The Sheik's Reluctant Lover Page 0,39
on who sent these dresses and she was almost dreading having those suspicions confirmed. But as soon as she read the note her heart sank with the confirmation that Rais had sent both of them to her.
“Can’t wait to see you in these,” Linda said, reading the note over Rachel’s shoulder. “Who is ‘R’?”
Rachel was so furious that he thought it was okay to buy her things like this that she wanted to stomp her feet. How dare he treat her like a mistress!
“Just a jerk,” Rachel replied angrily and shoved the envelope back into the box. She wanted to do the same with the dresses, but the expense of both made her treat the dresses with more care. “They are definitely going back.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Linda asked, watching her friend with amazement.
“I’m not kidding at all,” she said and closed the box. “I’m not for sale!”
Linda walked out of the office, shaking her head at Rachel’s attitude. “If you don’t want the guy, let him know that I’m definitely for sale for those kinds of gifts.”
Rachel barely heard her. She was too busy digging her cell phone out of her purse and dialing the phone number Rais had given to her. Unfortunately, the call went to his voice mail and she had to ignore the shiver of excitement that tore through her when she heard his deep voice telling her to leave a message.
“Rais, I refuse to be treated like this!” she said as her message. “I’m sending them back and please don’t ever do that again!”
She ended the call and tried to hold back the tears. She packed up the boxes then picked them both up as well as her purse. She stormed out of the office with the dresses in her arms telling Lenora that she was going out for lunch.
She was driving out of the parking garage when his call came back so she pulled over and took the call.
“What’s wrong, beautiful?” he asked softly.
She squeezed her eyes closed as the humiliation washed over her. “Why did you do this?” she asked, her voice sounding funny even to her ears.
“Do what, love?”
She ignored the insincere endearment and focused on trying to see through the tears. “The dresses, Rais! Why did you buy me the dresses?”
“Ah,” he replied, finally understanding. “I knew that you would be with me for the two events this weekend and I didn’t want you to have to worry about spending your money on dresses when you are helping me. Was it so wrong to buy something beautiful for you?”
“Yes!” she stated emphatically.
“I don’t understand, Rachel. But let’s talk about it this weekend, okay? I have to go to another meeting.”
“That’s fine but I’ll be wearing my own clothes.”
He paused slightly with her declaration. “I would love to see you in the dresses I sent you. I picked them out myself.”
That hurt and she squeezed her eyes shut, uncaring that her mascara would probably be a mess after this conversation. “I’m not for sale, Rais,” she said softly.
“I never thought you were, Rachel.”
“You can’t buy me with expensive dresses.”
“I wasn’t trying to, honey. I just thought you would look pretty in those and I wanted to do something nice for you.” He paused to let that sink in before he said, “Could you look at it slightly differently? I was thinking about you and wanted to show you. I chose those dresses out of several other options because I thought they were something you would like and would look lovely on you.”
Put that way, it didn’t sound so bad. It was even a nice sentiment. “Dammit Rais!”
He laughed softly. “Does that mean you’re going to keep the dresses?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Well, that’s at least an improvement from sixty seconds ago,” he replied dryly.
“You can’t do this kind of stuff.”
“Why not? It’s my money and I want to spend it on you. What’s the problem?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Because it’s just not fair. I can’t do anything along these lines and I feel….like I owe you now.”
“Don’t even think like that, Rachel. You don’t owe me anything. I just wanted you to know that I think you’re as beautiful as the dresses. More so actually.”
She dropped her head on the steering wheel. “You’re incorrigible.”
“I know. So will you wear them this weekend?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because they cost too much.”
“Not for me,” he came back.
She was silent for a long moment while she tried to come up with a response. “Rais…” she started