by Cara Albany
Maybe she'd had too much champagne, although she knew she'd been careful not to drink too much, needing to make a good impression on her first big night here in Qazhar.
"I'm sorry," she heard him say softly.
She turned back to him. "Why?"
He drew in a deep breath and looked serious for a moment, all his previous levity gone. "I've embarrassed you."
She shook her head. "No, you haven't."
He nodded. "I've made you feel uncomfortable. I can see that. I have no right to pry into your life. After all, we've only just met." He gazed at her. His dark eyes were deep pools that contained absolute sincerity. "We don't really know each other," he said, his voice deep. And then he added: "Yet."
That additional word made her pulse quicken slightly.
She shrugged. "I'm sure we'll run into one another while I'm here," she said nonchalantly. "This isn't a big town. And, after what I saw tonight, everyone seems to know one another."
"You'd be surprised. Many of the prominent families are connected by business. And by marriage. In fact, in recent years we've had quite a few American women marry sheikhs." He smiled. "I know most of them. They all seem quite happy here."
"How nice for them," she replied in a flat voice. She tried to sound disinterested, but there was a part of her which was immediately curious.
Who were these women who had given up their life back home and come here to start over? Maybe she'd get a chance to meet some of them while she was here.
But then another thought drifted into her mind.
What was he suggesting? That she had come here to find a husband? Maybe to marry herself off to some wealthy, powerful sheikh. Like himself? Was that what he really thought of her?
He obviously didn't know the slightest thing about her, no matter how much of her public life was posted online. And there was a lot, she reminded herself.
Probably too much. The whole thing about social media was that you willingly agreed to put yourself in the spotlight, for all to see. Two years ago, when she'd started all this, that had seemed like an innocent idea. Something she could handle.
But, in recent months she'd been having her doubts about the whole thing. There had been some incidents she'd much rather not think about. Just because you were online, some people believed they had a right to intrude on your life in the most intimate manner.
Particularly men.
Part of the reason she'd come to Qazhar had been the promise of a fresh start, perhaps even a chance to expand her follower base into a new territory, with new people who had different kind of values and needs.
She certainly wasn't here to find a husband. How dare he even suggest such a thing!
Up ahead, she saw the apartment block where she was staying. "We're here," she announced, relieved.
The limo drew up in front of the building and the driver got out and opened the door. As she waited for the door to open, Gemma busied herself, fussing with her dress and straightening herself in the seat. All the while she did this, Ahmed watched her, apparently enjoying the sight of her impatience to get out of the limo.
Gemma turned to him. "Well, thank you for the ride. And the chat," she said and smiled.
She tried to make it sound as if this latest encounter with the sheikh had been of no consequence. Gemma knew that wasn't true, but she wasn't going to hand him another victory this evening.
"It was my pleasure," Ahmed replied.
The door opened and she stepped out. Ahmed followed and they faced each other. She glanced up at the tall apartment block. There was an awkward silence and then she held out a hand, intent on shaking his hand politely. Then, she realized she should have known better.
Ahmed took her hand, bent his head down and lifted her hand swiftly to his mouth. She didn't have a chance to stop him before his lips were on the back of her hand. This time his warm mouth lingered on her skin. She felt the same racing sensation up her arm, only this time it was more intense than earlier.
In contrast to previously, back at the hotel, Ahmed lifted his gaze and looked straight at her as he kissed the back of her hand. There was something about that look, something that hinted at possession, as if he was claiming some small part of her. And he knew he was doing so. There was a glint of appreciation in his eyes.
Ahmed released her hand and she drew it instinctively up to her chest. Gemma saw that he'd noticed her reaction, but he showed no response of his own. Perhaps he'd realized he'd overstepped the mark.
Again. For the second time that evening.
He glanced up at the building and she thought he was going to offer to accompany her into the apartment block. Even try and invite himself up to her apartment.
She knew that wasn't going to happen, and she was relieved when he finally said: "Goodnight, Gemma. It has been a most enjoyable evening."
She smiled. "Thank you, sheikh Ahmed," she replied.
"Please. Just call me Ahmed," he said.
She nodded. "Of course. Ahmed."
Then she turned away from him and started to make her way toward the entrance to the apartment block.
Although she didn't look back, she was certain that if she did, she would see him watching her closely. And perhaps there might be a hint of regret on his features that he wasn't accompanying her up to her apartment.
But a line had been drawn, she told herself as she pushed through the revolving doors and nodded to the concierge who sat behind the desk.
Then she was in the lift, leaning back against the mirrored walls and wondering just how she had managed to make it through this night in one piece.
Gemma arrived at her floor and made her way into the apartment. It was luxurious. There was no disputing that fact. Rashid had spared no expense in putting her up in this place. It had everything she needed.
But, right now, what she really needed was a shower to cool down after this evening's encounters. She'd make a post on her social media profiles, giving her followers some, not all, of the details of the evening. After that, she intended to flop down into the huge bed, pull up the covers and fall asleep as fast as she could.
And try not to think of Sheikh Ahmed and his tempting body.
