Sheikh's Untouched Woman(2)

Unfortunately right now she needed to get through this heavy traffic and get to the restaurant her newest boss, Francois would be waiting to meet with his new business partner. She had no idea about this guy only that he spoke fluent English and he was a prominent businessman. Of course the mere mention of prominent businessmen brought to mind the one man she both hated and couldn’t seem to forget, especially when Rafael had the same enchanting golden eyes. Thoughts of him always made her teeth clench so she allowed the sounds of city traffic to wash over her and drown out the painful memories and the always present anger. “Much better,” she smiled and was rewarded by an open spot just a few blocks from the restaurant.

She rushed those last few blocks and entered the well-lit restaurant, taking a moment to catch her breath before she spotted Francois. Composed with a cool smile pasted on her face she approached the table. “Bonjour Francois.” He stood and kissed both her cheeks.

“Bonjour Serena. Comment allez-vous?”

She nodded a smile to let him know she was doing well before she took the seat to his right. They talked briefly with Francois stumbling over his English inquiring about her life and telling her about his day. “I’m glad you enjoyed the Botanic Gardens.” She enjoyed going there with Rafa, he enjoyed the vibrant colors. She checked her watch. “Your partner should be here any moment, what is his name?”

“It is Raffir al-Jazzari, crown prince of the Kingdom of Maju-ul.”

Serena stiffened at the deep voice behind her and closed her eyes. No, it couldn’t be. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel. She opened her eyes and immediately connected with Francois’ amused green gaze. With a professional smile on her face she turned and stood. “Mr. al-Jazzari, Serena O’Brien. I’m Mr. Pardieu’s translator.” Instead of extending her hand for a shake she offered a curt nod. This was crap, pure and utter crap. Of all the wealthy men in the world Francois had to go into business with him.

Raffi smirked at her attempt to keep him at a distance. He would allow it for now, but not for long. “Ms. O’Brien please call me Raffir.” He turned to the older man. “Good to see you again Francois.”

Lunch went quickly, at least as quickly as any meal could go when one was seated across from the man who’d crushed her heart under his expensive designer shoes. As usual she opted out of lunch, having found early on that it was difficult to eat and translate a conversation. Francois and Raffi had great respect for each other and spoke amicably about their plans to open several high end and mid-level clothing boutiques. She thought the plans were good and a lot of New Zealanders would love to have affordable yet stylish clothing. Fortunately she was here for her language skills, not her business skills.

Francois spoke to her in rapid English, checking to make sure she was alright. He’d noticed her discomfort and she was sure he’d picked up on the tension throughout the meal and she apologized. “Je vais bien,” she assured him she was fine. She was. Sure, at first she was startled but now that she knew he’d be around for at least the next month she would find a way to deal with it as the professional she was. She stood and the men joined her.

“Au revoir, Serena.” He kissed both her cheeks and she offered to walk him out. A nice gesture and a great way to avoid alone time with Raffir. Unfortunately for her Raffi caught up with them at the valet station.

“Serena I was hoping you’d like to have a cup of coffee with me?”

She took in a long breath and released it before looking up at him. “No thanks.” It was simple and to the point. She just hoped it worked.

His face darkened for a moment but turned pleading. “Come on Serena I’d like to talk and to apologize. You can let me do that, can’t you?”

You’ve got to be kidding me! “No really I can’t Mr. Al-Jazzari. Besides there’s nothing to apologize for, you were just being honest. Right?” As much as it still hurt to say those words, it took her a few months to realize that he had been telling the truth. So as much as it still hurt she didn’t need an apology. It would change nothing.

He narrowed his gaze at her, unaccustomed to this stronger version of his sweet Serena. “You’ve got your reprieve Serena. For now.” He leaned in a bit and told her, “We will talk.”

Her stomach dropped and that anxiety she’d long gotten rid of once she realized Raffi would not be coming after her, returned in full force. She turned a strained smile to Francois and bid him farewell.





