The Sheik And The Pregnant Bride

Chapter Ten

Qadir walked into the usually quiet garage and watched as Maggie threw tools into the large open box on the floor.

“Just so damn stupid,” she muttered. “Does anyone care about my opinion? Noooo. I just want to beat him with a stick.”

She threw more tools as she grumbled, her expression tight with annoyance, her movements jerky. She was on fire and he found himself attracted to her temper.

“Someone has annoyed you,” he said.

She turned and glared at him. “Yes, someone has. A man. You probably don’t want to be here today, what with you being a man and all. I’m angry enough not to be picky about who I yell at.”

He laughed. “You do not frighten me.”

“Because I’m a woman, right? What is it with you men that you think you know better?” She pointed to his crotch. “It’s just excess flesh, you know. It’s not the great repository for all knowledge. Since when did being a man make you an oracle?”

She was all fire and rage. Both her passion and beauty excited him.

“I did not claim to be an oracle,” he told her. “I said I am not afraid of you.”

“You should be.” She picked up a large wrench. “I could do a lot of damage with that.”

“Yes, you could.” He walked over and removed it from her grasp, then set it on the desk. Still holding her hand in his, he rubbed her fingers. “What happened?”

“I talked to Jon.”

Qadir did not respond. Better for Maggie to tell him in her own way.

She drew in a breath. “He’s just so annoying. His stupid superior attitude. Like he has all the answers. I hate that.”

“And him?”

“I don’t hate him, but I want to smack him upside the head. He’s convinced he knows best. Since when does he get to be in charge of my life? Hello, it’s my life. Mine. Not his. But will he accept that? I’ll give you one guess on that question.”

Qadir had not been pleased to know that Maggie would have to tell the other man about the baby, but there was little choice in the matter.

She looked at him. “He wants to marry me.”

“He is an honorable man,” he told her, enjoying a brief image of crushing Jon like a bug. “That should please you.”

“Well, it doesn’t. It really pisses me off. Okay, fine. I’ll accept he wants to be a part of his child’s life. Knowing him, I shouldn’t be surprised. I still think it would be better if he walked away, but he won’t. That’s just so him. But marriage? Did he notice the new-century thing, because here we are. It’s a shiny new world and by God, no man is going to marry me just because I’m pregnant with his child.”

The marriage proposal did not come as a surprise, but Qadir did not like it.

“He doesn’t even care that it’s not what I want,” Maggie continued, still fuming. “No. It’s all about him and the baby and what’s right.” She turned on Qadir. “How is this right? How is two people making themselves miserable right? Wait. It’s not two people. It’s three. What about Elaine? I think they’re falling in love and he’s going to toss that away because of the baby? This is just so typical. Do you know he doesn’t think I’m capable? I never got that before, but he just about said I couldn’t do this on my own. That really, really annoys me.”

She jerked free of his touch and stalked around the car. “It’s a guy thing, right? The need to assume women are just a little bit less? Why is that? Do we threaten you so damn much? Oh, I’m just so mad I could spit.”

Despite potential risk to his person, Qadir chuckled. She turned on him.

“You think this is funny?”

“I think you are beautiful and full of life. Jon is a fool for ever letting you go, but that is his loss. He must deal with it now.”

Her eyes widened. “That was good,” she breathed. “Seriously. I feel almost disarmed.”

“How unfortunate, as I like you armed. Go to your office and get changed. I will take you to lunch and then shopping. You will feel better when we are finished.”

She rolled her eyes. “And here I was starting to like you. Do you get that I’m not the shopping type?”

“I haven’t said what we’re shopping for.”

“Oh. Well, if it’s cars, I’m so there.”

He smiled. “Go get changed.”

“Okay. It would probably be better for me to get out than to stay here.”

“Agreed. I do not want you taking out your temper on my Rolls.”

She laughed, then closed the door behind her. Qadir stayed where he was, careful not to move because if he did, he would join her in her office and this time when he touched her, he would not stop.

