SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance (4 page)

“So, you participate in technology conferences?” he asked.

“Yes, they’re great opportunities.”

“How so?”

“To share ideas and solutions, seek out good talents, and keep an eye on the competition.”

“So, this conference would be a good place for me to go since I can’t have Mason Technologies and as you suggested, I could just make my own company.”

“Yes.” Her answer was slow. Maybe she shouldn’t have given him the tour. “But you said that wasn’t the best use of your time. Why create what already exists…that kind of thing.”

“I referenced that, but this conference’s timing is beyond just a coincidence, wouldn’t you say? Can you forward me the details? I wish to attend this, as well.”

Sasha was in disbelief. Was he inviting himself along to be near her, or going as an independent tech conference attendee? “I can forward those things, but there isn’t a lot of lodging in the Catskill Mountains, which is where it’s held. I am not certain you could find something suitable to your discriminating needs.”

“Perhaps.” He grinned wickedly and stared at her, curious to see how she’d respond to that. He’d noticed that she fought against a slight twitch when he said that.

“Or perhaps not.” She turned around and frowned. She wanted to shove that word right up his butt; it had gone beyond annoying and right into the fast lane of aggravation.

“May we dine together again tonight?” he asked.

She turned back around. “Well, I, uh—” She gave up trying to form an intelligent sentence.

“I didn’t mean to presume. Do you have plans?”

The answer was painful. “No, not other than a little work.”

“Must it be done?”

“No; I’m always ahead of schedule. That’s kind of my thing.”

“Well then, that is my good fortune tonight, assuming you agree to dine with me, of course.”

“Okay, but something a bit more casual than last night.”

“Any ideas?” He loved a woman who could quickly decide on a place to eat; it was an act of confidence and authority that appealed to him.

“I have the perfect place. I’ll tell you about it when we get there.”

***

Sitting on a bench just on the edge of Central Park, Ravi looked down at his battered hotdog on a stick, a squiggly line of yellow mustard going down it. “This is perfect? Imagine the time and money I could have saved in life had I only known.”

“They don’t have corndog stands in Dubai?”

“No, mostly falafels, although I’ve never ate one from a stand.”

“Why not? Scared or too good for that.”

“Just never thought about it, really.”

“Well, these are the best corndogs in the world—and this stand, the only place you can get one.”

“This is really your favorite place?” He felt like she was teasing him and trying to get him to believe something that couldn’t possibly be true.

“It is. It has sentimental value, too.”

“How so?” He leaned so he was closer to her and put his right arm on the backside of the bench and looked at the corndog again, still hesitant to take a bite.

“Take a bite and I’ll tell you.”

He looked at it and tilted it to the side, trying to figure out how to eat it tidily so the mustard wouldn’t drip and land on his white shirt.

“Just go for it.” She was having fun goading him. He looked completely unconfident, which was refreshing to see. He was a human being, after all.

Finally, Ravi took that bite and began to chew, evaluating it, and then smiled as he swallowed. “Amazing. You’re right. This is quite delicious.”

“One of my favorites.”

“So talk, why is this place sentimental to you?”

“My grandfather claimed this corner, as a fifteen year old guy who arrived with his family from Ireland. He had a lot of insight and saw an opportunity, worked hard to get the cart from an elderly man who’d owned it previously and passed away. That guy’s spot wasn’t as ideal, though—in the pathway of wind gusts. But this spot, as my grandpa had always said, ‘is the most perfect spot in the city for a corndog stand’.”

“Is there a lot of money in corndogs?” Ravi couldn’t imagine how many would have to be sold to make it highly profitable.

“Enough for someone who doesn’t want more than a good job, the freedom of being his own boss, and the joy of watching others smile.”

“Does a family member still own it? The man behind the cart didn’t seem to know you.”

“My cousin does, but he has help and another full-time job. He also has a wife and three kids—hence why he has to do more than just sell corndogs.”

“Which is why I don’t have those things. They interfere.”

