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Ahmed padded over toward Gemma. At first, she didn't seem to hear him or sense his presence. It wasn't until he was a mere couple of feet away from her that she turned suddenly and peered at him. He heard her gasp and she stood up quickly.
Before he even had a chance to say a word, Ahmed felt something take hold of him, a sudden, sharp desire. It had been prompted by the simple act of her standing up and turning to face him, showing him up close what had only been able to glimpse back in the reception hall.
This close, the reality of her beauty was even more stunning. He felt lost for words as he gazed upon her.
Her eyes were an icy blue that seemed to shimmer in the soft light. Her features were even and pretty; her lips full and moist and already tempting him with inexplicable suddenness. She had tied back her blonde hair in an elegant bun. He let his gaze drift down the line of her jaw, down to her neck which was exquisitely long and delicately shaped. Her skin was clear with minimal makeup. He noticed that she was taller than he'd at first guessed. Even in her elegant, flat shoes he was only a head taller than her.
Hers was a body which held undeniable promise.
Ahmed felt a sensation sweep through him that he hadn't felt in a long time. Normally women did not affect him, certainly not as suddenly or as urgently as being in such close proximity to her had just done. His breath halted in his chest for a moment, and he struggled to compose himself, or maintain the usual indifferent calm he assumed when faced with a beautiful woman.
But, Gemma was no mere beauty, on display like a potential trophy.
No. Up this close, Ahmed could see that there was something truly special about her. Something for which he couldn't immediately find words. He realized he probably looked like someone who'd been temporarily stunned.
Her gaze was direct and instantly challenging. "Who are you?" she demanded sharply.
She wrapped her arms around herself, instinctively seeking protection. Was she threatened by him?
He saw her glance back toward the hotel building, and he wondered if she was about to race back there.
"We haven't met," he said quickly. "My name is Ahmed Al Kharif.
The sound of his name seemed to trigger an instant of recognition. Although they hadn't had any direct contact, Ahmed was sure she had heard of him. His extended family was prominent in Qazhar. And he was sure that Rashid wouldn't have wasted an opportunity to mention him to her.
"You own a media company here, right?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
He nodded. "The other one," he explained, lifting a brow and smiling at her. "The rival one."
She smiled slightly and he felt relieved he'd broken the tension, even if only a little.
Once again her eyes narrowed, and she seemed to consider what had happened, what could explain his presence here.
"Did you just follow me out here?" she asked.
"I've been wanting to talk to you all evening," he replied.
"You and a hundred other people," she said. She cocked her head to one side and examined him. "But, really. Did you see me come out here, and decide to come after me?"
"It's not what it looks like," he suggested.
"And how exactly does it look?" she asked shifting her hips to one side, changing her stance into one with more than a hint of challenge.
Ahmed sighed a little and tried to drag his gaze away from her hips, but it wasn't easy. Not with the way that dress was hugging her body, showing off her curves.
"I thought I could get a few moments of your time. Now that you're away from that," he said gesturing back in the direction of the hotel.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said.
"Why not?"
"Maybe you should talk to Rashid," she replied. "I assume you two know each other."
He smiled and lowered his head, anxious that she shouldn't be able to read his expression too easily. When he looked back up at her, he saw she was watching him carefully, awaiting his reply.
"We know each other pretty well," Ahmed said. "In fact, I suppose you could say we're rivals."
She nodded. "I gathered that already."