CHAPTER FOUR
Somewhere in her dream there was a bell ringing. Insistently and loud. Gemma rose up from the depths of sleep and opened her eyes and glanced at her cell phone on the bedside table. The clock on the display told her it was four in the morning. She glanced toward the partially opened curtains. It was still dark outside.
She sat up and ran a hand through her messed up hair. She wondered who could be calling at this time.
Gemma picked up the phone and pressed it into life.
She heard a familiar voice at the other end of the line. "Gemma?" It was Natalie. One of her best friends. In fact, one of the only ones in her life to whom she could really tell everything in confidence. In this day and age, that was a precious thing to have.
"Natalie? What is it? Do you know what time it is?"
"I know. Sorry to wake you, but this is important. More than important, in fact."
There was an urgency in Natalie's voice that took Gemma by surprise. She sat up and leaned back against the bed's soft headboard.
"What's wrong?" Gemma asked.
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong. But, I have to say. If you were planning on making a splash while you are in Qazhar, you definitely succeeded."
Before Gemma had left, she had talked with Natalie about this being a big opportunity to make a fresh start. If anyone understood how important this trip to Qazhar was to Gemma, it was Natalie.
"What do you mean?" Gemma asked, now completely awake.
"Have you seen what's been posted about you?" Natalie asked. Her voice was breathless with excitement.
"No. Should I?" Gemma replied.
She heard a snorting sound from the other end of the line and she was sure Natalie was trying not to laugh. "If I was you, I'd check it out."
Gemma put her call onto speaker and
opened up her social media feed.
There was the post she'd made on arriving at the apartment. She'd tried to make it as fun as all her other posts, but without giving away too many intimate morsels of gossip.
But then, Gemma saw something that caused a sudden chill to sweep through her.
"Can you see it?" Natalie asked, her voice tiny and thin over the cell phone's speaker.
Gemma stared in disbelief at the display of her phone. She didn't say anything. All she could do was gaze at it, feeling the color drain from her face.
"Are you still there?" Natalie asked.
"I'm here," Gemma replied, realizing her voice was already cracking with emotion.
"What do you think?"
Gemma was silent for a moment, trying to take in what she was looking at.
"Is it true? Are you going out with that sheikh?" Natalie squealed. "Gawd, he is so gorgeous. Tell me it's true. Please," Natalie yelled down the line.
Gemma cleared her throat and drew in a deep, calming breath. Her heart was pounding as she read the words and, more importantly, looked at the photos which were now all over her social media feed and everyone connected to it.
Like, literally everywhere and everyone!
There wasn't just one image, or one message staring right back at her. There were images of her and the sheikh smiling at each other, drinking champagne surrounded by guests; of the sheikh holding the door open for her as she stepped into what was obviously his own personal limo. There was even the selfie she'd agree to pose for outside the hotel.
But, worst of all there were images she wanted to reach down and erase. Those were the pictures, in sharp detail, of her hand being kissed by the sheikh. And the expressions on her face and the face of Sheikh Ahmed gave just completely the wrong impression about what was going on between them. If you believed those images, you'd be convinced she and Ahmed were already an item.
Gemma felt her throat tighten and, for a few moments, she could hardly speak.
"Looks like you hit it off, Gemma," Natalie said.
"It's not what it look like, Natalie," Gemma replied.
"Are you kidding me? That guy looks like he has the hots for you. And no mistake," Natalie said.
Gemma stifled a low moan. This couldn't be happening. She clicked on a few links and saw that the images were everywhere and people were already commenting on them. There was even a hashtag. "Gemmawithsheikh". When she clicked on that, she saw the full extent of the disaster. As far as everyone was concerned, this was it. After months of denials, weeks of false rumors, Gemma had finally found someone she liked.
"No," Gemma groaned out loud.
"You okay?" she heard Natalie asking.
Gemma was relieved Natalie couldn't see her face, right now. If she could, she would have recommended a swift call to the nearest medical center.
"I'm fine," Gemma replied.
"Tell me more about this mysterious sheikh," Natalie demanded.
Gemma sighed heavily. "There's not much to tell," she replied.
Natalie groaned. "I don't believe it. He is so hot, and you're telling me there are no beans to spill?"
"Really, Natalie," Gemma insisted. "There's nothing going on."
There was a stunned silence at the other end of the line. Then Natalie spoke: "But, what about the pictures?"
Gemma sighed. "I know how it looks," she said. "But it really is pretty innocent."
Natalie scoffed. "There's nothing innocent about the way he's looking at you in those pictures. Talk about burning hot."
Natalie laughed, but Gemma didn't find it in the slightest bit funny.
This was a complete disaster. As she read the growing list of comments, Gemma could tell that there was a mixed reaction to the photos.
Some people thought like Natalie. That Ahmed was one of the hottest guys they'd ever seen, and that Gemma had struck gold.