“Agreed.” Sasha held out her corndog and the two gently toasted with them, then each took a bite afterward.

As their hour and a half corndog dinner date wrapped up, Sasha had to admit that she was impressed by her dinner companion. Ravi had somehow managed to coordinate his assistant getting a room for him at the tech conference, along with an exclusive pass to all the private sessions that the CEOs and engineers liked to attend.

Sasha found it interesting to get the casual look into the way a high roller operated, just asking or stating his wants, and then getting him. No wonder why her rejection of his offer had thrown him for a loop. He hadn’t brought it up all night, aside from the one joke, which was nice, but it made him even more appealing. She didn’t know how much more she could take, and if he made any offers other than business, she felt like she might just be willing to say “yes”. A tryst with a sheikh was definitely diary worthy. She didn’t keep one, of course, but what a grand entry to start one with, should she choose to.

***

Ravi was in his penthouse, talking on the phone with his father, who was angry that he’d sent back his entourage and remained behind.

“There are many things to do here, Ravi. If you are done with your business meeting, why stay?”

“Opportunities are endless here, Father. The area is over twenty-four million people strong, and many of them are very smart entrepreneurs. This weekend I’m going to a tech conference to further explore drone technology and meet the experts in those fields.”

“Is this Sasha Mason going to be there?”

Ravi had to tread carefully. “Yes, that is her industry.”

“So this is personal, not professional.”

“She’s a wonderful woman, both in personality and intelligence. You’d like her.”

“Pfh. There are endless women here in Dubai. Surely you haven’t worked your way through all of them
yet
.”

Ravi was silent, because if he spoke it would be tense and the conversation would grow even more unpleasant. “There’s no need to worry about me, Father. I’m in control and this is a very beneficial business trip for Infinity Investments. Now, I must be going. Send my love to Mother.” The he hung up, hearing the “pfh” from his father has he did it. The disconnection of the call was a bit too abrupt, but had fewer consequences than allowing a possible battle to ensue. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how hard his father tried, they clashed as much as they connected. That was the nature of their relationship—rockier than the bay just outside of their vacation home in Qatar.

***

Sasha had been shocked at how much she’d missed seeing Ravi after not talking for him for three days before leaving for the tech conference. She was looking forward to knowing that he’d be there and also hoping that he wouldn’t leave her tongue tied and distracted during the focus meetings and such. How he’d managed to get into them was beyond her, but the event coordinator was no dummy, and international exposure from a billionaire sheikh was a smart move to gain broader notoriety for the tech conference.

That morning the small bus that was rented for the ten staff members of Mason Technologies that attended the conference was going down the interstate, making its way north to the Catskill Mountains and Menla, the place where the conference was being held and where they were all staying. She looked forward to this event every year since it started seven years ago and this year she was a keynote speaker, which was also exciting, a step in the right direction and the onset to her eventually getting around to writing that book that she’d been putting off. Not in the mood to talk, she went over notes and was lost in her thoughts, only snapping to when the bus slowed down, its brakes squeaking slightly as it stopped.

Sasha looked up from her tablet and out the window and noticed they were there. In front of the bus was a sleek black Mercedes S600 parked just ahead of her. A man hustled around and opened up the passenger door and Ravi walked out, sunglasses on although it was shady there, and he fastened the single button on his sports jacket and walked through the doors without skipping a beat. It was like the doormen magically opened them for him. And the bell hop was already over by the trunk, carrying his bags in. He was an impressive cat, she had to give him that.

She stood and faced everyone behind her on the bus. “Okay, let’s go check in to our rooms. We can meet at 1:00 and start putting together the display. That’ll give everyone time for lunch.” Then she rushed off the bus, not leaving a second for a single question or any other chatter and walked into the building, too. Unlike Ravi, she had to dodge a few people and pause to wait for a gentleman to open the door. Dang, he had made it all look so effortless and easy. How did he do that?

Once inside, she walked up to the check-in line and was actually right behind Ravi.

