by C. M. Steele
I stepped into the living room with the cups of coffee for us when Amir stood up. It was the first time we’d met in person. His manners were old school and he was super stoic. He seemed like a true leader. I was always afraid of meeting him. When we came so close at the play, I was hoping that I didn’t make a fool of myself, but he left without a word. Their family lived in upstate New York with money and power. They had a home in the middle-east, but Michael never talked about it. I found out about his brother being the crowned ruler when I was googling him. I had a fixation on him and needed to know more. Michael wouldn’t mention anything about the position and it took his mother to say something on a call that made me yell at Michael for it. His excuse was that Amir didn’t want their lives mixed with his and he didn’t want to conform to the life of being a potential ruler. Michael loved being a young American man, carefree and to be himself.
Amir reached out and our hands touched as he took the tray from me. A shiver traveled through my body and my eyes darted up to his. They were darker, his stare was as intense as I could imagine.
“Thank you,” I said, letting go of the tray.
“Don’t thank me, I just didn’t want to wear hot coffee,” he scoffed. I tried to contain the rage, so I bit my lip and grabbed my cup.
“What brings you to our humble apartment?” I asking, arching my brow.
“You two live together?” he asked, almost choking on his coffee. I wanted to kick him. I knew what his family believed, and Michael wanted me to continue that way. There was no doubt in my mind that he didn’t think I was good enough for his brother. Judgmental prick.
Amir
When she walked out into the room with the tray in her hands, I thought of her taking care of my brother like this. It irritated me that she was his. I had never been jealous of him. I loved my life the way it was, but looking at Mina, I wanted what he had. Mina looked perfect in her light top that hugged her breasts nicely. The jeans were tight and framed her ass and thighs. My dick was stiff, and I was grateful I hadn’t taken off my sport coat.
“So how long have you two lived together?”
“Since the second week of rehearsals,” she admitted with a bit of pep in her voice like she knew it pissed me off and she enjoyed it.
I stared at her, she was fucking gorgeous and my chest was pounding out of control. I hated myself for how much I wanted her. She wasn’t supposed to be this perfect in person. At nineteen, she should have still been in college and not living with a grown man that wasn’t her dad or her husband. I tried not to consider that my brother would marry her.
Those nighttime fantasies were bad enough when I’d never met her, but watching her in shorts that showed off her curvy ass, I had to constantly remember that she was my brother’s woman. My eyes should be plucked out for such disrespect, but all I could think about was how I’d love to part her thighs and taste her sweetness.
I saw that she put cream in hers and Michael’s but left mine black and didn’t ask if I wanted anything in it. I could taste the sweetness in the coffee, but how did she know I liked a teaspoon of sugar in my cup?
“This coffee is perfect.”
“I’m glad you found something pleasing about me,” she huffed out. Only thing I found pleasing? She had no inkling of how pleasing I found her, from her lips to the sound of her soft voice or the way her body was built for a man like me. I found everything about her pleasing except that she gave it all to my brother.
“What do you expect me to say? You’re beautiful? You could make any man crumble to his knees? I don’t know you, Mina. And seeing you run around in your pajamas, however pleasing, isn’t very appropriate.”
“Oh, there he goes again, the stick in mud,” Michael chimed in, walking into the room while fixing his pants. Years of self-control and dedication were the only things keeping me from pummeling him. “So, what’s with the visit? Mom send you? Or was it cheaper to fly in than calling me every day?”
“As it happens, I was in town on business. Mother didn’t send me, but it is about the family. Grandfather is ill and would like you to visit, very soon. In fact, the private jet is on standby for us.”
“I can’t go.”
“Why can’t you? Your play is over.” I wasn’t pleased and waited to hear his excuse.
“I have an audition on Monday. I received the call yesterday and they want the audition to be private,” Michael replied.
“Since when? When I talked to you last week you said you were free.” I balled my fists on my thighs, trying to keep my composure.
“If there’s anything about this business it’s that it can be spontaneous. They set it up for that movie I was telling you about. It’s a big deal, but I can fly out afterward.”
“Very well, I suppose I can rearrange my schedule to stay here for a few days.”
“No, you can go on without me. I’ll catch a flight out on Tuesday morning.”
“I can go visit my parents while you’re gone,” she suggested.
“No, you won’t. You’re going to go with my brother and I’ll meet you there.”
“Excuse me?” she and I said together. There was no way I wanted her anywhere in my home without Michael around. I was of the highest moral character, except for when it came to her. The fantasies were insistent. The thought of spreading her creamy thighs over my blue silk sheets, her long red hair fanning out on the pillow as I worked my way into her, raw and ready to breed, sent tormenting pulses through my cock. Mina was mine in my head and my body refused to think otherwise.
I took another drink of my coffee, burning my tongue intentionally, hoping to cool the raging lust inside me. “That won’t be a good idea, Michael.”
“Why not?”
“She doesn’t belong there without her fiancé. It would look inappropriate.”
“We’re not engaged.”
