Stunned, Laura opened her mouth to deny it, then snapped it closed. What was the point? Heat prickled her cheeks as she stared at the dove. “I wasn’t hiding. I was admiring its beauty.”
“Uh-huh.” He sounded unconvinced. “Who knew you were such a nature enthusiast.”
Tentatively, she reached out a finger to stroke down the bird’s feathers. “I could say the same about you. Rescuing injured doves and all.”
“Seeing as how my sister was partially to blame, I couldn’t very well leave him here, could I?” Raheem held the bird up to his face level and smiled. “His wing is most likely broken from the swat Jess gave him with that ridiculous purse of hers, but I think we can patch that up for him.” The dove cooed back, as if in agreement. “Yes, we can.”
“You have a vet on staff here?” Laura asked, walking beside Raheem toward another entrance to the palace across from the one she’d exited. She suspected this was where Jess had disappeared to and wonder if this was for the family. “Unless you can splint it yourself, Superman.”
Raheem chuckled, a warm, inviting sound that Laura felt clear to her toes. “I like your choice of nickname. Alas, I did not study veterinary medicine in college. Only business and international finance. So yes, we will take him to the vet I keep on staff here for just such occasions.” He held the door for Laura with one hand while keeping the dove cuddled close to his chest with the other. “We also use him for our racing camels.”
“Racing camels?”
“Yes. Feraz’s team is quite popular in the region and they’ve won many titles.” Raheem grinned, all even white teeth and pure seduction. “If you’d like to watch a race sometime, just let me know and I’ll take you to the new track. We can sit in the royal box. It always pisses Rehaj off when I do that. He feels it’s a waste of precious time and money to indulge in such frivolous pursuits. Which, of course, makes it doubly fun for me.”
Laura shook her head and rolled her eyes. Seemed siblings were the same no matter the place or social standing. Inside the palace, the cool air conditioning made her shiver and Raheem gave her a side glance.
“Okay?”
“Yes,” she said, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She’d forgotten about her head scarf and now had it balled up in her hand. “Oh, goodness. I should probably put this back on, huh?”
Raheem narrowed his gaze, looking her over from top to bottom in a slow appraisal. She felt that glance like a physical caress. “No. I like you just as you are. Leave it off. Hair that glorious should never be covered.”
“Oh, um. Right. Sure.” And now she felt even more awkward than before.
They stopped before an elevator and Raheem pressed the button. “Thank you again for accepting the job.”
“Thank you for offering me so much money,” she said without thinking. Laura clamped a hand over her mouth and wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. “Oh, my. I didn’t mean that. I meant thank you for offering me the job when I have such limited experience. I didn’t mean—”
Ding!
The elevator doors slid open and Raheem laughed. “Saved by the bell, eh?”
“Definitely.” Laura continued berating herself all the way up to the third floor, where they got off the elevator and walked down yet another hall to a small animal clinic in the corner of the building. Inside was a single, well-appointed exam room and an Asian man who looked to be in his mid-fifties with glasses and a kind smile. His lab coat said Dr. Xiao.
Raheem made the introductions then turned over the dove for treatment before leading Laura back out into the hall. “If you were hiding behind that palm tree then I’m sure you must have heard my conversation with my sister as well. She has warned me about you.”
“I’m not trouble, I swear.” Laura stopped outside the elevator again. “I just hope I have the skills to help you the way you need.”
“I’m sure you do.” He crossed his arms, causing the white material of his robe to pull taut across his muscled torso. Laura blinked and looked away, but not before she’d seen all those ridges and tantalizing contours. Raheem cocked his head, watching her with a fascinated expression. “If it is losing your job at the production company that has you worried, I may have something to sweeten the pot there as well. Have you called them yet?”
“No.” Once more, he held the door for her and then pushed the button for the first floor after they’d boarded. Laura stood in the corner, doing her best not to ogle her new boss and ignoring the scent of his cologne—woodsy and clean with a hint of soap and warm sunshine. “What else do you have to offer?”
If he noticed the unintended double entendre of her question, Raheem didn’t mention it. Instead, he shrugged. “I can offer your production company exclusive rights to film in Djeva for the length of my project. That should save them money and also give them leverage with the studios for distribution since no one else has been allowed to film here since we opened our country after my father’s death.”
“My boss would love that.” Laura grinned. “He’s been dying to get inside that new five-star resort that’s being built on the coast. If you can add an exclusive visit for him in there, I’d say you’ve got yourself a deal. With me, and them. I’ll have to run it by them, of course, but I can’t imagine them turning down such a fantastic opportunity.”
“Good.” Raheem led her back through the maze of halls until they reached the lobby once more, and it struck Laura just how effortlessly thoughtful he was—always polite and showing impeccable good manners when other men would’ve left her on her own to fend for herself. Her boss being a good case in point. And if someone would’ve told her the night she’d showed up at that desert camp that today she’d be negotiating for better terms for her self-centered boss with a royal prince of Djeva and enjoying it, Laura would’ve said they were nuts. But now, for some reason, she felt totally comfortable with Raheem.
She liked him. Truly liked him. For more than just his off-the-charts eye-candyness.
She liked him for who he seemed to be. Liked his kindness and generosity and insight. Liked the way he looked after his sisters even when they were a pain in his butt. Liked the way he’d cared for that injured dove instead of sending a servant to do it.
As they said their goodbyes for now, Laura stood watching Raheem walk away and felt a strange pull in her chest. Truth was she liked him way more than was wise, and that more than anything else had her concerned.
From across the foyer, Raheem stopped and turned back to her. “Oh, Laura. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep and pack a bag with essentials. We’ll be heading out first thing in the morning to visit a few sites and get started on the project.”
7