the left there were offices that ran the length of the corridor, and to the right was the entrance to his parents’ private residence.

Kedah rarely entered it. His parents generally came and visited him in the nursery or the playroom.

Knowing that he would be told off if he disturbed his mother from her nap, for a second he considered the balcony—but then chose to run to the offices instead. He had long ago kicked off his sandals, so his bare feet made barely a sound.

Even though he was in a rush to find a hiding place, Kedah stopped for a moment and looked up at the portraits, as he always did when he was here.

They fascinated him.

He looked along the row of Crown Princes gone by. All were imposing-looking men, dressed in warrior robes with their hands on the hilt of their swords. All stared down at him with cool grey eyes and grim expressions.

He looked at a younger version of his grandfather, the King, and then he looked at his father.

They looked so stern.

One day, his mother had told him, his portrait would hang there, for he was born to be King. ‘And you will be such a good king, Kedah. I know that you shall listen to your people.’

He had heard the brittle edge to his mother’s voice as she’d gazed up at the portraits. ‘Why don’t they smile?’ Kedah had asked.

‘Because being Crown Prince is a serious thing.’

‘I don’t want it, then!’ Kedah had laughed.

Now he looked away from the portraits and ran to a meeting room that had several desks. He went to hide under one, sure that he would not be found there.

Or perhaps he would, for there were noises coming from behind a large wooden door and he recognised his mother’s voice as she called out. He knew that that was his father’s private office, and wondered why she would be in there.

And then he heard a low cry.

It sounded as if his mother was hurt, and Kedah’s expression changed from happy to a look of concern as he heard muffled sobs and moans.

His father had told him to take care of his mother while he was away. Even at this tender age, Kedah knew that people worried about her, for Rina could be unpredictable at times.

He came out from under the desk and stood wondering what he should do. He knew that the door handles were too high for him. For a moment he considered running to alert the royal nanny that his mother sounded distressed, but then he changed his mind. Often his mother wept, and it did not seem to endear her to the staff nor to the rest of the royal family.

And so, instead of getting help, Kedah selected a chair and started to drag it across the room. The chair was made of the same wood as the heavy door, and it felt like ages until he had got it close enough to climb upon it and attempt to turn the handle on the office door.

‘Ummu...?’ Kedah called out to his mother as he climbed onto the chair and turned the heavy handle. ‘Ummu?’ he said again as the door swung open.

But then he frowned, because his mother seemed to be sitting on the desk and yet she was being held in Abdal’s arms.

‘Intadihr!’

His mother shouted that Kedah was to stay where he was, and she and Abdal moved out of his line of sight. Kedah did as he was told. He was not sure what was happening, but a moment or so later Abdal walked past on his way out.

Kedah had never really liked him. Abdal was always cross whenever Kedah came to the offices and pleaded with his mother to take him for a walk. It was as if he didn’t want the young Prince around.

Kedah stared at Abdal’s departing back as the man walked quickly along the corridor and then, still standing on the chair, he turned and looked to his mother. Rina was flustered, and she smoothed down her robe as she walked towards him.

Kedah did not hold his arms out to be lifted. ‘Why was Abdal here?’ he asked. ‘Where are the guards?’

There were no flies on Kedah—not even at that young age.

‘It’s okay,’ Rina said as she lifted him, unyielding, from the chair. ‘Mummy was upset and didn’t want anyone to see. I was crying.’

‘Why?’ Kedah asked as he took in his mother’s features. Her face was all red and, yes, he had heard her sob. ‘Why are you always sad?’

‘Because I miss my homeland sometimes, Kedah. Abdal is also from there. He is here to ease the transition and to help our two countries unite. Abdal understands how difficult it can be to get the King to agree to any changes. We were trying to come up with a way that will please all the people.’

Kedah just stared back at his mother as she hurriedly spoke on.

‘Your father would be very upset if he knew that I had been crying while he was away. He is tired of arguing with the King and he has enough on his plate, so it is better not to tell him. It is better that you don’t tell anyone what you just saw.’

Kedah stared into her eyes more deeply and tried to read her. His mother did not look sad. If anything, she looked scared, and that had his heart tightening in a fear for her that he didn’t understand.

