Forbidden (Part Two)

By Natalie Aejaz

We were only meant to be together for one night. Months later, I can't get her out of my mind.

Nothing was more important than driving my business to the top, but now I've achieved my goal, all I can think of is her laughter, kisses and touch…

Society, status and reputation. It doesn't mean a damn thing when you want someone the way I do Leyla.

For just one night, renowned businessman Zehab Deniz gave in to his desire for Leyla.

He has not seen her since then, but three months later, he is not over the dancer. He needs to experience that night again—touch her, kiss her and make her his own.

When circumstances bring them together again, he is unable to let her go, embarking on a passionate affair which must be kept hidden at all costs…

But how long can they keep the forbidden romance a secret?

Join Zehab and Leyla's journey as things really heat up between them. If you like hot billionaires and independent heroines, check out the concluding part of this romance.

This romance book is intended for mature audiences, with steamy sex scenes and higher heat levels than the first part. It features a happily ever after and no cliffhangers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natalie Aejaz
• Release date: Jul 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393725350

Book preview

FORBIDDEN

PART TWO

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Natalie Aejaz

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Copyright 2019 Natalie Aejaz 

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

CHAPTER ONE

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ZEHAB WOULD BE GRATEFUL WHEN the Alrihaz launch was over and he could focus on Deniz Ankara, because managing both projects was killing him. When he returned to his suite at Alrihaz after hours of nonstop meetings and negotiations, the sense of pride at what he had helped create over the past three months helped ease the exhaustion. The quality of the themed restaurants and bars rivaled any international establishment and when launched, the hotel would be among Turkey’s most luxurious, dominating the beach on which it stood. The large gardens at the front featured tennis and badminton courts besides the heated swimming pool—from there, guests had direct access to a private beach resort and club. Chauffeur-driven luxury vehicles lined the hotel’s rear, and there was a reception on each floor, with butlers to serve the guests who would arrive after the launch.

Zehab sat at his desk, using the control at his fingertips to open the curtains in the room and allow in sunlight. There was much to get through, and he also had to make time to meet Meryem Abdil. She arrived yesterday, but he had been too busy to pick her up from the airport. For once, he was glad that Ada took over, but he could not expect her to be with Meryem constantly. They both had been shopping today, and grandmother messaged him after the trip, saying she had a wonderful day but seriously, the whole situation was rather rude. Zehab released a frustrated sigh. After a few days, Meryem would leave, and then he could go to Ankara to oversee things there. Talking of Deniz Ankara, it was time to check in with his assistant Yagiz. As always, the other man was positive. All is going as planned, Mr. Deniz. If anything arises, I will immediately contact you.

After a butler delivered lunch, Zehab ate it at the desk as he checked his inbox. He had a meeting with Omar Badem this afternoon and before leaving, he opened the list of attendees booked for future orientations. Yesterday, he conducted the first session with new staff at the offsite office and had three more booked in for the week, but Leyla’s name was not on the list, and she had not signed her contract yet. They had not been in contact since he left the ship, but her job with Star Cruises would have ended by now.

How long before they met again?

His mind roamed through that night—her hot kisses, his lips on her skin, how good it felt being inside her...

Damn! He needed to get her out of his head.

Omar’s office was on the ground floor, toward the hotel’s rear. There was a tray of used coffee cups outside a nearby office, and Zehab made a mental note to speak to the cleaning manager before knocking on Omar’s door.

Come in, called the cheerful voice, now familiar.

Omar had a wide smile ready when Zehab entered the room. His idol had turned out to be nothing like the strict businessman Zehab had imagined he might be, his round smiling face and balding head giving the impression of a friendly uncle. Unlike the other offices, there was no designer furniture here. A simple wood desk and ergonomic chair, a desktop computer and only enough cabinets as required. The only concession to luxury was an imported high-tech machine in the corner, set up to make Omar’s coffee as he liked it. It was placed below a family photo on the wall: Omar with his late wife, a pretty lady who smiled wide for the camera, her hair flowing around her as she leaned toward him. Emir was with them, a grinning boy of around ten, an innocence on his face that was long gone.

