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It wasn’t until she was settled and harnessed into her seat that the helicopter launched into the air, and she realized her own life had taken off too. And it was all thanks to Hamid.
Chapter Sixteen
Holly all but floated around her exhibition held inside the ballroom, grateful for Hamid’s support as she held onto his proprietorial arm. That the room was overflowing with esteemed guests in their jewels and fancy clothes only added to the overall impression of achievement and success.
That she was with the most handsome man in the room, his black suit impeccable and his scent of citrus and frankincense leaving her close to swooning added dramatically to the positive vibes.
“You’re stunning,” Hamid murmured.
She looked down at her gown that was a tasteful mix between an abaya and an evening dress, the sparkling white silk draping to the floor and cinched at the waist by a gold belt. She’d forgone jewelry, her one concession being the jeweled clip that held her hair up in an elaborate topknot, some strands falling free to frame her face.
“Thank you.” She smiled up at him. Even in her gold heels she was shorter than him by a few good inches. “I don’t need to tell you that you’re gorgeous.”
“As long as you think so that’s all I care about.”
A man in a thobe approached them and bowed his head. “Sheikh Hamid, so sorry to disturb you at this inopportune time, but you have an urgent phone call to attend.”
Hamid’s lips thinned a little before he turned to Holly. “Will you excuse me for a moment? I do hate to leave you on your big night.”
She quashed down disappointment. As sheikh he was a busy man, she needed to accept that. “I’ll be fine, honestly. The sooner you go the sooner I can have you back.”
Hamid bent and kissed her gently on the lips, then brushed his mouth along her ear and said, “I won’t be long.”
She shivered delicately, a cascade of goose bumps rippling over her arms even as Hamid disappeared from the ballroom and his sister entered it.
Aisha swept inside dressed in a classy hijab with gems embedded into the neckline, hem and cuffs of her turquoise outfit. Her glossy black hair was pulled back into a single braid with tiny flowers woven through it, her face lightly made-up with kohl, nude lipstick and mascara.
“You made it,” Holly said with a smile.
“Of course, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. A shame my brother looks to have been pulled into yet another crisis.”
Holly’s smile diminished. “Yes, but he shouldn’t be long.”
“Is that what he told you?” Aisha said with a shake of her head. “I’ll be surprised if he makes it back within the hour.” Her eyes widened as she scanned the photos affixed to temporary cubicle walls. “Wow, you really are talented, aren’t you?”
“Thank you. Though it’s as much about the lighting and placement as it is about the photos.”
Aisha arched a brow. “You’re also very modest.”
“I might have taken the photos but it was a team effort putting this all together. Hamid really did give me a great crew to showcase these photos.”
“If there’s one thing my brother does well, it’s surrounding himself with the right people to get things done.” She inhaled sharply and blinked, her expression turning serious, almost predatory as she spotted a tall man across the room. “Well good luck,” she said vaguely, “I have someone I need to catch up with.”
Holly nodded, trying not to gawp at the stranger who’d captured Aisha’s attention. At first glimpse the man was obviously older with his dark hair peppered with gray. His suit of finest quality also revealed his wealth. “Sure. I’ll see you soon.”
Holly accepted a glass of champagne from a waiter who was circulating the room. She plastered a smile on her face as she thanked strangers who stopped her to congratulate and praise her on the various photographs.
Without conceit the photos really were good. She’d captured a moment in time that she hoped someone else would appreciate even half as much as she did. She walked around the ballroom, taking in some of her favorite shots.
The gorgeous sunset at the oasis, the camels’ reflections shimmering black in the orange tinted water. The sand cat poised mid-attack with its legs outstretched and razor sharp claws unsheathed, the snake hooded and tall in defense. The hostile brigands charging toward Hamid as he stood motionless to fire a warning shot. The leopard lapping at the water. And the calm of the oasis in the valley below, the water a sparkling blue and the date palms a vivid green.
She didn’t stop until she was in front of one of the two selfies she’d taken of Hamid and herself. She usually cringed at her own photos but there had been something irresistible at seeing the pure joy and intimacy radiating from them both as they smiled into the camera.
“I guess you think you’re really something now, huh?”
Holly glanced at the woman who’d appeared from out of nowhere. There was no denying the woman’s exquisite beauty, from her flashing brown eyes and bleached blonde hair, to the diamond in her aquiline nose and the sequined dress that fit her toned body like a second skin. “Excuse me?”
“Sheikh Hamid was mine until you came along and ruined everything.” Her eyes shot daggers. “He’ll get sick of you, too, you know. He does with all his women.”