‘I don’t want you to be unhappy.’

‘Then I shan’t be,’ Rina said, and brought a hand up to Kedah’s face and cupped his taut cheek. ‘After all, I have so much to give thanks for—I have a beautiful son and a wonderful home...’

‘So don’t you cry again,’ Kedah said, and those gorgeous chocolate-brown eyes of his narrowed. He removed his mother’s hand from his cheek and looked right into his mother’s eyes. For one so very young, he spoke with command. ‘Ever!’

‘Kedah, there you are...’

They both turned to the sound of the royal nanny’s voice, and he did not understand why the nanny stammered and blushed as she apologised to Her Royal Highness for losing sight of her young charge.

‘I’ve been looking for him all over the palace.’

‘It’s fine,’ Rina said, handing Kedah over. ‘We’ll say no more about it.’

A little while later his father and the King returned, and life went as before.

Kedah continued to be boisterous, and yet from that day there was a defiant edge to his antics. From then on those brown eyes narrowed if anyone got too close. He kept his own counsel and he trusted no one.

A few years later his brother was born and that signalled happier times, for Mohammed was a model child.

Weary of the wilder young Prince, the King insisted he be schooled overseas, and little Kedah attended a boarding school in London. He somehow knew that he held a secret that, if ever revealed, might well destroy not only the people he loved but the kingdom his family ruled.

And as he matured Kedah knew how dire the consequences would be for his mother. If her infidelity was exposed she would be shamed, and the King would have no choice but to divorce her and separate her from her sons.

But secrets had ways of seeping out through even the most heavily guarded walls. Servants gossiped amongst themselves as children played at their feet, and royal nannies eventually married and indulged in pillow talk of their own. Rumours spread wide when they were carried on desert winds—and returned multiplied, of course.

And as Kedah grew, and returned to Zazinia during term breaks, the portraits fascinated him for a different reason.

Perhaps what was being said was true and he was not his father’s son. After all, he looked nothing like any of them.

But his doubts were not because of the rumours that refused to fade with the passage of time—Kedah knew what he had seen.


CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_d67f7a50-567f-58eb-a35a-029fb27e4a2a)

YOU NEED FELICIA HAMILTON.

Crown Prince Sheikh Kedah of Zazinia had always made sure that he needed no one.

He was reliant only on himself.

That late afternoon he sat in his London office and rolled a rare spherical diamond between the pads of his index finger and thumb as he read a newspaper article on his computer. When there was a knock on the door and he called for Anu to come in he saw that she looked rather tense. He wondered if she had read the article too.

What was being discussed in it would distress her, he knew. She had been a loyal member of his team for a number of years and was also from his homeland. She would understand how damning this article was.

‘Ms Hamilton is here for her interview,’ Anu said, and her lips pursed a little.

‘Send her in, then.’

‘She asked for a few moments to freshen up.’

Oh, Anu tried, but she could not hold her protests in. All the staff who came into contact with Kedah had a preliminary interview with Anu first. Yesterday she had met with Felicia, and found the young woman did not tick any of the usual boxes that might get her through to a second round interview. She lacked hospitality experience—though she made up for it in attitude—and that would never do when working for Kedah. He was not exactly known for consulting with his staff. He had a packed schedule and he expected his team to work quietly and seamlessly in the background—which was something Anu could not see happening with Miss Hamilton.

Anu had reported this to him yesterday, and yet Kedah had told her to call Felicia back and invite her to come in this afternoon.

‘Kedah, I really don’t think that she is suitable to work as your PA.’

‘Anu, I understand that you have concerns, and they have been noted. Can you please alert me when Miss Hamilton decides that she is ready?’

As the door closed behind Anu, Kedah replaced the diamond in the inside pocket of his jacket and returned to the news article that he had been reading.

It was in English. No one from his homeland would dare to publish such a piece. Not yet.

Heir (not so) Apparent!

Beneath the daring title there was a picture of Kedah, wearing a suit and tie and a rich, arrogant smile. It spoke of the recent death of Kedah’s grandfather and how, now that Omar was King, certain difficult topics needed to be raised. It briefly discussed Kedah’s British education and subsequent jet-set lifestyle and playboy reputation. It mentioned how, at thirty, he still showed no sign of settling down.

