Claimed by the Desert Sheikh: The Sheikh and the Pregnant Bride / Desert King, Pregnant Mistress / Desert Prince, Expectant Mother. Susan Stephens

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СКАЧАТЬ started to tell her that when he saw a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned and saw a photographer easing along the far wall.

      “An excellent opportunity,” he said as he reached for Maggie’s arm and pulled her toward him.

      “What?”

      Instead of answering, he kissed her. He had barely touched his mouth to hers when a flash went off. There was a flurry of activity as the restaurant staff raced for the photographer, no doubt to drag him outside. Qadir hoped they didn’t take away his camera.

      Even though the event had ended, Qadir continued the kiss. He liked the feel of Maggie’s lips, the softness, the way she yielded. At times she was tough and in control, but now, she was all female—finding the true power of giving in.

      He moved his hand to the back of her neck, where her long hair teased him. She smelled of soap and an elusive female essence that made him want to explore all of her. Need stirred.

      He wanted to deepen the kiss. He wanted to taste her and claim her and hold her. He wanted to feel her body next to his, even if all they did was kiss. But this was not the time or the place. Reluctantly he withdrew.

      Maggie blinked several times. “Was there a flash?”

      “I saw a photographer approaching. I wanted to give him something worthwhile.”

      She drew in a breath to steady her pinging nerves. “You did.

      Definitely.”

      The next morning Maggie had barely pulled on her robe when she heard someone pounding on her door. She walked through the living room of her suite and pulled open the door.

      Victoria stood in the hallway, one hand on her hip, the other shaking a newspaper. “Do you know what’s in here?” her friend said, pushing past her and walking into the room. “Do you have any idea?”

      With that Victoria slapped the paper down on the dining room table.

      There, in the middle, was a clear photograph of Qadir kissing a woman. At least she was pretty sure it was Qadir—his face wasn’t visible. But hers was. Even with her eyes closed, she was easy to recognize.

      Victoria crossed her arms over her chest. “There has to be a heck of a story because the last time you and I talked, you were barely calling the prince by his first name.”

      Maggie walked over to the coffeepot and turned it on. “It’s not what you think.”

      “I don’t know what to think.”

      While she and Qadir hadn’t actually discussed keeping their deal quiet, it was certainly part of the bargain. But Victoria was her only friend in El Deharia and Maggie had a feeling she was going to need to talk things over with someone.

      She turned. “Qadir doesn’t want his father constantly bothering him with appropriate women, so he came up with a plan. I’m going to fake dating him for a couple of months, then we’re going to get fake engaged. We’ll have a big fight, I’ll go home to Aspen and he’ll go into mourning. That’s all it is. A business proposition. He’s paying me and to be honest, I can use the money.”

      Victoria stared at her. “Fake dating?”

      “Uh-huh.”

      “Is it a lot of money?”

      Maggie grinned. “Oh, yeah.”

      “Well, you go, girl.”

      “You’re not mad?”

      “No. I’m bitter. I should have thought of something like that for Nadim. At least then he would have to acknowledge I was alive. Fake dating, huh? You have to make him take you to some very cool places. He’s a prince. He knows the global hot spots. You can …” Victoria swore under her breath. “Do you realize what this means?”

      “What?”

      “With the pressure off Qadir, the king is going to try to find Nadim a suitable bride. Knowing Nadim, he’ll agree and that will be that.”

      Maggie poured them each a cup of coffee. “You aren’t in love with him. Maybe you need to let the whole prince thing go.”

      “Maybe. It’s just I’d be a really great princess.”

      Maggie noticed her friend sounded more resigned than heartbroken. Maybe a distraction would help.

      “I desperately need your help,” Maggie said. “Would you have time to go back to that consignment place? I have a fabulous wardrobe of T-shirts and nothing else. I don’t want to embarrass him. Qadir is going to be taking me places other than the garage.”

      “Good point.” Victoria stared at her for a long time. “Sure, we can go shopping, but I have a question first.”

      “Which is?”

      “Are you sure about this? Have you thought it through?”

      Maggie didn’t understand the question. “Are you saying Qadir might not want to pay me the amount he’s agreed to?”

      “Not at all. I’m sure the money will be transferred with no problem. I was thinking more about not getting involved.”

      With Qadir?

      Maggie immediately thought about their brief but powerful kiss. He made her quiver with the lightest touch. She told herself it was nothing more than chemistry and circumstances. She would be fine.

      “It’s a business deal.”

      “So it seems. Just remember that princes aren’t like other men. Keep your heart safely protected.”

      Maggie laughed. Her body she could worry about but her heart was safely out of reach. She’d been hurt too much to ever give it again.

      “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

       Chapter Six

      Qadir nodded to himself as he read the screen. All was well. Not that he expected less, but confirmation was always pleasant. He saved the information. His phone buzzed.

      “Yes?”

      “Sir, there is a Victoria McCallan to see you. She has no appointment but insists it’s very important.”

      Qadir’s male assistant didn’t sound convinced of the fact. Qadir hesitated. Victoria was Nadim’s secretary. Why would she need to come here? Still, the woman had never bothered him before. He could afford to give her a few minutes of his time.

      “Send her in.”

      Seconds later an attractive blonde walked into his office. “Thank you for seeing me, Prince Qadir. I know you’re busy.”

      He offered her a seat, but she shook her head. “I prefer to stand.”

      He rose, as well. Interesting. “How may I assist you?”

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