“What do you mean byintegrate?”
“Make friends, go to parties.”
“You’re not allowed to go to parties,” I say, because what comes to mind are my fraternity memories. Lots of bare breasts, asses, and dicks.
“I don’t remember asking for your permission.” She unlocks her phone and scrolls. “Before I came, I looked up the definition of ‘guardian’ in the dictionary. ‘Caretaker.’ Nothing about slave master.”
I ignore the sass because, if I’m honest, I find her boldness amusing. I didn’t know what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t this. For someone raised in a patriarchal society, she has a lot of personality.
A little wild, maybe, but still, personality.
I think about the list of possible candidates for my future wife that I screened yesterday. Maybe after I choose one, I should introduce them. All those women have impeccable manners, and maybe they can show her a bit of Western life without her returning home completely different from the girl she was. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking.Virginity. I know in Rheadur it’s essential for a woman to marry untouched.
“Have you ever been to a party outside your country?”
“One. On my brother’s friend’s yacht. But I was kidnapped during it, so I can’t give a full review.”
“I think ‘rescued’ fits better.”
“Rescued from what? Having fun? Maybe I should try it again.”
“My kind of fun is off-limits to children.”
As expected, she scowls.
“Second item. Curfew, andalways—hold on to this word—alwaysescorted.”
“I want to learn how to drive.”
“I can arrange that.” I take a card from inside my suit jacket. “Kaled probably gave you one, but besides my cell, which you already have, here are all my other numbers. Call me anytime you need.”
“And you’ll come all the way from Scotland to save me?”
“Funny. I’m only there on weekends. I spend the rest of the week in London. My offices are here. Any special requests besides learning to drive?” I pick up my glass of water and take a sip.
“I want you to teach me how to approach a guy and get to know him better without him thinking I’m inviting him into my bed.”
I choke so violently that the waiter comes over to check if I need help.
Chapter 8
“Where the hell did that come from?” I ask as soon as I manage to breathe again.
“Which part? The part about you teaching me how to approach guys? Who else am I supposed to ask? You, my brother, and your friends are basically legends when it comes to the art of seduction.”
Jesus Christ. How did we go from behavior rules to teaching her how to flirt?
“Is that why you wanted to come to Europe?”
“No. I came to live my life, but since I’m here, I might as well learn a thing or two about men. My brother has a line of potential husbands for me. How am I supposed to know if the man I choose kisses well if I’ve never tried another?”
Fuck. Kaled is so screwed.
“I’m not the right person for that.”
“You don’t want to teach me,” she accuses, sounding pissed as hell.
We’re both pissed. Picture a lion trapped in a snare—that’s exactly how I feel right now.