Page 10 of Out of Office Nights
Her slim arms rose to exactly shoulder height, displaying how the draped sleeves fell. Satisfied he nodded and held out a hand. ‘Walk around, show me how it looks in motion.’
She took his hand, stepped down, then withdrew her fingers with insulting haste, before starting her signature strut that had held millions in her thrall during her modelling years. Teo couldn’t have pinpointed why her walk was mesmerising if his life depended on it. All he knew was that, like the unfathomable depths of the passion for creativity that flowed in his veins, hers was an intangible gift.
If only it didn’t succeed in scrambling most men’s brains.
Men like Nathan Gray.
The scandal-courting photographer’s name made thunderbolts rumble across his already roiled senses.
She froze. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘Not with the dress, no,’ he drawled.
‘Does that imply there’s something wrong with me?’ she pressed, her cool tone sliding into chilly territory.
Yes. What on earth did you see in an imbecile like Gray?
‘We’re done here for today, Sabeen. Take off the dress,’ he said curtly, aware of an alien spark that absurdly resembled jealousy.
She remained motionless for a stretch longer, then swayed towards him with that same distant composure that made his fingers itch to unravel her. To reenact that kiss just to feel her melt in the helpless way that attacked him far too often. With admirable strength of will he resisted.
She reached him and pivoted, silently directing him to lower her zip.
The second he did, she shimmied out of the dress, handed it to him then with glorious confidence, and a complete lack of self-consciousness, strutted back to where she’d dropped her dress.
Teo just about managed to keep his libido from exploding, shaming him thoroughly as he walked her in silence back to his front door. Watched as she sailed out, nose in the air afterhis instruction to report back the next evening to ready herself before leaving for the gala.
And if he cringed beneath the cold shower he had to take after the departure of the woman who occupied far too much room in his thoughts, it was worth it. Mastering his control around Sabeen was essential. Because nothing could derail his plans.
Nothing.
It felt like a blink of an eye had passed before Sabeen found herself back in front of Central Park Tower. She didn’t bother looking up. Making herself dizzier than she currently felt wasn’t a wise choice when she was about to fling herself into Teo’s cyclonic presence again.
But she was vividly aware of the stratospheric sensation of dealing with Teodor Domene, a reality pounded home when she stepped into the fastest elevator in the world and was whisked up with stomach-dropping speed to the Domene residence.
Of course he lived in the most iconic building in New York City.
If only she wasn’t unequivocal about punctuality, abhorring those who blithely went with the fashionably late rule. But, she grimaced inwardly, neither fifteen seconds nor fifteen minutes would calm her shredded nerves.
She still couldn’t believe her behaviour yesterday, flinging off her clothes in front of him like the supermodel she’d once been. Telling herself it was his fault for answering his door in a deplorable mood, triggering her own recklessness, hadn’t stopped her agitation for the rest of the day, nor her tossing and turning last night.
And the voice whispering that she’d wanted to see him ruffled again, maybe even display a feral gleam like the one aftertheir kiss? Well, that voice could take a long walk off a short pier because it didn’t help one iota.
She’d stayed within touching distance after the fitting, breathing him in, revelling in that heady scent of sea-breeze and smoke. That rusty vault she’d locked tight had cracked open, allowing a sliver of craving to escape. Shaming her as she relived that kiss for the thousandth time.
So yes, she deserved to be suffering now, boiling in remembered disgrace. Suffering through her body’s reaction to Teodor’s undisguised virility. Maybe this was the control-mastering test she needed to pass before regaining peace and inspiration? To honour her promise to her grandmother never to let a man hold sway over her independence and future?
She was saying a feverish prayer when the double doors to the most breathtaking residence she’d ever seen were thrown open, a finely dressed butler nodding in courteous greeting.
‘Miss El-Maleh, welcome.’ He gestured her into the spectacular living room, little of which she’d noticed in Teodor’s presence yesterday. ‘His Highness is just finishing up with a phone call in his study. You’ll be attended to shortly.’
Hell, no,she was not disappointed that Teo hadn’t greeted her himself.
‘Thank you.’
‘May I get you something to drink?’
Summoning a smile, she shook her head. ‘No, thank you. I’m fine.’