Omar dispensed two coffees from the machine, waving away Zehab’s offer to do the deed. Thank you for agreeing to work from our office when you must be so busy with Deniz Ankara’s launch. Zehab had initially overseen the developments at Alrihaz from Ankara and arrived at the hotel four weeks ago after Emir left for a business trip abroad. The timing was perfect as he had no desire to indulge in professional or personal discussions with the man. The contract Emir drew up, putting you in charge of major developments, has been one of his better professional decisions. Zehab did not want to be reminded about how the terms had been negotiated. We would have struggled over the past few weeks if you were not with us. Omar took a sip of his coffee. Now we need to talk about the hired staff. He fidgeted in his chair. You know Leyla?

Zehab could not speak for a few seconds. Leyla?

Were they seen by someone on the ship? But they were discreet when she left his suite in the morning. He searched the older man’s face for a hint of disdain, but there was only the usual professionalism. I believe she’s a belly dancer...she performed on that cruise where you kindly agreed to accompany Emir?

Did Omar know about Leyla...and him? How the hell could Zehab have let himself down like this? He cleared his throat. Yes, she was on the cruise.

My assistant was checking the contracts and was surprised to see the name of an unknown local belly dancer alongside the international talent. The older man tapped his fingers on the table. Emir may be my only son, but it does not mean I am unaware of his flaws. I asked my assistant to gather more information and discovered that Emir and you met her on the ship. Omar raised his eyebrows. Gossip spreads on cruise ships. I heard she gave Emir quite the response during a particular incident.

So that was what this was about? Some tension left Zehab’s body, only to be replaced by concern for Leyla. If she lost the opportunity at Alrihaz, where might she end up? You know gossip-mongers. They exaggerate everything.

Omar shook his head. I am glad someone stood up to Emir. Was he really taking the matter so lightly? My main concern is why he hired her after that incident. What else happened on the ship?

He was drunk that night and forgot about it by the next day. And Leyla is not well known, but she is a very good dancer.

Omar leaned back in his chair. For years, I have cleaned up after my son, ensuring that no scandal touches this enterprise. His eyes fixed on Zehab. I trust your judgment. He did not need to remind him. After observing his work for the first two weeks, Omar left him to manage things on his own. He had faded into the background himself, an understanding father figure who only emerged to provide guidance. Zehab. Are you certain that having Leyla at Alrihaz will not risk a scandal?

Leyla would never give in to Emir’s demands, but how might the spoiled heir react to her rejection? It was best for the enterprise if she did not join them.

You have nothing to worry about, he told Omar Badem.

Fuck the concerns about a potential scandal. He would deal with Emir himself if he had to. Leyla needed and deserved this job.

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LEYLA HAD ENJOYED SEEING NEHIR again, even if her beloved aunt insisted on harassing her about her personal life.

Why must you insist on returning to Istanbul, Leyla? They both sat in her auntie’s living room, sprawled across the sofa, Turkish delicacies on the coffee table before them. Why not stay here in Konya, where we are nearby?

Nehir would love that, wouldn’t she? The social animal insisted on one bloody outing after the other. The city had countless museums, monuments and historical sites of interest, and she never got bored with them, no matter how many times she visited. Just yesterday, she dragged Leyla on their umpteenth visit to the Mevlana whirling dervishes. As the skilled dervishes span, rending a hypnotic effect, you would think auntie was seeing them for the first time. And the evening was not allowed to end before they headed to a local restaurant for kebabs and raki, the aniseed liquor popular across Turkey.

Nehir’s husband was at work and she had a day off from her job as a teacher, but Leyla had convinced her to spend time inside the house. Damn, those excursions were exhausting, and it was nice just to relax. The only thing was, it gave the older woman ample opportunity to subject Leyla to an earful of lectures. Until you start at Alrihaz, you can stay with us, was the carrot she now dangled, one that Leyla had no intention of biting. I have heard terrible things about that Heaven Club.

Auntie was one of those women who had heard terrible things about everything—from the villa being built on the other side of the city to the neighbor’s hair lice problem—but in this case, her concern was justified.

I have to sort the contract, remember? A few days after completing the three months with the cruise ship, she received a call from an administrator at Alrihaz, asking her to contact the company once she was back in Istanbul and finalize the details of her employment. Anyway, I’ve danced in worse places than Heaven.

Sure, the club was a huge step-down from the ship, but it was work until she joined Alrihaz. It meant she could save the money she made from the three month contract with the cruise company and continue to practice performing until she started her new job. In any case, she would be on a probation period at Alrihaz. And the world of entertainment was an uncertain one.

I wish you would reconsider your options. Her auntie took a baklava from the coffee table. I’ve never understood why you worked so hard to get a business degree and became a dancer instead. As if she had not injected more than enough sugar