Chapter Three

“The date isn't changing, Zaki.”

Ali Omidyar's voice had a note of finality to it as he took a sip from his cup of coffee. Both men, dressed in black suits and ties were currently in a closed-door meeting at Omidyar Oil & Gas. One of the many companies that made up the Omidyar group of companies, both in America and Iran.

Zaki had his head in his hands as he stared down at his desk. If he was being honest, he knew there was no way he could get of this arrangement. He'd been foolish enough to promise his dying grandfather that he would marry Amelia, and now that promise hung on his head like a death sentence. And how couldn't he? The man had given him everything he'd ever needed growing up, and never asked anything in return, till now. This was the only request he ever made till his passing.

Fulfilling his wishes was more of a matter of honor to Zaki. A matter of respect. 

“Knowing you, I expect nothing less.” He took a sip of his whiskey. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. My grandfather would get what he wants.”

“Inshallah,” Ali replied with a faint smile.

“But,” He shook his head. “I have no intention of letting Freya go, Ali.”

The older man shrugged. “Due to the position of our family back home and in the international market, you're only permitted to take one wife, Zaki. Your lover is free to continue as a concubine if she still wishes to be romantically involved with you after the wedding.”

“Freya deserves much more than that.” He countered dryly. “She won't settle for less.”

“I don't see why not. If she loves you, everything should be fine.” Ali said,  adjusting his ruthlessly knotted tie. “Zaki, I can't tell you how to run your home but whatever you do, always remember that Amelia's your wife. Omidyar men are always good to their women.”

He held his drink up in a toast to that, smiling, but there was nothing happy about the smile. His personal elevator slide open at that moment and Freya Ortega walked in looking lovelier than ever. She was the only other person that was allowed to use that elevator, so he knew she'd arrived even before she stepped in and took his breath away. The last time they'd seen each other was three weeks ago, in London. She stayed back to attend to some family issues while he flew down to America to see his grandfather. He couldn't get over how she always made him weak whenever she stepped into a room. Her short light brown hair was in a sexy curly mess around her face, and her cheeks had gotten rosier than he remembered. She was wearing a chic hollow-out deep baby-blue knee-length dress that accentuated her curves and drove him wild. 

Ali turned to greet the woman with a smile on his face. “Freya, it's been a minute.”

She laughed and moved to hug him. “Indeed it is, Ali.” She smiled. “I missed beating you at chess.”

He laughed heartily. “It would interest you to know that I've gotten better at the game. Right, Zaki?” He glanced at his nephew for backing, but Zaki had his attention on her. He smiled. “I should get going.”

Her face fell. “Oh, so soon? I hope you're not leaving on my account?”

“Not at all, princess.” He touched her shoulders. “Take excellent care of Zaki.”

She blushed. “I will, Ali.” 

Zaki dipped his head to the side as a way of acknowledgment to the old man who vacated his office.

“Hey,” Freya said.

He got up and came around the table slowly. “Hey, gummy bear. You look…” He came in front of her and paused, whispering the words in her ear as he curled his arms around her waist. “Hot… sexy….tight….” Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips dropped light kisses along her neck. “I'm one second away from breaking one of my rules for you, Delbar.”

She chuckled, eyes still closed, as she whispered back to his ears. “Let me guess, the no office sex rule?”

He grinned. “That one.” 

“I came specifically for that, Zaki.” She teased him. “I'm not wearing underwear.”

He froze, eyes darkened as he slowly grabbed her ass. He tugged up her face and was about bringing down his lips to her when a small rap on the door interrupted him. He cursed in Arabic, and let her go, but didn't move away.

“Come in.” He huffed.

“Sorry for the interruption, sir.” His executive secretary apologized, keeping a straight face. “The investors from China called again. They are about to leave Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and want to know if they'll still be working with contractors from Beijing.”

“Yes. They'll feel more comfortable that way. What time do they arrive?”

“Noon tomorrow, but you have them on your schedule for 3 pm.”

“Good. Cancel all my meetings today, I'll be very busy.”

“Yes sir.”

If his secretary knew exactly what he would be busy with, she didn't let it show as she hurried out to carry out his instructions. 

He smirked at Freya. “I'm guessing that rule won't be broken today, sweet girl.” 

“Bummer.” She made a cute face at him.

