SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance (2 page)

“Some guy… Sheikh something… from Infinity Investments.”

Sasha’s jaw dropped one more time and she looked to Bev, who was wide eyed and staring at her, waiting for instruction.

What was that guy doing there? Hadn’t he heard that she had rejected the offer?

“Do you want me to tell them to come back later, or schedule an appointment?” the receptionist asked, desperation sounding out in her voice.

“If you could guide them to Conference Room B, I’ll be in there shortly,” Sasha said.

The receptionist left and everyone was looking at her expectantly, wondering what was going on.

“I’m sorry; I’ll have to cut this meeting short, but we’ve covered the basics and I think the updated plan that you suggested Benjamin is worth a try. Pursue that. Daily updates and full time attention to it, okay?”

“Okay,” he replied, looking to the rest of his team, who all nodded their heads in agreement, as well. Everyone was intrigued, but no one was going to get any details, most certainly. It was obvious that the name had rang a bell. And had they all heard the receptionist say, “sheikh”?

“Great. Thanks everyone.” She got up and walked out of the conference room, veering to the right and going into the restroom.

Once in there and away from prying eyes, she breathed in and stared at herself in the mirror. Her heart was racing and she was a bit ticked off by the sudden invasion from the guy—how rude. Who did he think he was? According to what the receptionist believed she’d heard, he was a sheikh. Obviously, she’d misunderstood. There was no way…was there?

Then she looked at her appearance, tousling her wavy side ponytail, and flattening her white blouse and making sure it was evenly tucked into her grey pencil skirt. Why did it matter? She didn’t know, but the man was good looking and he’d rattled her. His presence was disturbing and she didn’t get it. That type of reaction was unfamiliar territory and she didn’t know how to process it, but she’d never find out if she didn’t get out of the bathroom and go into Conference Room B to talk to him and his posse of men, all older than him and very serious looking. So that’s what she did. Fearless. Bold. Determined. She marched to the conference room, took a last deep breath, and entered in.

She saw the six men, all standing there and refusing to sit. Each held a bottle of water and their eyes all traveled to her, apprising her as an adversary more than anything, or at least that’s how it felt.

“Gentlemen, hello, I apologize for being caught off guard. I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

“Pardon me for arriving unannounced; I felt it was best,” Ravi said.

She looked at him and tried to assess him aside from his good looks. He was a tough read.

He walked over to her and extended his hand. “I am Sheikh Ravi Kapoor, the CEO of Infinity Investments.”

She had no poker face or chance to pretend that meant nothing, because she remembered the name well.

“I see that you are familiar with the name.”

“Indeed, the name Infinity Investments has been brought to my attention recently. I’m Sasha Mason, CEO of Mason Technologies.” She mirrored his words and met him eye to eye, steel blue against deep brown.

“Your company is quite impressive. Would you mind giving my associates and I a tour of the premises?”

She glanced at the men, who clearly weren’t going to be introduced. “If you schedule with Bev, my secretary, I’ll be glad to schedule that in.”

“How about now?” he asked.

“Now doesn’t work.” She wasn’t willing to be forced into submission by his invasion, which had now officially been deemed rude.

Their eyes locked and they were in a stare-off of sorts, a battle of wills, neither wanting to back away first.

While still looking at him, Sasha asked, “What is it that you want, exactly? I turned your offer down and I meant that. You being here is not going to change my mind.”

“Perhaps. Join me for dinner tonight.”

“Excuse me?”

“Please, join me for dinner this evening.”

“Six against one, I’m not afraid of those odds.” She smiled. Her business was one that was mostly run by men and she’d always managed to fare well despite that, never feeling like there was anything that could hold her back. So, bring it on.

“Well, it would be one against one, actually. As you’ll take note, I said ‘me’, not ‘we’.”

One against one, that wasn’t as comfortable for her. She resisted the urge to gulp. “I only have about an hour; would that be enough?”

“Perhaps. I’m staying at the Ritz Carlton. Meet me at Per Se, 7 PM. Does that work?”