An impossible situation, he told himself. At first Maggie had intrigued him with her humor and lack of pretension. He had enjoyed her company, but nothing more. Recently, though, he thought they might become lovers. The chemistry between them would make their time together pass very quickly. He had considered discussing that with her, but now everything was different.

She was pregnant and the father of her child wanted to marry her. Qadir knew he could not stand between them, even when his gut told him Jon was not the one for her. Jon had let her get away. What had the other man been thinking, to prefer another woman over Maggie? Impossible.

Not that he would be having that conversation with Jon anytime soon. But it gave Qadir pleasure to imagine the other man’s fear when faced with a powerful sheik.

He wondered if Maggie could be convinced to accept Jon’s proposal. He did not think so, but what did he really know of a woman’s mind? Perhaps she secretly longed for her old lover.

He didn’t want to think about that, about her being with someone else, so he pushed the image away. For now, and for as long as he wanted her, Maggie was his. Yet he had only bought her time. Did Jon still possess her heart?

“Better,” Maggie said as they walked out of the restaurant. “That was exactly what I needed.”

“You have an impressive appetite,” Qadir said.

“I know. It gets embarrassing. I’ve always thought that if my work weren’t so physical, I would blow up like a balloon. Which, at this moment, I don’t care about.”

For the first time since her uncomfortable conversation with Jon, she felt as if she could catch her breath. Maybe it was that big, juicy hamburger sitting in her stomach. A burger, fries and a shake had been exactly what she’d needed to change her mood.

“Thank you,” she told the man at her side.

“You are welcome. Although I enjoy watching you throw things, I like seeing you smile, as well.”

She looked up at him, at his dark eyes, his handsome features. “You’re really smooth.”

“I know.”

“It’s a prince thing, isn’t it?”

“Some of it is me. My cousin Nadim is also a prince, but he is completely lacking in personality.”

“I talked to him at the ball. He was a lot more formal than you.”

“A kind way of ignoring his shortcomings.”

Maggie hadn’t been impressed, either, which made her wonder why Victoria would even consider marrying him. Yes, he was a prince and all, but marriage was forever. Especially a royal one.

Qadir put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I, however, have a wonderful personality and you are completely charmed by me.”

“That’s true,” she said with a laugh, even as she leaned into him. She liked it when he held her or touched her. Her body melted as little nerve endings began a “touch me” dance in the strangest places.

She wanted to turn to him and have him kiss her. Deep kisses like before with lips and tongue and hot breath. She wanted to be swept away and taken and…

Oh God. She was pregnant. Pregnant with another man’s child. She couldn’t have erotic thoughts about Qadir. It wasn’t right. It was borderline icky.

He was totally the wrong man and even if he wasn’t, her being pregnant made her the wrong woman.

The good news was her attraction to him was purely physical. It wasn’t as if her heart had gotten involved at all.

They headed back for the car. Qadir had driven and parked at the end of the block. But before they reached the gleaming Mercedes, she caught sight of a window display.

Last week she never would have noticed it, but today she slowed as she took in the pale green blanket draped over the white rocking chair. The small-scale dresser had painted rabbits playing together on the drawers. A toy box stood open with stuffed animals spilling from it.

Maggie slowed, then stopped. “I’ve never been in a baby store before,” she whispered.

“Would you like to go in now?”

It probably wasn’t the shopping he’d had in mind, but she nodded anyway, then hesitated before stepping through the open door.

“Is this okay?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She could see displays set up like rooms, with cribs and tables. Changing tables, she told herself, having no idea where that information had come from.

He dropped his hand to the small of her back and gave her a little push. She stepped through the door.

The space was huge and filled with clothes and toys, supplies and furniture. Maggie walked in a few feet, then stopped, not sure what to look at first.

“I don’t think I can do this,” she murmured.

