by Sophia Lynn
God, part of her wished there was a way to put more distance between them. But as much as she hated to admit it, she needed him. But just how close could she pull him to her before she got burned?
They pulled up to the curb in front of Jumeirah Towers, and Zayid turned toward her. The tender look in his silver eyes as he met her gaze stole her breath, and she stilled, her hand on the door handle.
“Can I come up with you?” he asked quietly.
Madeline knew what he was asking. Though the idea intimated her, she wasn’t ready to say good-bye yet. She wanted to hold on to the closeness that seemed to be developing between them, and she also didn’t want to hurt Zayid by pushing him away. He’d been such a big help to her, and he deserved more than for her to turn her back on him.
“Yes,” she said, smiling gently. “I’d like that.”
The return of Zayid’s brilliant smile was enough to make it worth it. Turning the wheel, he headed into the parking garage and handed his keys off to the valet before following Madeline indoors and up the elevator to her apartment. The way he kept his attention on her the entire time told Madeline that he’d been here before, and she wondered just how many women here had invited him up to their apartments in the past.
Stop that. He doesn’t deserve for you to judge him, not after all he’s done for you so far.
Maybe not, but it was so hard to move past the stigma she’d planted in her own mind. She couldn’t deny that Jason’s betrayal still hurt. Her behavior now was a survival mechanism, and one that wouldn’t quit.
“So you’re subletting?” Zayid asked casually as she let him into the apartment behind her. His silver eyes roamed over the décor with interest.
“Yes.” Madeline set her belongings down on the coffee table, then moved toward the kitchen. “Do you want some tea? I was planning on making some for myself.”
“Tea would be excellent, thank you.” Zayid sat down on the couch as she busied herself in the kitchen, heating up the rest of the tea she’d made that morning. “I’m surprised that Vanessa didn’t have you stay at the palace.”
Madeline laughed a little. “She tried, but I’d already booked this place.”
“Well you must really prefer it here then,” Zayid said, arching his brows. “After all, you could have always cancelled and come to stay at the palace anyway. You would have had access to much more luxurious accommodations.”
Madeline sighed a little. “That’s true,” she said, bringing two cups of chai over. She perched herself on the opposite end of the couch as she handed Zayid’s cup over, and a tingle went through her as his fingers brushed hers. “But I wanted to experience life as it would be like for a normal resident of Dubai, rather than a guest of the royal family.”
“How interesting.” Zayid’s eyes gleamed as he regarded her over his cup of tea. “But I suppose it’s not really surprising. You are quite independent.”
“True.” Madeline grinned a little as she took a sip of her tea. They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the hot beverage.
“This is actually quite good,” Zayid said once he’d emptied his cup. “Do you have more?”
“Sure.” Madeline set her own half-empty cup on the table, then reached for his as he held it out to her. “I’ll go get you some.”
But when his fingers brushed hers, that tingle went through her again, and she unconsciously drew closer to him. The fire simmering behind Zayid’s eyes grew brighter, and he met her halfway, his hands sliding up to gently grip her shoulders. The cup slipped from her fingers, forgotten against the couch cushions as his lips descended on her, and Madeline inhaled his scent as he kissed her. Twining her arms around his neck, she drew closer until her breasts brushed against his chest, and when he teased the seam of her lips with his hot tongue, she opened for him readily. He tasted like tea and spices, and she moaned as he stroked her tongue with his, the heat in her lower belly spreading to the rest of her body. She wanted him in a way that she hadn’t wanted anyone in a long time, perhaps not even Jason in the early stages of their relationship, and she wasn’t certain she could resist.
But as he pulled her forward, pressing her more firmly against him, something in her stomach shifted, and she felt suddenly nauseous.
“Ugh.” Pulling back, she pressed a hand against her mouth.
“What is it?” Zayid pressed a hand over his own mouth. “Is it my breath? Do I taste bad?”
