Both girls’ jaws dropped.
Then Fayza exclaimed, “God, you mean it?”
“Ask Jenan. I never say anything I don’t mean.”
Jen nodded sagely. “He means it.”
The girls squealed with delight, deluged Numair in thanks. Even though they were the daughters of a king, the girls hadn’t grown up in anywhere near that level of luxury. Their father would have indulged them even with Zafrana’s deteriorating economic conditions, but Jen had made sure he didn’t, so they didn’t grow up spoiled and desensitized from excess.
But now a little indulging from someone who could so afford it was okay. And how they appreciated it. Numair, on the other hand, didn’t seem at ease under the bombardment of their gratitude.
To end the subject, Numair asked Fayza, “So how do you know about that other plane you thought this one was? I didn’t realize following the news of aviation exhibitions was among the things a girl your age would be interested in.”
Fayza sat forward eagerly. “I want to be a pilot, and I’m interested in everything man-made that flies.”
And Jen was doing everything to make sure Fayza realized her dreams and soared as high as she could.
The next second, her heart scattered its beats at his feet as Numair said something to the same effect. “Whatever you need to realize your ambition, I’m at your service.”
When the girls realized he indeed meant it, and what it meant for someone of his power to help open closed doors or level road bumps for them wherever they needed, Fayza and Zeena again buried him in delight and gratitude.
Intervening this time, Jen began to interact with the trio more instead of only watching them and contributing to their exchange at key points. Then over an exquisite lunch, the conversation and banter flowed more fluently with every passing second.
The girls of course kept trying to get to the truth of why Numair was helping Jen, and by association, them, what was in it for him and what exactly had happened in the past four days. Numair deflected their persistence, gave them answers that were at once true, yet said absolutely nothing of the truth. It was uncanny.
But what most delighted Jen was how Numair, for all his widely known misanthropy and his initial reluctance to have her sisters on board, treated them much like she did, with care and indulgence, albeit with his own version of overwhelming authority and firmness. He acted as she’d always imagined a magnificent older brother would be with them. She knew she was getting way ahead of herself, but she’d stopped worrying about anything that would happen down the road. She’d just enjoy the incredible present.
With that in mind, she threw herself into being with the three people she loved being with most in the world...and hoped her sisters would go to sleep soon.
* * *
Numair stood at the top of the stairs of his jet and looked over the land he hadn’t set foot on since he was a child. Zafrana. Half of his heritage.
Suddenly, all his senses revved, and he turned to the one who had total dominion over them now. Jenan looked even more breathtaking than ever as she approached him. Together they’d step onto the land she’d relinquished by choice and he’d lost by treachery. He would now reclaim it for himself, and make it a place where she could be happy and fulfilled, a home that deserved her.
Her eyes were full of all the wonders they’d experienced together. But for appearances’ sake, so they wouldn’t invite people’s interference into their new and vital bond, she kept to herself the hands that had sent him mad with desire and ecstasy for four straight days.
He luxuriated in how refreshed and satiated she looked. For the girls had slept. They’d woken up only during descent. He’d had Jenan in his arms, under him, all around him, for ten straight hours. Half of the time had been consuming pleasure, and the rest rejuvenating slumber.
When her two sisters stepped out behind them, he turned to look at them. It had surprised him to find himself liking them, needing to please and defend them, and not only because they were her family. They smiled at him with that growing fondness and admiration that so affected him as they all descended the stairs to the limo waiting to take them to the VIP arrivals lounge.
As they entered the lounge, the girls rushed to their friends, who’d come to inspect Numair’s jet for the promised in-the-air party. He was exchanging an amused intimate smile with Jenan when a deep voice boomed behind them.
“Jenan.”
As they swung around, a man, almost as tall and big as him, was striding toward them, his face tinged with an anxious, angry fire. Numair recognized him at once.
Najeeb Aal Ghaanem. Saraya’s crown prince. His cousin and the oldest son of his murderous uncle.