by C. M. Steele
“I assure you it’s not that easy.” He looked at me like a man who lost his puppy and started a long awkward silence.
“Who is Lexi?” I don’t know why I asked.
“My white Persian cat.”
“You have a cat?” I arched my brow at him.
“Yes, do I not look like a cat owner?”
“No, actually you do. Do you sit it on your lap and pet it saying, ‘I’ll get you Inspector Gadget’?”
“Are you calling me The Claw?” he asked, looking a bit surprised.
“Noooo,” I drawled, looking away. Then I heard the sexiest laugh possible. Amir let out a chuckle that was deep and with feeling. I laughed with him, but paused when I became lost in the sound. Catching my silence and completely misinterpreting it, he stopped.
“You have an incredible laugh.”
“Thank you,” he said, still slightly embarrassed.
“Sire, may I have a word with you?” Hassan, his personal advisor said.
Chapter 3
Amir
After her teasing, we had kept our distance on the plane. The drive to the palace was dark and she was the first to break the silence. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you earlier in front of your people.”
I reached for her hand, giving it another squeeze. “You didn’t. There were more matters for me to discuss with them. It is the way of life for me. Forgive me, but you’ll be left to your own devices for the next few days until my brother returns.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Don’t seem so upset. My staff will be there to assist you in anything you need.”
“I don’t want to be a bother.”
“You’re not. You’re a guest. We’re here.” Her eyes turned to the palace. It was grand, but not the largest. It was built centuries ago, but had been ongoing renovations for the last twenty years. Just like much of the town.
“Oh, my God, it’s gorgeous. I think you’re the lucky one.”
“A palace is nothing without someone to share it with.” Again, with my big mouth, silence took over; thankfully, it was short. We climbed the stairs and the front door opened just as we reached the top step.
Her eyes widened and her lips parted as she saw my home. She turned around and twirled in a circle. I stood there with my arms crossed, watching the happiness flow from her. I hated that she fit so perfectly in my world. Would Michael mind if I stole his woman? Probably. Would I be able to deal with the fact that she had once been his? I’d try. After all, Michael hadn’t planned on marrying her anyway.
“Let me take you to your rooms and then we’ll prepare to eat if you’re still hungry.”
“How long will we have?”
“Twenty minutes,” my butler said, walking toward us. “Please forgive me, but there was a bit of a mishap and dinner is running a bit later than expected.”
“That is fine. All is well, though?”
“Yes, just a spilled pot,” he replied.
“Was anyone hurt?” Mina asked, rattled with concern.
He looked at her briefly. She did not understand the rules, however my man acted accordingly. “Yes, one of the maids, but she has been bandaged.”
“Send the doctor to see her.” I informed him and gave him a subtle nod.
“Yes, Sire.” He nodded and walked away.
“Mina, come with me.”
“Oh no. I hope she’s okay.” She looked so devastated by the maid’s injury. A burn, as lousy as it is, was nothing.
“I’m sure she will be fine. Come, let’s get you settled.” I lead the way without touching her. The men took the suitcases up to our rooms while we spoke to my butler. It would be normal for me to have a meeting with him this evening, but I wanted to wait until after dinner. I wanted to walk her to her room. My servants could have done that, and on the rare occasion that a visitor came to the palace, the servants would, but I promised to protect her, so I should. Or perhaps it was that I couldn’t take my eyes away from her.
“This is your room.” I opened the door and escorted her in.
“Wow, this is amazing and too much. I’m less important than a servant here.”
“No, you’re a guest of the crown. It is my decision where you stay.” I didn’t dare close the door behind us, but I did need to inform her about the little faux-pas downstairs. “Also, I must inform you that to interject when a servant is addressing me is considered rude.”
She clapped her hand over her mouth, upset and embarrassed. “Oh no.”
“Don’t be upset. If I’d been anyone else but the King, it would be normal to interject with concern. I think you shocked him. The only one who can do so would be my wife and that you aren’t.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll remember to not speak unless spoken to.”
“Please don’t be angry with me. I didn’t mean it to be harsh.”
“I’m not. I understand, I’m just so used to being around Michael, who, although royal, acts so American.”
“Thank you for understanding. I will meet you here and walk you down.” I looked at her and although she understood, she seemed hurt by it. If she’d been my future queen it wouldn’t matter if she upset anyone in the palace.
“Thanks, Sire.”
“You can call me Amir in private.” I wanted her to have the right to call me that all the time, but it wasn’t meant to be. I closed my eyes before bowing my head slightly, then leaving the room. I needed air and to get my head on straight. Tomorrow morning couldn’t come fast enough.
“Thanks, Amir.”
I closed the door behind me only to see my grandmother standing at the bottom of the steps glaring at me with an arched brow.
“You’re back.”
“You’re here.”
“Yes, I learned that you brought a woman back with you. Who is she?” Even as the King, I couldn’t refuse my grandmother.
“She is Michael’s girlfriend from America. He asked me to look after her for a bit until he arrives in two days.”
“Oh, Mina is here? I heard a great deal about her. She sounds lovely. I want to meet her.”
