Free The Sheikh's American Daughter by Kate Goldman Page A

spicy. Not too much and not too little,” said Joseph. Olivia stared at him with her eyebrows crossed as he ordered. “I want the lamb with steamed vegetables and hummus on the side,” he continued. The waiter nodded.
     
    “What would you like to drink?” he asked.
     
    “Bring me a jar of lemon water and Lebanese coffee. Bring me the coffee after the meal.”
     
    “Yes, sheikh.” The waiter nodded and left the room.
     
    “You could not even say please or thank you,” Olivia said to Joseph after the waiter had left.
     
    “It is his job to take my order,” said Joseph.
     
    Olivia shook her head. 
     
    “You didn’t even order any carbs.”
     
    “Carbs?”
     
    “Carbohydrates like rice, pasta or pita bread.”
     
    “It’s best to not consume such foods.”
     
    Olivia narrowed her gaze at him. “Can we at least have ice cream or cake for dessert?” she said.
     
    “No,” he replied. He was a very healthy person. He went to great lengths to maintain his health and his physique.
     
    “We are not even married and you are going to control what I eat?” she asked.
     
    “You asked me to order for you.”
     
    “I know, but I did not think it meant no carbs.” She sulked. She slumped her shoulders and pouted. Joseph wanted to smile. It the first time she had sulked in his presence. It was adorable.
     
    “I’ll buy you dessert next time,” he said to her.
     
    “Next time? How can you be so sure that there will be a next time?”
     
    “There will.” He was confident in his charms. He was going to melt her tough exterior by the end of the lunch. He was going to win her over, no matter what.
     
    Moments later, the waiter returned with their food and placed it on the table. He asked if they needed anything else before he left. Joseph shook his head and waved his hand to dismiss him. The waiter left promptly.
     
    “Well, it looks good,” Olivia said as she picked up her cutlery. She cut into her appetizing lamb and took a bite. Joseph started eating also.
     
    “What is your life like in Atlanta? What do you do?” he asked her.
     
    “Now you want to get to know me,” she replied sarcastically.
     
    “I want to know what you so desperately want to return to.”
     
    Olivia smiled before she replied. “I’ve been working as a part-time receptionist for the past five years.” 
     
    “Why part-time?” Joseph asked.
     
    “I was in college, studying pharmacology.”
     
    Joseph raised his eyebrows. She studied science at a higher level. It was rare for him to meet a beautiful female scientist. Most beautiful women were into fashion and cosmetics. Olivia was a breath of fresh air.
     
    “Now that you have graduated, you will be working in your field?” he asked.
     
    She nodded.
     
    “I would have been searching for jobs but instead I am here.” She sighed.
     
    “You can work here.”
     
    Olivia looked at him and narrowed her gaze. “Let’s say that I agree to marry you. Then what?” she asked. Joseph looked into her hazel eyes and smiled. “I didn’t say that I would agree, I am just trying to see where your head is,” she quickly clarified. He already knew that it was hypothetical.
     
    “Then we get married,” he said.
     
    “That’s it?”
     
    “Then your life would change for the better.”
     
    Olivia let out a laugh. She had an odd laugh. It was not feminine at all. “Don’t you mean that your life would change for the better?” she said.
     
    Joseph took a sip of his lemon water. He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth.
     
    The waiter returned for their plates. He carried them out and then returned with their coffee. Olivia picked up the small cup of coffee and studied it. 
     
    “It’s so small,” she said.
     
    “It’s very strong,” Joseph informed her. She looked at him with a widened gaze.
     
    “Really? How strong?”
     
    “Taste it and find out.”
     
    Olivia took a sip. Her eyes flew open and she almost jumped out of her seat.