Page 23 of The Sheikh and the Single Mom

“Please, it would be my pleasure.”

So, they walked together to Nina’s cabin, their pace unhurried. Rashad wanted a few more minutes with Nina before they both slept, and she seemed to feel the same way.

“I really enjoyed this evening,” Nina said as they turned into her hallway. “And thank you again for all your help with Miles and Kate today.”

“It was my pleasure.” They stopped in front of Nina’s door. She reached for the handle, then hesitated, turning back to Rashad.

“And it’s been really nice getting to know you a little.” She looked down, then up at him.

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual.” Their eyes met, and Rashad felt a spark of warmth grow in his heart. Nina was so close, just a few inches away, and he could easily reach out and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. Her pink lips were slightly parted, and her blue eyes were bright. She smelled faintly of vanilla and ice cream. The tension built until it took all Rashad had to not lean closer and press his lips lightly to hers, the kind of light, fleeting kiss that would let him know if she shared the attraction he felt.

“Good night, Rashad,” Nina said softly. Then she opened the door to her cabin and was gone. Rashad stood in the hallway for another moment before he turned and strode back to the deck. He needed some fresh air to clear his head.

Today, the lines between business rivals and friends had become blurred. Worse, standing outside her cabin, Rashad had been tempted to blur the lines even further with a kiss, which would have made everything far more complicated.

He needed to pull himself together. Now. Tomorrow morning, first thing, he’d sit down with Nina and hammer out a plan. He would be ruthless and straightforward, no matter how hard it was, and the following morning, Nina and the twins would disembark. That would be it — he’d never see them again.

It was the only way. Kissing Nina simply wasn’t an option.

CHAPTER 10

RASHAD

Rashad woke the next morning more dedicated than ever to his plan. Over breakfast, he was going to talk to Nina and work out whether he’d be offering to buy her company or whether he’d just defeat her in the market. He wasn’t going to go easy on her, no matter how funny or insightful or beautiful she was.

Rashad took a quick shower to clear his head, dressed, and went up on deck. To his surprise, Nina and the kids were already awake despite the early hour. Kate and Miles were chasing each other around the dining table, giggling, while Nina set out a plate of steaming pancakes.

“Good morning, Rashad.” She smiled at him as she went back into the kitchen for a bowl of sliced fruit.

“Good morning. You really didn’t have to cook.”

“It was no trouble. You’ve been cooking for us, so it seemed like time to return the favor. Plus, I wanted to show you how good food can be when you follow a recipe.” Nina winked, and attraction stirred in Rashad again.

Be strong,he chastised himself.You have to get this over with.

“I’m sure the pancakes will be delicious,” he said, rather stiffly.

“Kids, breakfast!” Nina called over her shoulder.

“Can we eat here, Mommy?” Miles asked. He and Kate had built a little fort out of the lounger pillows.

“Is that all right?” Nina asked Rashad quietly. “I don’t mind, but if you don’t want them to eat away from the table, I’ll say no.”

“It’s fine; we’re outside so it’ll be easy to clean,” Rashad told her. Plus, it would be better if the kids ate separately. Having breakfast alone with Nina would give him an opportunity to get down to business without the kids’ sweet faces staring up at him.

“Thanks.” Nina prepared two plates and carried them over to the twins’ fort, then returned to the table with Rashad. They both dished up a few pancakes, though Rashad hardly felt hungry.

“I thought we could get down to business today,” he said.

“That would be great. After all, we’re running out of time.” Nina smiled. “Strawberries?” She held out a bowl of the bright red fruit.

“Sure, thanks.” If only they were sitting in a meeting room instead of around a breakfast table — though Rashad was beginning to suspect that nothing could make hurting Nina any easier. “I was up late last night thinking about how to proceed. It would make things easier if I knew a little more about your company’s internal functioning.”

“All right.” Nina nodded. “I can imagine the kinds of details you’re interested in, but let me tell you whatIthink is the most important thing about my company.” She poured a ribbon ofsyrup onto her pancakes, and Rashad was tempted to tease her about how no one over the age of five should have that much syrup. Instead, he gestured for her to continue.

“Please.”

Nina took a deep breath. “When I was a little girl, I had a favorite aunt. Aunt Katherine. She was always there for me growing up — she helped me with homework, took me out for special day trips, encouraged my dreams, everything. She seemed old and wise to me when I was young, but what I didn’t realize was that she was younger than we are now. When I was fifteen, she started moving more slowly and complaining of aches and pains. She went to a few doctors, but it was hard for her to afford testing, especially since our insurance didn’t cover much, and doctors were dismissive.

---