SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance (3 page)

“Perhaps.”

“I’m not going to.” She repeated it, hoping it would be the exclamation point on her statement.

“I don’t want to talk about that tonight. I want to learn all about you and your life, both personal and professional.”

Oh no
, she thought,
the game has just changed
. Sasha wasn’t a huge fan of talking about her personal life. It was always hard to explain and it just was. She lived and breathed technology and unlike many women, at the end of the day she was more than glad to have alone time in her penthouse, free of additional conversation.

Sasha began to answer his questions, sharing information about her family growing up—her parents and one brother—and how she loved New York City and was unable to fathom living anywhere else, despite it not being the most ideal place for a business such as hers to reach its ultimate maximum potential.

“Where do you test your drones?” he asked.

“We have some land that borders the Catskill Mountains. It’s private, lots of various terrains, and ideal. Those are fun days when we get to go test the product, or demonstrate it.”

“Could I have a demonstration?”

“You could, but remember, we mostly work in government drones, which are different than the types you can buy for civilian use.”

“It would still be fascinating to see.”

“Well, I don’t think that there are any events planned in the near future. I’m sure you’ll be back home by then.”

“Maybe I shall send my team back and extend my stay for as long as I feel it’s prudent.”

“You’re relentless, Ravi.” It was more of an observation spoken aloud than a condemnation of any sort. “It bears repeating to remind you that I’m serious about not selling Mason Technology.”

“I believe I understood your message the first time.”

“Second, maybe, but if you got it the first time, you’d be at home in Dubai, staring out of your high rise and taking in the sights.”

“Ah, you’ve researched me.”

“I have. You’re an interesting character.”

“How so?”

“Well, you are so unapologetic. You just do what you wish, seemingly fearlessly.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“I admire it, actually. It’s quite refreshing, as you know what you get.”

“I wouldn’t be so certain of that. We all have things that we choose to keep hidden from others, our secret intentions and desires.”

She felt an instant response to his words, which somehow had converted to a sexual innuendo that made her feel a flutter in her stomach. Like a crush, but in a very adult way. She was not dealing with a boy, but a determined and seemingly resilient man.

“So, Ravi, tell me more about your life back home.” She needed to divert the attention from herself. It was such a strong sensation that it felt rather urgent, in fact.

Ravi went on to share some basics on his life, but nothing really intense. She recognized it because it was not unlike how she’d responded to him. He was mirroring her, which amused her.

Before they knew it, three hours had passed and the bill was being paid. Then they went outside and stood on the sidewalk, people brushing past them in a very New York way—automatic “excuse me’s” with their heads buried in their phones. The night was nice, which meant that more people were out than what usually were if it was cold or rainy.

“This has been a wonderful evening, really nice. Thank you, Ravi.”

“It’s my pleasure. I don’t suppose that I’d be able to get a tour of your business tomorrow?”

“Call Bev.” She winked and laughed. “Yes, I think you’ve earned that. How about 5 PM, just as the day is winding down? I don’t need all the employees panicking, wondering what may be going on.”

“Because nothing is. I’m just a drone enthusiast.” He smiled at her, only half of his mouth going upward.

“Exactly. Will it be just you or your entire group?” She hoped he didn’t misconstrue her question; it was a matter of logistics and badges—nothing more.

“What do you prefer?”

“I don’t have a preference.”

“Just me, since you’re not selling, no need to involve the others. They can pursue some other interests that I’m also exploring.”

“You are a busy guy.”

Then there was an awkward silence.

“May my driver give you a ride home?”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll take a taxi.”

“As you wish.”

Then there was another awkward silence and the two looked at each other, both intrigued and drawn to each other, but each also having calculating looks that showed they didn’t fully trust the other wasn’t up to something. Yet, they were both intrigued enough to continue the dance that they’d begun…whatever dance that may be.

A taxi pulled up, they shook hands, and then she left, taking one last glance at him on the sidewalk. He stood there, hands in pockets, and just stared at her like he was posing for a GQ lay-out.

