by Leslie North
“You can be taught to make coffee. That’s not a big deal,” he said nonchalantly. “Am I not offering you enough money?”
“It’s not the money, Iman. I have a daughter.”
“I have made provisions for her,” he pointed out.
“Yes, you have. But you’re asking me to move her to another country. Here, when I’m gone, she stays with friends. People she considers family. When I’m flying with you, who will watch her in Haamas?”
“I have someone in mind.”
“Someone that she can play with? Talk to? Someone who isn’t going to automatically hate her because she’s an American female?”
“This is not my father’s regime,” Iman said sharply. “You will be treated with the same equality as everyone else who works for me. Your daughter, as well. You need not fear for her safety. I have no doubt that you’ll be pleased with the woman I have chosen for you and your daughter, but if you have issues, then we’ll fire her and hire someone else.”
“She goes to school here.”
“She may go to school here as well if you wish. The other children who live in the palace have excellent tutors. It helps in keeping the security of the palace, and they are given plenty of time to play. She’s welcome to join them.”
“I have a dog.”
“A what?” For the first time since the conversation had started, he seemed truly confused. “You have a dog?”
“Yes. A small, white, scruffy thing. He’s the bane of my existence, but Iris loves him, and she’ll be devastated if we leave him behind.” She held her breath. Was Beetle going to be a deal-breaker? Was she relieved or anxious about it?
“All right. Bring the dog.”
Just like that. She could tell from his voice that he wasn’t comfortable with the idea, but he was making the concession. “Tell me the truth, Iman. Why are you doing this?”
“I don’t understand your misgivings about this,” he snapped. “It’s an excellent opportunity for you. We have a history, and I wanted to do something good for you, and now I’m getting a headache for my efforts.”
We have a history. If only he knew. “So there is nothing that you’re keeping from me? You simply feel bad for kicking me out of your palace six years ago, and now you want to make things better for me?”
“I feel bad for what?”
Briefly, she closed her eyes. She’d almost forgotten. She wasn’t supposed to talk about it. “Nothing. I’ll sign the contract,” she said tightly.
“Excellent. I’d like you here and settled in the next few weeks. Let me know what you need to make that happen. I’ll be in touch.” Before she could say anything else, he hung up.
Professional. Businesslike. If she hadn’t felt the passion in him, in that wind-battered hangar, she would never have known he was capable of it.
He didn’t know about Iris. He acted like all he wanted was a good personal attendant, and despite their banter, she was good at her job.
The problem was that she had felt his passion.
She knew what it was like to be in his arms, how easy it was to melt against him, to succumb to his touch, but she wouldn’t do it again.
She would be careful. She’d never be alone with Iman, and when it was over, she’d walk away intact.
8
“Momma, is this a castle?” Iris whispered, her eyes wide as they walked through the two-story double doors into a domed atrium. Iris looked up in awe at the Iznik tile detailed in gold that lined the ceiling.
Natalie smiled and pulled her daughter close after the little girl had spun around in circles taking in their palatial surroundings. She was about to point out the difference between castles and palaces, but the line of guards and servants at the door was a little intimidating, even to her, and she knew that everything Iris saw was far more expensive and luxurious than anything the little girl had ever seen. The child’s eyes were filled with wonder as she stared at the opulent fountain that graced the center of the room, the soothing sounds of running water a direct contrast to the masked indifference from the staff.
Natalie knew how she felt. Once upon a time, she’d felt the exact same way.
“Natalie!” The excited voice sounded vaguely familiar, and she turned to see a comforting face rushing towards her. They’d only met once, but Natalie had never forgotten the soft-spoken, friendly woman.
Opening her arms, she embraced Tahira. “I couldn’t believe it when His Excellency asked me to help out with you and your daughter.”
Iman had chosen well. Iris was already looking up at Tahira with love. Gingerly, the little girl reached out and touched the woman’s dress. “Pretty,” she whispered.
“Iris, this is Tahira. She is going to be your friend while you’re here.”
Natalie didn’t even have to prompt Iris to say hello. She’d always been a friendly and open child. Almost too friendly! But now she immediately bonded to Tahira. “Do you like dragons? Georgia and I were making a princess costume for me and a dragon costume for Beetle, but we didn’t get to finish. Will you help me finish?”
Tahira gave Natalie a quizzical look before turning back to the small girl with a smile. “I would love to. Who is Beetle?”
Just then, shouts of alarm sounded from the guards as a bundle of white streaked down the hall. Immediately, the guards gave chase, and Iris pealed with laughter.
“That would be Beetle,” Natalie said dryly. “Iris, you promised that if we brought Beetle with us, you’d help take care of him. Would you please go wrangle him up before he has everyone in the palace chasing him down?”
“Sorry, Momma.” Iris was still laughing as she hurtled down the hall, calling Beetle’s name.
“Does His Excellency know that you’ve brought a dog? He didn’t mention anything about it.” Tahira sounded overly cautious as she looked down the hall at the departing Iris.
“He does know, although he seemed hesitant about it,” Natalie admitted.