Qadir came up beside her. “You do not have to do anything today. That should make things easier. We will walk around and get some ideas. Later, you can decide about what you need. Think of this as the first visit to the showroom. You’re not buying a car today.”

The analogy was perfect and helped her relax. She smiled at him. “Did I mention you’re good?”

“Several times, but it is praise I enjoy so feel free to say it again.”

Without thinking, she leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. She raised her head for a real kiss, hoping he would-

“Prince Qadir, what an honor. I am Fatima. Welcome to my store.”

The speaker was a pretty woman in her thirties. She beamed at both of them, clasping her hands together. Maggie’s stomach knotted and she instantly regretted the hamburger.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Qadir said smoothly.

Maggie stepped back and cleared her throat. What was she supposed to say? Her pregnancy had been reported in the newspaper and showing up here, like this, would only cause people to think Qadir really was the father.

“We, ah, were just looking around,” she said, wishing she didn’t sound so lame.

“Of course. Please. Explore. If you have any questions I will be at the front desk.”

Fatima gave a little bob, then hurried away. Maggie watched her go.

“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling awful. “We shouldn’t have come in here.”

“Why not?”

“Because of what people will think.”

“You are having a child.”

“But not yours,” she said, trying not to shriek. “That’s what they will think.”

“We know the truth.”

He sounded so calm. “You’re not upset?”

“No.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let us explore, as Fatima suggested. Based on all I see here, an infant needs far more than his size suggests.”

She thought about pointing out all the potentials for disaster, but knew Qadir would understand them far better than she. If he could be calm about this, then she could, too.

“Just to be clear,” she told him. “I’m having a girl.”

“You are confident about that?”

“Yes. I sense my body would reject boy sperm.”

“Then Jon is weak for not overpowering you.”

“Or sensible for not trying.”

They walked around the various displays. One showed a room done in trains, with everything from an adorable locomotive border print to stuffed train pillows. There was also a car room and one done totally in pink with a ballerina motif.

“If you’re having a girl,” Qadir said, pointing at the dancer.

Maggie glared at him. “Don’t make me hit you in public.”

“You are not as tough as you think.”

“Cheap talk while you’re safely around other people.”

He smiled slowly. “You do not intimidate me in any way, Maggie. We both know how easily I could take you.”

She wasn’t sure if he was referring to his superior strength or the way her body responded every time he touched her and she wasn’t sure it mattered. He was right-he could take her without breaking a sweat. The only news in that was how much she wanted him to.

“Maybe this is better,” he said, pointing to a display done in shades of yellow. The teddy bear theme wasn’t too sweet and she liked the border print with the teddy bears playing different sports.

“I could live with this,” she said, walking around the area, touching the crib and running her hands across the top of the dresser. “The yellow is nice. I’m not a huge fan of green and we all know I’m not doing a pink-on-pink room.”

“You’re going to have some explaining to do if the child is male.”

She smiled. “I know, but I’ll be very smug when it’s a girl.”

“I would have sons.”

“Oh, please. Is this also a prince thing?”

“No. Biology. My aunt is the only female child born in several generations.”

“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.” But this wasn’t Qadir’s baby, so she didn’t have to worry.

They wandered through the rest of the store. Maggie started to hyperventilate when they stopped in front of a wall of baby items and she had no idea what they were for.

“Do they come with instructions?” she asked in a whisper.

“I am sure they do.”

She pointed to a small container with a cord and a plug. “A baby wipe heater? Their wipes have to be heated?” She hadn’t known that. What if there was a power outage and the wipes were cold? Would that hurt the baby?

Panic filled her. “I can’t do this,” she said, placing her hand on her stomach. “I’m sorry, but I really, really can’t do this. I don’t know how. I’ll do a lousy job. What if I don’t like children?”

Qadir put his hand on her shoulder. “You will be fine.”

“You’re just saying that because you don’t want me hysterical. You don’t actually know.”

“I know you are intelligent and caring and you will love your child. What else matters?”

“Heated baby wipes, for one thing. What else don’t I know?”

