CHAPTER TWO
"Where did you go? You've been away for a long time," Rashid asked as she reentered the reception room. He came up to her, his arm outstretched in a gesture which she considered just a little too familiar. She paused at the doorway and glanced down at his hand. He pulled it away from her and smiled awkwardly.
"I needed some fresh air," she explained.
Rashid nodded. "We missed you," he said with a generous smile. She had to admit, he did look relieved to see her. Perhaps questions had been asked while she had been gone.
They made their way back into the party. All eyes were on her again, just as they had been since she had arrived earlier in the evening. She knew how important this whole event was for Rashid.
Gemma had arrived the day before and had hardly had any time to get used to this new, exotic, colorful country. One she'd never expected to visit. But, the offer from Rashid had been just too generous to ignore. He was offering her a huge sum of money, simply to be the face of his soon-to-be-launched social media platform. Rashid was nothing if not ambitious, and he had big plans for what would amount to a region wide version of what folks used back home.
They mingled with the guests, and soon Rashid was holding court again, just like he'd done earlier. Gemma's mind drifted as Rashid performed for his guests, showing of his latest prize.
Her.
All he talked about was his business and the prospects for growth and how Gemma was a key part of that. Rashid was obviously popular. Gemma had sensed that from the moment she had arrived. Whenever Rashid's name was mentioned, it usually provoked a respectful response and a lowering of eyes and voices. Rashid had power in this city. That was clear.
But, now Gemma had been introduced to another man, a sheikh this time, who seemed to possess a different kind of power. Like Rashid, Ahmed owned his own type of media organization, although Gemma didn't know quite how it differed from Rashid's. Maybe Ahmed had less ambitious plans for his. Gemma didn't know for now.
What she did know was that Sheikh Ahmed was one unbelievably sexy and gorgeous man. From the moment she'd turned and seen him standing there, looking right at her, Gemma had felt a powerful, unsettling attraction which had settled upon her with inexplicable speed.
She'd stood there, in the garden, next to the fountain, and she'd found it hard to believe what she was looking at, not to mention the effect he'd had on her.
Mesmerizing was the word which leapt to mind.
Sheikh Ahmed had affected her, causing her pulse to race, her heart to quicken, and she was sure, her face to flush involuntarily. She had been fortunate that it was night and his effect on her had been masked by the soft, evening light.
Sheikh Ahmed wasn't the kind of man she was used to meeting, these days. Because of the work she did, most of the men she encountered lacked the hard edge that she'd noticed instantly in Ahmed. It must be because of his desert heritage, she had assumed.
By contrast, Rashid looked like the kind of Qazhar man who was more at home sitting behind an office desk gazing at a spreadsheet. He was shorter than Gemma, heavy-set and with features that were strong, too strong, she felt. There was something about Rashid's gaze which was unsettling to Gemma. There was an intrusive quality about that gaze that made Gemma shift nervously every time he looked at her.
None of that applied to the man she had just encountered in the garden.
No.
Sheikh Ahmed was an entirely different kind of man, altogether, Gemma told herself as she fixed her features with a blank, pleasant smile, desperately trying to hide any hint that she was thinking about Ahmed.
Sheikh Ahmed had a powerful physique. She had been able to tell that from the way he held himself, his proud, slightly defiant bearing. He had broad shoulders and a powerful, wide chest. He was slightly taller than her, something she had become powerfully aware of when he'd moved closer to her.
He'd towered over her, an impressive presence. That had prompted her to make the offer that they sit together for a short while.
While sitting on the bench, she had had a chance to see his features up close, and her response had been instantaneous.
He was an astonishingly handsome man. She'd felt an instant reaction to their close proximity.
The sheikh's features were chiselled and sharp, deep brows and high cheekbones being the main distinguishing details. He had heavy, sensuous lips that promised instant satisfaction. That thought had caught her by surprise and she had turned away from him to mask her flushed cheeks.
It hadn't been his physical heat she'd felt as she'd sat there right next to him. She'd felt her own heat flare up with a perplexing and mystifying swiftness.
