Baby Maker - A Secret Baby Sports Star Romance

by Rayner, Holly

  “So, you must have some questions about our trip,” he said.

  Nicole nodded. She was practically bubbling over with questions, and had been waiting for just such an opening.

  “Yes. For one, I only packed for a few days. Do you think we’ll be away any longer than that?”

  Kadeen shook his head, taking another sip of his drink. “I don’t think so. I should likely have been more open with you about this assignment before we left, but I didn’t want Imogen to find a way to sneak herself a seat.”

  Nicole lifted an eyebrow at the comment, but Kadeen dropped the topic as he continued.

  “The truth is, the piece we’re tracking down is beyond special. If it is what they say, it will be the biggest find of my career.”

  Nicole’s eyes widened at that admission. No wonder Kadeen had said he was willing to pay whatever it took—though if that were the case, how much would the company sell it off for?

  Kadeen leaned in, and Nicole caught a whiff of his aftershave, which made her feel just a tad lightheaded. She gave her head a gentle shake, fighting to stay focused.

  “The painting is called Portrait of a Princess, and it is vitally important to the history of my country. It has been lost for decades, but we might be the ones to uncover it.”

  “How did it get lost?” Nicole asked.

  Kadeen finished his drink and poured himself another before he spoke again. “Many years ago, there was a great war between Al Qazar and one of our neighboring countries. We won, in the end, but many works of art were stolen during the fighting. Homes and palaces were invaded; anyone could have taken them—servants on the run, the invaders themselves, anyone.”

  “Do you have any idea who the culprit could have been?”

  “After all this time? No. But I don’t care. All I care about is that we find the painting and restore it to its former glory.”

  “What do you mean, restore it?”

  “Ah, that’s where you come in, my dear conservator. When I was informed that the piece had been found, they told me that it appeared to be damaged. That is why it made far more sense for me to bring you rather than Imogen. You can get to work on it right away to assess how much work will need to be done, and how it should best be transported. Imogen would not have been much help in that arena.”

  Nicole suppressed the rush of pleasure she felt at being chosen over Imogen. Still, it was nice to see that he valued her input.

  “I’m happy to help, especially if it means restoring a piece of lost treasure.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Of course, I’m paying you fairly handsomely to do this job, anyway, so there’s no need to get all noble about it.”

  “Why not? I enjoy being noble.”

  “Do you?” he asked, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifting.

  He was far too perfect for her own good.

  Nicole realized in that moment how good it was that she wasn’t drinking. The plane was far too intimate and comfortable. The only other person around was the pilot, and he was rather too busy flying the plane to take any notice of what may or may not be happening in the main cabin.

  “Of course I do,” she answered, after a moment. “Don’t you?”

  It was a loaded question. Kadeen had a reputation for being a ne’er-do-well playboy with a love of fast cars and faster women.

  Kadeen chuckled, stirring his drink as he considered his answer. “I think I aspire to be noble. There are simply far too many distractions to keep me honest.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a choice, more than a fated decision?”

  “Oh, absolutely. I chose to move to New York when I saw the kind of life I could have there. I have no regrets about that decision.”

  “Don’t you ever miss home?”

  Kadeen’s expression turned thoughtful. “Sometimes, in the winter when it gets especially cold. I miss the heat. I miss the food, certainly, but New York has enough to placate me in that arena.”

  “What about your mom’s cooking?” Nicole asked, and Kadeen laughed.

  “Nicole, I’m a sheikh. My cousin is the king. Any food I ate back home was prepared by a team of private chefs.”

  “You’re the King’s cousin?” Nicole asked, awestruck.

  She had known that Kadeen was kind of a big deal on the New York social scene, but she had no idea that he was basically royalty. She wasn’t sure if that made her like him more or less. How could she relate to someone from such a hugely different background?

  “I am, though it’s really no big deal. With the amount of wealth I’ve amassed on my own, I’m basically New York royalty now, and there are far fewer rules and regulations there.”

  “So I imagine. Still, you never had like a sweet treat that your mom would give you when you’d been good?”

  “Of course I had sweets, Nicole. I’m not that out of touch with the world,” he said, and the corner of his lip was dancing again as though he wanted to smile. “My parents were fine people who did the best they could, given our circumstances. There are certain expectations for an upbringing where I’m from, and that goes beyond childhood,” he said, and his expression darkened for a moment before he leaned back into his seat and closed his eyes.

  “Now, we’ve got a lengthy journey ahead of us, and the time difference is going to completely throw you off. I recommend you get some sleep now, so we can balance it out upon our arrival, but feel free to watch TV if you find you can’t drift off.”

  “You can fall asleep, just like that?” Nicole asked. While she was a deep sleeper, once she was awake, there was no sleeping anywhere.

