The Prince and the Working Woman (Desert Prince Book 1) Read Online Free Page B
Author: Kat Attalla
scarf across her hips to accentuate every movement. Her only solace was that the other single ladies got the same accessory.
The men had it easy. They lined the perimeter of the room and watched. Gawked. A couple of them seemed to drool. But not one of them stepped out of line in any way. A half an hour of non-stop movement left her both exhausted and exhilarated. Struggling for breath, she made her way back to the table for a much needed rest. She pulled off the red scarf and tossed it at her date. Hamid smiled but she couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed.
The wait staff brought in the food. The aromas of cumin, cinnamon and cardamom filled the air. Her stomach rumbled. Even as a vegetarian she found so many unique and delicious foods she could eat. She wanted to take the caterer aside and ask for the recipes. The unbelievable array of fruits alone boggled her mind.
Just when a normal wedding would be winding down, the older generation including the two kings and their security entourages retired. A live band came in and the party really began. Ballroom dancing was not forbidden in the Middle East but neither was it common. Dances like the hustle, the electric slide and the silly chicken dance had everyone hopping on the floor.
Hamid sat in the corner like a marble statue. Why didn't he just leave with the others? His younger brothers joined in as each tried to monopolize Mandy’s time on the dance floor. She felt like Cinderella at the ball. Except the prince was not charming and she did not turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
At 12:30, she dragged herself to her seat. She searched for the shoes she had kicked off an hour into the party. She was ready to turn in. How much longer before the guests said their goodbyes?
Hamid drummed his fingers on the white linen table cloth "Did you run out of men?"
Was he mad? "What?"
"Is there anyone left you haven't danced with?"
"Well, you for one. But I'm sure I could go back out there and find someone willing to dance with me."
"I'm sure you could find a number of men willing to do many things with you."
Bite your tongue. Remember he's going to be your boss.
No - it didn't work. She couldn't keep her mouth shut. "What's it to you? I asked you. Three times. I don't need to be hit over the head to understand that you were not interested."
"I never said I wasn't interested."
"I know what you're interested in. I’m not going to leave my friend’s wedding for a little quickie in the coat closet."
He laughed. "Do you have a filter? Or do you just say whatever comes to mind?"
For a man carrying on like a jealous boyfriend, he had a nerve. "Did I insult you Your Royal Highness?"
"You did by calling me that. And for the record when I have you it won't be in a coat closet."
He accused her of not having a filter? She would swear that he took pleasure in trying to make her blush. Words never would. But the way he looked at her sent heat throughout her body. It melted her brain cells because nothing else would explain her irrational attraction to this epitome of the male chauvinist.
The band stopped playing. Finally she could retire to her room and get away from the man who both aroused and enraged her. At least she thought she could. Until the band announced that the wedding party would remain behind for one final dance. One very slow couples dance. The bride wanted photographs. Mandy glanced around the now empty reception hall. Besides her and the prince of darkness the remaining members were all married to each other.
"How are you going to get out of this one?" she asked.
"Who says I'm going to?"
"I thought you didn't like dancing."
"I don't like jumping around the dance floor like a chimpanzee."
"Are you saying that's what I look like?"
He shrugged but didn’t deny it.
She pushed his hand away as he tried to take her in his arms. "I don’t want to dance with you."
"Can you say no to your best friend over there waiting for us to join them?"
He was right. She
The men had it easy. They lined the perimeter of the room and watched. Gawked. A couple of them seemed to drool. But not one of them stepped out of line in any way. A half an hour of non-stop movement left her both exhausted and exhilarated. Struggling for breath, she made her way back to the table for a much needed rest. She pulled off the red scarf and tossed it at her date. Hamid smiled but she couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed.
The wait staff brought in the food. The aromas of cumin, cinnamon and cardamom filled the air. Her stomach rumbled. Even as a vegetarian she found so many unique and delicious foods she could eat. She wanted to take the caterer aside and ask for the recipes. The unbelievable array of fruits alone boggled her mind.
Just when a normal wedding would be winding down, the older generation including the two kings and their security entourages retired. A live band came in and the party really began. Ballroom dancing was not forbidden in the Middle East but neither was it common. Dances like the hustle, the electric slide and the silly chicken dance had everyone hopping on the floor.
Hamid sat in the corner like a marble statue. Why didn't he just leave with the others? His younger brothers joined in as each tried to monopolize Mandy’s time on the dance floor. She felt like Cinderella at the ball. Except the prince was not charming and she did not turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
At 12:30, she dragged herself to her seat. She searched for the shoes she had kicked off an hour into the party. She was ready to turn in. How much longer before the guests said their goodbyes?
Hamid drummed his fingers on the white linen table cloth "Did you run out of men?"
Was he mad? "What?"
"Is there anyone left you haven't danced with?"
"Well, you for one. But I'm sure I could go back out there and find someone willing to dance with me."
"I'm sure you could find a number of men willing to do many things with you."
Bite your tongue. Remember he's going to be your boss.
No - it didn't work. She couldn't keep her mouth shut. "What's it to you? I asked you. Three times. I don't need to be hit over the head to understand that you were not interested."
"I never said I wasn't interested."
"I know what you're interested in. I’m not going to leave my friend’s wedding for a little quickie in the coat closet."
He laughed. "Do you have a filter? Or do you just say whatever comes to mind?"
For a man carrying on like a jealous boyfriend, he had a nerve. "Did I insult you Your Royal Highness?"
"You did by calling me that. And for the record when I have you it won't be in a coat closet."
He accused her of not having a filter? She would swear that he took pleasure in trying to make her blush. Words never would. But the way he looked at her sent heat throughout her body. It melted her brain cells because nothing else would explain her irrational attraction to this epitome of the male chauvinist.
The band stopped playing. Finally she could retire to her room and get away from the man who both aroused and enraged her. At least she thought she could. Until the band announced that the wedding party would remain behind for one final dance. One very slow couples dance. The bride wanted photographs. Mandy glanced around the now empty reception hall. Besides her and the prince of darkness the remaining members were all married to each other.
"How are you going to get out of this one?" she asked.
"Who says I'm going to?"
"I thought you didn't like dancing."
"I don't like jumping around the dance floor like a chimpanzee."
"Are you saying that's what I look like?"
He shrugged but didn’t deny it.
She pushed his hand away as he tried to take her in his arms. "I don’t want to dance with you."
"Can you say no to your best friend over there waiting for us to join them?"
He was right. She
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