“No,” Madeline shook her head, and she would have chuckled if she hadn’t been worried about upsetting her stomach further. “I just…I don’t feel well all of a sudden.” Her stomach lurched, and she pressed a hand over it. “Ohhhh.”
“Do you need a basin?” Zayid jumped up. “I’ll get something—”
“No.” Madeline lurched to her feet. She was not throwing up in a bowl in front of Zayid. “No, it’s fine, I—” She clapped a hand over her mouth as the gorge rose in her throat, and rushed into the bathroom. She barely managed to brace herself against the floor before she vomited, and tears sprang to her eyes as the stomach acid burned her nose and throat. Sputtering and choking, her stomach heaved up the remnants of her lunch and dinner until she was gasping and empty and trembling.
“Come.” Zayid was suddenly at her side, helping her to her feet. A wave of embarrassment washed through her at the fact that he’d seen her like this, but she was so weak that she was powerless to resist him as he helped her toward the sink. The tiny bathroom left no room for personal space, forcing her body against his, but she was too ill to feel any desire now. With his steadying hands on her hips, she washed out her mouth, then splashed some water across her face.
“What do you think happened?” Zayid asked as he helped her out of the bathroom. “Was it something you ate?”
Madeline shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe the tea was bad…but probably the stress of today just caught up with me.” She sat down on the edge of her bed. “I think I should call it a day now.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea.” Zayid pressed a kiss to her forehead, then crouched down so that his head was level with her knees. “Let’s get you to bed.”
A small smile tugged at her lips as Zayid pulled off her shoes. “You don’t need to tuck me in,” she said, half protesting, but she didn’t really mind.
“Maybe, but I want to.” He smiled at her as he gently pushed her back down onto the bed, pulling the covers up over her body. “I’ll lock the door behind me when I go. Let me know if you need anything tomorrow, okay?”
“Thank you.” Warmth spread through her as he kissed the top of her head again. Closing her eyes, she decided to succumb to the tiredness dragging at her limbs, and the last thing she heard was the door clicking shut before she fell asleep.
Chapter Nine
Madeline hummed as she walked into her office at around noon, preparing to grab her purse so she could go out and get a quick lunch. After going to bed so early the morning before, she felt quite refreshed, and though she’d been a little embarrassed that she’d nearly gotten sick all over Zayid while kissing him, the embarrassment was overshadowed by pride when Aisha had congratulated her so heartily for doing an impressive job with the interview. She’d promised Madeline a nice bonus, not only for doing the interview but for getting Zayid involved, and that especially boosted her spirits. Maybe she could afford a little touristy shopping spree after all this weekend.
Just as she picked up her purse, her phone vibrated in her pocket. Pulling it out, her heart flip-flopped as she saw Zayid’s name scrolling across her screen. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, then answered the phone.
“Hello?”
“Good afternoon.” Warmth rippled down Madeline’s spine at the sound of his smooth, exotic voice. “How are you feeling today?”
“Much better.” Embarrassment made her blush, and she was glad that he’d chosen to call rather than stop by to check on her in person. “I’m really sorry you had to see that yesterday. I don�
��t know what happened.”
“That’s totally alright,” he assured her. “I’m just glad you’re feeling better today.”
“Well thanks for being there.” Madeline hesitated. “Both at the TV station and at my apartment last night. You’ve been a big help.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She smiled at Zayid’s pleased tone. “What do you think about coming out with me for a drink tonight? I would like to spend some more time with you.”
“I’d like that.” Madeline wasn’t going to say no—she didn’t want Zayid’s last memory of her to be of her nearly throwing up on him. And besides, she owed him. “Where did you have in mind?”
“The bar at my hotel offers an excellent selection.”
“Oh yeah. I’d forgotten that you run a hotel chain.” Madeline’s interest perked. “What was the name again, The Crest?”
“That’s correct.” She could envision his smile as he spoke. “So, six o’clock?”
