The Sheikh's ASAP Bride

by Holly Rayner

  “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.

  “We might be going to more than just dinner tonight.”

  Jacqui climbed into the car, and found two glasses and a bottle of champagne waiting. Khizar slid in next to her and closed the door.

  He leaned forward and said to the driver, “We’re ready, thank you.”

  He sat back and gestured to the glasses. “Would you like something to drink?”

  The car pulled away from the building as Jacqui took a glass from Khizar, his fingers brushing against hers. She thought he might have lingered there, just a bit.

  It wasn’t a long ride, and Jacqui mostly enjoyed just being in a luxurious car sipping champagne. Khizar helped her out of the car and led her into another water-front restaurant. Once again, they were greeted with deference and shown to one of the best tables in the house.

  As they were looking over the menus, the chef came out from the kitchen to chat with them. He talked with Jacqui and Khizar for a few minutes, and promised to make them an amazing meal.

  After they ordered, Jacqui looked around at the restaurant. It was another place she could never afford on her own. She had to admit, it was nice to be treated to such amazing places.

  She noticed Khizar studying people as they walked by, and she nudged his arm.

  “Penny for your thoughts?”

  “Ah, hazard of the trade. I can’t help but notice what jewelry people are wearing.”

  “Do you see any of yours?” Jacqui was teasing, but Khizar swept the room with a serious, critical gaze.

  His eyes landed on an older woman wearing a long cocktail dress and he nodded.

  “See her necklace? I don’t know where the chain came from, but the pendant is one of my father’s designs. It’s a ruby and diamond set, probably from a Nudushani mine.”

  Jacqui looked at him in amazement. “You can tell all of that from here?”

  He shrugged. “All part of the trade.”

  Jacqui tilted her head. “Can you recognize other brands of jewelry?”

  “I can.” Khizar gave her a rakish grin. “Try me?”

  “And how am I supposed to know if you’re right? You could be making things up.”

  Khizar held his hand over his heart. “I never lie about jewelry.”

  He sounded so serious, and looked so adorable, that Jacqui couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay. Wow me.”

  And he did. Leaning into her side, Khizar whispered the names of the best jewelry houses in the world as he pointed out different pieces around the room. A couple of times, he raised his eyebrows or shook his head.

  “What is it?” Jacqui asked.

  “I hope she knows those aren’t real.” He pointed his chin at another woman across the room who was wearing a large diamond bracelet.

  Jacqui tried to figure out what he was seeing. “They’re not?”
/>   Khizar shook his head.

  “It’s a very good reproduction made by someone who knew what they were doing. It’s possible that she had it made so that she wouldn’t risk something happening to the original piece.”

  “That makes sense,” Jacqui said. She looked around the room. “What about those?”

  She was looking at a lovely garnet necklace. Khizar whistled lowly.

  “Good eye. That’s a rare piece, definitely an antique. Because it’s a green garnet, it’s more valuable. However, it’s the age and the setting that truly sets it off. If she has matching earrings, the whole set would be quite valuable.”

  Jacqui watched him, amused by the change in his voice and manner, which was somewhere between professorial and ardent admiration. He leaned forward, focused and measured, but also eager. She was seeing another side of this mysterious man, and it was, Jacqui admitted, attractive.

  “You want to go chat her up, don’t you?” Jacqui teased him.

  “What? No.” Khizar turned back to her.

  Jacqui grinned mischievously at him. “Okay, you want to go chat up her jewelry.”

  Khizar laughed loudly, surprised. “I promise; I only have eyes for you.”

  “It’s okay. I understand. I can share you with other women’s jewelry.”

  Khizar laughed again and took her hand, caressing it lightly with his thumb.

  “Another risk of the business. I’m always assessing the values of precious stones. But if I’m distracted by a lovely gem, it’s nothing compared to the distraction I feel in your presence. You overwhelm me.”

  Jacqui blushed. She was saved from needing to respond by the arrival of their food.

  After dinner and another short ride, they arrived at their next stop. Khizar helped Jacqui out of the car, then let her take in their new location.

  They were standing in front of a large neoclassical building with a row of stately large columns running the length of the building. Marble steps led up to the entry, and well-dressed people were streaming in.

  “We’re at the Arts Center,” Jacqui stated.

  Khizar held out two tickets to her, and Jacqui read them. She looked up at him and smiled in delight.

  “We’re going to see the ballet?”

  “We are indeed.” He looked pleased at her excitement.

  They walked into the building and found their seats close to the front, near the stage. Jacqui loved ballet—the music and the costumes inspired her. She sat rapt, soaking in the sounds and sights.

  During the intermission, Khizar asked her if she wanted to go into the lobby.

  Jacqui shook her head and opened her purse.

  “I think I’ll sit here, but go on if you like.”

  She pulled out a pen, and on the back of a blank page in her program, Jacqui began to sketch, not really paying attention to whether or not Khizar stayed.

  Jacqui did feel him sit back down next to her. He waited patiently as she drew, finally putting her pen down. Khizar leaned over, silently asking if he could see. She turned the paper toward him.

  He studied it, and then said, “These are cakes?”

  Jacqui nodded.

  “I’ve always wanted to design cakes based on famous ballets.”

  Khizar tapped the paper and said sincerely, “These are amazing, Jacqui. Why don’t you do more of these?”

  She shrugged, pleased that he liked her design, but embarrassed that she didn’t have a better answer.

  “There’s not really a market for these kinds of cakes.”