The article also spoke about his younger brother Mohammed and his wife Kumu and their two sons. Unlike Kedah, Mohammed had been schooled in Zazinia, and there was a considerable faction in the country who considered that, for stability, Mohammed would make a more suitable Crown Prince and subsequent King. The article stated that some of the elders were now calling for the Accession Council to meet and for a final decision to be made.

At the end of the piece there was a photo of Mohammed and Omar, but most damning of all was the caption below: Like Father, Like Son.

Apart from the years that separated them, Mohammed and Omar were identical—not just in looks but in their staid, old-fashioned ways.

The only change that Omar had made while Crown Prince had been an update to the education system. Over the years Kedah had made no progress with his father either. Kedah was a highly skilled architect, yet every design he’d submitted had been rejected and every suggestion he’d made either immediately turned down or later overruled.

He had hoped, now that his grandfather was dead, that things might change, but his latest proposal for a stunning waterfront hotel and shopping complex had been rejected too.

His father had pointed out that the new building would look onto the private royal beach.

‘There are ways around that,’ Kedah had insisted. ‘If you would just let me—’

‘The decision is final, Kedah,’ the King had interrupted. ‘I have discussed it at length with the elders...’

‘And you have discussed it at length with Mohammed,’ Kedah had said. ‘I hear that he was very vocal in his criticism of my plans.’

‘I listen to all sides.’

‘Well, you should listen to me first,’ Kedah had said. ‘Mohammed is not the Crown Prince.’

‘Mohammed is the one who is here.’

‘I have told you—I will not live in Zazinia if I am to be ineffectual.’

Kedah turned off his computer so he did not have to see the offensive article.

Earlier today, when it had first appeared, he had called Vadia, his assistant in Zazinia, and had been assured that it would be pulled down from the internet. There was no denying, though, that things were coming to a head. Even before their grandfather’s death Mohammed had decided that he would make a better Crown Prince and future King. Many of the elders thought the same, and—as the article had stated—there was a strong push for a meeting of the Accession Council to discuss the future of the royal family formally.

His father would have the final say, but rather than declaring outright that he would prefer his younger son to be King one day, Omar seemed to be pushing Kedah into stepping aside.

Kedah refused to.

Instead he was busy making plans.

He had many rich and influential friends, and he knew a lot of bad boys too. Matteo Di Sione was both. He had a reputation that rivalled even Kedah’s.

They had met up in New York a couple of weeks ago—and not by chance. Kedah hadn’t told Matteo the issue, just that he was expecting turbulent times ahead and needed someone tough who could handle things. Matteo had made some discreet enquiries on his friend’s behalf and had come back to Kedah with his findings.

You need Felicia Hamilton.

Kedah glanced at the time. Usually a potential employee who arrived late for an interview and then asked for time to freshen up wouldn’t even make it through the door of his office.

What the hell was she doing? he wondered.

* * *

She was reading.

Felicia hadn’t actually intended to keep Sheikh Kedah waiting for quite so long. The West End was gridlocked—thanks to a red carpet awards show taking place tonight, the taxi driver had told her. So Felicia, sitting in the back and doing some final research on Kedah on her way to the interview, had decided to walk the last couple of blocks. But then a very interesting article had turned up on her tablet and, after arriving at his impressive office, she’d wanted a few more moments to go through it.

Now perhaps she understood why she had been called back after that disastrous interview yesterday. Anu had spoken to her as if Felicia wanted to work for Kedah—a real job, so to speak—and after an awkward twenty minutes, during which it had become increasingly clear that Felicia was not the type Sheikh Kedah employed, the two women had parted ways.

Still, her phone had rung this morning and Felicia had smiled to herself when she had been invited to return and meet with the man himself. Of course Kedah didn’t want a PA—it was her troubleshooting skills he required.

Now she knew why!

It would seem that Crown Prince Sheikh Kedah of Zazinia was fighting for the throne—and Felicia was now sure he wanted to commence the clean-up of his reputation.