“I’ll have to check my schedule.” She could have palm heeled her forehead for saying that, because it was ridiculous. She knew her schedule all of the time, a wonderful benefit of a photographic memory. “If you’ll give me a minute.”

She walked out of the conference room and over to Bev, who had just returned to her desk, and mouthed, “This is insane.”

She mouthed back. “He is gorgeous.” The she raised her eyebrows.

“That’s the problem. He knows it all too well. I can’t stand that type of man.”

Then she walked back into the conference room, “7 PM should be fine, but if you don’t have reservations, you may have to choose another place.”

“I am certain I’ll be able to get a table.” His voice was calm and assured.

“Sheikh power, huh?” Her response was laden with sarcasm that was neither subtle nor hidden.

“Perhaps.”

If he said perhaps one more time she thought she might belt out a loud scream like she was a banshee. But darn, if he didn’t look confident, poised, and completely and utterly masculine in how he said it, though.

After he finally left with his entourage, she went out to Bev. “Google Sheikh Ravi Kapoor for me. Let’s find out everything there is to know about this guy.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Bev gave her a sailor salute and then got to clicking on her keyboard.

“He’s just as good looking in pictures as he is in person, Sasha.”

“I want the details of the man. Something to distract me from those good looks, maybe even something that makes him downright ugly and unattractive.”

Bev shook her head. “Sometimes you just have to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Not this time.”

“Okay, here’s something. He’s a known playboy, a technology lover, known for having the best of the best.”

“Not atypical of a gazillionaire.”

“Not quite there, but he’s a billionaire…lots of billions.”

“Explains the casual offer. The money really meant nothing to him, which means that all of you likely wouldn’t either. I made the right call.”

“So, should I cancel your dinner?” Bev’s snarky grin showed that she was teasing Sasha.

“You’re so naughty. Behave or you’ll be the first to go.” Then she winked and walked away.

***

Ravi personally made a few calls to ensure that he could have a reservation for two at Per Se for 7 PM that evening. His request of a private table for two in the corner, with a view to the outside and the fountain in the park down below was granted. This was no surprise to him, of course, because when you wanted something you simply needed the intelligence and clout to ask for it in a way where saying “no” was not an option. By veering from that strategy, he’d fallen short in his pursuit of Mason Technologies; he’d trusted an attorney over his ability to negotiate the deals he wanted and on the terms he wanted them. But now, on the other side of his negotiations was a woman who had a face and some spirit, and how lovely she wore them both. Her intelligence and vibrancy drew him in, reminding him of how exhilarating it could be to feel the adventure of pursuit. He’d get that company, of that he had no doubt, and maybe she’d be the sweet perk he hadn’t anticipated. A wonderful night to seal the deal before he made his way back to Dubai.

As he walked into the restaurant, alone and without his entourage, which was what he preferred more often than not, he walked up to the maitre de and they seemed to just know who he was without him needing to state it. Perfect.

“I’ll take you over to your table, Sheikh. Your dining companion hasn’t arrived yet, but as soon as she does, we’ll bring her right over.”

“Thank you.”

They walked to the table and he looked at it, then to the table next to it. “Those flowers on this table, please.” He pointed and his request was fulfilled, no questions asked.

Then he sat down, ordered a martini, and waited. He glanced down at his watch. It was 6:55 PM. Would she be prompt or one of those people who kept him waiting? And if she did, he wondered if that was her idea of a power play or simply just poor time management. In the end, it mattered not, because five minutes passed by quickly and she entered the room at 7 PM precisely. He didn’t even need to turn around to know that she was there; he sensed her presence.

“Good evening,” she said to him, his back still to her.

He stood up right away and took in her beautiful sight and smiled. “Good evening, Ms. Mason.”

“Sasha, please.”

He repeated her name and the way it rolled off his tongue was all the confirmation that she needed to see that he was indeed a playboy, and a masterful one at that. Well, she wasn’t so bad at that game, herself, although she’d never played it in business. But this…this was fun. He wanted something from her and she’d be the naiveté woman to him, an illusion that would bring her a little fodder in her crazy, hectic life.

