SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance Read Free Page A

the deal before he made his way back to Dubai.
    As he walked into the restaurant, alone and without his entourage, which was what he preferred more often than not, he walked up to the maitre de and they seemed to just know who he was without him needing to state it. Perfect.
    “I’ll take you over to your table, Sheikh. Your dining companion hasn’t arrived yet, but as soon as she does, we’ll bring her right over.”
    “Thank you.”
    They walked to the table and he looked at it, then to the table next to it. “Those flowers on this table, please.” He pointed and his request was fulfilled, no questions asked.
    Then he sat down, ordered a martini, and waited. He glanced down at his watch. It was 6:55 PM. Would she be prompt or one of those people who kept him waiting? And if she did, he wondered if that was her idea of a power play or simply just poor time management. In the end, it mattered not, because five minutes passed by quickly and she entered the room at 7 PM precisely. He didn’t even need to turn around to know that she was there; he sensed her presence.
    “Good evening,” she said to him, his back still to her.
    He stood up right away and took in her beautiful sight and smiled. “Good evening, Ms. Mason.”
    “Sasha, please.”
    He repeated her name and the way it rolled off his tongue was all the confirmation that she needed to see that he was indeed a playboy, and a masterful one at that. Well, she wasn’t so bad at that game, herself, although she’d never played it in business. But this…this was fun. He wanted something from her and she’d be the naiveté woman to him, an illusion that would bring her a little fodder in her crazy, hectic life.
    “Please, sit down.” He pressed his hand on the small of her back.
    Inside she jolted.
    “Thank you,” she said. After seated she ordered a Malbec from the waitress, who’d silently showed up, like a whisper in the wind.
    “I’ll admit that I don’t know if I should call you sheikh or Ravi.”
    “What would you prefer?”
    “Ravi, I think. After all, we’re all more than just our titles alone, right?”
    “Perhaps.”
    Her smile was plastered and she refused to show her irritation at that answer.
    “Have you dined here before, Sasha?”
    “No, I’ve heard wonderful things, of course.”
    “Well, we’ll both be experiencing it for the first time together.”
    His hand extended out, and she noticed the deep sapphire cufflinks on his light blue silk shirt. Very eloquent and the color made him seem softer, less daunting than he’d looked earlier in his black suit with silver shirt and tie.
    “You look lovely this evening.” He glanced at her, his eyes lingering on her neckline, which was a V-line, not too deep, but deep enough to catch the eye. Her dress was black and simple, with bits of black stitching adding some dimension and character, while remaining classically eloquent. It was her taking care of business dress, as she liked to call it. She smiled.
    “What’s amusing you?” He watched the curve of her lips and felt compelled to reach forward and kiss them, but sensed that would go over like a lead balloon. If needed patience, he’d find it. In this situation, it may well be worth it.
    “Just that I’m here, in front of you, trying to figure out what your angle is.”
    “Why do I have to have an angle? You’re a beautiful woman and a business woman, I’m a business man. Having dinner makes great sense.”
    “For the hour you have me.” She chuckled softly and bit her lip. If anything, she was able to laugh at herself when she knew she said something that was truly unrealistic. Getting in and out of this meal in an hour was definitely not a hope based in reality. Plus, her legs felt surprisingly weak, making it unlikely that she could easily get up and walk out without showing her weakness. Was it his presence or his offer that made her feel that way? She suspected that it was both.
    “I’ll just wish that times goes by