“Sounds good to me.”
***
By the time Madeline got off work, she was buzzing with nerves and excitement about the idea of meeting Zayid for drinks. It was a little silly, she knew, but she couldn’t quite help herself, especially since she was being invited to his hotel. She’d been thinking of him as a playboy and royal for so long that she’d almost forgotten that he was a businessman, as well. It would be interesting for her to see this side of him.
She stepped out to the curb and waved down a cab. There was certainly no lack of excitement where Zayid was concerned. Last night, while he was kissing her, she thought she’d been about to combust from the heat coursing through her body, and she knew that if her stomach hadn’t turned on her that she would have slept with him. Maybe it was better for both of them that their night had been cut short.
When the cab driver pulled up in front of the hotel, Madeline almost swallowed her tongue. The hotel was humongous, easily forty stories tall, and looked like a huge, shimmering wave, with its crested shape and chrome and glass exterior. When Zayid had said he’d owned a chain of hotels, she’d figured he’d meant some cookie-cutter, four-star deals…not something as extravagant as the majestic building that towered over her. She could see exactly where it had gotten its name from, and also why it was so popular, being right by the waterfront.
The cab drove her past the beach, where she could see tourists and locals alike floating lazily in the water, and down a drive past sprawling green lawns and waving palm fronds. On either side of her, in the distance, she could see there were two pools set up right out front, with cabanas and sunbathing chairs nearby for guests to enjoy themselves. The cab dropped her off right in front of the entrance, where four sets of revolving doors stood waiting. Nervous, she shouldered her purse and stepped through the doorway, craning her neck so she could take in the space of the huge lobby. Soaring walls washed in gold light met overhead in an arched ceiling, and everything from the sculptures to the carpeting was colorful and trendy. The place buzzed with the sound of conversation, and beneath that was the tinkling sound of a waterfall cascading over the wall to her left.
Madeline forced herself to stop staring, and approached the front desk, a tall, circular station made of some kind of warm, sand-colored stone.
“Good evening,” the front desk attendant greeted her warmly. She was dressed very smartly in a white blouse with a dark blue vest, a golden pin shaped like the hotel building fastened to her crisp collar. “Are you checking in?”
“No. I’m here to meet a friend at the bar.” She decided it was best not to mention that Zayid was the friend—she didn’t want to draw too much attention to herself. “Can you tell me where it is?’
“Of course. The Uptown Bar is located on the twenty-fourth floor. Take the elevator up and follow the signs. You won’t be able to miss it.”
“Thank you.”
Madeline did as the attendant directed. Sure enough, she was right—the signs outside the door led her right to it. The bar was simple and elegant all at once—deep red walls and matching red wooden floorboards, square leather chairs grouped around matching tables, and a semicircular glass wall that stretched all around the room, allowing the occupants a gorgeous view of the coastline regardless of where they sat. The place was packed with guests sipping drinks and enjoying hors d’oeuvres, but a scan of the room told her that Zayid wasn’t inside.
He’s probably outside, she thought, her eyes drawn to the terrace, which was similarly packed. A smile tugged at her lips at the idea of sitting outside with him, high up in the air as they enjoyed their drinks and the stunning view. It reminded her of when he’d taken her all the way up to the top of the Burj the night that they’d met. A warm flush spread through her body as she remembered the way his hard body had pressed against hers, how his hot breath had fluttered against her skin as he’d teased her with gentle, intimate caresses. He’d made her so hot for him that she hadn’t thought twice about jumping into bed with him in one of the hotel rooms. And now here she was, thinking about doing it again.
But when Madeline walked out onto the terrace, she froze, all the warmth in her dissipating as she caught sight of Zayid standing by the balcony’s edge. Next to him was a tall, curvy redhead wearing a wispy grey dress that skirted the edges of propriety. She flashed her white teeth as she laughed, her delicate hand on Zayid’s shoulder, and Madeline’s blood boiled as she saw Zayid’s hand on her chest, perilously close to her breast.