“Tomorrow.”
“How about I join you for your late supper and I will introduce myself then?”
“That will be fine. How is grandpa?”
“He is doing better. Yesterday had been scary, but he is coming along. The cough has stopped.”
“That is wonderful to hear.” I wrapped her arm under mine and said, “Come, let me walk you to the dining room and then I shall retrieve my guest.”
Mina
I freshened up, anxiously examining myself in the large golden framed mirror. My room looked like it belonged to the golden era of Hollywood, glamorous and elegant. I felt like I tripped and landed in paradise. The knock at the door made me shiver in excitement. Why? Why was I torturing myself? Amir wasn’t for me. I needed to get over my obsession.
I shook it off and opened the door. He stood there, his tie gone and his collar button undone. I stood there just staring. “Don’t look at me like that or my brother will hate me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re beautiful, Mina, and you stare at me like I’m attractive. It’s going to get you nailed to a wall. So please, don’t look at me with those parted lips and hungry eyes. It’s too fucking tempting,” he said, turning away and waiting at the top step for me. “Come. My grandmother is here and wishes to meet Michael’s woman.” He let out a growly grumble.
“Okay,” I muttered. I wanted to correct him, but I knew he wanted me and that was too dangerous. I wasn’t in for being used. My heart couldn’t handle being his plaything.
As soon as I entered the dining room there was a short, old woman with shocking white hair in an elegant bun. She stood from her chair when I walked in. Suddenly, I felt like I was someone special. It was a strange feeling.
“Mina, it’s so wonderful to finally meet you. I’m Zahra Askari. My grandson has told me so much about you.”
“Really?”
�
�Yes, you are as lovely as I had expected and a bit intimidated. I hope you learn to use your acting abilities in public. People will see your fear around here. Hold that chin up.” I did what she said out of shock. She was a demanding little woman and then I remembered that she was the former queen of the country.
“Grandmother,” Amir sternly called out.
“What? If you take her into town so meekly they will not treat her with respect. The vultures will strike.” I didn’t understand what the big deal was. Did she give a pep talk to every guest?
After that the dinner went well. It was nice and small. “It’s only small because it is late. I don’t want you to have nightmares on your first night here,” Amir said with a teasing smile.
“You know that’s true, right? I used to do that often after a show and pass out, then I would have dreams of things going wrong,” I admitted.
“So do you plan to go back on stage again?” Mrs. Askari asked.
“I don’t think so. I haven’t decided what I want to do. I love acting, but outside of the performance, I don’t like the rest of the business aspect.” Amir looked at me and gave my hand a gentle pat that didn’t go unnoticed by his grandmother. She looked at me with suspicion while Amir was busy cutting his meat.
“Um, I’m really tired. Is it okay if I go to bed now?”
“Of course,” they both said, right after the other.
“Please, I will escort you.”
“Thank you, but I will be fine on my own. Please finish your meal.” I got up and walked away from the table as steady as I could. My heart was pumping out of my chest and I wanted to go home. There was no way I was going to stay here with this tension brewing between us. My pulse was thumping off the charts. I got to my room, shut the door, and leaned against it. This was going to be a long trip. I was going to have to call Michael in the morning and tell him I wasn’t going to stay. I’d visit my parents in Greece.
Chapter 4
Amir
I hardly slept a damn wink last night. All I could think about was her. So much so I had a fucking nightmare like she said I would from eating too late. I closed my eyes to visions of her and I kissing, our bodies naked, and her panting my brother’s name. I woke up in a cold sweat, angry and hard. The sun wasn’t up yet, but I needed to get out of the house before she woke up.
I crept from my room and headed to the gym on the first floor. For the next hour, I pumped iron, working my arms and shoulders to the bone before hurrying back up to my bedroom to shower and get dressed. Once I was looking prim and proper and dressed like a million bucks, I stepped out to get some breakfast. I walked into the kitchen to the sexiest sight. Mina was bent over the counter having a chit chat with my grandmother. She had on full length pajamas, but her round ass was calling me to take hold and fuck her from behind. I’d been staring so long that my grandmother caught me and said, “I am standing right here, Amir.”
I blushed and nearly choked on my own drool. Fucking grandmother was a bad woman, but it was a warning I needed.
“I thought you went home last night.”
“Amir, I live with your grandfather in the cottage on the estate. Besides, I was going to be leaving in a moment. I needed some flour to make breakfast for your grandfather.” I didn’t believe that shit. She was sixty-eight years old and I never knew her to bake anything. She was trying to keep an eye on me.
After Mina had gone upstairs, she asked me why I was here with a woman I was in love with. How she knew that was beyond me, but I never put anything past that woman. I didn’t answer her right away because I had no good reason. I should have let her go with her parents or we could have all waited for Michael to finish his audition. I was being ridiculous, so I confessed that she was in danger. Although she bought the stalker thing, she still said I was in love with Mina and needed to do something about it. Hearing that hurt because that meant that I’d have to find a way to be without her. To let her be with my brother.
