Married to a Billionaire (Completed)

CHAPTER: 3

Sheikh-Amir looked just as good as he had at the wedding reception of his cousin Sheikh-Adil-AL-Aman. Maybe, even more, considering Serena could now see his muscled torso, and arms, his tanned skin, his arms roped with veins. 

Serena took a small step back at the intense liquid heat pooling deep in her core and swallowed hard. She met his dark gaze, and squared her shoulders, clutching her portfolio to her chest like a shield. She said, "Mr. Al-Aman if now is not a good time, ...."

He interrupted her by saying, "It's Amir, Serena." His voice low and deep, and very seductive. "We discussed this."

"Yes, we did, Mr. AL-Aman." She then looked away from him, and stared at the floor, as he slipped out of the boxing ring, and jumped to the ground. Serena did her best not to notice the mesmerizing bead of sweat rolling down the center of his chest, over his sculpted abs, to disappear beneath the waistband of his shorts.

Amir cleared his throat and she met his gaze, heat flaring in her cheeks when she realized that he had caught her staring. And if the heated look in his eyes was any indication, he knew what exactly she had been thinking too. Her mouth went dry, but she forced herself to continue, "Mr-AL-Aman, you have brought me halfway around the world to plan this wedding. There are many items we need to discuss, not to mention the fact that I have not yet met the bride, and..."

Amir stepped closer to her and her words trailed off at the sheer sexiness of his smile. "Do whatever you like," he said.

"Whatever I like?" That was not how this worked. She tried a different approach. "Perhaps I haven't made myself clear. I have taken the liberty of creating a list." 

Serena pointed towards her bright pink, leather portfolio. "We really need to discuss the arrangements. You will need to inform me of possible venues, what kind of ceremony you will be having, not to mention banquet halls and caterers, and whatever else we will need? I have only just arrived in AL-Aman, and as I am a foreigner here, I could really use your advice. I had planned Adil and Diana's wedding, but had a much longer preparation time."

Amir looked at Serena as if she had grown a second head, as he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his neck. "I have a very busy schedule, Serena. As I said, plan the wedding as if it were your own. I don't want to be involved."

Shocked by his attitude, Serena tightened her arms around her portfolio and gave him a pointed stare. "I understand that this may not be a comfortable topic for you, but I can't help it. You will have to give some input. Or at least tell me when and where I shall meet the bride, so I can discuss these things with her."

Amir then went over to where a pile of soft white towels was kept. He grabbed one, and started scrubbing his hair first and then began to wipe off the sweat from his torso. Ignoring her outburst, he continued his conversation.

"Where are you staying?" he asked her, whilst scrubbing his hair dry with the help of a towel.

"At the hotel outside your compound. Why?" she asked him.

"That is unacceptable. You will move into the palace this afternoon itself. It will be easier for you to plan things from here." He tossed the towel into the basket and headed towards the door. "Now, if you will excuse me, I require to take a shower before my lunch meeting."

"Wait." Serena followed him out into the hall. "What about..."

He didn't let her continue. He said, "Serena. Unless you wish to accompany me in my shower, I would suggest that you meet me at the restaurant. Say, after an hour?"

Wide-eyed, Serena stared up into his face, his amused smile, his raised brow. "Fine." She took a deep breath, hoping to recover her lost sanity. "Well. I will meet you in an hour. What is the name of the restaurant?"

Amir gave it to her, along with the address, which she scribbled on her notepad. He then said, "My driver will see that you arrive there safely, and on time."

"All right then." She closed her portfolio then turned as the other man from the boxing ring stepped beside her. He appeared to be staring at her portfolio c*m planner. She gave him an irritated look. She asked him, "What?"

He shrugged and replied, "I have just never seen a pink leather business planner, before."

Amir interrupted and said, "May I introduce my youngest brother, Zubair-Al-Aman." 

Serena kept her attention on Amir. She asked, "Will your bride be at the restaurant as well?"  

Amir exchanged a glance with his brother, then smiled and said, "Of course."

Serena felt a bit relaxed. Now they were heading somewhere, she thought. "Good. I can get her input then. See you in an hour."

She nodded to Zubair and then headed back for the exit.

From what Amir had explained, the driver he had arranged for her would be available for her use at all times during her stay. At first, Serena found that idea a little strange, but now that she was in Al-Aman, Jordan, and did not speak their language, she was beyond grateful for the polite, English-speaking driver.

Serena walked outside and the driver held the door open for her, as she slid into the backseat of the sleek black sedan, and placed her portfolio beside her. One hour from now, she would meet the bride and finally get to start her work. She knew that she had very little time on hand for planning the Sheikh's wedding.

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"She is an absolute spitfire, ain't she?" Zubair said to his brother Amir as they headed for the showers.

"She is spirited, yes," Amir replied. In fact, she had seemed downright aggressive today, quite different from the last time, that they had met. At Adil's wedding, she had seemed tough and in charge, but still feminine, and even downright flirty.

Nevertheless, today she had been all staunch businesswoman. Amir did not like those changes but did his best to consider the fact that she was a stranger in a strange land and perhaps she had been nervous. He knew that he was intimidating, especially on his home ground.

Of course, she was not nervous though as she had stared at him, while he was in the ring, and later as he was wiping himself dry. Her beautiful eyes then had filled with s****l heat and sensual promise as she stared at his bare torso. His body stirred at the memory and he could not deny the chemistry between them. He had been aware of her since that night at Adil's reception. Today had proven to him that he was not alone in that awareness.

Amir knew that her fiery personality only made him want her more. It brought out the dominance in him, made him want to tame her, own her, claim her as his. Not that he planned to share all this with her or with anybody else.