Читать книгу Modern Romance September 2016 Books 5-8 - Natalie Anderson, Carol Marinelli - Страница 12

CHAPTER TWO

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.