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Janna kept h
er attention on Nassir. “Will your bride be at the restaurant as well?”
Nassir exchanged a glance with the man beside her then smiled, “Of course.”
Her tense shoulders relaxed a bit. Now they were getting somewhere. “Good. I can get her input then. See you in an hour.”
She nodded to Adilan then headed back for the exit.
From what Nassir had explained, the driver he’d arranged for her would be available for her use at all times during the duration of her stay. At first, she’d considered that idea a little strange, but now that she was in Al-Sarid and didn’t speak the language, she was beyond grateful for the polite, English-speaking driver who just might prove to be her saving grace.
Janna walked outside and said driver held the door open for her now as she slid into the backseat of the sleek black sedan and placed her portfolio beside her. One hour from now, she’d meet the bride and finally get to work.
*****
“She’s a little spitfire, eh?” Adilan said as they headed for the showers.
“She is spirited, yes.” In fact, she’d seemed downright aggressive today, much different from the last time they’d met. At Amare’s wedding, she’d seemed tough and in charge but still feminine and even downright flirty.
“Her and Malid would get on like a house on fire,” Adilan said, raising his eyebrows.
Nassir rubbed the stubble on his jaw, “Agreed. Best to keep those two apart. Our brother’s anti-West views would not be welcome.”
Nevertheless, today she’d been all staunch business and prickly demands. Nassir didn’t like those changes, but did his best to consider the fact that she was a stranger in a strange land and perhaps she’d been nervous. He knew he could be intimidating, especially on his home turf.
Of course, nervous was not what he’d seen as she’d stared at him the ring or later, as he’d wiped off. No. Then her beautiful eyes had filled with sexual heat and sensual promise as she stared at his bare torso. His body stirred at the memory and he couldn’t deny the chemistry between them. He’d been aware of her since that night at the reception. Today had proven to him that he was not alone in that awareness.
Truth be told, her fiery personality only made him want her more. Janna’s feisty nature brought out the dominance in him, made him want to tame her, own her, claim her as his. Not that he planned to ever share that with her or anyone else. This would be a business arrangement. A marriage of convenience. A way for him to maintain his control over the Adjalane Oil Board. Nothing more.
“You really think she’ll agree to marry you?” Adilan asked, jarring Nassir out of his thoughts.
Nassir gave a brief nod as they headed into the locker room. “She will.”
“I’ve got my doubts, brother. The next few days should be most interesting. I look forward to watching you fail.”
“Then you will be disappointed.” Nassir grinned. “She will be mine. No doubts. Even better, she’ll be planning her own dream wedding without realizing it.”
“No. I believe she is too smart for you.” Adilan chuckled. “Any woman who will carry a binder like that is a force to reckoned with. She’ll catch you at your game and then she’ll make you pay.”
“Never happen.” Nassir scoffed. “Besides that pink monstrosity she calls a portfolio, everything she uses is that color. Pens, paper, business cards. Everything. Do you know what that means?”
Adilan shook his head.
“It means, dear brother, that she has her head in the clouds. While she’s planning other peoples’ weddings, she probably has hers already planned out down to the smallest detail. Seems my new bride is a hopeless romantic. And romance makes people blind. And stupid.”
“Perhaps.” Adilan said, heading for the showers, his grin wide. “But I will still be anxiously awaiting your downfall.”
Chapter 4
Twenty minutes later, Nassir walked into the restaurant, nodding to the owner as he was escorted to his private dining room. The purpose of today’s luncheon was to discuss the current board situation with Hazim, his uncle and the man who’d trained him for his position with the company.
“Uncle,” Nassir greeted Hazim with a kiss to each cheek, as was their custom, though there was little affection behind the act for them. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today.”
Hazim took his seat and sipped his water. “You are most welcome, though I wonder why you asked me here?”
Nassir steepled his fingers and waited while the waiter took their orders then left them alone once more behind in their private room, a veil hung over the door for added security. “These current demands are untenable.”
Hazim gave him a droll look. “The marriage aspect? Does that mean you intend to defy their orders already?”
