AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dhamar slipped his hands into his designer trouser pockets, his jaw tightening.
Holly’s eyes widened. So Dhamar really did have a thing for Hamid’s sister! Of course he did, Aisha was beautiful and daring. They’d certainly make a striking couple. Did Aisha have any idea?
Dhamar rocked back on his heels. “My helicopter is on the roof pad of the guest quarters. I’ll give a quick speech in your place, then I’m leaving. It gives you about half-an-hour to pack. If you’re not there I’m going without you, okay?”
Holly nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there. And thank you.”
Dhamar exhaled roughly. “I only hope I don’t live to regret it.”
Chapter Nineteen
Hamid jerked free from Ranna’s grasp, his stomach churning. Bloody hell.Her kiss had had all the warmth of a Popsicle, her touch as cold and about as welcome as someone pouring a pitcher of iced cold water over his head. At least the shock value had sobered him up.
He didn’t want anyone but Holly.
Ranna’s dark eyes peered up at him. “What’s wrong? Are you having second thoughts?”
He swiped his mouth. “I wasn’t even having first thoughts. You’re not my lover anymore, Ranna. I allowed you to stay here because you said one of my security men caught your eye. That is clearly not the case.”
Her eyes flashed. “That was my excuse to stay here and get you to change your mind.” Her voice pitched higher, a whiny note that did her no favors. “I don’t want to leave you, Hamid. We had a good life together. You were a wonderful lover who gave me whatever I desired.”
“I treat all my staff well,” he refuted. “Which means you have more than enough funds to find someplace else to live and perhaps work.”
“You’re getting rid of me?” she gasped, her eyes narrowing into slits.
He hardened his heart. He’d had a lot of good times with Ranna—with all his harem—but those times were in the past now where he wanted them to stay. “I gave you a chance, Ranna. Now I’m giving you one more. I want you gone by tomorrow.”
“It’s because of that redheaded woman, isn’t it?” she snarled. “What does she have that I don’t?”
“She has my heart,” he said simply.
Ranna’s face paled. “It wasn’t that long ago you still had a harem and all of us dreaming about you falling in love with one of us lucky women. We did everything possible to outdo one another and get your attention. In the end it was me you chose as favorite. It was also me the other women came to hate. Only now do I understand their animosity.” She took a step back. “I just hope this woman is deserving of your love.”
Hamid watched Ranna turn and leave the room before he stared into space for long minutes, using the quiet to untangle his thoughts. How many women had he disappointed and hurt in his short life? He’d always rebelled against those people who thought they were superior and above others, yet he’d readily used his sheikh status to enjoy a select harem of beautiful women.
It’d only been once he’d met Holly that he’d started taking notice how his actions affected others. Pretending he was a desert rat and seeing things from a different point of view had opened his eyes. He was no longer blinded by his own importance.
Nothing mattered in life without being able to share it with the one woman he loved.
Whop-whop-whop.
The noise of a guest’s helicopter rotors startled him back to the present. He discarded his bottle and headed toward the doorway. He knew now what he had to do.
He’d track down Holly and apologize to her, then he’d tell her how much he loved her. Even if she rejected him, stomped on his heart and walked away, at least he wouldn’t die wondering. Better to have faced his fear of rejection than to always wonderwhat if?
He stalked back inside the ballroom’s exhibition, shocked to find the last of the crowd wandering out and Holly nowhere to be seen. He scanned the room. Even his friend’s brother, Dhamar, was nowhere to be seen.
He found his sister at the bar drinking a cocktail alone. She scowled at him, though he figured she would have preferred to direct her anger at someone else. “I think you’ve had enough drinks tonight, don’t you?”
“I’m not here for alcohol. I’m looking for Holly.”
Aisha peered up at him through bleary, slightly distrustful eyes. “She went looking for you in the courtyard. Didn’t she find you?”
His stomach did a slow rotation, this throat thick and dry. “I-I don’t know. I didn’t see her. I was too busy fending off Ranna.”
Aisha’s eyes widened. “Shit. You don’t think—“
“I have no idea.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ve got to find her.”
