What a shame she’d pulled her hair back off her face. If it had been down it might have masked her reaction.
Like a virgin who’s never seen a sexy man.
At least he had no way of knowing what had produced her furious blush.
‘Yes, absolutely ready.’ She put the laptop on the corner of the table between them, turned to face him. ‘Here’s our first candidate.’
Any hope she’d had that this might be easy faded as Salim rejected the first three women before she’d even finished reciting all their details.
He wasn’t unreasonable, but nor was he as easygoing as his casual sprawl suggested. The man had a mind like a steel trap and an unerring eye for detail. Details that had him dismissing contenders quickly.
Rosanna busied herself, making notes on his observations and preferences. She was getting a better feel for his likes and dislikes now they were talking specifics. That would help inform her search.
‘You think I’m being unduly difficult?’
She looked up to find him watching her, the intensity of his dark gaze at odds with his indolent sprawl. He reminded her of a large, predatory cat, ostensibly at rest, until you noticed his laser-sharp focus.
Rosanna had always been a sucker for an intelligent, quick-thinking man. In her experience they were competent and resourceful, both qualities she found hugely sexy.
But not in an employer.
Not when she was being paid to find him a woman.
Rosanna cleared her throat. ‘Not at all. You’re making an important choice and I appreciate your decisiveness.’ Memories of recruitment processes where decision makers had dithered were vivid in her mind. ‘This is very helpful.’
Besides, she hadn’t been foolish enough to present her best candidates first. She knew enough to give him time to settle and begin to think clearly about his wants and needs.
‘So, who have you next?’
Rosanna leaned forward and brought up the profile of the next candidate, one who hadn’t been on her original list but who was a natural contender for Salim’s queen. Her portrait filled the screen. It was an informal shot, showing a warm smile, pretty face and dark eyes sparkling with humour.
‘I took a chance with this one. She’s not blonde or particularly tall, but she ticks so many other boxes.’
On paper she seemed perfect. Yet Salim didn’t look impressed.
‘Princess Amina? You’re telling me she’s on your matchmaking books? She’s a client of yours?’
‘No. But this isn’t a dating service. I’m not here to find a husband for someone on our books, though it’s a possibility. My sole focus is to find you the right wife, whether it’s someone previously known to us or not.’
His look of surprise made Rosanna wonder again if he had low expectations of their service. If so, why engage them?
She was determined to do the best job possible. It wasn’t just her aunt’s business that rode on a successful outcome. Rosanna’s personal competence was on trial. This was her first major test after the cataclysmic blow to her ego and reputation in Australia. Her confidence was shaky, and she needed this success to shore up her sense of self-worth.
Rosanna took a deep breath and looked Salim straight in the eye. He might be all-powerful and prefer to ask questions instead of answer them. But he was a client and she needed to understand his requirements and his doubts.
‘Your Majesty. Salim. Am I missing something? Is there some reason you think us incapable of doing this job properly?’
The slight rise of those straight dark eyebrows told Rosanna he wasn’t used to being questioned. Was he offended? Or surprised that she’d read his response?
Rosanna took a calming breath, marshalling the patience she had perfected in dealing with difficult men in the corporate world. ‘If there’s a problem I would rather you were frank about it so I can deal with the issue. Then we can focus on achieving the outcome you want.’
‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘I apologise. The process of hiring a matchmaking service seems outmoded. Though your company was recommended, in my mind there’s still a disconnect between the idea of serious business and something as nebulous as matchmaking.’
Before she could respond, he went on. ‘Plus, I’m not comfortable talking about my personal life and preferences. Blame my upbringing or my family circumstances. And, as you’ll appreciate, in the past, choosing a woman has always been intensely private.’
Rosanna blinked. ‘Thank you for being so frank.’
Despite her hopes she hadn’t expected it.