I growled internally. So, he was treating her like a live-in whore. I hated it even more. At least with them engaged she would be more than his bedtime playmate. If she were mine, she’d be a queen, literally and pleasurably. I’d never shoot a Nerf gun at her ass. The only thing besides the sheets on her soft bottom would be my hands and lips.
“I don’t want to go with him anyway.” She looked at me with such contempt. “He’s a snob,” she bit at me. I wanted to take her over my knee and spank her pretty ass until she learned who she was talking to.
“Remember who you’re talking to, Ms. Holden.”
“Whatever, I know you’re Michael’s brother and a ruler of a small country with an ego the size of a massive country.” I wanted to take her over my knee.
“Mina, please don’t aggravate him. You’ll be safe with him.”
“I’m safe with you,” she said to my brother, sending my blood pressure rising, but my face remained expressionless.
“No, I need to do this audition on my own.” She gasped at Michael. I was certain that it hurt her to be brushed aside and felt bad for her. “Amir, she needs protection. She hasn’t told anyone, but she has a stalker.” I growled and stood up angrily.
“You are coming with me, even if I have to carry you onto the plane.” The feeling of someone out there ready to hurt her sent a volatile emotion through my veins.
“I won’t go anywhere with you.” She stood up and put her hands on her hips, looking up at me like she was going to change my mind. I looked down at her with a smirk.
“Ms. Holden, I assure you, you will go with me. I won’t be dissuaded.” I turned to my brother and said, “She reminds me of Lexi, small and feisty.”
“Kind of like Sansa, too,” Michael laughed.
“Yes, very true.” Our little sister was a sweetheart when she was happy, but don’t cross her in any way and sure as hell don’t tell her what to do. I wondered if she would ever find someone to settle her down. There wasn’t anyone I could think of. The only person that could tame her bad attitude was Hassan, but he thought she was a spoiled brat. I thought she just had too much of my mother and gran
dmother in her. She wasn’t a person to take orders from anyone.
“I’m not like your sister or your lover,” she hissed at me getting closer. I inched in closer ready to bite that pouty lip of hers, but Michael wrapped his arm around her and pulled her back.
“Go get packed,” Michael whispered against her ear. A chill went up my spine. How was I going to get over her? Why was it that I had no intention of trying?
I walked to the window and spied my men waiting for me while I heard Mina stomp away. It was normal now that I was a ruler, but I needed to add additional security to my brother and to Mina and me.
“Thanks, bro. I’m really sorry about her attitude. Just, please, be nice to her. She’s a complete sweetheart.” Michael clapped my shoulder. He didn’t understand that having her around was too hard for me. I was going to have to devote my whole time to work. She would be with my grandparents and guards at the family palace.
“She has wealthy parents. Why aren’t they having her protected?” Now that I knew she was in trouble, I wouldn’t leave it to anyone else to protect her, but I wanted to know why they hadn’t stepped up.
“No one knows about it. They are on an anniversary trip and she didn’t want to worry them.”
“How long has it been going on?”
“It was the last performance. The bastard started leaving her flowers and telling her they were meant to be together. That she needed to leave me or she was going to pay.”
“Excuse me, your highness.” We both turned around and she asked, “What should I bring to wear?” Nothing was the first thing that popped in my head.
I mentally shook it off and responded properly. “It’s already warmer back in Khaleel, but we will get you more garments there. Take your necessities for a few days and we will get you more. The weather can be harsh with the sun at times.”
“Don’t forget to bring your swimsuits. There’s a large pool in the palace. You’ll love it.”
I turned and gave my brother a dirty look, then made a few phone calls. I wanted the plane ready and guards up here to stay with Michael and two to walk us both to the car. She came out of the room and I took her suitcase from her. “I’ll be in the hallway. Make your goodbyes quick.”
I couldn’t watch them kiss each other again.
Chapter 2
Amir
The drive to the airport had been a quiet one. I wanted to tell her she would have fun and I wasn’t the beastly bastard she thought I was, but she was looking out the window the entire drive. Hassan sat in the front seat and turned to ask me questions in Farsi. I answered the first two, but reminded him that we had a guest in the car and it was rude.
“Sire, we should arrive in Khaleel around nine at night. Will you wish to eat when we arrive?”
I tapped her arm that was bent on her lap. “Mina, will you care to eat a later dinner?”
Her eyes blinked rapidly. I caught her off guard it seemed. She was truly lost in thought and I wish she’d talk to me. “Did you want to eat a dinner when we land? It will be later tonight, but we’ll have a small meal on the plane.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. I don’t want to put anyone out,” she answered with a soft embarrassed hush.
“You will not. They are there to cook for us,” I informed her. “They would love to feed more than me.”
“That’s fine then. I like to eat,” she replied with the prettiest smile possible. The tension in the car grew as a blush stole across her face. She was so beautiful.
“Me, too,” I tossed a smile back at her. Hassan coughed, stopping me from staring at her which I didn’t notice I was doing.
“We’re going to pull onto the private tarmac,” the driver said.
“Okay, I’m more than ready to go home. Ready?” I asked her.
“I suppose,” she said with a shrug.
