SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance (18 page)

She was nervous about her meeting with Kade. Not only was he more handsome than any man ought to be, he was as rich as an oil sheik and as ruthless as any psychopath. She’d never met anyone like him, ever. In her travels she’d come across dignitaries and celebrities but out in the field the job was to focus on those who needed you, needed resources, so they were all equal. Actresses wore ponytails and khaki pants, and slathered their skin in sunscreen, they didn’t worry about makeup and designer clothes.

Ava needed this to work. She needed to keep some form of her grandma’s studio thriving to maintain a connection to her and to this town that had taken in a young distraught and instantly orphaned Ava and welcomed her. She couldn’t fail.

She wouldn’t.

“Dammit! Violet get in here, now.” When he didn’t hear the familiar shuffle of her nude colored pumps, Kade added an annoyed, “please.”

Two seconds later the grey haired dynamo who was the keeper of his secrets, his life, his business and his schedule scurried in with an amused glint in her eye. “Yes, Mr. Steele?”

He tried to fight it but the smile at her impertinence broke free but his smile quickly faded. “Bruce Henderson is considering selling Cakes A-shakin’ to Jax Barrington, can you believe that? All because Jax has a pretty little fiancé and they’re planning a big society wedding.” He scoffed, “There’s no society in Rainbow Springs.” He wanted to buy the chain of bakeries because they’d shown tremendous promise in the last few years, and with a growing customer base the opportunity to franchise was right there waiting.

“One could argue having five billionaires in a town this small is high society.”

Kade rolled his eyes at her comment. He hated those over the top, ostentatious displays of money. He wore tailored designer suits to work and his clothes were expensive but after work he wore jeans, t-shirts and board shorts. He didn’t wear a tie when he didn’t have to and he had no plans to settle down with some gold digger just to please an old fashioned dinosaur. But if he wanted Bruce to at least consider him, he needed to look like he wasn’t a playboy. Then he would sell Henderson on his skill and personality to the old man. “Do we know anyone appropriate to play the doting girlfriend?”

Violet’s laugh was melodic as it carried on longer than it should have. “I’m sure any girl in town would love a chance to be on your arm Mr. Steele.”

“True but my usual dates won’t satisfy Henderson. I need someone sweet and wholesome, a girlfriend who looks like the settling down type, without stars in her eyes about actually settling down with me.”

She stood and straightened her grey wool suit, patted her bun to ensure not a hair broke free. “Maybe you ought to consider taking time to get a real relationship.”

“Not a chance.” Women were too much work and much too complicated to make any one of them permanent. They either wanted to spend his money or take up all of his time, neither of which he was prepared to give. So he stayed happily single, easily able to secure a date or bedmate when he needed one. Violet shook her head and walked out but he was sure she said something about seeing the show when he fell. Fat chance of that happening, he thought bitterly.

Half an hour later Violet escorted his next appointment into the office. Ava Nelson was a 25 year old photographer in town and he had no idea why she wanted to meet with him. He didn’t recognize her and he was certain if he’d ever met this goddess with brown sugar skin he’d have remembered. She was a breathtaking beauty and he was captivated by her from the moment he set eyes on those plump pink lips and those toned legs looking endless in the sexiest pair of red heels he’d ever seen. “Ms. Nelson,” he stood and put on the smile that was guaranteed to make women melt, his hand extended to hers.

She smiled and prayed her smile didn’t falter at the sight of his gorgeous smile at full wattage. Goodness the man looked even better up close than he did in pictures. His sandy hair was slightly tousled, his green eyes sparkled like emeralds and diamonds and those dimples said he wasn’t all bad boy. She didn’t believe that for a second. Those dimples lied. “Mr. Steele, please call me Ava.”

“Ava,” her name rolled off his tongue.

Her body shivered at the sound of her name in his mouth. Control your hormones, this is a meeting not a date! She couldn’t allow herself to become distracted. There would be plenty of time to fondle his male beauty with her eyes during the photo shoot. “Thank you for meeting me today Mr. Steele. I really appreciate it.”

He hadn’t even heard her, only knew she was talking because his eyes were riveted on her full mouth. Perfect for kissing…and other things. The smile her gave her this time was placid, professional. “How can I help you today Ava?”