“That’s because introducing dogs as household pets is a modern tradition that hasn’t been readily accepted by many traditionalists. Up until about a decade ago, it wasn’t even legal in Haamas to keep dogs as pets, and there are strict guidelines for when they are in public.”
“Oh, no. Is Beetle going to be a problem for Iman?” Natalie noted several sharp looks from the remaining guards and servants, and she ducked her head. “I mean, Sheikh Iman.”
“I don’t think so. With Dubai becoming more and more Westernized, many residents here in Haamas want to mirror their progress. Having a king who wants to seamlessly blend old-world culture with modern traditions has been good for us. But, I have no idea how to take care of a dog.”
Natalie waved her hands airily as Iris returned with the bundle of white in her arms. “Don’t worry about that. Iris is an excellent dog parent. She knows the rules. As long as she remains responsible for Beetle, she can keep him.”
Seeing her daughter yawn, she reached down and stroked the little girl’s hair. “Is there any way we can get settled? Iris isn’t used to being on a plane for so long. We’ve got about ten minutes before she passes out.”
“Of course. Right this way.” With one arm wrapped around Iris’s shoulders, Natalie followed Tahira through a small door to reach the employee corridors of the palace. This was where the servants scurried back and forth with armfuls of laundry, caddies of cleaning products, mop buckets, and trays of half-eaten food. “Madiha is the head of the staff. She has two daughters who are around Iris’s age, so the staff is used to children running around. As long as their chaos doesn’t spill over into the main palace, they’re allowed to play.”
Natalie was already lost and confused as they made a few turns and exited back into a main hallway. “Most of our suites are along the servants’ corridors, but you were assigned one of the small guest suites. It’s right next to this entrance here, so you’ll have easy access. There’s a map of the palace in your room to help you find your way until you’re comfortable moving on your own.”<
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The “smaller” guest suite was still twice as large as her apartment had been. With a full-sized kitchen, a living room, a reading den, two bedrooms, and two full-sized bathrooms, it was the largest apartment Natalie had ever lived in, and with a patio that overlooked the palace gardens, it was also by far the nicest.
“Momma, it’s so pretty,” Iris said with a yawn. “Can we watch a movie?”
“Tomorrow,” Natalie said with a smile. “You’re going to bed right now.”
“I can help with that,” Tahira said instantly.
“She’s already falling asleep. It’s been an exciting day for her, so I’ll get her changed into her pajamas and settled.”
Their bags were already inside the door. Natalie pulled Iris’s luggage into one of the bedrooms. As Iris changed sleepily, sitting on the bed, Natalie looked around to make sure nothing expensive might be lying around that Iris or Beetle could knock over.
After some quick childproofing, Natalie turned back to Iris, but the little girl was already fast asleep. Beetle curled up by her side and blinked sleepily.
Natalie crept out, keeping the door slightly propped open in case Iris woke up and was scared, but she knew that with Beetle by her side, Iris wouldn’t be scared of anything.
When she headed back out to the living room, she saw Tahira wasn’t waiting for her, but Iman was.
Immediately, she stopped short and stared. As before, when she’d unexpectedly seen him standing there on the steps to the plane, her breath caught in her throat. Would she always have this reaction to him?
“Natalie,” he said softly. “How was your trip?”
“Your Excellency,” she murmured as she nodded her head in respect. “The trip was fine, although I’m used to plane rides. I’m afraid things were a little too exciting for my daughter and her dog. They’re currently passed out.”
“You’ve met Tahira. Is she to your liking? I’m told she’s excellent with children, and I’m sure she’ll do well with your dog.” He cleared his throat. “Your kitchen is stocked with the basics. Tahira is here for anything that you need, and she’ll be happy to go to the market for you until you grow more familiar with the city. I don’t want you going out alone.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Like any other city, it can be, but I’m more concerned about your lack of familiarity with our customs. While we are trying to be a progressive kingdom, some customs are still strictly observed. Here in the palace, and on the plane with me, you’re welcome to be yourself, and no one will bother you, but out there is a different story.”
Natalie absently rubbed her neck and nodded. These were things that she’d have to make her daughter understand, as well. “Thank you for the warning.”
He wasn’t finished. “Would you dine with me tonight?”
It was an innocent request, but there was something about his voice. His tone dropped an octave, and as his gaze swept over her, his eyes were filled with fire.
Natalie stepped back. Warning bells were sounding in her head, and without a doubt, she needed to be careful. “I don’t want to leave Iris on our first night here.”
“Not a problem.” He gestured to the patio, and when she turned around, she saw through the glass door that the table was already set with a snowy cloth, heavy silver, sparkling crystal, and an abundance of food. “I mean for us to dine here.”
It wasn’t a good idea, but what could she do? As of three days ago, he was her boss. With a palace of people who bowed to him. Refusing dinner with him would most definitely be a bad idea.
“I would love to,” she said in a strangled voice. Aware that she hadn’t showered in twenty-four hours and was no doubt rumpled from her plane ride, she tried to smooth out her hair and tug out the wrinkles in her pink T-shirt. As a passenger, she dressed very differently than when she was working. She wasn’t even wearing any makeup.