I can’t do this.
Heart pounding, Madeline turned away from the scene. She wasn’t going to sit there and have drinks with Zayid while he had another woman by his side. Why did she think that this would ever work out? Clearly Zayid was not a one-woman man, and he never would be—not with his good looks, charm, and boatloads of money that attracted every woman within a mile radius of him.
As she turned away, she thought she saw Zayid’s silver eyes catch sight of her. She strode back inside quickly, refusing to acknowledge him. With any luck, he would lose her in the crowd if he decided to pursue her.
She made it to the elevator without incident, but rather than feeling relief as the doors closed behind her, she only found bitter disappointment and despair at the fact that he hadn’t come for her after all.
Chapter Ten
As Madeline walked up the street to the café two blocks away from her job, her phone rang in her pocket. Irritated, she pulled it out to see that it was Zayid calling—again. Gritting her teeth, she pressed the “end” button on her phone and shoved it back into her pocket.
Thirty minutes after she’d left the hotel the previous night, he’d called her to ask where she was and if she needed a ride. She’d told him that she was just fine and that she hoped he was enjoying the redhead, then hung up the phone before her anger and tears got the better of her. She’d then turned off her phone for the night and buried herself beneath her bedcovers with a bottle of wine and a book, refusing to acknowledge him.
The next day she’d been forced to keep her phone on, and Zayid had barraged her with phone calls and text messages demanding to let him explain. She’d ignored them all again, but the calls had been a tremendous distraction, She’d had a lot of trouble focusing on work, so she’d ended up turning the phone on silent. She’d been prepared for him to come to the lab and confront her directly…but he hadn’t. He’d gone silent halfway through the afternoon and she hadn’t heard from him since. Perhaps he had given up.
Yet here he was, calling her again.
I’m not going to think about this anymore, she told herself firmly as the café came into view. She had a lunch date with Vanessa today, and she was damned if she was going to let Zayid ruin their girl time. Pulling out her phone again, she put it on silent, then walked into the cute French café to find her friend.
Sure enough, Vanessa was already there, seated at a table by the window and sipping a cup of Turkish coffee. She beamed as she caught sight of Madeline. As she rose to greet her, Madeline admire
d the calf-length, sea-green dress and heels she wore.
“Maddy!” Vanessa embraced her, enthusiasm bubbling in her voice. “It’s so great to see you! I can’t believe you’ve already been in Dubai for over a week and we haven’t spent any time together yet.”
“I know! I’ve been so busy.” Madeline pushed aside her troubles as she hugged her best friend, soaking up the familiar comfort Vanessa always offered. The two of them had been there for each other almost their entire lives, and were so close that they were almost like sisters. They sat down as the waiter came over, and ordered their food and drinks. Everything on the menu was French, so Madeline went with lobster bisque and a side of French, bread along with some Turkish coffee and biscuits for herself, as the ones Vanessa was already nibbling on looked good.
The pair made small talk until their food arrived, and then grew silent for several moments as they ate. “So,” Vanessa said once some of the edge was off their hunger, “what about you? I know you’re not having any babies right now, but anything happening in your sex life you haven’t told me yet? I saw the way you and Zayid were looking at each other over dinner. And I noticed that he was with you on your interview the other night.”
Madeline blushed a little even as anger rose in her chest. “Yeah, well, as far as I can tell, Zayid and I aren’t happening.”
Vanessa’s eyebrows rose. “Why do you sound so upset about that? Did something happen?”
Madeline sighed. “We ended up having sex that night, and it was great—better than I’ve had in a long time. But ever since then things have been awkward, because I didn’t want more and he did. And just when I thought maybe I should give him a chance, I went to meet him for drinks last night and saw him with another woman.”
Vanessa’s eyes went wide. “No way!”
“Yes way.” Madeline’s expression grew dark. “He had his hands all over her.”