  Kadeen gestured to his drink, which was now little more than ice cubes, before placing it back on the bar. “That’s what the vodka is for,” he said, pressing a button to move his chair into a horizontal position.

  Before Nicole could even respond, the Sheikh began lightly snoring. Somehow, he even managed to make that look attractive.

  Nicole indulged herself, staring at his impeccably set features and the peaceful expression he wore in his sleep before she got up and figured out how to work the television.

  Kadeen wasn’t wrong—it was certainly going to be a long journey.

  ***

  A few hours later, Kadeen woke up from his nap and engaged Nicole in conversation once again. They discussed the hotel arrangements and what he had planned for them to do during their stay.

  “So we can probably get a bit of rest after we land, but I would like to get moving as soon as possible after that. This painting has waited long enough. I can’t stand the thought of waiting any longer that we must to procure it.”

  “I completely understand,” Nicole said. “I can’t wait to see it, no matter what condition it’s in.”

  “Do you think you’ll be able to fix it?” Kadeen asked, his eyes filled with uncharacteristic trepidation.

  Nicole gently shrugged her shoulders. “I can’t be sure, without seeing it. But I promise you I will do my best.”

  Kadeen’s hand twitched, as though he had nearly reached out to cover her own hand with his, but thought the better of it. Nicole figured she was imagining things, and dismissed the thought.

  “Thank you, Nicole. You really are one of the best investments I’ve ever made.”

  “When you put it like that, you make me sound like something you bought at an auction.”

  Kadeen laughed, and Nicole realized that she had rarely heard him do so back at the office, if ever. She liked the sound of it: deep, yet clear.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I often think of things in terms of business, which can get me into trouble at times.”

  Nicole grinned. She liked this version of Kadeen, outside of work. It was the most laidback and relaxed she had ever seen him, even with a vitally important piece of work on the line.

  “Fair enough,” she said. “I’m all right with being considered a good investment, so long as you remember that investing in people is the smartest thing an employer can do.”

>   “And don’t I know it,” Kadeen agreed. “I have to say, Nicole, I’m very much looking forward to getting to know my newest investment a little better while we’re here.”

  Nicole blushed at the possible double meaning of that statement. Still, she had no reason to believe that Kadeen meant anything by it, outside of professional curiosity.

  She glanced out her window to avoid the heat in her boss’ dark eyes, the better to keep herself from imagining things that weren’t there, and was surprised to see land approaching in the distance.

  The pilot’s voice came over the intercom, informing them that they would be landing in Al Qazar’s capital city in fifteen minutes, and Nicole watched in awe as the sprawling city came into view. Kadeen told her the city was called Balahai, which, in her mind, was a perfect fit for the eclectic mix of old and new world that was the city. Ancient structures were visible between towering corporate buildings, living in seemingly perfect harmony. Nicole’s fingers itched to touch whatever art was hiding inside the older buildings, and she made a mental note to try to do some sightseeing while she was there, if they had the time.

  They landed smoothly on another private runway and taxied to a halt, Nicole and Kadeen grabbing their bags before exiting the plane.

  Nicole stepped outside and took a deep breath of warm desert air. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before, and, coming from the colder climes of New York, she felt extra appreciative of the rays of sunlight dancing across her face.

  Another limo was waiting for them on the tarmac, and the driver was quick to take their bags and open the door for them to slide inside. Kadeen allowed Nicole to step in first, and she plopped onto the seat just before he scooted in next to her, their legs barely touching.

  Even the smallest touch from him set all her nerves aflame. Nicole scooted over a little to avoid it, and save her sanity, and she stifled a yawn as the car pulled out of the airport and onto a wide open highway.

  “I told you that you should sleep,” Kadeen said, casting her a sideways glance.

  “I couldn’t help it,” she yawned, stretching. She could really use a hot shower, though she feared that that would simply have her falling asleep all the sooner.

  “It’s all right. I built time for this into our agenda. Once we get to the hotel, you can get some rest.”

  “Thank you,” Nicole said, fighting the urge to rest her head on his broad shoulder and fall asleep right there. It was the most comfortable-looking shoulder she had ever had the pleasure of viewing.

  Nicole held back a few more yawns before the limo arrived at a huge, whitewashed building. The hotel was obviously the best that Balahai had to offer, if not the entire country. The first story was made entirely of elaborate archways, and many people were taking refuge from the heat in the shade beneath those openings. The building rose hundreds of feet into the air, ending in a golden dome.

  It was by far one of the most beautiful buildings Nicole had ever seen.

  The limo pulled up to the front, and the driver exited to let them out. By the time Nicole was on the front steps, her suitcase was being handled by a bellboy. Kadeen led the way to the front desk, where a concierge checked them both in to separate rooms.