***

Sasha was anxious when she woke up the following morning and nothing she did could shake it. Focusing on her breathing to calm her didn’t help; spinning so fast on her recumbent bike that her legs turned wobbly didn’t help; even her large dark chocolate mocha with an extra shot of espresso didn’t help. She just prayed that a busy day at work would force her to get her head completely in the game.

When she walked into the office, no one was there yet. It was 6:30 AM and she was grateful for the silence. She went to the fish bowl and sat down, opened up her laptop, and checked to see if there was anything new. Of course, there was not—yet—because she’d just checked it a half hour before, just before she left her home.

Going to her online calendar she blocked out the 5:00 PM time slot just to make sure that nothing got scheduled in. RK, 1 hour, reason…hmm. It seemed strange to put tour, but in the back of her mind she’d been thinking about him for something else—something other than his sexy looks—his money. It sounded shallow but it was true. She was a business woman and a man with interest in drones and money was a logical connection to make. In her personal life, his money was irrelevant, but for work, well, she could entertain it. Maybe he would be a good investor with favorable terms for her new incubator project—drones that could perform underwater surveillance. That was going to be a costly endeavor, as there was no prior product out there. It was a first and she wanted that to help cement the mark that she’d tried to make in the world of drone technology.

She smiled and looked up only when Bev called out a friendly good morning. Sasha watched as the always energetic woman plopped down her signature huge black bag. Everyone teased her that she had everything in that bag. And it was so heavy, practically weighing more than her slight frame.

“So, how was the night?” Bev was now by the door and she wasn’t about to play coy and hide her curiosity. She’d been curious about it all evening.

“The night was actually really nice. Good conversation and good food.”

“Anything else good?”

Sasha shook her head. “No, but unfortunately he didn’t do anything to make him less attractive. I’m giving him a tour of the facility tonight at 5:00.”

“Ooh, any plans for after?”

Sasha just shook her head and noticed a concerned look come across Bev’s face. “And for the record, I’m still not selling. I repeated that a handful of times.”

“And what did he say?”

“The most annoying thing he could—perhaps.”

“I don’t get it.” She puckered her lips up and shifted them to the side of her face, making her look like a fish.

“In the few hours I’ve spent with the man, he says perhaps all the time. He uses it instead of maybe, he uses it to acknowledge comments, but I’m fairly certain he must be using it to get to me. It drives me insane.”

“Well, he could perhaps me all day long.” The smile returned to her face and she batted her eyelashes like a love struck girl.

“I should have you take him on the tour.”

“Not my type; I like older men…they make me feel young.”

“Well, he has an entourage of five for you to choose from.” Sasha laughed.

“They all wore wedding bands.”

That made Sasha laugh even harder. Bev didn’t miss a beat in anything, which was why she was such an asset to her sanity, and Mason Technologies.

“Maybe they take mistresses,” Sasha suggested.

“But I don’t like to share.” She pouted and then said, “Well, I best get at it. I have a demanding boss.”

“I’ve heard she’s a real piece of work.”

With Bev now working, Sasha grabbed her pen to sign a document and then she just stared at it, tapping the tip of the pen in a gentle rhythm, which her foot soon followed. Ravi had really gotten to her, making her salivate for him in a way that she’d never thought she would—especially someone who was trying to take her baby away from her. She was selfish and knowing that nothing meant more to her than Mason Technologies had lead to her staying clear of relationships for the most part. She never wanted to have to choose between “quality time” with a guy and “quality time” with her work.

And the day went on.

It remained an off-kilter day, a rare occurrence, but she moved on and forward, still getting everything done with ten minutes to spare before 5:00 PM.

Going into the bathroom, she marveled at being in there two days in a row just to appraise her appearance and make sure it was good for a handsome, rich man. Did it really matter? And despite feeling a bit of chemistry between them, they each clearly had their own motives that maybe spurred on the rest. She wasn’t going to be a sucker, although the thought of him gently nuzzling her was pretty nice. “Mmm.”

