The Prince and the Working Woman (Desert Prince Book 1) (2 page)

"Is that a problem?"

He shook his head. "Not for one day. Allah knows she's not my type but it's not like I'll ever see her again."

An amused grin covered Rashid’s face. "And what is your type dear brother?"

"Well not her.” The statuesque woman was pretty enough to walk a runway and tall enough to run a basketball court. He preferred short and sweet. “I like a woman who has to look up to me. Who I can look down on."

"Probably explains why you don't have one."

"I didn't mean that literally." Talking with his brother had always been a frustrating experience. Since early childhood they’d only had to deal with each other over the summers as they attended private schools on different continents. But jockeying for time with their very busy father had made for competitive relationships.

A waiter walked by with a tray of fresh mango juice. Hamid took a crystal goblet and let the cool liquid soothe his parched throat. Despite his assertion that she wasn’t his type, any woman could be his type for a night. 
Screw you,
she had said to him.  Maybe he could turn the insult into an offer before the wedding festivities ended and they went back to their respective countries.

They moved toward the buffet table. “So what do you know about her?”

“Nothing I could share with you.”

He clenched his fingers around the stem of the glass. “Why? Turning your back on the family again so soon?”

“No. What I know is only because I had to run a security check on my wife’s roommates. As long as she is not a political threat she is entitled to her privacy. If you want to know something, ask her. But I will tell you this. She’s trained in martial arts and could probably take you.”

Hamid smirked. “Has she taken you down?”

“No but I have the sense not to take her on.”

Was his brother subtly telling him to stay away?  “Is that a warning?”

Rashid shook his head. “You’re both adults and you both know how to take care of yourselves. As for me, I’ll just stay on the sidelines and enjoy the battle.”

Now that sounded like a challenge. No woman had taken him down either physically or emotionally. No matter how delectable, the Oreo Cookie would not be the first.

Chapter Two

In the early evening the bridal party met at the Hotel Intercontinental for dinner before the rehearsal. With two kings present just getting to the building required three different check points. If this was just a small party for the immediate family Mandy wondered what the actual wedding would bring.

She wore a conservative navy pencil skirt and powder blue blouse.  Although Mona told her to dress as she pleased everything changed with the prospect of the job offer. Her future boss might be present tonight so she wanted to make a good first impression.

Mona waved her over to the ladies room. Even a trip to the toilet required a pass through the metal detector. Mandy had to remove her shoes. Did they think the five inch spikes were a weapon?

"This is nuts. What will it be like tomorrow?"

Mona shrugged. "It won't be as bad. Going out in public is difficult at times. The reception is at the palace.”

“That will be a relief.” The life of royalty was not the fairytale little girls dreamed of. Mandy enjoyed the escape of this week but she wouldn’t want a steady diet of life in a fishbowl.

“And it normally isn't this crazy. With both our parents here, two different security forces are covering their bases. And then of course Rashid is adding his two cents on what they are all doing wrong."

"Your husband saved my ass once so you won't hear me complain if he is thorough."

After checking her clothes one last time the princess turned towards her friend. "You look very pretty."

Passable, perhaps. Since the end of her marriage, Mandy had not gone out of her way to accentuate the positive. "No toilet paper hanging out of my pantyhose?"

Mona touched her arm. "Seriously. I need to introduce you to someone. I know you feel more comfortable in your denim armor and baseball cap helmet."

Mandy waved a finger in the air. "Do not fix me up with anyone."

"I wouldn't do that. But you will be seated next to the best man. He can be… challenging. But he’s also your future boss. So you will need to try to hold back the
men are dogs
rhetoric."

Mandy rolled her eyes. "You know me. I'm not sure I can contain myself if I'm pushed."

“Every time you want to say something just keep in mind that with this job you will be making unbelievable contacts throughout the world. After that you can write your own ticket career wise."

"No pressure," Mandy said as she headed towards the door. “By the way how do I address him?"

"I will introduce him formally. But he will tell you how he wants to be addressed."

They exited the ladies room and made their way to the private dining area. The cocktail hour was already in full swing. Although the hotel had a bar Mandy knew that neither of the families consumed alcohol and she always believed in respecting the customs of her host. Too bad because she could really use a shot of Dutch courage about now.

"By the way which one of his brothers is the best man?"

"Hamid," Mona said.

The man standing in front of her turned around to face the women. "Yes?"

Mandy gasped in surprise. She swallowed hard. Something about him seemed familiar. Rashid joined the group. Well of course! They were brothers who looked alike. But unlike Rashid, this man reeked of arrogance. Dark eyes appraised her. He smiled but it seemed more like a smirk.

"Miss Amanda. We meet again."

She glanced at her friend in confusion. Her pulse quickened.

"You’ve met?" the princess asked.

She turned her head from side to side but a cloud of dread hovered over her. The voice.

"Earlier in the kitchen.” He feigned a look of hurt. “And I thought I was unforgettable."

Her stomach clenched. "Darth Vader." Holy crap. Did she just say that out loud? Apparently. And His Royal Highness was not amused. Although the happy couple found it hysterical.

So much for
a good first impression.
Her friends slowly backed away.
Don’t leave me with him,
she wanted to scream.

