SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance (35 page)

Did she ever. As he spoke, Shawna shifted uncomfortably in her chair and let it all sink in. She'd wanted to travel, to take risks, so see the world, and right now all she had was financial security and a dull life. Tonight was the first time in a long time she'd dug her head out of the sand, and it was only because Clark had yanked her from her stupor. For so long she'd been dreaming of others' lives with longing, but now Clark had begun to show her how to live the life she dreamed of.

"Yes," Shawna murmured. "I do."

"So that's how I get along. I've got a roof over my head, enough money in my wallet that I won't starve, and a trade I can make money off of whenever I need it. That's all I need."

He was so different from Ben. Shawna found her elbows on the table, chin in her hands as she listened. Clark had charisma. She recognized it well enough from her days in marketing.

"What is it you do, that you can get away and not have to worry?"

"I work at a garage. I can make any old junker purr again, cars or bikes, given the right parts. It means I can work anywhere, any time. There are always going to be cars that need to be fixed, and I'll be there to fix them. Everyone says you need to waste thousands to get a college degree to be successful, but I've been doing just fine on my own, no education necessary."

The blues of his eyes caught her, and he smiled.

"But I'm guessing that you're one of the college advocators, based on how you're dressed. Probably a good girl who's got a 401K and a pension plan. Nice house in the suburbs. I don't think you look like a mom, but maybe soon. But tonight, life led me to you. Doesn't matter how different we are; I'm going to enjoy your company as much as I hope you enjoy mine."

"I—" but before she could continue, the waitress arrived again with a tall, decorative glass typically used for milk shakes. Clark had ordered a float, the liquid in the glass a striking electric blue color. Generous scoops of vanilla ice cream sealed the top, and were buried beneath a spiral mountain of whipped cream. Gold flakes were shaken liberally on top, and given a second look, Shawna could see them glinting inside the blue drink. "Oh my."

"Enjoy," the waitress chirped. Clark slid her a folded bill, and she took off. Two straws, wrapped in plain white paper, sat beside the huge glass.

"For you," Clark announced. "My friend told me you were at the gym almost every day, and I thought it a shame a little skinny thing like you was all work, no play. Tonight you're taking a night off with me and living life to the fullest."

Clark gave her no choice in the selection, had neglected to tell her where they were going, and had her ride behind him without a helmet. This was what it was like letting go. Shawna bit down on her bottom lip and shifted back and forth on the bench.

"Well," Shawna picked up one of the straws and unwrapped it. The length of the straw plunged through the ice cream and into the blue liquid beneath, "this is a lot crazier than anything I've done since... Well, since my early days in college, probably. And that was a while ago. But I'm enjoying myself, and I'm enjoying you."

A genuine smile perked the corners of Clark's lips. Making him smile felt good, and Shawna felt herself ruffle with pride. She hid her joy by drawing upon the float. The blue liquid was sweet and fruity, and not quite like anything she'd had to drink before.

"I'm glad to hear that," Clark remarked. He left the second straw where it was, watching her as she drank.

"You know," Shawna said as she drew away from the float, "I've actually lived really close to this place for years, and I never knew it was here. It's crazy to think how much exists outside your door that you never know about."

"Because your head's been in the sand," Clark concluded for her. "If you take it out and take a look around, you'll discover wonders near and far."

"Yeah," Shawna said with a smile. Something warm curled in her chest at the thought. Clark had lifted her up out of the pit she'd fallen into, and now she was seeing the world like it was fresh. Being handsome just made the package all that much more irresistible. But even if she'd been single, Clark wasn't looking for a relationship. A man like that didn't want to be bogged down.

The rest of the night passed by in seconds. Clark told her of his travels, not only through the United States, but down into Mexico. Ten years prior, barely an adult, he'd backpacked through Europe and Asia. It didn't seem like there wasn’t a sight he had not seen. But time and time again, he returned to their city. What was keeping him there? He had no idea. But out of all the breathtaking places he'd been, and all the wonders he'd seen, there was nothing like returning to familiar city streets. His name had been familiar because she'd sold her car to him years ago, and he'd fixed it up and sold it for a profit. What a small world. Shawna drained most of the blue liquid while Clark hailed the waitress and have her bring over some spoons. He helped her eat what ice cream was left. By the end of it all, Shawna felt light headed and warm, more than his fantastic stories and interesting life views should have left her feeling.

