The Sheikh's Baby Scandal(21)

His vehicle was waiting, the engine purring, and his driver was—as always—on the phone. Felicia was grateful that the doorman didn’t attempt small talk. Instead he handed Felicia her preferred brew in a takeaway cup and she said her thanks and took a grateful sip.

Dawn was breaking and Dubai was now pretty in pink. And then, as transfixing as the sunrise, Kedah appeared, walking slowly as if there was no King or country awaiting his imminent arrival, no jet on the runway ready and primed to carry him there.

She would have loved to say, Look what the cat dragged in—but, as always, he was immaculate. In fact he looked as if he were just leaving for the night rather than arriving back at dawn. He was a sight for Felicia’s sleep-deprived eyes.

‘Good morning,’ he greeted her.

‘You’re late,’ Felicia responded.

‘So?’ His response was surly and brief, and he glanced down at the coffee she held in her hand and then back up to her eyes. ‘May I?’

Felicia handed him her coffee and he drained it, but then pulled a face. ‘Too sweet.’

‘It didn’t stop you, though.’

Actually, last night it had.

Last night his mind had been on Felicia—so much so that he’d dropped his pouting date back at her hotel and returned to his room. Sleep had proved elusive, and a shower had done nothing to temper the urge to call Felicia and summon her to his suite.

The trouble was, he had known she was the one woman who might not take too kindly to his summons, and so instead he had headed onto the balcony and told himself to forget about her—at least for now. There was his trip home to get through first.

Zazinia had to be his priority—though he wasn’t looking forward to this visit in the least. He knew there would be a confrontation with his father, and that there would be a push towards him choosing a bride.

Last night he had hoped to take his mind off his problems in the usual way, but he hadn’t been able to.

Now the reason that he hadn’t smiled back at him.

This morning her hair was worn down, though it was more wavy and unkempt than usual. She didn’t wear a lot of make-up, but she had on none today.

She belonged on his pillow.

‘Are you ready?’ she asked him.

‘Am I?’ he asked. ‘Did you finish my packing?’

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I went into your suite with the butler this morning. He didn’t want to—he was worried we might disturb something.’

‘There was nothing to disturb last night,’ Kedah said. ‘In fact there hasn’t been anything to disturb for quite some time.’

‘I don’t believe you for a moment.’

‘That’s up to you. My theatre date bored me, as did my date last night. Did you get the chocolates?’

‘You know I did.’

‘Did you like the towels?’ he asked. ‘Oh, I apologise—I forgot there are things that bore you to discuss.’

She said nothing.

‘Did you get my note?’

She nodded.

‘And did you?’ he asked.

And then he looked at the shadows under her eyes that were so much darker than before and the slight gritting of her jaw. The answer as to whether she had thought about it was clear.

‘Of course you did.’

She wished she could go back to their first meeting, when she had been sure about never sleeping with him.

But she hadn’t really been sure even then.

On sight she had wanted him, and that feeling remained.

‘I’m going to freshen up,’ Kedah said.

When he had left she stood there, as the driver made small talk and worried about angering Kedah’s father, the King.

She remembered the tingle at the base of her spine at the way he said her name.

She did not mix business with pleasure, but he blurred all the lines.

He wanted the tough woman who had stepped into his office—which she still was—and yet Felicia was also aware that she liked him more than she should for such a relationship to work.

He didn’t need to know that.

More than anyone, Felicia knew how to hold onto her heart.

‘How long did he say?’ the driver asked now. ‘Apparently they’re furious at the palace that he’s so late. The captain’s trying to sort out a flight path to make up the time...’

‘He shouldn’t be too long,’ Felicia replied. ‘I’ll just go and see.’

She should text him, really.

It would be far safer.

Instead, just a few moments later, she stood at the door of his hotel suite.

She had the access card—of course she did—but usually if he was in there she’d knock first.

This morning she didn’t.

She stepped into the entrance hall and saw Kedah was emptying his safe.