But the aspect of his appearance which most captured her attention, which most affected her, were his eyes. They were the darkest, deepest pools she had ever peered into. There was so much passion in those eyes, that on more than one occasion, as he'd looked at her, she'd felt something warm shift in her middle. Even, at one moment, she'd felt a flickering of heat at her core.
That had truly taken her by surprise.
She'd had to remind herself that she had only just met sheikh Ahmed. That they were total strangers to one another. That they had nothing in common, and no history. That she knew nothing about him, apart from the basic facts she had offered him, all of which she'd culled from Rashid.
Ahmed had done nothing except follow her to the garden with the sole intent of stealing her from Rashid. His interest in her was just business, wasn't it?
So, why was it that she had felt like that while she had sat next to him on that bench? Why was it that he had affected her like no man had done in a long time.
Perhaps that was the problem, she reminded herself, smiling at Rashid. Gemma had spent the last couple of years as far away from meaningful attachments as humanly possible. Relationships had been the least of her concerns.
In fact, she was looked upon as the queen of avoiding relationships. It fit in neatly with her public persona, the one she'd cultivated online, the one which tried to show off how good life could be without relationships.
Without a man in your life.
Just as she held that thought, with all of its disappointing reality, she looked over and saw sheikh Ahmed walk right into the room.
Gemma froze as she watched him weave his way through the crowd of guests, smiling broadly at some, chatting happily with others. He halted when he reached another man, of similar appearance to Ahmed. The other man handed Ahmed a glass of what looked like a flute of champagne.
Ahmed lifted the glass and sipped. Then he did something which made Gemma stiffen involuntarily. He smiled at her and lifted the glass to her, as if toasting her health.
Gemma glanced at Rashid and saw that he had seen the gesture. Rashid's features darkened. He glanced at Gemma, looking genuinely puzzled for a moment.
"Have you met sheikh Ahmed?" Rashid asked.
"Who?" Gemma asked, pretending not to understand who he was talking about.
Rashid gestured in Ahmed's direction. "Him," he said. "The one who just lifted his glass and smiled at you."
There was an edge to Rashid's voice. Was that jealousy or was it resentment?
Gemma scanned the faces, intending to continue the pretence. But then, what she saw made nerves curl in her middle.
Ahmed was starting to make his way straight toward them.
What was he doing? Hadn't he just told her that he and Rashid were rivals? Hadn't the sheikh just tried to tempt her away from Rashid, even although she'd only just arrived?
"Looks like he's coming over," Rashid said. "I was planning on introducing you to him before you left. It appears that will happen sooner than I thought," Rashid explained.
Gemma wondered how she should handle this.The last thing she wanted was some kind of unpleasant scene between Rashid and Ahmed. But, it might well be impossible to avoid, she told herself.
Here she was, caught in the middle between two men who, judging by what Ahmed had said and by Rashid's tone, probably detested each other. Maybe that was what the men in this country were like, she told herself. She had heard they were possessive, even obsessive about their women.
Ahmed eased his way past the guests close to Gemma and Rashid and then he was standing next to them, a broad smile on his face.
"You haven't introduced me to your new protege, Rashid," Ahmed said.
Had he just described her as Rashid's protege? Gemma felt sudden irritation. Before she had a chance to respond, Rashid placed a hand behind her back.
There was a flash of light and Gemma saw a nearby guest holding up a mobile phone and taking a picture of the scene.
Gemma felt Rashid's fingers press against her back. She stiffened at his touch and moved forward a step. Ahmed extended his hand. "Sheikh Ahmed, " he said. He narrowed his eyes. "Haven't we already met? I mean before tonight?"
Why had he just said that?
He continued, as if sensing her reaction. "I mean, tonight, up there on the platform, when you were introduced by Rashid."
"No," Gemma snapped.
"That's funny. Your face is so familiar," Ahmed said.
"Of course it is, Sheikh Ahmed," Rashid said quickly. "Gemma's face is all over the internet. And over every media outlet in Qazhar today."
Ahmed nodded. "I must have seen something before tonight." Ahmed smiled at Rashid. "You must be pleased, Rashid."