"Was there... Was there alcohol in that?" she asked. Clark only grinned.

"The mysteries of life," he said with a laugh. "Come on now; let me drive you home. I'm sure your
man
is waiting."

Ben. The more they'd chatted about nothing and yet everything, the less Shawna had thought of the man she'd loved for almost nine years. Guilt curled in her gut and left her feeling uncomfortable, and for the first time since she'd started talking to Clark, she frowned. Ben was comfort and stability and what she knew, and as thrilling as Clark was, he wasn't the one who'd supported her all these years.

Supported? Maybe that wasn't quite right. Ben had been at her side, but he had been too busy supporting his own career advancement to really be there for her when she'd needed it. Shawna didn't dare linger on the thought; it was poisonous.

"It's not far," she said, slowly rising to her feet.

"That's fine. I don't live far, either. I'll drop you off and then head home. It's been a fine night, and I owe it to you to bring you back safe and sound."

Ever the crude gentleman. Clark stood and took her by the arm gently, leading her from the building. The hostess waved them goodbye, and they were out on the streets once more.

It had definitely been alcohol. On her feet she felt light and sparkling, cares gone. Yet Clark was there to keep her safe. They strode down the walkway and back to the street, and Clark hopped up on the bike and twisted around to help her up as well.

"A motorcycle," Shawna mumbled, rolling up her skirt without any hesitation. She could see how Clark's eyes followed the lines of her legs as she revealed them, but even had she not had a little buzz going, she wouldn't have cared. After what he'd done for her tonight, letting him look felt right. "I never thought I'd ride on a motorcycle. I think my mother would never forgive me."

Once her skirt was rolled up, Clark took hold of Shawna's waist and helped her over the bike. Once she'd settled against his back, her arms hooked firmly around his waist, he turned the engine and brought the bike to life.

"Mom doesn't have to know," Clark said. He kicked it into gear, and they took down the street much more leisurely than before. Shawna was easily able to give him directions, and when they pulled to a stop beside her building, Clark cawed a laugh.

"You're kidding," he said. Shawna hopped down from the bike much more sure than the first time, smoothed her skirt, and shook her head.

"No, this is where I live."

"Go figure," he muttered to himself, but did not elaborate. Clark killed the engine and disembarked, only to take Shawna's arm once more to lead her towards the front doors. The thick leather of his sleeve stuck against the polyester blend of her blazer. The bad boy she'd never thought she'd have the guts to talk to, let alone go out with, was taking her to her apartment door like they were freshmen in college. When they stood upon the landing, Shawna lingered. Clark had released her arm, but still she was hesitant to go.

"I had a lot of fun tonight," she brought herself to say. "It's something I'd never do otherwise."

"Yeah, same here." Clark was looking at her with his blue eyes. Beneath the shadows of the night they were hard to make out, but she remembered how beautiful they were. Beneath the dull overhead light of the stoop, she thought she could see glimmers of them, and Shawna found herself leaning forward slowly. The closer she got to Clark, the more heated she felt. In that moment there were no dreams of a big house with a white fence and good paying jobs. Instead, she dreamed of nights beneath the stars and the heat rising off the pavement beneath their feet. Travel. An unpredictable life. Clark was the guy she'd been looking for all along.

As their faces grew closer together, Clark's head tilted just slightly, eyes grinning at her.

"What about that man?" he whispered, the warmth of his words ghosting across her lips. It was only then that Shawna realized how close they'd really come. Her eyes were partially lidded, arousal stirring deep inside. "The man that you're going home to?"

Ben. Shawna drew back, shaking her head. Clark was right. She couldn't...

"Let's go in for the night, Shawna," Clark whispered. He opened the door for her and saw her inside, but when he followed, she knew something abnormal was happening.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"A twist of fate," Clark told her, voice low and poetic, "has seen me spend the evening with a girl that lives in the same apartment complex that I do. This is my home now, too."