“Well, I just came in for a banana. I have a meeting in a bit. Have a great day. Mina, stay inside until I get back. I’ll take you to town when I get back this afternoon. Understood?”
“Yes, understood.” I left her alone with my grandmother, shaking my head because before I knew it my grandmother would have Mina on the next flight out of the country.
Mina
I watched him walk away. I felt something in my heart crack when he walked out of the room. “Someone is in love.” A gasp escaped my throat. With wide eyes, I turned to see his grandmother staring at me. “Please, none of you fool me. Not when I know about Michael.”
“What about Michael?” I asked.
“The boy is you know,” she said, flipping her hand down. I tried not to laugh, but the way she did it was very expressive. She didn’t seem upset by the idea one bit. Interesting, considering their masculine background and patriarchal beliefs.
“What makes you believe that?” I asked, waiting for her to say more. There was no way I was spilling Michael’s secret to this natural con woman.
“My dear, we have all known for years. Since he was a little boy he was different. Then it became very visible during our visit to New York a couple years ago. He had a male ‘roommate,’ and that boy wore clothes that were so flamboyant that you couldn’t miss his gayness.”
“Then why does everyone play along that he and I are together. Amir is upset by it.” If his family already knew, well it was clear Amir didn’t, but why keep it a secret?
“And yet you look at Amir with love but keep the truth from him,” she tossed back at me.
“It’s not my secret to tell,” I said.
“No, but you do not need to be with Michael for him to keep his secret.”
“Yes, but he’s worried that he won’t be accepted.” That had been Michael’s fear all along. Marriage between a man and woman was all they believed in, but the look of love in his grandmother’s eyes when she spoke of him told me he had nothing to worry about.
“There’s nothing between Amir and I anyway. I live in a different world and, in his own words, don’t belong here.”
“I forgot my briefcase,” Amir said, coming back into the dining room. My eyes opened wide and I didn’t turn around to see his face. I prayed to all that was holy that he didn’t hear me. I had to get out of this place. Maybe I’ll look up possible flight information.
“Be careful, Amir,” she said to her grandson.
“Have a good one,” I muttered before dumping my coffee into the sink.
Chapter 5
Amir
Six months of waiting…sick wanting. I’m going to make her pay for it. She was in my country, in my home now, and all fucking mine.
She didn’t want to turn around when I walked back in the room and I was glad she didn’t because I really had a meeting to go to that I didn’t want cancel, but once I got back to the palace, she was going to find herself impaled on my cock and being bred.
The revelation of my brother being gay had nothing on the fact that she was free. He hadn’t touched her. The kiss on stage was just a kiss and the rumor mill was just false rumors. I sped into town, making a call to my grandmother for the family ring. My office was in the market square. I liked to look down at the town and watch the people passing by, but today all I could think about was plotting how I was going to take Mina.
When I got to the office, Mr. Amini was already waiting there for me. “Please come in,” I said.
“Sire, thank you for seeing me. I know that you’re a very busy man.”
“Yes, so please tell me what you need from me.”
“My village is in dire need of a school. Our children are being taught by their mothers and it will only go so far.”
“I thought Khadir had a school.”
“It had one, but when the earthquake came the school suffered major structural issues. Last year it was deemed too unsafe.”
“Why was I not notified about this?”
“It was sent to your council, but they
claimed that the kids could be bussed to the next village. It’s thirty miles of unpaved roads and the bus suffered two breakdowns in the heat.”
“Perhaps they didn’t feel there was a need for it. Are there enough students to warrant a new school to be built?”
“There are fifty children over the age of seven and many more under. The need is there. It doesn’t have to be a large, grand school.”
“Mr. Amini, I understand the need for learning, and yes, fifty students are more than enough for a small school to be built. What happened to the teachers?”
“They have had to find placement elsewhere.”
“Very well, we will look for teachers and get the ball rolling as soon as possible.”
“Thank you so much, Sire. It is truly a wondrous thing for the village.”
“Give me one moment.” I pressed the call button on my cell. “Hassan. Give me the request from the Khadir village.”
“Will do.” Hassan brought in the file and I looked it over while both waited in silence. Everything was in order, and at the time of their request, we’d been going through a transitional period and my staff thought this of little importance. It hadn’t been rejected, just pushed back. There was no need for that now.
“I will look over the plans for a new school this month. With my position in my father’s company, I can purchase the materials at a fairer price and have builders ready to go in the next two weeks.”
“Thank you again for your time and assistance.” He bowed to me almost obsessively, but it was definitely customary. Hassan escorted him out, and I returned to my perch near the window. The market began to come alive with vendors, people, and life. It always made me smile to see it so prosperous.
That smile faded when I saw her standing there. She was looking at the jewelry stand just across the street from my window with one of my guards by her side. At least she was smart enough to take one with her. She didn’t know it yet, but she would be my queen. These people would be her subjects and she needed to be respected. I spied the robe vendors because I knew they were all men, and, just as I thought, they took in her beauty. We may prefer to marry our own, but when someone as beautiful as Mina appears with her luscious long red hair in waves and her bright green eyes smiling kindly at them, it is tempting to so many to take an American for their own.