Rashid's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Ahmed ran his gaze down the length of Gemma's body. "Miss Ellon is a very beautiful woman."
Gemma felt her face flush.
"Quite a catch," Ahmed continued.
What was he implying about her relationship with Rashid? That she was somehow his property?
Rashid looked at Gemma with visible appreciation. "I'm sure we're going to work very well together," he said. Gemma wasn't sure whether the shiver up her spine was caused by that remark or by the sudden cool breeze that swept through the room.
"It's early days," Gemma said. "We've got lots of work to do. I'm really excited about the project."
Ahmed squinted at her. "You are? Really? Why is that?" he asked abruptly.
Ahmed was teasing her. Gemma knew it now, for sure.
Rashid reacted immediately to the change in Ahmed's tone. "Gemma is going to be a great asset to my company."
Gemma bristled at that comment, a defensive one on Rashid's part, but also one that hinted at something more, something she wasn't completely comfortable with.
They were both talking about her as if she was some kind of property to be exploited. Surely they could tell how uncomfortable this conversation was making her feel. Had she misjudged this whole situation?
She looked at the two men and could see the barely disguised antipathy lurking behind the smiles. It was true. She had placed herself right in the middle of a rivalry that she'd had no idea had existed before getting off the plane.
Rashid leaned his face closer to Gemma's. She squinted at him, and then she saw he wanted to say something quietly into her ear.
She leaned closer and felt his breath against her skin. That produced a shiver throughout her body, but she felt obliged to humor Rashid. He whispered into her ear. "Ahmed is simply jealous."
Once again, Gemma's eyes narrowed when there was a flash of light. Another photograph had been taken. She was used to that. There had been photos taken all night.
Gemma leaned away from Rashid and saw his conspiratorial grin. She smiled wanly back at him and then turned to Ahmed. "Did you say you are in the same business as Rashid?" she asked.
Ahmed narrowed his gaze. "I'm not sure," he replied, turning to Rashid. "Are we in the same business, Rashid?" Ahmed asked sarcastically.
"Perhaps not for much longer," Rashid answered back with a sudden hard, even edge to his voice.
Ahmed seemed to shrug off that reply. Gemma thought that, of the two men, it was Ahmed who was doing a better job keeping cool.
"Anyway, I just wanted to say how nice it is to welcome you to our beautiful country, Miss Ellon," Ahmed said. His gaze steadied for a brief moment.
Once again she felt a flicker of emotion that reminded her of the way his gaze had made her feel out in the garden.
"Thank you," she replied and took a sip of her champagne.
Ahmed peered for a long moment at Rashid. "I'll wish you goodnight," he said. He gazed around the room and then back at Rashid. "It has been most interesting." With one look at Gemma he concluded: "And enlightening."
Ahmed smiled at her, a devastatingly handsome smile that touched her to the core.
Gemma felt her throat tighten and she forced herself to nod. "Nice to meet you."
"Perhaps we'll meet again," Ahmed said. Then he did something which truly shocked her.
He reached down and took her hand gently in his, lifting it to his lips. She did not resist. She just watched as he drew her hand to his lips and kissed it on the back.
She felt a tingle of sensation ripple up the length of her arm. Beside her, she heard Rashid draw in a sharp breath. This was the ultimate provocation, Gemma told herself. Ahmed had done this simply to annoy Rashid. There couldn't be any other explanation, could there?
Ahmed released her hand and gazed into her eyes. "Miss Ellon?" he said. Her name sounded heavy on his lips, his accent adding an exotic quality.
Ahmed nodded wordlessly to Rashid and then moved off into the crowd of guests. Gemma watched Ahmed weave his way between the guests.
In spite of everything she'd been telling herself, she couldn't help feeling a slight disappointment that he was leaving so soon. Then again, things between him and Rashid might have become ugly if they had been allowed to continue.
"Well, that was quite normal for the sheikh," Rashid observed.
Gemma drew herself back to the moment and looked at Rashid. "What do you mean?"
"He has a reputation with women that is not quite savory," Rashid explained.
"In what way?" Gemma asked, feeling a sudden uncertainty.