No. Shawna's face paled a little bit. Clark had been a stranger but hours ago, and he was supposed to go back to being a stranger now. What she felt for him was temporary, and he was supposed to have faded from her mind to eventually be forgotten. If they lived in the same building and crossed paths often, that would never happen. She had to forget him — she had almost
kissed
him. If she didn't forget, then...

"Funny," she mumbled, wanting to flee. But no matter how fast she went up the winding stairs, it seemed he was right there behind her. When they turned down the hall on the same floor, Shawna's mouth went dry. Clark passed her and stopped at the door just across from hers, fitting a key in the lock and opening the door; he hadn't been lying.

"Well. I guess I'll see you later, neighbor," he said with a simple shrug and a devious smirk. Shawna felt sick with guilt. This was the place she shared with Ben, her own dreary reality, and yet her fantasy lived right next door. How was she supposed to sleep knowing that temptation lived so close?

"Goodnight," Shawna said sharply. She dug her key out of her gym bag and pushed her way inside hastily. Ben was sitting on the couch, a bowl of popcorn in the space she would have sat. The television was on.

"You were out late," he remarked, eyes sweeping down her critically. "And were you talking to someone out in the hall?"

"No," Shawna said quickly. Ben frowned, not buying it, and pried a little bit further with some more questions.

"I texted you a few times to ask where you were, but you never replied. In fact, I texted you five minutes ago. You always have your phone on you on your way home for safety. We've talked about that."

She hadn't even taken off her shoes yet, and already he was accusing her. Over the course of their long relationship, Shawna had never given him anything to worry about. She hadn't flirted with other guys, or acted suspiciously, and most of the time she didn't even go out without him. What gave him the right to go off on her like this? Hadn't she earned his trust by now?

"I got home safe, and that's what matters, isn't it? What's with this attitude?"

Ben rose from where he had been seated. He wasn't unattractive — his short brown hair and sharp nose were business like and intelligent looking — but she couldn't remember the last time he'd made an effort to look good for her. When work was done he stripped out of his suit and shrugged into the same old white t-shirt and blue plaid pajama pants he always wore, and when they went out he swapped the pjs for jeans. Now that he was comfortable with her, he didn't go out of his way to look presentable. How long would it be until his trim body started to gain mass until he boasted a beer gut? How long would it be before she'd walk in to find him sitting on the couch with a white tank top stretched over his stomach, the bowl of popcorn resting on it rather than on the seat next to him? The thought disgusted her, but Shawna tried to swallow it away. Ben saw the discomfort and capitalized on it.

"You're not a good liar, Shawna. Tell me the truth. Were you out with someone else?"

The volume of his voice was rising steadily, and Shawna was taken aback. Ben had never been confrontational before now — at least, not that she'd noticed. Maybe now that her world was crumbling before her eyes, she was seeing a side to him she'd previously cast a blind eye to.

"I went to the gym, and someone who lives in the building drove me home afterward because he was concerned for my safety. That's all. Why are you getting so snappy with me?"

All she wanted to do was take a good shower and crawl into bed, but Ben wasn't going to let her. The way his shoulders tensed and broadened, and how his posture straightened to lend him more height told her that he was gearing for a fight. Shawna wasn't going to have it.

"I wouldn't have to get snappy with you if you didn't lie to me. I thought I could trust you after all this time, but I guess I was wrong. What have you been doing all this time when you say you've been going to the
gym
? Have you been seeing someone behind my back?"

Shawna set her lips and gave him a hard look.

"I don't believe how after all these years, you're treating me like I'm a criminal. I thought I knew you better than that, Ben. I'm done with his conversation unless you're going to treat me with the respect I deserve."

"Respect? I should respect you after you admitted to lying to me? And about another man, no less?"

No. Shawna wasn't going to take it. With a shake of her head, she steeled her soul and separated herself from her anger and her hurt. Ben was showing a side of himself she found unacceptable, and compounded with their unfulfilled lifestyle and relationship, Shawna wasn't willing to try to work him through it. She'd been careful to communicate her needs with him, and he had never listened. If he wanted to save this relationship, he was going to have to step up.