  As they made their way to the elevator, Nicole caught Kadeen yawning.

  “Aha! You’re just as tired as I am, admit it,” she cried, and Kadeen glanced down at her, his expression guilty.

  After seeing only the business side of him, Nicole loved seeing just how dynamic her boss really was. It wasn’t helping the butterfly situation in her belly, however, and that alone was a reminder to quell any thoughts outside of the painting they had come here to buy.

  “I require a decent amount of sleep to function at my best,” he admitted as the elevator door opened and they stepped inside.

  Their rooms were on the twelfth floor, and Kadeen pressed the button before they jetted upward.

  “That’s not what I hear,” Nicole said, and instantly regretted it.

  Kadeen looked down at her sharply. “Oh really? And what is it that you hear, exactly? I’d love to know your sources, while you’re at it.”

  Knowing she’d crossed a line, Nicole tried to think of a way to backtrack, and couldn’t find one. She shrugged, nonchalant. “You have to know you have a reputation as someone who parties hard, yet every time I arrive at the studio you’re already there and working away. How do you manage to do both if you need so much rest?”

  “Perhaps I don’t enjoy partying as the papers like to make out,” he said, looking away from Nicole, at his reflection in the elevator door. “They never report when I leave the party, do they? They simply notice that I arrive, that I generally have company with me, and that that company usually happens to be a woman. Honestly, Nicole, I thought you’d have a bit more consideration for journalistic integrity.”

  Nicole wished that the ground could swallow her up as they reached their floor and the doors opened. They walked in silence until they reached her room. She slid her key card in and opened the door, but paused before stepping inside.

  “Kadeen?”

  “Yes?” he replied.

  There were small circles developing under his eyes. They in no way diminished how handsome he was—especially with a five o’clock shadow clinging to his flawless chin. Nicole felt an urge to run her fingers along it, so she tucked her hands behind her back.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t meant to offend you. I’m sure the papers are full of garbage, anyway, and you deserve to live a life free of whatever opinions they feel like putting out about you.”

  Kadeen stared at her for a moment, his eyes probing hers. She was so tempted to look away, lest he see anything there she didn’t want him to, but she held his gaze.

  “Thank you, Nicole. I appreciate that. Now, get some sleep. I’ll wake you when it’s time to head out.”

  “You, too,” she said, watching him turn and head down the hallway, approaching his own room.

  Before her boss could catch her staring, Nicole closed the door and turned to face her hotel room. It was stunning. There was a balcony overlooking the ocean, which glistened under the bright Middle-Eastern sun. The city on the other side was just as dazzling, and that was just the view. The inside of the room was colorful, the walls painted in stripes of red and cream. There were several pictures that looked expensive, though at second glance Nicole was able to discern that they were duplicates.

  She found her bag waiting for her in the corner of the room, and she pulled her toothbrush from her purse as well as some comfortable clothing to sleep in. Exhausted, and unable to do more than brush her teeth, she plopped onto her bed and fell to sleep instantly.

  SIX

  Kadeen

  Kadeen stared out at his hometown.

  He sat on the balcony of his hotel room, sipping on a drink from the mini bar, his mind racing. He pulled out his phone and stared at it, considering his options.

  When Kadeen had left Al Qazar, it hadn’t exactly been under the best of circumstances. His parents had been constantly on his back about getting married, which was something he in no way was ready to do.

  Still, Kadeen had agreed to their terms before fleeing the country for New York, where he had gotten to live out all of his fantasies and enjoy the life he had desired so much more than the one that would be waiting for him upon his return.

  He thought about Nicole’s comment, about him having a reputation. Normally something like that wouldn’t bother him, but coming from Nicole’s lips—Nicole’s perfect, kissable lips—he found he didn’t like the assumptions she had clearly come to.

  Kadeen tried to tell himself that he was being a fool. Nicole was beautiful, of course, but she was also one of the most talented conservators in her field. She was too modest to admit how good she really was, but Kadeen knew it, and he had been thinking about her nonstop since hiring her that fateful day.

  He couldn’t risk ruining their professional relationship for the sake of a few romantic
feelings.

  Still, what he felt for her was unlike anything he had ever known before. He wanted to know her intimately, of course, but he also loved the way her mind worked, and cared deeply about what she thought of him. That was new.

  Normally, Kadeen couldn’t care less what anyone thought. He had never needed to. That was the perk of being the king’s cousin; people could think what they wanted, but in the end he always got his own way.

  So what did he want, when it came to Nicole? And what would he do if his parents realized that he was in town? There were implications there that he couldn’t ignore for much longer. At the ripe old age of twenty-nine, he could feel the sands of time pouring against him. His days of carefree fun could not last much longer.