Ava smiled, nervous. His rich deep voice made the question seem a lot dirtier than she was sure he’d intended. “I’d like your help.”

He groaned inwardly. Of course she did. Beautiful women didn’t just show up at his office to take him out to lunch or out of the goodness of their hearts. “We have a charitable donations department, perhaps they can help you.”

Ava was confused. “Why would I need them? I need you.” Her eyes widened at the slip. “I mean I need you, uh, okay let’s start over. I’m not here for charity, not really.” She went on to explain, mostly without a stutter, what she needed from him and why. For his part he listened intently for which she was eternally grateful.

Kade leaned back in his chair and looked her over, an idea forming in his head. She could be perfect. “You want me to model for you?” Although well hidden under her dark brown skin, her innocent blush made Kade smile and want to do other things that would make her blush. “Why?”

Come on Ava. This is it. She could tell he was having fun at her expense and she didn’t mind. Especially if it persuaded him to agree to model for her. “Because you are incredibly good looking,” her eyes widened again, “You are attractive” he cut her off with a slice of his hand in the air.

“You said ‘incredibly good looking’” he teased.

“Attractive, single, and a high profile man in Rainbow Springs. You’d be perfect.”

“For what?”

“My ad campaign and calendar.”

“Calendar?” His brows rose in suspicion. She nodded. “Yes businessmen bachelors would be the calendar and then there’d be some studio shots of you for the marketing campaign.”

“You’re asking quite a lot, you know.”

She nodded. She did know she was asking a lot, probably too much. But she hoped his sense of philanthropy would make it difficult to say no. “Yes I’m aware it is a lot. However I’d be willing to hire you for your time and provide you with free professional headshots.”

He thought about it. He wasn’t a model that was for sure but he knew he was attractive, incredibly good looking, he amended with a smile, and he could use more headshots. But he also needed something else. “I’ll do it.” He’d said the words before he could fully think them through.

Her eyes widened, the gold flecks highlighted in the midday sun. “You will? That’s great!” She stood and bent over his desk, her hand reaching out to him. “Thank you so much Mr. Steele, I truly appreciate it.”

“But I require something in return.”

Her smiled dimmed at the tone in his voice. Surely he wouldn’t be requesting that, she thought. He was Kade Steele and he always had a beautiful woman on his arm. “Sure. What is it you require Mr. Steele?”

“A fiancé.”

She gasped. “A fiancé? I have a few single friends but I assure you Mr. Steele I’m no matchmaker.”

He wanted to laugh at her ramblings. Goodness he actually thought they were…cute. He groaned inwardly and stood. “You misunderstand me Ava.” At her confused look he leaned forward until his face, his mouth was inches from hers. “You should get used to calling me Kade since you’ve agreed to be my fiancé for the next few months.”

“It’s just a date Sophie, no big deal.”

“No big deal?” Sophie looked around Ava’s empty bedroom as though she were addressing a crowd. “She’s going on a date with Kade Steele, mega hot billionaire and she says it’s ‘no big deal’!” Sophie was overexcited and a tad jealous of her friend. “How can you say this is no big deal?”

Because none of it is real, she thought sadly. Yes she had agreed to become Kade’s fiancé, fake fiancé she amended, but the fake part was to remain between them. So they had to go on few dates because in a town as small as Rainbow Springs, word of their relationship would spread quickly. Like a virus. Ava sighed sadly. Of course the first relationship she’d had in years would have to be with a gorgeous man totally out of her league, oh and completely fictional. “It’s just dinner.”

“With Kade Steele! Might I remind that you he’s hot enough to set a girl’s panties on fire? Your words, not mine.” Sophie smoothed Ava’s dress over her hips, “I hope you’ve decided to spare your panties death by smoldering,” she laughed, looking at her friend in the mirror.

Ava couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay yes he’ll make fine eye candy for a few hours. But I’m not expecting anything.” The truth was Ava rarely expected anything of men. After a few failed relationships on her travels Ava figured she wasn’t meant to have that kind of connection with anyone. Her most recent relationship with a dentist had ended two years ago when she surprised him with lunch at his office. Turns out she was the one surprised when she found him buried deep in his receptionist. She walked away and never looked back. She was content to be on her own, most of the time.

