The Sheikh's Stolen Lover - A Second Chance Sweet Romance (The Sheikh's New Bride Book 5)

by Holly Rayner

  And, if she was tied to that location, she might not want him pushing her somewhere else. He needed to know more about her and her business for that plan of action to work.

  The server quietly set the crystal tumbler on the table and nodded to Khizar. Khizar nodded back and picked up the glass, then sipped the whiskey and thought some more.

  He was definitely seeing her tomorrow. It was a chance to impress her again, and maybe their conversation would give him a clue of something he could use. He needed her to open up about her great-uncle, but he couldn’t just ask her outright.

  Perhaps if he talked more about his jewelry business and his mines, she might bring Bill up as a connection. Or he could “discover” the connection later on, once she trusted him more. But he needed a reason to spend additional time with her.

  Loud voices carried from the bar, cutting across the room, and Khizar looked up to see a couple with their arms looped about each other walking up to the bartender. She tenderly laid a hand on his chest as she shushed him, and he laughed and said he didn’t care who knew she was going to be his wife.

  The bartender asked if they had just gotten engaged, and the woman proudly displayed her left hand. He shook both their hands across the bar, and then poured two glasses of champagne for them. The couple sat cuddled together at the end of the bar, leaning in to each other, oblivious to the world around them.

  Khizar took another drink and watched the couple. Marriage was something he expected he’d have to have some day. Hopefully, someday far into the future.

  His parents were hinting that they’d like to see a wedding, and his uncle was supportive of that idea as well. But Khizar wasn’t in any rush, as desirable as the happy couple at the bar made it look.

  Khizar wondered if Jacqui was dating anyone. Nothing had appeared in the pictures on her social media accounts, and James hadn’t found any romantic entanglements. Certainly, she hadn’t mentioned a boyfriend during their dinner.

  He didn’t think she would have accepted a dinner invitation if she was seeing someone. And she was definitely attracted to him. She was guarded, and he could see that she didn’t open up to a lot of people. However, in the short time they’d known each other, she apparently had decided he was someone she could trust.

  Perhaps he could use that. He would be smitten with her, and extend his business in Milwaukee. Dating Jacqui would give him a reason to spend more time with her.

  Spending more time with her wouldn’t be a bad thing. Khizar thought about her smile and the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. He liked making her smile, and he felt like he was doing something good when he made her laugh.

  The couple at the bar finished their champagne and left, still twined around each other. Watching them, Khizar had a moment of inspiration.

  If Jacqui was his fiancée, she would definitely tell him more about her family. Even if she didn’t, an engagement would give him an opening to ask, under the guise of who they needed to invite to the wedding.

  It would also give him a reason to take her to Nudushan if that was necessary—he was certain Bill hadn’t hidden the diamond in the mine, but given how much time Bill had spent in his country, Khizar thought it might still be there somewhere.

  They wouldn’t actually get married, of course. Their relationship would only last a few weeks, a couple of months at the most. He would find a reason to stay in Milwaukee, impress her with elaborate dates, and then propose. He would sweep her off her feet.

  He felt somewhat bad about the potential for breaking her heart, but he’d show her the time of her life in the meantime and give her a few weeks to remember. He’d treat her with respect and affection, and shower her with presents.

  In the end, he could let her down easy. Perhaps he could note that their worlds were too different and she wouldn’t be happy so far from her home. Khizar was sure he could find a way to lessen the blow when the time came.

  And, he could still figure out a way to save her business. He would buy the diamond from her, even if it wasn’t clearly in her possession. The money meant nothing to him, but it would be everything to her. It would provide financial security, letting her bolster her business or move it to a better location. She could expand and hire more staff, and do some better marketing. It would be enough to keep her business stable for years.

  Buying the diamond from her would make up for this early deception. He would make sure, one way or another, that she had everything she needed when he returned to his regular life.

  Khizar looked at his plan from all angles. He didn’t want to risk caring about her too much. As lovely as Jacqui was, she wasn’t his reason for being here. He liked her enough to want her to succeed, and he would ensure that happened. He could play the interested suitor, show her a romantic time, but he wouldn’t run the risk of losing his heart.

  This was the best plan. Before he knew it, he’d have Bill Bauer’s diamond, whatever he had to do to get it.

  Chapter 4

  Jacqui

  All next morning, Jacqui couldn’t stop thinking about Khizar. She was so distracted, she left the sugar out of a batch of cookies and the baking powder out of a cake. Finally, after giving herself a stern talking-to, she finished the day’s baking with no more mishaps.

  For heaven’s sake, it had just been a friendly dinner last night. The same would be true for lunch today. They’d got along well during their charitable outing, and since Khizar didn’t know anyone in the city, he was probably just a little lonely. Or, mostly, she guessed, he was just being nice.

  True to his word, Khizar parked in front of the bakery at exactly two o’clock. Jacqui looked out the window, suddenly a little nervous. But when Khizar walked through the door and smiled at her, that nervousness disappeared.