“You will learn as you go.”

“Maybe. But what if I don’t? What if my child is the only one with a cold butt?”

His mouth twitched. She balled up her fist and socked him in the arm. “You’d better not be laughing at me.”

He chuckled, then pulled her against him and kissed her. His mouth brushed hers once, twice, then he released her.

“You are a unique woman,” he told her.

“Uniquely unqualified to be a mother.”

He took her hand and led her to the rows of books. “If you do not know what to do, you can learn about it.”

“Oh, right. Books.” She picked up one and scanned the title. “I need one for women who have no experience with children. Something like-‘You’ve never had a baby before, but that’s okay.’ Do you see that title?”

He held up several that weren’t even close, but she grabbed them all. Something to fill her nights, she thought.

Qadir insisted on paying for the books-which was only going to fuel speculation, she thought as they left. When they were back in his car, she turned to him.

“Thank you for being so nice,” she said. “You’re really easy to be around.”

“You are, as well,” he told her. “I enjoyed our outing.”

“Even though there’s going to be an article or two in the paper tomorrow.”

“Even though.”

She told herself to say something else, to look away, to make a joke. But she couldn’t. She seemed caught up in his gaze, in the power of the man. Breathing was difficult and thinking was impossible. What on earth was wrong with her?

“You were brilliant,” Maggie told Victoria as they walked back to their rooms. “I had no idea what to get a princess for her wedding shower. The lingerie was beautiful.”

Victoria had suggested they go in together for Kayleen’s present and had offered to do the shopping.

“She didn’t register, which was probably about her marrying a prince. I’m guessing the royal set would see that as tacky. Plus, hey, what could a princess want? Cookware? So I went with the easy gift. Something sexy.”

“More than sexy.” The lace and silk nighties had been stunning. “Kayleen looked happy.”

“An important consideration,” Victoria teased. “One wants to stay on the good side of a future royal.”

Maggie knew her friend was right, but the whole situation was beyond imagining. “A month ago I was in Aspen working for a friend in his garage. I’d never been out of the country. I’d barely left the state. Now I’m here, having just attended a wedding shower for a future princess. We’re in a palace. There is a seriously surreal quality to my life these days.”

“I know,” Victoria admitted as they took the stairs to the second floor. “Most of the time I’m totally used to all this, but every now and then I look around and wonder how a girl like me landed here. It’s a question I haven’t answered yet. Of course, I don’t have your complication.”

Maggie knew what the other woman was talking about. “Qadir isn’t a complication.”

“Oh, really. What would you call him?”

“My boss.”

“Whom you’re pretending to date, while pregnant.”

A good point, Maggie thought.

“Just be careful,” Victoria told her. “Watch yourself.”

Maggie knew that was good advice. A couple of weeks ago she would have brushed it off. Be careful for what? She was fine. But now…

Victoria paused on the landing and looked at her. “What?” she asked sharply. “You’re not telling me I’m worrying for nothing. You’re not saying he’s just your boss.”

“He’s just my boss.”

“Oh, that was convincing.”

Maggie climbed the rest of the stairs. Victoria followed. Once they were in the corridor, Maggie shrugged. “He might be a complication.”

“Okay. Why?”

“I don’t know. I feel funny when I’m around him.”

“Funny as in slightly sick to your stomach mingling with a strong need to throw yourself at him and beg to be taken?”

“Maybe.”

“Oh, man, that’s not good.” Victoria looked at her. “You like him.”

“He’s a great guy. I enjoy his company, that’s all. It’s just that I don’t have a lot of friends here.”

“Great. He turns you on and you’re trying to rationalize the situation. That is never good. I was going to say you’re falling for him, but I think it’s too late for that. You’ve fallen and hard.”

Maggie wanted to protest that wasn’t possible, but there was a sense of rightness in her friend’s words. A rightness that scared her down to her bones.

