Page 25 of The Sheikh and the Single Mom

“Thankyou, Nina.” Neither of them let go for a beat longer than was strictly proper in a handshake. Then Rashad squeezed her hand once and released it.

“I’ll get started on something to eat.”

“I’ll check on the kids and join you.”

As Rashad went into the kitchen to prepare a spread, he couldn’t help wondering if he’d made another, much bigger, mistake. Going into business with Nina sounded like the perfect solution to both their problems — he’d eliminate his competition, and Nina would be able to keep her beloved company. Yet the two of them were polar opposites, and Rashad hadn’t even spoken to his investors yet.

There was a good chance he had let his admiration for Nina point him down a problematic path. Yet this might also be the best decision he’d made in years.

Only time would tell.

CHAPTER 11

NINA

Nina’s head was spinning, though not because of illness this time. Rashad, a man known for his ruthless business practices and lack of regard for anyone else’s story, had just offered to go into business with her. Nina could hardly believe it. Perhaps Rashad had an ulterior motive — or perhaps he was just a better man than she’d thought. Either way, she had a lot to think about before she gave him an answer, even though her heart told her to just say yes.

“All done?” Miles asked, looking up from his book.

“Yes, honey, the meeting is over.” Nina got up from her chair and stretched, not trusting herself to look at Rashad just yet. “Did you have fun coloring?”

“Yeah, but I’m hungry.”

“Perfect, because it’s time for a snack.” Nina helped her kids clean up, her thoughts still distant. Rashad had given her time to think about whether she wanted to accept his offer, but Nina was sure that no amount of time would be enough. She had no idea how to decide. All her previous business decisions had beenbased on calculations — potential customers reached, potential money saved, potential investment gained. Yet this time, Nina worried that her decision would be influenced more by how she felt than by logic.

Rashad appeared from the kitchen a few minutes later with a plate of apple slices and crackers. The kids dug in enthusiastically, and even Nina found herself reaching for an apple slice.

“Thanks, Rashad.”

“No problem. Hey, I was thinking — there’s an uninhabited island up ahead. If you’d like, after our snack, we can take the kids swimming there.”

“Swimming!” Kate’s eyes lit up and Nina grinned.

“That sounds like a yes. Let’s do it.”

“Excellent. I’ll set the course.”

“Can I help drive?” Miles asked.

“Honey, Rashad might be busy this time,” Nina said. Just because the businessman had so kindly watched her kids the day before didn’t mean that he wanted to spend all his time with them. Rashad, though, was already nodding.

“Sure, Miles. Nina, it’s no trouble. I’ll keep a close eye on him. Kate, do you want to come?”

“Yes, please!” The little girl wiggled with excitement.

“Then we can all go.”

They finished the snacks before climbing to the deck, where Rashad helped Kate and Miles take turns steering. Slowly, asmall island appeared in the cerulean water. Just as Rashad had said, it was uninhabited, with white-sand beaches and a collection of palm trees. Cerulean waves capped with white foam lapped against the shore, and a few seagulls flew overhead. The whole island looked like an image cut from a postcard.

“Nina, would you like to try steering?” Rashad asked.

“Oh, I’m not sure I know how to steer a boat.”

“It’s okay, Mommy, you can do it,” Miles said, grinning up at Nina with a gap-toothed smile.

“All right, then.” Nina took her place in front of the wheel, putting her hands at ten and two like she would on a car steering wheel.

“Actually, you want to hold it like this.” Rashad reached around her and gently repositioned her hands on the wheel. Nina felt a shiver rush down her spine at his closeness and the feeling of his hands on hers. From this near, Rashad smelled like aftershave and something spicy, a manly smell that made her want to lean against him.

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