AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"On what?"
"On what you intend to do with me once you take me away from Rashid."
For a moment he was surprised at the boldness of her move. Then he remembered what he'd heard about her, and what had drawn him to the idea of having her as a spokesperson for one part of his media company. It was her appeal to the many young women who followed her online. He could see the attraction of her personality now that he was so close to her, sharing these private moments.
"What would it take?" he asked.
"To do what?"
"Get you to leave Rashid and come over to me."
She narrowed her eyes. "Wouldn't that be bad business?"
"Not for me," he stated.
"But, it would be for me, wouldn't it? I mean, I have an agreement with Rashid."
He shook his head. "Agreements are made to be broken."
"Is that how things work in Qazhar?"
He moved closer, about as close as he dared. Now he was almost touching her. He settled his hand at the back of the bench. He saw her watch the movement of his arm, and then look back at him, gazing steadily at him.
"I can show you how good things could be for you here," he said slowly, dropping his voice to a murmur. "If you give me a chance." He saw her cheeks flush slightly. She swallowed and he heard her draw in a soft, long breath. Her gaze was steady, those blue eyes of hers utterly captivating and unflinching.
Ahmed's attention dropped down to her lips. They were temptingly moist, and he saw them open slightly, the bottom lip tantalizingly full. Neither of them said anything for what seemed like an eternity.
The quiet moments seemed to last a very long time. Ahmed could feel his heart pounding, sensed his pulse racing and he wondered just how this had happened. He was used to using his looks and charm to persuade women, but this situation was entirely new to him. She had drawn him in, and this time it wasn't just about business. He knew that even as he contained the urge to ease closer to her, to bridge the gap between them.
Then, she suddenly shifted away from him, as if she had realized just what was happening, as if she'd made a decision. And he knew that decision had nothing to do with business prospects.
He wondered what had driven her to submit to temptation like this. And so rapidly. Had he unknowingly tapped into some unknown well of dissatisfaction within her. On the surface, she looked so in control, so like the way she portrayed herself online. But, out here, she had opened up to him, revealing something about herself she might have preferred to keep secret.
It hadn't been only him who had been taken by surprise.
Gemma stood up quickly and walked away from the bench. "I have to go back inside," she announced abruptly.
Ahmed stood. "Of course," he replied. "Let me see you back."
She turned quickly and shook her head. "No. It's best we aren't seen together."
He paused and then nodded. "Sure."
She started to move away from him, but he halted her with his next words. "If you change your mind..." he started to say, but she cut him off.
"I won't," she said sharply. "You know I can't." She peered at him, awaiting his reply, but he gave her none.
"It's been nice meeting you," she said and thenmoved rapidly away, striding across the lawn, looking as beautiful as she had during every single moment he'd just spent with her.
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.