“Please, sit down.” He pressed his hand on the small of her back.

Inside she jolted.

“Thank you,” she said. After seated she ordered a Malbec from the waitress, who’d silently showed up, like a whisper in the wind.

“I’ll admit that I don’t know if I should call you sheikh or Ravi.”

“What would you prefer?”

“Ravi, I think. After all, we’re all more than just our titles alone, right?”

“Perhaps.”

Her smile was plastered and she refused to show her irritation at that answer.

“Have you dined here before, Sasha?”

“No, I’ve heard wonderful things, of course.”

“Well, we’ll both be experiencing it for the first time together.”

His hand extended out, and she noticed the deep sapphire cufflinks on his light blue silk shirt. Very eloquent and the color made him seem softer, less daunting than he’d looked earlier in his black suit with silver shirt and tie.

“You look lovely this evening.” He glanced at her, his eyes lingering on her neckline, which was a V-line, not too deep, but deep enough to catch the eye. Her dress was black and simple, with bits of black stitching adding some dimension and character, while remaining classically eloquent. It was her taking care of business dress, as she liked to call it. She smiled.

“What’s amusing you?” He watched the curve of her lips and felt compelled to reach forward and kiss them, but sensed that would go over like a lead balloon. If needed patience, he’d find it. In this situation, it may well be worth it.

“Just that I’m here, in front of you, trying to figure out what your angle is.”

“Why do I have to have an angle? You’re a beautiful woman and a business woman, I’m a business man. Having dinner makes great sense.”

“For the hour you have me.” She chuckled softly and bit her lip. If anything, she was able to laugh at herself when she knew she said something that was truly unrealistic. Getting in and out of this meal in an hour was definitely not a hope based in reality. Plus, her legs felt surprisingly weak, making it unlikely that she could easily get up and walk out without showing her weakness. Was it his presence or his offer that made her feel that way? She suspected that it was both.

“I’ll just wish that times goes by slower than it ever has before.”

“Can I be forthright with you, Ravi?”

“I expect nothing less from you, or anyone.”

“Why did you set your sights on Mason Technologies?”

“Well, I am a fan of drones, they appeal to the playful side of me and the business side, as well. In the States there is a drone racing league starting and I see how that would catch on and become an international trend, one that I’d like to get in on. I want to offer the drones and create the events.”

“And that’s the best use of your time?”

“It’s one use of my time.”

“Well, I mostly work with government contractors with my drones, a considerably different beast with different connections and processes than that of someone who is interested in commercial drones for civilian use.”

“The process is compatible. I’ve researched it.”

“You still didn’t answer, how did you come to want to purchase
my
company?”

“The numbers added up and it had the best appeal to me. I had no idea who you were, personally, as your face didn’t matter as much as what your business provided.”

“My face?” She was surprised at the unusual statement. “Does my face matter now?”

“Well, it’s lovely, for certain. I’m sure you are aware of that, though, and that your looks have gotten you many opportunities in life.”

She was officially offended, but not willing to give him the pleasure of showing that the barb had ticked her off. She inhaled deeply and took a sip of her wine, giving herself those valuable seconds to recompose herself.

“Surely you are not suggesting that my looks has played a larger role than my intelligence in my success?”

“I said no such thing.”

“It would be easy to assume, I suppose, as I’m sure you can relate, having looks yourself and an endless supply of money to spend however you so choose.”

“Are you suggesting that I’m frivolous to the value of money?”

“Perhaps.” Yes, she was able to say that back. It felt good, too.

“I assure you, I am not. I love money, therefore I don’t hand it away on what I don’t think is valuable.”

“Why overpay for my company then, compared to starting your own and bringing on qualified people?”

“It already exists and serves my purposes. Why reinvent what I can buy?”

“But knowing that I’m not for sale—” She paused. Wrong choice of words. “—that my business isn’t for sale, why fly over here and waste your time, money, and resources? I’m not going to change my mind.”