No. She had not made a mistake. Kissing him would have been a mistake. Allowing him to sweep her off her feet the way he’d done to countless women over the past four years would have been a mistake.
Asserting herself, asserting her independence and setting up parameters was not a mistake. It was good business. Kadir would respect her for it. And in the end, if this worked the way he hoped and he did not inherit the throne of Kyr, she would slide back into her role as his PA. So long as this arrangement stayed strictly business between them—including any touching or kissing that was required for the role—there would be no awkwardness later on.
Still, her stomach twisted in such a way that belied her thoughts. But she refused to let her fears get the upper hand. This was a business arrangement, albeit an uncharacteristic one. And she would do her part without fear or complaint.
Still, she worried about the way he’d been last night. He’d proposed this crazy idea, and she’d agreed, but what must he truly be feeling inside? His father was dying. She remembered that moment when he’d told her. He’d said he was angry and her heart had gone out to him. She’d known him for too long to be unaffected by his pain.
And yes, she’d agreed to help him. For the money. But also for him.
Emily threw back the covers and launched herself out of bed. She took a shower and dressed in her usual business attire—because it was all she had besides a few pairs of jeans and casual shirts—and slipped on her low heels. And then, because she wasn’t quite sure what else to do with her hair when she felt as though she was dressed for work, she pulled it back in a severe ponytail.
Her cell phone rang just as she finished putting on lip gloss. One glance at the screen and her stomach started doing backflips. Emily took a deep breath and willed the butterflies away. It was ridiculous to get worked up, especially since Kadir called her often and it had never bothered her before.
“Yes,” she said, hoping she sounded cool and calm.
“I need you to come to my suite, Emily. The lawyers are here.”
She swallowed. Part of her had begun to hope it had all been a dream. “All right. I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”
She ended the call and took another look at herself in the mirror. All the color had drained from her face until she looked pale and ghostly. God, she was really going to do this. She was going to walk into Kadir’s suite and marry him.
For the first time, a little stab of distress caught her by surprise. She should have worn something different from her usual attire. Something a bride would be happy to say she’d gotten wed in. Something special.
Emily closed her eyes. Except this was merely an arrangement and it wasn’t supposed to be special. What was the matter with her? Why did she care what she wore when all she was going to do was sign some papers?
Papers that would change her life, albeit for a short time. She really, really hoped that Kadir knew what he was doing. It was a crazy plan, but she’d agreed to it. Too late to back out now.
She took one last look in the mirror, smoothed her ponytail and went to meet her fate.
* * *
Kadir waited impatiently for Emily to arrive. He paced back and forth in the living room of his suite while the lawyers arranged the documents on a nearby table. The sun had glided above the horizon an hour ago now, and the Paris sky was clear and blue, with wisps of feathery clouds sailing across it.
A perfect day to get married.