From what she knew of him, it would take more than industrial strength bleach!

If there was a scale for playboys, then Kedah was at the extreme top. In fact his partying ways were legendary.

How the mighty fell!

Today this oh, so arrogant man would reveal his troubles to Felicia. Of course she would look suitably unshocked as he did so, and assure him that whatever trouble he was in she could sort it.

Felicia was very good at her job because she had been doing it all her life.

She had been taught to smile for the cameras alongside Susannah, her long-suffering mother, long before she could even walk. She had on many occasions sat in the family lounge with spin doctors and PR people as they had debated how her father’s multiple affairs and the trashy headlines and exposés should best be dealt with.

There had even been times when they had come to her school. Felicia could remember sitting in the headmaster’s office with her parents, being reminded that cameras would be on them when they left. She had been told what to do as they walked, as a family, to the waiting car.

‘Remember to smile, Felicia.’

‘Susannah, hold his hand as you walk to the car and don’t forget to laugh when he whispers to you.’

And her mother had done as she was told. Susannah had done everything that had been asked of her. But in the end it had all been to no avail. When Felicia was fourteen her father had decided to update to a younger model and had walked out on them.

A legal wrangle had ensued.

The lovely private boarding school that had been such a haven for her had disappeared when the school fees hadn’t been paid, and with it had gone Felicia’s friends and her beloved pony.

Susannah had fallen apart, and it had been up to her daughter to be strong. They had rented a small house while waiting for the money to be sorted out and Felicia had enrolled in the local school—but she hadn’t fit in. Her dreams of being a vet had long gone by then, and she’d left school at sixteen. She had taken an office job to help with the rent.

Those days were gone now.

Felicia was highly sought-after, and her troubleshooting talents were coveted by the rich and famous. Her mother lived in a house that Felicia had bought and paid for, and Felicia owned her own flat.

Some questioned how she could defend these men—but, really, Felicia was just doing what she’d been taught.

The only difference was that now she was paid.

And paid handsomely.

She ran a comb through her dark blonde hair, touched up her lip gloss and added a slick of mascara to bring out the green of her eyes. As she headed out Anu told her to take a seat. Guessing the newspaper article would soon be taken down, she took a few quick screenshots on her phone as Sheikh Kedah now kept her waiting.

Oh, well! She had done the same to him.

Working with this type of man, Felicia had found that it was terribly important to establish early on that his ego had to be put aside and that from this point on she ran the show. It was even more vital to establish that they weren’t suddenly best friends and, given the reputations of the men she dealt with, to make it clear they would never be lovers.

Felicia would be very nice at first, of course, while he told her what was going on, but then her smile would fade and she’d tell him what had to be done if he wanted to come out of this intact.

The truth was that Felicia despised these men.

She just knew, from wretched experience, how to deal with them.

‘You might want to put your phone away,’ Anu suggested.

Felicia was about to decline politely when a rich, deep and heavily accented voice spoke for her.

‘I’m sure Ms Hamilton is just keeping up to date with the news.’

She looked up.

She had prepared thoroughly for this moment—determined not to let such a superfluous thing as his stunning looks sideswipe her. She had examined many photos to render herself immune to him. Only no photograph could fully capture the beauty of Sheikh Kedah in the flesh.

He was wearing an exquisitely cut dark suit and tie, but they were mere details for she had little interest in his attire. And it was not the caramel of his skin against his white shirt or his thick glossy black hair that forced her to try to remember to breathe. Nor was it cheekbones that looked as if Michelangelo himself had spent a couple of days sculpting them to perfection. Even sulky full lips that did not smile hardly mattered, for Felicia was caught in the trap of his eyes.

They were thickly lashed and a rich shade of chocolate-brown with golden flecks and—unlike most of her clients—he met her gaze steadily.

Oh, she was extremely good at her job. For, despite the jolt to her senses, Felicia did not let her reaction reveal itself to him and instead stood up, utterly composed.

‘Come through,’ he said.

And she smiled.

Widely.

She had a smile that took men’s breath away. It was a smile so seemingly open that hardened reporters would thrust their microphones a little closer and their lenses would zoom in, so certain were they that it would waver.