Iman nodded his head, and Natalie opened the door for him. The warm air caressed her face as she took a deep breath. The dry heat filled her lungs, and she coughed a little. The climate would take some getting used to.
“I’d like to give you a week to become accustomed to your new home. Explore the palace and the city, but as I said, don’t go out alone. I have a trip at the end of the week to Abba Alim. I’m sure Kaylana will be emailing you the details shortly. It’s only an hour flight or so, but we’ll be spending three days there before we fly back.”
Three days? Natalie wasn’t comfortable leaving Iris for that long so soon after moving, but she knew that Iris would be fine. As a matter of fact, she’d probably be thrilled to spend three days with her new friends.
“You are under my protection no matter where we fly, but it will be easier if you adhere to the customs while you are in public. Tahira will provide you with everything that you need.” Iman dug into his dinner of lamb and vegetables, but he kept his eyes on Natalie. “I should have said something earlier, but I am sorry about your mother.”
That was the last thing Natalie expected him to say. “Um…thank you? I was lucky. I got to spend two more years with her, and for much of that, she was able to enjoy her life.”
The conversation fell to a lull. “Was it my father’s death that had you racing to your mother’s side?” he asked finally. “Although our meeting was brief, I’ve thought about it often. I gave you my hospitality, and you stole away in the middle of the worst night of my life.”
Natalie choked. “I’m sorry. What? Is this a joke?”
“No joke. I’m not suggesting that it continues to haunt me. I’m simply curious.” He shrugged. “Indulge me.”
The fork clattered to the plate as she dropped it and sat back in anger. “This was a mistake,” she said as she grabbed her napkin and stood.
“Natalie.” There was a look of bewilderment on his face. “Why are you so angry with me?”
“You probably saved my life, and for that I’m grateful. You saw to it that a doctor stitched up my wounds, but I imagine that was simply because you didn’t want me running to the press about your treatment of me.” Twisting the napkin in her hand, she realized what she was doing and dropped it. “It’s not often that I’m called a whore, and I’m ashamed to say that a hundred thousand dollars bought my silence, but I needed that money for my mother, and you know that.” She slapped her hands on the table and stared at him as he sat back. “So now, you’re what? Testing my loyalty? Seeing if I can be trusted to keep quiet? If that was even a remote concern of yours, you shouldn’t have invited me here!” Not wanting to catch the attention of anyone wandering outside, she kept her voice quiet, but she couldn’t keep the venom out of it. She was not going to stand here and be subject to this.
“Natalie, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His voice was soft as he stood and walked over to her. “My uncle told me that you were in a hurry to leave. I certainly never called you a whore, and I didn’t pay you to leave. I had just lost my father. You were a source of comfort to me, at least, I thought you would be until you left.”
Her heart pounded against her chest. In disbelief, she bowed her head and studied her shoes. “Your uncle threatened to bury me if I even mentioned that I’d spent any personal time with you. He told me that you were through with me and that you were willing to pay for my silence.”
“I would never do that.”
She could hear the honesty in his voice. Swallowing hard, she looked up and met his eyes. “I asked for a downgrade at work because I didn’t want to run into anyone from that flight again. I was terrified for months after I got home that your uncle would still do something to me. I thought horrible things about you. For years.”
Iman sighed. “I should have known that it was something like that. My uncle is…was fiercely protective of my family. I have no problems believing that he would do anything to protect my reputation, but I never once thought that you were a problem, Natalie.”
“It doesn’t really matter now, does it?” She forced a smile. “And it was probably
for the best. I did have to get home to my mother, after all, and you had a kingdom to run. It’s not like anything long-term was going to happen to us anyway, was it?”
Reaching up, he cupped her chin and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Natalie,” he whispered as he leaned forward.
For a moment, she thought that he was going to kiss her, and she ached for him. It took all of her control not to meet him halfway, but she could see the hesitation in his eyes.
“You know, the dinner was delicious, but I’m actually not that hungry. I’m going to check on Iris, take a shower, and go to bed. I’ll see you on your next trip.” She hoped that her implications were clear. She didn’t want to make these personal dinners a regular thing.
Before she could change her mind, she stepped back and turned her back on him. As she walked into her daughter’s room, she was shaking. She’d taken this job knowing that her anger would help her keep things professional, but now? All she could do was wonder what-if? What would have happened had she stayed that night?
Where would they be now?
Not that it mattered. The king and the flight attendant? Never going to happen. They were destined for heartbreak, and hoping that things might be different now didn’t change that fact.
9
Despite Iman’s love for his uncle, he could barely contain his rage. For six years, Natalie had thought him some monster. He’d lost his chance with the woman who had captivated his heart, and now she would be his escort as he went to meet his future bride.
“What a disaster,” he muttered as he paced his room. He had half a mind to call the whole thing off, but he wanted Abba Alim as his ally, and Bari’s father wanted his daughter to be a queen. Politically, it was the right call, but he had been seconds from kissing Natalie, from taking what his body had spent six years yearning for. Those were not the actions of a man about to sign a marriage contract.
“Iman?” Taslima, his mother, knocked softly at the open door before walking in. “Darling? You seem upset.”
