Cassie slowly opened her eyes and blinked a few times as she waited for her vision to clear. Looking up, she was surprised to see a man with jet-black hair and piercing brown eyes staring down at her. Her gaze swept over him as she took in his straight nose, full lips and strong jaw.
Looking back at his lips, she wondered briefly, what they would feel like to kiss, before she took in his muscular physique. He was incredibly handsome. Her eyes drifted down to his crisp white shirt, which had the first few buttons undone showing off an equally impressive chest. She closed her eyes hoping that he was not a dream.
She opened them again in surprise when he reached down and wrapped his arm around her waist. They made eye contact, and neither one of them broke it as he helped her to her feet. As she stood, her head bumped against his chest and she noticed his woody musky scent.
She could not believe that he had picked her up as if she weighed nothing, surprising her with his strength. Her eyes remained glued to this gorgeous man as he stared back at her with an intense gaze. She could see that he was concerned about her.
“Are you alright?” he asked her his hands bracing both her shoulders as she stood unsteadily on her feet. His voice was enticingly deep and alluring. Cassie cleared her throat and finally broke eye contact frowning as she noticed her surroundings.
She looked at the high dome-shaped ceiling. They seemed to be in a wide hallway as several men stood around her looking at her with concern.
“Where am I?” she asked as she looked around at the unfamiliar room. Looking at the different faces and then back at the room, nothing seemed familiar as she bit back her panic. “Who…Who am I?” she asked the man who had helped her up. She stared at the men in hopes that one of them knew who she was.
“Are you my new assistant?” the man who helped her up asked her. His tone had turned cold and the glimpse of concern that she had seen in his eyes earlier was now gone. Growing impatient, “Why would the agency send me someone who does not seem to know what is going on? And why send you to my home? I do not have time for this.” He paused, scratching his stubble with his thumb, “It does not matter. Just make sure to learn fast, I will not tolerate any incompetence,” he added.
She stared at him wide-eyed with her lips slightly parted. She was confused. She had no idea what this man was speaking to her about.
“Agency?” she mumbled.
“What is your name?” he demanded.
Opening her bag, she searched for any clues to her identity. Finding a wallet, she opened it to find credit cards and a passport.
Cassie Milton- was stamped on them. That must be who I am- she thought to herself.
“Cassie,” she said quietly, still confused. She cleared her throat. “Cassie Milton,” she said a bit louder attempting to sound more confident. She looked at the other man who stood there like a robot with no emotion on his face. Up until now, he had said nothing allowing the other man to speak. “You are..?” she asked him.
“Kalik, we met minutes ago,” he said and looked at the other man curiously.
“Come with me,” the man who had helped her to her feet said to her.
“Erm… excuse me?” Cassie tried to speak but he was already walking off. She trailed after him looking around as they walked. It would seem as though they were in some sort of museum or possibly a large home, but why would she be here? None of this was making sense to her. She did not even know how she ended up on the floor in the first place.
“All the training they give you at the agency is useless. I will tell you everything I need you to do,” he said to her as he walked.
What agency and what training? Cassie wondered. Was she there for some kind of job or something? But who was he? As she walked next to him, she looked at him. He was very tall and muscular, he took long strides that were difficult for her to match in her bodycon dress and high heels, they were meant more for looks than movement. As they walked down the hall, people stopped and bowed their heads to him. They respected him. Some of the women stared with such obvious lust in their eyes. Clearly, he was someone very important. And attractive. Oh so very attractive, she thought.
Cassie gave up on telling him that she did not know who she was or why she was there. He was not even listening to her as he persisted in speaking over her as he described how he wanted things done. He sounded meticulous. Part of her wanted to grab him and shout that she did not know why she was there or who she was. However, the other part of her was intrigued by this man and she was curious enough to play it out to see what happens.
“Excuse me…” Cassie trailed off. The man stopped and looked at her as he waited for her to speak. “What do I call you?” she asked. She did not know the best way to ask him who he was without sounding rude and given how people were bowing to him, she thought this might be the easiest way. She also hoped that if she heard his name, it would jog her memory.
“Sheik Hussain,” he said with a blank stare and a cold tone. She felt awkward but it had to be done. Unfortunately, his name did not ring a bell as he turned on his heel and walked off. She stood there for a couple of seconds, still confused.
“Keep up,” he shouted over his shoulder.
“Yes, sir,” she said and hurried down the hall to catch up to him. She caught a whiff of his musky scent once again. He smelled so good and that made her feel strange. He opened the door and they walked into a large office that was completely white from the marble floors to the white leather sofa and chairs to the thick glass table and white desktop computer. The room was beautiful and clinically clean. Cassie was impressed.
“This is my home office,” Hussain said.
“Oh, so this is your house?” she asked. Hussain turned and gave her an odd look.
“Yes,” he answered as if she had asked something obvious. Cassie scratched the back of her head and winced at the tenderness. When did she hit her head? Rubbing at it, she looked around the room, her eyes settling on the only splash of colour, a painting on the wall. Suddenly his phone rang.
“Speak,” he said into the microphone. Cassie raised her eyebrows. What a rude way to answer- she thought. “Okay,” he said and hung up the phone. He returned his attention to her. “Your bags will remain here until we return. Let’s go,” he said to her.
Cassie raised her eyebrows and widened her green eyes. “Go?” she asked.
“The car is waiting and I have an important meeting,” he said and walked towards the exit.
“Bags,” she repeated softly. She had brought her luggage? Her curiosity grew even more. She needed to find out why she was here, and Sheik Hussain was the key to that mystery.
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As head of the Tazeem Spice Company, the deal Sheikh Hussain has on the horizon could net him millions. Now he needs an assistant, but he certainly wasn’t expecting someone like Cassie Milton. She defies him at every turn with her courage, intelligence, and playful attitude. Her lush curves and golden eyes present a sinful temptation, but he needs to focus on what’s important. He can’t afford to be caught off guard by an American woman who claims to have no knowledge of her past.