Jamal moved to her side and slipped his arm around her in a gesture designed to both protect and possess. Then he shot the young men a warning look, and they backed off.
After taking the ticket from her and handing it to one of the attendants, he drew Heidi back toward the elevators. He pushed the call button. “You’d be more comfortable upstairs. It’s too hot down here.”
She plucked at the bodice of her dress. The completely innocent movement gave him a brief look at her bare br**sts, which made his throat go dry and the rest of him heat up hotter than the parking garage.
“I’m actually dressed to endure the heat,” she said brightly, forgetting to lower her voice into the sultry tone.
“I can see,” he murmured. As could the waiting jackals. He had to get her back to the safety of the room. If he didn’t, he was going to have to blow her cover to get her to cooperate. “But this is no place for a woman like you.”
“Like me?” Her voice squeaked.
“Yes. Delicate, sexy and very beautiful.” He gazed down into her eyes. “I’m thrilled that fate has brought us together.”
“You are?”
“Aren’t you?”
She stared up at him. Her green eyes watered a little, but she didn’t seem to be blinking as much.
“Don’t you sense destiny’s hand in all of this?” he asked, focusing most of his attention on her, but still aware of their interested audience.
“Okay. So you want to see me again?”
He smiled slowly, giving her what one of his dates had called his “come let me make you melt” smiles. “With every breath I take.”
She swallowed. “Wow, you’re good.” She took a step back. “I mean, yes, I would like to see you again. You can reach me here at the hotel.”
“I’ll be in touch,” he said.
The elevator doors opened. He hustled Heidi inside and pushed the button for her floor. Then she was gone.
Jamal stood there feeling as if he’d been run over by a truck. He was still confused about all that had happened. One of them was crazy, and he couldn’t say for sure it wasn’t him. What was going on?
“Sir, your car?”
He turned and saw that his new sleek, silver Lamborghini was parked at the curb. He tipped the attendant and slipped behind the wheel.
He didn’t notice the hand-carved wood accents or the specially designed dash and control panel. He barely acknowledged the smooth purr of the engine as he put the car in gear and headed out of the parking structure. He was too caught up in the mystery of his wife’s game. What on earth was she up to?
Heidi danced across the room and hugged Fatima. “I did it,” she announced. “It actually wasn’t too horrible. Well, it was a little horrible. But I didn’t trip or fall, and I’m pretty sure I fooled him.”
Fatima held her close, then released her. “Good for you. I knew you could do it. Now sit with me, and tell me everything.”
Heidi settled onto one of the sofas in the harem’s main room. She’d already washed the red tint out of her hair and removed her contacts. She was back in one of her normal dresses with sensible, flat shoes covering her feet.
“I was so nervous,” she admitted. “And that dress made me feel really uncomfortable. Jamal looked stunned for most of it.” She paused, remembering his reluctance when he’d first arrived. “It took him a while to warm up, but by the end he was quite friendly.”
Fatima took the seat next to hers, and Heidi recounted the details.
“I hope I didn’t tell him too much about my fake brother,” she said. “For a couple of minutes I was afraid he was going to ask to meet him, but he didn’t.”
“You say he put his arm around you in the parking garage?” Fatima asked.
“Yes. It was very strange. All of a sudden he got very friendly. But at the same time, he hustled me back upstairs.”
Fatima smiled. “Excellent.”
“Why?”
The queen looked at her and shook her head. “You are so very innocent. Who else was down there with you?”
“In the parking garage?No one. I mean the attendants were there, but we were the only customers.”
“Exactly.” Fatima leaned forward and cupped Heidi’s face. “Other men were looking at you. You had on that silly little dress, and you looked fabulous. Jamal noticed their attention and was jealous. That’s why he wanted you to return to your room.”
“Really?” Heidi turned the thought over in her mind. “Wow. I didn’t get that at all.” She wasn’t sure it was true, either, but it was nice to think about. After all, she’d spent her whole life being plain. It would be great to finally be attractive. Especially if Jamal thought she was pretty.
“So it was a success,” Fatima said.
“I think so. He said he’d be in touch.” Actually he’d said he wanted to see her again with every breath he took. And the way he’d looked at her when he’d spoken had taken her breath away. The memory made her shiver…and all this without a feather in sight.
“You are pleased so far?” Fatima asked.
Heidi finally had Jamal’s attention. Okay, it wasn’t as herself, but it was a start. If nothing else, she would get to know him better and then use that information to make him like his wife more. Somehow. The plan was a little sketchy, but she would work out the details.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Heidi said and grinned.