Expecting the Sheikh's Baby. KRISTI GOLD

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СКАЧАТЬ prefer to dispose of the title, at least among friends. And I do consider the Barones to be my friends.”

      “Of course,” Maria said. “Any friend of Daniel’s is certainly a friend of ours. Right, Karen?”

      Karen flinched at the sudden jab of Maria’s elbow in her side. Realizing she had no room to run, she finally turned to face the sheikh. “Yes. Friends. Of course.”

      As far as grins went, Karen would qualify Ash Saalem’s as awe-inspiring. Why did he have to be so annoyingly gorgeous?

      “You’re looking well today, Ms. Rawlins,” he said in a voice as smooth and liquid as quicksilver.

      He kept his eyes fixed on hers and Karen wanted to look away but decided to stand her ground. “Thank you.”

      “Are you enjoying your work here, Karen?”

      Karen couldn’t believe he had the audacity to call her by her first name. She couldn’t believe her pulse had the nerve to quicken over hearing him say it. Of course, he’d been bold enough to kiss her that night, so why not dispense with all formality? “As a matter of fact, I love working here. Very much.” She forced an overly sweet smile, yet her lips felt stiff with the effort. “Speaking of work, can I get you anything else?”

      He leaned forward, bringing with him a trace of rich cologne and blatant self-assurance. “What do you have in mind?”

      Oh, no you don’t. Karen was in no mood for playing the innuendo game. “Maybe some gelato. It’s very refreshing. Helps to cool one off.” Ice cream was the only thing she planned to offer him today, or any day for that matter.

      “What if I asked for some of your time? Perhaps dinner once you are through with your duties?”

      “I really don’t think—”

      “Miss, I need some service over here.”

      Karen glanced at the end of the counter where a middle-aged businessman sporting a cheap suit and an edgy expression waited impatiently. She visually searched the area for Maria, who had conveniently disappeared.

      “Excuse me,” Karen said to the sheikh and headed to the customer. She took a pencil from the pocket of her apron along with the order pad. “What can I get for you, sir?”

      The man’s expression was pickle-sour. “A cup of coffee.”

      “Espresso, cappuccino or maybe—”

      “Plain coffee, black, to go.”

      “Certainly. I’ve just started a fresh pot to brewing.”

      He released a gruff sigh. “I’m in a hurry.”

      So was Karen. In a hurry to get out of there before she did something inane like actually agree to Ash’s offer of dinner. “It should only be a few more minutes.”

      “You have yet to answer my question, Karen.”

      Karen glanced at Ash then gave the grumpy guy her best smile. “Excuse me just a moment.” She sidestepped until she was again in front of the sheikh, feeling as if she were caught in a verbal volley. “I don’t have time for dinner. I have somewhere I have to be after work.”

      “Somewhere important?”

      More than he realized. “You could say that.”

      “Then this is somewhere that I would not be welcome?”

      Karen decided he would probably be more than welcome at the fertility clinic, at least to provide a donation. Who in their right mind would turn him down? Of course, she would. Not that she intended to reveal what she was about to do. “It’s an appointment. A doctor’s appointment.”

      Concern called out from his dark eyes. “Are you ill?”

      “Just a routine exam.” Not exactly a lie. “I’m fine.”

      His frown dissolved into a stop-and-drop grin. “I would attest to that without the benefit of an examination, although I would not mind further investigation.”

      “Is that coffee ready yet?” the sour man barked.

      Karen welcomed the interruption on one level. On the other hand, she felt trapped between two persistent men intent on shredding her last nerve. She afforded the stranger a polite smile. “One more minute and the coffee should be done.”

      He slapped his palm on the counter. “I don’t have another minute, so if you’ll quit talking to your boyfriend and get me my coffee, then I can get out of here. Some of us have jobs to do.”

      Karen clenched her teeth and spoke through them. “I understand, sir, but the coffee’s not quite done yet. Could I get you a glass of water while you’re waiting?” Would you like to wear it? she wanted to say and would have except she’d been told the customer was always right. Even the fussy ones.

      “I don’t want any damned water. I want my coffee.”

      Ash had seemed unaffected by the jerk until that moment when a dangerous look came across his face. He took off his jacket, systematically laid it across the stool next to him and pushed up the sleeves of his shirt. Karen froze from fear that the sheikh was about to engage in fisticuffs with the irritable stranger. Instead, he walked around the counter, picked up a paper to-go cup, filled it with the last of the remaining lukewarm coffee from the previous pot, then turned and slid it in front of the man.

      “This is in exchange for your absence,” he said in a low, menacing voice. “I realize there is no sign on the door indicating this establishment does not serve jackasses, but rest assured, that will be remedied after your departure.”

      The man scowled. “You arrogant son of a—”

      “My arrogance should not concern you. If you fail to leave the premises in thirty seconds, however, you should concern yourself with what I might do to encourage your departure.”

      The man stormed out the door sans coffee, sending Karen and Ash an acid look through the window.

      When Karen could finally speak, she turned and stood toe-to-toe with the prince. She would estimate him to be not more than six feet tall, but in the small space that separated them, he seemed as massive as the ancient oak in the backyard of her former Montana home. “Was that really necessary?”

      “I refuse to tolerate insolence, particularly when a woman is the target of disrespect.”

      Oh, good grief. “I really didn’t need to be rescued.”

      His expression remained solemn. “My apologies. I tend to forget chivalry has lost its appeal in America.”

      Karen felt somewhat remorseful since she realized he’d had honorable intentions. She also felt somewhat tense when he continued to survey her with his extreme dark eyes. The least she could do was thank him. “I appreciate your good intentions.”

      His features softened into a look that could only be described as patently provocative. “You could show your gratitude by having dinner with me tonight.”

      “I СКАЧАТЬ