“Ravi, hi, glad to see you still made it.”

He turned around and smiled. He’d known she was there and liked how she acted so casually. He sensed she was nervous, and he understood, because he felt nervous, too. He had never met a woman who made him feel that way or had evoked such curiosity that he’d basically waste his time going to events that would draw him near to her. Truthfully, there were only two things he was absolutely interested in at the conference—her and her keynote speech. Drone information came with either of those things.

“It’s good to see you, Sasha.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly.

She could smell his cologne and it was yummy. If she could have breathed in deeper to take in its scent without it being obvious, she would have. “I’m looking forward to this. And you?”

“I am, all of it.” He looked her up and down unapologetically and she felt like he might just have the best technology of all—x-ray vision. Well, if he did, at least she had on her matching bra and panties. A girl couldn’t conquer the business world without essentials like that, or so her silly superstition told her.

“Sheikh Kapoor, Dennis will escort you up to your suite.”

“Thank you, what’s the room number?” Ravi asked.

They slid a piece of paper in front of him and he glanced at it and then handed it over to Sasha. “Can you meet me here in an hour?”

The hotel staff looked at her and then at him. She was really embarrassed, but in no position to say “no” because she wanted to meet him there. “Yes, I think so. I don’t have obligations until 1 PM.”

“Perfect.” He walked away and took the lead, the man with the name tag Dennis behind him.

Her head turned to watch him and through her peripheral she caught her entire team standing there, the women smiling brightly and the guys looking away, feeling quite uncomfortable.

Feign ignorance
, she thought. She turned to the lady behind the counter. “Sasha Mason with Mason Technologies. And the nine people behind me also have reservations under that name.”

Ten minutes later, Sasha was giving her bell hop a tip for carrying up her luggage for the weekend. He nodded his head and thanked her and then walked out and shut the door, leaving her alone in her room.

She glanced at her watch. In forty-five minutes she was supposed to go and see Ravi. It was a highly appealing thought despite the chaotic and busy schedule she had going for the next two days. But hey…some company for the social events at night wouldn’t be a bad thing. In fact, it would be preferable to just networking solely, often repeating the same stories and sentiments over and over again.
That talk was fantastic. What an innovative new technology. Yes, business is on the rise. And you?

***

Knocking on the impressive, thick double French arched door of the suite, Sasha waited for someone to answer. She couldn’t hear any noise at all, either in the hallway or from behind the closed door. Maybe he’d had to step out. A flash of relief came over her at that thought, but it was quickly followed by a massive pang of disappointment.

She knocked again, this time a bit louder.

Then the door swung open and Ravi was standing there, a pair of dress pants on but no shirt. She just about gasped out loud.

“Sorry. I was in the room changing and I didn’t hear the door at first. Please, come in. I’ll be just a minute.”

She did as he asked and watched him walk back toward his bedroom. He was really fit, more fit than she would have guessed possible; especially for a guy who worked so much. She was in good shape, but saw room for improvement. Him, though, wow. That was the most adequate description she could come up with.

While waiting for him, she walked over to the large arched window and looked out. It faced the mountains and she was awestruck by their beauty. It was such a splendid and inspired place in this world, and she was always at peace when she was in that area, whether it was by the businesses land in the small, but very nice cabin, or here at Menla.

“It’s quite lovely, isn’t it?” His voice was soft as he came up behind her.

She glanced over at him and took note of his more casual shirt with a different pattern on the cuffs and color than the rest of it. She loved shirts like that, and he wore that one particularly well.

“It is.”

“Just like you are.”

His words were so tender and she turned to look at him, seeing a vulnerable expression in his eyes that instantly touched her in a more profound way than she ever would have suspected possible.

“Thanks.”

“I ordered us a lunch to have in here, if that’s okay.”

“Sure,” she said, not sure if she could even eat a bite. She was so impacted by his closeness and how he filled the space with this masculinity that she longed to experience more of.