Free Sheikh's Pregnant Lover by Sophia Lynn, Jessica Brooke

to ignore it.
    “Madeline.” Zayid’s full lips stretched into a broad smile that made her stomach flip-flop. “I’m so glad you could make it.” He stood to greet her.
    “Yeah, well, I always was a sucker for lasagna,” Madeline joked, trying to alleviate some of the tension within her. Zayid didn’t look even remotely stressed as he approached her. His broad shoulders were relaxed, and his silver eyes sparkled as he took her in.
    “You look very nice,” he told her as he pulled out her chair for her to sit.
    “Thank you, but I’m just dressed for work.” He leaned forward a little to push her chair in, and Madeline caught a whiff of his spicy-sweet aftershave. It sent tingles through her, and she curled her fists in her lap beneath the table to keep herself from leaning back to get a deeper sniff. She’d had her fill of him already, and she wasn’t planning on taking anymore, not if she knew what was good for her.
    “Perhaps, but you have great fashion sense nevertheless,” Zayid said simply as he returned to his seat.
    Madeline felt warmth spread across her cheeks, and she glanced away, hoping Zayid wouldn’t notice. What the hell was wrong with her? Zayid was hot, but he was a playboy, and she wasn’t about to get involved with someone like him.
    “Would you like anything to drink, miss?” a waiter appeared at the table, a young blond with dark eyes and a British accent. “Some water perhaps, or tea? Or are you ready to order?”
    “I think she’d like a few minutes since she just got here,” Zayid said. “But probably you would like something to drink, no?” he asked Madeline.
    “Actually, I’m fine with ordering now,” Madeline said. She wanted to get this dinner over with as quickly as possible. “Can I get an order of lasagna and some iced tea?”
    “Of course.” The waiter’s eyebrows winged up, but he didn’t say anything about Madeline contradicting Zayid, a royal. “And for you, Your Highness?”
    “I’ll take the tortellini.”
    They handed the menus back to the waiter, forcing Madeline to tuck her hands into her lap once more so that Zayid wouldn’t see her fidgeting. “So, what is it that you wanted to say to me?”
    Zayid’s lips quirked up. “Right down to business, eh?”
    Madeline gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m curious,” she deflected.
    “Very well.” Zayid sighed. “I wanted to apologize for encroaching on your work area and making you feel uncomfortable yesterday. I realize that I don’t know much about you despite our…closeness the other day, and it was wrong of me to assume that you would receive me well.”
    “Well, thank you.” Madeline was a little surprised at the sincerity in Zayid’s voice. Despite his roguish charm, he was very well mannered and certainly not like any player she’d ever met before. “I’ll admit I might’ve been ruder than warranted. Especially considering your status.”
    Zayid frowned. “I don’t want my status to be a factor between us, Madeline.” He began to reach across the table, as if he wanted to grab her hand, but he pulled back. Madeline wasn’t sure if that was because he’d changed his mind, or because her hands weren’t in view. “When I make friends with someone I want them to appreciate me for my merits, not my title.”
    Madeline’s eyebrows drew up. “Friends?”
    Zayid shrugged. “I’m not going to pretend that I’m not attracted to you, Madeline, but if you aren’t ready for more than that I don’t see any reason why we have to avoid each other. We’re practically family as it is, and I really am interested in your work.”
    “Why?” Madeline wanted to know. “Not about the family part, I get that, but why are you so interested in the IVF project I’m working on?”
    Zayid’s expression turned serious as he reached into the inside jacket pocket of his suit—navy blue today—and pulled out his wallet. From within it, he withdrew a small photograph. “This is my sister,