was silence.
“I can tell by the pause that you are thinking of refusing. I would suggest the bar but I think it will be noisy and I do not know the area well enough to propose another place. My assistant is with me so you will be safely chaperoned.”
“I don’t require a chaperone. I’ll be glad to meet you.”
He smiled slightly. Had she bolstered herself to make that statement? “If you say so.”
“I’ll see you in an hour.”
“I look forward to it, Dr. Martin.”
As good as her word, one of his bodyguards announced her arrival right on time. That alone he could appreciate about her.
Meeting Dr. Martin at the door, he escorted her across the room to one of the two sofas in the center. She was a tiny thing. Not tall and leggy like the women he usually found attractive. He mentally shook his head. This was a business meeting. He needed her to run his lab and that was it. The color of her eyes or the length of her legs did not matter. “May I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you, I’m fine.” She shifted her large bag cross her like it was a shield.
“Please, sit.”
Dr. Martin gave him a timid nod, then took a seat next to the arm of the sofa. She looked as though if he said boo she would run. That did not matter. What did was how good she was at her job. Tariq sat on the sofa across from her and crossed one ankle over the knee of his other leg. It was time to get down to business. “I understand you want to talk about my job offer.”
“Uh... I wanted to see if you’d consider a compromise on the position you offered me.”
“I’m listening.” He watched her. Her hair remained tightly pulled back and her glasses had slipped down her nose. She wore almost nondescript clothing and the big black bag remained hugged to her chest. Not a single piece of jewelry was visible. She seemed to dress not to be noticed. Did this woman live in a hole and crawl out to go to work in a lab?
“I have lost my funding. I was wondering if you’d consider putting funds into the lab here where I can continue my work with the understanding that your country would have first access to any of my findings.”
He stared, shaking his head before she’d even finished. “That will not do. I want someone working in my country. With my people.”
Her voice contained a tight, desperate tone. “But I can’t do that.”
“Why? I will see you have a place to live. A driver. All the comforts.” He leaned forward, watching her closely. She did have interesting eyes. There were tiny flakes of gold in them.
“I can’t just fly off to some place I don’t know.”
“We have already had this discussion. I am offering you a chance to continue your research. I do not think you will be disappointed in the lab I have set up. Wouldn’t you like to continue your research?”
She tightened her arms around her bag. “I would. It’s important. I’m very close to a breakthrough.”
Laurel wasn’t sure to what he was referring. She wasn’t planning to stop her research. Her new discovery was so close. Did he know something she didn’t? Quitting now would be impossible. She narrowed her eyes. “Why are you asking that?”
“It was you who came to me saying that you needed funds to continue your work.”
“That doesn’t mean that I am giving up. I can’t. I’m too close to an advance. I’ll find funding somewhere since you won’t consider providing it.”
“I am sorry, I cannot. My funds are my people’s. I don’t have any to give you.”
He must be a wealthy man. After all he was a prince. “You don’t have personal funds that could be used?”
“I do not. They were invested in the lab. You should reconsider coming to Zentar.”
She glared at him as panic grew. Why couldn’t he understand? “I cannot. I have explained that.”
“I have only heard excuses. I have what you need. You no longer have a lab to work in here and I am offering you one. I do not understand the problem. Perhaps you do not care as much as you say you do.”
That statement couldn’t have hurt more if he’d slapped her. Okay, that did it. He’d gone too far. She jerked to her feet, mindful of the fact this was his hotel suite. Keeping her voice low, she asked, “How dare you?”
His look remained steady. “I dare because I need you leading my lab. There is important work to be done.”
Laurel had been on the verge of losing her temper. The idea of going halfway around the world terrified her. What would her parents say, her siblings, about her living in Zentar? She just couldn’t do it. Or could she? The Prince wasn’t leaving her any choice. Laurel released a heavy breath.
“We can agree on the need for more research. Since you’ll not relent I will come to Zentar and set up your lab. In return you will see to it that I get to do a study of your families that have two generations of the disease. Beyond that I make no promises.”
“Excellent.” His smile reminded her of a conquering hero’s. “I will delay my return one day so that you can get your affairs in order.”
She gaped at him in disbelief. “One day?”
He put his foot on the floor. “I am sorry but that is all the time I can allow.”
Her lips formed a tight line and her gaze went to somewhere over his shoulder. She had so much to do.
“My assistant can help you with anything you might need.”
She blinked. “I won’t have time to see my family.”
“I’m sorry. Once the lab is operational you may return for a visit.” At least he sounded sincere.
Straightening her shoulders, Laurel moved to the edge of the cushion. “Well, if I’m to be ready to go then I need to be headed home. I have a lot to do.”
Tariq followed her toward the door. “There is just one more matter.”
She looked at him. “Yes?”
“You will need to marry me.”
“WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY?” Laurel stood with her mouth gaping open. There was no way she was going to marry him! It was taking all she had in her to even travel to Zentar. Marrying some man she didn’t know was out of the question. “What do you mean, I have to marry you?”
“My country still holds to traditional values. They expect a single woman to be under the care of a man. No one is going to answer your personal health questions without you having a man’s name associated with yours. Our
