Expecting the Sheikh's Baby

Too much to think about, too little time.

“I’ve always known you to be a man of few words, Ash, but today you’re quieter than usual.”

Ash looked up from his half-eaten room service fare to find Daniel Barone scrutinizing him with unconcealed curiosity. “I have much on my mind at present.” So much that food had lost all appeal.

“This mood of yours doesn’t have anything to do with my investments, does it?”

His current state had nothing to do with monetary measures and everything to do with one particular woman. “I asked you here today solely for the sake of camaraderie, not business.”

“Good. I was beginning to assume you were about to tell me I’m destined for poverty, the reason why we’re eating in privacy instead of a restaurant.”

Ash had asked Daniel to join him for lunch in his penthouse suite to make certain he was accessible should Karen call. To this point, it had yet to happen. The later the hour, the more concerned Ash had become that perhaps Karen had decided to utilize the fertility clinic. For all he knew, she could be there now, becoming impregnated by some stranger.

“As always, your investments are thriving,” Ash assured his friend. “You will continue to be a very wealthy man.”

Pushing back from the dining table, Daniel tossed his napkin aside, looking pleased. “That’s great to know even though I have everything a man could need with my new wife.”

Ash felt a little twinge of envy over his friend’s good fortune in finding a suitable mate. “Then I can presume your honeymoon went well?”

Daniel presented a roguish grin. “Oh, yeah. Very well. But it’s far from over. Just ask Phoebe. For such a quiet lady, she’s certainly full of surprises.”

Ash predicted that the not-so-quiet Karen could be full of pleasant surprises as well. If only he would be afforded the opportunity to find out. “I’m happy that you are pleased with your choice.”

“And to think I tried to fix you and Phoebe up at Karen’s party,” Daniel said. “Good thing you didn’t hit it off.”

A very good thing, Ash decided, not that Phoebe wasn’t an attractive woman. But that night Karen had garnered his complete attention. Admittedly, he had wanted her in a very elemental way. He still wanted her. Yet with each passing moment he saw his opportunity to have her dwindling.

“I am still surprised that you’ve married, considering your former habits,” Ash said.

Daniel frowned. “If you’re referring to previous women, you’re a fine one to talk. You’ve had more than your share.”

“True, but I have met someone who could possibly put that to an end.”

“Someone special?”

“Your cousin Karen.”

Daniel slapped his palm on the table, effectively rattling the silverware. “You know, Phoebe swore this was going to happen but I never thought it would go beyond the night you met. Karen didn’t seem too happy when you kissed her in the reception line.”

“It was a simple show of welcome.”

“It was a simple come-on, if you ask me. So how long have you and Karen been an item?”

“I’m not certain I understand your meaning.”

“How long have you been seeing each other?”

Ash was unsure how to respond. “We’ve been negotiating.”

“Negotiating? That’s a weird term for dating.”

“Actually, we have gone beyond the dating phase.”

Daniel released a wry chuckle. “I have to hand it to you, Ash. You work fast.”

“I’ve asked her to be my wife.”

“Make that from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds. When did this all come about?”

“I’ve intended to marry for some time now. Karen is the perfect prospect.”

“Yeah, Karen’s a nice woman. Not too shabby in the looks department, either.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“She’s very attractive.”

“I would have to agree with you in that respect.”

“So when’s the wedding?”

As far as Ash was concerned, today would not be soon enough. “Unfortunately she has yet to give me her answer. I’m not certain that she sees the mutual benefits that marriage will bring.”

Daniel scowled. “Well, hell, Ash, if that’s the way you proposed, it’s not surprising she hasn’t bothered to answer you.”

“It’s a bit more complex than a simple proposal. Karen and I have both expressed our desire to have a child. We’ve discussed having one together. I have insisted that we marry for the sake of that child.”

“Then this doesn’t have anything to do with love?”

Ash didn’t expect Daniel to fully understand. Why would he when he was so obviously in love with his wife? “I am very fond of Karen, and I have every intention of making a comfortable life for her and our child in a secure, permanent relationship.”

“You make it sound like a retirement fund.” Daniel shook his head. “I’m not sure how well this is going to work, putting the cart before the horse.”

When Ash showed his confusion with a frown, Daniel added, “Having the marriage and a baby before you have a commitment that involves two people who care about each other.”