It never did.

And long ago she had trained herself not to blush.

‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ Felicia said as she walked towards him. ‘The traffic was terrible.’

He almost forgave her, for in turn Felicia was not what Kedah had been expecting. He had thought, given she had been invited for a formal second interview, that she would be in a suit, but Felicia looked rather more like a lady who lunched and was wearing a pretty off-white dress.

It was fitted enough that it showed her slender frame and pert bust, while short enough to reveal her toned legs. She was wearing high-heeled strappy sandals and looked nothing like the hard-nosed woman he had been prepared for. In fact she was as delicate-looking as she was pretty. She was so soft and smiling that Kedah was quite sure Matteo had got it all wrong.

Felicia Hamilton was the very last person he needed. Moreover, she was exactly the soft and submissive type he desired!

Naturally he had looked her up and had seen a picture of her in a boxy suit with her hair worn up. She had been coming out of court, with a terribly famous and thoroughly disgraced sportsman by her side. She had spoken for him and her voice had been crisp and to the point.

Today Kedah had expected brittle, and yet there was a softness to her that confused him. Her hair was long and layered and framed a heart-shaped face, and her fragrance was light and floral, meeting his nostrils as he held the door open for her and she passed him.

‘Please...’ Kedah gestured. ‘Take a seat.’

Felicia did so, placing her bag by her side and crossing her legs at the ankles. Though he seemed utterly composed, Felicia was prepared for anything. Often the door had barely closed before her future client broke down. ‘For God’s sake, Felicia, you have to help me!’ they all too often begged. ‘You have to stop this from getting out!’

Yes—client.

Oh, she might call them her boss when she was in front of the camera lens but, as Kedah would soon find out, it was Felicia who was in charge.

Yet instead of begging for her help Kedah calmly offered refreshments.

‘No, thank you.’

‘You’re sure?’ he checked.

‘Quite sure. I had a late lunch.’

And his troubles would be a very sweet dessert!

He walked around the desk and took his place and Felicia ran a tongue over her glossed lips as she waited for him to reveal the salacious truth.

‘You come highly recommended.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Ms Hamilton?’ he checked. ‘Or can I call you Felicia?’

‘Felicia’s fine,’ she offered. ‘How would you like me to address you?’

‘Kedah.’

She nodded.

They went through the formalities. He told her he was an esteemed architect, which of course she already knew.

‘I used to sell them off, but now once I design a hotel I tend to hold on to it,’ Kedah explained needlessly.

She just wished he’d get to the point.

‘So I have a fleet of hotels across the world, which in turn means I have a lot of staff...’

Felicia nodded and wished they could lose the charade and get to the good bit.

‘Do you have much experience in the hospitality industry?’ he asked.

Felicia frowned. She’d expected a confessional—to sit, seemingly non-judgmental, as he poured out his past—yet he seemed to be actually interviewing her.

‘Not really. Though of course I’ve stayed in an awful lot of hotels!’

Oh, she had. And if Kedah was going on word of mouth then he’d know that she worked for just a few weeks a year.

He didn’t even deign to smile at her small joke.

‘As I hope Anu explained, the role would involve extensive travel. If you work for me the hours will be very long. Sometimes there are eighteen-hour days. If we are away you would also work weekends. Do you have other commitments?’

‘My current employer is my only commitment,’ Felicia answered. It was the truth—whatever his crisis, it would have her full attention.

‘Good.’ Kedah nodded. ‘How soon would you be able to start?’

‘As soon as the contract is signed.’ Felicia smiled. ‘I trust Anu gave you my terms?’

‘Indeed she did.’

Felicia Hamilton commanded quite a fee.

‘What about your personal life?’ he asked.

‘That’s not your concern,’ Felicia answered.

‘Be sure to keep it that way,’ Kedah said. ‘I don’t want to hear that your boyfriend is upset because you missed his birthday, or that your mother-in-law has surgery next week and you need some time off. Care factor? Zero.’

Felicia’s response was to laugh, and for once it was genuine. Honesty had been somewhat lacking in her life, and she would far prefer the truth than a dressed-up lie.

