Page 2 of Sheikh's Pregnant Fiancée

“So you’re just going to make me wait out here?”

Smiling sweetly, she nodded and held up a finger as she moved to the steps. The man knocked again, but she ignored him. Upstairs, Aubrey found Hysani at the desk, her papers pushed to the side as he leaned back in his chair with his feet propped up on the desk. Belatedly, she realized that she never asked for the man’s name. Not wanting to interrupt her boss twice, she sighed inwardly and headed back downstairs.

The man had moved out of the shadow of the awning, and the full sun hit his face. Aubrey thought her boss was classically handsome, but he had nothing on this man. Gorgeous dark eyes under a fringe of lashes glared annoying at her as he rubbed his finger along his strong, stubbled jaw. Bronze skin smoothed over high cheekbones, and a sensuous mouth smirked at her.

“Ready to let me in?”

“As a matter of fact, I am not. What’s your name?”

The smile slipped. “Really?”

“Yes, really. I don’t want to have to bother my boss twice.”

“Boss?” The man started to laugh. “Interesting role-playing game you’ve got going on. Does he make you call him sir?”

Was he trying to embarrass her because he was pissed at having to wait, or did he really think she was Hysani’s lover?

Either way, he was crossing a line. Aubrey cocked her head. “You think me calling Hysani sir is interesting role-play? I feel sorry for your women.”

His eyes widened in surprise, and she held her breath. He’d probably get her fired, not that she didn’t have it coming. Sometimes she struggled with her temper. Instead of yelling, he just threw back his head and laughed. “Tell Hysani that Jarah is here.”

Relieved that her careless words hadn’t gotten her in trouble, she headed back up the steps. Hysani was hanging up the phone just as she entered the office. “There’s someone downstairs for you. He said his name is Jarah.”

“Really?” He stood and walked to the door. “Come on up,” he yelled.

“Oh. Um…actually, I didn’t let him in. I wasn’t sure if I should.”

He was quiet for a moment before a wide grin split his face. “This I have to see.”

Confused, Aubrey followed him down. He took one look at the man on the other side and burst out laughing.

“Did I do something wrong?” Aubrey asked anxiously.

“No, not at all. He’s a friend, but you wouldn’t know that, and you should definitely not just let anyone in.”

Relieved, she nodded. “I think I’ll take the rest of my lunch up to the roof. I’ll bring my paperwork too, so I don’t disturb you.”

“No paperwork. Enjoy your lunch,” he said kindly as she grabbed her plate and water and hurried out. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to Jarah again. As much as she was annoyed with him, the way her body reacted to him was a clear sign to stay away.

Rihamel was a beautiful place, and the rooftop offered a fabulous view. The sun was hot, but there were umbrellas over the tables. Aubrey ignored them and settled her plate on the wall. It stopped at her rib cage, and she leaned over and rested her elbows on it as she took in the view.

This country was so different from anyplace she’d ever been before.

After a moment of daydreaming and another bite of burger, she pulled out her phone. While she was working, she’d received a text from Gwen explaining that she wouldn’t be home until morning because she was pulling an all nighter at the university. She’d also missed a phone call and voice mail from her grandmother.

Humming to herself, she put the message on speaker.

“Hello, darling. I hope you’re doing well.”

Aubrey frowned. Her grandmother’s voice was shaky. The woman was still in excellent health. Something was wrong.

“You’re not going to like what I have to say, but I hope in the near future, you’ll understand my decision. I’m selling the vineyard.”

“What!?” But of course, her grandmother couldn’t hear her.

“I know you’re going to believe that I sent you away on purpose, and maybe I did. You’ve always fought for the vineyard, and I’ve always known that you don’t belong here. It was just easier this way. You have a whole world to explore, to find your real passion, and maybe this will finally force you to see that. Lord knows you haven’t listened to me over the years. You have a soul that needs wonder.”

Wonder? Aubrey didn’t need wonder. She needed to go home and make her grandmother realize that this was a huge mistake.

“I love you, my darling. I hope that one day, you’ll see that this is for the best. My mind is made up, so don’t even think of trying to talk me out of it.”

Shocked, Aubrey stared at the phone. This couldn’t be happening. She’d had so many plans, and all of them revolved around the vineyard.

Her world had just turned upside down. What was she supposed to do now?

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