The Sheikh's Unforgettable Lover(27)

In her heart, Kim wanted to say yes, but she needed answers.

“But your father…”

“Is an old fool who needs someone like you around to remind him what it’s like to be young and in love,” Saeed said as he walked around the side of the car toward her.

Shaking her head, Kim rubbed her eyes and looked back up, as Saeed grinned at her. “Yes, even an old dog like me can mend his ways.”

Suddenly remembering what he had just said, she looked at Karim, “Love?”

Nodding his head, Karim looked at her, “Love.”

Staring at him, Kim still couldn’t comprehend what was going on. “So, you, love me?” she asked.

Nodding his head again, “Yes, I love you, Kimberly Atkins.”

Shaking her head, Kim stepped back wondering if this was some sort of cruel joke. How could he love her? Realizing that she didn’t believe him, he stepped toward the passengers who had clustered around them to watch.

Pointing to her, he looked at them, “Evidently, she doesn’t believe me,” he told them as they nodded in agreement. “I seem to have a reputation as someone who was adamant that love did not exist. That love was for the weak.” Clutching his hands to his heart, he looked at Kim, “Well, if that is the case, then I can think of no better woman to lose myself to than Miss Atkins over there.”

Wiping the tears off her face, she still refused to walk to him. “You don’t believe in relationships.”

Waving his finger in the air, he looked at the passengers again. “Now that was once true. Like love, I thought that relationships made you weak because it would mean depending on someone else. But it also means that they will stand by your side through the good and the bad. Unfortunately, I find that I am in love with the one woman who isn’t eager to jump my bones,” he told them conspiratorially. “What am I going to do about that?” he asked.

“Incoming!” Amare shouted moments before he felt Kimberly slam into his back sending them both tumbling to the ground.

Rolling onto his back to catch her, he laughed as she joyously kissed his face.

“I love you too, Karim Sharqi,” she shouted as the passengers began to clap and cheer.

The sound of sirens in the distance had Saeed Sharqi looking over his shoulder.

“Oh dear, I think those are for me,” he said calmly.

“Wait, what?” Kim asked.

Laughing, “Yes, father crashed through the security barrier so we wouldn’t miss your flight,” Amare told her.

“So, if you don’t mind, could we please keep an old man out of jail and get out of here?” Saeed asked plaintively as everyone laughed. “Come on, I’ll drive,” he offered as he walked toward the driver’s side.

“No!” the brothers shouted in unison.





Chapter Twenty-one




Two months later, Kim sat in the courtyard with Saeed; teaching him how to use a computer as he eagerly scoured the current news feeds for stock information. He chuckled with glee over a human-interest piece about him saving the orphanage.

Karim stood at a distance and watched her tutoring his father. It was crazy how things had changed so much in such a short time. Six months ago, he was working out right there in the courtyard while Kim had been spying on him from above. He had known that she was watching him from the moment she rustled the curtains and he had stayed out there far longer than he normally would. So much so, that he was sore the next day, but it was worth it.

While he would not have readily admitted his attraction to her, it pleased him that she found him desirable more than any other woman had and it had taken him months finally to understand why. Without intending to, she had managed to get under his skin in ways that no other human had ever done and now, he couldn’t imagine it any other way.

***

The last two months had been very eventful for Kim. She was actually spending time with Saeed and teaching him how to use the computer. Kim and Saeed slowly built a relationship as she worked to show him that not all western women were bad.

Thankfully, he came to realise his mistake and even told Kim that she was good for Karim. He had changed for the better because of her. Amare had also passed his exams with flying colours and was amongst the top ten in the country.

Saeed was so grateful to Kim for Amare’s high marks that he had offered her a large bonus, but instead of taking the cheque, she asked him to save the orphanage instead. Her response caught Saeed off guard, as he didn’t expect her to be so generous. Picking up the phone, he called the director to find out exactly how much they needed and he readily agreed to cover all their financial needs.

“I believe I misjudged you gravely,” he told her as he read the article about the orphanage. She smiled and shook her head.