The Sheik and the Pregnant Bride Read Free

age of three. It must be—
    “Qadir, I expect more,” a gruff voice said in the darkness.
    Maggie skidded to a halt so quickly, she nearly slid out of her sandals.
    “In time,” Qadir said, his voice calm.
    “How much time? As’ad is engaged. He will be married in a few weeks. You need to settle down, as well. How is it possible I have so many sons and no grandchildren?”
    Maggie knew the smartest thing would be to turn around and head back to her room. It’s what she meant to do…except she couldn’t help wanting to listen. She’d never heard a king speak to a prince before. She couldn’t believe they were arguing, just like a regular family.
    She slipped behind a large pole and did her best to stay completely silent as Qadir said, “As’ad brings you three daughters. That should be enough for a start.”
    “You are not taking this seriously. With all the women you have been with, you should have found at least one you’re willing to marry.”
    “Sorry. No.”
    “It’s that girl,” the king murmured. “From before. She’s the reason.”
    “She has nothing to do with this.”
    Woman? What woman? Maggie made a mental note to get on the computer and check out Qadir’s past.
    “If you cannot find a bride on your own, I will find one for you,” the king said. “You will do your duty.”
    There was the sound of footsteps, then a door closed. Maggie stayed in place, not sure if both men had left.
    She breathed as quietly as she could and was about to go back the way she’d come when she heard Qadir say, “You can come out now. He’s gone.”
    Maggie winced as heat burned her cheeks. She stepped into view. “I didn’t mean to listen in. I was taking a walk and then you were talking. I was really quiet. How did you know I was here?”
    Qadir nodded toward the plate-glass window that reflected the balcony. “I saw you approaching. It does not matter. My quarrel with the king is common knowledge. It is an argument my brothers and I share with him.”
    “Still, I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose.”
    “You seem intent on repeating that fact.”
    “I don’t want you to think I’m rude.”
    “But I have already hired you. What does it matter what I think?”
    “Because you’re my boss. You could fire me tomorrow.”
    “True, but per our contract, you would still get paid.”
    She fought against the need to roll her eyes. “While the money is important, so is doing a good job. I don’t want to leave until the car is finished. It’s a matter of pride.”
    Maybe being über-rich and a sheik meant he wouldn’t understand that. Maggie doubted Qadir had ever had to work for anything.
    “Will your father really find you a wife?” she asked.
    “He will try. Ultimately the choice is mine. I can refuse to marry her.”
    “Why would he think anyone would agree to an arranged marriage?”
    Qadir leaned against the railing. “The woman in question will be marrying into a royal family. We trace our bloodline back more than a thousand years. For some, the dictates of history and rank matter far more than any matters of the heart.”
    A thousand years? Maggie couldn’t imagine that. But then she’d grown up under relatively modest circumstances in a fairly typical medium-size town. Over the past few years movie stars showed up every winter to ski, but she didn’t have any contact with them. Nor did she want any. She preferred regular people to the rich and famous. And to princes. Even one as handsome as the man in front of her.
    “You must have all kinds of women throwing themselves at you,” she said. “Aren’t there any you want to marry?”
    Qadir raised his eyebrows. “You take my father’s side in this?”
    “You’re royal. Doesn’t having heirs come with the really plush surroundings?”
    “So you’re practical.”
    “I understand family loyalty and duty.”
    “Would you have agreed to an arranged match if it had been expected?”
    Maggie considered the question. “I don’t know.