And now she waited—how she waited—for that cool facade to crack and for Kedah to admit that he had royally stuffed up and needed his past to disappear. But instead he spoke of hotels and designs, and she stifled a yawn as he told her about Hussain, a graphic designer he regularly used.

‘He’s excellent. He actually studied with my father many years ago. We have worked on many designs together—mainly in the UAE.’

Felicia stifled another yawn.

‘Why don’t I show you some examples of my work—as well as a few of the hotels we shall be visiting in the coming weeks?’ Kedah said, and then dimmed the lights.

Felicia wondered for a brief second if refreshments might be in order after all. Was she about to get a private screening of the trouble Sheikh Kedah was in? A steamy sex tape? The Crown Prince bound and gagged in a seedy encounter, perhaps?

Kedah watched that tongue pop out and moisten those lovely lips as she sat straight in the chair, giving him her full attention.

Then he smiled unseen as her shoulders slumped and she sat through the forty-minute presentation that took her through some of his luxury hotels. She fought to keep her eyes from crossing as she watched it.

What the hell...?

‘Do you have any questions?’ Kedah invited as he flicked on the lights.

No! She just wanted him to cut to the chase and reveal the truth. ‘Not at this stage,’ she said.

‘There must be things that you want to ask me?’ he invited. ‘Surely you have come prepared? You will have looked me up?’

‘Of course I have.’

‘What do you think your role might entail?’ he asked as he went through her file.

Maybe he was shy, Felicia thought. Though that made no sense. He looked far from shy. But perhaps he needed a little help revealing his dark truths, so she decided to broach things gently. ‘I would guess, from my research, that I’ll be running a dating agency with only one man on the books,’ Felicia said, and watched him closely for a reaction.

Kedah merely looked up from the papers and stared back at her as she continued.

‘Though of course rather more discreetly than my predecessors.’

‘Discreetly?’ Kedah frowned.

‘You tend to hit the glossies rather a lot.’

‘That’s hardly my staff’s fault.’

‘Well, they should monitor what’s said. If a woman’s upset...’

‘As far as my sex life goes, you would just have to deal with the bookings and the brochure, Felicia...’

‘Brochure?

He didn’t enlighten her. ‘What I am saying is that you do not police comments or apologise on my behalf. I am quite grateful for “the glossies”, as you call them, for if women expect anything more from me than a night in bed, possibly two, then that is their own foolish mistake. They cannot say they haven’t been duly warned.’

No, not shy, Felicia decided as he continued to speak.

‘But I do expect discretion from all who work for me. Naturally you will have to sign a confidentiality agreement.’

‘I told Anu yesterday that I shan’t.’

Kedah, who had gone back to going through the papers, glanced up.

‘Nobody would employ a PA without one.’

‘If you look through my references you’ll see that they do.’ She gave him a smile, as if she was asking if he took sugar with his coffee—one lump or two? ‘You either trust me or you don’t.’

‘I don’t,’ he responded. ‘Though please don’t take it personally. I don’t trust anyone.’

‘Good, because neither do I.’

Kedah was fast realising there was nothing apart from her appearance that was delicate. She was actually rather fascinating, and any doubts he might have had about her being up to the job were starting to fade.

He had no intention of telling her his situation just yet, of course, but he had decided that he wanted her onside. ‘We can’t go any further without you signing one.’

‘Well, we can’t go any further, then,’ she said, and reached for her bag.

He didn’t halt her.

‘Thank you for wasting my time,’ she added, and gave him another flash of that stunning smile.

Kedah noted that it didn’t quite reach her eyes. They were a dazzling emerald-green—a shade that was one of a forest reflected on a lake...emerald, yet glacial.

He watched, quietly amused, as she began to flounce off.

‘Sit down, Felicia.’

There was such command to his tone that it stopped her.

His voice wasn’t remotely raised. If anything his words were delivered with an almost bored calm. But he might as well have reached for a lasso, for it was as if something had just wrapped around her. Oh, Felicia heard his words—yet she felt them at the base of her spine, and it tingled as he continued speaking.

‘I haven’t finished with you yet.’


CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_91d0d9fc-02e5-5064-8e9a-cedeecec03d6)

IF EVER A voice belonged in the bedroom, it was Kedah’s.

Not just a bedroom.

A boardroom would do nicely too.

For the second time in an hour Felicia was transported to that headmaster’s office—but it was a far nicer version this time!

He was utterly potent. She almost wanted to keep walking towards the door, just for the giddy pleasure of finding out that she had a scruff to her neck as he hauled her back.

What she could not know was that the very controlled Sheikh Kedah was actually thinking along the same lines.

Felicia was absolutely his type.

He stared at the back of her head and then took in her rigid shoulders, let his dark eyes run the length of her spine. Her face was heart-shaped, and so too were her buttocks, and his eyes rested there for a moment too long.

Then he forced them away.

Kedah did not need the complication of a fake PA who turned him on.

He liked softness on his pillow and sweet, batting eyes, and he didn’t care if his women lied as they simpered.

It was, after all, just a game.

And then he thought of the games he might play with Felicia.

He wanted to haul her to his knee and give her the job description as he ravished that mouth.

Know my hotels inside out, meet my staff, handle the press, and keep my world floating as I fight for my title. Now, let’s go to bed.

Of course he did not say that.

This was business, and Kedah was determined it would remain so.

‘Take a seat,’ he said.

Felicia breathed out through her nostrils as he mentally undressed her. She felt as if he had even seen what colour knickers she had on. Flesh-coloured, actually. Not because she was boring, she wanted to hasten to add, but because of the white dress.

Oh, help!

And though common sense told her to leave now, to get out while she still could and most definitely should, neither had Felicia finished with him.

She wanted to know why he’d brought her here. She was positive that he didn’t really want her working as his PA. So she turned around.

‘Why are you so against signing a confidentiality agreement?’ he asked, in such a measured tone that Felicia wondered if she’d misread the crackling tension.

‘They’re pointless.’ She fought for professionalism and cleared her throat as the interview resumed. ‘If, as you’ve stated, you trust no one, then a confidentiality agreement, no matter how watertight, cannot protect you.’

‘It offers some level of security.’

‘Well, it doesn’t for me,’ Felicia responded. ‘What if something is leaked and you assume that I was the source?’

He didn’t answer.

‘I’m pretty unshockable, but what if you do something abhorrent?’ she challenged. ‘Am I supposed to turn a blind eye just because I’ve signed up for silence?’

‘I’m bad,’ Kedah said. ‘Not evil.’

That made her smile, and this time it reached those stunning cold eyes.

‘Sit down,’ he said again. ‘We can discuss it at the end of your trial.’

‘There’s nothing further to discuss on that subject—and also I don’t do trials.’ Felicia did sit down again, though. ‘A one-year contract is the minimum I’ll sign.’

‘I might not need you for a year.’

That was the first real hint that there was more going on here. Maybe he felt awkward about telling her about his past—but that made no sense. There was nothing chaste about that blistering gaze. Perhaps there was something big about to come out? A huge scandal about to hit?

Felicia was tired of playing games. She wanted to know what she was getting into before she signed.

‘Kedah, I’m not a defence lawyer.’

He simply stared back at her as she spoke, and she thought that never before had she had a client so able to meet her gaze.

‘You can tell me whatever it is that’s going on.’

Still he said nothing.

‘I’m quite sure I already know.’

‘Do tell,’ he offered.

‘I think you need me to restore your reputation,’ she told him. ‘And I can. Let me get to work, and in a matter of weeks I’ll have you looking like an altar boy,’

‘I hope not.’

‘So do I...’

She faltered. Her voice had dropped to a smoky level that had no place at work—actually no place in her life till this point. Felicia dated, but she preferred the safe comfort of feeling lukewarm to this feeling of being speared on the end of a fondue stick and dipped at his whim.

She cleared her throat. ‘Well, an altar boy might be pushing things, but if there’s anything you’re worried about...’

‘Worrying is a pointless pursuit—and, as I thought I’d made clear, I’m fine with my reputation,’ Kedah answered smoothly, and although his expression did not display even a trace of amusement Felicia felt as if he was laughing at her. ‘In fact I’ve loved every minute that I’ve spent earning it.’

