Page 4 of Her Prince in Disguise
He wondered, not for the first time, what it would feel like to kiss her—and how that fire in her eyes might change beneath his touch.
Unfortunately, Andrea McCormick was an employee. The idea of kissing a staff member was completely inappropriate. It was wrong on every level—ethically, professionally—and Laith prided himself on being better than that. He straightened his shoulders, reigning in his wayward thoughts both mentally and physically.
And yet...despite his best intentions, his mind refused to behave. She was breathtaking, yes—but it was more than that. There was a spark to her, a fierce vitality that drew him in. Most women in his world carefully curated their charm to please him.Andi, by contrast, wore no mask. She didn’t attempt to flatter or defer. She was—bluntly, refreshingly—herself.
Laith acknowledged a certain predator’s instinct within him—not in a malicious way, but in his taste for challenge, for the thrill of pursuit. He didn’t crave acquiescence. He craved a woman who would fight him, push him, make himearnevery surrender.
And Andi McCormick? She was beauty, challenge, and something more—something rare.
Plus, she was smart. Critically smart.
And right now, he needed that intellect.
He and Rafi, his twin brother, had let Sunstar drift while tending to other urgent matters. Three years ago, the company had been a thriving, promising subsidiary when they’d acquired it. Now, under a leadership team that lacked urgency or vision, Sunstar had faltered. Employees had grown lax. Sales figures had plummeted.
If they didn’t reverse the decline—and soon—they’d be forced to consider layoffs, a possibility neither he nor Rafi wanted to face.
Laith’s gaze sharpened, locking onto Andi with a new intensity. His posture shifted subtly, directing all of his focus onto her.
"You've never been tasked with defending the monthly numbers before," he said, voice low and even. "What prompted you to take on that responsibility today?"
He caught the flicker of impatience in her body language—the slight tightening of her shoulders, the arch of her brow. Her tone, when she spoke, practically dripped with “Isn’t it obvious?”energy.
Laith fought back a grin. She had no idea who he was—and oddly, that made her even more irresistible.
"I have my suspicions, Andi," he said, leaning forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. His voice dropped a shade lower, coaxing, challenging. "But I'm asking you."
His dark eyes narrowed slightly, a gleam of humor sparking beneath the intensity.
"Why was Harold mentally absent during today’s meeting?"
Chapter 3
Andi squirmed uncomfortably under his scrutiny. Nevertheless, she mustered a nonchalant shrug. "I'm not sure. You'd have to ask him."
“I will, but I doubt I’ll get a solid answer.” He considered an idea that he and Rafi had been playing around with. Now that he’d met Andi, Laith suspected the idea might work. “Are you married?”
Andi’s jaw dropped in surprise and Laith immediately pictured her like that after she climaxed. His body tightened and he had to remind himself that she was off-limits.
She blinked, recoiling with her shock. “I’m…not clear how that’s relevant.”
“It is,” he countered. “Any kids?”
She shifted nervously on the edge of her chair, and he couldn't help but find her irritation endearing. Andi was like an adorable, if prickly, hedgehog. She seemed torn between bristling with her spiky attitude or curling up into a ball of rage.
“My personal life isn’t relevant to my job performance, sir," she asserted firmly, her tone sharp yet politely professional. "I believe what I do outside of the office is solely my own concern.”
“You're absolutely correct,” he agreed, raising his glass to conceal his amusement. He then caught her increased ire. The woman seemed to bristle even further when he found something amusing.
For a moment, Laith debated on how to suggest the role he had in mind for her. On the one hand, he could tell she didn’t like him. But on the other hand, after today’s meeting, she seemed like the kind of person who would relish the possibility of a challenge. So, how to present the idea without her throwing it back in his face?
In the end, Laith decided that it would be best to be straightforward. “I have a job offer in mind for you. I don’t expect an immediate answer. Take tonight to consider the role and give me your response tomorrow morning. Consult with…” He hesitated, momentarily taken aback by the thought of her needing to discuss anything with a significant other, though he knew it was a possibility. With her beauty and allure, she likely had romantic connections. “Discuss the option with whoever assists you in making such decisions.”
“I make my own decisions, sir,” she retorted primly.
He couldn't help but admire her assertiveness. Damn, she was really something else! “Good. The job entails traveling to the various factories and supply areas around the world, looking into the financials of the various departments and subsidiaries of this company and reporting back to me with feedback.”
“Towards what purpose?”