“You’re nuts Ava, you should be expecting everything!” She shook her friend with excitement. “Everyone knows Kade doesn’t date women in Rainbow Springs. If he asked you out, he must really like you.”

Ava released a long patient breath. “Sophie he doesn’t really know me. I’m sure he asked me out because I wasn’t impressed with him.” That much was true. She knew he could easily spot her attraction to him but she hadn’t angled for more than his help with her studio and that either surprised him or bruised his ego, hence this ridiculous proposition.

“That’s even better.” She shrugged, “This way he’ll know you’re not interested in him for his money.”

She couldn’t deny she was impressed by his success but it was his face and his body that had her most intrigued. Too intrigued. “Don’t get your hopes up, Soph.” Or mine.

Ava listened and tried to dress while Sophie continued to prattle on about how cool it would be if she and Kade got married and had gorgeous coffee & cream babies. It was impossible to block out her chatter so Ava tried to redirect it. “What do you think,” she asked and twirled in a borrowed red cocktail dress that hugged her waist and flared out at the hips.

“I think I’m coming over tomorrow morning for all the dirty details!” Sophie laughed and pulled a pair of red wedges with silky red ribbons from her closet. “Wear these and you’ll be happily married in six months.”

If only you knew, girl.

Kade waited, a bit impatiently, for Ava to arrive at the restaurant he’d chosen for their first date. He wanted to pick her up but she told him, “I don’t know you well enough for that.” He smiled even now, thinking about her answer. Normally he would have fought her on it but he understood a single girl had to be diligent about her safety. His gaze drifted to his watch yet again even though she wasn’t late. Yet.

He was used to women playing games and making him wait in hopes of blowing him away with some grand entrance. It never worked and it only served to piss him off. He hoped Ava wasn’t one of those women and quickly shook off the thought. Unlikely. She was an artist so chances were good she frequently lost track of time. “Holy hell,” he muttered when he caught sight of the vision in red sashaying his way. He stood to greet her.

“Hi,” she said softly when she was a few feet from him.

“Hi,” he barked out and cleared his throat. “You look beautiful,” he said, this time his voice was low and deep. Seductive.

She blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Thanks. You, uh, look pretty great too.”

Kade laughed and pulled her chair out. When he sat his laughter had subsided. “Thank you Ava. I can’t remember the last time a woman complimented me.”

It was her turn to laugh only it came out more like a snort of disbelief. “I sincerely doubt that Kade.” She refused to believe women let a moment pass without telling him exactly how mouth-watering he looked.

“Mouth-watering, huh?” He tried to hold in his laughter since she clearly hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but he couldn’t. “You’re good for my ego.”

When he flashed that smile at her, both dimples winking and those green eyes reeling her in, Ava knew this man could wreak havoc on a girl’s libido. Her smile was sweet, “I doubt you need any ego massage from me. After all you are the Man of Steele.”

Kade groaned as she mentioned his nickname. It was an unfortunate moniker that had stuck thanks to a particularly talkative bed partner of his. He knew he should be flattered but he wasn’t. His bedmates knew he was more than capable of pleasing them so the whole world didn’t need to know. “I guess you heard about that too.”

She chuckled but said nothing as the waiter approached. They ordered drinks and when the waiter left she leaned in conspiratorially, “Don’t worry Kade, your virtue is safe with me.”

He stared at her for a few seconds and then laughed. For the second time since she arrived. That had to be a personal best for his dates. “I’m wounded,” he clutched his heart with a smile, “you have no plans to ravish me this evening?”

“No not this evening.” Her face was totally deadpan and her smile broke when he tried to fight his laughter. “I like you Kade Steele, you’re a funny guy.”

Kade liked Ava too, a strange twist of events he hadn’t anticipated. She’d ordered a dark ale to drink, not wine, and she made him laugh. So far this was the strangest, most fun date he’d been on and the food hadn’t even arrived. “Thanks Ava.”

She took a sip of her beer and licked the foam from her lip. She did a damn good job of ignoring the groan coming from the other side of the table, thank you very much. “So what should we talk about? Stock market? Football? Babes?”

“Babes?” His face was going to ache from smiling so much but it was worth it. “If I said babes, what would you say?”