Kedah was entranced, for Felicia hadn’t so much as blinked, nor had she blushed, and he decided then that she was hired.

‘Okay, no confidentiality agreement. But mess with me, Felicia, and I will deal with you outside of the law.’

Now she blushed—but at a point far lower on her body than her face. She was about to make some glib comment about being tipped over his knee but rather rapidly changed her mind.

‘Six months,’ Kedah said.

‘A year,’ she refuted. ‘And when I’m no longer needed you pay out the rest of my contract and I’ll be on my way.’

‘Is that what generally happens?’ For a moment he let his guard drop—just a little. He was curious about her job. Fascinated, in fact. ‘You do a few weeks’ work for a year’s pay?’

She nodded and Kedah—albeit briefly—forgot his own dark troubles. He wanted to know more, but Felicia shook her head when he asked.

‘I don’t discuss my previous clients, and of course I’ll provide you with that same courtesy.’ Her voice sounded a little frantic now. ‘Now you need to tell me what’s going on if I’m to do my job.’

‘Felicia,’ he offered, in a rather bored drawl, ‘I didn’t hire you to tidy up my reputation. This leopard shan’t be changing his spots. I want a PA and I hear that you’re amongst the best. Do you want the role or not?’

Her smile slipped and those once glacial eyes clouded in confusion.

He pushed forward the contract.

‘We need to discuss terms and conditions,’ Kedah explained, and then went through them.

Basically, for the next year she was his.

Well, not his!

Just at his beck and call. Even if he was in Zazinia without her she would be working here.

There would be no reprieve.

Felicia wondered if now was the time to state, as she usually did, that she never slept with clients.

She looked at his long slender fingers as they turned the page and moved on to remuneration.

‘Regarding your salary...’ he said.

‘Kedah.’

She watched as with a stroke of his pen he doubled it.

‘I expect devotion.’

Now! she thought. He had given the perfect opening, Felicia knew. Right now she should smile and nod as she warned him that there were certain things out of bounds.

And there were.

Of course there were.

But actually to state that nothing could possibly happen might make her a liar. Even if he didn’t, Felicia trusted her own word, so she refrained from her usual terse speech.

He crossed out the confidentiality clause, and initialled it, and then it was time for them both to countersign.

Felicia read through the contract again, and noted that her starting date was today.

Now.

‘Kedah...’ Felicia felt it only fair to warn him. ‘I don’t think I’ll make a very good PA.’

‘On the contrary,’ he said. ‘I think you’ll be excellent.’

There was more to this.

Quite simply, there had to be.

And Felicia wanted to know what it was.

With a hand that somehow remained steady she used her own pen to sign her name and initial in all the right places and that was it—she was tied to him for a year.

Unfortunately not literally.

‘Why are you laughing?’ he asked, when she suddenly did.

‘Just something I said in my head.’ Felicia replied, and tried to right herself.

She looked out of the window to a bosky summer evening and knew the rush Kedah gave her was a giddy one. She wanted to go home now, to collect her thoughts.

‘I’m looking forward to working with you, Kedah,’ Felicia said, and held out her hand to shake his.

‘Good,’ he said, but did not shake her hand.

It became suddenly clear she was not dismissed.

‘Anu will show you to your office. I believe my assistant in Zazinia will be free to speak with you in an hour.’

‘I thought...’ she started. But, as she was about to find out, the interview was over, the negotiations were done, and Kedah had nothing more to discuss.

‘That will be all for now.’

It would seem that at five p.m. on a Friday her work day had just begun.

The gorgeous office would tomorrow have Felicia’s name on its door, Anu told her, and there was an award-winning chef a phone call away who would prepare whatever she chose for supper.

And so she got busy.

It was late in Zazinia but Vadia, Kedah’s assistant there, looked fresh and crisp on the video link.

‘The offending article has been taken down,’ she informed Felicia. ‘If you could let Kedah know that?’

So she didn’t use his title when she spoke of him either, Felicia thought as Vadia continued.

‘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 (#ulink_9d86ba67-2356-52ca-a99d-bb34d614202a)

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.




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