CHAPTER ONE
Everything about her was mesmerising.
Sheikh Tamir Al’ani leaned forward in the red velvet private box, not caring that he was obstructing his host’s view. He simply had to get a better view of the woman.
Her hair was fair like sunflowers, and it sat long and straight, all the way down her back. Her eyes were a vivid green, from what he could see, wide set and almond shaped. But it was her smile that drew his gaze. Her whole face seemed to beam with the power of a thousand stars as the performance continued. With every tone of the flute, her smile widened, her eyes popped, until she was almost laughing in her seat.
Under the Sheikh’s watch, she turned to her companion, a young man, with blonde hair wearing a black tuxedo. That caused Tamir to frown slightly. He didn’t like the way she whispered in the man’s ear; with such easy familiarity.
When the violin solo began, and she leaned forward eagerly in her seat, he knew.
He wanted her.
The performance continued, but Tamir no longer heard it. Every fibre of his being was focussed on this curiously fascinating creature in the seats far beneath him.
He leaned across to his aide, Eleni. “There is someone I intend to speak to. Have my entourage wait.”
She bowed obediently and stepped back into the shadows.
His eyes fell to the woman again. Her clothes were perfect for her. The dress she wore was emerald green in colour, fitted across the bodice, and then it appeared to be a full skirt to the knees. It was hard to tell from where he was sitting, but he intended to inspect it far more thoroughly as the night progressed.
He stood abruptly, the moment it finished, and strode confidently out of the private seating area, moving with the assurance of one born to unimaginable wealth and unparalleled power. He marched past those who would detain him; those who sought to share words with a man as powerful as he.
He had a goal, and he did not intend to fail.
He reached her as the audience began its standing ovation. He felt his security officers step closer. Crowds such as this always sent them into a panic. Tamir’s lips twisted into a smile that was pure arrogance. After all, he was hardly a shrinking violet. Four years in the Talidarian military had seen him gain a full appreciation for self-defence.
“Excuse me,” he interrupted, placing a hand on the young woman’s bare arm. Immediately, he felt himself tighten. Her skin was warm and supple beneath his touch, smooth and soft. Unbidden, he imagined what the rest of her would feel like, and he comforted himself that he would know, for sure, in a matter of hours. “My name is Tamir. May I speak with you a moment?”
She looked over her shoulder at her friend, a flicker of doubt crossing her face.
“Jack,” she whispered. “Did you pay for these tickets?” After all, he was always in on some scam or another, but he’d assured her these seats were above board.
The blonde man was clearly confused. “Of course. Why?”
“This guy wants to talk to us.” She thumbed towards the imposing wall of muscle that was Tamir. Now that she looked again, she realised that he wasn’t security. He was too powerful looking. Too confident.
Tamir put a hand in the small of the woman’s back, and propelled her out of the seats, leading her towards the side of the auditorium.
A room had been prepared for his use. Such was the perk of being royalty from one of the wealthiest countries on the planet.
“Wait outside,” he ordered the friend, closing the door in his face before the blonde could object.
The beautiful woman with the intense green eyes spun around, her startling gaze wide. “Wait a minute. Who are you? And what do you want with me?”
He uncuffed his wrists and placed the diamond links on the table. His eyes were black chips in his face as he regarded her. What did he want from her? That was a fascinating question. His lips hinted at a smile, as he decided it would be far better to show her rather than tell her.
“Did you enjoy the performance?”
Olivia blinked at him in confusion.
“Huh? Who are you? Look. If it’s about the tickets, Jack swears he bought them.” She frowned. “And I’m almost positive that he’s telling the truth. Though… I can’t be absolutely certain.” Her frown deepened, causing a pretty little crease between her eyes. Her face was the most expressive he’d ever seen. When she’d watched the performance, she’d seemed to sparkle and glow. Now, she was so stricken that he longed to pull her into his arms and offer comfort. “If there’s a problem, I can pay for them. How much are they?”
He made an effort to conceal his amusement.
Unsuccessfully.
Olivia’s eyes widened as she finally gave him her full attention. She had never met the man before, but there was something intensely familiar about him. She’d have remembered, though, if their paths had crossed before. Never in her life had she seen someone so formidable. He stood at least six and a half feet tall, and his body seemed to be packed with pure muscle. His skin was dark, tanned like mahogany, and his eyes were darker still, like black gems in his handsome face. His jaw seemed to be carved from granite, and his nose likewise. His hair was black like a raven, and brushed back from his face it fell to just above his shoulders.
“I asked if you enjoyed the performance?”
She didn’t know what was going on, but in a split second, she decided the best thing to do was to answer him directly. “Yes.” She shrugged her slender shoulders. “It was beautiful.”
“You were beautiful,” he contradicted softly. “A world class performance and I could not take my eyes off you.”
She arched a perfectly shaped brow, hoping the nonchalant gesture hid how wildly her heart was fluttering. “Then that’s a waste of your money, mister.”
His laugh was thick with amusement. “The tickets were a gift. And I consider it was time very well spent.”
She crossed her arms across her chest, distinctly aware of the way her heart was hammering against her ribcage. “I should get back to my friend.”
His eyes were darkly speculative, as they dragged over her body, lingering for a moment on the swell of cleavage revealed by her dress.
“Why?”
Olivia had a habit of pointing the tip of her tongue out to the corner of her lips, when she was deep in thought. She did so now, and traced the line of her top lip, as her eyes remained stuck as though welded to this stranger’s magnificent face. His skin looked so soft; and yet there was an underlying hardness to him that communicated itself to her with his every breath.
“Why?” She queried, furrowing her brow.
“Why should you go? And not stay, with me, a man who finds you infini
tely interesting.”
She pulled a face, but her blood was gushing through her veins. “I don’t know you. I don’t even know your name.”
“Call me Mir.” The way he said it, with the foreign husk to his voice, it sounded like Me-ar.
She frowned. “Mir?”
“Close enough.”