  Jacqui could feel Lyssa’s raised eyebrows from behind her. Lyssa had come in around 11, and Jacqui had welcomed the distraction. She’d shared the story of Khizar buying out the bakery and giving everything away, but she hadn’t mentioned that the mysterious sheikh was planning to come by the bakery again.

  Jacqui greeted him, sounding jauntier than she felt.

  “If you’re looking to buy us out again, I’m afraid it was a good day and we don’t have much left.”

  Khizar laughed. “Well, then, my plan of lunching on cakes and cookies is a nonstarter. I guess we’ll have to go out somewhere.”

  Lyssa stepped up next to Jacqui and bumped her arm. Jacqui tilted her head toward the younger woman.

  “Khizar, this is Lyssa. She is my most indispensable employee.”

  Lyssa snorted. “I’m her only employee.”

  Khizar bowed a little in Lyssa’s direction.

  “It’s an honor to meet you, Lyssa.”

  “Likewise,” Lyssa said. “So, you’re taking my boss out for a lunch date?”

  Jacqui started to explain, but Khizar just nodded.

  “Excellent.” She pushed Jacqui around the counter. “Go. Enjoy lunch.”

  Jacqui laughed. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  Lyssa tilted her head and thought about it.

  “Yes. Without you here, I’m planning on using the next hour or so to start my plan for world domination through baked goods.”

  Khizar raised a hand. “You have my support.”

  “Thank you, Khizar.” Lyssa held her hand out for Jacqui’s apron. Jacqui shook her head, but untied her apron, slid it over her head, and handed it to Lyssa all the same.

  Once in Khizar’s car, Jacqui asked, “So, what would you like to do for lunch?”

  “I was thinking, if it’s okay with you, of eating down by the water.”

  Jacqui nodded. “There are some great places there. Sounds good to me.”

  “I asked around for a recommendation, and this seemed to be everyone’s favorite.”

  “How’s your work going?”

  “Fine. Boring meetings and too much talk about spreadsheets and financial statements.”

  “Who are you meeting with? I wou
ld think talking about precious gems and jewelry would be fascinating.”

  “Oh, it is. But it’s more the business side that I’m focusing on right now. I’m looking to expand our jewelry line here in the States.”

  “You don’t sell here now?”

  “In places like Los Angeles and Manhattan, yes. But I think it’s worth pursuing other market opportunities.”

  The car stopped in front of a restaurant. Khizar parallel parked on the street and went around to open Jacqui’s door.

  “This is a great place,” she said, stepping out onto the sidewalk. “I didn’t know it was open for lunch.”

  Khizar led her up the sidewalk and to the front door. “It’s not, but I convinced them this was a special occasion.”

  Jacqui’s head whipped around to stare at him just as a man opened the door and welcomed them.

  “Sheikh Jamshidi, Ms. Bauer; right this way, please. We’re so happy to have you dine with us today.”

  He directed them to a door leading out onto the restaurant deck, where a table had been set up with a perfect view of Lake Michigan.

  Khizar held Jacqui’s chair for her, and then sat in his own. Jacqui still wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but she was willing to roll with it.

  Their host waited until they were settled and said, “The chef is preparing his specialties for you, but if there’s something in particular you’d like, I’ll ask him to fix that instead. Ms. Bauer, do you have any food allergies or sensitivities the chef should avoid?”

  Jacqui shook her head. “No, but thank you for checking.”

  The host nodded genially. “I’ll bring some water and iced tea out for you, and if you’d like coffee, please just let me know.”

  He stepped away and Jacqui looked around. They were they only people on the deck, and Jacqui hadn’t seen anyone else in the restaurant. She looked back at Khizar, who was watching her closely.

  “I would have been fine with brats from one of the food trucks,” she said.

  Khizar laughed. “I know, which is why I wanted to do something special.”

  “You didn’t have to, really.”

  He leaned forward.

  “Jacqui, I don’t have anyone to spoil, and I have money to burn. I’m not sure how long I’m going to be in town, and you are without a doubt far more interesting that the people I’m spending the bulk of my time with. I’m being purely selfish by wanting to spend more time with you and wanting to use that time to show you the finer things in life.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him, and he put a hand on his chest.

  “On my honor, spending time with me comes with no strings attached. I will completely understand if you’d prefer not to.”

  Jacqui studied him for a moment. She wanted to spend time with him. He was charming and handsome and so much fun. She was terribly attracted to him, and although she knew there wasn’t even a remote chance of a long-term relationship, she wouldn’t mind cultivating a friendship. A flirtatious friendship, maybe, but a friendship just the same.

  “You don’t have to spoil me to spend time with me,” she answered finally.

  It was a good thing she was sitting down, since his answering grin made her legs feel wobbly.

  “No. Getting to spoil you is a benefit in its own right.”

  Jacqui rolled her eyes, but smiled. “Fine.”

  A server brought glasses to the table, and those were soon followed by small plates of a green salad, then main dishes of seafood pasta. The duo chatted throughout the meal, laughing and telling childhood stories.

  When Khizar dropped Jacqui off at the bakery an hour later, he asked if he could take her to dinner that night.

  “I wish I could, but I’ve got plans tonight. There’s a children’s home in town, and I teach baking classes for the kids there. We make a mess more than anything, but it’s fun for the kids.”