Warmth spread through her. God she hoped she wasn’t as flushed as she felt. "I am sorry, Your Highness."

"Do you apologize a lot?"

Do not open your mouth so you can keep your foot out of it.

"Nothing to say?"

She shook her head. Anything she said would just land her in more trouble.

“Shall we go to our seats?"

Mandy tipped her head and walked towards the table. He followed right behind.

"It is nice to find a woman who knows that her place is to be seen and not heard."

Sucking in a deep breath she came to an abrupt stop. Hamid smacked into her. She teetered and took a backwards step for balance landing her heel on his expensive Italian loafer. She figured she already blew any chance of the job so she didn’t have to put up with the alpha dog.

"I am so sorry, Your Highness." Her apology dripped with saccharine sweetness.

He grabbed her waist and lifted her off his foot but did not turn her loose. A breath hitched in her throat. A hint of woodsy cologne tickled her nostrils. Why did she notice that?

Step away from the man.
Her legs did not comply.

“You did that on purpose." His grip tightened. “Didn’t you?”

She pulled free and spun around to face him. "You bet your ass I did." With a slight curtsey she turned and proceeded to her seat. She stifled a shudder and slid into the intricately carved chair. Her dinner partner followed suit.

"So who do you think won that round?" she heard Mona ask her husband. The newlyweds had better not be playing matchmakers. Not every woman wanted to be married to a prince, charming or otherwise.

* * * *

Hamid listened to the conversations and made appropriated responses. But he was an outsider despite the warm welcome from the Emir. His meal of escargot, followed by Coq-au-vin lived up to the restaurant’s five star reputation.  He left his knife and fork on the plate and leaned left to allow the waiter to clear the dishes. His reluctant date slid her chair away. He glanced at her food. She’d barely touched her simple bowl of vegetable soup. Had he ruined her dinner? His subjects squirmed in his presence. Employees yessed him to death. Women threw themselves at him. But never had he met someone so determined to ignore him.

"Miss Amanda?"

She turned in her seat to face him.  "Your Highness?"

"Stop calling me that."

"Was I supposed to say Your Royal highness?"

Sarcasm? No she was serious. "Can’t you call me by my first name?"

"Not until you give me permission according to your protocol office as printed on your website.”

Did they really have a protocol office? He needed to check the tourist website and make sure the information was updated. Especially if the plans to increase international trade and tourism would be implemented within the next six months. Already a massive advertising campaign was in the works for Europe and the Americas.

Mandy twisted her fingers together in her lap.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Why?"

"You will be working for me beginning next month I am told. Am I not allowed to interview you?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "I figured you wouldn't want… I mean I thought…"

"Did you think the offer would be rescinded because you stepped on my foot?"

"No."

"Because you compared me to a Star Wars villain?"

"No," she muttered. "The other thing."

He couldn't tell in the dim lighting but he would bet that a hot flush highlighted her cheeks. Granted no woman had ever told him
screw you
but that had been his biggest laugh of the year.

"You get one mistake. But if you ever say that again it better be an offer."

Her jaw dropped open and her huge eyes glittered. What color were they anyway? They look like a cross between golden brown and green.  They were unique like the rest of her. She said nothing but he could tell she wanted to.

"So tell me about yourself Miss Amanda."

"Mandy. And if you have to use a title I would preferred Ms."

"Feminist or divorced?"

"Does it matter?"

"Feminist." he said.

"Again. Does it matter?"

"To be honest yes. You are going to get opposition to the project and I need to know that you will be able to hold your own. As an employee, the feminist works for me.” If she remained a hell-cat in bed, that would be a bonus because one way or another he would have her.

"Why would anyone object to a center to help visitors and ex-pats?"

"Because centers that cater to women don't generally get a lot of support."

He knew when news of the community center became common knowledge there would be opposition. But when the proposed plan was discussed among the corporations already doing business in Touzar the response was overwhelmingly positive. The center had worked so well in Nadiar that foreign investment tripled in the past three years. Oil would not be around forever. They needed to diversify their economy.

"Why?”

He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Because there are a lot of men who believe that women should be seen and not heard. You can't go around breaking everybody's toes."

As she realized he’d been testing her earlier, she signed. "So I guess I am going to have to give up my spiked heels?"

That would be a start. He’d be spending a lot of time with her in the next six months and he would prefer to deal with her at eye-level.

* * * *

The day of the reception started very early in the morning with a trip to the City Stars mall. The decision to remove the stripes from her hair meant Mandy had to be at the hairdresser two hours earlier than the others. The salon was closed for the day, except for the wedding party. Three employees fussed over her like the hooker in Pretty Woman. Thankfully no photographers were permitted. Between hair dye and bits of foil sticking out she looked like a Star Wars character herself.  If Hamid saw her, she would never live it down.

She gave up her two tone tresses and sported a French gel manicure that made her nail-bitten fingers look long and slender. She must have sucked down too many fumes in the process because she let the stylist cut layers that framed her face. Wispy bangs touched her tweezed brows.

“You look like a fashion model,” one of the employees said. They were paid to compliment the customers but the arrival of the rest of the party garnered the same reaction.