Sheikh's Pregnant Lover Read Online Free PDF Page A

in more traditional Muslim attire. “You were at the wedding celebration, weren’t you?”
    “I was.” Zayid bowed, then extended a hand to her, a smile tugging at his lips. “Zayid Tuma, at your service.”
    Madeline accepted his hand, and a little shiver of warmth rushed through her as, instead of shaking her hand, he pressed his lips to her skin. They were warm and full and slightly wicked, and she couldn’t help wondering how it would feel if he trailed his kiss farther up along her arm, across her collarbone…
    Woah there. This is a friendly dinner, remember?
    “I’m Madeline Anthony,” she said, smiling back. “Although I think you already know that.”
    “I couldn’t possibly forget.” Zayid winked as he retreated back behind the table. “Even if I hadn’t met you at the wedding, Vanessa hasn’t been able to stop talking about you since you announced that you were coming.”
    “You’re Adir’s cousin, correct?” Madeline asked as she took her seat next to Vanessa. She couldn’t help but notice that the candles and pink rose petals strewn across the table made this dinner feel incredibly romantic…almost like a double date.
    “Yes, although I’m not nearly as noble as Adir is.” Zayid gave his cousin a cheeky grin. “My cousin here is a firstborn son, whereas I was third born in my own family, so I doubt I’ll ever have the responsibility of ruling. Which I don’t mind, as it enables me to travel frequently.”
    “He was born into the royal family of Abu Dhabi,” Adir said by way of explanation. “His mother is my aunt, which is where the blood relation comes from. Though with the amount of time he spends lounging around in my palace, you’d think he was a member of Dubai’s royal family,” he added dryly.
    Zayid chuckled. “You make it sound as if I’m here all the time, which I’m not. I simply prefer your palace to my parents’, is all.”
    Madeline snorted. “My, it sounds like you have a hard life,” she teased, shaking her head.
    “Forgive me.” Zayid’s eyes twinkled as they turned back toward Madeline. “How rude of me to talk about myself when we’re here to celebrate your first day living in Dubai. Why don’t you tell us how your first day went?”
    “Oh I had a great first day,” Madeline said enthusiastically. She told them about her first day at the lab, and about her new boss and coworkers, and everyone took turns asking her questions about the space, the equipment, how she was adjusting to the time zone, and all the usual travel stuff. The evening progressed pleasantly enough, and with the exception of the occasional interruption of the waiter to take their orders and bring their food, conversation flowed smoothly, for which Madeline was glad. The tea helped invigorate her, and she was surprised to find herself interested as Adir talked about the day-to-day operations of running the city.
    Zayid, she discovered, was a bit of a businessman in his own right. He owned a chain of hotels spread throughout Europe and Asia that he managed, but according to him the CEO he paid had things very well in hand most of the time, so Zayid had plenty of free time that he used to travel. The way his lips curved and his eyes sparkled mischievously at her told Madeline that travel wasn’t the only thing he indulged in. He was surely a playboy, and with the way he was flirting with her, teasing her occasionally and brushing his knees up against hers beneath the table, she knew he had his sights set on her.
    The trouble was, she didn’t know what to do about it.
    What’s the harm? she thought to herself as she eyed him from behind the safety of her glass. He’s the one-night stand type, that’s clear enough. It’s not like you’d be risking your heart if you allowed him to make the next move.
    Before Madeline had fallen for Jason, she’d been the queen of casual dating. She always had a new guy every Friday night, maybe every two Friday nights if the gentleman in