Raffir couldn’t believe it. After more than a year of searching for her he’d found Serena by chance. Even for a man of his immense wealth finding one little Irish born girl from Australia had proven impossible. In fact it had shown him just how little he’d actually invested in her. An entire year together and he didn’t know much about her beyond her name and her area of study. So he’d started in Australia and came up with a few dozen Serena O’Briens but none of them his Serena.

Now when he’d given up on ever finding her, she appears before him like a dream. The gods must be shining down on me, he thought with a confident smile.

The Serena he’d seen today was different. She was grown up, clearly, but she was also stronger and harder. She hadn’t smiled once, not a real smile that lit up her entire face. She only offered up variations of the same listless professional smile. For him she hadn’t even managed that, not that he could blame her. Still it stung.

But now that he had her location he wouldn’t give up so quickly. They would talk at the very least. In fact it was all becoming very clear to Raffir now. The reason he couldn’t settle on a bride had to be residual guilt from how things had ended with Serena. If he could make things right with her—and maybe get a few more nights in her bed—he could go back home and choose a wife. He smiled, happy with his new course of action and confident Serena would forgive him after he made her understand.

Now he just had to find a way to get her alone. They were scheduled to meet every day for the next two weeks so he would see her and he would get that coffee date he was desperate to have.

Unfortunately for Raffir, Serena was more stubborn than an angry mule when it came to him. On Tuesday she’d flat out told him no, again. Wednesday she’d claimed another job across town prevented her from coffee with him and he’d reluctantly watched her go. Thursday she’d had a ‘prior engagement’ she couldn’t cancel and Friday she needed to attend a party with Francois about some hotel he was buying. He was at Saturday and no closer to achieving his goals than he was before he’d found her again.

With no plans for the weekend Raffir took to one of the hottest nightclubs in Wellington in search of a companion to help him waste a few hours. He was getting too old for the nightclub scene but it was the perfect place to find a willing woman with no expectations. A lesson he should have learned before he’d met Serena, but he’d wanted her too bad to care that she wasn’t the fling or mistress type. He shook his head thinking about how wrong he’d been about her.

He’d known then he should have left her alone to find and fall in love with some nice university student who he would treat right but leave her with no expectations. Instead Raffir had romanced her and set up expectations he was in no position to fulfill.

Now she hated him and he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

He left his hotel and was soon in the heart of Wellington nightlife. He’d spotted a club owned by a British businessman and skipped the line, quickly entering the dark club. He scanned the room, his tall frame towering over most of the young scantily clad women and men drowning in cheap cologne. Groups of women danced together hoping to attract male attention while men picked out the easiest targets for bedmates.

He was sickened and prepared to leave until he’d spotted a familiar auburn head at a table near the back. Quickly weaving through the spastic dancers he was close to her when she turned and spotted him. Eyes wide she slid off the stool and slipped down the hall where the bathrooms were. Raffir smiled, You’re well and truly trapped now sweet Serena.

He waited at the end of the hallway that lead back to the dance floor and waited. He would have his talk and she would listen. Tonight.

Ten minutes later Raffir was furious. Somehow she’d gotten past him and he hadn’t seen her red hair or silky green top again. The night was a bust and he’d taken the same path through the dancers and out the front of the club to go back to his hotel.

Alone.

~



Monday afternoon Serena waited outside a nondescript building in the shopping district for Francois. He wanted to take another look at this property before making a final decision. She assumed Raffi would be there, and none too pleased with her after she gave him the slip on Saturday night. She shrugged with a small smile, pleased to have beaten him even if the victory was small and short lived. It was impossible to avoid him at work but he didn’t get to claim her personal time as well.

But she knew she would have to agree to coffee soon or risk him showing up at her house. That would be disastrous and ensure she’d never be rid of him. She let out a bitter laugh. There was a time when she wanted nothing more than to be with Raffi forever. The idea of being without him had made her sick. What a difference a year makes.