CHAPTER4
1482 Words
FAISAL.
I slipped my phone into my pocket as the car came to a smooth halt outside the hotel.
My driver touched his gloved fingers on his hat as he pulled open the door.
“Good morning, your highness.”
I almost rolled my eyes in annoyance at the way he addressed me.
“Gamal, please quit the formalities. We aren't in the palace. You know my name.” My tone was cool but firm.
His brow furrowed. " But-"
“That's an order, Gamal."
His brow twitched as if in disagreement, but he nodded.
“As you wish, Sir.”
I opened my mouth and then shut it.
I had told him to call me by my name.
“Humor me, sir, there are just liberties I cannot cross. If you don't want the title, fine, but I just can't call you by your birth name."
"Stubborn old man," I huffed, though my words had no bite to them.
“It's my finest quality, Sir.” His lips curved.
I peered into the interior of the limo, expecting to see someone inside, but it was empty.
" Where's Raul?" I asked, glancing at my wristwatch. “We need to leave now. I had already told Father we were on our way.
Someone cleared their throat and we both looked over to see the said man, standing there, a goofy smile on his face.
“Took you long enough," I muttered, sliding into the car, as he took the other side.
"I told you we had to leave early. Father has already called twice."
My phone vibrated in my hand.
I lifted it toward my vision and skimmed the screen.
“Make that thrice."
“That man needs to let you breathe. The kingdom won't fall apart just because you are not in the palace," Raul scoffed, and then yawned.
“He's itching to get some updates on the deal with the Americans. I told him it went smoothly, but he wants to see the file first before he accepts.
“I don't even understand why he keeps doubting you. Everyone knows you always get the job done.” He ran a hand through his messed-up hair.
It was the way he said it. Not in a complimentary way, but like he was mocking me.
Sourness filled my mouth. “What's that supposed to mean?”
" You live and breathe the kingdom, Faisal. It's all you've ever known. Would it kill you to live a little? We came to New York for a business trip, and now that we are done, we are heading back home right after."
A nerve in my jaw ticked.
“I have no time for frivolities. We've gotten the deal, but many more transactions await.”
“Yeah, yeah. More work, I know.” He rolled his eyes, leaning back. "Just remember, all work and no play makes–” he paused, letting out another yawn.
"Didn't you get any sleep last night?"
"Nope. Sleep was the last thing on my mind last night. Just because you are not getting some doesn't mean no one else can either.”
I stiffened, my eyes flickered to his, then away.
The memories I had been trying so hard to bury since I woke up this morning and found myself alone resurfaced with a vengeance.
Flashes of thick thighs, lustful moans and heated kisses raced through my mind, uninvited.
Heat speared my belly and drilled into my groin as I remembered what she tasted like–Vanilla and Lavender.
She had the body that a man could get lost in.
My throat closed. My fingers stretched, then curled into fists, bunching on my lap.
I hadn't intended it to go so far.
I had been too wound up to sleep after securing the multi-million contract with Summers Resorts.
My mouth kicked up at the memory of my tense negotiations this week with Aiden Summers, the owner of the resort and the toughest business executive I had ever met.
It hadn't been easy getting his signature on the damn paper, but, as a formidable negotiator myself, I had made it happen.
Just before midnight, and still not able to sleep, I had thought a stroll would help, and then I had found myself at that bar.
Immediately I entered, I noticed her, a woman with short brown hair sitting by herself.
Like a siren, calling me to my doom.
She was stunning, even though there had been sadness in her eyes.
My senses had screamed in warning.
I had tried to avoid her, even though my body reacted in a way it never had before towards her.
And I would have succeeded if she hadn't looked at me like I was a meal she wanted to have a taste of, and then she opened her mouth and said those two audacious words.
But that wasn't what had shattered my control. No, it was that sound that fell from her luscious lips that had destroyed my resolve.
The temptation had been too great to pass up.
I had never meant a woman so receptive to my touch.
Unable to help it, I squirmed in my seat.
But then she was gone before I woke up.
Without a trace.
Didn't even drop a number or–
Or what?
What was I expecting?
It was just a one-night stand.
Besides, we would never see each other again.
It was the truth, but why did that thought piss me off?
A strange feeling tightened across my gut, and a wrenching feeling of losing something I never had wormed its way through my veins.
What was wrong with me?
Why did I feel like this?
“Faisal?"
I was brought out of my thoughts by Raul, who was staring at me like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
“You suddenly went silent as soon as I mentioned that I had s*x last night.”
Annoyance slid down my spine.
“So," I sighed, raising a hand to the back of my neck, rubbing my now too-tight muscles.
His mouth dropped open.
Raul barked out a laugh. “Please, tell me is what I'm thinking.”
I blew out a long, hard and irritated breath.
“Can you quit this childish attitude of yours already?”
“Don't play dumb with me,” he leveled me with a stare. “The signs are there. You only act this way when you have something to hide."
He rubbed his chin.
“You had s*x last night.” He blurted out.
I choked on my saliva.
With a hoarse cough, I slapped my hand at my chest in hopes that it would clear my airway.
“Faisal, brother, what's wrong?” A worried frown pulled on his face as he patted my shoulder.
“I'm fine,” I sagged against the car seat, averting my gaze.
A beat passed.
“So how was it?”
“Raul, please let it go," I groaned, frustration coated in every syllable.
“Are you serious?” he hollered, giving me a look. “This is the best day of my life. My best friend, the uptight Prince, finally got out of his shell. I never expected this from you. Like, when was the last time you slept with a woman? I was getting worried. This is huge, brother!"
“I hate you," I grunted.
“That good, huh?” He winked.
“Stop it."
“My man!” He grinned like a fool.
"Can you cut it out? It's pointless talking about this."
"It is….?" he said skeptically, his brows raised.
“It was just one night. I don't even know her name. She left before I woke up.”
My last sentence came out more bitterly than I intended.
“It was a mistake and it's not worth remembering. Truthfully, I have even forgotten about it.”
Liar.
"Why are you getting defensive, Faisal?” He glared at me. " Unless this woman left a mark on you.” His expression turned mischievous.
“Wipe that stupid look off your face. You don't know what you are talking about,” I snapped.
“I smell bullshit!” He shot back. “It's written all over you, this woman, whoever she was, made an impression, but you don't want to admit it.”
"I-”
He held up a finger to silence me.
"I will let this go because, like you said, it's pointless talking about it. It was just a one-night stand. You aren't going to see her again. I just wanted to rile you up a bit.”
“Thank you.” The words were issued through clenched teeth.
The car came to a stop.
" It seems we are at the airport.”
"Time to go home. I've had enough of this country,” I grumbled.
- Writer