Mina
We exited the car and I was feeling really nervous. I was totally going to cave to my feelings for Amir if he kept smiling at me the way he did. I hated that idea. The man didn’t respect me and I would be nothing more than a fling for him. He was a royal ruler and I was a former actress. He had to marry someone of his own background and that didn’t include me. I was going to let him think I was with Michael. It made it easier for me.
The lie was going to have to be the barrier between us. I knew he thought I was attractive, but he wasn’t going to act because he thought I was with Michael. The tension between us was intense and exciting. I had to stare out the window the entire ride just to ignore the heat coming from his gaze. It was penetrating, but something about it was soft when he first helped me into the car.
We were surrounded by security as we boarded the plane. It was a bit nerve wracking, but I assumed this was the usual. He walked directly behind me and I could feel his eyes on me. I couldn’t tell if it was contempt or desire, but when he pressed his hand to the small of my back, I felt desire spiral up my spine and circulate through my entire body.
The woman who was waiting for us to board looked at me peculiarly and Amir noticed. I didn’t miss the scowl he gave her. “Please excuse my staff. They are not used to having females that are unrelated on board our royal plane.”
“I understand. I suppose that I’ll be getting plenty of those looks when I get there.”
“You shouldn’t and I’ll take care of it. It shouldn’t matter just because you’re female. Even if I wanted you as my lover, it shouldn’t be anyone’s business. Please take a seat so I can tell them we’re ready.” He took a seat farther away than I expected, but then again, just because he was Michael’s brother didn’t mean I was his friend, no matter what he said.
The flight was smooth and the stewardess brought around drinks and snacks for us, but Amir didn’t touch the snacks. He was too busy talking to the two men that had boarded the plane with us. They were speaking in their own language and looking over documents. He shook his head a couple of times, and every once in a while, stole a glance. I laid my head back and tried to nap, but it didn’t work, so I took out my tablet and started to read. It was going to be a long flight, so I was glad that I had put it on the charger before I left.
Once the food was brought around, Amir came back to sit near me. “I’m sorry, but we had to go over some official government matters.”
“It’s fine, Mr. Askari, I understand. You didn’t need to sit with me. I’m okay on my own.”
“Maybe I want to sit with you,” he said, giving me a soft look like he was trying to butter me up.
“That’s surprising. Wondering what I want from your brother? Are you going to try and talk me out of being with him?”
“No, I wanted to talk to you about your life growing up.”
“That’s a story to tell,” I laughed. Growing up with famous parents had been hard. The limelight wasn’t nice, especially when I went through the typical, awkward stage.
“So tell me. We have another two hours left. I’m curious.”
“I’ve been no stranger to cameras since I was born. I started school like a normal kid until I was about seven and had to be taken out because my parents were traveling to be on set. And it didn’t help that I had kids looking at me like I was one of two things, a rock star or a wannabe. It was hard, but once I started being home schooled things improved.”
“You don’t have any siblings.”
“Is that a question?”
“No, I guess I was just wondering why.”
“Truth be told, my mother took too long to get back into perfect form and she was afraid it would ruin her career to have another baby. My father, a director, understood completely. So I was it. Spoiled rotten, then asked to choose a path. It was hard for me to decide. I’m only nineteen without any formal education. I had a choice to make and the theater called to me first. I loved it. Acting came easy to me, but...”
“The stalker?” he asked, reaching his hand out to give mine a squeeze. I just nodded and pulled my hand out of his. It was a kind innocent gesture, but it made me wild ins
ide. I held back the shiver that ran through me from his touch.
“We’ll find him and deal with him.”
“It’s not your problem, Mr. Askari,” I told him.
“It’s Amir. And if it affects my brother, it affects me. We may be different in our personalities, but we weren’t always so different.”
“Really? What changed it?”
“9-11 did.”
“So you hate us?” I asked with a gasp.
“God, no. Not even in the slightest. I was born and raised here. My mother being American of Irish descent. I get why you would say that. Many of Middle-eastern descent caught a lot of hatred and anger. Fear is one hell of a motivator. I was young at the time, but the stigma was still there. We lived in New York City at the time. It was down the street from our condo and it was scary to us, too, but many didn’t see us that way. I was looked at as a potential terrorist. It wasn’t like I was going to be. My brother went by his middle name, but I stuck true to my Persian royal roots. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate being American, because I still do, but I didn’t want fear to change my history.”
“I understand that. That explains a lot about both of you. Michael went the opposite way of you. I suppose that’s why you two don’t get along.”
“We do, but it’s harder now that we’re older.”
“You make it sound like you’re old. Twenty-seven isn’t old.”
“Yes, that’s true, but I feel it sometimes. Don’t get me wrong. I want to be where I am, but sometimes Michael’s choices seem so easy.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I hate that you disapprove of his life so much, but even as a ruler, I’m sure you can take time off and have some fun.”
“One day I will. I could use a vacation, but it will have to wait until I find a wife.”
“I’m sure that’ll be a hard task,” I said, rolling my eyes. The man was handsome, smart, royal, and strong; women should be throwing themselves at his feet. I wanted to throw myself at his feet.