"People say he treats them unkindly. That he is even quite unpleasant to them," Rashid said.
"I find that hard to believe," Gemma said. "He seemed perfectly charming."
Rashid peered at Gemma. "It's just as well you won't be getting a chance to know him better," Rashid said. "You're going to be too busy for the likes of him."
Once again, there was that hint of possession in Rashid's voice. That somehow, he believed that Gemma had signed up for more than just promotional duties.
What was he thinking, talking to her like that? Didn't he understand the rules of this game? This was business, pure and simple.
"Rashid," she said turning to face him. "Perhaps we need to have a talk."
He smiled and glanced at the guests. "I was thinking much the same," he replied. "But, perhaps this isn't the place for such a discussion."
She immediately knew he'd misunderstood what she'd said. But, before she had a chance to correct him, he was cupping her elbow in his hand and leading her toward the door. She halted in her tracks and he stopped.
He looked at her. "What?" he asked still holding her elbow.
She forced herself to smile at him, trying to contain the urge to be sarcastic. There was another flash of a camera somewhere close by.
Gemma narrowed her eyes. When she spoke, she leaned slightly closer to him, lowering her voice. "I'm really tired," she murmured. "It's been such a long day, and there's been so much to take in."
She smiled at him, noticing the disappointment written on his features. Did he understand what she was really saying to him? Judging by the way he was looking at her, he did. And he wasn't happy about it, that much was certain.
"I haven't really had a chance to settle in. And it was such a long journey. I'm sure you understand, Rashid," she said.
The sound of his name on her lips seemed to pacify him. He nodded. "Of course." She could hear the letdown in his voice. "I'll arrange for you to be taken back to your apartment."
"You don't have to do that," she replied, probably too quickly. She felt tension in her body. This wasn't the way the evening was supposed to have ended, she told herself. It was the exchanges between Rashid and Ahmed which had caused the change. And also that encounter out in the garden.
"But I insist," Rashid replied firmly.
Gemma shook her head emphatically. "No, really. I prefer to go home on my own, if you don't mind."
She saw his eyes weighing up a response. Perhaps he'd detected her irritation and impatience, after all.
"Very well," he answered.
The guests needed no explanations for her departure, but Rashid wasn't about to miss an opportunity to make the most of Gemma's leaving.
He went up onto the platform and tapped the microphone which sat upon the tall stand. All eyes in the room turned to him. "Ladies and gentlemen. Miss Ellon is now leaving. And I'm sure you all wanted to show her your appreciation before she leaves."
He gestured toward Gemma and she suddenly felt like everyone was stretching their necks to see her one last time. She smiled and waved tentatively, trying her best to look like the perfectly happy woman she was supposed to be.
But, right now, that was exactly the opposite of how she felt. She couldn't wait to get out of the hotel. Everything that had happened in the last hour had just confirmed the nagging suspicion which had been tugging at her since she'd arrived in Qazhar. Maybe this had been a huge mistake.
There was a ripple of polite applause and Gemma took her chance to make her way out of the ballroom and out into the quiet sanctuary of the long corridor.
She didn't wait for Rashid, who she was sure was following right behind her. She didn't want another awkward conversation. She needed to clear her head. Maybe tomorrow she and Rashid could review this situation.
Her low heels clacked rhythmically as she made her way, hastily out into the main reception area. One or two faces turned toward her, and she was sure there was some recognition on those faces. She was used to that, but sometimes, especially recently, the burden of being famous was just that. A weight around her neck.
Maybe she had forgotten why she'd started all of this in the first place, and the trip to Qazhar was just a reminder of some home truths she had been avoiding for too long.
She pushed her way through the revolving doors and out into the cool night. Beyond the steps that led down from the doors, there was a line of limousines stretched back for a good, long distance. She recognized one of the drivers who was leaning casually against the hood of one of the cars. On seeing her, he stiffened and started toward her.
Gemma started toward the limo and then froze, halting on the bottom step. Standing right behind her designated limo, and leaning against the side of what she was sure was his own limo, was the last man she wanted to see, right now.
Sheikh Ahmed.
And he was smiling right at her.