“Mmm what?”

Sandy from Accounting was standing there, curiosity on her face and in her eyes, which were just over the top frame of her reading glasses, and she was looking at Sasha, one hand on her cane that she needed to help her walk and the other on her hip. She looked the part of a numbers woman, and maybe even a strict teacher.

Sasha shook her head. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Well I believe it; you were pretty deep in thought.”

“I suppose I was.” Sasha pulled out her tube of lipstick from her jacket pocket and put on a fresh coat, pursed her lips, and then blotted them with a piece of tissue. “Well, have a good night.”

Sasha left and walked out, lost in her thoughts again and heading toward her office. Nothing surprised her more than when she almost ran smack into Ravi. The only reason she hadn’t was he’d held his arms out and stopped her from doing it.

“I come in peace. No need to run me over.” He looked at her in amusement, wondering what she could have been thinking about to be so disconnected from the world around her.

“Ravi, I’m sorry. I’ve been so distracted today.” She blushed at what had happened and noticed how the warm touch of his hands could be felt even though there was a layer of silk between his hand and her arm.

“Pleasantly distracted, I hope.”

She chose not to answer. “I’m almost set to go. I just have to get you a badge, to sign the waiver, and to get a hard hat on.”

“Is my life in danger?” He was softly laughing as he asked.

She wondered why he was so playful and teasing. It was fun and she’d have to be careful so it didn’t lull her into too complacent a state.

“Yes. We don’t really care about that going so many months accident free thing.”

“Wild and adventurous.” He looked at her and felt this intense energy burning inside of him, longing to be set free. He felt like a caged mustang, longing to be in the open and running with reckless abandon. Then he could look over and see her there, her spirit soaring and her lust for freedom evident in her eyes, which reflected the landscape.

Walking into the lab where they did diagnostics and testing, Sasha began to explain everything she could about the operation and how everything worked. It was a speech that she had rehearsed, as she gave tours to certain individuals often enough. Benjamin and a select few others also gave tours, but she always loved being the face behind her company and talking with people about science, technology, and how it had all come together for her.

Ravi had been listening mostly, asking the occasional question when necessary, but out of nowhere he commented, “I bet you won all your science fairs.”

She stopped and looked at him, her eyes raising and growing instantly suspicious. “Did you research that about me?” Although she was a public figure, the thought of being researched so intensely was disturbing to her.

“No. It’s easy to tell.”

“Why?”

“Because the way your eyes light up and your cadence quickens when you talk about what you do. It’s the look of passion; it’s a look I know well.”

“How?”

“I see it every time I look in the mirror.”

“Oh.”

He put his hand out and placed it on her forearm and held it there, softly enough that it wouldn’t have been noticeable if she wasn’t staring at it. “What are you most passionate about, exactly?”

He tilted his head and pondered the question, in no rush to answer it. “I think having an open mind and heart to pave my own path and make the right decisions.”

His answer was not what she would have ever guessed and it was nice.
Perhaps
even perfect, pun intended.

The moment was distracted by the buzz of her cell phone, which was in her right hand. She looked down.

“Just one second. I have to take this. It’s about the tech conference this weekend.”

Ravi nodded and took a few steps back, allowing her to respond in privacy. As she did, he looked around and was actually in awe of her facility. It was state of the art, no corners cut, and its bright, energetic feel showed the type of positive excitement that everyone had who worked there. She was definitely a good leader and motivator, a woman able to get people to latch onto and believe in her visions. Executives such as that were hard to find, regardless of their sex or what country they were from. He silently snickered at the thought, thinking about how his father would react to it. His father wasn’t necessary a chauvinist, but he was definitely from an old world mindset, despite not even being sixty years old.

She walked back over, barely making a sound despite wearing a pair of heels with a slight spike to them—something she didn’t do on your average day, but that day was anything but average.