“I’m a realist, Daniel. At times it is necessary to accept that the choices we make should be based on what is best for all concerned, not on emotions.”

“So you’re saying that all you expect is a continuing fondness for Karen?”

“I expect nothing beyond what I know to be true, that we will marry in order to produce a child. I can’t deny that I find Karen to be a very desirable, passionate woman. I plan to enjoy those aspects.”

Daniel’s expression reflected concern. “When the passion fades, I hope that something more exists. Otherwise, you might be in for a tough life together.”

Ash gave Daniel’s words some consideration, and though he found wisdom in them, he couldn’t allow himself to become entangled in emotions, especially if Karen decided that she wanted to dissolve the marriage after the birth of their child despite his efforts to dissuade her. Before he could concern himself with that, she must first agree to be his wife.

“And one more thing, Ash,” Daniel said. “The Barones take family very seriously. Karen has only been a member for a short time but she’s been completely accepted.”

“I understand.” And he did. Ash realized all too well the strength of family ties, or in his case, chains.

Daniel’s expression went stern. “And just so you know, you might be a good friend, but if you do anything to hurt her, you will have to answer not only to the rest of the family but to me as well.”

He had no intention of hurting Karen. He had no intention of allowing her to cause him pain, either. “You can rest assured that I will take very good care of her.”

“Speaking of family,” Daniel said, “what is yours going to think about you marrying an American?”

Ash saw no reason to tell them immediately. Perhaps later, after the birth of their child. Or perhaps he would call his father following the marriage ceremony if only to inform him that he had not been able to interfere this time.

Ash had waited thirty-six years for the moment when he could prove that the king of Zhamyr no longer had control over his son’s life. “I no longer concern myself with my family’s approval. And I have no obligations as heir since that duty falls on my eldest brother.”

The phone rang and Daniel immediately rose in response. “I’ll get it. I told Phoebe to call when she’s ready for me to come home.”

Ash couldn’t hold back a cynical smile brought about by more envy. “I see she has you shackled.”

Daniel turned with his hand on the phone. “We haven’t tried shackles yet, but you never know.” He answered with a brief hello, said, “Send her up,” then dropped the receiver onto its cradle.

“I take it your wife has decided to personally escort you home,” Ash said.

“It’s not my wife who’s on her way up here.”

“Then who?”

“The woman you intend to make your wife.”

Three

With every solitary ping of the elevator climbing to the top floor of the New Regents Hotel, Karen’s heart beat double-time in her chest.

She was the lone occupant in the car with the exception of a starched and polished attendant who stood in the corner wearing a blue-tailored suit and a poker-faced expression. More than likely, he thought her to be one of the catering staff since she was dressed for work in a black skirt and tailored white blouse. Of course, she was about to meet with a prince who could very well expect her to cater to his every whim. But not if she could help it. She only had one goal in mind—a father for her child. And to conduct her own little interview to make sure that the sheikh fit the father bill.

Karen felt totally out of her element when the doors opened with quiet efficiency to a hallway covered in rich red carpet. She doubted it had been rolled out for her, simple Karen Rawlins from Nowhere, Montana.

The attendant stepped out and kept his hand on the door to prevent its closure. With his free hand, he indicated the entrance at the end of the corridor. “Sheikh Saalem’s penthouse, madam.”

She hoped he’d meant madam in a polite sense and didn’t mistakenly believe she was there to service the sheikh. Surely not. Now if he knew she was wearing skimpy zebra-striped underwear—her one secret indulgence—she could understand where he might make that assumption. But unless he had X-ray vision, he had no way of knowing that.

The man cleared his throat and made a flicking motion on his chin. Did he expect a tip? Karen considered supplying a verbal one—lose the toupee.

Just when Karen reached into her bag for a few bucks, he said, “Mustard, miss.”

Only then did Karen realize she was sporting the remnants of a sandwich she had consumed in record time during her drive to the hotel. Embarrassed, she used the oval mirror across the hall to remove the yellow chin smudge with a napkin she’d stuffed in her purse. While she was at it, she secured the clip holding her hair in a loose upsweep then checked her lipstick. Luckily it was still there, and so was the attendant. From the mirror’s reflection, she noticed that he was ogling her. Ogling her legs, to be more accurate.

