The Sheikh’s Secret Heir(4)
If only she could claim he was a man of honor, but all signs pointed to the contrary. “I suppose only time will tell.”
Maysa closed the chart and came to her feet. “I suppose you will learn soon enough. In the meantime, you’ll need to take better care of yourself, including getting more rest.”
As much as Kira had always dreamed of having a child, reaching that goal now hadn’t figured into her immediate plans, especially when considering her duties at the palace. “I have no idea how to balance work and this pregnancy. And I can’t imagine what my parents will say when I tell them.”
Maysa frowned. “They would not welcome a grandchild?”
“Since my mother’s Canadian and open-minded, she would be fine with it. My father, on the other hand, is from Bajul and quite the traditionalist. He would not be pleased to know his unwed daughter is giving birth.”
Maysa rested a hand on Kira’s shoulder. “If you determine the timing is not right for you, perhaps you should consider adoption.”
Since she was an adopted child, a fact few people knew, she had mixed feelings about that option. “I don’t know if I could hand over my baby to strangers.”
“Some believe that is the most unselfish thing a woman can do for her child, myself included. Regardless, you do not need to decide immediately. I am going to prescribe prenatal vitamins that you should begin taking.”
When Maysa turned to the counter and began scribbling on a prescription pad, Kira slid off the table and pressed her palm against the small of her aching back. At least now she knew why she’d been so tired and slightly nauseated. At least now she could explain the absence of her period. At least now she could formulate a plan for the future and decide if it would include the father of her baby.
It suddenly occurred to her that perhaps she should reconsider Tarek’s offer. Not only would she get some rest, but two weeks might be enough time to determine if he wanted children, and hopefully whether he would be father material. If neither applied, she could decide where she would go from there.
As soon as she returned to the palace, she would seek out Tarek Azzmar and ask a few more questions about his proposition. Only then could she establish if spending more time with him would be worth the risk.
* * *
“Miss Darzin is here to see you, sir.”
Tarek glanced up to find the young woman he’d recently hired standing in the doorway to his private study. He hesitated, surprised by the announcement. “Send her in, Adara.”
After the servant disappeared, Tarek set the quarterly reports on the teakwood end table, rose from the club chair and waited for what seemed an interminable amount of time before Kira appeared, looking as beautiful as the first time he’d noticed her across a crowded reception hall.
After tugging at the hem of her blue blazer, she swept one hand through her chin-length golden-brown hair and surveyed the room. “It’s nice to see you’ve completed all the décor.”
“It is very nice to see you.”
“Thank you,” she said with cool formality. “Everything looks extremely different from the last time I visited.”
The visit Tarek had not forgotten. The tour of the newly built, empty mansion had ended with a passionate encounter on the floor of the grand ballroom. “I still have some work to do on the third floor suites. How was your appointment with the physician, if you do not mind my asking?”
“I received a clean bill of health.” She then strolled into the room and breezed past him to study the volumes of books on the shelves behind his desk. “You have very eclectic tastes when it comes to novels. I had no idea you were so interested in true crime.”
He slid his hands into his pockets and approached her slowly. “Did you come here to approve my reading material?”
Finally, she faced him. “Actually, I came here to discuss the trip to Cyprus. I have a few more questions before I make my decision.”
His optimism rose when he thought she might have reconsidered his proposition. “What would you wish to know?”
“You’re certain we would be gone only two weeks?”
“Unless unforeseen issues arise. Granted, you would be required to stay only that length of time. Should you decide to depart earlier, I agree to accommodate your request.”
She folded her arms beneath her breasts and attempted a smile. “Then you don’t plan to hold me hostage against my will?”
Her assumption angered him somewhat. “I would never hold a woman captive.” At least not in the literal sense.
“That’s somewhat reassuring.”
“Do you have more questions?”