Page 5 of Sheikh's Accidental Pregnancy

Oops. No wonder Tariq already hated her. He must think she was incredibly disrespectful. She hoped she wouldn’t have to spend too much time with him. But why hadn’t anyone told her?

During the meeting, everyone treated Tariq with great respect in the way they spoke to him and listened attentively to his responses. His voice was filled with authority, and his face was stern. She could see why people were afraid of him, but she wasn’t that easy to scare.

She had to admit, she was intrigued. She wanted to learn more about him, maybe see if she could break through that icy surface. If she could do it and still keep her job.

Sara bumped into Adiva on her way back to her office after the meeting.

“How did it go?” the older woman asked.

Sara sighed. “The meeting was fine.”

“But?”

“But I didn’t realize I was supposed to bow to Sheikh Tariq. And maybe Amir?” Sara shrugged. It wasn’t her fault she wasn’t acquainted with their culture. Adiva closed her eyes and shook her head.

“Oh dear. Amir doesn’t care about that kind of thing, but Sheikh Tariq does. Amir should have warned you. Let’s have lunch together, and I’ll teach you a few things—like bowing—that will help you make a better impression.”

Sara wasn’t sure shewantedto make a better impression. A part of her kind of liked needling the chairman of the board—the unladylike part that her mother had always sworn would get her in trouble one day.

It seemed that day had come.

5

Tariq settled into his usual chair at the table in Amir’s office. Their lunch was already laid out, and he had a long agenda for this meeting. The goat kabsa smelled delicious, but the serving dish of golden rice and meat looked larger than usual. Three sets of individual chutneys and sauces to add to their main dish. And there were three place settings.

“Who’s the third place setting for?” Tariq asked.

“Sara.”

“Is that necessary? What could she possibly have to add?”

“Nothing if she never learns about the business. And that means coming to meetings and learning from us. Why are you so determined not to give her a chance?” Amir moved from his desk to the table.

To be honest, Tariq didn’t know. He’d never been so grumpy about a foreigner not bowing to him before. Silently disapproving, maybe, but he’d been borderline rude yesterday. It could not possibly be because every time he looked at her, he remembered the curve of her backside as she struggled to push that desk and the itch in his hand as he imagined stroking it. Maybe even giving it a little spank.

He forced his mind back to the business at hand—the potential profit that might or might not be hiding in the Samaal Bi’r oil field. They knew there was something there, but whether it was worth the expense of drilling for it was yet to be determined.

Sara knocked on Amir’s door, and he called for her to come in. Tariq caught a flash of surprise on her face when she noticed him. And could that be a little bit of something else? Mischievousness, maybe. The woman was a demon with an angel’s appearance. Curls of blonde hair framed her face, giving the impression of innocence. A snug bun held the rest of her hair, and her attire was all business. But he could tell from the way she patted the bun to make sure it was still in place and the way she fidgeted in her skirt and blouse that she wasn’t used to the formality of the Botros Oil office. She wanted—needed—to have more freedom.

She bowed a little clumsily and greeted them both. Amir chuckled and nodded. Tariq simply looked at her and grunted.

Amir looked at Tariq out of the corner of his eye and whispered, “Give her a chance.” He turned to her. “Come. Sit. I hope you like goat. Many Europeans find the idea off-putting, but it’s Tariq’s favorite.”

“I haven’t tried it yet, but if it’s Sheikh Tariq’s favorite, I’m sure it’s excellent.”

Tariq narrowed his eyes at her and wondered if that was meant to have a double meaning, meant to be a little dig at his admittedly particular tastes.

She placed her files on the table before sitting down across from him. “Is this kabsa? That’s my favorite dish so far, though I’ve only had it with chicken.”

“Ladies first.” Tariq gestured for her to serve herself, and he thought he heard her give a tiny snort of amusement. It intrigued and infuriated him simultaneously. When she finished, he filled his own plate. Amir simply reached for his glass and watched Sara. Did his brother have designs on her? Was that why he’d hired her? That wasnotgoing to happen.

“How are you adjusting to your new home, Sara?” Amir asked.

“I’m finally starting to settle in,” Sara replied and smiled. “I think I’ll like it here.”

Tariq chewed and watched her talk. She relaxed as she spoke with Amir. But then most people did.

“You did not think you would?” Amir asked her.

---