Others weren't so generous. In fact, although the photos had been up no more than a few hours, there was already a backlash growing. Some people thought that Gemma had betrayed them, that she had portrayed herself as some kind of glamorous, but squeaky-clean role model, since she'd resolutely avoided any relationships or entanglements with the opposite sex during most of the time she'd been famous online.
And now she had betrayed their trust by showing herself to be nothing more than a gold digger. The very opposite of what she'd portrayed herself to be.
Betrayal was the word she started to see more of the further she scrolled through the reactions which had been posted.
Betrayal?
Who did they think she was? What did they think she was? Didn't they realize she had a life of her own to live? That she had as much entitlement as them to live her life the way she wanted.
But, most of all, didn't they realize that none of it was true. But, really Gemma knew she only had herself to blame. She had been the one to deliberately cultivate the story that had helped give her all the fame she currently enjoyed.
The story of the straight up girl who lived her life without complicated relationships. Who lived life on her own terms.
"Gemma?" Natalie prompted. "What's the deal, then?"
"There is no deal, Natalie. I just got here, and it seems like there's been some terrible misunderstanding."
Natalie made a brief sound, as if she was momentarily disappointed. "But the photos," she said tentatively.
"You know how it is with photos online," Gemma said, "You can make anything look like whatever you want it to be." Gemma ran hand through her hair and leaped out of bed.
She began to pace, barefoot on the floor alongside the bed. "I don't know what I'm going to do about this," she moaned.
"You need to tell everyone what's really happening," Natalie advised.
Gemma frowned. "But, look at it. It's already out of control. Everyone's already made up their mind. For good and bad. You know how this works."
"Maybe if you just post a clarification," Natalie suggested. "It'll all blow over in a few days."
Natalie might have been right about that, but Gemma had other issues to be concerned about. Things far more important.
For one thing, how was Rashid going to react to this? She'd seen how he and Ahmed had faced each other down back at the hotel. This wasn't going to go down well with the man who had brought her here in the first place. Not at all.
"Even if I do post something, no-one's going to believe me," Gemma said, "They can see the photos. Even if they don't tell the whole truth, they've done enough damage, already."
"Oh, Gemma," Natalie exclaimed. It sounded like Natalie finally understood the seriousness of this. "How can I help?"
"Thanks, Natalie. But, I made this mess, and I'm the only one who can fix it. The only trouble is, I don't know how."
She made her way into the sitting room of the apartment and toward the kitchen. Maybe some coffee would clear the mind. In any case, she was still sleeping on US time. Her body clock was way out of whack.
"I gotta go," Gemma announced.
"If you need any help, you call me, okay?" Natalie said.
Gemma could hear the concern in Natalie's voice.
"I mean it," Natalie insisted. "You don't go doing anything stupid. Okay?"
Gemma laughed. "I think I've done enough stupid things for one night," she told her friend.
Then they ended the call and Gemma made some coffee for herself and went to sit on the large sofa in the sitting room. She curled her legs up underneath herself, and cupped the warm mug in her hands, sipping the brew while she tried to think what she could do.
This was a real catastrophe. One unholy mess. She'd been tempted into doing things she'd convinced herself she should avoid at all costs.
But, maybe she'd underestimated the sheikh who had caused all this trouble with his insistent attentions.
Sheikh Ahmed.
And he had been very persistent. It made her consider the possibility that he wanted more than simply to persuade her to turn her back on R
ashid. Perhaps that look he'd given her in the back of the limo had been a hint at what his real motives were.
Could it be that he was really, actually attracted to her? That the whole conversation about wanting her to be his spokesperson for his own media company had been a big lie.
The thought that his interest might be more than just professional made her feel a mixture of nervousness and something else she wasn't sure she was willing to admit.
Anticipation.
She took a sip of coffee and wondered what it would be like to be kissed by those full lips; to be held by those powerful arms; to be swept up in him and be the whole center of his attentions. He had a powerful body. A strong body that held so much promise.
Gemma sighed and pushed thoughts of sheikh Ahmed firmly out of her mind.
Right now, all that mattered was the growing sense of unease at the prospect of what the coming day would had for her.
There would be an awkward meeting with Rashid, that was for sure. And then there might have to be some kind of explanation given to the media. Questions would be asked of her and of Rashid, and she wasn't sure exactly how he would respond.
But, it was the inevitable scrutiny that would be focused on her that made Gemma feel more uneasy than anything else she could think of right now.
She knew one thing. The last twenty-four hours had been intense. Almost too much.
Gemma sighed, exhaustion clinging to her. She'd been feeling tired for a long time, now. Since well before this whole endeavor had been agreed upon.
In the garden, with sheikh Ahmed, she had come close to admitting that weariness. And she had suspected he'd noticed some of it in her demeanor. She was sure he was perceptive enough to have noticed just how tired she was. And that weariness had nothing to do with jet lag.
When he'd mentioned how he could escape to the desert whenever things became too much for him, her ears had immediately perked up. She wasn't sure he had noticed, but the mention of his retreat in the north, his encampment near that little, isolated town, had tempted her with its promise of anonymity.
What had been the name of the town?
Qabiyah.