  “And for you, too, I imagine. Is this the children’s home you spent time in?”

  “No,” Jacqui said and shook her head. “But it is why spending time with these kids is important to me.”

  “Of course. Dinner tomorrow night, then?”

  She smiled at him. “Yes, I’d like that. Should I meet you somewhere?”

  “I’ll pick you up.”

  Jacqui gave him her address, and after agreeing on a time, she slipped out of the car before he could come around and open her door for her.

  That night, Jacqui arrived back home after her visit to the children’s home. The manager of her apartment building was going out of the front door as Jacqui was coming in.

  “Jacqui! There was a large delivery for you earlier. I had them go ahead and put it in your apartment, but I was there the whole time.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Thompson!” Jacqui called as the other woman headed out.

  She wasn’t sure what had been delivered, but it was probably something from her parents. They occasionally found something they insisted she needed, and instead of asking, would just send it to her.

  Jacqui had no idea what large object they’d found, but it was something she’d love. Probably.

  She unlocked her door, pushed it open, and tossed her keys on the bookcase in the entryway as she walked in. The first thing she noticed was that her apartment smelled different.

  She flipped on a light and gasped. Every flat surface of her apartment seemed like it was covered in flowers. There were daffodils and carnations and lilies and freesias—the only thing she didn’t see were roses.

  Jacqui automatically knew, of course, who had sent the flowers. And, sure enough, an especially lovely bouquet in the middle of the room carried a card which read:

  I hope these flowers brighten your evening the way you brightened my day. Deepest regards, Khizar

  Jacqui sighed. The man knew how to make a girl swoon, that much was certain.

  Early the next morning, Jacqui carried several of the flower arrangements into the bakery. They made the small space look especially cheerful, and made her smile all morning.

  The bakery had an unusual amount of traffic that morning, too. New customers wandered in, looking around like they couldn’t quite believe they were there. Each of them ordered several items, and some of them stayed to eat at the tables.

  Jacqui stayed busy all morning. A few of the customers came back to the counter and ordered a dozen pastries or a whole cake to take back to their offices. It was definitely the best morning for the business in a while.

  Around ten that morning, in a lull in the unusual rush, the door opened and Jacqui looked up to see several suited men enter the bakery.

  “Gentlemen, I promise that once you try Ms. Bauer’s cakes, you won’t want to eat any other kind of dessert. Please, indulge yourselves.”

  Khizar stood back and watched as the group deliberated over what to purchase. He encouraged them to get several different items, and waited patiently as each man ordered.

  Jacqui hurried to pull things out of the case and box them up, taking extra care so that the packaging looked nice.

  Once each man had received his order and paid, Khizar walked up to the counter and winked at Jacqui.

  “I’d like three dozen brownies and a slice of whatever cake you like best today, please.”

  She raised her eyebrows, but put the order together. When he pulled out his wallet to pay, Jacqui tried to wave him off, but he laid a hand over hers and shook his head.

  “No argument. I think these things are worth twice what you charge. And I’m learning that the promise of bringing brownies into a jewelry shop I want to negotiate with is an excellent ice-breaker.”

  Jacqui laughed. “So that’s what you’re doing with all these?”

  He waved a hand toward the group of men. “For that matter, it also works with taking the jewelers to the bakery.”

  “I’ll have to remember that tactic next time I want something from the bank,” she said, shaking her head.

  She put the cash in the register and handed him the boxes of brownies and
the smaller box with the slice of cake.

  Jacqui bit her lower lip and finally said, “Thank you. For the flowers. They are absolutely lovely.”

  “Not as lovely as you. I am delighted you are enjoying them,” he replied, looking around at the flowers she’d brought in.

  Jacqui felt herself blushing, but before she could say anything else, Khizar asked, “Still up for dinner tonight?”

  “Definitely,” she said, smiling at him.

  “Fair warning, there’s a chance it will be someplace fancy.”

  Jacqui tried not to giggle. “Thanks for the heads up.”

  He grinned at her again as he walked backwards towards the door, following his little group of businessmen out the door.

  When the knock sounded on her door, Jacqui smoothed her hair and her dress one more time and went to open it.

  Khizar seemed a little stunned; at least, he didn’t speak for a full ten seconds. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, “You look stunning.”

  “Thank you,” Jacqui said, pleased.

  She’d pulled out one of her favorite dresses, a deep burgundy sheath with a scoop neck and lace overlay. The elbow-length sleeves fell in wide bells around her arms. Jacqui had always felt like a princess in this dress.

  Khizar shook himself and held out an arm. “Shall we go?”

  Jacqui picked up a wrap and her purse, and turned off the lights. She closed and locked the door, then took his arm.

  “Where are we off to?”

  “It’s a surprise,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

  When they got downstairs, Jacqui was looking for Khizar’s rental car, but she didn’t see it. What she did see sitting in front of her building was a limo. Well, more a town car than a stretch limo, but given that Jacqui had never ridden in either, it didn’t matter.

  She looked at Khizar in question and he held the door open for her.