Chapter 36
But, because Diane and Clay knew Sarah was trying to keep the meeting information from AJ they reasoned that she might do just that. They followed the cab to the hotel and then took up positions to watch her unobserved. Clay checked in with Fahd's tail and was told they were on route somewhere and would be ready to help in any way they were needed if they arrived at the hotel.
Sarah had purposely arrived early in the hope that Sadik would be precisely on time as he had directed her. She wanted to already be seated at the table to hide her condition as long as possible. The fact that it was February and so cold out that she needed a coat also helped conceal her stomach. She chose a seat facing the door so she could watch for him to arrive.
Sadik approached the table, surprised that Sarah Chegwidden did not seem startled by his complete change of appearance. She was even more clever at hiding her reactions than he thought she would be, or unaware of her own beauty, if she assumed that only he would approach her and not one of the other men in the bar that were eyeing her.
What he didn't realize was that this woman had never seen him before. It had been her sister that knew what he looked like before. Plus her military training had helped her pick out the differences between the casual drinkers at the bar and a man that was there with a definite purpose.
"A woman who is not only on time, but early, is impressive, Sarah." He nodded at the drink in front of her and added, "It is also pleasing to see a woman who comes to a bar without ordering alcohol. Or, was it that you felt you needed to keep a clear head?"
Aware of his culture and that he had already been testing her to see if she would come to a bar alone. Something a woman of respect would never do, she also knew that she would have lowered herself even more in his eyes if she had ordered alcohol. However, she was not about to let him intimidate her into playing his game. "My reasons are my own," she replied, meeting his gaze as only a bold western woman would do.
"We shall have our talk in private. I have taken a suite here. Follow me," he ordered and got up without even waiting to see she would follow. He clearly just assumed she would.
She quickly stood, put her coat back on, and closed it around herself. He remained more than an arms length in front of her until they reached the elevator. Because they weren't alone in the car, neither of them spoke until they reached the floor his room was on. As they moved down the hall he said, "I have come to admire you, Sarah. You are an interesting contradiction. You are aware, are you not, that women in my country are more revered than here in your United States?"
"More subjugated you mean," she replied, as he opened the door to the suite and went in.
"We prefer to see it as protecting them. I would like you to make me a cup of tea," he instructed.
Sarah knew this was another attempt to 'put her in her place' by waiting on him, but at the moment it suited her purpose to play along. She wanted to see what he was up to. Nodding her compliance, she moved behind the counter and looked around for what she would need. Just before she began the preparations, he quietly, but firmly, said one more word, "Barefoot."
Knowing that this was once again humble her and demonstrate her lowly status, she nonetheless stepped out of her pumps without saying a word. His slight grin told her that he felt she was under his control.
He remained standing, watching her from across the room as she worked. When everything was ready, she placed it on a tray and brought it to the coffee table in front of the couch he was standing next to.
"Remove your coat and join me," he commanded.
She hesitated only a moment before doing as he wanted. Unbuttoning her coat, she turned her back on him as she slid it off and laid it over the back of a nearby chair.
"You may pour," he grandly stated without moving to sit down.
Sarah had no choice. She had to turn back and sit down, hoping he wouldn't notice her slightly rounded belly.
Her hope was dashed when he jeered, "Do you think I will believe that you are pregnant once again, Sarah? You have so little faith in my intelligence."
The relief she felt in his assumption that her pregnancy was a fake, distracted her just enough that she wasn't prepared for what came next.
To be continued….