“My father is a traditionalist. So you may hear some…remarks from him. Remarks you may not like.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Like what?”
“Just keep in mind that he may speak to you more as a daughter-in-law and less of a business associate.” Anxiety licked through him. He counted a million ways this pending meeting could end poorly. Especially now that he had a taste of Annabelle’s hotheadedness. “Do your best to stick to the business portion. We just need the merger. Remember that.”
“Right.” She closed the menu, smiling up at a waiter who came to take her order. She asked for a coffee and toast then turned to Imaad. “So what about us? How are we supposed to act?”
Imaad took another sip at his tea, trying to steady his mind. He knew how he wanted to act with her, but that would fall more on the side of a fling than a business marriage. “Normally. He’ll not expect us to be terribly intimate. Even if we were truly in love, public displays of affection are frowned upon here.”
“Good. So I don’t have to hold your hand or call you Snookums.”
Imaad laughed. “Definitely not.”
The two shared a look, one that made a tendril of hope uncurl within him. If she was going to be spending a lot of time in Minarak at his side, it helped that her sharp wit made something buzz deep inside him. Also didn’t hurt that she was so damn easy to look at.
Once they finished breakfast, Imaad called for the car. Her heels clicking softly as they walked through the hotel lobby to the main doors. Her flowery perfume reached him, and his head spun for a moment. If you were anyone else…
In the back of his mind, he knew all the things he wanted to do to her. Every time he looked at her, he found something new fascinating him. The long curl of her eyelashes. The tiny mole on the upper left side of her lip. The downy blonde hairs on her cheeks. The precise arcs of her eyeliner. And if he could see under those tailored clothes—get down to the real meat of the matter—he was sure he’d find plenty more delights to blow his mind.
Outside the hotel, the busy Minarak morning blared and honked around them. He held open the back door of the sedan, waiting as she got in, his gaze sliding over the delicious curve of her hip. Once he was seated beside her and the car was in motion, he allowed himself another glance.
Her heart-shaped face was turned toward the window, gaze transfixed on the cars passing by.
“Is this your first time in Parsabad?”
She nodded, not looking over at him. “But I’ve been to the Middle East before.”
The ride to the office was quick, and Imaad didn’t try to say much. He liked the fragrant cloud of wonder that hung between them, as Annabelle took in a new city and they sat in relative ease…waiting for the storm to come.
Annabelle followed him into the corporate office building, where they headed for the top floor quickly. In the elevator, Annabelle cast him a worried look.
“Anything else I should know before I go in?”
Imaad shook his head, fingers twitching as he fought the urge to squeeze her shoulder. He knew her enough to know that wouldn’t go over well at all. “Just keep the merger in mind. I’ve never done this before either.”
They shared a long look, one that seared him to his spot. When the doors opened, they lingered a moment, gazing at each other. Annabelle ripped her eyes away, and Imaad came to, clearing his throat. He led the way out of the elevator and toward his father’s office. He knocked once before pushing the door open.
Inside, his father had a huge grin and two drinks poured, just like last time.
“Come in, come in!” He gestured them in, pointing to the two open seats. Imaad allowed Annabelle to sit first, then took the empty seat. His father settled into his large leather chair behind the desk, smiling so widely his teeth showed.
“Mr. Almasi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She offered her hand, and he took it, shaking it fervently.
“Annabelle. My future daughter.” Imaad’s father let out a long sigh, gazing at Annabelle as if she were a ghost. “You’re much more beautiful than your father let on. I think my Imaad must be pleased.”
Annabelle stiffened beside him. An awkward silence filled the room.
“Drinks, Father?” Imaad pointed at the tumblers when the silence had grown deafening.
“Yes. To celebrate!” His father picked up one, offering the second to Imaad. His voice shriveled in his throat. Of course his father wouldn’t offer a woman whiskey. He could feel Annabelle’s eyes burning on his hand holding the tumbler.
His father clinked glasses with
him and Imaad sent an apologetic look her way, trying to send an explanation via mind waves, if such a thing were possible. This is tradition. This is my father. Don’t be offended.
“I’m very pleased to be here to complete the merging of our two companies.” Annabelle’s voice sounded forced. She must be trying very hard to control that sharp tongue of hers.
“Yes, yes.” His father waved his hand in the air, as though dismissing it. “But the real matter is the marriage! This has been too long in the making. You two will be the perfect couple.”