  “You’re an artist, truly. I think, with the right strategy, you could find a lot of customers for these.”

  The lights dimmed to indicate the start of the next act. Jacqui felt warm and cozy at Khizar’s praise, and the rest of the ballet passed in a delicious swirl of color and happiness.

  Chapter 5

  Khizar

  The next morning, Khizar woke up late. He had stayed up far past midnight the night before, answering emails and handling business matters. He could stay in Milwaukee a little longer, but there was still work to be done.

  He checked in with James to see if his investigator had learned anything else. There was no new information, so Khizar decided to move forward with his strategy.

  Jacqui had mentioned that she closed the shop early one day a week, and so he had planned a full afternoon and evening of activities. All signs pointed toward her falling for him, and it was only a matter of time before he could propose and then discover what he needed to know.

  The Sheikh took his time with the arrangements for their date, wanting it to be clear that he was courting her. He also started to make plans for that weekend, in the hopes that Jacqui would allow him to truly sweep her away for a magical, if brief, vacation.

  He arrived at the bakery a few minutes before it closed, and spent that time enjoying the warmth of Jacqui’s little shop. Khizar was surprised at just how much he was growing to like being in the bakery; it was one of the few places he felt no pressure and no rush.

  Jacqui flipped the closed sign on the door over and looked around the bakery. “I’m ready to go if you are.”

  The Sheikh nodded, and Jacqui locked the door behind them before starting to walk towards Khizar’s car. He took her hand and pulled her in the other direction instead.

  “I thought we’d walk,” he said, keeping her hand in his.

  “I didn’t think sheikhs walked anywhere.”

  Her teasing tone delighted Khizar. It meant she felt comfortable enough with him to open up.

  “This one does, and it’s such a lovely day, I thought we might enjoy it at a slower pace.”

  He felt Jacqui relax her hand in his, and twined their fingers together. They walked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, until their destination became clear.

  “We’re going to the park?”

  “We are, indeed.”

  Khizar had done his research. One of Milwaukee’s largest and prettiest parks was not too far from Jacqui’s bakery, and it was perfect for an afternoon outing with long trails, a lake, and lush green areas with willow trees and flower gardens.

  They walked through the large wrought-iron arch marking the entrance of the park, their hands swinging lightly between them. Khizar steered their walk to a path on the left, around a slight bend, and then to a small pavilion. Jacqui gave him a puzzled look, but Khizar only grinned, and putting his fingers to his lips, blew a loud, sharp whistle.

  From the other side of the pavilion, they heard a clop clop clop and then saw a dappled grey-and-white horse come around the corner. The horse was pulling a dark grey carriage with large red wheels. There were flowers and ribbons intertwined around every free spot on the carriage, and the horse had ribbons braided in its mane.

  Khizar stepped toward the carriage as it stopped in front of them, pulling Jacqui with him.

  “We’re going for a carriage ride?!” Jacqui’s voice was incredulous, but unmistakably happy.

  “This sheikh has done enough walking for the day,” he said, teasing her with her words.

  Jacqui laughed and Khizar felt something he hadn’t planned on. He liked making her happy. Not just spoiling her, but making her truly happy.

  Khizar helped Jacqui into the carriage and then followed her, settling next to her on the seat.

  Jacqui leaned into Khizar’s side, giddy with excitement as the coachman clucked to the horse and they pulled away. She narrated different parts of the park as they drove through it.

  “Over there, they set up an ice skating rink every winter. But sometimes, it gets cold enough that the lake freezes, and everyone goes skating there, too.”

  She pointed toward a large area with grills and picnic tables.

  “The orphanage does a big cookout party here every year with all the kids and prospective parents. It’s a chance for them to have fun and get to know each other.”

  “Do you attend?”

  Jacqui nodded.

  “I volunteer, usually puttin
g the food together. I remember what it was like to have all these adults coming in to look you over, and I want to make that process better for these kids.”

  Khizar hesitated, because he didn’t want to make her sad, but he was curious.

  “You were in an orphanage for how long after your parents died?”

  “I actually lived there for about three months. I was in different foster homes the rest of the time, bouncing around. I lived in four different towns during that time, with six different families.”

  “That’s… I don’t even know what that must have been like,” Khizar said.

  “It was tough. But at least all my families were good people. Some of these kids have it much harder than I did.” She sighed. “I got really lucky when I found Mom and Dad, though. They made me a part of their family, but they never wanted me to forget my parents.”

  “Did you always call them Mom and Dad?” Khizar asked.

  “I didn’t, for the first two years after they adopted me. I called them by the first names, but as I got more comfortable, I realized that they weren’t trying to replace my parents. It got easier to wrap my head around the idea of having two sets of parents, and I just started thinking of them that way.”

  Khizar hesitated again. He hadn’t planned on bringing up other family members yet, but it seemed like a natural time to ask.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t go to live with your grandparents or other family members.”

  Jacqui shook her head. “Didn’t have any. Both my parents were only children. My mother’s parents died before I was born, and both my Grandpa Jack and Grandma Evelyn died when I was young. I remember them, but just barely.”

  Khizar could hear the hitch in her voice and realized that talking about her lost family was making her sad.

  He nudged her arm and said, “I think you are an amazing woman.”

  Jacqui tilted her head to look up at him. “I am?”

  He nodded. “Not everyone would triumph over adversity the way you have.”

  Khizar thought for a moment that he might kiss her; he was certain Jacqui would welcome that. The look on her face was soft and inviting, and she leaned into him.