Page 40 of Sheikh's Accidental Pregnancy

“Excellent. You’ll give me your honest opinion.”

Hysani Ismat was a wealthy businessman who owned a number of restaurants and night clubs in the country. When Aubrey’s grandmother suggested she travel for a year, Aubrey never thought she’d end up here. Having grown up on a vineyard, she thought she’d spend her time in Europe, touring the great vineyards of Italy and Paris and learning all she could about their wine-making processes.

Unfortunately, her meager savings had dried up quickly, and jobs had been scarce or difficult to get as a foreigner. Luckily, her friend Gwen had been studying in Rihamel and offered her a room in her flat. Gwen had connections to the royal family, and she’d pulled some strings to get Aubrey a job. Helping Hysani open up the new restaurant wasn’t the dream job she had in mind, but the pay was amazing, and it wasn’t like she’d be here forever.

In a few months, she’d be back to Europe, and when she was done, she could go home armed with the knowledge to convince her grandmother to start making her own wine rather than selling her grapes.

“You know, you are allowed to have some fun while you’re here. You’ve been working non-stop for a week. I like to think I’m a good boss, and a good boss would tell you to cut back and enjoy yourself. Play tourist. Our little kingdom has a lot to offer. We might not be America, but we still know how to have a good time.”

Aubrey chuckled. One thing she’d learned about her boss was that with his good looks and immense wealth, he didn’t have any trouble finding a good time. When he was at work, however, Hysani was nothing but professional, and she appreciated that. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He sighed as they descended the steps. The downstairs was still being renovated, but the kitchen was in working order, and there were a few tables set up.

“Sit, sit,” Hysani said impatiently. “I’ll be right back.”

The man was serious about food and would hover until she gave him her opinion. He was a talented cook, and she looked forward to lunch. The plate of food he returned with looked delicious.

Under his watchful eye, she took a bite and immediately gave him a thumbs-up. “It’s great. Turkey tends to be dry, but this is juicy and flavorful.”

“Good, good. I will consider adding it to the menu. You and your roommate must give me a list of your favorite foods. I don’t want all American dishes, of course, but with the influx of American tourists, it would be good for business to provide something that would bring them comfort.” He glanced at his watch and frowned. “I have to take a phone call, but I won’t be long. Take your time with lunch. Enjoy. That’s an order.”

She did have a headache brewing at her temples, so Aubrey took a deep breath and tried to imagine that she was back home, enjoying her lunch in the fields, with the sun beating down on her and her friend Jennifer. Jennifer managed the vineyards for her grandmother, and even though she was almost two decades older than Aubrey’s twenty-four, they had become fast friends.

A sharp knocking on the front door broke her out of her meditation, and she opened her eyes and swiveled her head around.

The restaurant wouldn’t be open for another month at the earliest, but there were a number of shops and restaurants in the area. Someone probably didn’t realize it wasn’t open. She headed to the door to explain things, but when she got a good look at who was standing outside, she stopped short.

There was nothing obviously dangerous about the man on the other side. He was dressed causally in jeans and a black T-shirt, and he had a hat pulled low over his face. She couldn’t see much of his features other than the frown as he leaned against the door and waited.

Aubrey hesitated. It was silly; Hysani was in shouting distance, and the man was probably just confused or lost.

He lifted his head, and their eyes met. To her surprise, he glowered at her and pointed to the handle. “Open the door.”

There was such command in his voice, Aubrey immediately bristled. Culturally, she was out of her element. Rihamel was very much a man’s world, and the men acted accordingly, but he was still rude, and she didn’t like that at all.

“I’m sorry,” she called out without moving forward. “We’re not open yet.”

“I’m not here for food.”

“Then you are definitely in the wrong place. This is a restaurant.”

“I know it is Sweetheart. Let me in. I’m here for Hysani.”

Sweetheart? Really? Again, she had to remind herself that she was not home. “He’s on a phone call. I’ll let him know that you’re here.”

“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.”

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