“You and Katie disappeared together at dinner,” Amira said, trailing her fingers along his kitchen table.

Khalid unbuttoned his shirt and glared at his sister. “I don’t recall inviting you in here,” he growled.

She shrugged and perched on the table. Swinging her legs, she took some pains to arrange her gold gown for the best effect. His sister always seemed to need to look good, even in the presence of family. “I’m your favorite sibling. I don’t need an invitation.”

“I wouldn’t say favorite.”

She pouted as he shrugged out of his dress shirt and grabbed a t-shirt. “You’re meaner than usual. Someone from dinner get under your skin?”

Khalid glared at her. As a matter of fact, someone had gotten under his skin, but he sure as hell wasn’t about to discuss it with his sister. She had a reputation for sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. “I’m cranky because your two friends were throwing themselves at me all night. When are you going to leave my love life alone?”

“You don’t have a love life, Khalid. You have a string of one-night stands, and I would never foist a friend off on you. Not unless I wanted you to break her heart.” She rolled her eyes. “Why didn’t you hire Katie?”

“I offered her an assistant’s position in the gallery, and she wanted a curation position. I don’t have a need for a curator,” he grumbled as he walked to the bar. He poured a glass of whiskey for himself and a shot of vodka for his sister.

She tossed her drink back easily and eyed him. “She would have taken the assistant position. She’s not afraid of hard work.” Arching her eyebrows, she slid off the table and walked to the bar.

As she reached for the bottle, he grabbed her wrist. “No more,” he said simply and put the bottle away.

“Since when did you start caring how much I drink?”

Khalid could see the growing frustration in his sister. She wanted more than they were able to give her at the palace, but she couldn’t voice it. Their parents gave her complete freedom inside the palace, but it wasn’t enough. He worried about her.

“It’s late, Amira. You should go to bed.”

“Why don’t you want to give her a chance, Khalid? And don’t lie to me. I can tell.”

It was true. His sister had a talent for looking beyond the surface. It was easier to turn his back than to face her. “She’s a pretty girl with an excellent education and an impressive internship experience. She’ll find a job.”

“She’s a female looking to break into the art world, Khalid,” Amira said sharply from behind him. “So far, the only jobs she’s been offered are from managers who want to sleep with her.”

Khalid immediately clenched his jaw. The thought of someone taking advantage of Katie, someone putting hands on her, filled him with a strange sense of rage.

Amira was right, of course. The men in the art world loved to collect beautiful things, and even in a country with gorgeous women, Katie was an exotic beauty. He’d never seen anyone like her.

But she was more than just beautiful. She was . . . unique.

Intimacy implies passion.

She was dangerous.

“Fine. I’ll hire her. As an assistant in the gallery. She’ll take my direction, Amira, or she won’t last long.”

“Yay!” As Khalid turned around, his sister launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck in a big hug. “I think you two are going to be great together.”

“I’m her boss, Amira. Don’t get any ideas.”

His sister snorted as she pulled away. “Please. I know you too well to have any expectations.”

As she walked away, he wanted to ask what that meant, but he was almost too afraid of the answer.

Pulling her portfolio together, she left early and headed to the gallery. Heart beating rapidly, she walked through the glass doors and swallowed hard. As her heels clicked on the tiled floor, she wondered if she shouldn’t have just turned him down flat. It was obvious that he had no interest in hiring her. Was he just calling her back to see her face when he told her he didn’t think she was good enough?

“Collect your things. You’re done.”

His cold voice filtered through the opened door of his office, and a moment later, a young woman rushed out into the anteroom with tears in her eyes. Katie frowned. He hadn’t just fired someone to make room for her, had he?

The pretty woman sitting at the receptionist desk—Nadira, Katie remembered—cleared her throat. “Katie? The sheikh will see you now.”

Great. Couldn’t there be a buffer? Taking a deep breath, Katie mentally reminded herself that she was good. She deserved this job.

Khalid sat at his desk, head bent over some paperwork.

When he didn’t lift his head, she cleared her throat.

“Close the door,” he said gruffly without looking up.

Annoyed, she quietly closed the door behind her. “I was surprised to hear from you.”

Khalid finally looked up and studied her. “Why? Do you not think you’re qualified?”

“I’m very qualified. I just got the feeling that I wasn’t what you were looking for when you kicked me out of the studio.”

He lifted his eyebrows, and she mentally berated herself. Talking too much was what had gotten her in trouble the last time. “Just tell me that you aren’t hiring me because your sister and sisters-in-law begged you,” she said quietly.

“I’m not in the habit of letting my family make decisions about my business,” he said shortly. “I’m offering you the assistant position in the gallery. I don’t have a curating position—but just so we’re clear, even if I did, you do not have the necessary experience to curate in a place like this. Dubai is still Old World, and traditions are important. It takes years of experience to make a dent in this city.”

“And a penis?” she asked without thinking. “Sorry. Slipped out.”

She could have sworn she saw his lips twitch, but it didn’t quite turn into a smile. “Nadira will show you your duties.” Opening a drawer, he pulled out a large booklet. Locking gazes with her, he slammed it down on the desk, and she jumped. “Your handbook. Have it read tonight.”

“Sure.” Shaking her head, she reached out and grabbed the manual. “It’s not like I had any other plans tonight.”

“Good. Nadira will give you a tour and an overview of what you’ll be dealing with. Be prepared for paperwork tomorrow, and you’ll get started on your duties.”

“Sounds good.” Folding her arms over the manual, she waited expectantly.

He looked at her, annoyance plain. “You may go.”

“Right. Thanks,” she muttered as she turned to leave the office. Was she expecting a welcome to the team or glad to have you on board?

Yes, but she really should have known better.

“Katie, one last thing.”

Ah. Here it is. A warm welcome. “Yes?”

“I am now your boss. Please remember that. Even in social situations, I will ask that you conduct yourself accordingly. That is all.”

Her jaw dropped, but it didn’t matter. His attention was already elsewhere.

Nadira was waiting outside the office to escort her around the building. The art museum was impressively large and filled with contemporary and historical masterpieces. Many of the exhibits were on loan from private collectors, some were property of the museum itself, and there were two touring exhibits in the gallery.

“The sheikh handles the collectors, donors, and exclusive members of the museum. You’ll be responsible for most of the paperwork and will help with hosting events, but the planning and curation will be done by him.”

A man’s privilege. Katie didn’t roll her eyes, but the urge was hard to resist. She knew that Khalid had been right. Although she was trained and ready, she didn’t have the experience, and it looked like it would be a long time before she could prove herself.

She’d have to make the best of things. At least she was starting off somewhere, but she had a feeling that working for Khalid was going to be an adventure, all in itself.