SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance Read Free

my mind.”
    “Perhaps. Join me for dinner tonight.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Please, join me for dinner this evening.”
    “Six against one, I’m not afraid of those odds.” She smiled. Her business was one that was mostly run by men and she’d always managed to fare well despite that, never feeling like there was anything that could hold her back. So, bring it on.
    “Well, it would be one against one, actually. As you’ll take note, I said ‘me’, not ‘we’.”
    One against one, that wasn’t as comfortable for her. She resisted the urge to gulp. “I only have about an hour; would that be enough?”
    “Perhaps. I’m staying at the Ritz Carlton. Meet me at Per Se, 7 PM. Does that work?”
    “I’ll have to check my schedule.” She could have palm heeled her forehead for saying that, because it was ridiculous. She knew her schedule all of the time, a wonderful benefit of a photographic memory. “If you’ll give me a minute.”
    She walked out of the conference room and over to Bev, who had just returned to her desk, and mouthed, “This is insane.”
    She mouthed back. “He is gorgeous.” The she raised her eyebrows.
    “That’s the problem. He knows it all too well. I can’t stand that type of man.”
    Then she walked back into the conference room, “7 PM should be fine, but if you don’t have reservations, you may have to choose another place.”
    “I am certain I’ll be able to get a table.” His voice was calm and assured.
    “Sheikh power, huh?” Her response was laden with sarcasm that was neither subtle nor hidden.
    “Perhaps.”
    If he said perhaps one more time she thought she might belt out a loud scream like she was a banshee. But darn, if he didn’t look confident, poised, and completely and utterly masculine in how he said it, though.
     
    After he finally left with his entourage, she went out to Bev. “Google Sheikh Ravi Kapoor for me. Let’s find out everything there is to know about this guy.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Bev gave her a sailor salute and then got to clicking on her keyboard.
    “He’s just as good looking in pictures as he is in person, Sasha.”
    “I want the details of the man. Something to distract me from those good looks, maybe even something that makes him downright ugly and unattractive.”
    Bev shook her head. “Sometimes you just have to look a gift horse in the mouth.”
    “Not this time.”
    “Okay, here’s something. He’s a known playboy, a technology lover, known for having the best of the best.”
    “Not atypical of a gazillionaire.”
    “Not quite there, but he’s a billionaire…lots of billions.”
    “Explains the casual offer. The money really meant nothing to him, which means that all of you likely wouldn’t either. I made the right call.”
    “So, should I cancel your dinner?” Bev’s snarky grin showed that she was teasing Sasha.
    “You’re so naughty. Behave or you’ll be the first to go.” Then she winked and walked away.
    ***
    Ravi personally made a few calls to ensure that he could have a reservation for two at Per Se for 7 PM that evening. His request of a private table for two in the corner, with a view to the outside and the fountain in the park down below was granted. This was no surprise to him, of course, because when you wanted something you simply needed the intelligence and clout to ask for it in a way where saying “no” was not an option. By veering from that strategy, he’d fallen short in his pursuit of Mason Technologies; he’d trusted an attorney over his ability to negotiate the deals he wanted and on the terms he wanted them. But now, on the other side of his negotiations was a woman who had a face and some spirit, and how lovely she wore them both. Her intelligence and vibrancy drew him in, reminding him of how exhilarating it could be to feel the adventure of pursuit. He’d get that company, of that he had no doubt, and maybe she’d be the sweet perk he hadn’t anticipated. A wonderful night to seal