She rolled her eyes to the ornate ceiling, turned and forced a smile. “Thank you. That will be all.”

He gave her a brusque nod, backed into the elevator and closed the doors. How nice that he’d immediately left with little effort on her part, Karen thought. Dismissed with nothing more than a simple command.

Standing before the double doors to the sheikh’s suite, clutching her basic black bag to her chest, Karen acknowledged she could get used to saying “That will be all” like some demanding debutante, especially if it encouraged others to do her bidding.

She seriously doubted it would work on Ash Saalem. She also doubted she would be able to get any words out once she faced his high-voltage sensuality, live and in person. But last night, after weighing Maria’s advice, she’d decided to go through with the arrangement—if Ash satisfactorily answered her questions.

Yes, I will marry you and have your baby. That will be all.

Slipping the strap of her purse over her shoulder, Karen pressed the buzzer and sucked in a deep breath, expecting to be met by Ash. She certainly didn’t expect to be greeted by her cousin Daniel.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in a remarkably calm tone despite her surprise.

Daniel stepped into the hall and gave her a wily grin. “Visiting with a friend. What are you doing here? Business or pleasure?”

Karen had no idea what Daniel had learned from Ash and frankly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. From the moment she’d met him, Daniel had stepped into the role of the big brother Karen had never had. A big brother who delighted in teasing her. She refused to provide fodder for the ridicule mill. “I’m here on business.” Not exactly a fib.

Daniel rubbed his jaw and his grin deepened. “Is Ash going to check out your portfolio?”

“Something like that.” As much as she cherished Daniel, she wanted him to leave. She was anxious enough without his prodding. “Tell Phoebe I said hi, will you?”

“Sure.” Daniel leaned forward, lowered his voice and said, “Don’t forget the Do Not Disturb sign.”

That will be all. “It’s business, Daniel.”

“If you say so.” Daniel departed, taking his skeptical grin with him, leaving Karen alone with the sheikh who now stood at the door looking calm and composed, and subtly sinful in his casual tan polo shirt and black slacks.

“Come in,” he said with a sweeping gesture.

Karen passed by Ash while maintaining enough distance between them to prevent inadvertently touching him. The pleasant scent emanating from him teased her senses, a one-of-a-kind fragrance that smelled a lot like incense, exotic but not overbearing. It reminded her of the patchouli oil Sunrise Bowers, Silver Valley’s lone hippie and video store manager, had bathed in. It had that certain kind of distinctiveness, and Karen imagined it bore some equally unique name. Arabian Nights, Desert Sunset, Sex in the Sand.

Good grief.

To avoid looking at Ash, Karen turned her attention to the suite’s opulent living area. A row of French doors opening onto a verandah revealed the downtown Boston skyline and the still overcast skies.

To her right, she noted a cherry wood dining table littered with lunch remains, to her left a sitting area with tan leather-covered sofas and chairs surrounding a small redbrick fireplace. And straight ahead, an open door revealed a king-size bed covered in a gold brocade spread. Quite different from the particle-board furniture, thin bath towels and faulty A/C she’d encountered in the motels where she had stayed on previous trips. Very nice decor indeed. Especially the bedroom and she definitely needed to stop looking at that.

The front door closed behind Karen, startling her. She spun around and blurted, “Nice place. Do you come here often?”

What was she thinking? She sounded like some barfly executing a bad pick-up line, not a smart, sophisticated woman bent on a mission. But Ash had a knack for making her totally tongue-tied and thought-challenged.

Ash took a couple of steps toward her. “I reside here at the moment.”

“Where do you normally live?”

“Wherever my business happens to take me. I have no permanent residence.”

As if he were some sort of superpowered pulley, Karen moved toward him. She took her purse from her shoulder and hugged it again, as if it provided her some protection from his magnetism. “Really? That seems odd, not having a place to call home.”

“I’m hoping to settle in Boston.”

He shortened the space between them with another stride, bringing them almost as close as they’d been the previous day behind Baronessa’s counter. Karen had no real desire to move back though she probably should.

“Why are you here, Karen?”

“I want to ask you a few questions.”

Ash gestured toward the sofa. “Would you like to be seated first?”

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.