The Sheik's Reluctant Lover Page 0,33
was incredibly funny when he set his mind to charming people other than long haired, brunettes.
The evening was a fabulous success and Rachel was proud of how well the vendors operated. They had a few questions for her, which they whispered in her ear occasionally. But she was able to handle everything without a hitch.
The only problem was when the guests started to take their leave. She hadn’t minded being on Rais’ arm while others were there to provide a buffer. But as soon as their numbers started to dwindle, her nervousness increased.
Very carefully, while he was discussing a project one of the senators wanted to build in Dunari, she slipped her hand from his arm and walked over to the door that led to the kitchens. “How are things in here?” she asked Lucy who was busy overseeing the cleanup from the caterers.
“Everything is just fine, Rachel. You did an excellent job and the food was delicious.”
Rachel walked over to Lana, the caterer who had handled everything. “Thank you so much Lana. This was a big night for me and you really pulled through.”
Lana reached up and gave Rachel a huge hug. “I’m so glad you trusted me with this job. I had a lot of fun.”
“And you’re an excellent cook!” Rachel came back.
Lana’s grin widened. “Why don’t you go relax? You’ve been on your feet all afternoon. We’ll be finished here in about ten more minutes.”
“So soon?” Rachel asked, her voice breathy with nervousness.
“Sure! We’re fast! I have a fabulous staff who know how to get things done efficiently!”
With that, Lana almost danced off, excited that her first major party for a big client went so well. That left Rachel standing with Lucy who was huffing off to the dining room to start turning off lights.
Rachel stood in the kitchen alone, her eyes worriedly looking around, trying to find something to do. But everything was completely under control.
“I need to speak with you,” she heard Rais say right behind her.
She spun around, almost falling with the momentum but he caught her before anything embarrassing could happen. She thought he might just kiss her right there in the kitchen in front of Lucy and the whole catering staff. Thankfully, he dropped his hand and walked out of the area, assuming she would follow him.
Rachel glanced around, caught Lucy’s eyes and cringed when the motherly woman gave her a wink of encouragement. There was nothing to do but follow him. This was exactly what she’d been trying to avoid all evening. She couldn’t be alone with him, didn’t want to be alone with him.
“Rachel!”
His voice commanded and she actually jumped, startled by the tone.
He’d never spoken to her like that. With authority and…almost anger! She hadn’t done anything wrong except disobey what he told her to wear tonight. And she didn’t consider that to be blatant disobedience. Not that she even owed him obedience, she told herself angrily.
Shoving through the door, she was about to confront him with his irritating, authoritative voice, but she stopped short when she looked at him. He was standing in the living room, his tuxedo jacket thrown over the back of the sofa, his tie hanging down on both sides of his neck and the first few buttons of his shirt undone. To make the whole image better, or worse depending on one’s perspective, he was holding two glasses of brandy in his hand, offering one to her.
This was at least safer, she thought as she stepped forward to accept the brandy.
“Thank you,” she whispered, then moved away from him, taking a position on the other side of the room.
“The night went smoothly,” he said and sat down on the leather sofa, watching her with hooded eyes.
“Thank you.”
“You did an excellent job. Very good food.”
“I told Lana that I thought it was great, but I’ll pass along your praise as well. It will mean more coming from you.”
“Probably not,” he laughed softly.
Her eyes sliced over to him, not sure why he’d said that. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, everyone who was here tonight basically worships you. They are all eager to do your bidding and please you.”
She flushed, feeling embarrassed by that kind of a comment. “You’re exaggerating.”
He shook his head. “Not in the least. You’re a very good hostess. Not that I ever doubted you.” By the end of his statement, he was standing right in front of her. “You’re charming and interesting despite disobeying just about everything I tell you to do.”
She couldn’t