“I can’t fall for him,” she whispered. “It would be a huge mistake. He’s a prince. I’m pregnant. Worse, I’m a mechanic. Guys like him don’t marry women like me. They marry socialites and beauty queens.”

“Get out while the getting is good,” Victoria told her.

“I can’t leave. I need the money. My dad’s cancer totally wiped us out financially. I have nothing in the bank. I need the money from restoring the car to help me get through the pregnancy and beyond. I won’t be able to work right after.”

“I have some money saved,” Victoria began.

Maggie smiled at her friend. “Thanks, but no. You’ve worked hard for what you have. I just have to be sensible. I can pull back. I wasn’t paying attention with Qadir. He’s funny and caring and I let myself get sucked in. I won’t do that anymore. I’ll be on guard.”

“A good plan,” Victoria said slowly. “There’s only one problem. I’ve never heard any of the princes being described as funny and caring.”

“Maybe I’m seeing a side of him he keeps hidden.”

“Or maybe you’re in more trouble than you thought.”

That night Maggie couldn’t sleep. There was too much on her mind. Every time she thought about her conversation with Jon she got annoyed all over again, which didn’t help with relaxing. But when she tried to think about something else, her thoughts wandered to Qadir.

She appreciated Victoria’s warning. Maggie hadn’t realized she was in danger. Now that she understood the problem, she could do a better job of protecting herself emotionally. No more long lunches or shopping trips. She would be his mechanic, nothing more.

Around midnight, she gave up pretending she would doze off, pulled on jeans and a T-shirt, but no bra, and stepped out onto the balcony.

The night was clear and balmy with a hint of the summer heat that would soon follow. She could see stars and smell the sea. There were sounds in the distance, but the palace grounds themselves were quiet.

She moved quietly through the night to one of her favorite spots-a seating area that jutted out over the water. During the day there were often people there, drinking coffee, talking, but at this time of night, the space was empty.

Maggie ignored the cluster of chairs and walked to the railing. She leaned against it and stared down at the dark, swirling water. The sound of the sea soothed her. It reminded her that whatever her problems were at the moment, life went on. She could ride the tide or she could fight it, but in the end, the tide would win.

“We’re going to figure this out,” she whispered to the tiny life inside her. “Don’t you worry. I’m working on a plan.”

“Do you need help with it?”

She turned and saw a tall man behind her. It was too dark to see his features, but her heart recognized him all too well.

“Qadir.”

“I could not sleep,” he told her. “When that happens, I come here.”

She didn’t know what to say. They were having a fairly normal conversation, so words should come easily. But her recent talk with Victoria had changed things. She was aware of her possible growing feelings, of how she no longer thought of Qadir as just her boss. She was afraid her interest would show and he would be kind. Sometimes kindness could be the worst.

He stepped closer. “Are you all right?” he asked.

She nodded.

“What troubles you?”

“Nothing,” she murmured. “I’m fine.”

A light wind blew a strand of hair across her face. He reached out, probably to tuck it behind her ear. But the second his fingers brushed against her skin, she felt her whole body go up in flames. Need pulsed through her, a heady rhythm that blocked out the sound of the sea.

She stared at him, wanting to get lost in his dark eyes. While he didn’t promise to be a safe haven, she knew he would protect her for as long as she was in his arms. Right now that seemed like more than enough.

She wanted him to touch her, to hold her, drawing her close, taking her with a passion that would leave them both breathless.

He cupped her cheek. “In a foolish attempt to be honorable, I will tell you that I am no longer willing to walk away from the temptation you offer.”

Meaning she should be the one to leave. That if they started something, they wouldn’t stop.

Her heart fluttered and her skin burned. Anticipation swept through her making her melt from the inside out.

“Maggie.”

He said her name with a low growl that made her shiver.

Two clear choices. Be sensible or give in. She knew what she should do and what she wanted to do. In the end, it wasn’t a choice at all.

Slowly, carefully, so there could be no question of her intent, she rose on tiptoe and kissed him.