He pulled her close and stroked her neck with his tongue, moved his hands to her lower back and down over her ass again. “You drive me crazy, Freya. I’ve never wanted anyone so badly in my life.”

She trembled. “Me too, Zaki. You're everything to me.”

                           ******

It was only when he lifted himself off her chest and asked if she was okay that Freya felt herself returning to earth. They were back at his penthouse suite, buried under the silk linen of his bed.

“I think,” She said, still out of breath. “I might have just had an out-of-body experience.”

A laugh rumbled in his throat. “Well, you were fucking spectacular too. I keep wondering how I managed to survive without you for those three weeks!”

“Me too.” She rubbed her palms up and down his shoulders. “The only way I could stay sane was to imagine you in my bed at night.”

His brow perked up, and a sly smile danced around his face. “And what exactly was I doing in these intriguing imaginations?”

She chuckled and playfully swatted his arm. “You know exactly what you were doing, don't make me say it.”

“Okay,” He laughed. “How many times did I appear?”

“Oh, every single night.” 

“Good.” He sounded smug. Dropping a kiss on her lips, and rolling off the bed before putting on his boxer briefs. “I’ll need a drink.”

Freya flopped onto her tummy, pulling a pillow beneath her cheek. “Cool. I'll just be right here.”

He strolled out of the room and took out a bottle of whiskey, which he dropped on the kitchen table. His head was in his hands as he stared down at the bottle, lost in thoughts. He couldn't figure out how he was going to break the news to Freya. He was getting married in less than two weeks, and she wasn't his bride. She would be heartbroken, and he would probably never see her again. There was no way he could bring himself to shatter her this way. 

He remembered their lovemaking earlier and prayed he'd just planted his child in her. If there was a child between them, then she won't be able to completely cut him off. No woman on earth can keep him away from his child.

“Hey,” Freya approached him in a white robe.

He looked up, his eyes tired. “Hey.”

She couldn’t remember the last time he’d seemed so down. Her heart sank. “Are you okay?”

 “No.”

She pulled out a chair and sat across from him. “What’s wrong?”

He let out a long, exasperated breath that she felt on her skin from across the table. “It’s family-related.”

“I knew something was up when I saw your uncle at the company today.” She pushed aside the bottle of whiskey. “Well, do you want to share? Sometimes talking things through helps.”

“This isn’t a problem that talking is going to solve, unfortunately.” He chuckled. 

“What's wrong, my love.” 

“It's nothing I can't handle, Freya.” He smiled. “Tell me about your mom. How's her treatment going?”

“Good.” She sighed. “Thank you for the money, babe. I'll pay back as soon as I can get enough cash from my book sales.”

“You insult me, Delbar.” He frowned. “I don't need the money. Give it out to charity or whatever, if you have no need for it. You really need to stop resisting the gifts and money I shower on you. They won't stop coming.”

She sighed. “Zaki, I don't feel comfortable collecting money from you. Half your family already thinks I'm with you for that sole purpose.”

“Half my family are dumb. They may think it, but if it as much as comes out as a whisper, I'll make life miserable for them.”

She smiled at his words, and he came around the table to meet her. “I bought you a house in London.”

“What?!” She was aghast.

“Shhhh,” He put a finger on her lips and kissed her. “It's a pre-birthday gift.”

“My birthday isn't till another four months, Zaki.”

He shrugged. “I figured a change of environment would be good for your mom when she's discharged. She needs to feel comfortable.”

“We don't need a house, Zaki. We already have one and when we get married, we won't need it. My mom would live with us in Iran.”

He turned and poured himself a glass of whiskey. When we get married. WHEN WE GET MARRIED. Of course, she still had hope for their future together. But there was no future--except one where she's condemned to be a concubine.

How could he tell her that? How could he explain himself without sounding like an absolute douche? 

“Zaki,” She wrapped her hands around him from behind. “What's wrong? I can sense that something is bothering you terribly.”

He turned to face her. “It's nothing to worry about. I already paid for the property in your name. Even if you refuse it now, it's already yours.”

“But--”

He kissed her. “The matter isn't up for discussion. Just thank me by kissing me back.”

She frowned but kissed him anyway. 

“You deserve the finest of all things, my queen.” He said in between kisses. “I'll give you anything money can buy and more.”

Their mouths came together, hot and searing. He kissed her the way she'd always dreamed about being kissed--wild and savage, like a starving animal devours its prey.