Page 15 of The Sheik's Kiss

Raven stepped into the office and looked around. It was impressive, with the large windows and a massive, ornately carved, wooden desk. The walls were white and the curtains an interesting shade of blue. The walls were decorated with both abstract art as well as centuries old words that could only be viewed in art books.

However, Raven had to admit that the man sitting behind the desk was even more impressive. Too bad that she felt nothing for him because Sheik bin Aristi seemed like a really great catch. Even without his wealth and power, the man was…intriguing.

Unfortunately, he was only interesting in her mind. Raven wanted more. She wanted sparks and excitement. She wanted a man that listened to her and would sit beside her at the end of the day and discuss everything that had happened.

Sheik bin Aristi was interesting, but she didn’t fascinate him.

Raven wondered what she’d do if she ever came across a man that excited her on more than just an intellectual level. She snorted, causing the man sitting behind the desk to look up from whatever he’d been reading.

“Ms. Markley,” he said, dropping his pen and standing up. Coming around his desk, he gestured towards the sitting area. “I understand that you’ve narrowed down the number of candidates?”

Raven stepped forward, wondering what it would be like if she were attracted to the man. Alas, she had only platonic appreciation for his attributes and intelligence. Besides, from what she could see and from the rumors she’d heard, the man was already taken.

And now, it was time to set her plan into action!

“Yes, Your Highness.” She moved forward, handing him a smaller stack of files than she’d originally started with. “I’ve spoken to several of the women already via zoom calls. I’ve researched their friends and surveyed their online activities.” She nodded to the stack of folders again. “My cover story for each of these conversations is that I’m a reporter doing a story on current fashion trends, women’s issues, or dating advice.” She paused when he chuckled, then continued. “I’m slowly narrowing down the women that don’t have any obvious red flags.”

He gestured to the leather chair and Raven sat down, perching on the edge as he took a seat on the sofa. She set the folders down onto the low coffee table, then watched as the man started flipping through the files. “Ms. Weston?” he asked, lifting a dark eyebrow after glancing at the attached picture . “I remember speaking to her at some event about a year or two ago.” He nodded, laying the folder down. “What makes you think that she would be a good candidate?”

Raven crossed her legs, then intertwined her fingers over her knee. “She’s twenty-four years old and the daughter to the Earl of Manford. She has a degree in communications, plus, she comes across via cameras well.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m not looking for someone who will work well with the media. I’m looking for a woman who would be compatible with me and someone who is interested in having a large family.” He flipped the folder closed. “I enjoy children, Ms. Markley. I don’t want someone who wants to hold off on having children so she can pursue her career.”

Raven smiled politely and explained Ms. Weston’s accomplishments. “However, I need to say that it’s possible for a woman to have both a career and children, Your Highness. It doesn’t have to be either-or.”

He looked at her over the next file folder. “Tell me about Ms. Clemanti,” he ordered firmly, although his tone was polite.

Raven went through each of the candidates and offered her initial insight into each one. She clasped her hands together, bracing herself for the moment when he flipped open the last file folder. It hadn’t been in the original stack of candidates, but Raven knew with absolute certainty that this particular woman would be perfect for him. And the sheik was perfect for her as well. Their personalities would clash, of course. But after speaking with both, she knew that an occasional clash was exactly what they each needed. They were both mature enough to come back together afterwards and talk things through.

Plus, the sexual tension between them was impossible to ignore.

He opened the last file folder, then his eyes lifted, staring at her with…Raven couldn’t discern the emotions in those dark depths. “Ms. Sullivan?” he asked.

Raven watched him carefully so she didn’t miss the softening of the muscles around his eyes or the slight upward curl of his mouth.

She was right! He was attracted to Mandy! And Mandy definitely wanted him! They would be one of the best matches she’d ever arranged.

If she could make it happen.

“What makes you think that Ms. Sullivan would be a good candidate?”

Raven smothered her rush of triumph, but she was secretly relieved that he didn’t reject her suggestion outright.

“Ms. Sullivan is a little older than most of the candidates,” Raven started out. “But she’s strong and determined. She’s not afraid of taking a chance. The fact that she started her own accounting firm and has built it into a raging success in such a short period of time is proof of that. I’ve heard her on the phone with some of her other clients. Several of them are very important women and men in business, and all of them are intimidating. But Ms. Sullivan handles them with calm professionalism. She isn’t intimidated by anyone, apparently.” She paused briefly, then grinned. “And you, Your Highness, are a terrifying person!” She laughed at his upraised eyebrow.

“She likes to argue,” Zahir interjected.

Raven almost laughed at his statement, wondering if he realized the intense note of satisfaction that came through in his tone.

“And you respect her more when she doesn’t bow down to your commands.” Raven leaned forward slightly, absolutely confident now. “You like being in charge, Your Highness, but when you hear an argument that contradicts your opinion, you don’t just assume you must be correct. Mandy is the same way. I’ve watched the interactions between you two over the past week, Your Highness. That’s why I included her in the list of candidates.”

“However, as you mentioned, she just started her own accounting firm a year ago. She’s not going to want to give that up to have children.”

Raven tilted her head slightly. “Yes, you’re right. She’s not going to want to give that up. She loves her job. You haven’t seen it yet, but when she’s working and she finds something important, Mandy lights up. Plus, she’s been doing an excellent job of managing her fledgling firm from a distance. Not only that, but I can help her find an excellent candidate to take over the day to day management of her firm while she builds up her business from here.”

His eyes narrowed at that last bit. “And she’s amenable to the idea of marrying me?” he asked.

Raven released the air she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

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