blonde and then get up on time.
She headed out to the elevators, but instead of going down to the foyer, where they had arranged to meet, she used her security pass and pressed the button for the royal floor.
A rather worried butler greeted her.
‘The “Do Not Disturb” light is still on. I really cannot go in.’
‘Well, I can.’
The butler was slightly startled at her assertive tone, but she took out the swipe card for the room, gave the door several sharp knocks and then entered.
Please, she begged silently, if he’s in here then let him be alone.
The suite was in darkness. There was the sound of running water and she wondered if he had fallen asleep in the sunken bath. The sound came from the pool, she realised as she saw the drapes gently billowing in the breeze and realised that the huge glass doors were open.
She walked silently over the thick carpet and out to the stunning alfresco area. It truly was an oasis. High in the sky, there was a colourful garden and a large pool that jutted out over the ocean.
It made her dizzy even to think of it, though Kedah told her he swam in it each day.
Felicia walked over. No, he was not practising the breaststroke.
She stepped back from the edge as the warm morning air dusted her cheeks and blew at her hair.
There weren’t any signs of a wild party, though he must have been out here at some point for the doors to be open.
It really was beautiful, Felicia thought. So much so that for a moment she forget her mission to find the missing Sheikh and simply took in the stunning view.
The navy sky was fading and was now dressed in ribbons of silver and various shades of blue as the sun prepared to break into the horizon. Ahead, Felicia could see the island where they had stood yesterday and spoken.
She could stand and bristle with indignation, or she could wrap her arms around herself and try to hold on to the shiver within her that Kedah evoked.
He moved her.
Just that.
He took feelings and memories that were usually guarded and shook them. He jolted awake desires and emotions so that she was standing there feeling as if she was on the top of the world and convincing herself that she could handle it.
That a night or two would surely be worth it, just to have known that bliss.
And there was always the brochure. Yes, she would mope, but only for a week, and then she would circle Mustique and spend time there rehabilitating her heart.
No.
She could not sleep with him and then continue to work for him; she could not pretend it didn’t matter when he discarded her and moved on to the next woman.
And there was no way she would be a filler between drinks.
She actually laughed at the nerve of him.
‘Is everything all right, madam?’
Felicia turned and saw the butler, hovering in the doorway.
‘Everything’s fine.’ She nodded. ‘I’ll just check to see if he’s asleep.’
She headed back inside and with mounting trepidation walked towards the main bedroom in the suite. The double doors were closed and she glanced at the butler, who gave a worried shake of his head as she went to knock. He was certain that their most esteemed guest should not be disturbed.
‘He might be unwell,’ Felicia offered. She didn’t think it for a moment, but it was the excuse she would give to Kedah if he called her out for disturbing him.
‘Kedah!’ Felicia knocked loudly. ‘Kedah, the plane’s scheduled to leave...’
When there was no response she opened the door.
Relief.
She wasn’t disturbing an intimate moment.
He was not there, and yet she could see that he had been—the bed was rumpled and unmade and there were several thick white towels dropped on the floor. And his visit had been a recent one, for the musky, woody scent of his cologne lingered.
Perhaps he had come back from the party and showered and changed before heading out again?
Bedded his date, showered and changed, Felicia thought with a gnawing unease as she closed the door.
She was tired of playing detective, tired of putting the pieces together on his depraved life.
Tired of it all, really.
Especially saying no.
‘I’ll just pack up the last of his things,’ Felicia said to the butler as she turned off the alarm.
She headed to the wardrobe and took out the case she had left. There wasn’t much to pack. Most of it had been done last night, and once the bellboy had come to collect his luggage she headed back down to the foyer.
His vehicle was waiting, the engine purring, and his driver was—as always—on the phone. Felicia was grateful that the doorman didn’t attempt small talk. Instead he handed Felicia her preferred brew in a takeaway cup and she said her thanks and took a grateful sip.
Dawn was breaking and Dubai was now pretty in pink. And then, as transfixing as the sunrise, Kedah appeared, walking slowly as if there was no King or country awaiting his imminent arrival, no jet on the runway ready and primed to carry him there.
She would have loved to say, Look what the cat dragged in—but, as always, he was immaculate. In fact he looked as if he were just leaving for the night rather than arriving back at dawn. He was a sight for Felicia’s sleep-deprived eyes.
‘Good morning,’ he greeted her.
‘You’re late,’ Felicia responded.
‘So?’ His response was surly and brief, and he glanced down at the coffee she held in her hand and then back up to her eyes. ‘May I?’
Felicia handed him her coffee and he drained it, but then pulled a face. ‘Too sweet.’
‘It didn’t stop you, though.’
Actually, last night it had.
Last night his mind had been on Felicia—so much so that he’d dropped his pouting date back at her hotel and returned to his room. Sleep had proved elusive, and a shower had done nothing to temper the urge to call Felicia and summon her to his suite.
The trouble was, he had known she was the one woman who might not take too kindly to his summons, and so instead he had headed onto the balcony and told himself to forget about her—at least for now. There was his trip home to get through first.
Zazinia had to be his priority—though he wasn’t looking forward to this visit
